Arod Tries To Atone For His Sins?

I received this exclusive photo from connections in the orthodox crown heights community of Brooklyn of an Arod look a like engaging in the traditional Malkot ceremony, just ahead of Yom Kippur.

A Rabbi whips a man with leather straps as a symbolic punishment for his sins during the traditional Malkot (whipping in Hebrew) ceremony, ahead of Yom Kippur, in The ceremony is held before the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which starts on Friday. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer.