Quick-Thinking Celebrant To Get $20K Reward In Hannukah Attack

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — An hour after a man wielding a machete attacked Hannukah celebrants Dec. 28 at a home in Monsey, the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Rockland and the Anti-Defamation League offered a $20,000 reward. On Thursday, they gave the reward to the man whose quick thinking helped the police track down the suspect in just four hours.

Joseph Gluck, who threw a coffee table at the attacker before running outside to read the license plate of his get-away van, was given the reward money at an event Thursday, the Jewish Standard reported.

Gary Siepser, the federation’s CEO, told The Jewish Standard that the ADL does not expect the case to go to trial due to Grafton Thomas’ mental condition.

Prosecutors allege that about 100 people were at the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg when Thomas entered, slashed four people, then fled. A fifth person was injured in the melee. Thomas was arrested in New York City that night after police tracked his van across the George Washington Bridge with the information they had gotten from Gluck.

Thomas faces local attempted murder charges and federal hate-crime charges.

SEE ALSO:

• Accused In Machete Attack Not Competent To Stand Trial: Lawyer
• Rockland DA Tries To Remove Lawyer For Hannukah Attack Defendant