‘Thank You Hashem’ Lakewood BMG Avreich Released From Prison After False Accusations

!לא תעמוד על דם רעך

Lakewood, NJ – After tireless work and sleepless nights from many in Lakewood, R’ Binyomin Kubani’s detention hearing was fast tracked for Monday instead of on Tuesday.

B’Chasdei Hashem, a New Jersey judge has ordered the immediate release of R’ Binyomin Kubani, a BMG avreich who had been held in Jail after being arrested last week on suspicion of allegedly attempting to lure a Hispanic teenage car wash employee into his vehicle — a claim his legal team says is entirely unfounded and the result of miscommunication. In what it is considered to be baseless allegations.

Kubani was attempting to hire a day laborer to clean his vehicle, he previously hired this person in the past, a very common practice in Lakewood.

Whether the false accusation arose from a language barrier or a much deeper misunderstanding still remains unclear at this time, but the Hispanic teen flagged down a passing police vehicle, the officer then arrested Kubani without taking his statement, according to Kubani’s attorney.

The judge said no bail was required after supportive letters were sent on Kubani’s behalf from countless Askonim, Mosdos, and Rabbonim.

Further legal proceedings are expected to be taking place, but as of now, R’ Binyomin Kubani has returned home to his family and was greeted by hundreds of friends and community members.

Several days ago, what residents called a modern day Alilas Dam (Blood Libel) against the Lakewood Jewish community. Thousands took to the streets, including the BMG Roshei Yeshivas, askanim and community activists, in a show of Achdus and unity in support to be mispalel for Reb Binyomin Kubani, a dear husband, loving father of 8, respected community member and ben Torah part of the yeshiva, who was arrested last week Thursday on false allegations and is currently jailed at the Ocean County department of corrections in Toms River without having the chance to allow his attorney to present a statement or evidence of his innocence, while awaiting a court appearance set for Tuesday.

The controversy began on Thursday when R’ Binyomin, with his child, stopped at a local car wash, when a large Hispanic youth, who R’ Binyomin previously hired for jobs (which is a very common practice in the area and can be seen all over Lakewood on a daily basis) made false allegations against him.

On Motzei Shabbos, hundreds peacefully protested and three of the BMG Roshei Yeshivas led a atzeres tefillah outside the Lakewood police headquarters untill the wee hours of the morning.

On Sunday afternoon, thousands of kollel yingerleit gathered in the batei medrash of BMG (Beth Medrash Govoha) for a mass atzeres tefillah on behalf of R’ Binyomin.

Later on Sunday afternoon, over a thousand people, mostly yeshiva bochurim, peacefully demonstrated outside the Lakewood police headquarters in support for R’ Binyomin.

While overall the Lakewood police department does a good job keeping the town safe, and credit needs to be given to the Lakewood PD when credit is due. Lakewood township has been featured as one of the safest locations in the great state of New Jersey, the police department and local volunteer groups together working side by side.

However, even with all this, many residents expressed their deep frustration with the police department, that the police sometimes lack transparency with the Jewish community and that this situation is far from the first incident of ‘miscommunication,’ which leaves uncertainty within the town.

Yosef Jacobovitch, Binyomin Kubaini’s attorney, states:

• “I call on the authorities to thoroughly investigate this matter and take necessary steps to address any wrongdoing or systemic issues that may have contributed to this potential miscarriage of justice. It is essential to ensure that justice is served and that the constitutional rights of all individuals are protected. I advised the Lakewood Police Department immediately that Binyomin would like to give a statement.“

Some residents also expressed grave disappointed with many of the Askanim and Frum elected officials for how Lakewood township’s agencies are run, which they have much influence and power over, many are left questioning why does the police department have a lack of communication with the Jewish community.

• “When it comes to election session, the Lakewood Jewish community leaders and establishment tells us who we should vote for, but they (Jewish and Non-Jewish elected officials alike) sometimes fall short on delivering results, time and time again. We are simply asking for the Township to work for the community and not against it.”

A resident who attended the Sunday protest said.

Other residents noted that multiple times a year, independently—dozens of different Jewish Chesed organizations, both non-profit and for-profit, volunteers and paid activists alike meet with nearly every department in Lakewood township, take their photos together and overall show a good working alliance. Yet even with all they have accomplished, which there are many great accomplishments that dozens of organizations together with Lakewood town officials have achieved. There still seems to be a consistent issue of miscommunication and misunderstandings by Lakewood township officials and employees with the local population. Residents however, are optimistic that after this latest balagan things may improve for the better.

FrumNews would like to highlight, that although there is some frustration with those in leadership positions within the Jewish community, and rightfully so. The proper approach according to Torah when dealing with fellow Yidden is to strengthen our Ahavas Yisroel, ואהבת לרעך כמוך.

Election session is the proper time to express frustration with Frum (and Non-Jewish) leadership by voting in the Lakewood township municipal elections, but until that session is in play, we must help those in power help Lakewood, and CV”S not do anything that can cause the opposite effect. We are all on the same side, even if it doesn’t seem that way during this time of crises—everyone in Lakewood wants R’ Binyomin released, from those encouraging the protests to those against the protests, all want the same outcome.

In a defense of those in power, the Frum elected officials leadership in Lakewood is a minority, and a large percentage of the Lakewood Jewish community (including many newly eligible young residents) are not registered yet to vote. With important elections coming up including the NJ Gubernatorial race, the importance of registering and voting to make the change that you want to see in Lakewood (and surrounding townships) is utmost of importance. Everyone can and should vote how they see fit, who they consider to be the best candidates for the Jewish community on local/township, county, state-wide and national elections.

*****

FrumNews would also like to point out the importance of dash cameras for vehicles. Dash cams with audio features, are an inexpensive accessory, which can be purchased in most electronic stores or online and can potentially save drivers from much tzar and legal worries.

Several years ago, in a viral incident a Jewish driver in Monsey, NY, was detained in Rockland County and accused of striking a cyclist and fleeing the scene of an accident. After showing the police officers his dash cam footage of the cyclist, and how he was being falsely accused, the Jewish driver was let go and the cyclist was charged for making a false police report.

In more recent incidents over the past months in Boro Park, Flatbush and across Brooklyn, scammers and agitators have intentionally thrown themselves in front of slow moving vehicles and claimed injuries, but those without dash cams were the real ones to take the fall.

While many spend thousands of dollars leasing the newest and latest Minivans or cars, a small financial investment of purchasing a proper dash cam could go a long way.

While the Lakewood Community fights in support of R’ Binyomin, we must also do our השתדלות to prevent such incidents from potentially occurring again.

Please say tehillim and be mispalel for Binyomin ben Bandera.

Surveillance Footage Of The Alleged Incident!

pic.twitter.com/rhMZhBP6vm

— FrumNews.com (@Frum_News) July 7, 2025