Nahman Starkes, the aged Orthodox grandfather who was ordered returned to jail next week for failing to produce his grandson, Yosele Shumacher, whom he is accused of hiding, was put under 24-hour surveillance by Jerusalem police last night after police broke up a suspected attempt by a group of yeshiva students to stage a fake kidnaping of Starkes and thus prevent his reporting to jail.
The eight students were released today after they were detained last night for questioning in connection with the case. Starkes, who spent nearly a year in jail under a court order for failing to produce his grandson, is suspected of having hidden the boy from his parents because they would not give him a sufficiently Orthodox education.
Starkes was released from jail conditionally a few months ago when he promised to make an effort to locate the child. When he failed to do this he was ordered by the court at the parents’ request to return to jail next Tuesday.
Earlier this week, police received information that Orthodox students were planning to “kidnap” Starkes and hid him to prevent his arrest. When a group of students were seen crowding around Starkes last night, they were promptly detained by police and officers were assigned to watch Starkes.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
