BOSTON (WHDH) - A rabbi stabbed several times near a Jewish day school in Brighton is speaking out about his story of survival as he continues his road to recovery.
Rabbi Shlomo Noginski shared his message with 7NEWS in Hebrew and, with the help of an English-speaking colleague, said that he is glad he could keep the suspect away from the school and the children and that he is continuing to feel better.
The 41-year-old father of 12, said he was on the phone outside the Shaloh House on July 1 when police say he was approached by Khaled Awad, 24, who was armed with a gun and a knife.
Awad allegedly demanded the rabbi’s car keys but Noginski said video surveillance cameras show that he made several unsuccessful attempts to give Awad the keys.
Noginski said he took a momentary distraction as an opportunity to run across the street to a park and away from his students. That is where he was stabbed eight times while trying to fight off the alleged attack. Thankfully, he is expected to make a full recovery.
The van Awad allegedly wanted to steal now sits outside Noginski’s home he shares with his large family.
When asked if he believes that the attacker was fueled by anti-Semitism, he said, “I cannot tell you for sure. I was standing right next to a synagogue, I am obviously dressed like a rabbi, police caught him so quickly because he was staying too long.”
Awad pleaded not guilty to assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a police officer. He has a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Though Noginski has earned his black belt in Judo, he said a more powerful force was at work that day.
Now, the school is working to balance the hate he experienced with good by opening up a program for young people to learn how to become rabbis.
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