New Jersey rabbi assaulted outside his home, helped by bystander; both lightly hurt
40-year-old man arrested and charged with two counts of simple assault after attack on Teaneck Rabbi Avraham Wein; officials denounce antisemitism, though motive not established
A US rabbi was assaulted outside his New Jersey home Sunday afternoon, in what authorities described as an “isolated incident” that may have been antisemitic in nature.
A suspect — Jeffrey Zicchinella, 40 — has been arrested and charged with two counts of simple assault, said Bergenfield police, after he allegedly attacked Rabbi Avraham Wein. The suspect was confined in the county jail. No motive has yet been established.
Wein serves as assistant rabbi at Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck, New Jersey, and is on the faculty at Torah Academy of Bergen County, also in Teaneck. The incident took place in neighboring Bergenfield.
Local police chief Mustafa Rabboh posted on an official police Facebook page that Zicchinella was driving when he stopped, got out of his vehicle, and assaulted Wein. A nearby resident came to Wein’s aid, and both sustained minor injuries.
“We take all reports of bias-motivated or hate-related incidents seriously and remain dedicated to ensuring that everyone in our Borough feels safe and respected. At this time, preliminary findings indicate that this appears to be an isolated incident,” Rabboh wrote.
“We want to assure our residents that there is no ongoing threat to the community. In an abundance of caution, I have ordered our officers to conduct extra patrols around residences and synagogues,” he added.
UPDATED: A rabbi at Keter Torah in Teaneck was attacked today. This is a vile, hateful act.
This happened ahead of Sukkot, a holiday celebrating the harvest — a time meant for faith, family, and community. Every North Jersey family deserves to worship freely and safely.… pic.twitter.com/QpRsyAmPjf
— Rep Josh Gottheimer (@RepJoshG) October 6, 2025
Social media posts in the hours after the incident falsely reported that Wein had been building his sukkah for the upcoming Sukkot holiday when he was attacked, and that he was hospitalized. Neither claim was accurate, said Congregation Keter Torah in an email to congregants.
Local officials condemned the incident.
Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatoria wrote on Facebook: “This was a shameful act that has no place in Bergenfield. I strongly condemn this attack and make it clear that we will not tolerate violence in our town, against anyone, under any circumstances.”
US Rep. Josh Gottheimer called the incident “a vile, hateful act,” noting: “This happened ahead of Sukkot, a holiday celebrating the harvest — a time meant for faith, family, and community.”
“Every North Jersey family deserves to worship freely and safely. Antisemitism has no place here. I’m glad the attacker was quickly apprehended and taken into custody, and they must be held accountable for this hate crime,” he said in a statement.
The attack came days before Jews worldwide mark two years since the Hamas terror group’s October 7, 2023, attack in Israel, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. It also came less than a week after a deadly terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester, England, where worshipers were gathered for Yom Kippur services.
The Times of Israel Community.