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MELBOURNE, Australia [AJN] — One of Melbourne Chabad’s most influential figures, Joseph Gutnick, has signed a petition challenging the Yeshivah Centre’s leadership.

Gutnick Challenges Yeshivah Leadership over ‘Yechi’ Sign

MELBOURNE, Australia [AJN] — One of Melbourne Chabad’s most influential figures, Joseph Gutnick, has signed a petition challenging the Yeshivah Centre’s leadership.

Rabbi Gutnick is among a group of Yeshivah members calling on the leadership to remove a controversial sign at the back of the synagogue.

These members want to see the centre, led by Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Telsner -– the son-in-law of the late Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner -– be run more along the lines of a democracy.

The sign has the words to a short prayer known as Yechi. Yechi has been recited for centuries, but recently has been hijacked by the more messianic Chabadniks to signify the late Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson as the Messiah.

“I feel very strongly that it should be removed,” Rabbi Gutnick told The AJN.

The Yechi sign has been up in the synagogue for a number of years with little controversy, but the matter came to a head last month when Rabbi Telsner ostracized the “Moshiach Men” from Melbourne’s Chabad community.

The group comprises a few families who are convinced the Lubavitcher Rebbe is the Messiah and are vocal in spreading their message. The Moshiach Men raised the ire of the Chabad community when they circulated footage of themselves feasting on a fast day, claiming that because the Messiah had come, the fast was no longer necessary.

“[These men] started at the Yeshivah and this sign is part of it,” said Rabbi Gutnick, who has held a seat at the shul for 18 years.

“The Rebbe’s greatness is not depicted in this sign, it comes from the amount of Chabad Houses and Jewish schools … that sign takes the Rebbe’s great work and puts it into a slogan.”

The petition has been circulated by Yeshivah shul members Yudi New and Menachem Vorchheimer.

Vorchheimer told The AJN he believes the sign, and its associated fringe supporters, are “divisive and damaging” to the Yeshivah Centre.

When asked if he thought the petition would work, Vorchheimer replied: “In a democracy it would work, but the Yeshivah Centre has been hijacked.”

The current Yeshivah leadership was not elected, rather it includes men believed to have been appointed by Rabbi Groner before his death.

The group comprises Rabbi Binyomin Cohen, Rabbi Avrohom Glick, Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Groner, Shmuel Gurewicz, Rabbi Telsner and Rabbi Shimshon Yurkowicz.

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67 Comments

  • Anash

    Rabbi Tzvi telsner is one of the key people responsible for Meshichist fiasco. He was one of the earliest Meshichistim. The loonies from 10 Tevet are a DIRECT RESULT of the Meshchism he espoused

  • Melbourne Boy

    This attempt smacks of opportunism. The so called “moshiach men” where thrown out of the Yeshiva ages ago and have nothing to do with this sign which went up for a live hook up with 770 before Gimmel tammuz! Rabbi Groner ruled that once it was up it should stay.
    Rabbi Gutnick may pay membership dues but has not davened there not during the week or shabbos for many many years and sending his employee, Mr Vorschiemer (who does not daven there on shabbos)using the You tube video as impetus is lame at best! Has nothing to do with anything. As if taking down the sign is going to stop these guys!You don’t even notice the sign.
    Instead of wasting your efforts go make a shiur with someone and use your energy for something constructive and building the Rebbe’s legacy.
    Shulchan Aruch is not a “democracy” Rabbi Gutnick wants to control the Yeshivah Center and is using this as a guise to further his attempts. Sad thing is people are getting sucked in to signing this petition when in effect it is all about power. Useful idiots is the term I believe!Like if Rabbi Gutnick had control he would run a democracy. Give me a break!

  • True Colors

    This article is terribly written, highly biased (did they even ask the other side for comment?), poorly researched and a massive chilul Hashem. Shame on these people! If the sign signifies that the Yeshiva was “hijacked,” does that mean that Rabbi Groner, a“h, who insisted the sign remain, ”hijacked“ the school? He was the Rebbe’s shliach! Did the Rebbe, by extension, also ”hijack“ the school?

    I also find it funny to see this ”democratic” petition being circled by antis, who are supposed to support autocracy in shlichus. What a joke! If we now have democracy and issue referenda, who needs Rabbonim at all? Just take a vote!

    Shame on these people for going straight to the press to catch outsiders’ attention for their revolution.

  • MENDY

    bsd
    bh
    IF WE HAVE DEVISIVENESS AMONGST US
    HOW ARE WE TO UNITE ALL JEWS ,,,,
    FINALLY AND ONCE AND FOR ALL…
    ARE WE TO WAIT UNTIL ANOTHER HITLER RISES TO UNITE US?

  • smartest guy in the world

    Every lubavitcher should believe the rebbe is moshiach or else he is not lubavitch. This article is pathetic! Those people eating on a fast day believe moshiach is here, whic is totally wrong!!!
    Saying yechi or not Is a totally diffrent issue, and publicizing yechi or not is yet another issue. People should learn to divide concepts.

  • shmuel lewin

    rabbi gutnick im happy you should feel the pain from “yehi” like we do in israel Im sure the truth wil prewail.one of the ansh in Israel who dosent stop to cry ,Shmuel

  • Moshiach Now

    don’t change what R’ Groner started… he was a great man and his leadership should not be questioned AFTER the fact by stam baalei battim,

  • Daas Balai batim

    Moisdes are NOT democracys. They are run by Rabbonim and Shluchim. Wherever you stand on the Yechi issue thats a fact. Daas Balai batim hepevch Daas Torah.

  • Didan Notzach

    The Yechi Sign that is displayed in the back of Yeshivah Shule has been in place for more than 18 years. The late Rabbi Y. D. Groner OBM gave this matter very serious consideration, taking into account the diversity of the shule membership and all associated issues, and issued a Psak that the sign should remain in the Shule. I see no reason to change the status quo and am upholding Rabbi Groner’s Psak in relation to this matter.

    The Rebbe often emphasised that the way to bring Moshiach is through Ahavas Chinum (unconditional love) and we hope that our Shule community will unite and grow through mutual respect and Ahavas Chinum and we will hasten the coming of Moschiach.

    May Hashem answer all our Teffillos for Brocho and Hatzlocho, and peace in Eretz Yisroel and the imminent arrival of Moshiach.

    Wishing you a freilechin Purim.

    Rabbi Z H Telsner

  • democracy?

    Regardless of my opinion, there is a very dangerous precedent that Gutnik is trying to set:
    YIDDISHDEIT IS NOT A DEMOCRACY!!

    there are rabonim, and occasionally a vaad, but halacha and other issues are not voted on, and not a democracy

  • elvis

    Rabbi gutnik will simply stop funding them. He should learn some tolerance- and Derech Eretz.

  • figures

    OMG! You lubabs are nuts! Every article, Yechi, no yechi….Can’t you people get it together? What makes a difference? You think putting up signs and then taking them down is making the Rebbe proud? Why is it that the wealthy ones are choosing whether to have the yechi sign up or down????
    GET IT TOGETHER PEOPLE!!!

  • figures

    OMG! You lubabs are nuts! Every article, Yechi, no yechi….Can’t you people get it together? What makes a difference? You think putting up signs and then taking them down is making the Rebbe proud? Why is it that the wealthy ones are choosing whether to have the yechi sign up or down????
    GET IT TOGETHER PEOPLE!!!

  • Sad and mad

    As usual you are way behind the 8 ball. The story above was published over a week ago.

    R’ Telsner has already issued a statement saying that the sign is staying as it was the express will of Rabbi YD Goner A“H.

    This ruling is no surprise to anyone in Melbourne as R Telsner is well known as a meshichist.

    The disrespect of our ”leaders“ towards the rank and file in Lubavitch has increased since Gimmel Tammuz. Until our rabbonim and leaders realise that ”there is no king without a people” our kids will continue to frei out and established Chabad communities will continue declining. This is particularly true of Melbourne.

  • We Want Moshiach NOw

    fix up your facts.
    i too believe, and know for a fact that the Rebbe is Moshiach.
    the “moshiach men” dont only believe that the Rebbe is Moshiach, they believe that moshiach ia slready here, and its time to do what is done when moshiach comes. this i don’t agree with. but Yechi, is a very neutral sign, which expresses the beliefs of every true chossid. that his Rebbe is moshiach.
    so no, i dont think the sign should be removed.
    if ppl, would use the yarmulka in a mocking way, would you stop wearing it? NO,
    this is no different.
    things in life arent always black and white, and there is always evil and wrong in the midst of goodness.
    so live with it, fight it, and stick up for what is right!!

  • chochma

    Will this lead to a petition to remove “Dovid Melech Yisroel Chai V’kayom” from the siddur?!

  • When money talks...

    Unbelievable! Isn’t Rabbi Gutnick just like each and everyone of us? Why is his say bigger then anyone elses? What a Chutzpah to take down a sign thats up in a shul!
    Can’t wait for Moshiach to come, I do wonder what the Rebbe will tell these people who are against bringing life to the Rebbe- but I feel bad for them, I am just SOOO glad I’m not in their place!!!
    Yechi Hamelech!!

  • Not a mshichist

    “The current Yeshivah leadership was not elected, rather it includes men believed to have been appointed by Rabbi Groner before his death.”
    “The group comprises Rabbi Binyomin Cohen, Rabbi Avrohom Glick, Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Groner, Shmuel Gurewicz, Rabbi Telsner and Rabbi Shimshon Yurkowicz.”

    A most impressive group. Kitai heim lismoich aleihem.

    Koirach also wanted a democracy. “ Ki kol hoaeidah kilom kidoishim etc.” Look where it got him and his group. This group oh hand picked individuals are not radicals. Let the leaders lead and the Baalei Batim support.

  • vorsh

    vorsh vorsh ….. your gettig into hot water here. stay safe and play it cool. cooler heads will prevail here ……

  • Melbourne, The Land On Top

    Its unfortunate that recently when you read about Melbourne Australia, this is the type of news you see.
    Let me tell you a little about the real Melbourne.
    My wife and I were recently there for 3 weeks taking care of our son (who is currently learning in YG)that had an incident that landed him in the hospital for 9 days. (B”h he recovered well) The Hachnosas Orchim that we experienced from the community was unbelievable. For our entire trip we stayed by a wonderful family whom we’ve never met before. Once people got word we were there, we had invites to stay at other homes too. We ate practically every night at other peoples homes. One person gave us their cell phone to use for our entire stay, another gave us their gps for the car we were using. Every Shabbos we had double bookings for meals.There was a never ending flow of hospitality.
    When our son was in the hospital a woman came to visit him and brought him a dvd player with Jewish concerts. She gave him her name and number and told him that when he is finished with it, he should call her and she will pick it up. (Incidentally, she picked us up from the airport and ended up taking us many places) During our stay we witnessed many private tzedaka transactions going on in the community and we met many wonderful people.
    To sum it up, I would not call it the land down under, but more like, the land on top.
    May the light and greatness of the Melbourne community overwhelm any darkness in the world, and may we all merit to greet Moshiach speedily in our days!

  • Moshe

    you’ve got to be kidding — Gutnick signing that a shul should be a democracy Has he become a memeber of the american reform movement??

  • refoel

    what a shame that the community in which i grew up in is going to be ripped apart because of a harmless sign that has been there for so many years. if rabbi groner’s decisions were respected until now there is no reason to stop respecting them now. what a big shame.

  • WHO-S GUTNICK?

    WHAT IS WRONG WITH GUTNICK? DID ALL HIS FINANCIAL SUCCESS GO TO HIS HEAD TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT HE COMPLETELY FORGETS THAT IT IS THE SAME REBBE WHO SANCTIONED YECHI THAT GAVE HIM HIS FINANCIAL SUCCESS AND HE IS ACTUALLY PLAYING WITH FIRE BY FIGHTING TO HAVE IT REMOVED. AND FOR THE RECORD, IT IS A WELL KNOWN FACT THAT RABBI GRONER OLOV HASHOLOM SPECIFICALLY SAID THE SIGN SHOULD STAY UP! THIS SIGN IS JUST BEING USED AS A SCAPEGOAT TO COVER UP THE OTHER UNDERLYING PROBLEMS THAT EXIST IN THE YESHIVA COMMUNITY. I KNOW FOR A FACT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE TOLD BY THE REBBE IN DREAMS WITH THE REBBE AFTER GIMMEL TAMMUZ, TO SAY YECHI, TO SAY IT THREE TIMES AND TO SAY IT BEKOL ROM! ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WAS A VERY CLOSE RELATIVE OF MINE WHO WOULD NOT SAY YECHI ALLOWED BEFORE THIS DREAM. GUTNICK SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHERE HE’S TREADING, THERE IS STILL A G-D IN THIS WORLD, BESIDES FOR MESSING WITH THE REBBE.

  • disgusted...

    You’re retarded, the sign is not harmless. The sign is inflammatory and the Rebbe if he were still alive would not approve of it. Shuls are not places for signs of this sort, 770 is a disgrace and so is this Shul for having it too. It’s about time some Rabbeim stand up and put an end to this nonsense.

    And to the first guy who posted about not being Lubavitch if you don’t believe the Rebbe is Moshiach is an idiot. I know many many many Lubavitchers who don’t believe the Rebbe is Moshiach and they are probably a bigger Lubavitcher then you because instead of singing some stupid song, waving yellow flags around, pronouncing the Rebbe is Moshiach, they are actually doing Torah and Mitzvos to bring Moshiach.

    Just ask yourself if the Rebbe was still alive would he be proud of his Hasidim in 770? I think not, he’d be ashamed….this Yechi stuff is ridiculous and has been taken to a whole new level. Depicted by those crazies eating on Aser b’Teves…this stuff is boderline Christianity and you should pull your heads out of your Tuchuses and realize the harm and the alienation that the entire Frum world wants to place on these chabadniks….and fyi I consider my Rebbe the Lubavitcher Rebbe and consider myself a chabadnik and I don’t have these crazy beliefs….

  • Sam Goldman

    This is outrageous. Five years ago Rabbi Gutnick sued his brother-in-law, shliach Rabbi Pinchus Feldman of Sydney, closin and selling a $12 million Chabad house campus, shul, dormitory etc..

    IT WAS THE BIGGEST CHILLUL HASHEM IN AUSTRALIAN HISTORY!

    And now he is worried about a yechi sign in a Lubavitch shul? What a hypocrite!

  • ATTENTION ALL THE SHMUEL LEWINS

    KOL HAKOVOD TO RABBI TELSNER. WHAT A CHUTZPAH OF ANYONE TO GO AGAINST RABBI GRONER WHEN HE CAN’T DEFEND HIMSELF. AND TO CALL RABBI TELSNER A MASHICHIST, AS THOUGH THAT WERE A BAD THING. I WAS ALWAYS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT ANY JEW WHO DAVVENS AND SAYS ANI MAAMIN AND VESECHEZENO IS A PERSON WHO WANTS MOSHIACH AND THEREFORE IS JUST AS MUCH A MASHICHIST! AND ANY LUBAVITCHER WHO DOES NOT THINK THE REBBE IS MOSHIACH IS NOT A LUBAVITCHERR CHOSID AT ALL. EVERY CHOSID SHOULD THINK HIS REBBE IS MOSHIACH.
    IN THE 1950’S A SHLIACH FROM DETROIT CAME TO THE REBBE TO COMPLAIN THAT RABBI AVTZON WHO LIVED IN DETROIT AT THE TIME, WAS RUINING THINGS FOR HIM WITH HIS BAALE BAATIM, BECAUSE HE’S GOING AROUND TOWN TELLING PEOPLE THAT THE REBBE IS MOSHIACH! (IMAGINE SAYING THIS TO THE REBBE). AND THE REBBE’S RESPONSE WAS “OBER VOS ZOL ICH TON OZ EHR MAINT DOS MIT AN EMES! I REST MY CASE.

  • Rabbi Z H Telsner-s letter to kehila

    The Yechi Sign that is displayed in the back of Yeshivah Shule has been in place for more than 18 years. The late Rabbi Y. D. Groner OBM gave this matter very serious consideration, taking into account the diversity of the shule membership and all associated issues, and issued a Psak that the sign should remain in the Shule. I see no reason to change the status quo and am upholding Rabbi Groner’s Psak in relation to this matter.

    The Rebbe often emphasised that the way to bring Moshiach is through Ahavas Chinum (unconditional love) and we hope that our Shule community will unite and grow through mutual respect and Ahavas Chinum and we will hasten the coming of Moschiach.

    May Hashem answer all our Teffillos for Brocho and Hatzlocho, and peace in Eretz Yisroel and the imminent arrival of Moshiach.

    Wishing you a freilechin Purim.

    Rabbi Z H Telsner

  • To millhouse

    Millhouse- the term ‘yechi hamelech’ (not the whole phrase) has actually been used for centuries, just open a Tanach

  • Yechi or not...

    Rabbi Telsner was my Rav when I lived in Melbourne and he was extremely knowledgable and a mentch. I would support him any day regardless of his views on yechi.

  • ATTENTION ELVIS

    ATTENTION ELVIS. funds to the yeshivah and other organizations ultimately come from Hashem. That includes the funds that Gutnick has. His own funds come from Hashem. and he ought to start remembering that. and the Rebbe is the one who helped him get those funds. some way to show appreciation. Leaving the sign up means learning Tolerance, to live and let live. not everything has to meet with our agreement for it to be. and if people will argue against wearing a beard are we going to shave our beards off? etc. people have fought us on every mivtzah the Rebbe came out with throughout the years, but the Rebbe didn’t get fazed. the end was that all those that ridiculed lubavitch for their outreach programs, when they saw the success of Lubavitch, only because the Rebbe was so staunch and just kept on going, they turned around and began doing the same things. the Gutnicks, Vercheimers and News ought to spend their time and effort better on saying, we don’t agree with this but if this is what the Rov of the Kehilla says, so be it. and the fact that there would be unity would go alot further in a better way in strengthening the Yeshiva than this childish personal frustrated silliness.

  • CH Dad

    I agree with Sam Goldman – to the letter – simply disgusting!

    However, that said, the shul(s) are no place for those color war banners and dorky yellow flags. There is no excuse for this stupidity having gone so far to this level. This goes of course for 770 also which is a dire busha!

  • visitor

    you lubavitchs really don’t do justice to your rebbe, he was so great, whats your issue, its so disrespectful. why don’t you just learn how to keep your hashgafas to yourself and create an environment where you get along. Dont you realize that is really the issue

  • Truth mate

    Joe, when will you learn a chequebook does not double up as a soapbox?

    Yofeh koach haben mikoach ha’av? In this case, I think not.

  • Former Melbourne boy

    I remember very clearly in 5756, when someone hijacked the Yechi sign off the shul. rabbi groner got up in shul that Friday night and these were his unforgettable words;
    “I am the Mora De’asro here. in my shul we hold strongly in Yechi. In this shul there will be a yechi sign. If you don’t like it you can get out of here!”

    Those who remember Rabbi Groner can easily picture him talking like that.

    yossel Gutnik was always fighting against Rabbi Groner and the Yeshiva shul before the issue of yechi existed. Shame on Yossel Gutnik for continuing his fued against Rabbi Groner after he is already in Olam Haemes.

  • Down with Yechi sign and up action

    Hopefully soon the signs in 770 will come off as well.
    Can’t wait for that day, the day the Rebbe’s shul goes back to the Chassidim.

  • Yossel-s Democracy???

    Lets see how far a petition to PUT UP a yechi sign in Kimberly/770 Caulfield goes…..what would Joe say about that?? Democracy???

  • Gutnick = Shmendrick

    It is the nature of every Gevir to think that just because he has a few more dollars, everyone must “Bow Down” to his will.

    Gutnick is going to learn the hard way that his money will NOT run Lubavitch.

    Lubavitch is run only by the Lubavitcher Rebbe himself, who encouraged and approved of the Yechi proclamation.

    Gutnick, needs to get over being such a Baal Gaaveh to think that just because he has a few more dollars than someone else, that therefore his opinion is any more valid than anyone else’s.

    In a true democracy it should not matter if your name is Gutnick or if your name is SHMENDRICK.

    What kind of AUDACITY does this Gutnick have to think that just because his name is Gutnick, that’s why the sign must come down?And to ad insult to injury this MECHUTZAF has the further audacity to call his “MONEY” to be referenced as “DEMOCRACY”?!?!?

    I have news for you Mr. Gutnick:

    Your “MONEY” is not called Democracy and money and democracy have nothing in common.

    If anyone thinks they have votes in numbers, it should not matter if your name is Gutnick or SHMENDRICK.

    In a Democracy a “Gutnick” and a “SHMENDRICK” have 100% equal voting power, are both alike, equal “Deah Zogers”.

  • Another Topic

    Just as a side point these yellow flags and pins which some now where are a new invention and are foreign to Lubavitch. These are not Lubavitch symbols lets focus on learning Chassidus and bringing Moshiach.

  • nu

    Just out of curiosity isnt the whole beth din of crown heights established on the need for voting and democracy? das balai batim hepech daas torah is right and therefore when crown heights decided they wanted to vote with democracy they in effect voted the Rebbe out.

  • 16 years!

    That sign has been up for SIXTEEN years!! Everyone was to chicken to fight with Rabbi Y Groner, but not that he’s dead they’ll walk on his body.

  • Telsner no comment wheather he signed

    AJN STAFF Jan. 25th
    “MELBOURNE’S “Moshiach Men” are continuing to publicise their claims that the late Lubavitcher Rebbe is the Messiah, even after having been ostracised from the Chabad community.
    In a video released on YouTube last week by the group -– which also calls itself honk4joy -– speeches and stories are used to “prove” Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson is the Messiah.
    And the man who hosted a celebration on the Fast of Tevet, which was subsequently filmed and circulated on the internet, last week expressed regret over his actions.
    The video was the subject of a letter issued by Yeshivah dayan Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Telsner banning the Moshiach Men from participating in the organised Jewish community.
    In a posting submitted to ajn.com.au, the lunch host, who chose not to be publicly identified, said he was “deeply sorry”.
    He wrote that some of the guests at the lunch -– which was considered a serious breach of halachah given the nature of the day’s commemoration -– have met with Rabbi Telsner to discuss their involvement.
    Meanwhile, Moshiach Men member Asher Zelig Rozenfeld released another YouTube video that claimed to provide proof the world had entered a messianic era.
    A voiceover on the video stated that in 1994, 250 leading rabbis -– including Rabbi Telsner himself -– signed a declaration of “Torah law, which clearly states the Rebbe is definitely king Moshiach”.
    Rabbi Telsner told The AJN he knew about the declaration, but issued a “no comment” when asked whether he signed it.
    Despite being kicked out of the Chabad community over their beliefs, the Moshiach Men have refused to back down”.

  • shani

    I am not sure why Gutnick and Feldman feel the need to hang out all their dirty laundry for the Australian Jewish News. ENOUGH CHILUL LUBAVITCH! it is beyond ridiculous. It is becaue of you guys that we have such disinterested youths in Australia.

  • emes

    i’m surprised nobody has mentioned, that 18 years ago,who do you think put up the original yechi sign?
    thats right….RABBI JOSEPH GUTNICK !
    guess he liked slogans then

  • how ironic

    What was chabad about for so many years while the rebbe was alive about???Ask anyone outside chabad and they will say the goal to bring moshiach.
    Moshiach should be the focus still.I personally never thought the rebbe was moshiach but he highlighted the fundamental jewish belief that now all other orthodox communitys have now grabbed onto.What a tragedy then that THIS is the thing to break lubavitch up.
    I hope that the leaders have the wisdom to unite and unite the community and continue to do phenomenal work to bring moshiach….thats what the rebbe REALLY wanted.

  • objective reader

    The response attributed to Rabbi Telsner conveniently omits one important factor. When Rabbi Groner OBM was running the show the negative results that we’ve seen on Asara B’teves were not clear to everyone. While many of us realized then that it would lead to serious problems others saw it as harmless ‘Emunah’. Rabbi Groner decided to leave the status-quo (which even then had to be done after ‘very serious consideration’ as Rabbi Telsner himself states).

    However, now that it’s clear to everyone that promoting ‘Yechi’ is a slippery path (if not for you, than for others), it’s time to change course.

    It’s not fair to base something with so much potential for mistakes and disasters on Rabbi Groner who is not here to see and judge the current situation.

    Respectfully,

  • Bob from Accounting

    Let me get this straight: When the Head Shaliach appoints a Mishichist to run the program, the Antis complain about the lack of democracy. When the Head Shaliach himself is an anti, the Mishichistim are told to submit to authority.

    Without weighing in on whether a silly sign should be the center of controversy accross the world (via this portal for lashon haroh, and others like it – chabad.info, etc.), this smacks as hypocrisy. Nothing new, I guess.

  • Milhouse

    To the person using the name “To millhouse”:

    All we find in Tanach is a perfectly ordinary loyal toast, such as subjects all over the world — whether Jewish or not — make to their respective sovereigns: “Long live the King” (or in our case “the Queen”). What conceivable connection you see between that and the “Yechi” slogan is beyond me. I doubt you actually see such a connection; you’re just throwing sand in people’s eyes.

  • Shmulik

    Groner was NOT the head shliach!

    He ran the Yeshivah, and the head shliach of mmerkos was-is Rabbi Serebransky.

  • frustrated

    I think the biggest thing not bringing Moschaich is the fact that these yechi people are shoving their beliefs in other peoples faces and not spreading Torah. What they are spreading is horrible and makes all of us Lubavitchers look insane to everyone else. We should not be focusing on whether the Rebbe is Moschaich or not, but more of Torah and mitzvos and learning chassidus, spreading it to others in a kind, gentle, and normal manner.

  • Elki

    Isn’t Chabad an acronym of Chachmah, Binah, Da’as? Unfortunately, I don’t see any of those components in most of the comments.

  • Elki

    Interestingly, this just came to my mailbox from today’s HaYom Yom. Where did this get lost?
    “Ahava, affection, is the breath of life in the Avoda of Chassidus.

    It is the thread that binds chassidim to each other, that binds Rebbe to chassidim and chassidim to Rebbe.

    Ahava works in a direct way (initiated affection) and also in a reflective way (responding to the other’s affection). It knows no barriers and transcends the limits of time and place.”

  • Rabbi Telsner don-t sit on the fence!!!

    1.Why don’t all those people who don’t want Yechi go to Yossel Gutnik’s Shule.
    2. Rabbi telsner stop sitting on the fence and announce Yechi like you signed in the psak din(while you were still in England).
    3. Yossel Gutnik’s problem is that Yechi became a slogan- He really means to say Rabbi Telsner has to explain the significance of Yechi and not be silent because he is afraid of criticism, thereby creating slogans- because everyone in melbourne is clue less what Yechi means.
    4. Last but not least Rabbi Telsner “If You can’t take the heat get out of the kitchen”. Vehamavin Yavin

  • Mendle mechanic

    There’s one person who beleives that Moshiach is coming and that’s the klipa. Look what a great job he’s doing because he tying to chup Aran in making as much muchloikess as possible before MoshIach comes. He is doing this bec he knows his job is over.

    Let’s not give in to the klipa anymore and stop fighting.

  • disgusted

    rabbi gutnick has not one mean bone in his body, all you guys stop saying all this lashon hara and learn the tru story!

  • a concerned reader

    Who is this “influential” Chabad member I wonder… “surprise!” It is none other than Yossel Gutnick the person who seperated a whole city of Yiddishkeit and went to say sorry to who?? His cousins!! Fine he started a fight with them but where is the sorry to Sydney, does It look like the city is coming back together?? Do you think that this person who can only be called a Rav because he got Smichah can decide whether people should say Yechi or not??

    I do not mean to say ANY Lashon Hora, only to bring out the truth.

  • me-anash melbourne

    it doesnt matter who was elected or. not elected. as is the sad case in our comunity. this non democratic way of over powering mosdos and not letting anyone have a say, is unfortunatly not a new thing in melbourne. do any of u (by any chance) know why there was not ONE chabad house in melbourne until 5747? i sugest u find out some history of chabad in melbourne. do u know that in the last 2 years more chabad houses (thanks to reb yossel gutnik kien yirbu)were opened in melbourne than in the last 15 years. this that the rebbe wants from us has to be done. and enyone who calls himself chabad and acts acordingly. is achroi to help (everyone in his own way) to expand the rebbes mosdos hachinuch (uberuchoy hakodosh davka)and to help and support the growing amount of chabad houses. everyone is responsible to make a kiddush lubavitch and make the rebbe proud of his shluchim, and mosdos in melbourne. and to prevent anything in our comunity that is a chilul lubavitch hl”s