A rare visit occurred this week at Shawangunk Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in Wallkill, New York, when the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, traveled to the facility to offer encouragement to Jewish inmates held there.
The Tzedek Association, an organization advocating for incarcerated Jews, organized and coordinated the visit. Senior state officials from Albany attended, providing an opportunity for advocates to present the religious needs and concerns of Jewish prisoners directly to government representatives.
Reb Anshel Schwartz, a leading activist with the Tzedek Association, opened the program by describing the unique challenges Jewish inmates face within the prison system. He told government representatives that the requested accommodations represent basic necessities rather than luxuries, enabling Jewish prisoners to observe Torah and mitzvos to the greatest extent possible while incarcerated.
Reb Shmuel Binyomin Kramer also represented the association at the gathering. He conveyed greetings from the organization's founder, Mr. Moshe Margaretten, who was unable to attend due to an urgent meeting in Washington with the director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The Rebbe met individually with Jewish inmates, delivering words of encouragement and urging them to maintain their faith and hope despite their circumstances. Each inmate received a private audience with the Rebbe to discuss personal struggles and receive his blessing. The Rebbe also participated in a l'chaim with the inmates.
Following the prison visit, representatives of the Tzedek Association and community activists met with senior prison administrators and government officials to discuss issues affecting Jewish inmates throughout the New York State correctional system, with aims toward improving religious accommodations and conditions.