Edison Divorce Torture Plot
Divorce Coercion Kidnapping Ring
CLASSIFICATION: Kidnapping
LOCATION
New York, New York
TIME PERIOD
Mid-1980s to 2013
VICTIMS
10 confirmed
The New York divorce coercion gang, led by Mendel Epstein, operated from the mid-1980s until its dismantling in October 2013, targeting Jewish men in the New York metropolitan area to force them to grant religious divorces (gittin) to their wives through kidnapping and torture. The FBI conducted a successful sting operation that resulted in the arrest and prosecution of four gang members, with three convicted by late 2015. Key figures included Epstein and Martin Wolmark, who were instrumental in the gang's activities, which exploited the complexities of Jewish divorce law. Currently, the case remains a significant example of the intersection of religious practices and criminal coercion, with ongoing discussions about the implications for community practices and legal reforms.
The New York divorce coercion gang is believed to have operated under the premise that coercion was necessary to ensure men granted religious divorces, as the traditional Jewish law allowed husbands to unilaterally refuse. Some speculate that the gang's actions were driven by a desire to maintain control over marital practices within their community, leading to the kidnapping and torture of men who did not comply. There is also a theory that the gang's activities were not just isolated incidents but part of a broader network operating under similar motivations in other regions.
The Chilling Tale of the New York Divorce Coercion Gang
Kidnap and Torture Ring
In the shadows of the vibrant New York metropolitan area, a sinister plot unfolded, orchestrated by a Haredi Jewish group known as the New York divorce coercion gang. Their mission was as chilling as it was straightforward: to kidnap and, in some instances, torture Jewish men, compelling them to grant their wives religious divorces, known as "gittin." This nefarious operation continued unchecked until a decisive sting operation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in October 2013 brought the group to its knees. The sting resulted in the prosecution of four men, with three convictions secured by late 2015.
Background
In Jewish tradition, divorce is permissible, but the power historically rested solely with the husband, who could unilaterally end a marriage by giving his wife a "get" or divorce document. However, during the Middle Ages, this dynamic shifted due to the influence of Gershom ben Judah, who decreed that both parties must consent to a divorce. This amendment in Jewish law, halakha, was designed to prevent invalid second marriages and the subsequent social stigma of mamzerim—children born from such unions, considered illegitimate. When disputes arose, a competent beth din, or rabbinical court, would arbitrate the divorce. Coercive measures could be applied to a recalcitrant spouse, including community shunning, financial penalties, or even physical confinement, but these steps required a formal ruling of coercion (kofin). Unlike their husbands, women could not easily remarry without a get, placing them in a vulnerable position when husbands withheld consent.
The Emergence of the Prodfather
In the mid-1980s, Mendel Epstein, a Haredi rabbi from Brooklyn, New York, stepped into this gray area of Jewish law. Nicknamed "The Prodfather," Epstein was notorious for his violent methods, boasting of using a cattle prod to persuade husbands to grant divorces. His tactics came under public scrutiny in 1991 when Father's Rights activist Monty Weinstein staged a protest outside Epstein's home, decrying the rabbi's violent methods, which had long been ignored by the authorities.
The gang's brutality became starkly evident on October 23, 1996, when Abraham Rubin was kidnapped in Borough Park, Brooklyn. Rubin was ambushed by masked men, beaten, and repeatedly shocked with a stun gun until he agreed to give his wife a get. This horrifying three-hour ordeal left him battered and abandoned at a cemetery.
Legal Battles and Intimidation
Rubin's ordeal led him to file a civil racketeering lawsuit against Epstein and his conspirator, Martin Wolmark, but legal justice was elusive. Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes dropped charges in 2000 due to a lack of identification of the assailants. Similarly, other victims, like accountant Stephen Weiss, who alleged a brutal attack in 1992, saw no arrests made despite mounting accusations against the gang. By 2009, the gang's violent tactics showed no signs of abating. Israel Markowitz was lured from Brooklyn to Lakewood Township, New Jersey, and subjected to a vicious assault, mirroring previous attacks.
The following year, Yisrael Bryskman, an Israeli citizen, faced a terrifying ordeal at the Lakewood home of David Wax, an accomplice of Epstein. Bryskman was brutally assaulted, threatened with torture, and coerced into granting a divorce. In a grotesque display, he was shown a body bag to "get used to the size" and threatened with being fed to rats. Wax extorted $100,000 for the get, half of which went to Epstein, and even attempted further extortion from Bryskman's father in Israel.
The Sting Operation
The FBI's interest in Mendel Epstein's activities was piqued by these violent incidents, leading to a sting operation in the summer of 2013. An undercover agent, posing as a woman whose husband refused to grant a divorce, contacted Martin Wolmark. This call initiated a chain of events involving Epstein, who demanded $10,000 for the beth din's approval and $60,000 for associates who would force the husband's compliance through violence.
In a meticulous plan, Epstein scouted a warehouse in Edison, New Jersey, as a potential site for the abduction. On October 9, 2013, as Wolmark and eight others gathered to execute their plan, federal agents intervened, arresting them. Meanwhile, Epstein was detained in Brooklyn, and Wolmark's yeshiva in Suffern was raided.
Criminal Trials and Sentencing
The legal proceedings began on February 18, 2015, at the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in Trenton. After eight weeks of testimony and four days of jury deliberations, Mendel Epstein was convicted of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, although he was acquitted of kidnapping and attempted kidnapping charges. His co-defendants, Jay Goldstein and Binyamin Stimler, were found guilty of conspiracy and attempted kidnapping, while David Epstein was acquitted of all charges.
Sentences varied: Sholom Shuchat received time served and house arrest; Wolmark was sentenced to over three years in prison; Epstein faced a decade behind bars, and Stimler received a three-year sentence. The harshest sentence was reserved for Goldstein, who was sentenced to eight years. David Wax, who cooperated with authorities, was sentenced to seven years in January 2016.
Appeals and Community Reaction
Epstein's appeal cited the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, arguing the FBI's sting interfered with religious practices, a claim dismissed by the court. The broader Jewish community grappled with the scandal's implications. Rabbinical judge David Eidensohn condemned the coercive tactics, emphasizing that marriages dissolved under such circumstances were invalid. Judy Heicklin, president of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, lamented the abuse women faced, both from their husbands and the authorities they sought help from.
The scandal underscored a clash between ancient religious practices and modern legal standards, prompting leaders within the Jewish community to advocate for lawful and ethical solutions to the problem of recalcitrant spouses in divorce proceedings.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the original Wikipedia article: Edison divorce torture plot
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Gang Formation
Mendel Epstein begins advocating for coercive divorces in the Haredi community.
First Known Kidnapping
Abraham Rubin is kidnapped and tortured to force him to grant a religious divorce.
Second Kidnapping Incident
Israel Markowitz is lured and assaulted to coerce him into granting a divorce.
Bryskman Kidnapping
Yisrael Bryskman is kidnapped and tortured to force him to give a divorce.
FBI Sting Operation
FBI agents meet with Martin Wolmark to set up a kidnapping operation.
Arrests Made
FBI arrests Wolmark and eight others during a planned kidnapping operation.
Trial Begins
Trial of Mendel Epstein and co-defendants begins in federal court.
Convictions Announced
Mendel Epstein convicted of conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Sentencing of David Wax
David Wax sentenced to seven years for his role in the kidnapping ring.
The New York divorce coercion gang, led by Mendel Epstein, operated from the mid-1980s until its dismantling in October 2013, targeting Jewish men in the New York metropolitan area to force them to grant religious divorces (gittin) to their wives through kidnapping and torture. The FBI conducted a successful sting operation that resulted in the arrest and prosecution of four gang members, with three convicted by late 2015. Key figures included Epstein and Martin Wolmark, who were instrumental in the gang's activities, which exploited the complexities of Jewish divorce law. Currently, the case remains a significant example of the intersection of religious practices and criminal coercion, with ongoing discussions about the implications for community practices and legal reforms.
The New York divorce coercion gang is believed to have operated under the premise that coercion was necessary to ensure men granted religious divorces, as the traditional Jewish law allowed husbands to unilaterally refuse. Some speculate that the gang's actions were driven by a desire to maintain control over marital practices within their community, leading to the kidnapping and torture of men who did not comply. There is also a theory that the gang's activities were not just isolated incidents but part of a broader network operating under similar motivations in other regions.
The Chilling Tale of the New York Divorce Coercion Gang
Kidnap and Torture Ring
In the shadows of the vibrant New York metropolitan area, a sinister plot unfolded, orchestrated by a Haredi Jewish group known as the New York divorce coercion gang. Their mission was as chilling as it was straightforward: to kidnap and, in some instances, torture Jewish men, compelling them to grant their wives religious divorces, known as "gittin." This nefarious operation continued unchecked until a decisive sting operation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in October 2013 brought the group to its knees. The sting resulted in the prosecution of four men, with three convictions secured by late 2015.
Background
In Jewish tradition, divorce is permissible, but the power historically rested solely with the husband, who could unilaterally end a marriage by giving his wife a "get" or divorce document. However, during the Middle Ages, this dynamic shifted due to the influence of Gershom ben Judah, who decreed that both parties must consent to a divorce. This amendment in Jewish law, halakha, was designed to prevent invalid second marriages and the subsequent social stigma of mamzerim—children born from such unions, considered illegitimate. When disputes arose, a competent beth din, or rabbinical court, would arbitrate the divorce. Coercive measures could be applied to a recalcitrant spouse, including community shunning, financial penalties, or even physical confinement, but these steps required a formal ruling of coercion (kofin). Unlike their husbands, women could not easily remarry without a get, placing them in a vulnerable position when husbands withheld consent.
The Emergence of the Prodfather
In the mid-1980s, Mendel Epstein, a Haredi rabbi from Brooklyn, New York, stepped into this gray area of Jewish law. Nicknamed "The Prodfather," Epstein was notorious for his violent methods, boasting of using a cattle prod to persuade husbands to grant divorces. His tactics came under public scrutiny in 1991 when Father's Rights activist Monty Weinstein staged a protest outside Epstein's home, decrying the rabbi's violent methods, which had long been ignored by the authorities.
The gang's brutality became starkly evident on October 23, 1996, when Abraham Rubin was kidnapped in Borough Park, Brooklyn. Rubin was ambushed by masked men, beaten, and repeatedly shocked with a stun gun until he agreed to give his wife a get. This horrifying three-hour ordeal left him battered and abandoned at a cemetery.
Legal Battles and Intimidation
Rubin's ordeal led him to file a civil racketeering lawsuit against Epstein and his conspirator, Martin Wolmark, but legal justice was elusive. Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes dropped charges in 2000 due to a lack of identification of the assailants. Similarly, other victims, like accountant Stephen Weiss, who alleged a brutal attack in 1992, saw no arrests made despite mounting accusations against the gang. By 2009, the gang's violent tactics showed no signs of abating. Israel Markowitz was lured from Brooklyn to Lakewood Township, New Jersey, and subjected to a vicious assault, mirroring previous attacks.
The following year, Yisrael Bryskman, an Israeli citizen, faced a terrifying ordeal at the Lakewood home of David Wax, an accomplice of Epstein. Bryskman was brutally assaulted, threatened with torture, and coerced into granting a divorce. In a grotesque display, he was shown a body bag to "get used to the size" and threatened with being fed to rats. Wax extorted $100,000 for the get, half of which went to Epstein, and even attempted further extortion from Bryskman's father in Israel.
The Sting Operation
The FBI's interest in Mendel Epstein's activities was piqued by these violent incidents, leading to a sting operation in the summer of 2013. An undercover agent, posing as a woman whose husband refused to grant a divorce, contacted Martin Wolmark. This call initiated a chain of events involving Epstein, who demanded $10,000 for the beth din's approval and $60,000 for associates who would force the husband's compliance through violence.
In a meticulous plan, Epstein scouted a warehouse in Edison, New Jersey, as a potential site for the abduction. On October 9, 2013, as Wolmark and eight others gathered to execute their plan, federal agents intervened, arresting them. Meanwhile, Epstein was detained in Brooklyn, and Wolmark's yeshiva in Suffern was raided.
Criminal Trials and Sentencing
The legal proceedings began on February 18, 2015, at the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in Trenton. After eight weeks of testimony and four days of jury deliberations, Mendel Epstein was convicted of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, although he was acquitted of kidnapping and attempted kidnapping charges. His co-defendants, Jay Goldstein and Binyamin Stimler, were found guilty of conspiracy and attempted kidnapping, while David Epstein was acquitted of all charges.
Sentences varied: Sholom Shuchat received time served and house arrest; Wolmark was sentenced to over three years in prison; Epstein faced a decade behind bars, and Stimler received a three-year sentence. The harshest sentence was reserved for Goldstein, who was sentenced to eight years. David Wax, who cooperated with authorities, was sentenced to seven years in January 2016.
Appeals and Community Reaction
Epstein's appeal cited the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, arguing the FBI's sting interfered with religious practices, a claim dismissed by the court. The broader Jewish community grappled with the scandal's implications. Rabbinical judge David Eidensohn condemned the coercive tactics, emphasizing that marriages dissolved under such circumstances were invalid. Judy Heicklin, president of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, lamented the abuse women faced, both from their husbands and the authorities they sought help from.
The scandal underscored a clash between ancient religious practices and modern legal standards, prompting leaders within the Jewish community to advocate for lawful and ethical solutions to the problem of recalcitrant spouses in divorce proceedings.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the original Wikipedia article: Edison divorce torture plot
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Gang Formation
Mendel Epstein begins advocating for coercive divorces in the Haredi community.
First Known Kidnapping
Abraham Rubin is kidnapped and tortured to force him to grant a religious divorce.
Second Kidnapping Incident
Israel Markowitz is lured and assaulted to coerce him into granting a divorce.
Bryskman Kidnapping
Yisrael Bryskman is kidnapped and tortured to force him to give a divorce.
FBI Sting Operation
FBI agents meet with Martin Wolmark to set up a kidnapping operation.
Arrests Made
FBI arrests Wolmark and eight others during a planned kidnapping operation.
Trial Begins
Trial of Mendel Epstein and co-defendants begins in federal court.
Convictions Announced
Mendel Epstein convicted of conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Sentencing of David Wax
David Wax sentenced to seven years for his role in the kidnapping ring.