- October 9, 2024
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An Ormond Beach rabbi died on Sunday, Nov. 26, after he was admitted to the hospital on Nov. 15 following an altercation with a member of his Homeowners Association.
The city of Ormond Beach said in a statement to the Observer that the altercation began due to a malfunction of the Tymber Creek community gate. The HOA member responsible for managing the gate at the guard shack was trying to fix the gate, which twice delayed a woman's entry into the community. The woman then called her husband, 84-year-old Rabbi Israel Barzak, who came to the gate at which point the altercation occurred.
According to the incident report, when police arrived to the subdivision, the HOA member had a scratch beside his eye leading down the side of his neck. The member told police that Barzak approached him while very upset and that he yelled in the member's face. He told Barzak to go cool off, at which point Barzak "jabbed him in the back with his finger."
After advising him again to cool off, Barzak punched him in his stomach and the HOA member pushed him back to get distance. Barzak then "grabbed at his face and had a finger in his eye," according to the report. The HOA member then punched Barzak, knocking him to the ground where he held him while telling him to stop fighting with him. A few moments later, he released Barzak and the rabbi went home.
Police spoke with Barzak who said that he had acted out of character and should not have conducted himself in that manner, according to the police incident report. He had a visible laceration on his face as well.
Neither Barzak nor the HOA member wished too pursue charges.
The city stated it was "important to clarify that this incident was not motivated by hate or bias, and there is no ongoing threat to the community."
"[The Ormond Beach Police Department] has spoken to all parties involved in the altercation and the Criminal Investigation Unit is currently investigating the matter," the statement said. "Given the early stage of this investigation, we do not have further details at this time."
Following the incident, Barzak went to the hospital due to back pain, and doctors discovered a brain bleed.
"Our thoughts are with Rabbi Barzak's family and loved ones during this difficult time," the city said in its statement. "We also wish to reassure the community that we are diligently working to understand the full scope of this incident."
