By Lewis Berrill @LewisBerrill Chief reporter - east London and west Essex
Rabbi Rafi Goodwin was attacked in Limes Avenue, Chigwell. Photo: Google Maps/Chigwell Synagogue A rabbi was attacked yesterday in what police have labelled a ‘religiously-aggravated assault’. Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue rabbi Rafi Goodwin was attacked in Limes Avenue, Chigwell, at about 1.15pm on Sunday, May 16. Police have said anti-Semitic language was used during the attack, however the Jewish News and Jewish Chronicle have reported the rabbi was not targeted in retaliation to recent events in the Middle East and that it was a road rage incident. Two teenagers reportedly stepped out in front rabbi Rafi Goodwin’s car while he was driving and shouted anti-Semitic abuse before damaging his vehicle.
Submitting.
The assault took place outside Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue in Chigwell.
The rabbi, who was born in Leeds and attended Leeds Grammar School, was attacked with an unknown object and his phone was stolen after he got out of the car.
“Detectives are progressing their investigation following reports of a religiously-aggravated assault in Chigwell,” said a police spokeswoman.
“The two boys – believed to be aged between 15 and 18 – are believed to have left the scene on foot.
“They have both been described as being of Asian ethnicity, one was 5ft 9ins tall and wore his hair in an Afro-style and the other was described as being 5ft 7ins tall.
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A rabbi at the Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue has been hospitalised after an "unprovoked and cowardly" attack which police are treating as a hate crime