Posted to Chabad News, Communal Matters on

Detroit Rosh Yeshiva Fired Erev Pesach

Turmoil in the world of Chabad Yeshivos: Rabbi Leime Wilhelm, the Rosh Yeshiva of Tomchei Temimim Detroit, received a notice of his firing on Erev Pesach.

Rabbi Wilhelm, who is son-in-law of Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi OBM, served in the past as a Shliach and the Rosh Yeshiva in Rostov, Russia, and was hired by Rabbi Berl Shemtov, head Shliach to Michigan, in 2008 to serve as the Manhel Ruchni and later promoted to Rosh Yeshiva.

The story was first reported on Israeli news site COL, who elaborated that due to certain skirmishes within the administration of the yeshiva came the dramatic move to fire the Rosh Yeshiva.

An earlier version of this article identified the Yeshivas Mashgiach as being fired as well. This is incorrect and the article has been updated to reflect this change.

Related Articles

27 Comments

  • Laima

    Laima is a amazing Magid Shiur his Farbrengens are also outstanding. This is what happens in the Chabad world when someone gets to popular….

    • murica

      in america it doesnt work like that… maybe in russia or china or n. korea… but not here.

  • והאלקים יבקש את נרדף

    I dont know whos right and whos wrong, but all involved should bear in mind the midrash the Rebbe brings on this posuk, that Hashem helps out the victim even if he’s wrong.

  • Nepotism

    What happened to article all of a sudden change?
    They were both in there as a team if you fire one the other one is also considered fired although they weren’t notified.

  • biggest mistake

    This is the biggest mistake detorit has made just for the sake of shtick… Gone are going to be the days of a serious Detroit Mesivta. Laimeh. Hatzlocha wherever you go.

  • talmid

    r leima was the most caring hanhola ,mashpia<rosh yeshivah this is the biggest chutzpa ever to fire someone who gave his life over to the rebbes shlichus

  • Reason

    What is the reason 4 this ? Y r they being fired ? What did they do ? We had an issue in Oholei Torah about a year & 3 months ago with the firing of Mashpeim, but BH they got their job back what’s the background in this case plz ? If u know plz share thank u

  • Dizzy ppl

    First of all, the administration has a right to do what they like.

    But that being said, they are a bunch of flat heads. They don’t want their Yeshiva to turn into just another Chicago, Toronto etc. , a place where Buchurim actually sit and learn, they would rather a Yeshiva of one big Melava Malka, again it’s their right but stupid (at the least) decision.

    • please don't compare to chicago

      Detroit – including the R’ Leima/Kaplan days, was never chicago. chicago is an american style chasidish yeshiva, and detroit is an old style authentic chasidiesher yeshiva. while chicago is very good for your avarge american bochur (who would not gain from detroit), there are still a few families that are mechanech their kids to be old style chasidisher bochurim, and they need something like detroit. detroit has every right not to want to be like chicago.
      that said – firing r’ leima is poshut stupid. as he led the yeshiva into being both an old style chsidisher yeshiva together with a functioning and high level learning atmosphere. big shame

  • mesivta alumis

    Thus is the biggest mistake Detroit has ever made they had a second chance when they built a new building and yet they just flushed it down the toilet they are incredible incredible staff members any other Yeshivah should be dying for them and will be and the fact that they fired them because their shemtos and can’t see something through and be successful makes them losers

  • Anonymous

    He does not have to worry he’ll probably be getting offers all over the world.
    Shame on the administration you’re replacing him with an alcoholic.

  • Crown Heights Resident

    What was the reason for the skirmishes within the administration that caused him to be fired

  • yona shapiro

    Remember the days when they would fire someone they would say “ער האט חרוב געמאכט די ישיבה” now it “ער האט גבויט די ישיבה”.

  • LASKEY FAMILY

    THIS IS HORRIBLE!!!
    WHAT’S GOING ON!
    RABBI WILHELM AND HIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY HAVE RAISED
    THE KEDUSHA AND CHASSIDISHKEIT OF OUR COMMUNITY TO HIGH LEVELS.

    ALL THE BACHURIM LOVE AND RESPECT HIM ; THE LEARNING HERE HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT!
    WHY IS LUBAVITCH ALL FULL OF NEGATIVITY??

  • Larry

    I have no idea who he is but I would say a lot if the students were to demonstrate if he was that great in doing what he does. Maybe I’m wrong

  • Leima Leave

    I know Leima

    I love him

    He is too precious to be demeaned and humbled by these communists – For your own good Leima- go now

    Honestly lets make a list of all the wonderful people who were fired from detroit – it would include dozens

    detroit -its not only financially bankrupt – its Morally bankrupt

  • most amazing Rosh yeshiva

    Every yeshiva should try to grab him,
    He is just amazing,

    Detroit’s garbage is most sane peoples Gold,