Former Hip-Hop Exec and Orthodox Jew Fatally Shot in Robbery

A hip-hop record executive who converted to Orthodox Judaism was fatally shot during a liquor store robbery in Midwood last night. 34-year-old Yosef Robinson, originally from Jamaica, was shot in the chest and arm at the Kosher wine shop MB Vineyards in Flatbush when he tried to intervene and stop the robbery, which occurred at about 9:30 p.m., CBS 2 reports. Robinson worked as a clerk at the store, and was shot trying to stop the gunman from stealing his girlfriend's bracelet.

"We spoke briefly, you know, and he went inside the store to continue his duties," a friend tells NY1. "I went to Target to get a few things and came back to this." Another local resident says, "He was of a Jamaican background and he became Jewish. He was very well known in the neighborhood since I guess he had that mixture of the background. He was a very friendly person. Wherever you went, I guess, he spoke, you know, to everyone as a friend." And Rabbi Ezra Max tells the Post, "He was a good guy. Rock solid."

Robinson planned to release a book in December about his spiritual journey, called Jamaican Hip Hopper Turned Orthodox Jew, and his website bio says, "After years of illegal street activities, run-ins with the law, and a short-lived career in the music industry, Yoseph Robinson is facing the most complex transition of his life as a black man embracing Judaism." CBS 2 reports that after last night's shooting, over 100 people from the Orthodox and Hasidic neighborhood gathered outside the liquor store to pay their respects. Police have made no arrests.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on August 20, 2010 10:08 AM

Comments [rss]

New Baby Hitler

Please correct the first link _Yosef Robinson_. It has two 'http' prefixes.

Damn shame about the man. I hope his book will still be available.

jpeditor

H'yD...

eetonaee

This is a tragic end to the life of someone who could have made a difference to the relationship between the Black and Jewish communities.

We'll find out if his conversion was accepted by the Orthodox if his survivors want him buried in a Jewish cemetery.

Tamar Weinberg

What CR said. I'll add the below:

The conversion is stricter based on which community you want to be part of. I have a friend who initially converted to Reform Judaism but had to redo the conversion four years later to be accepted as an Orthodox Jew.

Spirit of 76

I didn't know the Orthodox Jews accepted conversions. Reform Jews certainly, maybe some Conservative Jews. I thought Orthodox belief was that if you weren't born to a Jewish mother, you're not really Jewish. Or is that just the Ultra-Orthodox Jews?

rasputinsghost

Some communities that have their conversion rules tied up in their ethnic/racial ties (or bigotries, whatever) like Syrian Jews, Satmars, etc would probably not recognize his conversion but plenty of other Haredi communities would.

Tamar Weinberg

Dang it. See my comment here.

CR

All Jews accept converts - you need to go through a sect's form of conversion if you want to be accepted by that particular sect.

rasputinsghost

But technically yes, it's one of the 613 Mitzvot to love converts

RevWaldo

A damn shame, especially when something this senseless happens to someone trying hard to stay on a path.

(If his book still comes to fruition, a more marketable title might be suggested by Will Smith - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qkD4bw-bs4)

Aleksey

I'm sorry he is a former Hip-Hop executive but he works as clerk in a liquor store?

WHAT?

Rocknrope

We're all just one job away from being a clerk in a liquor store.

gimme

hav mango wit me bagel mon

Dogsbody

Aspiring Rabbi...???

Eugene

LOL! Man, you made my day.

Troy

another brother lost to the violence of alcohol & drugs...legal or not....too bad...bullets find people and this sounds like robbing a piece of crap jewelry with a gun in a liquer store was a set up...not a tragedy...

There is more to this story, when such involves the so called "lost tribe", there always is....

who knew,.... meshuganah Knight?

Hischick08

How do you know the bracelet was a piece of crap?

Rocknrope

Damn tragedy for a stupid bracelet. Don't fight anyone with a gun, unless you think he's going to kill you regardless.

freddynyc

And risk being seen as a punk by your girl? This way, at least you'll be six feet under and not have to worry about losing face - well, at least metaphorically speaking...

TheTruthYouSeek

"Former Hip-Hop Exec".

You mean someone who briefly worked in the music industry. Please stop writing like this, it's gotten really annoying and I really like this site.

Anyway, a sad little tale - he seems like a very nice man and it was brave of him to intervene.