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Key Evidence Publicly Destroyed at Braun Welcome Ceremony

In a meeting billed as a welcome ceremony for Rabbi Yosef Braun late Thursday night in the offices of the Vaad Hakohol, a dramatic scene unfolded when R. Braun pulled out his Semicha and one of his close supporters – Menachem Shagalow – took it from his hands and tore it to pieces.

The meeting was arranged by Mulleh Chanin, the interim Executive Director of the Vaad Hakohol – who also purchased the Braun families airline tickets, and two elected members of the Vaad attended, including Zaki Tamir and Fishel Brownstein.

Rabbis Schwei and Braun were seated side by side at the head of the table, with supporters including ousted Vaad members Zev Candaner and Elie Poltorak as well as other Braun supporters.

After being introduced by Mr. Chanin, Rabbi Schwei related a Dvar Torah and welcomed Rabbi Braun who then gave over a Dvar Torah as well, then he spoke about the matter of the Ikkul and explained how he learned Semicha in 770 under Rabbi Zalman Labkowsky and helped his grandfather answering questions.

Rabbi Braun then pulled out, what is presumed to be the original copy, of his Semicha in question and started saying how he has nothing to hide. Menachem Shagalow, who was sitting a few chairs away, grabbed the paper and declared “you were elected by the community, and we don’t need to see this” and proceeded to tear it to pieces.

Some in the room called on him to stop, but it was too late and parts of the document was “torn into confetti” as described by one of those present. Following the bizarre outburst Shagalow grabbed his coat and left.

Sources close to the Braun camp said the the incident was nothing more then a sly ploy in attempt to destroy evidence from coming out in the new Din Torah, which is slated to take place before the Bais Din of Rabbi Chaim Krauss. “This incident though effectively leaves Braun without any Semicha certificate whatsoever” said the source, who asked not to be named.

News websites were invited to the event, and pictures already appeared on other sites but CrownHeights.info was not informed or invited.

The event was held in clear violation of the Ikkul placed against Rabbi Braun by a Beis Din who saw it fit to reexamine some of the issues concerning the validity and allegations of forgery regarding Rabbi Brauns Semicha. The Ikkul stemmed from a group of concerned community activists, who were not signed on the original Shtar Boririn before Rabbi Rosenberg.

CrownHeights.info attempted to contact the elected members of the Vaad Hakohol but we were stonewalled and received many ‘no comments’ from them.

When asked about his attendance at yesterdays meeting, Rabbi Schwei said “I am not involved in those things” and hung up.

“It was a private meeting and I don’t want to speak about it” said Fishel Brownstein, and when pressed about the matter of the Ikkul he said “I wasn’t served with an Ikkul or Hazmona, and I along with my colleagues are following the instructions of Rabbi Rosenberg, under whose jurisdiction we are.”

Yossi Hackner said that he refused to attend stating that there is a valid Ikkul on the matter of Rabbi Braun, and the Vaad has no business making any events whatsoever.

Zaki Tamir was unreachable for a number of hours leading up to the publication of this article, and when he finally answered our call he expressed his regret that he is so busy and that he cannot answer any of our questions.

Threats and Intimidation

Eyebrows were raised regarding the fact that one of Brauns strongest supporters would tear up the very document that is the focal point of all the controversy leads to strong suspicion that this was a premeditated act that Shagalow carried out in cahoots with Rabbi Braun.

Over the last three weeks Braun supporters have been mounting a campaign of pressure, threats and intimidation against those who signed on the Ikkul before the Krauss Beis Din, in an attempt to get them to withdraw their names from the Ikkul.

CrownHeights.info has learned that names of the individuals that summoned Rabbi Braun were not released to any of the involved parties or the public except to Rabbi Braun himself, nevertheless, almost immediately after he received the summons Shagalow and others initiated an intense campaign against the signatories, leaving one to wonder whether Shagalow conspired with Braun to stage this event in public in attempt to destroy evidence in question

In one of the instances Mendy Hendel walked into the place of business of one of the signatory’s and told him that he will no longer shop at his establishment if he does not rescind his signature, and threatened that he will arrange a boycott if he does not sign a piece of paper in which he apologises to Rabbi Braun and that he never allowed his name to be used.

The letter Hendel attempted to get the business owner to sign.

And in another instance Zev Cadaner called the home of one of the signatories and attempted to threaten him but he simply hung up on him.

CrownHeights.info interviewed several of the other signatories, who confirmed that they were threatened as well by Shagalow, who personally called them and tried to convince them to back off the Ikkul, and when that didnt work he escalated to threats and intimidation, and if they don’t back off this can hurt Shiduchim for their children.

Activists behind the Ikkul told us that for this reason the names of the actual signatories were never released to the public from the fear of such actions. The only place all the names appeared in full was on the Hazmono [summons] to a Din Torah that was given to Rabbi Braun himself.

Attempts to reach Rabbi Braun for comment were all unsuccessful, and our messages went unaswered.

Where are they Staying?

The Braun family is currently staying with his in-laws, Rabbi Berl Lipsker’s home. This arrangement is temporary until they can find a permanent place for the Rabbi and his family.

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61 Comments

  • Rabbi?!

    I think you can safely put the ‘Rabbi’ bit to rest.

    He now has NO claim to ‘Rabbi’ship.

  • Less than 3 Will never be a BAIS DIN

    to all the machloikes supporters.
    this is to show that the bais din of crown heights is not the Schwei-Broin duo .
    is a metter of fact Rabbi ozdaba , Rabbi segal and rabbi Raitport are the bais din of crown heights this are 3 Rabbi’s
    But the schwei-broin cuple are just a cuple of truble makers.

  • Mr. not Rabbi

    Once again i feel compelled to correct you. He is not a Rabbi, he is a Mr. that will not change until an impartial B’D rules on it.
    Mr Shagalow pulled a slick (or sick) move over here, he has destroyed the evidence to try and out maneuver the Din Torah, i do not believe for one moment that MR Braun wasn’t in on this.
    I checked out the pics on the other site, basically it was a gathering of all the old messianic trouble makers who have been destroying the community for the last 15 years, with a shtemple of approval from Zaki who is either just a useful idiot or worse, he is being paid off by the Chanins etc…
    I will never accept Braun as a Rov, even if RABBI Osdaba does.

  • S.K.

    Yes, the positive new in Chabad today, the mazel tovs and furtherance of Jewish and Chassidish education is more then welcome. At this crownheights.info does a great job. However, the continuos promotion publication and spreading of machlokes, hatred and the likes unfortunately only causes one chilul Hashem-desecration of G-d’s name. With websites like crownheights.info shalom in the shechuna is 100000x more difficult to acheive. What would the Rebbe say about Lubavitchers who own and run such a website?
    A chabad website (just the name doesn’t mention chabad or does it? Crown Heights is synonymous with chabad amyhow)that trashes and and makes chabad look bad.
    Talk about self destructive.
    May crownheights.info use their clearly talented skills to only promote and spread good to cause a kiddush Hashem- a sanctification of Hashems name and to make the Rebbe proud.

  • ribono shel olam! ad mosai?

    enough already give it up! face fact! braun was elected – it’s over! stop playing baby games! the b“d that made the ikkul has no right to mix in to the zabla’s ruling especially when both sides signed an agreement that they will listen to zabla and not got to any other dayanim!

    and whoever arranged this ikkul why did they choose a b”d that has a history with lubavitch – making a siruv against marlow and osdobo? why couldn’t they find a neutral b”d? they are obviously tring to strengthen machlokes!

  • Yossi. F.

    No person would dare rip up a smicha of a new Dayan without prior permission especially a guy like Menachem Shagalow.

    This election was one agressive political campaign and reflects very poorly on Rabbi Braun. Its a matter of time until we see two (maybe 3?) Beis Din’s in Crown Heights.

    As Rabbi Braun says, “There is no Machloikes — just Chalukei Deiohs” Its Sydney all over again…

  • mushki

    Key evidence? You make it sound like he’s a criminal… he’s a rav which makes him higher than you so show a little respect and stop with the slander.
    I know that you’re probably not going to post this comment but please learn a little respect and understand that just because you don’t agree with someone doesn’t mean you’re allowed to disrespect them, and especially publicly.
    I can’t believe you call yourself a frum jew… thats such a basic rule that every child knows.

  • chassidish people????

    very sad for a “chassidishe”” community to behave like that and show such a “good” example, it only shows that most of the people here shows off as something that you are NOT! clearly discusting!

  • Levi

    If the press was welcome and invited, why aren’t there any pictures or video’s from the events this article describes?

  • Wrong is wrong, fraud is fraud

    It is unbelievable to me that there are so many people out there like 2,3,6,7,11 who want to bury their heads in the sand, and let the community be hijacked. Should we give up the west bank so that we can have “peace” with the Arabs? No! Wrong is wrong!
    Yes, we should end machlokes and yes we should all get along but this Braun saga is an outrage. No one has the right to impose an impostor upon a community. The guy doesn’t have Smicha and so is not qualified for the position.
    To rip up someone’s Smicha???!!!!! What were they afraid of? That the B”D would take a look at it and see it for the fraud that it is?
    Where is our self-respect? A community of 3000 family’s needs a real Rov, not an unqualified trouble maker.
    There is no way that this disgraceful act of ripping up that piece of paper wasn’t planned. There is no way they would have ripped it up if it was real.

  • To 11 and the rest

    let me remind you the this Broin and his friends are the kings of slsnder . do you remember the website broin and his friends created with name SHADYOGO the i think this website is very charitable to this shay broin and his cronies.
    mr broin cmae here and slander a dayam that is older and smarter and more expenrince and lamden more than him and his father put together.
    how dare you attack the main street of crown heights.
    we the crown heights people called this shady broin to a din torah and as a jew he should go to the bais din not intimidate people to resind the comlaint.
    this short litlle truble maker has no place in a jewish neighborhood. and look who paid for him to come here.
    YES SAM CHANIN the mechalel shabbos Chazer freser. who took more than 100 kids of crown heights off the derech to dance nightley in the vilage.
    yes you leader is the chazer freser sam chanin.

  • senior youngerman in CH

    by ripping up the piece of paper , he has no proof that it is not the real thing. Like the poretz of old, when a yid and a goy had a court case and they would write on a paper guilty and not guilty and the yid would pick the one for him. He knew that the goy would write both guilty so he was advised to pick one, swallow it and open the second, which said guilty so obviously the swallowed one said not guilty. obviously this show was a staged show
    kaan tzrichim livkos. do they think we are idiots and stupid?

  • Chann

    At least if nothing else we have a vindication for all who were screaming that it was fake smicha.

    Not that it will help. But at least there are more pepole who now see and know the truth

  • Chaikel

    They did this as last resort. As evrey rov they went to. Did a little investigation and saw that broin was guilty. Even Rosenberg who promised to help. Had to back down when he saw and heard what the beis din that issued the ikul knowns andvtge evidence they have

    So as a last resort they just did this dumb move

  • Perhaps Braun didn-t know...

    Perhaps Braun didn’t know…what Shagalov was going to do, but the only reason why Shagalov did it is because even Brauns people know that his Smicha isn’t genuine.

  • :(

    this is soooo disgusting
    wow, i will continue to daven for him and his family
    what a nisayon
    unbelievable…

  • lame

    these guys are so stupid shagalow was part of the plan now that he supposedly ripped it up now thay claim he had smicha and thay destroyed it really he never had thay just want everyone to think he did have but it was ripped up

  • Chaim Tovim

    CH should just set up a few Batei Din, end of story. Everyone will go to whomever they want

  • meir rhodes

    chevra; your posting of community information is vital to the free exchange of ideas and very much a part of the democratic process. keep reporting the news , and again thanks.

  • Otisviller Roov

    This is beyond stupid.

    Shagalow belongs in R building for that move and in Otisville for some of his work as a real estate developer.

  • The Oracle

    Apparently what they ripped up was actually the Kingston Pizza menu. There wasn’t much on it anyway. The Smicha is still safe and sound in a time-locked vault somewhere in the Bermuda triangle.

    What I don’t quite understand is that even if it WAS the Smicha, am I to believe it was so destroyed as to be beyond any recognition whatsoever? Are you telling me that this guy chewed the pieces and digested them? Did he use an incendiary device? So he rips it into smallish pieces. So pick them up and put them back together! Like someone has to do with Crown Heights unity in general.

    Weird weird weird. And that’s just Crown Heights. The events are even stranger.

  • Concerned Chabadnik

    Of course, the Rabbi would have kept a copy of his s’michah. I suggest that it publicized so that it can be confirmed or otherwise.
    Unfortunately, if none can now be produced there is no way that he can claim there was a s’michah.
    If it were to be claimed that in fact there was no copy, Rabbi Braun would have to approach whoever issued the original s’michah for a copy.
    I am obviously not from CH, but unless resolved, this cannot lead to anything else but machlokes and a B”D without authority to represent the kehillah or even judge cases.

  • Gomaz

    Wake up guys and girls….

    The smicha that was torn up was a fake.
    The original is probably safely tucked away at Braun’s home.

    It was just a publicity stunt.

    Shekoah and gut voch

  • dovi

    lets not forget that shagolow and labkovsky are machotonim

    and now he learnt in 770 maybe he will say now that rabbi labkowsky gave him semicha

  • antimesira

    To Comment 18, who asked..

    “do they think we are idiots and stupid?”

    Yes they do!

  • yesef

    Why would Broin bring an original document to a meeting of his supporters? Does a doctor or lawyer carry their school diplomas in their pockets during meetings? The whole thing smells

  • hope

    there are people who know the family and it is a fact that he had smicha. what more excitement are you looking for. Go say Chitas and get busy. He’s eidel, he cares, and he’s fine for the job.
    Why did he have to rip up the paper, thats just an act of base emotions…..

  • happy

    im sick of the whole thing cant they get someone with out all this cr-p then again who in thier right mind want to get involved in this mess

  • nesha

    Get rid of all these incompetent,dishonest men and let the woman take over. These guys are all losers and are ruining Lubavitch!

  • Reality

    #29 you are one funny person! I was ROFL

    Seriously though, I have written about this before.

    It’s not whether this person knows how to learn or miraculously “finds” his “Smicha”

    The fact is he misrepresented himself and misled the community.

    He was elected on false pretenses.

    He has therefore lost his credibility “chezkas Kashrus” (For what else will he fabricate in the future?)

    Furthermore, a Rav must be impartial. This person has demonstrated that he is under the influence of certain individuals and that is grounds for immediate termination. (This applies to any Rav, even the present Rabbis)

    Real Kovod HaTorah and Kavod Rabbonim demands that the person serving our community be free from all negative traits and influences. We need a person of exemplary character, not one who used subterfuge to gain his position.

    Whatever the real motives that this “smicha” was torn up, it is Hashgacha protis that it was.

    It shows that the “smicha” is null and void and it also hints to Shmuel’s tearing the cloak of Shaul. Shaul also claimed that it was the will of the people, but Hashem knew the truth.

    It is unfortunate, that in this Olam HaSheker, the whitewashing of this “Rav” has begun and will continue, until we are led like sheep to believe he is a perfect Tzaddik.

    But, if he had the least bit of respect for this community, and the Rebbe’s Shechuna he would have withdrawn amid the controversy

    May HaShem protect this community and bring Moshiach now!

  • nice try

    ha ha nice try SHGALOW. hay it wont work. Krius bais din will only see how your really frud

  • not a politically motivtaed post

    Just stating the facts- zaki is comparable to obama, a well spoken person who is NOT fit for the job. Not enough experience, the same way obama in his hear hates this country, zaki hates what lubavitch stands for (refer to the liozna rebbe story if you are not familiar) obama is not you’re typical american, he comes from kenyans and calls it america, zaki modernizes lubavitch and makes it “heilig” zaki if you are reading this, listen kid, time to move on, you half-a** tried and did not succeed, putin broin in power was a politically motivated move to keep the millions coming in from state and/or federal grants to come in your pockets, through mula chanin (calling it heileg) Go back to hustling people for 250 dollars for your law consultations and get the heck out of chjcc.

  • FROM MIAMI

    HAHAHAHAHAHAH

    THIS IS SO FUNNY!

    CROWN HEIGHTS IS SUCH A FUN PLACE! SO MANY INTERESTING AND MATURE THINGS HAPPEN THERE!

    MAN…. I“M SO BORED IN MIAMI… B”H FOR THESE NEWS WEBSITES TO KEEP ME GOING THROUGH THE HARD TIMES…

    HAHAHAHHAHAHAA!

  • chleaks.com

    Braun to Bet Din:

    “I had a Semicha but my dog eat it.”
    ———–

    I wrote out a $180 check for the Mas Hakohol but then I tore it up. Is it still considered as if I gave?
    ————

    This past Friday I went shopping at Empire Kosher, I filled my cart and went to the cashier to pay, I wrote out a check for the amount of my purchase and then I proceeded to tear up the check. After tearing up my check I walked out of the store with my stuff. If you don’t believe me, you can ask all the witnesses that saw this and there is video surveillance of the whole things going down.

    chleaks.com

  • CROWN HEIGHTS SCUM BAGS

    I have one question? why would a nice person like Rabbi Braun, who was amazingly succesful in Australia, and very well liked I might add, want to come to crown heights to have to deal with this bunch of sleaze bags?? These people don’t give a darn about what they are doing to the neighborhood, nor how many of the youth they are turning off from yiddishkiet because of their infantile ridiculous vile hatred. Dealing with these dirt bags takes superhuman nerves and I wish the Brauns all the luck in the world.

  • To No. 5

    To No.5 . You seem to think we care who you accept as your Rov because you took your time out to print and tell us. Whoever you are. We could not care less who you accept as your Rov. Why do you think anyone would even care what you do?

  • Shlome Seldowitz

    This whole affair is becoming ugly, and a true chilul Hashem.

    In my view, Rabbi Braum has lost the consensus support of the Crown Height’s community. This is obvious.

    The majority of the current Beis Din short vote for having new elections between Rabbi Braun and Rabbi Bogomilsky.

    Then, the matter will be settled.

    PS I think what Rabbi S. did was disgusting. He should be rebuked by the Beis Din.

  • omg omg

    K these people are all corrupt, Yechiniks who dont know a thing and that Mr. Braun was for sure in on this – we need change! now!

  • I AM APPALLED!!

    WHY DOES EVERYTHING IN CROWN HEIGHTS HAVE TO BE A FIGHT?! ITS PATEHTIC!!! IF CROWN HEIGHTS IS THE CENTER OF LUBAVITCH,IT GIVES OF A TERRIBLE IMPRESSION TO ALL OF THE NON-LUBAVITCH PEOPLE ABOUT LUBAVITCH!!! ITS UNBELIEVABLE! LIKE SERIOUSLY WE LEARN IN PRESCHOOL TO HAVE AHAVAS YISROEL, AND TREAT EVERY JEW AS YOU WANT TO BE TREATED, AND MAINLY–DONT FIGHT!!! WHAT KIND OF ROLE MODELS ARE THESE “RABBIS”?!?!!
    AND NOW PEOPLE WONDER WHY THERE ARE SO MANY TEENS FROM CROWN HEIGHTS WHO ARE ‘OFF THE DERECH’!?!?!?!? ALL THEY SEE IS THE PEOPLE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO LOOK UP TO, FIGHTING LIKE BABIES!!
    SERIOUSLY, *GROW UP*!!!

  • למכה מ

    למכה מצרים בבכוריהם

    terorist

    sutupide shagalow stop suporting the meschist and hendel thant are trying to kill chabad

    you u want kovod and moeny go somewhere else

  • Shlome Seldowitz

    Can’t Rabbi Labkowski confirm that he gave smicha to Rabbi Braun? I don’t believe Rabbi Labkowski would lie.

    Is the a Meshichists versus Antis battle?

  • Tween

    Rabbi Braun will be amazing!
    Let everyone just mind their own business.
    He is an erliche yid…
    c’mon let’s all grow up!

  • The Simplicity of Common Sense

    Why dont we check with the Rabbi he says he got his smicha from?

  • Smicha from the Beis ha-Shimush

    I just bought a four-roll package of Braun’s smicha certificates at Target. I forgot what I paid, but it didn’t amount to the same hill of beans I ate in yesterday’s cholent that caused me to use up all the Braun’s smicha certificates I had in the house already.

  • A frylechen Peerim

    Why dont we check with the Rabbi he says he got his smicha from?
    —
    Rabbi Scott Tissue? I hear he is quite Charmin.

  • proof on record if true-what-s prob?

    To #50 because the idol worship is an avoda zara that Hashem doesn’t like. Also,I personally have several certificates of accomplishment(diplomas)which are on record and easily replaceable. What’s the problem?

  • Shimon

    How old is R. Braun? Were they still giving individual smicha tests in those years or did a bunch of guys get tested at once? And who are some of the other people who studied in 770 during his years, and can any of those people back up the claims that R. Braun studied for smicha in 770?