New Jersey rabbi assaulted in suspected hate crime
On Oct. 5, 2025, Rabbi Avraham Wein—an assistant at Congregation Keter Torah in nearby Teaneck—was assaulted outside his Bergenfield, New Jersey, home. Police arrested 40‑year‑old Jeffrey Zicchinella (also reported to use the name Jeffrey Vangoldren) at the scene; he has been charged with two counts of simple assault and remanded to the Bergen County Jail as investigators coordinate with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether the incident was bias‑motivated. Borough officials ordered extra patrols around synagogues and residential neighborhoods ahead of the Sukkot holiday, and the mayor publicly condemned the attack.
Crime
Religion
📌 Key Facts
- Oct. 5, 2025 — Rabbi Avraham Wein assaulted outside his Bergenfield, NJ, home around 2:00 p.m.
- Suspect: Jeffrey Zicchinella (age 40), arrested at the scene, charged with two counts of simple assault and remanded to Bergen County Jail; may also go by Jeffrey Vangoldren.
- Bergenfield Police Department is coordinating with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office on a potential bias‑motivated/hate‑crime investigation and has ordered extra synagogue and neighborhood patrols; Mayor Arvin Amatorio condemned the attack.