Going to court to face down Jew haters with Weapons. The case of Nathan White. -Dmitri Oster, LCSW

On Thursday, April 16^th, 2026, the now infamous anti-Semite and open Jew hater – Nathan White – appeared in court for his further arraignment. Kathryn Donnelly, Ariel Kohan, others and myself also showed up to that court hearing. We waited hours for the vile defendant to appear in court, and he finally was brought in with handcuffs and surrounded by NYPD Officers.

As soon as he came out through the waiting room chamber doors, our eyes met and I felt a plethora of physiological reactions instantly activating within me as he had a most sinister and menacing smile on his face. He truly looked like a walking demon, and thankfully he was now detained. One would think that the seriousness of this moment would not warrant a smile across the face of the defendant being brought up on such hateful charges, but there he was. It was not a nervous smile. It was an intentional smile meant to convey a serious character defect in his soul, intermingled with strains of evil and wickedness.

[When Israel saw Pharaoh approaching,] it is written, “The children of Israel lifted their eyes…and they were very much afraid, and they called out to Gd” (Exodus, 14:10).

The presiding Judge began to read off the latest in his court processing arraignment developments, seemingly empty of emotion. I came to this hearing with a single intention; to look into the face of evil. I wanted to see what the face of a rabid modern day anti-Semite would betray, and my wish was granted. It was not pleasant, and this is not something that I would want to make a sport of. But the importance of this moment should not be overlooked, or missed. If we do not understand our enemies, the enemies of the Jewish people, then we risk leaving the door open for further acts of violence against us, Gd Forbid.

I sat on the court bench, and just watched. And I also found myself praying; for just retribution for the misdeeds against Jews that have done no wrong, and for the redemption of our people – the children of Israel as we sat there on that court bench watching one of our would-be tormentors being read his “rights”. I found myself deeper in prayer as the Judge rattled off more legal jargon, and time seemed to stand still.

It is likewise written that David said [to Goliath], “You come with a sword, a spear and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the Gd of the troops of Israel, whom you have taunted” (1 Samuel 17:45).

An interesting turn of events, that only led to further wonder. As the defendant was re-scheduled for another court date, he turned around and looked back in my direction (our eyes met yet again) where I was sitting with other visible Jews – and there appeared to be a slight bow and nod of respect.

I came to court with weapons that day. Not physical weapons, but only with what esteemed Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan ZT”L referred to as “our ancestors’ weapon” – the weapon of faith, Emunah, tfilah (prayer), and trust only in Hashem.  It has been said that when our enemies bless us, then that is the ultimate sign of defeat.

We do not know what will happen further with this defendant in terms of any possible path of personal correction he will take. That is wholly unknown at this time. But I do have many thoughts on how we, as a society, can more probably ensure that he refrains from further following the path of evil. Please stay tuned for my further thoughts on this topic as I draw from my professional experiences from working in counter-radicalization, along with Torah insights.

-          Dmitri Oster, LCSW