Posted to Crown Heights News on

Rov Being Systematically Excluded and Marginalized

Eight years of selfless service to the Crown Heights Beis Din, as well as a Psak Din upholding it, is not enough to keep Rabbi Sholom Segal’s name in the phone directory when calling the offices of the Beis Din. Neither is the fact that he is selling chometz allowed to be posted on the Beis Din’s front door.

These shocking revelations came to light a number of days ago, when a CrownHeights.info reader emailed us, asking “how can I reach Rabbi Segal, his name is no longer a prompt on the Beis Din’s phone system?”

We asked Rabbi Segal what was behind this, and he told us that this has been going on for a long time. More recently though, he noticed that a sign he placed on the Beis Din’s office door at 390 Kingston Avenue, announcing his and Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba‘s mechiras chometz ahead of Pesach, had been removed.

A few hours after reaffixing the sign, as he was walking out of the office, he spotted R. Yosef Braun ripping down the sign a second time.

Rabbi Segal stopped Braun and told him, in Yiddish: “it is not nice to rip down papers; it does not suit a Rov to rip up Smichas, and an adult to rip down signs!”

R. Braun responded, in Yiddish: “I am the Baal Habayis here and you do not belong here, you must leave here immediately. You are a masig gvul (infringing on property).” Rabbi Segal then inquired “if you rip down my signs, does that mean that I may remove yours?” to which Braun responded by taking out his cell phone and pointed its camera at Rabbi Segal.

We inquired by the Vaad Hakohol, which manages the phone system for the Rabbonim, who made the changes to the phone systems directory? We were told that R. Braun ordered Zaki Tamir to give him the access codes to make those changes.

Tamir said that he offered the codes to Rabbi Segal to put his name back in, but he declined saying that R. Braun would just remove it again.

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58 Comments

  • Mendel

    kinder, kinder, do we kelal yisroel need this, Rabbonim stop acting like children and do what you are here in this world to do, leading by example and be emess in your psak hallocho

  • AIZIK SCHWEI

    A TRUE HUNGARIAN ALWAYS IS A TRUE HUNGARIAN!!!!

    HE WILL ONE DAY KICK RABBINO SCHWIE OUT ALSO!!!!

  • full of themselves

    Some people are SO power hungry it’s disgusting. they think so much of themselves, what was that word? gaiva???
    and pesach time? zman geulaschem
    no wonder why we dont have OUR geula!!!

  • Real Rav

    Rav Osdoba is a great man. If he supports Rav Segal, I do. From the little I know about him, Tav Segal seems ernest and wise.

  • Esav also said Yesh li Rav

    Harav Rosenberg that is that he is not the Rav. The election was a fraud.

  • chanoch

    BRAUN IS THE BIGGEST TROUBLE MAKER IN THE WORLD. RABBI SEGEL IS A VERY HONEST AND EIRCLECHA TALMUD CHACHAM. Bran is so haughty!!! He should be removed from his postition and sent back to boro park!!! Just destroying more and more…..

  • dayan? rov?

    if the other dayonim have their name listed in the phone directory then you have a complaint if not then he is no different then them and shouldn’t have his name listed

    as for mechiras chometz he is an official dayan not a rov if he wants to sell chometz by all means let him do so (anyone can do so) BUT the official mechiras chometz is from the 3 rabonim and only their name should be on the bais din’s door (rabbi ozdobo’s name should be on the door along with the other 2 names anyone else should have the haskomoh of all 3 before going on the door)

  • A former talmid of Rabbi Segal

    Rabbi Segal,

    I really love you and respect you so much. You were the most gentle and loving Magid Shiur I ever had. The only thing is I fear machloikes and am scared of the ramifications if I get involved. I think there are hundreds like myself in the shechunah. We are behind you 100% yet fear getting involved in machloikes. After witnessing terrible calamities befall balei merivah, I fear joining the ranks yet we are not blind and see the abuse you are getting and would love to help in a way that doesn’t mean actively engaging in the politics… I love you Rabbi Segal and feel the most befitting Rov in crown heights to serve as av beis din would be yourself.

    By the way, when and where can I come to you to sell my chometz?

  • A Crown Heights Resident

    I would like to flee Crown Heights! Oh my goodness!!! I feel that we will all be punished for this severely but what can I, humble resident, do?!?!?!?!? It is not I who should leave Crown Heights, because I don’t want to be pulled into the Magafeh here; but it is Braun and Tamir and all those who should flee!!! I wish I had a community to move to where it is just simple folk, who want to live honest lives and be Torah abiding yidden! I’m really scared of what Hashem has in store for us for allowing this to happen!

  • Rubbish!

    Less than an hour ago i sold my chometz to Rabbi Osdaba in the Beis Din office.

    Everyone is getting along (All 3 have there offices right next to each other) and Peace has come to the CH Beis Din.

    Have a Kosher and Happy Pesach!

  • Enough is enough.

    8 years of Machlokes and SINAS Chinom. Enough is enough !!!
    The Zabal Bais din said he is not one of the 3 Robbonai Hashchuna

  • ch-er

    we have enough problems in the community without braun
    tell him to go back where he came from
    and yes, I am venting, because I cannot stand machalokes or chutzpah

  • ha ha ha

    Why doesn’t the Chochem Segal put of a sign on top of Avreml Osdoba’s door, stating that Horav Braun and Horav Schwei are selling Chomets at the Beis Din office?

    Ha Ha Ha!

  • bait cam

    maybe someone should put a camera on that sign, that would make an interesting article….

  • Rabbi Braun

    Rabbi Braun – being of Hungarian blood – thinks that it is satmar here….

  • rabbi segal

    is actually one of the few rabbonim that I can ask my shailos to without feeling intimidated. i think when i pay my rabbinic dues i will give them directly to him!

  • Psak Din

    Don’t understand:

    The same Psak Din (of the 5 Rabbonim) Paskened that elections should go forward and Rabbi Braun was elected – the very same Psak Din states that Rabbi Segal should remain and be paid a salary!

    Am I not correct?

  • disappointed

    #1 Braun is not a Rov as long as he refuses to present his proof & apologize to Rav Osdoba & act Like an adult He is not qualified no matter what the Zavla said. They acted under the assumption that he was a competent adult which clearly he is not! #2 Only Ch inmfo would publish this since it furthers thir agenda of continuing Machloikes to make money! #3 to the Idiot who says That Rav Segal is only a Dayan? A dayan is a Rav idiot & he can pasken Shaalos Sell your chometz etc. by this idiots reasoning Heller Bogomilski or any other Rav that lives in the neighborhood would not be allowed to do so for the same reason!Shame on Zaki for Pandering & shame on Ch info for its continuing support for Machloikes & terror!

  • dayan? rov?

    To: #22 disappointed

    1st) please reread my 1st comment where on the 1st line of the 2nd paragraph i say he CAN sell chometz if he wants

    2nd) you completely missed my point which is that he is an official dayan of the community not an official rov of the community (and not whether he can or can’t paskin shaalos or sell chometz)

    i DID say he can sell chometz just not to place his name on the official door (without haskomo from the others) and that goes for anyone else (like i said before) and it does not make a difference what their political affiliation is!!!

    as for Rabbi Heller thanks for reminding me
    i forgot to include him for which i apologize and i should have said all 4 instead of all 3

  • rabbii braun

    anyone who acts like that does not deserve to have smicha, let alone a be a rov and a dayan of the Rebbes holy shchunah.

  • Bruen

    Let that MESHUGENE bruen go back were he came from
    NO-ONE needs him here (And his whole family)

  • Pinchos Woolstone

    We need upstanding experienced Talmidei Chachomim on the CHBD.
    Rabbis Heller, Raitport and Mangel are such people.
    The present CHBD is like a broken tricycle, going nowhere quickly.
    How can Anash in in true conscious turn to a person,who lacks menstchlechkeit and is a well know baal machlakus;a person who has a totally inflated view of his own importance, the audacity is breath taking in the extreme.
    The present configuration will not last, goises now miseh soon.
    Its a pity that so many Anash need to turn to other Botei Din when they have serious issues.
    Mr Tamir is a fine young man trying to help the community, however the issues are beyond his capacity to control, he is thrown from pillar to post.
    He is easily manipulated, which leads to indecision and then inertia.
    The house of cards needs to be dismantled and all positions vacated and a new election for all Dayonim held under external supervision is vital.
    We no longer operate under Stalinist rule.

  • ie

    to # 16

    it seems that no one taught you derech eretz. all you have is only chutzpah

    it is Rabbi Osdaba (not avremel), if by the Rebbe he was considered a Rav so much more for you.period.

    maybe the matza will wisen you up.

  • backbone!

    So, if everyone sees Rabbi Braun for what he really is…why oh why is he still in this position??? What’s wrong with CH decision makers? Get a backbone!

  • anash of australia

    Thank you Crown Heights naronim for removing Braun from Australia.

    We are forever grateful.

  • sholom

    You enjoy to open a can of worms , it was Quite
    for a while , why are you starting again ,
    Rabbi Segal was not chossen to be the Rov , he is only a Dayan , Bedikas Chometz of the comunity belongs to the Rabbonim , not to dayonim , the can do it privately , but not from the Rabbonim Office , you knw that well,
    if you like to steer up a Machlokess you can do it , but remember what happened to KORACH

  • neir

    #21 #26 #18 and some more is th same guy who has nothing what to do ,
    why dont you go fly a kite ,
    you are OSSID LITEN ESS HADIN fo MEVAZEH BORABIM A ROV WHICH WAS CHOSSEN OUT IN THE REBBES SHECHUNE ,
    you are MALBIN PNEI CHAVEROY BORABIM

  • Lets get together!

    BS”D
    DONT TURST this LOSHON HARA
    but still
    I like Rabbi segal AND Rabbi Braun

    lets get along, its pesach time :)

  • Winston

    You know what? Don’t pick up a Lubavitcher rov this time. Head to Boro Park, or Monsey, get Rabbi Vosner shlita, he knows the ins and outs, he looks like a Rov and he certainly is deserving of the Cr Hts Head rov. All in favour say “I”.

  • Chonie

    Rabbi Altein, we really need your calm, chassidishe demeanour to be imported from Boro Park. You should have a refuah shleimah b’kroiva and maybe come here to lead your lost sheep that you tended to when the Lubavitcher Rebbe MHM was alive and you were the one to chozer over his sichos till the wee hours of the morning. Oh How I Miss those Days!!! Hashiva Shofteinu K’Rishono.

  • meir

    #28 you are of Crown st
    you want to respect your friend , please dont talk in the name of the Rebbe ,
    try to make sholom
    you are righ the Matza Should wisen w you up a littele

  • Bernie Feldman

    Rabbi Segal is the best.Crown Heights, count your blessings. It`s one guy making trouble here, called Mr. Braun, or Braun Brain.

  • menachem shuchat

    TO ALL THOSE KNOCKING HUNGARIAN RABBONIM, Rabbi Greenglass a“h of Montreal told me that the Rebbe told him about the Hungarian Rabbonim that ”ZEI HOBBEN AH GLAIYCHE TSUGANG IN HALOCHO“, meaning that they have a straight way of thinking when it comes to halocho. So Rabbi Braun’s hungarian blood is a plus for him. When the Rebbe was sitting shiva for his mother, the satmar rebbe came to be menachem ovel him. The Rebbe asked the satmar rebbe a shailo in reference to himself. The Rebbe obviously had no problem with ”hungarian“ rabbonim.
    and as mark twain said ”get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please” (thank you #9 & #32 for stating the facts correctly)

  • Avraham A.

    Ok everyone stop this right away. I am getting naucious listening to the mackloikes… I am a convert to Judaism and I don`t like any of it. Stop it now.

  • ONLY RABBI SEGAL

    I’m not from Crown Hights, but when I asked some very respected people and the Shaliach from my community to suggest me the most honest and aidel Rabbi to to the Chupa and Kiddushim for my son, I was told: “Rabbi Segal is the one”!!!!

  • Member

    Send MR. Brown Packing, all this guy brought was more fights with a stick up his…..

  • krauss should be barred from offices

    why is Krauss the secretary of the Beis Din??

    The minute he moved to Crown Heights I knew he would stir trouble and rodef achar kavod.

    he is brains behind these men, and has caused harm.

  • Talmid Of Rav Segal Shlita

    I am a very proud Talmid of Horav Segal.

    From my own personal experience I must say that Horav Segal is the most capable Rov to deal with intricate details of Choishen Mishpot in complex business matters .

    Rav Segal is a true chasidishe rov in every sense of the word. He is a very humble person with a gentle nature. He taught me in yeshiva over 15 years ago and I am very proud to have him as Rov. He is a Gaon in Nigleh and Chasidus. A real chasidishe rov.

    Its only a matter of time when everyone in our community will realize what a true gem of a person he is.

    I am waiting to see him as our Av beis Din, for he is the most suited and competent to fill this position.

    Hashem should bentch him with Arichus Yomim V’shonim Toivos

    On a personal note, Rav Segal is always available day or night to answer shailos etc. I was there very late Monday night for mechiras chometz etc.

  • Rabbi Segal

    If only Rabbi Segal would have set the example when he was in a position to do so (before the election of Rabbi Braun and the subsequent D.T.).

    One needs to give yoisher to receive yoisher.

    No one is perfect.

  • BIrnbaum

    Overheard at Kingston Pizza: `Rabbi Segal was seen waiting outside his office in the Hallway for a long time“ is he even barred from entering the av beis din office without Rov Osdobo this is sickening every day.

  • Clarifications

    Id like to break a record and respond to every single misinforming and false or stupid comment. Good people who want rav segal as av beis din, or rabbi heller, realize that you are unwittingly going against Rabbi Osdoba, who is the 1st and foremost rav. He is not a baal machlokes, he is a victim of vicious people who so cunningly portray his name in a bad light and disregard him. He is a rav of whom the rebbe spoke of and called a chassidisher rav. In any case Rabbi o. Is here to stay as av bais din however hard they try to disregard him!

    B. Braun is still not a rov, to put it lightly. He still has to go to the ikul in flatbush and present his smichah. Then he should show us some of his midos tovos. So dont call it adas korach to be going against him. Chochom funem mah nishtanah. Tell him also not to threatan gabboim not to give rabbi segal an aliyah.

    C. Menachem shuchat, dont compare r. Braun to the satmr rav even though he has hungarian blood. I dont imagine the rebbe would consider braun a rav. What would the rebbe say about so who is so chutzpahdik to rav osdoba????!!

    D.#38 &all those worried about machlokes, stop brushing this terrible story under the rug! The truth must come out!

    E. #37 kol haomer davar beshem omroi mayvie geulah leolam, whoever says somethiing in the sayers name brings redemtion to the world and the rebbe definitely spoke of rabbi osdoba being a chassidisher rav, just ask the people in the know to tell u where to find it.

    F. #34 you do not like or care about rav segal. You should ask rabbi segal why he has no sign on his door

    G. Neir #33 you must be talking to braun. Hes in the malbin pnei chavero department by far.

  • to # 48

    Because of the so-called Rabbis like S. and Osdabama we can’t see him. They are doing everthing to promote machlokis, so that Moshiach won’t come — They want to be in total control.

  • NO RABBI IN C H

    THESE SO CALLED RABBONIM DESERVE EACH OTHER.
    IG THEY DON’T RESPECT THEMSELVES FORGET ABOUT EACH OTHER.
    HOW CAN THEY DEMAND RESPECT FROM c”h ?

  • Boruch N.

    There are a bunch of nasty people in this fantastic community bounded by Nostrand to Rochester, from St. John’s down to E. New York…. who are on purpose smearing names, on purpose trying to bring Crown Heights down to its knees — why? because they are losers, because they don’t have a life, don’t have close friends, and are not happy people themselves, because they have ISSUES MAN… BIG TIME ISSUES… There are very good psychiatrists and counsellors here or Flatbush or Boro that can help bring shalom bayis to these poor chassidim, or see the pole that says “WANT SHALOM BAYIS? Come into our bookstore”. Screw this madness.

  • CHLEAKS.COM - DISTRACTIONS

    Crown Heights! Stop being dogs chasing after bones!

    He is a Rov, He isn’t a Rov. He has Smicha, He doesn’t Have Smicha etc…etc…

    How does it make any deference for any of our bottom line? Was there a Purim Seuda this year? How many people did the CHJCC help in the last ten mounts?

    We are so busy with Zaki’s and Co. non-sense. Instead of doing what he was elected to do, and that is to HELP OUT THE RESIDENTS of Crown Heights literally, Zaki’s buddied up with the same people we threw out in the last election. Zaki’s is continuing their steak of Machlokes. Finding distractions instead of doing what needs to be done.

    Not Osdobo,, Segal Schwie nor Bruan make any difference to any-body’s bottom line. They cant help anybody financially. They cant get food on your table or the table of those who need it. They cant find the unemployed a job. They cant help anybody with any legal or law matters. ALL they can do is collect a pay check.

    People its time to start directing the criticisms on ones that need to get it, That is Zaki Tamir and his crew (Chanina Sperlin the Mosser and Co.). Take your heads out of the sand or stop rolling in the mud. Zaki Tamir and his friends are enjoying accumulative grants of up to TEN million dollars a year.

    You have broken windows at home? need to winterize your house? The Community Council gets money for that. Your family or a neighbors is in distress about to fall apart? The Community Council gets money for that. Have a son or know a teen whose on drugs or alcohol and needs desperate help? The Community Council gets money for that. Cant find a job; need job training? Cant pay rent and need help? Became a victim and need emotional help? You guessed it, the Community Council gets money for that.

    The individuals who have been raving up the Machlokes all these years, and have been telling you look over there, it’s Rubashkin, Shomrim, and Fischer. They tell you can’t eat this Hechsher or go to that Purim Seuda. Its this guy who stole it’s that guy whose making trouble. They find every distraction possible. They are the ones “Fighting for the Community” and fighting for “Achdus”. They tell you to look everywhere but at them.

    Residents of Crown Heights, it’s time to bring it to an end. Open your eyes and see what going on. 30 plus years they have been generating false controversy and fleeing with OUR money, money for every resident who might need it.

    Zaki Tamir got elected and just fell right in-line, right into their big picture of events and started doing all their bidding’s.

    Stop the Corruption Stop the Fraud!

  • # 51

    With your outright chutzpah to a Rav whom the Rebbe spoke of so highly, all i can say is that, Der Aibishter zol hoben Rachmonus oif dir! You need g-ds mercy!

  • Michael Jackson 3rd

    Michael Jackson 2nd eh? What will you teach Sperlin, how to do the MOON DANCE? Or better yet “ DON’T STOP TILL YOU GET ENOUGH?”

  • Foghorn Leghorn

    Crown Heights has had its days of blood sweat and tears. The yungeleit and rabbonim and coloured people try to get along as one family and is proving time and again, that it is possible to bring Moshiach that much closer to the streets of Kingston, be it a chol, shabbos or yomtov. This chag ha’geula, let’s show the world that we can greet each other – even with a NOD of favouratism to every living creature we meet in the streets of New York. I’m not dreaming. And like the other guy said: SCREW BRAUN SPERLING TZFATIM, screw them. They are the amaleikim of this given day. Keep on smiling, I said I said Foghorn Leghorn.