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'Limmud for the general world'

NYC rabbi was in audience during attack

Rabbi witnesses stabbing attack of Salman Rushdie.

By ALAN ZEITLIN August 18, 2022, 11:55 am Edit
The aftermath of the stabbing attack on author Salman Rushdie at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York, August 12, 2022. Organisers gather around Rushdie, who suffered severe injuries in the attack. Photo: Courtesy Rabbi Charles Savenor
The aftermath of the stabbing attack on author Salman Rushdie at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York, August 12, 2022. Organisers gather around Rushdie, who suffered severe injuries in the attack. Photo: Courtesy Rabbi Charles Savenor

RABBI Charles Savenor was on vacation with his family and decided it would be a treat to hear author Salman Rushdie speak at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York State.

“We heard a lot about Chautauqua, that [it] is sort of like Limmud for the general world,” the Upper West Sider told the New York Jewish Week, referring to the Jewish-run learning festivals.

“They have speakers and music and religious themes as well. It looked like a great opportunity to relax and reflect and have a mind and soul-expanding experience.” But that soul-expanding experience turned nightmarish seconds after Rushdie and the moderator took the stage at about 10.45am.

“I was sitting about 75 feet away and could see a guy jump up on stage,” he said.

“All I could see was the guy’s hand going up and down and they were both quickly on the ground. A man later identified as Hadi Matar, 24, had rushed the stage and repeatedly stabbed the 75-year-old author, who drew the ire of Muslim fundamentalists and a death threat from Iran’s then top leader with the 1988 publication of his book The Satanic Verses.

Rabbi Savenor said he had taken his phone out expecting to take a picture of Rushdie and wound up taking a picture of the aftermath of the attack. The photo shows event organisers attending to the fallen author and audience members standing and milling about in obvious confusion.

At the time, he said, he had no idea of the status of the author’s health.

“It was very disturbing to see,” Rabbi Savenor said.

“Everyone there was worried.” According to media reports, Rushdie remains hospitalised with damage to his liver and severed nerves in an arm, and is likely to lose an eye. Event moderator Henry Reese, 73, was treated for a facial injury and was released from hospital.

Matar was arrested at the scene and charged with second degree attempted murder and assault with a weapon.

Rabbi Savenor said there were no metal detectors at the Rushdie talk, but a badge was required to get into the event. He said the thought briefly crossed his mind shortly before the attack that he didn’t see obvious security.

“I spoke to people who said nothing like this had ever happened before,” Rabbi Savenor said, adding that he was told Rushdie spoke there more than a decade ago without incident.

JTA

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