Crown Heights marks 35 years since murder of Yankel Rosenbaum

The 35th anniversary of the murder of Yankel Rosenbaum is being marked in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Rosenbaum, a 29-year-old Australian Lubavitcher, was killed during the 1991 Crown Heights riots when a mob pursued him through the streets shouting antisemitic slogans.

Following the murder, Rosenbaum’s brother, Norman Rosenbaum, dedicated much of his life to seeking justice. Despite living in Australia, Norman traveled to New York more than 250 times to press officials and prosecutors to ensure the case was not forgotten. Norman continued this advocacy until his death in 2020.

While relations between the Black and Jewish communities in Crown Heights have improved significantly since the riots, the neighborhood continues to face occasional antisemitic provocations from outside agitators.