USDA Slaps Kosher Slaughterhouse

One of the nation’s largest kosher slaughterhouses was censured by the United States Department of Agriculture for using inhumane methods in its slaughtering process.

AgriProcessors, a Chabad-Lubavitch-owned slaughterhouse in Postville, Iowa, was criticized in an internal report by the Department of Agriculture and later warned about its methods in a letter from the department. Since then, the procedures in question have been changed.

The slaughterhouse drew attention from the government in 2004 after an animal rights organization released an undercover video showing gruesome footage of cows being killed at the plant. AgriProcessors has faced questions from the Orthodox Union’s kosher division and criticism from the Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly. The slaughterhouse has made some changes to its operations, but it has defended its old methods as consistent with kosher law — which aims to minimize suffering for the animal, among other things. The newly released report says the company had “engaged in acts of inhumane slaughter.”

Chabad Outfit To Endorse Military Chaplains

An ultra-Orthodox organization will start endorsing chaplains for the United States military, ending the 88-year-long monopoly on endorsements held by the multi-denominational body that had vetted all previous candidates.

The Aleph Institute, an organization linked to the Chabad-Lubavitch movement previously known for helping Jewish prisoners, was approved last month by the Department of Defense to endorse chaplains. Endorsing agencies provide a required seal of approval for any religious leader who wants to join one of the three branches of the military. The Miami-based Aleph Institute will join the Jewish Welfare Board’s Jewish Chaplains Council, which, since 1918, has been the only body endorsing Jewish chaplains. The chaplains council is run by the Jewish Community Center Association and brings together the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox movements to vet candidates.

The approval of a Chabad-Lubavitch body is particularly notable because Chabad rabbis — known for their eagerness in reaching out to unaffiliated Jews — are currently not able to become chaplains because of a military regulation banning beards. The new body will endorse rabbis from other corners of the Orthodox world, but it is also likely to lead any efforts to overturn the military’s prohibition on chaplains having beards. In the past, Orthodox rabbis have quietly complained that the Jewish Chaplains Council did not seem interested in working to change the rule. The chaplains council also has been under pressure because of a general shortage of Jewish chaplains in the military.

Winner floats on ‘Mediterranean’

Tuesday was a joyous day for 13-year-old Hindy Naparstek (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina).

After nine rounds, the Chabad Academy student won The Sun News’ 18th annual Regional Spelling Bee held at Myrtle Beach High School Music and Art Center.

Afterward she was nearly speechless about her win on Purim, a Jewish holiday.

“I was nervous. I didn’t think I would win,” said Hindy. She correctly spelled Mediterranean to win after two final rounds, which were held because the finalists did not correctly spell their last words.

Hindy, who advances to the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee set for the end of May, competed against 53 other top spellers from Horry and Georgetown counties including last year’s winner, Morgan Gilliam.

Purim In Pictures Throughout Crown Heights

In what started as a murky and rainy day, quickly turned into a nice warm and sunny day bringing everyone out in their costumes with their Shalach Manot!

Currently there are over 110 pictures in the Extended Article! You can still submit your Purim pictures to Webmaster@CrownHeights.info

Reader Pictures Added!

The Annual Purim Banquet in Oholei Torah

With the main ballroom designated for family seating, it was packed to the brim, with loads of trees in between tables, families sat down for a full Purim Seudah. Singles were seated separately in the lunchroom. The crowd was entertained by lively music with singing by Yossi Fraenkel and a surprise performance by the world renowned Chazzan Leibel Blesofky who had droped in by suprise!

Rabbi Osdoba came in and addressed the crowd with something about Purim, other distinguished visitors included: Part of our local Police Precinct upper brass namely; Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Vega, Executive Officer Cap. Shouldis, Lt. Cantwell and Community Affairs Officer Martinos , also attending were R. Segal, R. Bogomilsky, R. Shimon Hertz, Shaya Bomilgreen, and R. Aron Rubashkin and family.

During the visit by the NYPD, Moshe Rubashkin called up Inspector Vega to address the crowd. At one point Moshe Rubashkin said “and anyone that got a ticket this Purim can bring it to the police station and the inspector will void the ticket”, Inspector Vega just smiled.

More Pictures in the Extended Article!

So Who Got A Ticket Special for Purim?

Only in our wonderful neighborhood, Crown Heights, can we all be terrorized and not a single governing body take any action against it! Let alone make a public outcry!

Today, Purim, the known 2 officers (Kennedy and Mintz) along with a blue “Traffic Enforcement” police car occupied by 2 black officers one male and the other female, were observed ticketing motorists for double parking (to give out Shalach Manot) and any other violation they can pick off anyone on. In a number of meetings the Commanding Officer of the 71st precinct had said that selective enforcement (ticketing only Jewish motorists) is not only not tolerated, it’s also illegal. But residents couldn’t help but notice that the only people that were being pulled over, were Jewish.

Israel raids prison, takes 6 militants

Palestinians lash back for ‘provocation’

JERICHO, West Bank — Israeli forces stormed a Palestinian prison yesterday, capturing six radical militants and provoking a wave of retaliatory attacks and hostage-takings in the first major security crisis since Hamas won Palestinian elections.

Tanks and bulldozers surrounded the Jericho prison shortly after 9 a.m. just minutes after a team of US and British advisers walked away from their posts as monitors at the prison, saying that Palestinian officials had failed to provide adequate security under a complex international agreement.

Israel’s government, just two weeks away from elections, laid siege to the Jericho prison for nine hours, lobbing shells and demolishing parts of the complex with bulldozers until the wanted men inside surrendered shortly after nightfall.

Only in….. BORO PARK!!!

What can brown do for you?

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Purim Celebrants to be Subject to Random Shalach Manos Searches

WASHINGTON, D.C. — [TheKnish.com] Responding to “a possible threat of terror,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced Monday that Jewish children will be subject to random shalach manos searches this Purim season.

“Individuals concealing their identities through clever disguise and under cover of night – even though you can’t be mikayim the mitzvah then – may attempt to use the unspecified threat of shalach manos to extort dollar bills from unsuspecting victims,” Chertoff said. “Such scare tactics may have been tolerated in the past, but they will not be allowed to continue this Purim.”

National Guard troops and local police are being stationed at checkpoints in residential neighborhoods to seize the contents of any paper bags, wicker baskets, giant cellophane monstrosities or other receptacles. Additionally, marzipan-sniffing dogs will be posted at regular intervals to locate and devour suspicious items.

Speeding rabbi caught on film twice

In the Purim Spirit, this from a UK Newspaper. And you thought Crown Heights was bad ;-)

A RABBI has been fined for speeding and allowing his cars to be used without insurance.

Dovid Jaffe, 41, was caught by a traffic camera as he drove in a 30 mph zone at 39mph on two separate days.

He admitted speeding at Trafford Magistrates’ Court, but denied four counts of permitting a vehicle to be used without insurance. But he was found guilty.

The court heard that his Toyota Previa and his other car, a Volvo, were also filmed speeding on four different occasions. They were driven by charity volunteers from New York and Israel.

The rabbi had three points put on his licence and was fined £60 for each of his two speeding offences.

Friendship Circle’s annual Purim Carnival

In my pressed blue shirt and grey suit I was well-prepared to join the festivities at the Friendship Circle’s annual Purim celebration. Or so I thought. The wafting smell of fresh popcorn was my first inkling that I was dressed for the wrong kind of party.

As I stepped through the doors of the Jewish Children’s Museum social hall, the objective of this party became instantly clear to me: The FC directors were going to make sure that each and every child with special needs was able to celebrate Purim to the fullest.

Fear not directors; you more than succeeded!

I had been invited to the party by Tzirl Goldman, director of the Circle. “Come by on Sunday, March 12, at 3pm.” She had said. Tzirl assured me I would feel inspired.