Jewish resident pushes disabled black man, Crown Heights tensions boil over

The leadership of the Jewish community in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, is working to ease tensions after a disturbing incident involving a Jewish resident and an African-American man in a wheelchair sparked fears of renewed inter-community friction.

The altercation, which occurred last month and was caught on camera, shows 30-year-old Levi Kabakov pushing Troy McLeod, a wheelchair-bound African-American resident, to the ground during a dispute over McLeod’s unleashed dogs. The footage shows McLeod falling from his wheelchair after being shoved by Kabakov.

Following the incident, Kabakov was arrested and charged with second-degree assault and aggravated menacing. He was released without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 17.

In response, a rally titled “Peaceful Rally for Troy McLeod” is being held today at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue. Organized by local pastor Kevin McCall, the rally aims to “condemn the actions and unite Brooklyn,” according to the organizers. Originally planned to take place outside Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway, the event was moved across the street to the Bank of America following concerns raised by community leaders.

Tensions were further stirred by a flyer for the rally that originally claimed McLeod had been “assaulted in a wheelchair by members of the Orthodox Jewish community.” The phrasing raised alarm among Jewish residents, prompting community leaders to engage with organizers and reframe the event's message.

“The messaging was reframed as a peace rally, and I was told speakers will be calling for unity,” said Rabbi Yaakov Behrman, a local Jewish leader. “I absolutely condemn this act of violence — but we must not allow it to be weaponized to promote antisemitism or stoke division. I truly hope the event lives up to its peaceful intent.”

In a joint statement, Rabbis Shmuel Rosenstein, Zalman Friedman, and Yaakov Behrman of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council also denounced the attack: “There is absolutely no justification for assaulting someone in a wheelchair — ever.”

Some of McLeod’s neighbors claim the incident was preceded by ongoing tensions, including concerns that his unleashed dogs had frightened local children and that he had responded dismissively to parents’ complaints. Nevertheless, Jewish leaders emphasized that no provocation could justify a violent response.

“As a community, we remain committed to peaceful coexistence,” Rabbi Behrman added. “Now is the time to lead with empathy and de-escalation.”