Celebrity stylist Alexander Yanik arrested for assaulting New York rabbi

Metro

by Joe Marino and Chris Nesci

Alexander Yanik, the man caught on camera hitting a prominent New York City rabbi with a heavy tote bag outside a Chelsea hotel, has been charged with assault as a hate crime, sources said.

Janick, 52, a personal shopper who has worked with A-list stars including Celine Dion, Rihanna, Brooke Shields and Mayor Eric Adams, was taken into custody on Friday and charged with the crash, police officials said.

The clash began on Tuesday night when Yannick was asked by Rabbi Chesky Wolf to restrain his loose dog, Hudson.

The argument escalated over a dog, during which Yannick was yelling about “dirty Jews,” according to Wolf, though Yannick denied the allegations and told The Washington Post that his mother was Jewish.

The video shows Yannick hitting the father-of-six Wolf over the head with a bag, sending his glasses and yarmulke flying.

“Yes, I pushed him. I pushed him with the bag,” Janik candidly admitted to The Washington Post on Wednesday, in a softened account of what was seen on video.

He claims he was trying to defend himself after being harassed, and said Wolf began recording and tailing him after the men argued about a dog approaching the open door of the Chelsea synagogue where Wolf works.

“I protect my dog ​​and I protect myself. If there's a stranger following me with a cell phone in my face, I should protect myself because I don't know him,” Janick said.

Jannik has denied allegations that the attack was anti-Semitic and said he considers himself “half Jewish”.

“I support the Jewish community. I'm a big fan of all religions,” Yanick said.

Carrie London, a member of the Chelsea Synagogue and Wolf's lawyer, mocked Yannick's claims: “We have no response to the lies of anti-Semites. I repeat, Jewish people just want peace.”

London said the tote bag appeared to have been stuffed with books and a laptop, which left a mark on the rabbi's head.

Janick's Instagram account, which is filled with photos of him posing with celebrities at glitzy events, begins with the message, “Ubuntu is an ancient African word that means 'compassion for others.'”

Liora Rez, founder of Stop Anti-Misconceptions, said she was “deeply relieved” that Yannick had been charged.

“It is intolerable that in 2024 Jewish people still live in fear of violence and are subjected to vile anti-Semitic slander,” Rez said in a statement.

“No one should have to endure this kind of hatred. It is time to stand united against this abhorrent act.”