Two additional candidates will be running in the elections for the position of third Rov in Crown Heights. After the Beis Din gave an extension to submit new candidates, two new candidates, Rabbi Yeshaya Braun and Rabbi Emanuel Chaviv, were added.

Two More Candidates to Run in Elections for Rabonim

Two additional candidates will be running in the elections for the position of third Rov in Crown Heights. After the Beis Din gave an extension to submit new candidates, two new candidates, Rabbi Yeshaya Braun and Rabbi Emanuel Chaviv, were added.

The two new candidates will run alongside Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky, who has already been confirmed, and was endorsed by both Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba and Rabbi Yaakov Schwei.

Rabbi Yeshaya Braun resides in Sydney, Austraila, and is the Rov for the Tzemach Tzedek Community in Sydney. He was endorsed by Rabbi Schwei.

Rabbi Emanuel Chaviv resides in Beitar, Israel where he serves as a Rosh Kolel who was initially disqualified was reinstated as a candidate.

One of the requirements to be qualified to run for Rov is to be 40 years of age, and Rabbi Rosenberg noted that both candidates are under 40, but entered their 40th year.

113 Comments

  • Australian warship

    WOW thats news
    your hadlines should read ….

    AUSTRALIAN WARSHIP set sail to CROWN HEIGHTS

    or

    Australian Warships to Dock in NY to Mark Alliance

    or

    Aussie warship on the way

    maybe

    Australian warship – FLOTILLA to join TALIBAN GURILA IN 770

  • we need HELP

    braun is a meshichist who will be led ‘by his nose’ by schwei’s people. please DO NOT vote for him. we have enough talibanim in crown heights.

  • Rabbi Braun for Rav!

    Rabbi Braun is an amazing person. He is a talmid chacham, and posek, and will treat everyone with dignity.
    He is the choice.

  • person

    We need a person from Crown Heights to run.

    if anybody votes for an outsider whom we don’t know anything about is just voting for the Jihad and not to stop the Machlokes.

    If a group of Mossrim see this person as “their” person then we are not getting a ROV we will be getting more RIV (fights).

  • antimesira

    If we have the same turnout like the first elections (for Vaad), then Rabbi Bogomilsky is the next Rov.

    All they have is 600-800 votes for Machlokes and Mesira!

    We voted no more maclokes/mesira once, we can do it again!

  • Levi

    I’m (positively) amazed at the fact that our “leadership” finally had the ‘Seichel’ look out of the box of the “old timers” who wer around forever and involved in almost every political and divisive issue in our community (and is about double the age of the average youngerman).

    They went and recruited a YOUNG dynamic candidate – a fresh, clean slate – with enormous potential.

    After all Rabbi Braun is a practicing rov “moreh horooh bepoel” for a number of years, he’s very knowledgeable in Halacha, a practical, down-to-earth person and a truly chassidishe youngerman.

    a breath of fresh air….

  • Larry

    I really don’t understand you guys, what did Rabbi Braun do to you? why do you hate him – you don’t even know (almost anything about) him???

    is this blind hatred for anyone who is not Rabbi Bogomilsky?

  • zalmy g

    Rabbi Brown is an exceptionally smart, learned, talented and well spoken man. A real young Chassidishe Rov, with common sense.

    He would make a fabulous 3rd Rov in the Beis Din.

    I’m happy to see that we have some great candidates.

  • Eliyouhu

    Vote for a young Rov!!! we need change a young Rov that will understand the youth.

  • Dear CH

    I implore and beg you: do NOT choose Rabbi Braun for Rov.
    I spent two years in Sydney and can tell you that he is the essence of Machlokes. When the mosdos were in trouble he instigated a COMPLETE divide and split in the Sydney community. The Rebbe’s shliach brought him there to run the mesivta nad he ended up creating a new so called kehilla. I have heard that most of the people there have returned to Chabad of Sydney. This man lives machlokes and i wonder why if he is so liked and successful in Sydnay- then why is he leaving.
    I shudder to think of him as a rov in ch and just wish people would know the truth of what happened in Sydnay in the early 2000s.
    To Ch.info, please do not sensor my comment in the interest of pbjectivity. i am sure you will let pro comments too.
    Thanks

  • Fresh, young, experienced...

    Wow! , very learned, friendly…. never involved with the current fighting parties in our community.

    seems like a real fresh start! and defiantly a big plus for the young crowd. someone who can relate to them and their issues (is not 30 years older..)

    I think he has secured my vote.

  • Yankel

    I am sure that all of the Feldman`s of Sydney will vote for him. They will be happy to get rid of him.
    We don`t need another Baal Machlokis here.

  • machlokis

    He started a Big Machlokis with the head Shliach in Sydney. We don`t need him here.
    We have enough of our own machlokis here, we don`t have to import any more.

  • MOTS

    Is there an ish ruchani that people can/will look uopt to?
    Age IS important. These two will just be viewed as “yunge chutchikess” for ears to come. Until your grandchildren are under the chuppa.
    More of the same. MOTS.

  • 1 Machlokes is enough

    Rabbi Browm will be a interesting choice, i wonder what he will be like when he joins a Machlokes, not innitiates one like in sidny…

  • Australian

    Rabbi Rosenberg
    is changing his mind more then I change my socks….. 1) first with Shea Hecht….. 2) then with the dead line date….. 3) now with Chabib……it means his word is not really a word, he is just as good as anyone else

  • Former Sydney’ite

    I remember that R’ Braun was one of the first not to fast on Tisha B’Av because “Moshiach is already here’, he made a whole shturem about it 10 years ago in Sydney.
    It could be that he has calmed down from those days, I left Syndeny years ago, but I also hear he was very instrumental in the recent politics in Sydney, I would be very worried if he got elected, a leopard never changes its spots.

  • Sydney winsl, Crown Heights looses!

    Now I have seen everything!!!!
    Where are we heading?????
    Rabbi Braun was brought to Sydney a a Bochur by Rabbi Feldman. He became a rebellious person who went against Rabbi Feldman, the Rebbe’s Shaliach in Sydney, to form a break-away Shul.
    I am shocked!

  • B H

    Such exciting news! With Rabbi Braun as Rav, Crown Heights will be as the Rebbe wants. Hatzlocha Rabba!

  • Rabbi Braun!!!

    Anyone who knows Rabbi Braun personally (not just from hearing gossip) can testify that he is an amazing person. He is brilliant, yirai shamayim, peoples person, everything you would want in a Rav.
    All the people who are writing gossip about him definitely never bothered to check out the facts and is trying to find anything that would posul him because not on “their side”

  • To # 23

    THAT IS DEFINITELY THE BIGGEST LIE – FIND OUT THE FACTS BEFORE YOU GO SPREADING FALSE RUMORS

  • Zev

    Great! Thankfully we have a candidate who is young and can relate you the vast majority of households in this growing community.

    I’m defiantly voting for Rabbi Braun

  • Ahavas Yisroel

    It’s interesting how much hatred can be concocted about someone you never met, never had interactions with and know almost nothing about???

    Some of you guys are spewing vitriol at a very smart, charismatic friendly and EXPERIANCED ‘moreh horoh bepoel’.

    By the elections for the Vaad your motto was YOUNG, NEW, FRESH START. Yet here you argue the EXACT OPPOSITE!!!!

    All of the Shmutz you are throwing at Rabbi Braun is ABSOLUTLY FALSE!!!

  • We already have enough terrorists

    Rabbi Braun does not belong in CH – we need solutions, not problems!

  • Reply to 30

    Ahavos Yisroel

    Where were you when Rabbi Braun went against Rabbi Feldman?

    I was there – there is no hatred for Rabbi Braun – only pity for him and the blinded people that he led away for his own self satisfaction (POWER)

  • To #14 Do you know what a pashkville is?

    Why don’t you at least sign your name.

    But in any case I venture to say what you write is Loshan Hora and Moitze Shem Ra and Asur min Hatora.

    Do teshuva.

    I hope no negative comments against any Rav until and after the elections.

  • Chaim

    What happened to what the Rebbe told people that wanted to run twenty years ago that were not from crown heights they were told to stay put and NOT to leave their other positions.
    They must have a personal or political motive why they are leaving their old place to come here to stir the fire.
    I think the only decent canidate that we have is Rabbi Bogomilsky who has live in crown heights all these years and knows what is it all about.

  • Whi is Rabbi Braun

    In addition to his Torah studies and Halachic expertise, Rabbi Braun is a friendly and sociable family man, who also utilizes technological advancements for his community’s benefit. He responds to Shaalos and inquiries via email, and additionally sends a weekly email to his community consisting of a relevant Chassidic perspective on topical issues, a Halacha feature, and more. Rabbi Braun’s excellent articles on Chinuch and Shalom Bayis are featured regularly on Chabad websites such as Chabad.org and Chabadworld.net.

    Rabbi Braun champions Achdus and cooperation. Despite the differences of opinion between Chabad communities in Sydney he was able to bridge those differences and promote unity. In recent years the two communities hold joint farbrengens and activities. He maintains good ties with the local Shliach Rabbi Pinchas Feldman and with the Rabbanim and community leaders of Melbourne and Sydney’s Chareidi and Modern Orthodox communities. He has been invited numerous times to lecture at the “Yarchei Kallah” of the Chareidi Adass Yisroel community of Melbourne.

    Recently Rabbi Braun received an appeal from the elder Chassidim and the community activists of Crown Heights, familiar with his exemplary and unique virtues, who requested that he tender his candidacy. Concurrently, Rabbi Braun received an appeal from a group of Yungerleit in Crown Heights who requested that he stand for election for the position of third Rav of the Crown Heights Beis Din. This will make it possible for him to offer his unique combination of youthful spirit and community leadership alongside broad and profound Halachic knowledge to the Beis Din.

    Rabbi Braun acquiesced to this request and despite the difficulty in parting from the community to which he has been devoted for ten years, he has decided to accept the challenge and invest his energy and vitality, his knowledge and talents, for the benefit of the community

  • Hwye Knott

    I know nothing of Rabbi Braun, except for the above comments. Being as none of them are traceable, I don’t rely on any of them as “true”. I therefore still know nothing about Rabbi Braun.

    I will spend the next (nearly) two weeks learning as much as I can, from reliable sources, about all the candidates, starting with an open mind. I will then vote for the candidate I feel will best serve the community. This is the obligation of each of us.

  • zelig

    even though rabbi braun is very young rabbi bogomilsky could relate & work with young people in crown heights infinitely more

  • great but not for ch rov

    i love rabbi braun he is a really great guy, but let me tell u he is not cut out for rov in ch, not at all! maybe in 25 years! he needs to grow up bgashmius ubruchnius

  • Sydney Resident

    To comment 14:
    I really appreciate that you have to displayed to the public your bias views and one of the causes of ongoing machlokes in Sydney. You are the ones fueling the machlokes in sydney.

    As you state you spent TWO WHOLE YEARS in Sydney as a shliach to The Yeshiva Centre – Ran by Rabbi Feldman. You were brought there by Rabbi Feldman and you were born into moachlokes.

    I dont really blame you for your childish views, but just want to show to all objective residence of crown heights what goes on here.

    From when these sydney shluchim walk of the plane, they are told they are walking into a battle field. They are given a debriefing of the past 20 years of sydneys history and are told it is there responsibility to continue fighting the war.

    You write, “…and just wish people would know the truth of what happened in Sydnay in the early 2000s.”

    I wish you were not blinded from what has happened in sydney and you would have there for not said false loshon horah berabim about a genuine chassidish rov.

  • Chazer Kosher

    About time people demend the thruth.
    if this babyface braun wants to elevath to a biger machloikes
    than sydney why do we have to help him ?
    if he wants your vote at least he can come over and have
    a town hall mitting so we can hear his lie’s .
    babyface full of machloikes how do i know ?
    if hendel mendel (osama bin hendel) wants him than it cant be good for the jews.
    and to you babyface braun find an island and go there alon we dont need you here we have enough hate no need for more.

    only in crown heights a men who creates machloikes agaist a shliach can become chazer kosher

  • Anash

    We ask Rabbi Rosenberg to extend dealine so we can get more candidates without any conterversy surrounding them.

  • RAV or RIV

    Number 30 wrote:
    “By the elections for the Vaad your motto was YOUNG, NEW, FRESH START. Yet here you argue the EXACT OPPOSITE!!!!”

    Here we are talking about a Beth Din, if you did not notice.
    We are talking about a position as Rov, a Rov of Shulchan Aruch.
    Yes, age is not really the biggest issue, its more about experience as a Rov.
    Rabbi Bogomilsky..
    1. Does not need anybody’s support (Baroch Hashem).
    2. Is from Crown heights and understands Crown Height (He knows who who and whats what).
    3. Is a respected Rov in Crown Heights AND around the world.
    With hundreds of people calling him weekly from CH and around the world.
    4. Has much experience with Din Torah.
    5. Is a no nonsense type of guy.
    6. Is a Rov in his own Shul.
    7. Most importantly, Spoke up with no one would when it came to Mesira. Rabbi Bogomilsky sticks out his neck for his fellow Jew.
    Now, the other two fellows, maybe they are good, nice and smart, but if they are candidates of MOSRIM and Ba’al Machlokes, then I don’t want them anywhere near Crown Heights, especially the Beth Din.

  • antimesira

    For one thing:
    It seems there are those who are really afraid of bringing up the Machlokes in Sydney.

    Most importantly:
    the Schwei people had six years to find a candidate, ever since Moshe Rubashkin had his elections for new Rabonim the Schwei people have complained that the elections were not fair do to the fact that they did not have their own candidate in the race. Yet, six month after Rabbi Rosenbergs Psak, they were still not ready, they ask for more time, they get THREE more days and in THREE DAYS they find someone in the other side of the world to run with them?

    How did they convince him?
    How long have they been Speaking to him?
    Who has been in communication with him for those three day?
    What did they promise him?
    Who is paying for him to fly over here?
    What would make a man leave his home for many years in a small amount of time (of three days)?
    Why is he willing to leave Sydney to Crown Heights in such short notice?

  • to #23

    23- What garbage are you talking about? I actually asked Rabbi Braun a question on fasting this past Tisha Be’av and he didn’t tell me not to fast.

    P.S. I unlike you have been living in Sydney the past 10 years so i experience first hand what’s going on.

  • elder mossrim

    comment 35 wrote:
    “Recently Rabbi Braun received an appeal from the elder Chassidim and the community activists of Crown Heights,”

    The same group of “elder Chassidim” whom justfied and excused Mesira?
    Who are these ‘elders’ and why are theyspeaking for me?

  • fhfhf

    To 40,
    You are probably just a disgrunteled member of Anash who left Yeshiva because of your childish complaints.
    I actualy had plenty of conversations with Rabbi Braun and while id admit he is a Talmid Chochom there is no question of his arrogance and ‘know it all’ attitude.
    It seems that your beef is with the Shluchim who walk on the plane and are brainwashed while what you neglect to understand is that these bochurim also have minds of their own.
    And it doesnt take long to talk to someone about various issues to realize where and what he is up to.
    I dont want to detail but i could go on and on…
    I hope sincerely that Rabbi braun has much hatzlacha and stays in Sydney.

  • CMA

    The comment about Rabbi Braun condoning eating on Tisha B’Av is blatant Motzi Shem Ra. I know him personally and was shocked at this blatant lie. I guess I shouldn’t be shocked…

    Rabbi Braun’s malahs are:
    – He is young
    – He is approachable
    – He is a true Talmid Chochom
    – He has no stake in the machlokes between the rabbonim and could bridge the gap easily

  • new

    do we need a bunch of ‘old yogis’, who are old enough to be our grandfathers, grew up much differently to be our Rabbonim, or is it about time to elect, Fresh, Young, New blood – obviously highly competent and learned – to teach and direct our youth.

    the choice is clear. WE NEED YOUNG BLOOD!

  • Rabbi Rosenberg - Go Home

    You have conveniently flip-fopped all through this electon process. It’s time for you to pack it in and GO HOME! We, as Lubavitchers can no longer leave it up to you to regulate our community’s functioning. You have been around long enough to perceive the dynamics of what is going on, but you choose to abdicate responsibility for correcting the excesses of Scweih’s people.

    Take your $400/ hour and butt out of our affairs. You have proven yourself too timid to call it as it really is. You have been a big disappointment.

  • To No 14

    I also learned in Sydney, and i can say that the best time there was spent farbrenging with Rabbi Braun in his house and Tezmach Tzedek. I am certainly no Mishechist, but if i were in CH, i would vote Horav Yosef Yeshay Braun Shlita.

  • moishe

    To # 34
    do you know that as a fact or is it fiction like most comments???
    IThe answer was to a particular rov that was elected & the asked the rebbe about moving, (like all chassidim do ) and was told to stay in EY. so please dont make up some new horaois

  • anti

    To 49
    they are not speaking for you, they are speaking for themselvs, and in a democratie it should be OK (untill the elections) to choose candidates whithout YOUR approval

  • Perplexed and confused!!

    I need an explanation, on how is it that a Shliach, that has committed his life to shlichus, and as I read here has been so successful and is so talented, can on the flip of a coin just pick himself up and leave his flock.
    Is this what the Rebbe MH”M wanted from him when he was sent to Australia? Does (Did) the Rebbe MH”M permit him to leave his success? Can anyone give an example of another case where the Rebbe MH”M O.K.ed such a move?
    I remember Rabbi Chanzin O.B.M. wanted to run in NY and the Rebbe MH”M told him that it is not for him.
    Same with Rabbi Mangel, he was involved in other community projects and he too got an answer that it is not for him.
    What can we expect from such an insensitive Rov??
    Looking forward to a convincing explaniation

  • Menachem

    Rabbi Braun had nothing to do with the split in Sydney.

    Unfortunatly, the court took away all of Chabad’s property, including the Shul. So for over a month there was no Shul for the Chabad community.

    A group of Anash formed a Shul and hired Rabbi B to serve as Rov.

    There were a lot more complications including the school etc. but this is not the place for it.

    Rabbi Braun and Rabbi Feldman held joint Farbreingens many times, so to put the blame on Rabbi B is not just untrue but also unjust and misleading.

  • a miracle

    i’ll pay for his flight over there..please just get this man out of sydney!!!

  • from sydney

    to all of you you cant judge a person when your here for 2 years rabbi braun is realy smart and a talmud chochom i dont belive for one seconed that he ate on tisha beav for no reason he is not like that he is realy knowlegeble in halacha and is now coming to farbrengens in yeshiva and is a nice person

    coming from a person who lives in sydney his whole life and is not part of any machlokes and goes to eather shul

  • fabrications

    the very fact that we see these strange fabrications developing here and elsewhere (about fasting etc.) clearly demonstrates that some are very scared of the fact that a young and dynamic candidate like Rabbi Braun – and will do anything, absolutely everything! to attempt to besmirch his well and hard earned name.

    Did he ever harm you? did he ever steal your money? whats bothering you so much, to the point where you have to created fictitious myths about this man. either vote for him or don’t, please don’t share with us your midnight fantasies…

  • viable candidate

    It seems to me – based on the comments above – that to many here, the criteria of being a ‘viable’ rov is to be a great politician, know how to put (no, get MISNAGDIM! to put) Rabbonim elected by an entire community, endorsed by the the Rebbe – into cherem. Be a successful mercenary (politically and as a ‘toein’.)

    If a person is a great young Talmid Chochom, a “moreh horooh b’poel”, very likable and approachable, smart, a genuine chassidishe yid, well you know, he is just a ‘puppet’ for some greater ‘political agenda’.

    hence, according to this logic, the only viable candidate is Rabbi Bogomilsky, and Rabbi Braun must be a puppet

  • Yanki

    Not sure which young Rabbi I will vote for. In any case I am going for the young ones.

  • Shimon

    We are very exited and the prospect of a dynamic young rov, whe was never involved with machlokes aganist ANY of the Rabbonim in our Bais Din. and thankfully we dont need to subsitute his youth for (experience and knowledge), as Rabbi Braun seems to have both.

    Hatzlocho Rabo

  • Bringing positive quality-s to the table

    What positive quality’s does Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky bring to the table?

    What is his history (he’s not very young) that shows that he is qualified for this task? (paskening day-to day shaylos? yes we know that he claims to be a good “toien” and for the right price can help you win a din to torah for money matters, but does he have ANY experience in day to day shaailos – the vast majority of what a rov is involved in???)

    What are his credentials that “uniquely qualify him” to bridge the gap between the 2 warring Rabbonim (is’t he the CHIEF warier?) is there anything to suggest that he has ANY experience in bridging bitter differences and bringing Shalom? (the story’s i know about him seem to suggest quite the opposite…)

    Please enlighten me.

  • ahavas Yisroel

    Rabbi Braun is a well known and beloved Lubavitcher Chossid, Choizer of the Rebbe, close talmid of Rabbi Marlow, and hails from a line of prominent poskim

    As Rov in the Tzemach Tzedek community in Sydney he directs a Machon Smicha, is a governmental representative in the Lubavitcher educational system. Rabbi Braun is on Shlichus in Sydney for the past 15 years, and has made great inroads for the promotion of achdus in NSW, due to his great ahavas Yisroel. All the above will surely make him a great asset to the Rebbe’s shchuna, Kan Tziva Havaye es Habrocho.

  • To #35

    Nice try.
    If your candidate was as you say he is, why was he only approached after the fact and after the deadline. Obviously he was nobody’s first choice. When I hear from my son-in-law who was there at the time, I will make up my mind about this sterling candidate of yours. In the meantime,cut the crap.The fact that he’s Hendel’s choice is the first strike against him.

  • to #55

    to #55
    Yes, it was a horo’oh to more then one person.Just from my limited knowledge I know of two, one from Israel and one from Miami.

  • Inda Know

    Some people cannot stand honesty. Some people cannot co-exist with integrity. Hence, the fraud and motzie shem ra against Rabbi Braun among these commentaries!

  • chaviv a clean slate?

    Hey, maybe Chaviv is the guy, nobody seems to be able to dig up any dirt on him?
    I would love to vote for a guy that has NOT been involved in machlokes or politics before

  • Zalman B

    For the person who left his name “ Dear CH ” –

    Rabbi Braun was not the center or cause for any machlokes in Sydney, we can thank our dear shliach Pinchus Feldman for that.
    Rabbi Braun has worked tirelessly to resolve the ill feelings in Sydney.
    He would be an amazing asset to CH and a GREAY loss to Australia
    And to the obviously misinformed person who wrote those comments:
    Spending two year in Sydney does NOT entitle you to make judgments about the internal politics. i have been living their all my life and i can say that this person has no idea what he is talking about

  • !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    To 24.

    1. He did not form a ‘break-away’ he became rabbi many years late
    2. is it possible for a community to stand up for whats right? even if it is against the ‘will’ of the shliach????
    Feldman is nt the Rebbe and has lost the respect and honor that come with the title shliach, for what went on in the ‘early 2000’s.
    We have suffered in sydney at the hand of that megalomaniac while he brought down the whole community to tehir knees as a result of money.
    GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!!!!!

  • Rabbi Z B

    It seems that for a bunch of ‘frum’ ‘chassidim’ from the Holy CH their is an awful lot of Loshon Hora and hatred. and what about? who Your Rov will be..
    Pathetic!
    If there was less talk of this nature, we wouldn’t be in situations where we pit one Rav against another, one chassid against another!!!!!!!
    Who do you people of Crown Heights think you ARE! You and your leaders have already done a very good job in destroying the name of Chabad Lubavitch, and now that a fresh face is up for election you are, unsurprisingly, against any change.
    To those people who are writing the negative comments (mainly about sydney and rabbi Brauns involvement), grow up, get the facts straight and try and grow from you peasant, shtetle mentality and join us in the real world.
    Its amazing how negative this campaign is, worse than any politician

  • Talmid

    For those of you that are concerned that Rabbi Braun doesn’t know about C.H. , HE LIVES REBBE, 770 & CROWN HEIGHTS.
    He is a true chossid and his real home is ,was and always will be the rebbes shchuna regardless of his geographic location.

    Just to share: He always frabrengs this time of year about foren tzum rebbe. his favorite is the quote from the gemara, “ Im Rebi lo shana, Chiya minayin?” to which he gives the chassidishe translation, “If you’re not by the rebbe for a year, from where will you receive your chayos”.

  • I HAVE QUESTIONS!

    I want to know WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO GET ON THE BALLOT?

    Obviously, the man has to know his stuff, have a beard, follow the Rebbe. Anything else? What about having the ability to unite, nor divide? Someone who can listen patiently to the women with the shaaloh on the chicken as intently as he does to Mayor Bloomberg. Someone who is respected by everyone, even if people disagree with him. Someone who can’t be bought or influenced (that knocks out over 95% of the possibilities.) Someone who can reach young & old alike. Someone who isn’t afraid to stand up to the Vaad or individuals in the community. Someone who treats women with kindness & respect & gets them the help they need. Someone who lives in the 21st century & uses what’s out there to help our families. Someone who stands up for his principles on Kashrus, Halacha etc even in the face of strong pressure. Someone who speaks English, Hebrew & Yiddish perfectly. Someone with a brain. Someone who is loved & respected no matter where he is.

    Hmmmm. Guess all 3 are off the ballot. And if these basic requirements apply to the entire Bais Din, Rabbis Schwei & Osdoba both fall very short & are also unelectable.

    We have a crisis. We can’t put forth 3 individuals that are the best & the brightest, only 3 who we say “Well, OK, I guess.” The outpouring of support is underwhelming. WE DON’T CARE because we know no matter who gets in, our lives aren’t any better (Read Animal Farm by George Orwell & the battle of control. A parody of the rise of Communism.)

    However you look at it, whomever this third Rov will be, you can be sure the same machloykes will prevail. The only question is, is it Schwei + the new Rov or Osdoba + the new Rov? In the end, nothing will change.

  • Rabbi Feldman is behind this!

    Rabbi Feldman want Braun out of sydney. This is the bait to get him out of sydney.
    Who is going to take over Tzemach Tzedek(if Rabbi Braun is elected)? Rabbi Gorarie?

  • teacher

    In Defense of Rabbi Braun, All of his children attend Rabbi Feldman’s Cheder! He gets along with Rabbi Feldman and at the Nshei Chabad women’s convention we
    joined all shuls from Sydney, his wife was on the organizing committee. It will be a loss for Sydney if he leaves and takes his beautiful Chassidishe family with him. His kids are brilliant and add Chassidishkeit to our Cheder!

  • Rabbi Mattis Kantor, Eastern Parkway, NY

    To 55:
    Yes it was (probably) a horaa pratis. However it is accompanied by hundreds of identical horaois.
    You could probably count on one hand the people who the Rebbe DID allow to move. Maybe two hands – but 10 in 40 years to thousands of people becomes THE horaa pratis.

    Rabbi Braun leaving Sydney will be absolutely devastating to a number of families who have been ravaged with prior devastation. (They are like mayneh kinder, so it hurts.)

    If personal career advancement is Rabbi Braun’s priority (not what I now of him) then “go for it”. If he is concerned about every neshama beyisroel in its matzav ruchani, then as an older re-cycled Sydney mashpia (and/or rov) my personal advice to Reb Yeshaya is: “Shev.” Also “ ve’al taaseh adiff.” Don’t try improving – you don’t know what this will turn out to be, particularly since it is meforesh behalacha (Hilchos Dayanim) that (a) one doesn’t pursue a seat on a beis din; (b) one must consider with whom he will be sitting (and last time I looked, machloikess was machloikess according to all poskim).
    Then of course there is the 5th chelek in Shulchan Aruch, where this issue (leaving a place of vaday pe’ula to a place of sfek sfeyka) is mentioned bepshitus.

    If not for these (and my family who refused to allow my name to be placed in nomination) I would be “in” (but NOT campaigning – let the votes go where they go. If enough na’aronim agreed with those who want(ed) to nominate me, then so be it, and my life could turn into a nightmare at the whim of the verbal thugs. Reb Akiva prayed for such a moment; I would just have accepted it.) This is such a crucial moment for Crown Heights and Lubavitch bichlal. All those “disenfranchised” toshavey hashchuna have no one to turn to.
    On speaking out, it is impossible not to give unsolicited advice to self appointed “guardians of Lubavitch.” So here goes: Reb Folyeh, R’Chaim, R’Mottel, R’Yosef Simcha et al: You have had 16 years of mishen zich arain. Families are faltering, chassidus has been redefined, and you do not get it. You have had “your turn.” Go get a chassidshe life. Get your avoyda pratis in order (unimpressive at the moment – just a shadow of a reflection of a photoshop-image of an amoliker chosid). Go daven. A little dveykuss would encourage everyone. But please resign from that self-appointed platform. (In your favor I can say that at least you are not occupying paying positions of hashpaa – because those who are are meshuchadim lerabim, and are worse than useless for what they say.)
    In conlusion: I do not know Mendel Hendel, and have not accepted the extreme loshon hora (moytzi shem ra?) on him. I think he was still in diapers when I was in Sydney.

  • It seems..

    …from the over seventy back and forths about one individual, that he is a very polarizing figure, definitley not a uniter.

  • issuur Loshan Hara

    There is also a well known story that many misnagdim testified to the Vilna Goan that they saw the Alter Rebbe eat on Tisha B’av. This caused machlokas for many years. Get your facts straight before spreading falsehood.

  • Sclichus

    Remember Osdaba also left his schlichus in Denmark before moving back to Crown Heights. Heller left his position in Boston. Segal also left Israel to come here. I guess CH is the Ari Miklat for rabbonin.

  • Nachman to Horav Mattis Kantor

    With all due respect according to some of your arguments no one should run.
    If this is indeed the case what do you suggest
    is the solution to get a functioning Bais Din ???

  • Wanda Ring

    Is Rabbi Zalman Shimon Dworkin (formerly of Pittsburgh) included in the “handful”?

  • To #79

    you missed my point! I only said tha you can’t quote the rebbe on somethimg he never said, the rebbe NEVER told a rov to STAY PUT and not run!!!

    we all remember that rabbi chanzin from israel DID run and GOT ELECTED!!!

    as to whether a rov should leave his position for a other one, that is a question HE should ask HIS rov/mashpia,
    but thrughout history it was common practice

  • HASHEM

    YOU KNOW WHAT ALL YOUR PROBLEM IS??? SINAS CHINOM! HOW CAN YOU EXPECT MOSHIACH, BEIS HAMIKDOSH HASHLISHIS IF WE ARE BEHAVING LIKE THIS? I INCLUDE MYSELF…. THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND WE MUST NOT ACT AS IF WE ARE HASHEM. WE HAVE NOW RIGHT TO BE THE AV BEIS DIN AND DECIDE WHO IS A TALMID CHOCHOM AND WHO IS GARBAGE. THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THESE CHOSHUVEH RABONIM ON THE LIST, MIGHT KNOW A THING OR TWO THAT YOU DONT! SO SHUH!

  • Against Rebbe

    A candidate for Crown Heights Badatz to come from out of Crown Heights – is against the Rebbe’s wishes. As is know from previous elections.

    Nothing personal against Rabbi Chaviv and Rabbi Braun

  • Rabbi Mattis Kantor, Eastern Parkway, NY

    To #83:
    A good Question, and there is an answer.
    There should be (or have been) an election for a vaad of Lubavitcher Rabbonim (currently serving in kehilos of Anash, and also not official shluchim) who would then nominate candidates. In this way the Shulchan Aruch can be followed, and there cannot be an issue of whose side this or that one is.
    Is it too late for this to happen?
    To #85:
    I personally know of a rov who sought to nominate for a position and the Rebbe said not to, and to stay where you are.
    Furhthermore, are you saying that with Chanzin the Rebbe changed his mind? First he said to Chanzin “Nominate” and when he won he said “Don’t serve.”??
    As For Reb Yeshaya asking HIS mashpiya: He asked the Rebbe! What does he need a mashpiya for?
    So why do I voice my opinion? Anyone who knows Sydney will know why it pains me to see yet another let down to the anash there, and my interests in specific families motivated my request to consider the consequences.
    As to your point about betterng himself: “Gor a chassidisheh hashkofa gevoren?” It certainly was so in history (tell me more please), but where in history do you find one leader sending out thousands of Rabbonim? How then is history a precedent to Lubvitch today?

    To #86:
    If you are truly from Sydney (a) you would know my email addres (or know where to find it) without having to make this public statement (b) Why would you side with Rabbi Brun leaving. Especially in light of all the verbal thuggery he has been subjected to. Maybe you are YK. That would explain it all.

    Once again, in the name of certain families in Sydney, a bakasha nafshis: Please do not abandon them.

  • Best interest of Crown Heights

    Seeing the integrity of Rabbi Kantor who was the first to put his real name to his comment and who according to his testimony had the univus to reject the offer of so many to nominate I think we should agree to his sage advice and actually get together to push for him to become Chief Rabbi of Crown Heights.

  • Chaim Dovber

    without a living Rebbe we in Lubavitch will continue to jerk from one fight to the next.
    The unthinkable happened.
    We now need to deal with the future.
    The Crown Heights Beis Din Fiasco is just another symptom of a leaderless Chabad.
    Each Rebbe was followed by a successor.
    Yes it is painful to think this way however we and our children need a living leader

  • Nachman S to Nachman ? #92

    If you have any questions regarding if and how much he was paid why don’t you ask Harav Braun. What does this have to do with the discussion at hand ??? if not to throw innuendos. Grow up and stop with your immature comments remember it is Chodesh Elul Melech Basodeh we should act accordingly.

  • To Rabbi Cantor

    After your hartzike verter about Sidney and if Rabbi Braun is doing right or wrong leaving, the fact is that he decided to run for the job. So put aside all the parshanut and tell us about the man we are going to maybe elect who better then you can help us decide.

  • to # 91

    to # 91 . Should the present vaad Hakohol decide or should Rabbi Rosenberg appoint someone.

  • To # 89

    No, the rebbe did NOT change his mind, the rebbe did NOT decide who should run as candidate, so he (rabbi chanzine)ran, AFTER he was elected he asked the rebbe,and the rebbe told him not to move (or leave or come – not sure which one)

    it would be nice if you read the post BEFOR you react to it
    so you will get the point on my comment.

    Kesiva VeChasima Tova

  • Noson A Kopel

    To Rabbi Mattis Kantor SHLIT”A,

    Perhaps you’re right. Rabbi Braun is important to Sydney and its stability. But everything must be taken in prospective. Crown Heights and its stability is in perhaps a more dangerous situation. We have no other similarly qualified candidate who is willing to run. AN EASY SOLUTION to this dilemma. YOU should be moskim to the suggestion of many to allow yourself to serve. This way Crown Heights will get the fair, independent Rov it so desperately needs, and Rabbi Braun can remain in Sidney, to serve its community. A win for all. Please consider it.

  • truth

    TRUTH.

    Before posting your comments which shows how intelligent you
    are seek the truth. This way when you post comments they’ll know what to believe.

  • To #66

    Obviously there was a reason that I had to ask if I should fast or else I wouldn’t have asked.
    #48

  • FASTING

    To #66: Lets put on our thinking caps for one minute and think out of the box. Yes you do have a very valid question to shout out, “YOU HAD TO ASK IF YOU SHOULD FAST ON TISHA B’AV?” but lets see if you can come up with an intelligent answer all by your self?
    Ummm… Why would somone ask a rov if they should fast on tisha beav?
    Well i dont want to make you think so hard so let me help you…. Perhaps they were sick c”v, old or pregnant.

  • Rabbi Mattis Kantor, Eastern Parkway, NY

    To #90:
    I have made my position clear, bur will repeat it. If nominated (with the approval of my family – you know who they are) I will confirm it BUT not campaign for votes (or would even advise people “Give me Liberty and vote B B or C.) If enough na’aronim vote my name, then I will have to serve in this very serious and holy duty.
    To #94:
    If my words gave the impression that I was judging whether Rabbi Braun was doing right or wrong, then I was not clear. It is not for me to take on such a bold achrayus. I took a bigger one. I am advising (even begging) Rabbi Braun not to abandon the community and the people in whom I invested time and effort; and who have suffered disillusion after disillusion. For them to learn now, that a chassidishe Rov like him can be tempted away from them by a ”career advancement opportunity“ it will be a disillusionment perhaps greater than them all. (Teenage kids at risk will learn what, about chassiduss?)
    All this talk supposedly emanating from Sydney and here (particularly your misunderstanding, if not manipulation, of my words, in order to have me give an endorsement) – it only fits in the following context: There is someone in Sydney who can honestly claim to be a ”friend“ AND mushshpa (??) of Rabbi Braun, extol his virtues (see 75 and 78), and also recommend he LEAVE Sydney and head right into the ”pit-bull arena“ of Crown Heights. Such a person would be someone involved in the politics of Crown Heights and of Sydney (and who knows where else) and seek to increase his influence in the bigger arena of Lubavitch in ways that probably cannot be reached by money alone. Is there such a person?? Someone from Sydney who just happens to be here in CHT’s every time there is a court hearing or the likes? Someone who has some money to throw around, and even more ”advice“ than that? Someone who is (by Hashem’s endowment) a natural baal machloikess (and my prayers go out to someone born with such a nature)? I can personally think of one. Yankel: Do you remember Johnny the med-student with the long blond hair? Do me a personal favor here. Stay out of the politics on this one. The stakes are staggering.
    Incidentally: Your claim that he (Rabbi Braun) has decided to run… This is not what he was quoted as saying. It was presented that he asked the Rebbe and the Rebbe said (decided for him) to nominate.

    To # 96. I think you have misunderstood. Granted that the Rebbe did not decide who would/should nominate. But didn’t Rabbi Chanzin ask the Rebbe whether he should nominate? And then he nominated? Or are you saying he nominated without asking, and only AFTER he won, then he asked the Rebbe? So the Rebbe didn’t change his mind from ”Nominate“ to ”Don’t accept and don’t serve“? It was Chanzin who changed his mind from ”Don’t ask“ to ”Now ask“? Why would he do that? Perhaps he thought the Rebbe would be more positive after his successful election? So from this we have proof of the Rebbe’s open view about whether yes leave or no leave your current place of residence? Please help me here.

    To # 91 and #95.
    You have touched the ”third-rail of Lubavitch“ with this issue.
    1) No one can appoint, and no one will appoint. And if there is an appointment it will not stick (fly?).
    2) Soym Tossim alechah melech is in the singular (loshon yochid.) I a chasid has a chassidhe bitul to someone, and x number of others also do, then they have their manhig. (Is that what the Rebbe meant by Assey lecha? And later VeAta Tetzaveh etc?)
    3) The seder of Atziluss has ended (so it appears) does that mean there is no seder of Biyah? Even if hundreds were to adhere to one (as above point 2) no-one could/should claim the name of the whole. All current office-holders, dignitaries, representatives, secretaries, and etc. should stay the same regardless.
    4) In the last generation chassidim have taken the assumption that the neshama that was 7 generations of guf-gashmi (lefi erech a Rebbe) must remain attached to the last guf-gashmi. This is based on hashkafois that did not exist 50 years ago, but have now become the fundamental-faith of Lubavitch.
    5) There are tens of thousands of mevinim who can look a person in the eye and know that the person is not ”Rebbe material.” They have all agreed that there is no-one, and that no-one has missed or avoided the inspection.

  • recruit Rabbi Kantor!

    With utmost respect to Rabbi Kantor (I really wish he were running, then the community has a good shot at survival):
    in addition to the names mentioned of rabbis that moved from one place to another, are Rabbi Lesches and Rabbi Shusterman(now of Monsey), and Rabbi Kantor (also interestingly stopover in Monsey) included in this?
    Many people that are leaders of communities relocate for various reasons…

  • Doubtful

    Reading all the comments one thing is clear. Putting aside politics, putting aside whose right or wrong and putting aside how capable or uncapable he may or may not be, the fact remains that Yossi Braun has been a Baal Machlokes by leading a break away Minyan that was formed via Machlokes and is against the Rebbe’s Head Shliach.

    Instead of supporting the Shliach who brought him out when things were tough he turned against him and led a break away. (Don’t we just resent those people who do that in our own lives?) Doesn’t it seem that this is a man who is lacking integrity, honesty and uprightness? And is this man who is the essence of a Baal Machlokes really the right choice to bring peace and order to our community? Ironic that a man who fought the Rebbes Shluchim is now vying for a position in the Rebbe’s Shechunah. I wonder what the Rebbe would have said…

  • Boro Park observer.

    Rabbi Braun comes from the very well known and respected Broin family of poskim, and therefore he has the Boro Park Williamsburgh look. Just add the peyos.
    It is to his credit that he has retained part of that culture which is NOT a stirah to Chabad. In this context all you critics may consider the vort: A better stelleh is always considered over the current good shteleh.

  • sydney

    Im affraid something is wrong there if good people like these Rabbonim K,S,L and now B are leaving the place. Veashimem …. do not blame the victims!!!

  • Head shliach

    Being a shliach or the head shliach of a city or a country doesnt give anyone the right to do wrong. Shluchim still have bechiro chofshis. They not emunned. If shliach looses his buldings to his own brother in law (that shows a lot of character and personality of someone that not only doesnt get along with his community but can’t get along with his own brother in law) and the community finds a place and the shliach refuses to join them and opens a minyan in his house and does not care he’s moel beshlichuso. A shliach has a extra responsibility an must act accordingly and be a dugma chayo to all. Good shluchim rabbonim left the place doesnt that say a lot. Who is then gorem the machloikes?

  • Rabbi Mattis Kantor, Eastern Parkway, NY

    To #102
    and others suggesting, encouraging, or challenging me to “run” (feh, boyre’ach, especially when Choshen Mishpat says stay away).

    Be careful what you wish for. If you think you have machloikess now, imagine what would happen with the injection of a persistent advocate of Emess, Shulchan Aruch, and farzteitisheh chassidishe hanhaga.

  • R- Feldman-s Chosid of late

    To #106 and others on this forum
    I was involved with the community for years and have dealt with all the parties. I was at that first Minyan in the council. All I’ve seen from then is Rabbi Feldman going from strength to strength and Tzemach Tzedek decreasing in many ways. For Rabbi Feldman it was certainly a yerida tzoirech Aliya and Kol Hakovoid for those who stayed loyal at that time to the Rebbe’s Shliach. Let the truth be known that Tzemach Tzedek (The Community???) is now struggling financially and besides hardly getting a Minyan when needed, can’t even pay the rent and certainly are having a hard time paying the Rabbi as is well known and this is why even prominent members of T.T. are trying to effect his departure. With regard to his relationship with Rabbi Feldman he has now the utmost of respect to him and I believe it is reciprocal. Anyone can call them both to confirm. I think Sydney has now the spirtual leadership it needs with Rabbi Feldman and family, Rabbi Gourarie, Rabbi Moss etc. even without Rabbi Braun who’s a tremendous Talmid Chacham and he really should be much better utilised than for what Sydney has to offer and to be paid accordingly for his large family. He has shown to be a Rabbi of strong principles and integrity even sending his children to the Cheder of R.F. knowing that that was the best Chinuch, to the dismay of his employers (the Board of Tzemach Tzedek). He is even liked by the mitnagdim in Sydney. Anyway for his and many more in the world’s benefit he must move on and even though it would be a loss to Sydney I think Hashem has taken care and will continue to take care of Sydney.

  • Flood St

    Rabbi Braun coming from a respected Hungarian rabonish family would be a good choice. He is respected in Australia by all the communities – even Melbourne’s chasidish/charedi Adass where his meshichistish tendencies are well known. But because he is such a great talmid chochom they overlook that naarishkeit. He is very close with their dayab Rav Chaim heimlich – an upcoming star in the charedi rabbinical world.

    Yes, Sydney and Chabad in australia will lose out and I can’t see Tzemach Tzedek finding a person who can even haf fill the rav position. But if CH needs a quality rav – then Rabbi Braun has no choice but to move there

  • Meet the Candidates. Where ?

    Where are they going to be “Meet the Candidates – Town Hall ” Sessions.?
    Will there be opportunities to meet in public as well as private?
    As there are candidates, there must be “facilitated” opportunities to hear and get to know them. Is this not also within the set of responsibility of the CH “leaders”.

  • Rabbi Mattis Kantor, Eastern Parkway, NY

    To # 106
    “Anyway for this [reason] and many more; in the world’s benefit he [Broin] must move on and even though it would be a loss to Sydney I think Hashem has taken care and will continue to take care of Sydney.”

    This is an interesting statement, especially since it is a summary of what your opinion is.
    (i) To begin with, I personally find it difficult to understand why Hashem can help Sydney, but Crown Heights needs your advice, and the world needs Reb Yeshaya Broin. Could you please explain this to us.
    (ii) If relationships between Feldman and Broin are all in good shape, then surely Rabbi Broin could be back on the Yeshivah payroll and your exaggeration of the Tzemch Tzedek financial condition would be alleviated. Sydney could use Rabbi Broin, no?
    (iii) When you write “and he really should be much better utilized than for what Sydney has to offer” it raises an interesting historical precedent. The same could have been said of Rabbi Osher Abromson who was never allowed to leave Sydney. It has always been my personal opinion (as he was a ben-bayis in our house when he arrived in Australia) that had he gone to Brooklyn instead of Sydney, he would have been a “posek hador”. This all besides his pre-war fame in Europe for his oratory.

    To #109 (Flood St moisdos speaking for Rabbi Feldman?)

    Your claim “Yes, Sydney and Chabad in australia will lose out and I can’t see Tzemach Tzedek finding a person who can even half fill the rav position. But if CH needs a quality rav – then Rabbi Braun has no choice but to move there.”

    1. So in your opinion TzTzedek is not collapsing, as your fellow promoter will have us believe?
    2. If Crown Heights needs a quality Rav… Is there a kehilla somewhere that doesn’t need a quality Rav?
    3. So CHTs needs a quality Rav. OK. For this reason Rabbi Braun has no alternative but to move there? So it is up to Broin (and you, the promoter) not up to Crown Heights? Am I missing something here?
    4. Is your assumption that Crown Heights is devoid of quality? Are you not aware that the current atmosphere in Crown Heights [Beis Din and surrounds] is so toxic that quality people are staying away? Into this toxic soup you wish to deliver your “beloved” Rabbi Broin?
    5. Perhaps you need to know: A. that at best Rabbi Braun is one of 3 candidates; B. He is being sponsored by one faction – hence the verbal-thuggery from the other; C. There are families in Sydney whose ruchniyus is hanging by a thread. Please, Please, do not mess with it.

  • a proud shliachofthe rebbe underfeldman

    I LIVE IN SYDNEY. THESE ARE THE HARD FACTS.

    1.rabbi feldman is head shliach.
    2. he did not want to endorse rabbi braun.
    3.he didnt sign.
    4.rabbi braun may be a good guy- but he caused many tzoros in our community, and he hurt the head shliach very much.
    5.unfortuunately, nobody knows the real story.
    6.everyone may vote for whoever they want-but i wouldnt vote for r braun-because he will think he owns the place (even though there are enough of those around-but he is in a high position)
    7. and finally, alot of people have gone against the head shliach, and he has willingly become their rabbi.

    Vote for whoever you want, but be careful, r braun is NOT the person you want in charge.

  • R- Feldmans- Chosid of late

    Dear Rabbi Kantor

    In response to #111 Hashem has brought about a situation that Sydney Anash (those who really appreciate him) does not have the resources to afford him and even though that he’s on good terms with Rabbi Feldman that doesn’t mean he needs or wants to hire him. Many would be delighted for you to arrange his salary for him to stay and hopefully a Crownheightser (why not yourself) could get the position there.That would be a real win win for all!