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Suspect in 2021 threats against local synagogue pleads guilty BY JORDAN PALMER CHIEF DIGITAL CONTENT OFFICER
Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham shown in his study at B’nai Amoona with some of his baseball memorabilia. PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN
If you build it, he will come St. Louis rabbi closes in on goal of visiting all 30 major league ballparks BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
A trip to all 30 MLB stadiums is one of America’s favorite travel quests. It’s definitely the holy grail for any baseball fan. Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham is only a few ballparks short of the goal. When he’s not performing rabbinical duties at Congregation B’nai Amoona, Abraham is probably thinking about baseball. His office is filled with bobbleheads and banners, many of which bear the logo of his beloved New York Yankees. In July, Abraham and his two older sons Benny, 11, and Henry, 9, hit the road to check off four more ballparks. The goal of making it to every stadium has been simmering for a couple of decades. “Nineteen years ago, my younger brother went with two of his friends on a road trip to all 30 stadiums in one summer,” said Abraham, 39. “I was incredibly jealous. By 2010, I’d gotten to 22 of the stadiums. But then we started having children, and I became a rabbi and life got very busy, so I put the whole thing on pause, knowing that I’d get back to it eventually.” In early 2020, it seemed attainable — until COVID. This month, the Abrahams finally took to the open road again.
“My quest to get to every baseball stadium is inching closer now, as I have only three baseball stadiums left: Tampa Bay and the new stadiums in Miami and Atlanta, although I’ve been to the old Miami and Atlanta stadiums,” Abraham said. “Of course, my boys now want to go on their own quest to get to every stadium. They’ve already gotten to 11, so they’re well on their way.” Baseball and sports have always played an important role in the Abraham family, even from previous generations. “We talk in Judaism about l’dor v’dor, and passing things on from generation to generation, and baseball in my family is See STADIUMS on page 17 Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham with son Joey at the Reds Rawlings Gold Glove Winners Statue in Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark
A St. Louis man arrested outside of Central Reform Congregation last November admitted in federal court Monday to threatening to blow up the synagogue in 2021. Cody Steven Rush admitted calling the St. Louis office of the FBI on Nov. 5, 2021 and saying, “I’m going to blow up a church.” Rush gave his name and identified his target as the Central Reform Congregation in the Central West End. Rush said he would take action the next morning when people were inside. Rush said he hated Jewish people. He called back later and again threatened to attack the synagogue “while they are in service.” Asked if had anything else he wanted to say, Rush said, “Yeah, that I hate them with rage.” In a third call, Rush gave his location, which was on the same street as the CRC. When authorities called Rush back, he again made threats. Officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department and the FBI found Rush, who told them, “I am feeling suicidal and homicidal. I just feel like killing Jews.” He was arrested without incident. Rush, 30, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey to the use of a telephone and instrument of interstate commerce to make a threat. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 8. Sonya J. Vann, who became the executive director of Central Reform Congregation in May, said she has been well briefed on the incident involving Rush. “And while we know that a lot of people in our world have a dislike for all things different, we continue to be extremely vigilant in working with local police and our larger local Jewish Federation and other authorities,” said Vann Monday evening. “We appreciate the many efforts to bring Mr. Rush to justice and we will continue to work all involved as we move forward.” Despite this incident, Vann says CRC will continue to carry on with its mission, which includes a deep sense of community, respect for diversity, as well as an open, accepting and safe environment among others.