Young Chassidim living in Crown Heights may not be aware of the fact that Crown Heights was once predominantly a Jewish neighborhood. When the Jews moved en- masse to other neighborhood, our Rebbe told his Chassidim not to take part in the exodus, but to remain in Crown Heights. It was a frightful position, but the Chassidim stayed.
Fortitude and Faith: The Maple Street Shul Saga
Young Chassidim living in Crown Heights may not be aware of the fact that Crown Heights was once predominantly a Jewish neighborhood. When the Jews moved en- masse to other neighborhood, our Rebbe told his Chassidim not to take part in the exodus, but to remain in Crown Heights. It was a frightful position, but the Chassidim stayed.
THE REBBE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH ELI BLACHMAN AND THE MAPLE STREET SHUL
The Rebbe also told his Chassidim to rescue Shuls that had been left stranded with no Jews living nearby. He did not want the Shuls used as churches or for other inappropriate purposes.
Congregation Ahavas Moische AKA The Maple Street Shul was one of the Shuls that was in danger and needed to be rescued. At that time, Maple Street seemed to be miles away from Montgomery Street. Walking there on Shabbos was considered to be lengthy and dangerous. Eli Moishe Blachman used to stand on the corner of Albany and Lefferts Avenues, coaxing people to join the Minyan on Maple Street. It was an arduous, unappreciated task. The first of many such tasks that Eli Blachman would experience as he heeded the Rebbe’s call and began his dedication to The Maple Street Shul.
At first, Eli Blachman was working together with the previous baalei batim of the congregation. But their numbers were dwindling and eventually they gave over the responsibility for the Shul to Eli and a small group of activists. The Maple Street Shul was passed-on to its new keepers on the condition that it would “always remain a Shul.”
One of the first responsibilities Eli Blachman was faced with was to fix the roof of the Shul. In 1979 dollars, the tab was a hefty $15,000.00. Eli Blachman, Yisroel Karp, the Shul’s rabbi, Rabbi Sholom Aron Levitin OBM, and two others, went door to door in Crown Heights to raise the money.
Then came the task of covering an operating budget. To that purpose, the new administration held a fund raising breakfast during Chanukah of 1979 as part of a membership drive. It was only natural for the Shul to send the event’s flier, with information about the event and membership, to 770. The flier came back with five, $10.00 bills and a circle around the words ‘Family Membership.’
That circle granted The Maple Street Shul the unique status of having the Rebbe and Rebbetsin as members. And, as in the practice of fund raising – especially in the years prior to Sunday Dollars – some of the ten dollar bills were sold at a premium price. Together the combined efforts made it possible for The Maple Street Shul to begin balancing its budget.
The inaugural Melave Malka took place in 1981. That Shabbos at the Fabrengen, the Rebbe praised the efforts to organize the event – which was a direct praise for the efforts of Eli Blachman – and the Rebbe commended the Shul’s role in building the neighborhood. The Rebbe gave Eli Blachman a bottle of mashke to be shared at the Melave Malka and he asked Eli to announce the event right there at the Fabrengen.
The Rebbe also noted that the publicity material and the Kuntres Eli had printed especially for the event, did not mention that it was taking place on Zayin Adar, Moishe Rabbeinu’s birthday and Yartzeit. Upon hearing this, Eli Blachman was shocked and embarrassed. He felt that the Rebbe had reprimanded him in public. But the Rebbe didn’t let Eli down… soon Eli found himself speaking openly with J.J. Hecht. Eli was able to express his sorrow and somewhat downcast feelings. Rabbi Hecht raised his hand and gave Eli a friendly slap on the back while saying, “Eli – now you’re in the big leagues – the Boss criticized you publically, so you must be doing something good!” Immediately after Shabbos, regardless of the fact that there was no time to do it, Eli Blachman managed to make the suitable changes to the materials for the program, to include the Rebbe’s mention of Zayin Adar.
When the first volumes of the Igross Kodesh were published, The Maple Street Shul informed the Rebbe that they were instituting a weekly Shiur to learn the Letters. The Rebbe responded with enthusiasm and said he was surprised that he had not received information about more such he Letters are a source of vast and valuable material. [This Shiur is still part of the Friday night program at Congregation Ahavas Moische in the winter months.]
As with all tough beginnings, the Rebbe did not allow obstacles to become a reason not to forge ahead. The Rebbe was adamant that The Maple Street Shul have its annual Melave Malka, even during the toughest of times. Indeed, one year, Eli Blachman wanted to take a break and skip the Melave Malka. But the Rebbe insisted Eli had to “keep going, even make something small, no matter how difficult the times.” Since then, Eli Blachman has dedicated himself to The Maple Street Shul, with Mesiras Nefesh, for more than three decades, based on the Rebbe’s instructions.
As the Crown Heights Chabad community continued to grow, Maple Street seemed to move closer to Montgomery Street. It was no longer so far away. The original pioneers no longer had to coax a Minyan to attend. A sustainable congregation was established. Shul members joined, some staying, some moving on – but the entire time Eli Moishe Blachman served as President of the Congregation and Yisroel Karp served as Chairman of the Board. At first they worked together with Rabbi Sholom Aron Levitin to keep the Shul viable and running smoothly. In recent years, Eli Blachman’s son Yanky Blachman has assisted and supported his father and Karp in his role as Gabbai.
BLACHMAN LEADS MAPLE STREET TO DO CHESED BY EXAMPLE
In 1992, a horrible tragedy befell a long-standing congregant of the Maple Street Shul, Mr. Chaim Dovid Lapine. When Chaim Dovid’s wife returned home from shopping one morning, unknown to her, an intruder had preceded her into the house. The intruder violently attacked her and she lost her life. It is well known that one of their small children was present at the time and witnessed the act. haim Dovid was left to mourn, and to survive, together with his four small children, all of them victims of the heinous, barbaric, inhuman atrocity.
Sympathy came to the Lapine family from the entire Jewish world. Money came to the Lapine family because of Eli Moishe Blachman. Eli saw both the opportunity and the obligation of the Shul to help one of its congregants. Together with a few supporters, he organized the Pesha Leah Lapine Children’s Fund, raised enough money to cover household help and to meet the needs of the Lapine family. Each morning and evening, the Fund paid for a woman to come into the Lapine home, to see to it that the children were dressed, fed and off to school on time; that supper was prepared, the children helped with their homework, baths and bedtime routines ran smoothly.
Because there were residual funds left-over when the Lapine children no longer required daily assistance, money was kept in reserve, so that each Lapine child receives a ten thousand dollar gift at the time of his or her wedding.
Eli Blachman did not receive, nor did he seek any honors for undertaking this task. He did this voluntarily, and with love, in addition to taking care of his own growing family, and managing the Maple Street Shul. The Lapine case was not something uncharacteristic of Eli Blachman. In fact, it was just one more manifestation of a lifetime of Chesed and service to the community.
Over the years, Eli Blachman, assisted at times by Yisroel Karp, has raised all of the money for the Maple Street Shul’s operating budget. Blachman has personally covered shortfalls in the Shul’s budget to pay bills, and to make sure that there is enough money to pay for the Shabbos Mevorachim and Yom Tov Kiddushim, for utilities, supplies, repairs, for the Baal Koreh and the Morah for the children. Yisroel Karp, who has witnessed Eli Blachman’s dedication for decades, explains: “When anything in the Shul has needed to get done, it has always been Eli Blachman who got it done, usually all by himself. That includes taking out the trash, shoveling the snow, calling the plumber, in addition to paying the bills.”
THE RECENT CAMPAIGN AGAINST ELI BLACHMAN AND MAPLE STREET SHUL
It seems ironic that Eli Blachman’s character and credibility – his personal and family’s reputation – is now under attack, largely due to the misguided efforts of Yossi Katzoff, Shimon Herz, and Meir Shlomo Junik, individuals who were once Eli Blachman’s lifelong friends and who have each been helped personally by Eli Blachman many times over the years. The attack campaign, which has stained the reputation of the Shul in the process, can be traced to an incident that happened a few years ago on Shemini Atzeres. Some younger members of the Shul wanted – and were encouraged – to assume some of the responsibilities in running the Shul. Prior to, and during the month of Tishrei 5770, they helped out with tasks that enabled the Shul to run smoothly during the busy holiday season.
One of their new commitments was to make sure the Shul would have a Sukkah. Unfortunately, the group of younger volunteers shirked their responsibility. Eli Blachman could have taken care of the problem at the last minute… but he decided that a last minute rescue mission would not be establishing a good precedent, so this task was left undone.
Messrs Katzoff, Herz and Junik came to the Maple Street Shul for Hakofos on that Shemini Atzeres, unaware of the fact that there was no Sukkah. When they realized they would not be able to partake of refreshments due to the lack of a Sukkah, they complained to Eli Blachman. Eli explained the situation about the delegation of the responsibility and his decision to allow the potential administrators the experience of real life consequences, rather than relying on the Eli Moishe Blachman safety net. The three complainers found this answer to be the perfect springboard for an astoundingly energetic and creative campaign of defamation against the Blachmans. A campaign that would also harm the Shul – with the potential to destroy the Shul. The three complainers were nicknamed “the Cabal.” [“Cabal” means a small group of plotters against a person in authority.]
That Shemini Atzeres, the night of the inauguration of the defamation campaign, the Cabal announced publicly their unfounded accusation that Eli Blachman was misusing donated funds.
They claimed that although he had raised money during the Days of Awe – he was not using the funds for the Shul – as indicated by the lack of a Sukkah. The Cabal called for people to stop giving money to the Shul until Blachman showed everyone the financial records, the books.
It should be noted here that one of the many reasons Shuls in Crown Heights do not show their books to just anyone, is that in a religious organization, the officers sometimes use their discretion to give discounts, even handouts, to families in need, who might be embarrassed if the word got out.
The Cabal members, none of whom were actually dues-paying members of the Shul according to the Religious Corporation Law of New York State, and none of whom had ever donated significant amounts of money to the Shul, let alone helped with the tasks and responsibilities of running the Congregation, launched their highly publicized campaign demanding that Eli Blachman show them the financial records of the Shul, and calling for elections and transparency.
Last year the Cabal was joined by Mr. Dovid Leib Grossbaum, another individual of whom there is no apparent evidence of his participation in maintaining the Shul’s wellbeing. Four members strong, the Cabal has generated controversy and conflict, which has severely damaged the atmosphere of Maple Street Shul. They have disrupted the feeling that is conducive to a positive Davening experience, a feeling that could easily be felt previously in Congregation Ahavas Moische… But the Congregation has a tradition from the Rebbe of facing hardships head-on, and throughout the Cabal’s campaign of vilification and false accusations, the Shul has continued to function smoothly, and at times, pleasantly.
The Shul is heated in the winter and air-conditioned in the summer. The bills are paid, the Minyonim take place, and Kiddushim are held, all due to the perseverance of the Blachmans and Yisroel Karp. Meanwhile, Eli Blachman’s one-time unwilling-ness to step in and make sure there would be a Sukkah almost three years ago, is constantly trumpeted as ‘evidence’ of how Blachman is allegedly misusing the Shul’s funds. The Cabal has also recently spread the unfounded, false rumor that Eli Blachman is planning to allow his son Yanky to build condos over the Shul.
Over the years, Blachman and Karp have turned down numerous questionable offers that would have benefited the Synagogue’s budget in a manner not befitting a Chabad Shul. Social worker and counselor, Yisroel Karp’s professional opinion, is that “When the Cabal comes up with such ideas as the condo accusation, there is an implication that perhaps the Cabal members are projecting what they would do, if they got control of the Shul and its mortgage-free building.”
Despite all that Eli Blachman has done for the Shul over the past thirty-four years, for some reason, there are willing ears in Crown Heights that do not question the Cabal’s false, misleading, and slanderous fabrications against Eli Blachman and his family.
As President of the Maple Street Shul, Eli Blachman has clarified that “The members of the Cabal do not contribute to the Shul, and have no rank or standing to call for anything relating to its management, let alone access to see the books, particularly given their interference with our fundraising this year.”
For the first time in anyone’s memory, none of the Rabbis of the Crown Heights Beis Din attended the Maple Street Shul’s Annual Melave Malka. Under oath at the current court case between Maple Street Shul and the Cabal, Yisroel Karp testified that the reason the Rabbis did not attend, was because they were pressured by the Cabal who convinced them that Blachman was in Cherem. The Cherem was issued by the Beis Din Givas Ha-Moreh, because Blachman refused to act against a previous Psak Din from that same Beis Din. The previous Psak gave Blachman a full three years to manage Maple Street Shul without being challenged. The Cabal brought a new trumped up charge challenging Blachman’s management of the Shul, in clear violation of previous decision; and also by then, in violation of the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) from the Supreme Court of New York to uphold the Psak, until a full court decision could be determined. Blachman attended the Beis Din hearing regarding the new trumped up charge. He explained that in accordance with their previous ruling, and the Temporary Restraining Order of the Court, he could not participate in this new hearing. The Beis Din responded by putting Blachman in Cherem, a move that played into the hands of the Cabal, who were pleased to post it, distribute it and present it to the Rabbis of Crown Heights.
The absence of the Rabbonim at the Melave Malka, as a result of the efforts of the Cabal, gave the impression to the community that the Rabbis are no longer supportive of the current officers of the Maple Street Shul. The Melave Malka revenues for 5772/2012 were approximately half of what they usually are. It is believed that the absence of the Rabbis, and the other designs of the Cabal, caused the loss. In open contradiction to what the Cabal told the Rabbis, they themselves attended the Melave Malka and partook of the meal, something that was not proper for them to do, if they in fact they believed that Eli Blachman was in Cherem.
The recommended donation for the Melave Malka was $54. The members of the Cabal each donated $5.40. They also donated an additional sum of $5.40 in honor of Rabbi Osdoba, (who along with Rabbi Segal) for undisclosed reasons, seem to have given generous assistance to the Cabal in terms of using the power of his position.
Another false accusation leveled against Eli Blachman and Yisroel Karp by the Cabal is that the older generation of the Maple Street Shul’s leadership is not willing to make way for the younger congregants to assume responsibility for running the Shul. This idea has a powerful emotional appeal to certain listeners, because it is a common complaint. Readers will recall that the Sukkah incident which sparked the ongoing controversy happened precisely because the old guard was trying to make way for the new. The truth remains that Blachman and Karp have repeatedly called for the younger members of the Shul to get more involved in all aspects of the Shul management, including: collecting pledges, issuing receipts, making the bank deposits, etc. Interestingly, through increased participation, the members would be provided with the information they claim to want. But according to Karp, “Other than Yanky Blachman, no one has ‘stepped up to the plate.’”
The Shul called meetings to encourage younger members to be more active, to encourage broader participation, and to implement a wider base of democracy and new bylaws. Regretfully, the Cabal devoted endless time, energy and dedication to interfere with this process. Eli Blachman finds their focus to be off target, “It is really a shame that they do not use their enthusiasm, persistence and pipeline of information to spread Yiddishkeit and build support for the Shul.”
PSAK DIN IN FAVOR OF ELI BLACHMAN AND THE ONGOING COURT PROCEEDINGS:
For those readers who are interested, additional detailed information about the recent events, involving the Jewish and secular court proceedings, can be found on the Shul’s website: www.maplestreetshul.com. If you read the letter entitled MAPLE STREET SYNAGOGUE
LETTER REGARDING THE CHEREM, (posted 5/3/12) it becomes clear that the Cabal’s goal was to use the Givas Ha-Moreh Beis Din to strip Eli Moshe of his position as President of the Maple Street Shul. From the discussion at the Beis Din hearing, the Cabal members were under the impression that they had accomplished their goal. And they went so far as to publicize it.
When the actual written Psak arrived, it became known that the Cabal had in fact failed to achieve their goal. The written Psak Din ruled that Eli Blachman has the Chazakah of being the President of the Shul and that no one is to interfere with his management and administration of Maple Street Shul for the next three years.
In clear violation of the Psak Din, which they had sought out, the Cabal set out to elect their own Board of Trustees for Maple Street Shul. They were very resourceful. Karp described in court how the Cabal suspiciously and improperly attempted to elect people who were not members or Mispalelim of the Shul, in a closed meeting that lasted under 10 minutes. Even more suspiciously, their choice for Chairman of the Board was a man who serves as the Rabbi of the congregation that davens in Cabal member Shimon Herz’s Sholom Center. The bogus meeting was an apparent attempt to virtually steal Maple Street Shul; to enable the Cabal, or an unknown backer; to gain control of the Shul, its mortgage free building, and its Tax ID number.
Recognizing that they needed assistance to protect the Shul and its building from the Cabal, Karp and Blachman were fortunate to make contact with a lawyer who has embraced their cause and guided them. “Maple Street Shul has been sent a shaliach from Heaven,“ says Blachman. ”A lawyer who thankfully is passionate enough about saving this Chabad Shul to have already donated more than $110,000 of his 16-person law firm’s time and energy to stopping the Cabal.” The full account of how Mitchell C. Shapiro, Esq. and his associates got the Supreme Court at the 11th hour, to issue a Temporary Restraining Order prohibiting the Cabal’s improper meeting and any interference with Blachman’s management of the Shul pending a full hearing; of how they served the Court papers in the midst of the Cabal’s meeting; and of how the Cabal’s contemptuous violations of the Psak Din and TRO led to the ongoing proceedings; has been posted on the Shul’s website under the title: STATEMENT BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF CONGREGATION AHAVAS MOISCHE, INC. (posted on www.maplestreetshul.com on 4/30/12).
After hearing testimony about the meeting from Cabal members, from Mr. Katzman (Rabbi Osdoba’s assistant) and from Yanky Blachman, and also after testimony about the entire machlokis from Mr. Karp, the Court made subsequent interim rulings that: (i) the Cabal members are only permitted to attend Shabbos services if they do not disrupt the decorum and if they participate in the davening, and (ii) that Karp and Blachman can do whatever is necessary to insure the financial security and continued viability of the Shul. Details of these proceedings are also posted on the Shul website under the titles THE COURT CASE – DISHEARTENING, FRIGHTENING AND EXHILARATING (posted on 7/8/12) and SURPRISE MOTION (posted on 7/27/12).
In retaliation for the courts trusting attitude towards Eli Blachman and Yisroel Karp, the Cabal – who, according to Karp are quick to yell ‘mosrim’” – have filed a complaint with the New York City authorities (the Consumer Affairs Commission) seeking to have Yanky Blachman fined, for his personally serving them with the Court papers, without being a licensed process server. The Cabal does not stand to benefit from this act of mesirah. It is sheer act of damaging another Jew.
Meanwhile, the Cabal has continued to post the illegal Givas Ha-Moreh Cherem notice throughout Crown Heights, ignoring the subsequent ruling by Rabbi Osdoba and Rabbi Segal that Givas Ha-Moreh Beth Din, where the Cherem came from, should not be heeded.
The Cabal’s violations of the Psak Din and the rules and orders of the Supreme Court may well land them in jail for Contempt of Court. They may also be subject to sanctions and hefty fines for their other violations of the Court proceedings – or even worse, for perjury – which will be up to a District Attorney to decide.
THE MAPLE STREET SHUL’S TUMULTUOUS PRESENT AND BRIGHT FUTURE
The Cabal’s campaign has apparently discouraged potential members from coming to Maple Street Shul to Daven. Understandably, people do not want to be involved in a machlokis. The Cabal have also caused appointed Board members to resign because they don’t want to be threatened and targeted. Sadly, the Cabal has resorted to nasty threats of mesirah and of physical harm.
This article has been prepared in the hope that it will provide the light to dispel the darkness of deceitful accusations; to vindicate those who have been wrongfully accused; to establish a platform for truth and justice; and to encourage others to stand up to the Cabal alongside the Karp and Blachman families, so that The Maple Street Shul can survive and prosper for as long as it takes for Moshiach to move all Shuls to Yeruashalayim Ir Ha-Kodesh.
In a statement released by the Shul, Blachman and Karp say that they are gratified with presiding Justice Lewis’ recent ruling that they are the legitimate leadership of the Shul and that they can now do whatever is necessary to protect the Shul’s financial viability and its future, including negotiating a long term lease with the Yeshiva that rents the Shul during the week, and changing the criteria and dues for membership.
“All that Eli Moishe and I want,“ says Chairman Karp ”is to manage and safeguard the Shul according to the mandate and the expectations of the Rebbe. We want to re-establish a welcoming atmosphere suitable to a Chabad Shul and be able to turn over our beloved Shul to a new generation that wants it to survive and grow. We look forward to having the Maple Street Shul at the forefront in welcoming Moshiach Now!”
moshe
elections?
Yossi Handelz
The Maple Street Shul is a landmark in Crown Heights… It has a deep rich history of chassidic gatherings, Torah, Mitzvos, you name it… everything that has transpired in these 4 walls, has spread out to the community like wildfire. Please, we must everything in our power, even giving daily tzedaka in their own pushkes, to keep the dream alive. Even the sight of the shul as you drive by, reminds you of the early years of the Rebbe MHM.
resident
I dont care how good of a person you are and how much work and how many years you put in to something, if you collect public funds you need to show where those funds went
end of story!
Shviras Hakeilim
Too long, that I’m intimidated (and lazy) to read. Perhaps if you’d be interested in people reading this article you would cut the length by 90%.
Maybe if I was a corporate lawyer and was used to reading documents of such lengths would I consider skimming through, maybe.
Keep it up Cabal
This article is clearly one sided, so I hope CHI will give the other side a chance to make their point.
cma
As soon as you use the word “cabal”, I know this is machlokes leshem machlokes…
Out West
In a world of two-second soundbites it’s a mechaye to get in depth information. May Blachman and Karp prevail on all levels in upholding the Rebbe’s family Shul. That the Rebbe paid for a “family membership” is an amazing detail.
ploinee ben ploinee
btw its called nedui not cherem …….we dont do cheram any more…….
CH Resident
Keep up the good work, Eli Blachman!
imagine
This piece is too long; I can’t imagine many will read through the entire thing. Can you imagine how long it would be if it included “the other side of the story”…
and the point is?
whats the point of posting such an article in elul???
Eli made the maple Street consorts too
“All that Eli Moishe and I want,“ says Chairman Karp ”is to manage and safeguard the Shul according to the mandate and the expectations of the Rebbe”
Knowing both of you very well, I am 100% certain that you have the best interest of the Shul in mind, as is evidenced by over 3 Decades of dedication and sacrifice on behalf of the Shul,
but I am afraid that in order to acheive your goal, you are going to have to replace Yanky, who possesses many qualities, but not the ones necessary for this job, namely being a peoples person,
being gentle with people, and being able to welcome people with a nice warm smile etc. that doesn’t make Yanky a bad person, it just means that it is not in the best interest of the shul
to have him in that position, there are many other qualities that Yanky possesses and which the shul can benefit from.
Hatzlocha raba in fulfilling the rebbes mandate
Oy, Meh Hoyo Lonu!
hashem yerachem!
Wake up Yidden!
Thank you for this clarification.
Sholom Dovber
Contrary to the statement of Mr Blachman and Mr Karp no final decision has been made by the judge.Certain interim directions were made.
There are further hearings in court later in the year.
We live in a time when complete transparency of the affair of a Synagogue are mandatory. Further there is a new generation who want open and free elections.
The financials of the Shul need to be placed on the record.
There is too much secrecy, which breeds suspicion.
No one underestimates the tremendous work and ibergegebenkeit of Mr Blachman over many decades but this does not give him the right to control the Shul as if it is a private enterprise.
There needs to be complete openness and accountability to a freely elected board of management.
This will come, hopefully will Mr Blachman and his family playing their part, if G-d forbid there act against the desire of the majority;Change will occur without them.
good laugh
Consumer Affairs Commission will laugh this complaint away, how pathetic of these Clowns to even file this, sounds like they have a real strong case to file in Chelm.
mendel
I for one remember the amazing efforts that Reb Eli Blachman put in to the shul back in 1979 and early 80’s
Reb Eli Blachman was always one person you could totally really on, to help and do the right thing for the good of others.
What has gone on here is typical of the times, and in particular one of the cabal on the list, I personally remember how Reb Eli helped you out many times in the good old days so how could you turn on him when you know very well the efforts Reb Eli put in the shul since 1979
Kol Hakovad to Reb Eli Blachman a true mentch a true chosid
M.G London
Critical of New York Judges
The Mapale Street Shul is a wonderful place to dave and to met friends. It is too bad that this Cabal pursues their own goals at the expense of others in the community and the wishes of the Rebbe. It is unfortunate that they do this at the time a lot of the Yiden are moving out in that direction. Their(Cabal’s) indiscresions and actions help prevent the Mosiach from coming.
where is millhouse?
can millhouse please comment?
CHESHBON HENEFESH/1
IT IS CHODESH ELUL ,WE ARE ALMOST AT ROSH HASHANA!!! PEOPLE , PUT YOUR ENERGIES IN DOING GOOD!
To #12
You hit the nail right on the head, all the problems in Maple Street started when he appointed his son against the wishes of 99% majority of the Shul.
Wake up smell the coffee, before you lose it all!
30 years down the drain by making one crucial mistake, its not too late, I know its a agonizing situation but whats right is right If you feel your son is worthwhile try to have him elected by having elections
so and so
who is the author of this fiction?
complete transparency
There were elections in April of this year but Katzoff and co. threatened, harassed and told people of the shul that if they go to the elections they will be brought to court.
Eli Blachman has told every person who paid for seats over a year ago that they can see all books
he even offered anyone from the shul to be a additional signature to the checking account along as they are responsible for the shul budget.
please find me another shul in crown heights that has offered that to their misspalilim or members??
Abe
to #3 and #15:
Who are the people that need to be shown the records? I never heard of a kehilla opening their books for the public and sure not for non-members.
Convincig!
Ok. This long article is written well and a bit convincing.
Now let’s hear the other side of the story as well – then the public will decide.
Ok? I think that is fair.
Blachman
dear # 12:
We all agree that Eli Blachman is a “people person” and look what it got him!!!
Number 4 offers great rationale
To number 4
Keep your childish comments off this site. I don’t draw one way or the other about this story. It is a commenter such as yourself who gives chabad this website crown heights and chassidus a bad name.
your User name destines you well. Fix the kelim before you write.
to Resident (number 3)
you make a claim that it is important to know where the funds went. this article tells you where the funds went. they went to the upkeep of the building, the utilities and the cost of regular Shul events and expenses.
if you are someone who does not realize that when there is electricity – it means the electric bill has been paid – then it is going to be difficult to explain to you that we can see where the funds go without looking into the books.
and if – as you say – it will be the end of the story if the books are not exposed for all to see – then it will be the end of the story for most – if not all – Shuls in Crown Heights. and other places. it is not good practice to flaunt your financial statements by showing them to anyone who asks. the Maple Street Shul books are not going to be shown to people who are not members and who are hostile to the administration.
what is the point - number 11
you ask what is the point of posting this during Elul.
i will tell you what the point is.
the Cabal has been judged by a Beis Din and they came out at the bottom.
there are interim judgments by the civil court. again the Cabal is losing.
soon the Ribbonei Shel Olam will be the judge. let the Cabal take it to heart. on what grounds are they going to plead their case on Rosh Hashana? that because they could not see the books they told people to stop giving money to a Shul where the Rebbe and Rebbitzen are members?
but the question still stands. why do a public exposition?
the article makes it clear that the Cabal may end up in jail because they have broken the law and are in contempt of court. that is a serious charge and they may be in for perjury. if you do not know what these terms are, i suggest you google them and find out.
once they are in jail – there will likely be calls of anti-semitism or other claims. if you read this article you will not be fooled by the excuses to come… that is when the Cabal is going to come after the community to help them pay for lawyers to get them out of jail.
do you want this to become a community event when they are in jail asking for money to pay lawyers – when the lawyers have no chance to get them out anyway – or would you rather this became a community event before hand so people can encourage the Cabal to clean up their act – and what better time than Chodesh Elul!
Why?
When there is something of value the vultures come out!
Show me the Money
Can we please have a complete transparent reckoning of the financials of Herz’s moishev zikainim. Where and how has Herz spent the donated AND government funds? Especially the money allegedly funneled to him by Kamara?
Hertz
From one machlokos to the next!
blachman
Eli you are the man!!!!
happy happy Blachman
Go Eli!!!!!! you have many silent supporters! Keep up the faith and always rememeber that you are a winner!!!!
proper journalism
if the other side of the story is not there then it is just a slanderous advertisement
To #23
Lets be honest, There were NO elections in April, Thats the problem Blachman refuses elections, and has never offered anyone to see the books, and it goes without saying he would never add anyone to sign checks
If he would allow elections the case would be over,,he took it to court to stop elections which was authorized by the original board
Reality
30 years of doing good things doesnt excuse you from messing up.
Google search “joe paterno”.
To #27
You are blind to what’s in front of you.
Chaim Tovim
The Blachmans are an amazing family and Eli Blachman has nurtured that shul through thick and thin
go after the Cabal; not Yanky
like most things. a Shul needs a body and a soul. the earthly vessel and heavenly light. some people are more inclined to take care of the material matters, and others, are thankful that the material is taken care of so they can have a basis to do their more creative, personable preferences. WHEN THE CABAL STOPS THREATENING POTENTIAL MEMBERS AND BOARD MEMBERS – it is hoped that more people will want to participate in the Board – the new Board members will have the chance to compliment Yanky’s style by being more personable. they will let Yanky make sure their is a stable hand inside the soft glove… but don’t be so sure to disqualify Yanky. we are all a work in progress. he is a bright, hard working, responsible young man. he has person to person skills that are being revealed more and more. he is tough when he needs to be and can be charming when the time is right.
putting themselves in jail
if the Cabal ends up in jail it will be their own fault. at one of the hearings the judge turned to them and said, “I don’t know if you realize the power of this court. I can put your ***es in jail.” she was not speaking about their donkeys.
the Cabal have been fore-warned. it is time for them to stop their violations of the Psak and the TRO and to make amends for past violations.
# 31 is out of line
To #31
I can say Shimon Hertz is one of the few people in this neighborhood who actually uses govt money in the way he says he will. Whether he is right or wrong in this issue I don’t have a clue, but having worked with him on different Shalom Center projects as a consultant, not an employee, I know exactly where the money goes.
Maybe he and his co-defendants should have a chance to refute the claims in this biased article. That would be fair (although when is anything fair, balanced or honest round here?)
leah
And this is where many good writers go wrong… they lose their audience in the length…
To #41 Misquoting the Judge
The judges words were to BOTH sides.
“I DON’T want to put any …es in jail”
Especially referring to the Arrogant Shapiro ( blachmas lawyer), who the Judge more than once had to REBUKE
To #42
Excellent. Then let Herz show his moised’s financials to everybody. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Herz has put Eli Blachman, who for sure is squeaky clean, through years of agony, demanding that he show Maple Street financials to any non-member who asks to see them, so let Herz lead by example. I want to see a chesbon of where goes the GOVT money that Herz gets. After all there are allegations all over the internet that he’s misappropriating funds etc. Herz has been the recipient of many tens even $100,000s intended for Crown Heights elderly. Whereas anyone with a brain can see that “misheberach money” doesn’t leave much room for stealing when you have to cover the utilities and maintenance of a nice-sized Shul. What does this Cabal really want? Why are they so desperate to get their hands on Maple Street Shul? Is there some kind of FRAUD people are trying to hide behind the cover of a long-established Shul?
smart
simple way to settle. but non of the rabonim were smart enugh.
the main issue from this cabal is, is that they suspect that blacman will sell property for personal benfit.
why not have blachman sign an agreemnet that it will not be sold unelss approved by pre approved specfic rabonim?
to #45
I’ll say it again. I’m not a relative or an employee I was hired only as a consultant and I saw where the money goes. He gets checked up on by the city, what do you think he doesn’t have to prove where the money goes? You think they don’t visit?
By the way do you really believe EVERYTHING you read on the Internet? oh boy! You are in big trouble if you do! LOL
Eli Slavin
As a friend of Ekli Blachman, We all know and appreciate the hard work Eli put into the shul. Unfortunitly as # 12 says the problem is YANKIE Blachman he is not the correct man for the job. Not everything can be given over from father to son. Look at 770 Zalman Lipsker was perfect to take his fathers place, but when Avrom Eli pinson tried he fell on his face Eli you are a great community man but your sonFORGET ABOUT IT
#42 show me the $$
So you can explain why does the shul in the shalom center pay herz personally $1,000
is the shalom center owned personally by shimon herz ?
SIMPLE WAY OUT
ELECTIONS WILL RESOLVE THIS WHOLE SAGA LET THE PEOPLES VOICE BE HEARD AND PEACE WILL PREVAIL….
Misquoting is misinformed
the Cabal are standing trial for Contempt of Court. they are the only ones who are positioned to go to jail.
do you really think Shapiro will go to jail for being arrogant?
Misquoting – this is a serious issue! this is not a Monopoly board where you pick a card and it lets you out of jail. you can misconstrue all you want… but the reality is that the Cabal may wake up one day to find their ***es in jail.
To #42
“After all there are allegations all over the internet that he’s misappropriating funds etc.” I RETRACT this sentence completely and apologize. There are allegations as to how the government money was received NOT how it was spent.
Response by Yanky Blachman
To the Crown Heights Community,
Attacking Yanky Blachman and yelling Elul/machlokes is the Cabal’s next red herring to distract everyone from their bad behavior and the fact that they are not members and never did anything for the shul but complain. I didn’t start anything.
On Shemini Atseres 2009 when Hertz screamed at my father “you are a dictator” for announcing the times for Hakofos a half hour later to give the women extra time to come to Shul after Shabbos ended so to allow them to bring their babies and strollers, mind you Shimon Hertz did not daven in Shul before in the entire Tishrei, that was BEFORE I became Gabbai.
Shimchas Torah day 2009 when Yossi Katzoff told my father that there is no Sukkah because you are not opening the books, never mind Katzoff davens in 770 for Tishrei and my Brother had a brand new sukkah donated and all that was left was for someone other then a Blachman to spend some time to put it up, that was also BEFORE I became Gabbai.
Shimchas Torah 2009, when my father came to Shul 8 am to setup the Kiddush after going to sleep at 2 am and Katzoff nor Hertz or anyone else was anywhere to be found to help him setup the Kiddush so he locked the downstairs so the kids should not mess up what he setup only to have Katzoff say “Blachman locks this place like a jail, that was BEFORE I became Gabbai
Early August 2010 at Shalosh Seudos Hertz stood up and announced “no one should give any money for Shalosh Seudos” because the Shul should pay for it and that we are starting a din torah against Blachman and Eli Blachman is a liar and everyone is invited to come to the din torah and then Katzoff pops off his mouth again “and we are going to open the books and Moshiach will come!” never mind Katzoff and Hertz did not daven in the Shul in years on a steady biases and have not purchased seats in the shul, that was BEFORE I became Gabbai!
Furthermore it was in 2009 when a person of the Shul told me it is time that you are your brother’s start helping your father. In fact it was another person in the Shul whom in summer 2010 suggested that I become Gabbai. IT WAS NOT MY FATHER WHO MADE ME GABBAI!
You may also want to ask Hertz and Katzoff why they do not answer amen, stand for barchu, stand with their feet together by keddusha or partake in davenning when my father davens for the amud or when he says kaddish for my aunt. Ask them why they say asher yatzah when they walk past me and my father and keep hanging cherems that the rabbis of crown heights say don’t count. I would be happy to step down if Herz, Junik, Grossbaum and Katzoff would stop their evil vindictive behavior against Mr. Karp and my father and not come to the shul anymore.
The Beis Din told the Cabal to come down for elections and they didn’t go. My father and Mr. Karp followed the Psak Din and the NY law when they appointed me and 4 others – when no one else stepped up. Now the others resigned to avoid machlokes and threats by the Cabal. The Cabal threatened people to stay away from the open elections. The law says you have to be a member to vote and being a member means coming to and partaking in davenning regularly and paying due to financially support the shul. Now that we know the law we are going to have elections every year and replace two of the six trustees. How many shuls in Crown Heights do that? I have no problem with Levi Kaplan as a person but why did the cabal try to replace Mr. Karp with a person who runs a different shul in a six minute long rushed meeting against the Psak Din and the TRO court order. Is that democracy? Open elections? For the good of the shul? By the way, the shul’s lawyer Mitch Shapiro was only rebuked by the court when he showed frustration at the cabals delaying tactics and denials of the truth. Mitch and his firm have donated over $100,000 of legal time that they can’t even write-off. Wouldn’t you be frustrated?
Sorry that the article is long. It’s about time that all of Crown Heights knew the truth and the greater detailed history of what has transpired during the past 30 years in Maple Street Shul and the malicious actions of the Cabal and their gang. If you want to hear more truth, please fill free to contact me on my cell phone 718-974-0800. Unlike the cabal I and my family are not hiding behind anonymous postings.
Yanky Blachman
I apologies beforehand for my grammar and spelling as I am a Oholei Torahnick
To #45
I think that the one who is desperate is Mr. Blachman. He is petrified to show the books to anyone. No one has seen any of the books for over 30 years. No one knows what comes in or goes out.
Why is he afraid to show the books? Could it be that not everything adds up. And if #45 thinks Blachman is “squeaky clean” what is he afraid of. Let him give an accountants report to the ORIGINAL board of 1979 and not the kangaroo board he put together illegally.
being a mispallel of Empire Shtibel i saw R’ Mendel Bartfield A”H give a regular accounting of every penny . Moishe Susskind and Shimon Rosenblum took care of the books.
Maple Street is not a private business it belongs to the community and Mr. Blachman happens to be the President NOT the owner.
to #54
you can repeat your lies a million times but it will not change the truth and that is Eli Blachman has told every person who paid for seats over a year ago that they can see all books
He even offered anyone from the shul to be a additional signature to the checking account along as they are responsible for the shul budget. he announced it before musaf on the shabbos before purim 2011
Please find me another shul in crown heights that has offered that to their misspalilim or members??
to #54
Your last quote: “it belongs to the community”
Does it???!!! It belongs to legal members only and NOT to the community.
Regards from Baghdad BOB
The question is who has more credibility Bagdad Bob, the people who claim that if the Israeli/Palestine conflict would end then all will be good in the middle east and there will be no more terrorist or if Yanky Blachman is not involved in the shul then the cabal will stop their evil behavior ?
Frauds
I’m sure they’ll show the books to the court but not to these ppl.
open letter to Yanky...
to Yanky,
writing this article was painful for me. this entire episode is painful, as i know it is for the women in your family. i have the utmost respect for your mother and Yael.
i write about many things, but most of my articles are about Shlaimos HaAretz. one of my favorite topics is the settlements in Yehuda and Shomron. if not for this article about Maple Street Shul i would have completed my next article about the amazing things happening in Mitzpeh Moshiach in the Shomron.
you may be aware that even the Presidents of the USA are always against the settlements. they are considered a barrier to peace. but we know they are the key to protecting all the Jews in Eretz Yisroel. without the settlements, our enemies would hold the positions from where they could launch deadly attacks on the main population centers of Jewish life in Eretz Yisroel, just as they launch attacks in the south from the land they were given after the Disengagement.
i mention this because the more i see your name being bashed in these comments – it makes me realize how crucial your skilled and sensible participation in Maple Street Shul is essential to its survival and prosperity. the people who bash you are not people who hold positions of responsibility in prospering entities. they know how to write comments. they know how to knock someone else down – but they do not know how to build.
just like the settlements are under attack because they are the pillar that holds the security of Eretz Yisroel – so is your participation essential to Maple Street Shul.
hang in there – Aliza
STEP UP TO THE PLATE
THE SHUL ITS PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR ELECTIONS AND I THINK ITS THE RIGHT THING TO DO THAY ARE BEING ATTACK FOR CALLING FOR DEMORACY THATS THE WHOLE STORY IN A NUT SHELL ELECTION::::::::: U DONT SEE THE OTHER SIDE WRITING PASHKVILEN LOOK AROUND THE WORLD DICTATERS FIGHTS ITS OWN PEOPLE THATS WHAT HAPPENING HERE ON MAPLE ST
Herem is herem!
Herem is herem!
mendel
Will you all stop this, bottom line is, if Eli Blachman would not have stepped in back in 1979 you would not have Maple st shul so all of you cabals shut up and leave them to it, you don’t like it then go find another shul to fight in, no shortage
Yanky Blachman Love what you wrote and the way you put it
I remember when Eli Blachman would be pulling people of the streets to get a minyan and that was not one or two weeks it was for a long time and you cabals would have long given up, so Reb Eli Blachman Kol Hakovod
Summary
• Yossi Katzoff forced Eli Blachman to a legally-binding din torah at Givas HaMorah Beis Din, and much to Katzoff’s chagrin KATZOFF lost. Completely 100% LOST.
• Yossi Katzoff (and the other cabal members) IGNORED and violated the psak din.
• The Beis Din gave Eli Blachman permission to turn the psak into a judgment in secular court.
• Katzoff and the Cabal went to court opposing turning the psak into a judgment.
• The court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) warning anyone from violating the psak din until the court could rule on the psak din.
• Katzoff and the rest of the cabal violated the TRO and continued violating the psak din in almost every possible way while waiting for the court date.
• Due to the amazing efforts of Mitch Shapiro and his legal team, the court has already issued an interim ruling which pretty much confirms the psak din.
• As far as I understand, one of the big issues remaining, is possibly punishing Katzoff and some of the other cabal members for violating the court’s temporary restraining order, and for possibly committing perjury in court. (Anyone who follows court proceedings knows that perjury issues are very serious and often lead to way bigger problems than the original issue.)
• There are other issues such as a very disingenuous and possibly dishonest Crown Heights Rov.
• There are multiple red herrings about books, elections, gabboim but those are all distractions.
• The Maple Street books are OPEN to all dues paying members.
• Legal transparent elections were held a few months ago open to all members of the Shul. (4/5 of new board members were terrorized into resigning)
• The current Gabbai became Gabbai long after the cabal began their attempt to grab control of Maple Street Shul. The current Gabbai is the exact kind of tough personality needed to deal with current trials facing the Shul. The current Gabbai is performing his duty in an amazing example of Kibud Av, and not because he wants to spend his time fighting with people who seemingly have little else to do.
• For 35 years Maple Street Shul has been a beautiful place of davening, shiurim, chasidishkeit, farbrengens and in general upholding the southern end of the Crown Heights neighborhood and the credit goes almost entirely to Eli Blachman.
• Despite the scheming of people trying to hurt (steal) Congregation Ahavas Moische, The Maple Street Shul will continue to be a place of Torah, Tefila and Chasidishkeit until Biyas Moshiach Tzidkeinu.
Sholom Dovber
let there be a open and free election under the direction of a independent body.
Then the books must be analyzed by an independent forensic accountant.
Then the community can move forward and heal
GO to Bais din or zablo and Settle!
Everyone that can should pessure both sides to go to bais din and settle and stop this chilul hashem.
OR SIMPLY AGREE ON A ZABLAH whatever they say goes.
YEDEN!
ock
this shiur by rabbi yy jacobson on this weeks parsha should be watched by everyone…
http://theyeshiva.net/Video…
X crown heightser
One sided article -Free press
To: STEP UP TO THE PLATE
Since you keep repeating the same nonsense, I’ll keep answering you. There were legal transparent elections a few months ago. The Cabal intimidated many members off from voting. They terrorized most of the new trustees into resigning. One of the Cabal may wind up in serious trouble for his actions during the election process. Members will have another opportunity to vote at the next scheduled election. (There are very clear laws as to when this will take place.) You also have a skewed understanding of “Democracy.” The Maple Street Shul is run according to Halacha and Lubavitcher minhogim and is fully compliant with U.S. law. Sorry if your “democracy” wants to fress cholent in middle of Mussaf. It’s not going to happen. And that’s okay with Halacha, the ways of Chassidus and U.S. law.
The most UNWELCOME shule
I am sure the shule would have continued no matter who was President. It was a combined efforts of the small group of 10-15 men who came every shabbos to Maple Street.Let’s not over do it. Everyone wanted to keep the shule open. Yes Blachman did for the shule but so did everyone else who attended more the 30 years ago.,It was not a shule of convenience.No one lived right next door like toda. Everyone walked several blocks everyone donated their time. The shule will thrive with or withou Blachman and the way he conducts himself today I must say it will thrive much more without him.The Blachman family unfortunately have made Maple Street shule the most UNWELCOME shule in Crown Heights.It’sjust convenient for us to daven there.
Eli is the bomb!!!!!
Eli, may Hashem give you strength!!! You are going straight to heaven man! The Blachman Family deserves our admiration and respect for having to put up with this headache for this long.
hooray for blachman
Eli hang in there! You have all of our respect!!!
hooray for blachman
stay strong Eli we love u!!!!!!
CHLEAKS.COM
In my Shul we have total Democracy, if you don’t like the rules you are FREE to leave!
In my Shul one individual collects the funds, if you don’t like it or don’t trust him, since it’s a total Democracy you have the right to stop giving him money and you have the democratic right to leave the Shul.
With this Democracy our Shul keeps growing and things are peaceful and will g-d willing stay that way.
____________________
Regarding those asking Maple Street Shul to open their books.
You know whose books would really really interest the community at large to see? Come closer, I’ll tell you.
Theres this organization, a non-for-profit (501(c)(3) – Public charity), which was founded in 1974 for the sole purpose of assisting the needy of the Crown Heights Jewish Community. Over the years this non-for-profit managed to receive millions upon millions of tax payer dollars (yes, our hard working bulks) by way of government grants and contracts. But you see, the thing is, they never used the money for the purpose it was given, instead they pocketed it all and used it to fund their propaganda wars (court cases and lawsuits) against good upstanding individuals and organizations in the neighborhood. This non-for-profit (501(c)(3) – Public charity are over cooking their books to give the illusion they are doing something for the needy of the community.
What?. You want to know who this organization is so you can inquire and demand some answers?
Why, it’s the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, Inc., located at 392 Kingston Ave Brooklyn, NY 11225
And by the way, regarding the CHJCC, theres no second guessing how much money they received by way of our tax dollars, it’s all public record and has been exposed on this site many times (and even here not all of it). What does remain a mystery, is what was done with the money.
Theres a similar organization in the neighborhood which has also received grants and collects funds from the community that you might want to see their books. It’s called… Chabad Lubavitch Hospitality Center Eshel Hachnosas Orchim, Inc. ran by Menachem Mendel Hendel.
Oh, and before I forget theres THIS one.
When your done reviewing their books and want more names of other corrupt organizations (associated with all the above) to look into, I’ll gladly pass those names over. But one thing at a time.
So why waste your precious time and energy focusing on the few pesos that you might find in Maple Street Shul when I’m directing you to missing millions a few blocks up?
Exit Question: Hatzalah (as well as other fine organizations) also collects money from the public, do they need to show the books if asked by the public or would you suggest to anyone with a problem to simply not donate anymore if their suspicious (as the democratic Shul does above)?
_____________________
Another issue just came to mind….
Elections: “The young people want elections” line.
Since when does every single [head] position depend on elections?
Are there elections for who should be the administration in our schools? ULY, OT, BR, BM and DM, all have board of directors as-well and have paying parents, do you see any “young people” screaming on top of the hill for elections?
NO!!! You don’t!!!!
Also, whats with the hypocrisy?
In 2010 we help elections for CHJCC and the community turned out in records and voted for chance (by voting the mossrim out).
We voted the Mosser Chanina Sperlin out…shortly later, he was back in.
We voted Poltorak out….shortly later he was hired by the chjcc as an attorney.
We never voted for Eli Cohen, yet, he’s still there.
Not only didn’t we get the change we voted for, but those we voted out were brought back in by one form or another. where were all these energetic, concerned “young people” to protest this election fraud?
So explain to me and the rest of the community your interest in getting rid of one specific board of director over others?
CHJCC
#73 Please be advised Eli Cohen was hired by the CHJCC to be the executive Director. He answers directly to the elected board. It shows you are totally unaware how a council works and you just have a personal grudge against individuals.
JUSTICE!!!!!!!!
Eli Blachman is a hidden Tzadik…he has helped my family for years and no one even knows about it…he is the reason my family is here today! This man is honest, loyal to a fault and a hidden Tzadik! All those other guys will get theirs in the end for putting him through all this B.S.!!!!!!Justice will prevail!!!
SELF HATING JEWS!!!!
There is not a finer Yid or a more Honest one then Eli Blachman! These guys will have to live with shmearing Eli Blachmans name and ultimately suffer the outcome…so pointless guys…really was it all worth it? THese are self hating jews!! I have known them my whole life and this is motivated by such hatred!
Naftali Berkowitz
in the 80s, and 90s when all shuls in crown hights were teribly neglected the ceilings walls doors and bentches – maple street shul always stood out as the nicest shul in crown hights thanks to eli blachman that beauty was maintainted. the shul always had a fresh new look to it. for those who remember there was a sign asking to at least donate 5$for an aliyah which clearly indicates that eli did the abouve mentched incredible management and paying for it on his own. eli has mentchened to me that people dont even give me the 5$ for the aliyah even now that all the local shuls in crwn hights followed the road of beis binoyman on montgomey st. which through the hard work of rabbi minkowitz, rotter, and generios donations of its cong. especilly rabbi leven who named the shul after his father rebuilt an hopliss building into a mangnifacint shul. maple st. shul still has its unique beatiful and fresh look thanks to the blachmans may Hashem grant you lots of succes in all your indevers thank you again.
Naftoli please
Naftoli Berkowitz.
You obviously dont know too much about maple Street. Yes eli did work for the shule but there were always other there to help. Very often he refused help which is his own choice. Money wise there was always enough money in the shule. The shule average bank account was till now $35,000-$50,000 this was admitted by Eli when he wanted to charge everyone $500 for a new A/C system in the shule.
There was never any need for Eli to put his own money for the shule. he may have laid out money but he always got it back. please don’t make up stories…..
The Soda Shlepper
I davened in Ahavas Moische back in the 70s, before the installation of the air conditioners. We had two big fans, and the Shul was blazing hot in the summer, but it was what it was. The first Yom Kippur after we got A/C, it was a mechaye. Everyone agreed how much easier it was to fast when the room was cool. Then we needed money to pay the bigger electric bills. If it became time to put in a newer first-class A/C system, because nowadays people want it cold like in 770, then an assessment (that’s the word you were looking for, it’s not a “charge”) on the current members/mispalelim to cover the cost to purchase and run the cooling system is entirely appropriate. Or you could go back to the old days, and deal with the heat. I don’t know if there was $35,000-$50,000 in the Maple Street Shul account as you claim, but if there was, that’s an amazing testament to Eli’s good honest financial management, because when I left there wasn’t enough money to buy a box of Matzah for Shaleshudes. Why should the Shul leave itself with no reserves because people want to sit in a refrigerator without paying for it? And if Eli laid out money, but then got it back, why you knocking him? When’s the last time you covered the shortfall for a Shul and waited for donations, OR WENT OUT TO RAISE MONEY so you could get your money back? And yes, there were other people there to help Eli Blachman. People like me. One year Eli put on a concert to raise money. He got the hall, the entertainers, the sponsors, the refreshments, the ticket sellers etc … and I helped him schlep a few cases of soda. So in your mind this makes my effort and contribution equal to Eli Blachman’s? This article explains everything. The way to know what’s going on with the Shul is to accept responsibilities AND perform those responsibilities, not to scream and yell baseless accusations like a drunk from the floor of the bar. This Cabal and possibly unknown backers seem as if they are trying to steal the Shul and the Ahavas Moische Tax ID. The individual who paid for the original air conditioners seemingly had that idea too. If I’m not mistaken, he and others around him went to prison for severe financial crimes. I’m very interested in an investigation into the members of this Cabal, or their possible associates, to see if anyone is hiding money from the IRS or other governmental agencies.