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Op-Ed: Cell Phones in Yeshiva: a Demand for Accountability

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:03:00 -0400

by Yanky Nemon

The word is out that Lubavitch Yeshivas will not allow their bochurim to have cell phones beginning this year. The roshei yeshivos have banded together to ensure every bochur �exclusively dedicate(s himself) to spiritual pursuits and distance(s) himself from any and all distraction.� They announced the new ban to be rid of �a piece of equipment what can potentially undermine everything we stand for.�

Just like the bochurim headed off to yeshiva in a few weeks who are surely questioning the smarts of their roshei yeshiva, perhaps it�s important for the general community to ask the roshei yeshivos if they�re sure of the benefits that they allege this will provide. And that they�re prepared for the consequences and eventualities that this will no doubt cause.It�s surprising that this ban is being portrayed like it's a chiddush. Five years ago, the summer before I went to yeshiva in Morristown, there was also a collective agreement made amongst a few roshei yeshivos � I believe at Yarchei Kallah � to ban cell phones. They felt the same way back then about how this is the way to save our souls � there was plenty of garbage available on cell phones then as well.

I used to believe in the sagaciousness of our roshei yeshivos, thinking they knew best and looked at things in the bigger picture. With a sense of bittul (conceptually, at least), I felt that they, because of their stature and experience, understood the secret to producing wholesome chassidishe bochurim. Not exactly deciding to throw my own cell phone away, I figured I�d come to Yeshiva and see how the new rule played out.

The rule was a miserable failure. You cannot fight with what people are going to do anyways.

Despite the sweeping ban, the majority of bochurim had cell phones in Morristown that year. Most guys were smart about not getting caught, burying their chargers in their sock drawer during the day and keeping their silenced cell phones on their persons. There was nobody that I remember being deterred from having a cell phone and “busts” were very few and far between.

The idea of banning cell phones was tried and failed. For the most part, it was silently buried.

Now, with cell phones providing their seeking users all sorts of unsavory images, music and videos, that are contrary to chassidishe values, the roshei yeshivos have devised a �new� ban. They have deliberated and concluded that their best avenue is to do away with cell phones altogether.

Inevitably, a lot of bochurim and parents will be incensed.

Did the roshei yeshivos give consideration to some of the compromises they can make that don�t �undermine everything that we stand for?� Have they considered that for all practical purposes, cell phones have become a necessity today? Did they take into account the reaction of bochurim and parents to their ban?

The best suggestion that I have for our reverential educators is that they pick necessary and winnable battles.

Unlike some of the other contraband items in yeshiva, cell phones are very pareve. Forbidding them has no basis in chassidishkeit and the issues related to them have very practical solutions.

Just like a school can demand a certain dress code for the benefits it provides in operating the school, let the roshei yeshiva limit cell phone usage only insofar as it actually distracts learning. Prohibit it during seder, demand disclosure of the call log, and confiscate the devices of those that misuse and abuse their obligations. If they feel strongly about it, let the roshei yeshiva require the “kosher phones.”

Cell phones can truly be a distraction to yeshiva bochurim. Bochurim should not be allowed to access inappropriate material and contact girls. Sending and receiving text messages and making calls during seder completely disrupts learning and quickly gets out of hand. The roshei yeshivos are doing the right thing trying to put a stop to it.

Even though limiting cell phone use is necessary, the way the roshei yeshiva are going about it doesn�t seem very prescient. The current mindset shows how detached the educators are today. They think they can outsmart the 21st century by limiting every possible outlet that Bochurim have. It's simply not doable and it does estrange bochurim.

The roshei yeshivos have to stop being so elitist and start thinking about bettering the general Lubavitch population. They can't enforce rules on the premise that one or two kids are going to be messed up by their lack of self-control, even while using the kosher phones. They are effectively pitting innumerable other bochurim against them, doing extensive and irreparable damage.

Bochurim believe the rule is unfair and they are ready to stand up for (or secretly hold on to) their belief. They will be criminalized for something mundane. Aren�t there enough contentious points that bochurim have with their roshei yeshiva? This will trivialize some of the other rules � the ones that truly keep Tomchei Temimim being the holy place that it is.

The roshei yeshiva must start thinking in terms of the reaction of all Bochurim, present and future, and they have to give consideration to the affects of their actions on their relationship with those they're trying to effect. Right now, it seems that they're losing the battle...

This ban portends, in my humble opinion, the absolute stratifying of Lubavitch of the future. As if there's not enough disparity of attitudes today and an increasing disenchantment with the classic bochur mold, the Yeshivas are increasingly putting more barriers between themselves and willing, capable and talented bochurim.

In this day and age, most bochurim that go to zal are there by choice. Let�s give them a reason to want to stay.

Some other numbered points about the new ban:

1. What standard can the roshei yeshiva use to decide who gets to use a cell phone? In my experience, the heterim were given only to �nebach� bochurim.

2. By only allowing “the purely voice phone” with a special hetter, they will inevitably have to answer as to why one bochur gets the privilege and not another.

3. Telling bochurim to use payphones is impractical. In Morristown, for example, there are three payphones in the entire building and even when the majority of us had cell phones, there were always long lines for the payphones.

4. Telling bochurim to use payphones is an apologist�s excuse to avoid the underlying issues mentioned above

5. Telling parents to get a hold of their son by calling a payphone can be a grueling, futile and expensive proposition. Getting busy signals, hoping someone is around to pick up, hoping that someone is willing and can find their son wherever in the building he may be, and hoping that in the interim 20 minutes the phone won�t be hung up by some careless individual, are all standard frustrations for parents calling the payphones.

6. The roshei yeshivos and rebbeim will not follow suit themselves. I used to see rebbeim taking calls in the middle of seder and talking outside when they were supposed to be leading by example. Can they commit to not using their own phones while they�re in yeshiva?

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The following is the letter that was sent to parents:

AN OPEN LETTER TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS OF CHABAD-LUBAVITCH YESHIVOS

Summer 5768

A new academic year is almost upon us and we are all full of hope that it will be a successful year in terms of Torah study, the development of appropriate Yiras Shomayim and Chassidic behavior as well as deep rooted Hiskashrus to the Rebbe Z�YA. There can be no doubt that when a talmid devotes himself properly and completely to the yeshiva�s program which the Rabbayim instituted in Chabad yeshivos , he will reap the benefits of all the brochos which they continue to bestow.

From time to time Roshei Yeshiva and Mashpiim are called upon to collaborate and take an honest introspective look at our successes and at what is needs attention in our yeshivas, as our Chazal said �Tshuah B�Rov Yoetz�. It is our responsibility to collectively assess the needs and make necessary upgrades, adjustments and regulations as the facts warrant. After due deliberation we the undersigned have decided the following:

It is clear that a talmid learning in Tomchei Tmimim is called upon to be totally immersed in Torah and Tefilla and other than the few hours which he needs to leave the yeshiva for Mivtzoiim projects, he must be exclusively dedicated to spiritual pursuits and distance himself from any and all distraction; he should have no use for a cellular phone. In the event that the Hanhola of a particular yeshiva feels that a specific Bochur needs to have access to a personal cellular phone all yeshivas have collectively decided that the only cellular phone which will be permitted is �THE PURELY VOICE PHONE��. There will be no exceptions.

It is unnecessary to elaborate about the need for this �Takono�, let it suffice to say that it is an imperative for both spiritual and practical reasons and that henceforth there can be no place for a piece of equipment what can potentially undermine everything we stand for.

We are hopeful that this united stand will add to �Taharas HoAvir� and we all be so will meritorious as to greet Moshiach Tzidkeinu immediately.

Yeshivas Oholei Menachem C.H.
Yeshivas Oholei Menachem, Bais Dovid Shlomo, New Haven
Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, Eastern Parkway
Yeshiva Menachem Mendel, Monsey
Yeshiva and Mesivta Ohr Elchonon Chabad, Los Angeles
Yeshivas Chabad- Lubavitch, Chicago IL
Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, Montreal
Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, Morristown
Yeshivas Chabad- Lubavitch, Toronto
Yeshivas Chabad- Lubavitch, Miami Beach
Yeshivas Achei Tmimim, Pittsburgh
Yeshiva Menachem Mendel, Oak Park
Yeshivas Chabad- Lubavitch, Twin Cities
Yeshiva Menachem Mendel, Staten Island
Yeshivas Chabad of Coral Springs, FL

Chabad of West Hempstead Launches Friendship 1000

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:01:00 -0400

by Ben Sherman

WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY [CHI] — Rabbis, CEO's and web programmers gathered yesterday in the offices of Invision CA in Redondo Beach for the launch of www.Friendship1000.com.

The site hopes to show families and children with special needs that people care. The Friendship Circle of West Hempstead has been sending volunteers to the homes of and offering many programs to children with special needs, as well as offering parents the much needed respite. The friendship Circle is not about therapy or doctors, it's all about friendship and love.The Friendship Circle is a non-profit organization addressing the challenges facing the families of children with special needs by pairing local teenagers with children with special needs and creating a very special environment of friendship and love for all.

The new site Friendship1000.com is co-sponsored by AutoMotion Parking Inc. the company that has revolutionized city parking by creating Automated Parking structures in New York City and beyond.

The site promises to be a unique group of individuals and families committed to supporting the Friendship Circle and its many programs. Each year, by donating just $100 to the Friendship Circle, supporters join the club and receive a virtual plaque along with a hat and t-shirt that promote the Friendship Circle dream. “The site will connect donors with families and the children in a unique way.” says Rabbi Yossi Lieberman, executive director of Chabad of West Hempstead and the Friendship Circle. “We hope to have 1000 t-shirts and hats walking around these parts showing the families that they are not alone and people care and understand what a parent with a special needs child goes through on a daily basis.”

The flash friendly site is the first of its kind for the Friendship Circle and sites creator, Uri Kelman Creative Director of Invision CA, says “The idea behind the virtual wall of honor is that it can translate into a source of inspiration for families as well as the donors.”

The Friendship Circle of Nassau County is a division of Chabad of West Hempstead with offices at 411 Hempstead Turnpike Suite L1 West Hempstead, NY 11552-1350.

For more information and to join the club visit www.friendship1000.com.

To view a video clip of the Friendship Circle in action click on the Mission tab in the website. Become a friend and let everyone know you care.

Cell Towers added to roof of 706 Eastern Pkwy

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:56:46 -0400

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — The rooftop of 706 Eastern Parkway has been a mess of cell phone antennas and towers for quite some time hosting as many as three separate companies equipment up there. Today a crane deployed and added another two truckloads of radio equipment to the roof, and residents are up in arms.

Rooftops have been dubbed as the �landlords gold mines� after they began renting the space out to the cell companies to �house� their communication equipment.

More in the Extended Article.In a conversation with one of the works he told CrownHeights.info that they were upgrading some of the existing equipment and that they were adding a number of new antennas in order to improve capacity and cell coverage in the area, when asked which company the equipment was for he declined to answer.

In the past residents have raised a storm over the towers, saying that they are a long term health hazard, while the cell phone companies deny that saying that it�s been approved by the FCC.

Related Articles:
New Antennas for Sprint/Nextel
Antennas cell out our safety?
Tenants hit roof over cell antennas

Two Chabad Girls High School to Merge

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:09:56 -0400

ORANGE, CT [CHI] — Beth Chana Academy of Orange, Connecticut and Bnos Chomesh Academey of Valley Stream, Long Island announced today a merger of the two high schools, effective 2008-2009 school year. The combined high school will be housed at the Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy campus under the directorship of Rabbi Sheya Hecht; Mrs. Dena Gorkin will serve as principal.

The school will retain the 'Beth Chana Academy' name. The Keren Bnos Chomesh' scholarship fund will be established to help eligible students and their families offset tuition costs.

The schools' merger will enable the two institutions to pool their resources, combine complimentary strengths and create a Chabad high school for girls that will offer the best of both worlds � a small school atmosphere with the vitality and amenities of a large school.“Everyone knows that the need for this kind of program today is simply extraordinary,” reports Rabbi Hecht. “I was very impressed by what Mrs. Gorkin accomplished at Bnos Chomesh. In just one year since it opened its doors, her program gained a reputation of 'the school girls love.' I am confident that here at Beth Chana Academy, Mrs. Gorkin will be in a great position to build on that success.”

“Many of our girls crave a more intimate, creative school experience and that was the main reason I founded Bnos Chomesh. But I also want my students to have access to seasoned teaching staff, great facilities, science and computer labs, and the numerous amenities Rabbi Hecht has built up over the years.” said Mrs. Gorkin. “All that and more will now be available to them at our combined school: Beth Chana Academy.”

Beth Chana Academy was established in 1965 by Rabbi Rabbi Moshe Y. Hecht at the directive of the Rebbe. It has the distinct honor of being the very first school sanctioned by the Rebbe to bear the his mother's name. Under the direction of its principal Mrs. Susha Alperowitz the school has maintained the highest standards of excellence in both Limudei Kodesh and secular studies for the past 18 years. Mrs. Alperowitz is looking forward to devoting her time exclusively to the Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy.

Beth Chana Academy has beautiful facilities with every amenity one could wish for. It features large, airy classrooms, beautiful grounds, a fully equipped modern computer lab, a state of the art science lab, a full-sized gym with exercise equipment, a stunning indoor basketball court, two dormitory buildings (one for 9th and 10th grades, one for 11th and 12th grades). Currently Beth Chana has a small group of mostly local students. With the arrival of the Bnos Chomesh girls this fall, both the incredible facilities and the highly professional staff of Beth Chana Academy will be put to full use.

For more information on Beth Chana Academy or to schedule an admissions interview please contact Laura at 203-795-5261. Space is extremely limited.

R"L: 5-year-old Brooklyn Boy Dead in Elevator Shaft Plunge

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:07:00 -0400

NY Daily News

WILLIAMSBURG, Brooklyn — A 5-year-old Brooklyn boy trying to escape a stuck elevator plunged 10 stories to his death this morning in a Brooklyn housing project, police said.

The boy, Jacob Neuman, and his 8-year-old brother Israel were heading to school when the tragedy occurred just before 9 a.m. in the building, where residents complained of constant problems with the elevators.

More in the Extended Article.The elevator became stuck between the 10th and 11th floors just after the two boys climbed on board, police said. The older boy began pressing the elevator's buttons, and the door opened.

The 5-year-old managed to squeeze through a small opening and jump to the 10th floor landing - but he lost his balance and tumbled down the shaft, police said.

The elevator doors then closed, trapping the older brother inside until building residents were able to free him.

The boys' parents, who also have three daughters, were out shopping when the accident occurred in the Taylor Wythe Houses. Neighbors said the two boys were inseparable.

“He's a very sweet little boy,” said Pessie Gelb, an 11th floor neighbor of the family. “We're really going to miss him.”

Residents of the building at 70 Clymer St. said the elevators were often plagued with problems.

“All these elevators are past their useful life,” said Salomon Lieser, president of the tenants association.
“They were supposed to be overhauled a couple of years ago.”

Because his parents are Orothodox Jews, Jacob is being buried this afternoon.

The Buildings Department last inspected the development's two elevators in October 2007, and rated them “unsatisfactory.”

NYCHA officials said they were pulling together records to determine what happened afterward.

Slideshow by Vos Iz Nieas

Tbilisi's Jews Anxious But Hopeful

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:16:27 -0400

by M. Phillips - Lubavitch.com

TBILISI, Georgia — Within Georgia's Jewish community, many have fled to Tbilisi, others got aboard planes evacuating Jews to Israel, and still others, on vacation in other parts of Georgia when the fighting erupted, cannot get back to Tbilisi.While Russia has signed a peace agreement with Georgia, its forces have yet to withdraw, and life in Georgia will be a long way getting back to normal.

Lubavitch.com tracked down several members of Tbilisi�s Jewish community and learned that overwhelmingly, the sense is one of uncertainty, with many wanting to get home, and still others ready to get on the first plane to Israel at a moment�s notice.

Mamuka Fidzhhadzeh is at a resort town on the Black Sea, where he was vacationing with his family when hostilities erupted. The parents of two teenagers and a 7 year old daughter, Mamuka and his wife are anxious to get home. That means driving through Gori, which is impossible.

�The Russians have closed access to Gori, and we have no way of getting back.� So the Fidzhhadzehs, like many others who, for better or for worse, were away when the Russians attacked, don�t know when they�ll get back home.

Article continued (Lubavitch.com)

Mikvahs for the Physically Challenged

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:10:00 -0400

PALM BEACH, FL [CHI] — The Mikvahs for the physically challenged are nearing completion, and interest is not only being expressed by residents of Broward, Dade and Palm Beach Counties , but also from women as far away as Georgia and Texas.

Since construction began, we have heard from cancer patients, women with multiple sclerosis, and other forms of paralysis, who are overwhelmed with our vision, and who have refrained from using a Mikvah in the past, due to the lack of a proper facility that enables them to perform this Mitzvah with the dignity and the privacy that they require. Only a handful of such Mikvahs exist today in the United States.As of today, we are $490,780 short for this much needed project. The Project, called Mei Menachem, named after the Lubavitcher Rebbe, includes a Mikvah for women, a Mikvah for Men, a Mikvah for dishes, a steam room, 4 Prep Rooms, a hydraulic lift, and a waiting/reception room and dressing rooms. All the rooms and the outside structure are built with the provisions for the physically challenged.

Originally, the Project was going to cost $450,000, but in the last few months and weeks the price has spiraled to $748,500.The increase is due to structural problems with the foundation of our building, a major dewatering process that added three costly weeks to construction, and the decision by women in the community to make the interior breathtakingly beautiful and regal.

The interior will have an Asian feeling and spa like appearance. The Mikvahs will have a Spa Like clean line interior. The Mikvah will have a feeling of serenity and cleanliness that will give all the feeling of a spiritual experience .

Usage of Mikvah today is commonplace in suburban America and beyond. Indeed, Mikvah observance-Taharat Hamishpacha- has become a mainstream observance in the general Jewish community, shedding all the myths of the last century that Mikvah usage was popular in the “old country” but not in America. Every vibrant Jewish community today in America equates the importance of the observance of Mikvah to the observance of Passover, and other popular Jewish traditions observed by the majority of every Jewish population. See the attached link on Jewish Women to better understand and appreciate the role of Jewish Women that was observed by our Matriarchs, Sarah, Rebbecah, Rachel and Leah, and which is the inheritance of every Jewish Woman today.

As you are a leader in kindness and spreading Judaism, I am turning to you at this time to become a Founder in this long overdue project. A Founder is one who contributes $5,000 or more to this project. If you cannot become a Founder at this time, perhaps you can encourage a friend to do so. We need 98 new Founders to complete the project before Rosh Hashonah!

Please let me know that you will join in this huge Mitzvah, as soon as possible, as we hope to open the Mikvahs, G-d willing, before this Rosh Hashonah. Thank you for being there and for making a difference.

To Donate online please press here.

To send a check by mail please send to Mikvas Mei Menachem, c/o Chabad of South Broward, 1295 E. Hallandale Bch Blvd, Hallandale Bch, Fl 33009 USA.

P.S. Other Dedications available are: Dedication of total project: $360,000-The Project will be renamed “The so and so -Mei Menachem”, perpetually attaching one's family/loved one name with the name of the Rebbe.

Dedication of Women's Mikvah Room- $50,000

Dedication of Women's Mikvah $50,000/sold

Dedication of Men's Mikvah Room-$50,000

Dedication of Men's Mikvah- $50,000

Dedication of Hydraulic Lift- $36,000

Dedication of Dishes Mikvah-$36,000

Dedication of Steam Room- $36,000

Dedication of 4 Prep Rooms- @ $25,000 each

Dedication of Waiting Room/Reception -$25,000

Builder of Mikvah- $10,000( many available)

Olympic Rabbi runs a Spiritual Marathon at Beijing Games

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:51:05 -0400

By Tal Dvir, Haaretz Correspondent

BEIJING, China — There is one man at the Beijing Olympic village who is not officially classified as an athlete, but runs as many kilometers as the competitors. He too began preparing for the Olympics many years ago and he too has put forth a lot of effort. He's running a “relay race” which he has not yet completed. “It was more than worth it,” the man who was appointed “Beijing's Olympic rabbi” told Haaretz on Monday. Rabbi Shimon Freundlich could be worthy of a gold medal considering the trials and tribulations the Chabad representative faced before he was officially appointed and allowed to operate a synagogue within the Olympic village.

China is a secular communist county that recognizes five religions (Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism.) “The Chinese knew that according to Olympics bylaws they are required to provide a synagogue and kosher food, and they knew there would be a rabbi, but since Judaism is not one of the religions recognized by the Chinese, they didn't really know how to operate,” Freundlich said. “Only after I made it clear to them that I understood my appointment was not an official government appointment did the Chinese agree to meet with me,” he added.

After much goading, the Chinese ultimately offered their assistance. They provided security around the Chabad house and the Chinese religions minister made an exception to the country's laws and allowed Chabad to bring prayer books into China.

When it came to the food, things were a little more difficult. The athletes were given vegetarian airplane meals prepared in accordance with Muslim dietary laws. Israeli Taekwondo competitor Bat-El Getterer took one look at the prepared food and immediately had her coach contact Freundlich to ask for his help. Since then, the rabbi has been bringing kosher food from his restaurant in Beijing to the Olympic village twice a day.

When Freundlich wanted to bake challah for Shabbat, the organizing committee deviated from its stringent rules and allowed him to bring in food. The Chinese sent supervisors to accompany him while he baked. They photographed every step of the process. They took samples to be tested in a lab, and had the rabbi sign an affidavit attesting to the hygiene of the baking process.

Freundlich carried his challah around Beijing for two consecutive Fridays trying to find every Jews who wanted to observe Shabbat. Last Friday, he found 80 such people. “The understanding, respect and consideration they have displayed has been above and beyond. There are no words to describe how grateful I am,” Freundlich said of the Chinese.

He went on to describe heart to heart talks he conducted with the athletes and with his colleagues, representatives of other religions at the Olympic village. Before the beginning of the games, he said, they complained that no one had come to pray. “Have patience,” the Olympic rabbi assured them. “When the games begin, they will come looking for God.”

Thug Caught on Camera Beating 85-year-old Brklyn Woman

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:14:28 -0400

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [NYDN] — Cops released video on Monday capturing a cruel punk's attack on an 85-year-old Brooklyn woman � and she's not his only victim.

The surveillance video shows the robber following Lilian France into the elevator of a Crown Heights building, stalking her into a hallway and then choking her from behind.

France waved her arms, desperately trying to throw off her attacker.She was left panting on the floor as he ran off with $900 � and her cane, the video shows.

Police believe the cowardly thug has gone after nearly a dozen seniors in Crown Heights, Kensington and Flatbush during the last few months.

The robber � described as a man in his 20's or 30's sporting a “nice watch, baseball cap and white sneakers” � likes to follow his prey into their apartment lobbies to share an elevator ride, said police.

Then, “he approaches them from behind,” said NYPD spokesman, Assistant Chief Michael Collins. “Either knocks them over or puts them in chokehold.”

Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS, or text in their tips to 274637 and then enter TIP577.

There is a reward of up to $12,000 if he is captured.

New EDP �Blackmails� A Kingston Avenue Store

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:09:25 -0400

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — A bizarre call came into the Shomrim hotline this morning, Monday. A person walked into Judaica World and refused to leave the store unless he was �paid� to do so. A number of Shomrim members responded and after searching for him briefly, they found him in front of the store.One of the members approached the person and told him that he was no longer welcome in the store and any attempt to enter will result in his arrest for trespassing. The person, who clearly was �not 100%� responded, “If they don�t pay me I won�t leave”, and that he called to police as well.

Police showed up and the person walked up to the cops and stated �he doesn�t want to pay me to leave his store� pointing at the store manager, who responded that he doesn�t know who he is and never saw him in his life. Officers asked the manager if he ever worked for the store, which he responded that he did not.

Police then warned the man that he is not allowed to enter the store, and if he did he would be arrested. He started arguing with the cops while making no sense.

As Shomrim members began leaving the scene the officers stopped them and thanked them for their response and the way they handled the situation until police arrived.

A month ago Shomrim handled a similar incident, where an individual was invited by a kind family in the neighborhood to stay in their home for a Shabbos, and this person took advantage of the families kindness and �squatted� in their home and refused to leave saying that he is now a tenant and he will not leave.

Through the tireless work of a member in Shomrim who had enlisted the help of a lawyer they were able to have the person removed from the families home. Residents should take care when inviting people into their homes, not to Chas VeShalom not invite anyone in, but to make sure they don�t get caught up in such a terrible situation.

In case of an emergency never hesitate to call 911 and Shomrim at (718) 774-3333 24/7

Rabbis Hold Outreach in Antigua

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:23:08 -0400

Denesha Whyte - Antigua SUN

ST JOHNS, Antigua — Two Rabbis; Yosef Chaim Laima Barber and Moshe Katz are visiting Antigua and Barbuda under an annual Jewish outreach programme.

The programme falls under the umbrella of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which is geared at bringing Jews closer to their heritage.Each summer, 400 Jewish students in groups of two, set off to far parts of the globe from the Chabad headquarters in New York. They do this in an attempt to reach out to their fellow Jews anywhere they may be.

This is the third visit to Antigua and Barbuda for the two visitors. Other groups have visited the island, including last September to celebrate Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and again in April for Passover.

The men arrived in Antigua from St. Lucia on Monday evening and will be staying in Antigua for one week. During their stay, they will meet with Jews and will be providing them with kosher meals, Jewish articles and any other items they may need and cannot access ordinarily.

They will also be making stops in Anguilla and Barbados as a part of their group outreach, focussing on the Eastern Caribbean.

Already, they have been able to make contact with 10 of the documented 30 Jews on island and hope to later add more to the list.

Mazal Tov! - Monday Night L'Chaim!

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:06:01 -0400

Sholom Ber Klein (Melbourne, Australia) and Libby Slavin (Crown Heights)
IYH at the Jewish Children's Museum, 792 Eastern Pkwy [corner Kingston Ave].

To submit a Simcha or Mazal Tov please email us mazaltov@crownheights.info

Crown and Kingston the new Accident Hotspot?

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:51:57 -0400

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — In the last month alone we have reported 3 accidents which had taken place in the intersection of Crown Street and Kingston Avenue, but when �accident hotspot� is mentioned most immediately think about Empire and Troy. Though it feels like it�s changing.

This morning at around 7:00am two cars collided in the same fashion as the last 3 accidents, where one car took a red and they slammed into each other in the middle of the intersection. A minivan driven by a Jewish driver collided with a sedan driven which was operated as an illegal �dolla cab�.

More pictures in the Extended Article.Both drivers were BH not injured, but a passenger in �cab� sustained an injury to his arm.

The minivan was traveling on Kingston and as the light was turning yellow he stated that he rushed the light, while the �cab� claimed he had a steady green.

Shomrim members were first on scene and assisted police and Hatzalah with securing the scene and the fluid spill up until fire department arrived and took care of the scene.

“WAKE UP YIDDEN!”

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400

BAY HARBOR ISLANDS, FL [CHI] — For the second time, in as many months, Infinity Productions, the production company for Mayer Rivkin�s CD recordings, has announced the release of its second “single album”, from the soon to be released 13 song CD album “Wake Up Yidden”.

More in the Extended Article!According to a production company spokesperson, the release of the “single song” is in response to the many inquiries as to the release date of the eagerly awaited Music Video “It happened Yom Kippur”. “We are approximately 3 weeks behind schedule with the production of the Video, related to the compilation process of much never before seen, original and exclusive footage. People are anxious and impatient, so we are releasing another song from the new album to hold them over.” Even though, the new song has not yet been “mixed & mastered”, lacking some detail and “richness” in the music and vocals, the decision was however made to release it now.

Also, being introduced for the first time, is the new young mystery voice, who will be singing a number of songs on the new album, alongside Mendel Rivkin, son of Mayer Rivkin.

Op-Ed: Chabad�s Moral Crisis

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:57:00 -0400

By Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

Not long ago I spent Shabbos in a Lubavitch community with my wife and children. The family we stayed with showed us effusive Lubavitch hospitality. What other community in the world would welcome a family with nine children and a niece to march into their home and take over? The warmth with which we were received reminded me of all that is beautiful about Chabad and how Lubavitchers are the warmest and kindest people in the world.

Unfortunately, some of the dysfunction that has overtaken Chabad in the last few years was just around the corner. On Shabbos day a shliach was welcomed to speak to the community. Before his speech, an elderly Chassid banged on the lectern, announced that the shliach in question was not a real shliach but a �mushroom.� Since the policy of the Shule was to have Shluchim speak, he should not be allowed to address them.When it came time for the speech, the shliach stood up and said that he was electing to thank the community for their hospitality but not to address them, given the controversy his presence had already generated. This set in motion a series of increasingly traumatic events. At the farbrengen that followed davening, the shliach finally gave his speech, essentially sharing with all of us that he had been publicly humiliated and almost none had objected. His wounds were deep. He began to share what his life had been like ever since he decided, a few years earlier, to remain in the city where he had worked as a shliach for many years after having fallen out with his head shliach who fired him and ordered him out. When he elected to stay, a campaign of ostracization, which he claimed even involved the targeting of his children, had begun.

When I was invited to speak at the farbrengen, I dwelled on his predicament, his obvious pain, and how we all had to do more to ensure that scenarios like these did not repeat themselves. Some in attendance politely told me that I was misguided, that while Chabad had some issues, none of these were terribly serious and that if we all davened properly and learned Chassidus everything would turn out well.

It is time for Lubavitch to confront the moral crisis that is engulfing it. Some of my readers will be aware that I have addressed this issue before. I cannot help but return to it, seeing as Chabad is just too special, to vital to the future of humanity in general and Jewry in particular, to allow corrosive influences to gnaw away at its very soul.

Everyone fights, everyone has arguments. But in every altercation there are rules of engagement and Lubavitch seems to have few. Is it right for a man to be publicly humiliated because he did not get along with a shliach? Does this accord with teachings of the Talmud that humiliating a man and stripping him of his dignity is the equivalent of killing him? All too many younger Shluchim who have not gotten along with their superiors have faced a campaign of vilification that is unbecoming of an organization committed to Jewish law, Jewish values, and brotherly love.

To be sure, I understand that Chabad must have a structure. I also understand that it is improper for a Shliach to trailblaze a path in solitude, struggle to develop a community completely on his own, and not have his authority respected by the people he later brings out to work under his leadership. Like every organization, Chabad must have a hierarchy and an infrastructure. Rather, my objection is to how viciously young Shluchim are sometimes treated when they fall out with their superiors. Even if they are wrong, they are still human beings. Morse so, they are still our brothers.

There can be no religion without ethics. Chassidishkeit must be rooted in an unshakable moral foundation. Religious piety dare never supersede a simple commitment to right and wrong. Chabad today is beginning to tolerate the intolerable. Many things that are happening around the world � from public arguments, to court battles, to private hatred �are being excused. But the uncivilized manner in which these disputes are carried out is primitive, unethical, and inexcusable. Civilized people do not behave this way.

When the Shliach I referred to above finally spoke, he accused all of us present of being morally indifferent to his humiliation. He compared his predicament to the Talmud�s lamentable story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, when the silence of the Rabbis at witnessing a man�s public disgrace led to disastrous consequences. He was not completely right. While some sat in silence, quite a few courageous souls present told the elderly Chassid who shamed him that he should be silent and sit down. But the ramifications for Lubavitch at disgraceful public spectacles such as these is to allow its moral center to be eroded and compromised.

Is there noone in Chabad today with the moral authority to simply call upon each of us to adhere to the most basic rules of civility and decency? Will we, whose very raison d��tre is Ahavas Yisroel, allow these disputes to unweave our moral fiber? And is there not a critical mass of people who are by now just sickened by the frequency of stories such as these?

Have we forgotten that we are disciples of a moral giant? The Rebbe�s leadership was entirely dependent on the fact he was a man of unquestioned integrity and righteousness. When he told us to pack up our kids and live thousands of miles away in complete spiritual isolation, we listened because we knew his only agenda was to advance G-d�s work.

Has it really been so long when we last saw him that we have forgotten how he stood on his tired feet to meet thousands of people every Sunday and interact with them for even a brief moment to bless them? Have we forgotten how he led thousands of us in song and dance, together, as �one person, with one heart�? Will we allow territorialism and egotism to fragment the love that he worked so hard to inculcate?

The moral crisis in Chabad is a crisis born of ego. We are becoming too power-centric, too self-absorbed and not sufficiently self-critical. We do selfless work, and no doubt the Rebbe�s Shluchim are Judaism�s heroes. Even as I write these lines, I am conscious of the fact that I am not the equal of any of the Rebbe�s Shluchim who courageously settle the globe, selflessly imparting the light of Jewish values to distant shores. But the darker side of such selfless work is how it can sometimes be accompanied by heartless territorialsim. We dare never forget that the institutions we build are not about us. We were sent out to spread the light of Judaism, not to create personal fiefdoms. We have a right to lead the institution we build, but let us endeavor to do so with magnanimity and largeness of heart.

Lubavitch must, finally, set up an independent review board to hear, in the most civil way, the complaints that Shluchim have and adjudicate justly and fairly. The current practice of head Shluchim having the final say without younger Shluchim having any just recourse is unfair and cannot continue. Less so is character assassination acceptable to Jews who are committed to the highest moral behavior.

I need to know that living a life devoted to Chabad teachings will make me a better person. I need to know that it will give me a softer heart. I need to know that being part of Chabad will call me to moral greatness, that ringing through my ears will always be the admonition of Hillel, �That which you hate never do unto others.�

The Lubavitcher Rebbe was a moral beacon to the world. He exemplified love, righteousness, and justice. Let us commit ourselves to lives that demonstrate the deep impact he made on his Chassidim, and through our goodness to the rest of the world.

This Op-Ed reflects the views of its author. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CrownHeights.info nor of its Editors.

A reader that wishes to make his or her voice heard on any topic of their desire is welcome to submit his or her Op-Ed to News@CrownHeights.info.

Readers please note: The following piece is a revised edition of the original Op-Ed that was posted.

Breakfast Event Links Area Jewish Businesses

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:53:00 -0400

News Press

FORT MYERS, FL — The Jewish Business Network is keeping the area's Jewish community connected and plans are in the works to expand.

The group, which was created 2007, recently added a new Breakfast & Business event to encourage area professionals to network and socialize at their convenience.

More pictures in the Extended Article!“There was nothing gluing the Jewish community together,” said Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz, who had already created Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida.

He then saw a need for business professionals to do business in a non-religious way. That's why he created the networking group.

“We saw the potential growth and filled the need,” he said. “The idea was to create a unifying force between all of us and offer certain programs that everyone can benefit from.”

The Breakfast & Business idea has given Jewish Business Network members who can't make it to mostly night events a chance to participate.

“We have already over 200 people at the events that we've done so far. We've had 100 people join,” said Minkowicz shortly after hosting a few events.

“New people can come to town and start business and try to get to know Jewish infrastructures in the community easier.”

The network takes that unifying factor one step further by offering a member directory that lists every Jewish business and affiliates.

“They are a wealth of information to the community. They're wonderful,” said Juli Bobman, who has been involved with Chabad in Fort Myers, Temple Judea and Beth El.

Keeping connected is the basis for the networking events because “some people just want to meet other people,” Minkowicz said.

The sky is the limit for the Jewish Business Network as it works on even more ways to expand its offerings.

“We want to build the Business & Breakfast, continue to build our directory and develop a Web site,” he said.

The idea is to eventually make the networking group a self-run organization that continues to grow as the Jewish community in southwest Florida does.

“Everything we do, we will keep doing it and expand,” said Minkowicz about the group that boasts 120 members. “We will take on more projects and programs.”

Obama, Hillary & McCain united for Chabad Telethon ;-)

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:29:50 -0400

The Telethon will be 9/14/08 this year live at: http://www.tolife.com

Mazal Tov! - Its A Girl!

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:10:00 -0400

We would like to wish Mazal Tov to Yankel and Pessa Rochel (nee Katz) Lipsidge (Crown Heights) on the birth of their daughter.

May the newborn be a source of Nachas to her parents, grandparents, relatives and Klal Yisroel!

Victim of Anti-Semitic Attack Settles Civil Claim Against Authorities

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:09:00 -0400

The Age

On the left Menachem Vorchheimer after the assault. On the right Simon Christian, one of three men charged over an alleged race hate attack leaves court.

A Jewish man has settled claims against the State Government and Victoria Police resulting from his racial abuse by members of a country football team.

Menachem Vorchheimer was smiling yesterday outside the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after the settlements were announced before the tribunal's vice-president, Judge Marilyn Harbison.But Mr Vorchheimer and his counsel, Robert Richter, QC, said outside court they could not comment. They said a media conference was expected within days involving all the relevant parties.

Mr Vorchheimer took the civil action as a result of an anti-Semitic attack on him in October 2006 while he was walking to a synagogue with his two children in St Kilda.

Last year, two men were fined and one of them convicted over the attack, in which Mr Vorchheimer was called a “----ing Jew”. A magistrate was told that Mr Vorchheimer's sabbath hat and yarmulke were snatched from his head, and he was “smacked” in the face by an unidentified occupant of the bus carrying the football team.

Judge Harbison yesterday commended the settlement. She said the cases brought by Mr Vorchheimer, and applications made by the Government bodies, would have been difficult to hear and decide.

Mazal Tov! - Its A Girl!

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:17:00 -0400

We would like to wish Mazal Tov to Yisroel and Hadas (nee Parks) Zaetz (Shluchim to S. Francisco State University) on birth of their daughter.

May the newborn be a source of Nachas to her parents, grandparents, relatives and Klal Yisroel!