Open Letter to 770 Eastern Parkway

Rabbi Abraham Shemtov
770 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11213

To Rabbi Abraham Shemtov or whomever it concerns,

Our firm represents a young woman who was molested by a prominent member of the Chabad community, Hirschel Pekkar, when she was 5 years old, in 1991. Her father sought justice on her behalf via the rabbinical court in Crown Heights, which is connected to the Chabad Lubavitch church. Although the perpetrator admitted wrongdoing, she was not afforded the justice she deserved.

Each year during Chanukah at 770 Eastern Parkway, the world headquarters of Chabad Lubavitch, Hirschel Pekkar’s Menorah is lit. Each year, our client is forced to watch this Menorah lit, knowing that the celebrated silversmith who created it also molested her on over a dozen occasions when she was only five years old.

We have no doubt that those at 770 Eastern Parkway plan to light the same Menorah this year, and we must implore you not to do so under any circumstances.

This letter serves as notice to you, as well as any associates of the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway, to immediately discontinue any use of the Menorah, including any plans that you may have to light it during Chanukah or any other occasion.

You may find, attached to this letter, a copy of our Complaint against Hirschel Pekkar and his Estate (including the Menorah).