Rambam Mesivta students protest against Nazi resident

Rambam Mesivta students took part in a rally on Nov. 10 — the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht, outside of the Jackson Heights home of Jakiw Palij, the last-known Nazi war criminal living in the metropolitan area.

Students from the Lawrence school also wrote letters to several elected officials stating their opposition to Palij’s residency. The protest took place as Jews around the world commemorated Kristallnacht, known as “The Night of Broken Glass” on Nov. 9-10, 1938 in Germany and portions of Austria, where Jewish businesses, homes and people were damaged and attacked. It is considered the day the Holocaust began.

“We will not be silent,” Rambam’s Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman said at the rally. “It is outrageous that the killers of our people are able to live freely within a 30-minute drive or less of the Jewish community.”

According to U.S. Justice Department records, Palij served as a Nazi Trawniki camp guard and was involved in the murder of more than 6,000 prisoners — men, women and children — in a 24-hour period on Nov. 3, 1943.

Letters of support from members of Congress were read at the rally. Shai Yastrab, a senior at Rambam, read a letter from Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola). “We must remember these painful events in order to prevent another Holocaust ever occurring again,” McCarthy wrote in part.

Rambam sophomore Even Edelstein read from Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans) letter. “I commend those who continue to shine the light of public awareness on Kristallnacht, on how the Holocaust is set in motion, and for their continuing commitment to never forget.”

Palij, 91, has lived in New York for more than 50 years. Since his past was uncovered in 2003, efforts have been made to deport him.