Adam Dickter - The Jewish Week
Board members say chairman owes council millions; Rubashkin claims row is over bet din.

A state court in Brooklyn is weighing whether to require the chairman of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council to turn over financial records to his officers after two directors alleged that he has misdirected funds for personal gain.

But Rabbi Moshe Rubashkin emphatically denies the charges, insisting 'not a dollar, not 50 cents, not a penny' was misused. And at least one communal leader says the charges appear 'baseless.'

Judge Francois Rivera of state Supreme Court earlier this month called on Rabbi Rubashkin to show why an order should not be issued by the court requiring him to open the books. The motion also prevented the installation of three rabbis to a bet din whose election on April 30 is in dispute.

Crown Heights JCC Leader Sued

Adam Dickter – The Jewish Week

Board members say chairman owes council millions; Rubashkin claims row is over bet din.

A state court in Brooklyn is weighing whether to require the chairman of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council to turn over financial records to his officers after two directors alleged that he has misdirected funds for personal gain.

But Rabbi Moshe Rubashkin emphatically denies the charges, insisting ‘not a dollar, not 50 cents, not a penny’ was misused. And at least one communal leader says the charges appear ‘baseless.’

Judge Francois Rivera of state Supreme Court earlier this month called on Rabbi Rubashkin to show why an order should not be issued by the court requiring him to open the books. The motion also prevented the installation of three rabbis to a bet din whose election on April 30 is in dispute.

The two board members, Hanina Sperlin and Leibish Nash, want Rabbi Rubashkin to give up financial control of the council and pay at least $18 million to the organization.

A hearing in the case was scheduled for Monday but postponed until June 19 before Judge Michael Ambrosio, at which time the rabbi will have to explain why he should not have to show the records to the plaintiffs.

The case reveals a hefty power struggle within the tangled web of secular social service and religious organizations that controls life in the Crown Heights chasidic community, whose numbers are estimated at about 10,000. Thousands more adherents who look to Crown Heights for guidance are spread across the globe.

Rabbi Rubashkin’s election to the helm of the JCC, which disburses public and private money to those eligible for social programs while also funding neighborhood projects, drew some controversy in January 2005, because he had served 15 months in a federal prison two years earlier for writing bad checks to cover expenses for his failing textiles business.

He was nevertheless elected with more than 70 percent of 1,200 votes cast, more than the others on the slate. His supporters later said he would not be directly involved in the JCC’s finances.

But Sperlin and Nash allege that not only is he involved but “it appears that Rubashkin has used JCC funds for his own self-interest and personal expenses” while refusing to open the books to other trustees and bypassing other officers, according to court papers.

No details are provided in court papers about the alleged misdirection of funds. The plaintiffs are seeking “at least $18 million” to be repaid to the JCC, according to court papers, although the same papers elsewhere note that the organization’s assets are around $2 million.

“We are afraid his actions could affect the city’s funding to the JCC,” said the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Howard Rubin.

Rubin told The Jewish Week the suit was brought because Rabbi Rubashkin “unilaterally” scheduled an election to fill a vacancy on the communal bet din through a process that violated the JCC’s mandates, in the view of the plaintiffs.

“The clients came to us and said this is not according to bylaws and rules and successfully got a temporary restraining order preventing the certification of the election,” said Rubin. “In the course of an investigation we found out Rubashkin was using the letterhead of the JCC as if the election was approved by the JCC or the Vaad Hakohol.”

The Vaad Hakohol is the JCC’s religious arm, which carries out the elections of the bet din.

In an interview from Israel, where he was visiting his son this week, Rabbi Rubashkin spoke in great detail about the case, insisting the true aim of the plaintiffs was to prevent the installation of the rabbis to the bet din. He said he did not know why the plaintiffs opposed the rabbis.

“I don’t understand what they are trying to do,” he said. “They are coming at me from every which way. This isn’t about Moshe Rubashkin. What they really want in court is to stop the rabbanim [rabbis] from becoming rabbanim. That’s what they’re looking to stop.” He stressed that a vibrant communal bet din, which would interpret the teachings of the late Rebbe Menachem Schneerson, was imperative in a movement that dispatches thousands of emissaries throughout the world.

Of his past indiscretions, Rabbi Rubashkin said “I made a mistake in my life and paid a very heavy price for it, but paying the price doesn’t mean you are killed. Last year 450 people went to camp [thanks to the JCC], we gave out money like never before in the history of the JCC.” He added that he receives no compensation for his work with the council. He also insisted that the council’s books must be examined by government audits. “As long as you take any money from the government you must certify the books every year.”

The JCC is affiliated with the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, which administers some of its programs, such as Child Health Plus and job training and prepares the payroll of employees who work on those programs, although it does not directly fund the JCC.

Met Council’s director, William Rapfogel, said his inquiries into the matter suggest personality clashes were mostly to blame for the strife.

“We’re always concerned about any kind of allegations,” he said. “But based on initial discussions these seem to be baseless charges purely based on disagreements within the community. They have to do with a bigger machlokes [conflict], which has nothing to do with the provision of social services.”

Rabbi Rubashkin’s critics object to his spending thousands of dollars on an outside firm, Election Services Corporation, to certify the results of the election. The rabbi says the sum was about $15,000. He said the expense was justified to ensure that the results would not be questioned. But, in the court papers, the plaintiffs, who named Long Island-based Election Services Corporation a co-defendant in the suit, claim the election was not carried out in accordance with Vaad Hakohol guidelines, which require, among other things, that the tallying of results be videotaped. The lawsuit claims the company certified the election “notwithstanding the fact that it was informed that the election was not performed properly.”

Election Services Corporation, as of Tuesday, did not respond to a call and e-mail message seeking comment.

The lawsuit also claims that Rabbi Rubashkin held a meeting in his home last month to appoint new members of the JCC board — members who would support his stewardship — and that meeting violated the group’s bylaws. But the rabbi said his election was held to address violations of bylaws in the last election in September.

Marcia Eisenberg of the Jewish Legal Assistance Program, a division of the Jewish Community Relations Council that advises nonprofits, said she had been consulted on the dispute and had informed both sides that they had not conformed with JCC bylaws. She said the April meeting was likely held too far after the initial election to supersede it.

“If they did everything they say they did and adhered to the bylaws, the question is was it legitimate because it was done in April,” said Eisenberg.

Yankel Wice, a member of the JCC’s synagogue advisory council who supports Rabbi Rubashkin, said he “strongly doubts” the rabbi did anything improper.

“He has done things like provide clothing and housing for yeshiva boys and girls on Passover and helped with summer camp tuition and a lot of social programs, often using the monies that the council has,” said Wice. He insisted Rabbi Rubashkin had provided some accounting of the finances, if not to the level sought by his detractors. “What the plaintiffs in this case are seeking is every single record, every petty cash [receipt] and check stub. I am not aware of any organization that is required to provide that level of specificity.”

102 Comments

  • Itzik_s

    This has gone too far and we are now airing our dirty laundry in public. Time for new emergency elections to Vaad Hakohol, and to be on the safe side, redone elections for the Beis Din as well where all present dayanim are on the ballot (the question would be whether Rav Osdoba can run again given that he was elected before Gimmel Tammuz and there is a clear possibility that the Rebbe intended him to serve for life. What a mess.

  • Community Man

    When there is an internal fight in the community EVEYONE loses. how long will it take our community to figure this out?

    Look what happened with the Fisher case (regardless whether he was wrong or right) there has been NO advancement in public housing – cheaper housing – section 8 etc. etc. since Fisher was put into Cherem. Everyone in Borough Park and Williamsburg knows that you dont mess with people who are building up a community. They maybe liars cheaters ganavim and every smear you want to give them. THEY ARE BUILDING UP THE COMMUNITY. When you shut these people down we all lose and the community goes into reverse instead of moving forward.

    If not for the Fisher case – there would be another 500 lower income families living in section 8.

    If not for this fight and slandar going on now, there would be more derech eretz, kavod rabonim and yiras shamayim. why must we keep shifting into reverse every time we go forward a couple of meters???

  • For life

    Was Rabbi Osdoba meant to serve for life?

    Any Rav has bechira chofshis. If he lives up to the qualifacations good. If not the answer is obvious. The Rebbe did not take away bechira from anyone.

    We have never had such a split in CH. All involved are responsible.

  • fed up!

    Enough is enough! Jews do not take Jews to secular courts. This is horrible, Shame on the people that did this. It’s time to stop now. Sperlin and Nash, what is your problem?

  • Rubashkin Pays Everyone to win them over

    How much money did Rubashkin pay crownheights.info for their deafening silence until now, on the Rubashkin Law Suite which is more than a week old!

  • RAMBAM

    This reshoim are mosrim and chayovim Misa

    äìëåú çåáì åîæé÷ ôø÷ ç
    ä áòìé ãéï ùäééúä áéðéäí îøéáä òì ÷ø÷ò àå òì îéèìèìéï, æä àåîø ùìé åæä àåîø ùìé, åòîã àçã îäï, åîñøä áéã âåééí–îðãéï àåúå, òã ùéçæéø äãáø ìëîåú ùäéä åéñì÷ éã äàåðñ îáéðéäí, åéòùå ãéï áéùøàì.

  • Anti mishichist- pro chabad

    hay, more money to be waisted for nothing.
    Let’s not help poor familys, let’s not help kids go to camp.
    Let’s not help our schools, which are in a lot of trobble.

    Let’s go waist our money in usless courts.

    Hip hip horry!

  • i love this game!

    So now it’s out in the Jewish Week. Not only do we know about that he went to jail, but what for…..I say we have a civil war…we all meet on kingston @ Midnight with all our horses and armor…..Osdoba on the the Vad Hakohol/Beis Dins Side and Shvei in fron of Flash!!! I can’t wait!!!

  • yanky

    sperlin went to the press when moshe was elected and told them to write that a convicted felon won the elections in CH, now he runs to the press again, and walks out looking like a fool

  • Ariel Pissedoffman

    Wow very normal!
    Q: What happens when you try to do somethimg good for crown heights?
    B: Everyone hates you, then they try to get you in trouble any way possible!
    I guess Shimshon Stock should get in trouble now, he does way too much good.
    Later we can go after Chaim the story teller, then Nathan Lewin for helping The Rebbe, then Boymelgreen for giving donations that are too large.
    Sick people get a life.

  • clear the deck

    I think Sperling and Nash must resign. What chutzpah to go to court. They are royal ticked off that they are in the minority so l;ike litlle babies they have decided to destroy the CHJCC and ther community. They have a "rubber stamp" Rabbi endorsing their shinanigans.

    I think Rubashikin should have put Rabbi Scwei on the ballot and have a legal election for him. I guess he would have lost which wouyld have been good for the kehillah. Since he was "elected" as rov there has only been machlokos.

  • Tate Zisser

    "Only in Court" goes the familiar adage.

    Finally this mess will be resolved once and for all.

  • zalman

    chanina is destroying our community

    he is afraid of the new rabbonim

    he put shvei in when nobody was looking and started all the machlokos and will fight to keep it that way we must get him out

  • itzik ur right

    i agree with itzik osdobo is tehre from the rebbe

    everyone else shuld be a revote

    and new elections for the vaad hakohol and out with chanina

  • ALWAYS RIGHT

    they are all reshoim.
    YOU PEOPLE FROM CH ARE MAKING BUSHOS AND CHERPOS FOR ALL OF CHABAD.
    THEY SHOULD TAKE THE NAME CHABAD OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • THE HOLTZMANS

    WHO KNOWS THE STORY WHY THE HOLTZMANS DONT LIVE IN CROWN HEIGHTS ?

    what is the story with kraus’s shviger ?

  • i want some of the pie!!

    i never knew the jcc was that rich, no wonder chanina Sperlin wanted to help the pepole, i would to, would you to??!!!! 18 million!!!!

  • time to go on shlichus

    Go to court???? Feh! It’s the newest style you don;t like a guy find some bottom feeding lawyer to take the case and poof!! The Rebbe would be proud of his Chasidim!!

  • Shame, Nash , Sperlin sandhorse, hendel

    Nash, Sperlin NUT , Yisroel Sandhorse, Yaanke doodle Herzog. You time has come to face the Dirt you are putting out , all with the sanctions of Schwei , I did not vote for him because he was put there by you to bury Osdoba , now that he lost , you are sore loosers , go Make a mesirah on Rubashkin, Korach also tried this trick , we all know where they are now !dont forget to take Kraus with you , , Shame on you all . ..
    The community stands strong with Osdoba and wont be tricked into this mess , together with Mendy Hendel , the cancer of our community

  • Avreml

    It’s about time for new elections, so we can get rid of the two looses.

    Chanina and Nash are destroying our neighborhood, they have got to go.

    We need elections for Rabbonim too. If we’re stuck with Rav Osdoba for life OK

    But all the newly elected Rabbonim should be up for reelection every 4 years so if they fight to much – out they go!

  • Meshichistim - Ma-aminim B-nei Ma-aminim

    to anti-meshichist pro-chabad:

    WHY SUCH A NAME?? WHY DO U CALL YOURSELF THAT WAY?? WE ALL BELEIVE IN MOSHIACH…. ANTI MESHICHIST = APIKORSIS …

    YOUR COMMENTS ARE RIGHT, YOUR NAME IS WRONG!!!

    MOSHIACH NOW – Shleimus Ha’Torah, Shleimus Ha’Aretz and SHLEIMUS HA’AM will bring the Bais Hashlishi and the Rebbe B’Gashmius

    SHAME ON ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR LIVES, MONEY AND BRAINS AND FIND IT IMPORTANT TO SPEND TIME RUNNING FROM ONE COURT TO ANOTHER, FROM ONE MACHLOKES TO ANOTHER, FIND A JOB, KEEP YOURSELF BUSY AND STAY OUT OF PEOPLE’S BUSINESS …

    TAKE THE MONEY AND USE IT RIGHT … SCHOOLS, YESHIVAS, and FAMILIES in CROWN HEIGHTS COULD AND SHOULD GET THE MONEY … Not the State Courts and lawyers … WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE

  • Power of Destruction

    Yes,"Only in Court"

    It is for the best, it going to be hard long and very painful.
    But the good will prevail and justices will be served.

    Going to snitch to the court even if it’s true is very wrong, mor so Rabbi Rubashkin didn’t steal any money and was watching his steps very carful not to make any wrong doing, knowingly that he haze both Sperling and Nash on his back.

    I am as a nobody. See only a false accusation
    the only one to blame is you!!! “the voter” give Sperling and Nash the power of destruction.

  • Beware of Meny Hendel

    Dont be fooled , Mendi hendel ,has his hands in your pockets .
    Mendi Hendel is the king Pin in all this mess , dressed up as a Yehchi faker . he controls his hentchmen
    Hertzog, Nash , y. Sandhog,, all the fights are planned by Osaama Hendel

    Be careful from hendel , A disease that contaminates

  • Avreml

    Nash and Sperlin are asking for 18 Million?

    That’s CRAZY!

    How on earth can the council have had 18 million if they say it’s a 2 million or so budget per year?

    Besides, Nash and Sperlin want the books so they obviously don’t know the Cheshbonos, so how can they allege 18 million if they didn’t see any books?

    Obviously they are just making up numbers like 18 million out of the Blue!

  • shmuelik

    No matter how correct or beneficial if you shove something down your neighbor’s throat don’t be surprised if he throws up in your face.

  • Can-t we all just get along?

    At the time 70% voted for Rubashkin we never dreamed he would be able to be the sole controler of the comunities money. Isn’t there a requrement of 2 signatures on the checks?

    In any case I am sure they got permission from Rabbi Shway to go to Ct. after they didn’t come to bais din.

    Can anyone help settle this matter before Crown Hights gets Auteded by the government and thousands of jewish money goes for lawyers fees? Then we all loose?

  • perplexed

    Does any one know what the figure of $ 18 million is suppose to mean?

    ANY answer will do (I am asking from the perspective of those asking for that amount)

  • TRUE JEW

    CHANINA IS A MOSER, "V’LAMASHINIM AL TIHE TIKVAH" WHEN THE SHIP SINKS THE RATS COME OUT. CHANINA SHOULD BE STONED ACCORDING TO JEWISH LAW. THROWN OUT OF THE COMMUNITY LIKE A HUNGRY DOG!!!

  • no worey

    I dont see why evryone is so concernd about the fact that this case hase been brought to court after all rubashkin didnt do anything wrong right? so than there is nothin to be woreyd about

    and for dose thar are woreyd its probebly because you know that he is a crook and will be busted so than why do u side with him? so is it because ur a crook as well?

    and for all dose who dont know why this case is in court and not in a din torah that is because rubashkin did not come to a din torah and after a few times trying it the nice way he was brought to court yes ofcorse it belongs in a jewish court but if u got no choice than it goes to court

  • Anon

    As always Crown Heights does not fail to have some sort of scandal going on. It would make a great TV series! What a shame… so many people that have the right connections to do right and benefit the community and they look after thier own interests rather than that which they were "elected" for. I wonder if there is someone that actually has the right interests in mind that can do the job right for a change. But then again the Entire community is so worried about whos stepping on whos toes they forget the bigger picture!

  • Attorney

    Doubt this will go on long. Lawyers on all sides will likely quit after the retainer money is used up and they realize their bills are not going to be paid.

  • fs

    to Meschichstim: WHY DO YOU SCREAM? YOU DON’T HAVE TO TELL US ALL WHICH A BIG CHOSSID YOU ARE. you can use also regular letters

    anyway, is everyone having a good time?

  • 44

    First of all, I dont know much about Moshe Rubashkin but I do know somethings about chanina etc. Back to our topic I think its a tremendous disgrace to the CH community that this whole Machlokes is taking place, this is clearly not a Machlokes between B"H and B"S which is "lishem shomayim" rather its a machlokes over power and greed and control which is clearly Not "lishem shomayim" and such a machlokes "ain sofah lihiskaim" (pirkay avot perek 5 mishnah 17 ) etc. Also that if someone learnt the sichos of the upcoming Yomtov of shauvot he would see that the Rebbe speaks about the "inyan" of achdus at length see Likutai sichos chelek 28 the sicha on rosh chodesh sivan, chelek 21 on parshas yisro page 100 and on etc. At the end of the day woe onto us that we behave like this , you know we stress so much on "loving your fellow jew" which is a "klal godol Batorah" but it also says in the Torah " umibesorcha al tisalem" we also "darf tun mit zich" and shame to this community council which acts worse than boro-park etc.

  • get rid of chanina already

    Chanina, how much money do you need? Perhaps burn down your buildings for insurance claims. That’s how your family got their money in the first place.

  • HeShouldWorryAboutCrimeInTheCH

    Q) if Rubashkin dosent want to show the books to the other members of the Vaad hakal what should they do?!
    A) go to bais din
    Q) if rubashkin dosent go to bais din what do you do>?
    A) go to court. EVERY member of the Vaad Hakal has the right to see the books!!!!! not only Moshe Rubashkin!
    Think about that, Rubashkin is refusing to show the books to the other Vaad members! you need to ask your self why?

  • ld

    webby cod you tel me nicely
    why are you only pudding bad comments on Nash & Sperlin why not on Moshe rubashkin did he pay you

  • he is a moired bmalchus

    can anyone remind us who bugged the Rebbe’s rooms etc. and got caught with his pants down???!!! (in the bathroom listening in through the bug) and on behalf of who was he working???!!!

    is this who is representing us?!

  • shape up

    1) Whose money is being used to pay to the courts to sue mr?

    2) When will the the "moderate" crownheighters" stand up against the pushers of all machlokessin since 25 years: from fisher, to aguch, to meshichism, to machne mamosh, tzavoas weisnteock and now rubashkin…

    3) Is this what chassidus taught us all from the days of Baal shem Tov Alter Rebbe till our Rebbe…

  • Israel

    i think we should vote to abolish the Vaad Hakohol and the JCC. Nobody has any benefits from themanyway. the few people in control are lining their pockets at the expense of the community. once the JCC and Vaad Hakohol will be no more there will be no machlokes. it will be sholom al yisroel.

  • embarrassed

    Now they become Mosrim "Leshem Shamayim". They do not have to worry. They just follow the unfortunate long line.

  • run guidry

    Chanina,

    Thanks for standing up for what is right!!

    Bring back Ebbets field to Brooklyn!

  • another day in the heights..

    18 MILLION?!?!?
    I think that chanina wants moish to give back the money that HE HIMSELF stole too….:)
    on a side note, if he did get permission from schwei, then why was it to sue over other issues, shouldnt permission just have been given to sue on the issue that beis din summoned Rubashkin for?!? unless he didnt get permission…
    or unless, the Rabbi is just one of the gang!!

  • wannabe chosid

    This is what we should think about.

    On the Rebbe’s wedding day, the Frierdiker Rebbe gave out a Ksav Yad of the Alter Rebbe about the subject of Machlokes.

    Perhaps the Reason this letter was distributed on the Rebbes wedding day, the day that the Rebbe said "this day connected me with you, and you with me," is a message to us of how the Rebbe’s (Alter Rebbe, Frierdiker Rebbe and our Rebbe MH”M) expect us to behave, when faced with differences of opinion.

    Even in a situation when we feel that it is L’Sheim Shamayim, and even when we face the most difficult opponents such as the Misnagdim in Vilnius, who caused Chasidim plain and simple life and death situations (I don’t want to elaborate).

    The following is the whole story of the Ksav Yad:

    SOUVENIR FROM THE REBBE’S WEDDING TO REBETZIN CHAYA MUSHKA.
    DISTRIBUTED BY THE FRIERDIKER REBBE TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE WEDDING IN WARSAW, POLAND, ON THE 14TH OF KISLEV, 5689
    Cover letter by the Frierdiker Rebbe, attached to the souvenir which he distributed at his daughters wedding, Rebetzin Chaya Mushka to her Chassan our holy Rebbe on the 14th of Kislev 5689, in Warsaw, Poland

    Free Translation
    With the help of G-d

    Peace and blessings

    For a good souvenir of the wedding date of my daughter, the illustrious Kalla Ms. Chaya Mushka, may she live and be well. With her mate, the Chassan, Harav M’ Menachem Mendel, may he live and be well.

    I am honoring all those who are participating in the joy of our heart, from near and from afar. With this souvenir presented herewith.

    A photocopy of a letter, from the holy writings of our holy Rebbe. My great grandfather. Our First Father. Our Great Rebbe, o.b.m. Which will serve as a good omen, for all that is good, from soul to body. Amongst all our friends of Anash, may Hashem bless them, and all those who love Torah.

    With Joy and Blessings

    Yosef Yitzchak

    Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim of Lubavitch
    Tuesday, 14th of Kislev, 5689, Warsaw

    Letter from the Alter Rebbe in his very own handwriting

    Free Translation
    To my dear friend R’ Moshe may his candle glow

    My request and my desire, to awaken a spirit of purity in his pure heart, to forgo his emotions. As our sages taught us “one who forgoes (his emotions)” Etc. And to be among those who are insulted. And to ask for public forgiveness from the governor R’ Meir, may his candle glow, before the coming Yom Kippur.

    And you should do this for my sake, and for the sake of peace. Because no peace can come from a quarrel, heaven forbid. Especially from disagreements for the sake of heaven. Because most pain and trouble, come form differences for the sake of heaven, may the merciful one save us from it

    I am full of confidence that my few words will include the many.

    And may my words be desirable, and he should not dismiss them, heaven forbid.

    I conclude in short, and I say peace peace from the master of peace, as my soul requests and takes interest in his wellbeing from a longing heart and soul.

    Schneur Zalman

    LETTER OF BACKGROUND, EXPLANATION BY THE FRIERDIKER REBBE, IN HIS HOLY HANDWRITING, EXPLAINING THE SOUVENIR OF THE ALTER REBBE’S LETTER, GIVEN OUT WITH THE SOUVENIR

    Free Translation
    The issue of this holy letter is: The relationship between the Chasidim and the Misnagdim during that time was such, that at one meeting of Anash in Vilnius, a group of youngelait, great torah scholars, from amongst the young Chasidim, opined to go to war against their opponents (oppressors). And they refused to continue following the moderates of Anash under the leadership of the Parnas (governor) of the Kehila, the Chasid R’ Meir son of Raphael o.b.m. Who for 5-6 years (5551-56 approx.) toiled and attempted to make peace. And at that meeting, the Chasid R’ Moshe Meizlish o.b.m. supported the hand of the young Chasidim, and he expressed in very strong words, his aching heart from all the pain that they suffered, against the Chasid R’ Meir Raphael’s o.b.m.

    At that juncture, the Alter Rebbe sent to them a special messenger. Saying: You are right. But the mind must control the emotions. And this is the duty of Anash, that their heart should be in their control, and (the heart) should be a dwelling place for the love and fear of Hashem. And the heart disseminates to all directions with good attributes and love for all Jews, for their good. And in the end the honor of Hashem will prevail, when all the wellsprings of the fountain of the house of Hashem, which were revealed by our teacher the Baal Shem Tov o.b.m., will be spread forth, and the entire world will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem.

    And in the month of Elul of that year the Alter Rebbe sent this letter to R’ Moshe o.b.m.

    If we follow these guidelines we will merit all the Rebbe’s Brochos, and the truth will prevail.

    Think about it. Let’s not try to be smarter than our holy Rebbe’s.

  • Not again

    Ahhh, this is just great… doesn’t everyone realize that all our fights smell of the same bad breath? Doesn’t everyone realize that all our fights resemble one another?

    The following is a combat manual containing a list of tried and true tactics that have been field tested in our neighborhood multiple times with fantastic results. I hope it assists you on your holy mission.

    The tests were conducted during the following campaigns.
    1. Fisher vs. Bais Din
    2. Aguch vs. Gaobim
    3. Mishichistin vs Ant-Mishichistin
    4. Sperlin vs Rabashkin
    5. Maskirus (Rabbi K vs Rabbi G)

    Tactic #1 “The Rebbe attack and defense”

    ATTACK: As soon as the fighting begins, make sure you are well stocked will letters form the Rebbe illustrating that your point of view is correct. This will set the tone for the upcoming battles and will convey to the masses that this is a holy war. A minimal of two letters is recommended

    DEFENSE: If your opponent deploys his own letters indicating that you are incorrect, you must immediately counter his claims by stating a) the letters are false b) by illustrating that the current situation is different then the one the letter was intended for. It is critical that you apply your extensive Talmudic training in proving a difference between the Rebbe’s letter and the current situation.
    Tactic #2 “The Rabonim attack and defense”

    ATTACK: As the fighting moves into high gear, make sure you obtain a letter signed by Rabonim indicating that you are correct. This will reiterate your point that this battle is driven by people of high moral standards, not by private agendas.

    DEFENSE: If your opponent deploys his own letter signed by Rabonim indicating that you are incorrect, you must immediately counter his claims by stating a) the letter is false b) the Rabonim who signed, do not have jurisdiction over this issue c) the Rabonim who signed are bias and therefore are disqualified from passing a ruling. d) You must immediately produce your own letter signed by Rabonim indicating why you are not obligated to listen to the other Rabonim

    Tactic #3 “The Civil Court attack and defense”

    ATTACK: If all else fails, hire a lawyer and file a suit in civil court. It is advisable to include allegations of personal corruption even if irrelevant, in order to intimidate your opponent and shock the masses .

    Be prepared to defend your actions by explaining a) you have a letter from Rabonim allowing you to go to court b) your opponent refused arbitration (Zabla) c) you are acting in self defense. d) explain that although it’s currently a painful thing to do, in the long run it will be a big Kiddush Hashem!

    DEFENSE: If you find yourself being dragged into court by your opponent you must a) act shocked and play the roll of a victim b) make sure you include the words “Mosur” and “Chilul Hashem” in all ensuing conversations c) maintain that it was your opponent that refused zabla d) express your disgust at your opponent for bringing the “Rebbe’s Mosed” to court .

    Tactic #4 “The Chilul Hashem attack and defense”

    ATTACK: throughout the duration of the battle and specifically during the beginning of the hearings in civil court, in is important to accuse your opponent of causing a “Chilul Lubavitch” and a “Chilul Hashem”, this will paint you opponent as being selfish and unconcerned about the communities image.

    DEFENSE: If you find yourself being accused of “Chilul Hashem” a) act shocked b) deny all allegations c) counter attack by accusing your opponent of making a Chilul Hashem.

    Continued next comment …

  • Not again

    Continued from Prev comment …

    Tactic #5 “The Sholom attack and defense”

    ATTACK: throughout the duration of the battle, in is important to accuse your opponent of causing the mochlokes and rejecting compromise, this will paint you opponent as being the cause of the current strife.

    DEFENSE: If you find yourself being accused of machlokes a) act shocked b) deny all allegations c) counter attack by accusing your opponent of being the cause of the current machlokes.
    Tactic #6 “Disqualification attack and defense”

    ATTACK: throughout the duration of the battle it is important to explain that your opponents position within his organization is questionable. This can be accomplish by calling into question the validity of the elections that he won, the scope of his intended responsibilities, and by searching for additional technicalities within the bylaws of his organization.

    DEFENSE: Deny and counterattack with similar accusations.
    Tactic #7 “Allegations Of Corruption And External Influence attack and defense”

    ATTACK: It is vital that you accuse your opponent of corruption and mismanagement. This should be done be creating believable conspiracy theories . These theories should include under-the-table deals with wealthy community members and other similar accusations.

    NOTE: When dealing with Rabonim it is advisable to avoid direct accusations. All accusations should be made against the individuals that work for them. Doing so will present the Rov as naïve not evil, and is more acceptable to the public.

    DEFENSE: Deny and counterattack with similar accusations.

    Repeat tactics #1 through #7 until members of the community loose interest, then proceed to the next battleground.

    Viful a Shiur???

  • yossy

    crown heights is should be called crown lie all the
    sides should go fly a kite and the jewish week is a lefty newspaper witch loves to get at hassidic jews so not every thing they worte is true

  • distressed onlooker

    This situation is TRAGIC
    There are young people (and others.) l.o. in CH battling dangerous illnesses.
    There is tremendous suffering and hardships with lack of parnassah, children going off the derech and people finding it hard to find their zivugim. We need a huge yeshua, please stop all this harmful machlokes, the loshon hora, the rechilus the sinah.
    It is up to ALL OF US to bring the Rebbe back NOW but only when harmony AND TRUE ACHDUS reigns amongst all of us. PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT. GUT SHABBOS

  • Torah - Not Politics

    The Gemara in Gittin (88b) derives from the opening Posuk of Shemos 21:1 that it is not permissible for Jews to go to gentile courts to settle their legal disputes, even in areas where the gentile laws are the same as Jewish laws. Rashi, commenting on that Posuk (Ibid. s.v. Lifnaihem), says that to do so constitutes nothing less than a Chillul Hashem, an idea echoed by the Rambam (Hilchos Sanhedrin 26:7) who uses similarly strong language in condemning a Jew who avails himself of gentile courts. The Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 26:1) quotes the Rambam (Ibid.) and adds that this prohibition exists even if both parties agree to accept the decision of the gentile courts, known as "Arkaos." The Ramo, in a Teshuvah (Sheilos V’Teshuvos HaRamo Siman 52), forbids a Jew to even testify in a gentile court under certain conditions. Rather, Jews must go to a qualified Beis Din to resolve all of their legal matters.

    Regarding Chilul Hashem:

    Mishnah Avot 4:4
    Rabbi Yochanan ben Beroka said "whoever commits a Chillul Hashem by subterfuge is punished in public," and regarding Chillul Hashem it makes no difference whether it be intentionally or not.

    Yoma 86a
    If one is guilty of Chillul Hashem (Rashi: "when one transgresses and in so doing causes others to transgress,") repentance cannot avert the decree of punishment, neither can Yom Kippur bring atonement, neither can suffering purify, until death will purify..

    Yoma 86b
    We should reveal the identity of chanafim, to prevent a Chillul Hashem. (Rashi: these are sinners who project themselves with an aura of righteousness – if one knows the true nature of their deeds there is an obligation to reveal it to prevent a Chillul Hashem, as people learn to imitate their ways as they assume they are righteous. And furthermore when they are punished and disaster befalls them, people will say "what good was his righteousness.")

    Pesikta Rabati 22
    "You shall not take God’s name in vain" (Shemot 20:6). Said R. Bibi, "can the verse be referring to false oaths? Did it not already state ‘You shall not swear falsely in my name’ (Vayikra 19:12)? Rather this verse teaches us that you should not be wearing (nosei) tefillin and be wrapped in your tallit and be going and committing sins.’"

  • BB

    TO: he is a moired bmalchus wrote:
    can anyone remind us who bugged the Rebbe’s rooms etc. and got caught with his pants down???!!! (in the bathroom listening in through the bug) and on behalf of who was he working???!!!

    is this who is representing us?!

    I DON’T THINK WEBBY WOULD PUT THIS BUT IT IS WORTH TRYING:

    WE ONLY KNOW ABOUT ONE REBBES ROOM CALLED BY CHASIDIM, SINCE THE ALTER REBBES TIMES, GAN EIDEN HOELYON.

    CHANINA DID NOT BUGGED THE REBBES ROOM CH"V.

    BUT YOU, LIKE ALL LEFTIES ARE DISTORDERS OF THE TRUTH JUST TO BURRY SOMEONE.

    IF YOU NOT HONEST YOU WORTHLESS.

    TO BUG THE DOCTORS CONFERENCE ROOM TO HEAR ABOUT THE REBBES HEALTH SITUATION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RUBASHKIN BEING DISHONEST AND NOT SHOWING THE BOOKS.

    IF HE REFUSES TO GO TO A DIN TORA CHANINA HAS THE FULL RIGHT AND OBLIGATION TO TAKE HIM TO COURT. (SEE FISHERS SIRUV/NIDUY CASE)

    GOING TO JAIL FOR PASSING BAD CHECKS AND NOT PAYING WORKERS COMPENSATION, HAVING 18 JUDGEMENTS, HAVING INVESTIGATIONS ON ARSON, CLOSING DOWN BUSINESSES FOR BAD MANAGEMENT, CAUSING A BIG CHILUL HASHEM IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY ETC ETC HAS A DIRECT RELATION WITH RUNNING AND MANAGING THE JCC LIKE A DICTATOR AND DESPOT. VEDA"L

  • bb

    for all the baley moitzy shemra on a shoychen ofor that was a big baal chesed with out making a big deal and telling everyone how good he is etc, I advise you, next time you go to the ohel go and ask mechile.

  • furious

    i dont care how wrong you believe moishe rubashkin is…. do you know what it says in shulchan aruch about a yid that hands another yid over to the goyishe courts??

    sperlin and nash, being a moser aint the way to prosper

  • bb

    TO: another day in the heights..

    when someone refuses to go to din toir, mesarev, means he does not recognize torah. he can’t pick and choose when he does go and when he doesnt. if he is a mesarev ledin anyone has the right to go straight to court for any issue.

  • bb

    I really don’t understand many people that comment here. For many years we experiance a "machloikes" between the kehile and Fisher. The kehile took fisher to court. did they had the right to do so? maybe it was mesire, heipuch ahavas yisroel, involving the all kehile and our kids, against teachings of the baal shemtov and rebbeim etc etc.? and actually they are many of us that think this way. especially looking at other disputes here including the one of rubashkin & co. vs other members of JCC. but we forget or we do not know that the "fisher" issue was initiated by the Rebbe publicly by a farbrengen and the Rebbe never said or instructed the Vaad hakohol to take the case out of court because of mesire or any of the above reasons. there is certain things that we can’t seat back and let corruption and fraud take place. when someone refuses to go to a din torah especially in kohol corruption you have an obligation to take him to court. Barry Gurary was taken to court for the same reason. And Rubashkin and Co. are in court also for the same reason!!!

  • shulchon oruch

    furious

    do you know shulchan oruch? what does it say in shulchon oruch about a gabbai tzedoko that doesnt show a cheshbon? do you know what the shulchan oruch said about a mesarev ledin? pls check all letters that came out of the badatz of CH signed by the Mora deasro Rabbi Osdoba Shlita in the fisher case.

  • ur friends

    Chanina

    Ver fun keinem nit nispoel. You are doing the right thing. Fight corruption all the way and uproot it from CH.
    Chazak v’emotz. You were given the gratest zchuz! please do not disappoint us!!

  • Itzik_s

    i think we should vote to abolish the Vaad Hakohol and the JCC. Nobody has any benefits from themanyway. the few people in control are lining their pockets at the expense of the community. once the JCC and Vaad Hakohol will be no more there will be no machlokes. it will be sholom al yisroel.

    ____________________________________________

    This is not a bad suggestion, but the only way to do it is for concerned residents to form a parallel organization of volunteers that really does speak for the community and help the community. Otherwise we will have no one to speak for us when it comes to getting grants (one thing we can use here is subsidized housing for melamdim, single parents), speaking to politicians etc. Such an organization, if kept 100% clean of those who are looking to gain or at least if those who are out for profit clearly outline their motives (as in "I, Yossi Zalmanson, intend to act as general contractor if our organization gets the money and title to rebuild vacant slum X), will eventually displace our present structures or their machlokes ridden leadership.

  • honesty and fairness

    Those people attacking Chanina Sperlin and Leibish Nash are totally missing the point. Do you think that they wanted this fought in a secular court? Of course not! But after every option is exhausted and Moshe is running amock like a cowboy and the corruption is running unchecked then there is no alternative. Every method was tried to get Moshe to come to a Din Tora. You can all thank Rabbi Ozdoba shlita for this court case since he advised Moshe to refuse to appear at a din tora, thus creating a situation of anarchy in Crown Heights. Under those circumstances and a heter from Rabonim ,( because Moshe has a din of a mesarev) it is not only permitted to go to court, but in a Community situation it becomes an obligation to take it to court to save the entire Community. I know this comment will not be posted, since the webmaster seems to only allow pro Moshe comments, even if they are full of hatred and the most derogatore in nature totally unbecoming of a Chosid.

  • to bb

    could you get your sentence straight?

    you talk about a shoichen ofor. who are you refering to? sperlin?

    if so. what does that have to do with going to the ohel to ask mechila?!

    unless you call the whole beis hachayim OHEL. am haoretz

  • lets not forget before gimel tamuz

    CHANINA was the one caught in the bathroom with his pants down listening in on a BUG that was placed in the REBBES ROOM and surrounding offices and conference room, shander, is this the person we should have as our community leader, do some research and verify this story yourselves.

    let us not forget, was there someone else he was working with or for that he did this on behalf of?

  • foncused

    I’m confused. Sperlin and Nash are trying to protect the community from being dictated… Seems to me that they are sincerely doing it for the good of the community… I mean, especially if they are bringing the books to court – they obviously think they will win. I’m sure they’ll be prepared to show the books once they’re in control. Otherwise, they are just plain stupid.

    One more thing… If they got a heter from a Rav to go to court, then how can we simpletons call them Mosrim and accuse them of doing something wrong? From their point of view, and the Rav’s point of view they are in the right.

    So I say, let’s all mind our own business and stop worrying about "Sperlin and Nash" hurting us more. It seems to me, like no more harm can be done.

  • Voice of Reason

    How can it be that a community of upright, intelligent, proactive families allow themselves to be represented by a Vaad Hakahol that certainly is not the best face of Crown Heights? When I think of all the wonderful people I know in Crown Heights, it disturbs me to realize that their Shem-Tov is being sullied by a council of people of questionable character.
    It seems to me that this Machlokes, although it is a sorry situation, has not torn the fabric of our community. We who have experienced the macro-leadership of the Rebbe, can not waste our time on this despicable pettiness. I’m not sure of the way out but I certainly know how to avoid THE WAY IN… If people must fight between themselves, let us not sully our honor by participating…

    Can there be more editorial discretion exercised in posting comments that are not opinions but unrelated slander?

  • bb

    To: TO bb

    I think you smarter then that. but I will explain. if you the one that wrote that comment against a shochen ofor maybe you want to go especially to ask mechile thats ok. but I gave you and easy way while you there walk a few steps and …. or maybe you one of those that dont go to the Ohel but I doubt it.

  • bb

    To: Torah – Not Politics

    grate job on bekius (or you did a search). now pls show us ur bekius on the dinim of mesarev ledin and dayonim that are mesarev ledin.

  • chossid

    I see many holy ppl trying to "save the community" I see this as a very bad example for the kids and a chilul Hashem. If ppl voted to someone, this is what ppl vote for. For the next elections run again , and if you win , do it right, but if are not elected , it is not your place, try to be a mentch with evryone to gain votes.if this is something that u want. Something is clear, for the next elections , all these ppl can not run for nothing, everyone who is involved. Only new ppl, recognized as autentic chassidim , who stay awy from machlokes and figths, should run

  • mistake

    to the writter of: i think we should vote to abolish the Vaad Hakohol and the JCC. Nobody has any benefits from themanyway. the few people in control are lining their pockets at the expense of the community. once the JCC and Vaad Hakohol will be no more there will be no machlokes. it will be sholom al yisroel.
    =========
    I got news for you that is what Rabbi Osdoba told many people he wants to do. And actually start doing it when took Kashrus away from the Vaad Hakohol.

    Unfurtunatly he stop and made the mistake of bringing Rubashking into the picture.

  • More facts.

    Bottom line: Chanina & Leibish should remain strong and continue to do the right thing. The clear heads of the sh’chuna are 100% behind them.
    Moshe Rubashkin, who, just after he was elected, said in the newspapers that he would not be involved in the fiscal affairs of the CHJCC, MUST RESIGN AT ONCE.
    His arrogance and worry about covod are about to destroy programs (developed during Chanina & Leibish’s tenure on previous Vaads) that have helped hundreds of the needy of our community. They are responsible for Focus on Fathers, the YAM, the food pantry, the Shalom Center and much more.
    Moshe’s fiscal irresponsiblity disguised as "tzedaka" threatens to bring these programs down.
    MOSHE MUST GO BEFORE HIS SHORTSIGHTEDNESS DESTROYS LONG TERM BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY.

  • chani

    If the JCC has so much money why are somany of my neighbors not going to camp bec. they cant afford it and noone helps. The helll with the courts help some of these familys spent a month in camp or country!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Anti

    18 MILLION?!?!?
    did the JCC ever, in all it’s years (put together) see 18 million????

  • leaving crown heights as fast as possibl

    please interview rabbi shwei and lets find out if he gave permission to go to court and what are his mikoros ?

  • Still more facts.

    To Chani:
    Moishy says he sent all your friends kids to camp. It’s not true? The truth is that the CHJCC has always had a camp fund that has given out every penny that it has taken in.
    Furthermore if you want see where the chjcc’s assets really are, speak to some of the people living in CHJCC apartments at incredlbly low rents.
    Unlike Moishy you have to see the big picture to understand why he is in court.
    To Anti: If you had been paying attention, you would know that the council controls, by conservative estimate, close to $25,000,000 worth of real estate. Start with 935 Eastern Parkway.

  • instead of an add comments button

    people’s comments would be in their heads and written out for all to see. By doing this, we get to hear all the garbage on everyones’ minds. Please dont add a comment. This can hasten our exile from this horrible golus.

  • Torah - Not Politics

    bb wrote:
    To: Torah – Not Politics

    >grate job on bekius (or you did a search). now pls >show us ur bekius on the dinim of mesarev ledin and >dayonim that are mesarev ledin.

    Your point is irrelevant. There is no clear open and shut Sruv L’din that should allow this matter to go to secular courts.

    Clearly R’ Osdoba (who is on equal standing with R’ Shwei) wrote that the parties are under no obligation to appear before R’ Shwei’s (kangaroo) Beis Din.

    I don’t know how to untangle this mess or if it is even possible. But there is no doubt in my mind that by going to court and to the media a huge Chillul Hashem has been caused.

    Perhaps the all parties should examine their true motives and see what Chazal say about Chillul Hashem and determine if there are not better ways to resolve their disputes than by making this community, Rabbonim and communal leaders laughingstocks.

    Will this court fight make getting Government funding, housing and added police protection easier? Will government officials want to help our neighborhood knowing that they are stepping into a quagmire and open turf battle?

    As members of the community it is our responsibility to elect leaders who work to make this community better – it hasn’t happened. So either we push for early elections to replace this dysfunctional board or we have to wait for the next time…

  • GO BEN

    webby you & I mean you not anyone else
    is messing up the children, making arguments, & arguments true comments, making people hate each other
    pleas stop pudding ardekls about CHJCC
    RABONIM or at least mack that you cant write comments

    thank you I have nothing agents you you are just doing A very bad thing so please STOP

  • young people fed up with crown heights

    rubaskin is not a mesarev ledin he is only mesarev to rabbi shvei with the o.k. of rabbi osdoba therefore there isno heter to take him to court/if to taketo court you shoild take rabbi osdoba who is backing his actions

  • Reb Dov

    To all those who think that it’s a good idea that the JCC leader was sued:

    What would you say if Moshe Rubashkin counter sues Chanina for 36 million dollars for the following reasons?

    1) Chanina and Yankel did not want to open the books when they ran the JCC.
    2) They did not involve Noochi in any of their decisions.
    3) They ran an anti democratic election with one candidate running against himself with no outside company observing the election.
    4) Minoi Chadashim were appointed(Rabbis Mangel and Bogomilsky).
    And for many more reasons that I hope to bring to the public’s attention another time.

  • aggrevated

    chanina/publicize a heter from rabbis shvei/heller or ostoba to go to court/if you dont have one you are a mooser,and dont dare come to ,bais moshiach

  • a resident in crown jungle

    to rabbis osdoba/heller/shveiwhy do you stand on the side/or condem it/or give a written hetter

  • mazel

    Nash & Sperlin tried to bring rubashkin to A din Torah but rubashkin did not want to go so they went to Court

  • ..............

    I live in crown heights, but not really invovled with anything going on around me(POLITICS THAT IS).. so im reading all of this stuff that you peaple are writing.. and wowowoowowwowowo.. how about talk positive stop bashing every one, it wont make the situation any better. believe me there are so many more important things in life. life is short so try to focus on the good not the bad. AND EVERYONE SHOULD LOOK AT THEMSELF IN THE MIRROR .TRY TO REMEMBER NOBODY IS PERFECT AND THERE IS A REASON FOR EVERYTHINGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • fairness and honesty

    to young people and torah not poltics; You miss the point. Just because Rabbi Ozdoba tells Rubashkin not to go answer a hazmono does not make him not be a mesarev ledin. You have no right to call a Beis Din of Rabbi Shvei a kangaroo court. In that case I can say that Rabbi Ozdobas fraudulent beis din is a kangaroo court. The fact is, that by Rabbi Ozdoba telling someone that he need not answer a hazmono ledin that he himself is aiding and abetting a mesarev ledin and he is the cause for the case ending up in court. When you close the gates of justice by denying someone a right to a din torah you have created a recipe for anarchy and thanks to Rabbi Ozdoba this matter has to be dealt with in court. As to the dumb question as to whats Rabbi Shweis heter? Open up a Shulchon oruch Choshen Mishpot and its written clearly in there and Rabbi Ozdoba used it in his psak against the Hanholo of Lubavitcher Yeshiva in their case against the staff members of which Rabbi Ozdoba is one of them

  • Anti Brook

    To Reb dov: If Rubashkin weants to counter sue for 36 million hes welcome, however, I dont know on what grounds. But lets refute your lies since you are the blind guy who defends these crooks on every board lets start 1) Chanina and yankel never hid the books. A delegation of Netzigim came when they wanted and inspected whatever they liked. Unlike Moshe Rubashkin who not only does not give access to the
    Netzigim , but he denies his own board access.2) Noochie gross was involved in all decisions and you will never swee a letter signed by one or 2 members. Every letter that went out had his signature on it also , which proves his involvement. 3) They ran an election with one candidate on it because all the candidates that wanted to run were vetoed by Rabbi Ozdoba who only allowed 1 candidate plus 2 others who refused to run. He did not let shlomo segal run at that time till he could be sure that hes a loyal puppet. Thank g-d the election was not run by a private company that reports to only one person where until today no one knows the truth besides Rubashkin himself. The election was not run by the vaad hakohol either. It was run by the Netzigim in full public view on videoscreens for all to see. 4) Herzog and chanina never appointed any new minuim , unlike rubashkin who thinks he can forcibly install rabonim. Reb Dov, I know its a waste of time answering you. Ive seen the same thing on other boards. However, since you put your lies out in public, in order to save the innocent from falling in your trap I am therefore forced to respond. I look forward to your new list of untruths that you want to bring to the publics attention.

  • bb

    for all those that asking about the heter to go to court. A letter dated 23 of Adar 5766 where clearly states that they have permition to go to court was publicly distribute.

  • Analyst

    After reading many of the comments I have come to the following analogy:

    Liberal Democrats are to Bush/Cheney

    As

    Many of You Bloggers are to Rav Osdoba/and Rubashkin

    In other words…. just as Bush can never do anything right in the eyes of the Libs; so too Rav Osdoba or Rubashkin can never do anything right in your eyes.

    The ingredients in both cases are the same: hatred.

    B"H, nothing stands in the way of Tshuva.

  • fairness and honesty

    To analyst
    You make a ver interesting observation , although i always saw things exactly the opposite way around. The Rubashkin/brook crowd are the clintons and democrats who always use demagogery whereas the supporters of Rabbi shwi stick to the facts and to the truth and are very similar to Bush in his sincerity, but not matching clinton in slickness. You made a very good point.

  • meir

    my dear neighbors; what has happened to us?is this the crown heights that so many of us sought?are these the chassidm that the rebbe gave his last breath for? my beloved brothers can’t you see that as you destroy each other the goyim also rise against you.stop.! nothing is worth this communal suicide. where will you run to after you’ve destroyed crown heights? miami?

  • Analyst

    FYI

    IF CIVIL COURT FINDS EVIDENCE THAT LOOKS CRIMINAL, IT IS OBLIGATED TO TURN THE INDIVIDUAL OVER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR CRIMINAL PROCEDINGS. A CIVIL LAW SUIT WHICH CLAIMS THAT $18,000,000 WAS FRAUDULENTLY HANDLED WILL HAVE TO BE TURNED OVER TO THE FEDERAL CRIMINAL COURT.

    SEE THE FOLLOWING SITE: http://www.nixonpeabody.com

    THIS MEANS THAT MOSHE RUBASHKIN WILL BE PROSECUTED AS A CRIMINAL, AND NOT AS A CIVIL DEFENDENT.

    PERSONALLY, I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT MOSHE RUBASHKIN HAS DONE, AND I GATHER FROM READING THIS BLOG THAT NEITHER DO MANY OF YOU. THERE IS A LOT OF GUESSING, INUENDO, SPECULATION AND PLENTY OF LOSHON HORA. ON THE OTHER HAND WHERE IS SMOKE THERE IS SOME FIRE ALSO.

    THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT MOST OF US DO NOT WANT MOSHE RUBASHKIN TO FACE FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND TO BE JAILED, G-D FORBID.

    I STRONGLY URGE EACH PERSON WHO WANTS TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF POTENTIAL PUNISHMENT TO
    DO SOMETHING. WHAT? I WISH I KNEW. PERHAPS A CALL OR LETTER TO LEIBUSH NASH, RABBI MANGEL? A PERHAPS A PETITION….. AND IN ADDITION (but not instead of) SOME HEART FELT TEHILLIM.

  • Truth and fairness

    Mr. Analyst.
    The simplest method of getting it out of court you have not prposed. You propose pessuring Sperlin , Nash and Rabbi Mangel but you are barking up the wrong tree. How about persuading Moshe Rubashkin to come to a binding Din Tora through a Zabla where both sides get a fair hearing? Im sure the plaintiffs would then immedieately pull it out of court. But if you are the guy who compared Rubashkin to Bush and his detractors as democrats, then you will never propose anything like that , since you prefer to turn the truth around and spin things.

  • Pained and Confused

    B"H

    As a simple resident and member of the Crown Heights community, I’m confused by the basic issues. We have appointed Rabbonim over us, to issue binding rulings in all matters of Halacha. As we all know, a Rav is ultimately responsible for everything that happens in his community.

    Why would a Rav (Rabbi Osdoba in this case) tell someone not to listen to other Rabbonim, and ignore a summons to a Din Torah. It seems to me that one dare not ignore the summons of a Rav. Having the temerity to ignore the summons of a Rav bespeaks of great callousness and Chutzpah! If Rabbi Osdoba advises someone that he need not respond to a different Rav, what is to prevent one from using exactly the same tactic when Rabbi Osdoba himself summons someone?

    Moshe Rabbeinu had to give an accounting of the materials (public funds) used in the Mishkan ("V’heyisem N’kiyyim"). Why shouldn’t Moshe Rubashkin be held to the same standard – is he more beyond reproach then Moshe Rabbeinu?

    In any case, he can simply exercise his option to respond to the summons of the Beis Din, in order to avoid having the matter pursued in court.

  • Surprizing truth and fairness

    Mr. Truth and fairness,

    I checked out your suggestion re: Zabla with the powers that be. Surprisingly this is not an option. Rubashkin’s only choice is a din Torah with the Rabbonim who he apparently feels are nogea bidovor.

  • Seymour

    "Shmuel Spritzer" 1985 from the NY TIMES IN 1985

    2 INDICTED IN SCHEME TO STEAL MEDICAID FUNDS

    By JOYCE PURNICK
    629 Words
    24 October 1985
    The New York Times
    Late City Final Edition
    English
    Copyright 1985 The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved.

    A former accountant for New York City and a Brooklyn businessman were indicted yesterday on charges of scheming to embezzle more than $300,000 in Medicaid funds from the city.

    A former city caseworker was named as a co-conspirator in the Federal indictment. It was announced yesterday by Rudolph W. Giuliani, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Patrick W. McGinley, the city’s Investigations Commissioner, at a City Hall news conference with Mayor Koch.

    Those indicted were Robert N. Sternberg, 37 years old, of 11 Maple Leaf Road in Monsey, N.Y., and Shmuel Spritzer, 38, of 59 Montgomery Street in Brooklyn. Cited as a co-conspirator was Howard Scheiner, the former caseworker, whose age and address was not provided. He was not indicted, an indication that he had cooperated with authorities. Law-enforcement officials in the case declined to say whether that was true.

    Mr. Scheiner and Mr. Sternberg are former employees of the city’s Human Resources Administration. Mr. Spritzer was described as owner of the Variety Trading Corporation in Brooklyn. The nature of that business was not disclosed.

    The indictment alleges that Mr. Sternberg, former chief accountant of the H.R.A.’s division of medical payments, who earned $26,688 a year, obtained Medicaid checks that the Government intended for nursing homes.

    In some cases, he made them out to nursing homes that were bankrupt, officials said during the news conference. Mr. Sternberg turned the checks over to Mr. Scheiner, who was what officials called the ”middleman.” Mr. Scheiner gave the checks to Mr. Spritzer, the indictment contends, who then deposited them in accounts that he controlled and in some instances forged signatures to withdraw the funds. Then the three split the money, the indictment charges.

    Funds From Federal Government

    The four accounts were in the names of the Committee for Jewish Survival, the Lubavitch Foundation, Gerald Greenwald and Samuel T. Joseph.

    According to the indictment, ”the principal goal of the conspiracy was to embezzle and steal more than $313,000 in Medicaid funds,” between May 1981 and January 1984. The two defendants were actually accused of embezzling $162,000.

    Mr. McGinley explained that the purported scheme had come to light when an official of Citibank notified the Inspector General of the city’s Finance Department that six Medicaid checks, totaling $150,000, had been deposited into an account with a different name than the payee on those checks. The Inspector General of the Finance Department notified the Inspector General of the Human Resources Administration, L. Priscilla Hall, who then started an investigation.

    The agency’s commissioner, George Gross, said the operation of the department Mr. Sternberg headed would be examined to determine if disciplinary action against any employee was warranted.

    In March 1984, as soon as he realized an investigation was under way, Mr. Sternberg fled to Israel, according to Mr. McGinley. Interpol and the Israeli authorities helped city officials find Mr. Sternberg, who was arrested at La Guardia Airport on Sept. 23. He is out on bail, and Mr. Spritzer is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow.

    The two defendants never met each other and dealt only through Mr. Scheiner, according to law-enforcement officials.

    The officials also revealed a curious twist to the case – that Mr. Sternberg and Mr. Spritzer are members of rival Hasidic Jewish groups. Mr. Sternberg is a member of the Satmar group, according to the officials, and Mr. Spritzer of the Lubavitch group. The animosity between the two groups has been so great that it has led on some occasions to violence.

    Photo of George Gross with Mayor Koch and Rudolph W. Gioliani discussing indictment (NYT/Larry C. Morris

  • NON-PLUSSED

    SEYMOUR…..SHAME ON YOU, AND THOSE OF YOUR ILK!

    WE NEED AHAVAS YISROEL, ACHDUS, AND WE ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME WITH IT AS IS.

    SO ON TOP OF OUR CURRENT COMMUNAL TZURIS, YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY, AND SHAMELESSNESS TO DIG UP DIRT, AND MACHLOKES FROM 21 YEARS AGO. WHY?

    YOU MAY BE AFRAID OF THE GEULA, BUT WHY MAKE EVERYONE ELSE SUFFER?

  • truth and fairness

    Why is an article 20 years old printed here on someone that is totally irrelevant to any of these issues?

  • Then We Wonder

    Let us not forget who we are. There’s the world, the Jews, and then there’s Chabad. with such a great privilege and responsibility.

    And instead of doing what Hashem wants and what the Rebbe wants, some of us have totally lost it, and the reason why I say "us" is because "kol yisroel araivim zeh lozeh". What can we expect from the youth today if this is how we act? How can we demand anything from the youth if the adults don’t demand anything from them selves!?

    And anyone who takes another Jew to a civil court knowing well the repercussions of this and cuasing a great chilul Hashem and
    chilul Chabad, I would question his yirai shomayim.

    There is absolutely no shame what so ever. All this is about is the capital “ I “ not about the community. And the one being accused does not need the money of the CHCC, and that is a good thing, as it says in Talmud the people working in public works should have money in order that they not be tempted by bribes etc. And Moshe Rubashkin is known to be a great Baal tzedakah. Helping the ones who can not afford suits for Yom tov, food for shabbos and the ones who have financial trouble with sending there kids to camp. We should be applauding such a person and backing him. Instead of G-D forbid trying to get him into trouble and going against Torah law.

    And for those who say, dina d’malchusa dina. That is only if it does not go against torah law. As is well known by the nazis, yimach shemom. That law was to get rid of the Jews. And they where from the most cultured society of the time and “law abiding citizens" well that same mentality got 6 million of us killed. The bais hamikdash was destroyed because of sinas chinam and that is what is happening here, only this time hiding behind the "community".
    This must stop! and I’ll bet you that if you would only take all those who where helped and are and being helped by R’ Moshe Rubashkin, that alone would be a big enough proof that he is a real community person. And even if you still for what ever reason hold that he is guilty.

    Is this the way Torah law abiding Jews deal with things? What has come upon us!? Instead of fighting our real enemies which are in our own backyards, i.e. the missionaries which are trying to penetrate Crown Heights. And dealing with the youth! Future of the Jewish people.

    We are supposed to be the lamplighters of the Jewish people and the world! Wake up yidin! Moshiach will come one way or the other; do we want to be caught in middle of our foolishness? Or ready like Chassidim?

    The Rebbe gave his life for us and this is our hakoras hatov? We must come together! I can write for a along time, but I hope I got my point across, I am just a frustrated teenager and I’m am just appoled at what I hear and see . So I hope and pray that in the merit of the true shluchim of the Rebbe (which is every one of us) and if not, in the merit of our patriarchs and matriarchs we should see our Rebbe biainai bosor l’matah basarah t’fochim Moshiach Now Ad Mosai!!

    It is up to us.

    The voice of…all

  • BRAVO

    YASHER KOACH! I APPLAUD YOU FOR HAVING THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO EXPRESS SOME EXCELLENTLY MADE POINTS.

    YOU ARE SO RIGHT. I AM TRULY ASHAMED THAT PEOPLE IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES AS LUBAVITCHERS WOULD TAKE A LUBAVITCHER CHOSID TO COURT– WHERE HE COULD FACE IMPRISONMENT. HOW CAN THEY LOOK THEMSELVES IN THE MIRROR? DON’T THEY REALIZE THAT THE REBBE IS STILL HERE. WOULD THE REBBE APPROVE OF THESE PEOPLE TAKING A FELLOW CHABADNIK TO THE GOYIM?

    ALSO, I AGREE THAT A SERIOUS MINDED PERSON WHO TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE CHESED OF THIS MAN FOR OWR OWN COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE SEVERE RESERVATIONS ABOUT ACTUALLY BRINGING HIM TO GOYISH COURT WHERE HIS LIFE COULD WELL BE RUINED.