There has been much ado sparked from the tragic murder of R' Efraim Klein, may G-D avenge his blood. I do not claim to know Efraim well, although i have spoken to him on a few occasions. He was a nice man and a figure of 770 that will not be forgotten.
But these following words will not be masked and enclothed in false “Love” and “Care” about the community, or Efraim; rather they will depict the cold, hard facts that many chose to ignore. This community has been getting more dangerous in the past eighteen months; no longer can one walk on the street without thinking “what if”, and “crown and Schenectady” considered “Safe”. Many mothers worry in horror about their children walking at night in the streets of crown heights, which were once considered safe. Residents of crown heights are growing and scared and worried – and for valid reasons. Crime.
The crime in this community is escalating; the holy puritan neighborhood of Crown Heights is becoming a safe haven for criminals. But many people refuse to recognize these facts, and instead, turn to their self righteousness and political agendas to speak for themselves; as a resident of crown heights, I was interested in hearing the words of the political leaders of the community and region. I was unpleasant(ly surprised) to hear more praise for the police and the reverse race-card. This was something that made me sick. Is this what people think about after someone gets killed? It hasn't been less than twenty four hours since the ‘Retziche’, and i'm hearing words about racial tension (or the lack of). Excuse my French, but who the hell said anything about racial tension? Who said anything about a hate crime? Is every murder in this community due to a lack of “tolerance”? Yes, certainly crime is done out of the lack of tolerance of self control, but does every crime have to be traced to Nazi Germany or the 1991 pogroms?
The Wrong Whistle In The Wrong Mouth
This in from the Inbox
There has been much ado sparked from the tragic murder of R’ Efraim Klein, may G-D avenge his blood. I do not claim to know Efraim well, although i have spoken to him on a few occasions. He was a nice man and a figure of 770 that will not be forgotten.
But these following words will not be masked and enclothed in false “Love” and “Care” about the community, or Efraim; rather they will depict the cold, hard facts that many chose to ignore. This community has been getting more dangerous in the past eighteen months; no longer can one walk on the street without thinking “what if”, and “crown and Schenectady” considered “Safe”. Many mothers worry in horror about their children walking at night in the streets of crown heights, which were once considered safe. Residents of crown heights are growing and scared and worried – and for valid reasons. Crime.
The crime in this community is escalating; the holy puritan neighborhood of Crown Heights is becoming a safe haven for criminals. But many people refuse to recognize these facts, and instead, turn to their self righteousness and political agendas to speak for themselves; as a resident of crown heights, I was interested in hearing the words of the political leaders of the community and region. I was unpleasant(ly surprised) to hear more praise for the police and the reverse race-card. This was something that made me sick. Is this what people think about after someone gets killed? It hasn’t been less than twenty four hours since the ‘Retziche’, and i’m hearing words about racial tension (or the lack of). Excuse my French, but who the hell said anything about racial tension? Who said anything about a hate crime? Is every murder in this community due to a lack of “tolerance”? Yes, certainly crime is done out of the lack of tolerance of self control, but does every crime have to be traced to Nazi Germany or the 1991 pogroms?
Why are the police being given lollipops and praise for their less than perfect work? Is there a reason why there were so many cops present in CH when Rudy was mayor, which suddenly vanished after mike took office? Certainly every individual officer is doing his best to protect the resident of his precinct, but officers are only foot soldiers of their superiors? Where are the superiors – the chiefs, the bosses and the people in charge – why are they being praised for coming late to the crime scene, and not patrolling the area in the first place? If you don’t think that they aren’t at fault, then fine – don’t blame them, but praise them – for what? I am not a newcomer to this community, in which I have lived all my life. I do remember how the city was before Rudy, and I see that history repeats itself.
Why are Halberstam and Markowitz speaking about gun control? What does this have to do with anything? Was the gun legal? Who ever saw the gun? We don’t even know why and who committed the crime, but one thing is certain – yes – more legislation and politics. What a shame! Mrs. Halberstam reminds me of – lehavdil – Cindy Sheean.
Why are people speaking about Tznius? Is this a right of passage for those who are suffering emotional tension to release there zealous tension on a Niftar and Kadosh? Did the Rebbe speak about Tznius when Yankel Rosenbaum got killed? And when the Rebbe did speak Divrei Tochacha, did he speak in such a manner?
This doesn’t have to do with race; people are people, and people want peace, whether it is peace between colored, white, black or tie-dyed people. This doesn’t have to do with gun control. Do you think that criminals obtain guns legally (especially when i’m hearing rumors about gangs). This doesn’t have to do with police, but rather the lack of. This doesn’t have to do with Tznius or the lack of; if someone feels that they should be more modest then Gezunterheit, but don’t impose your “Hergeishim” upon others. This is about criminals feeling Heimish, due to the lack of CRIME CONTROL.
May we merit to the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, – Hekitzu Veranenu Shocnei Ofor Vehu Besocham
Dovid
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
wow
quite amazing that someone put it into such words….
shtechter
very true.
Shmuli
great article.
Do good
I do think however, that we should take a positive resolution, everyone in his best interest to improve himself and his surroundings. This must be a lesson for us both physically and spiritually. G-d forbid to blame a persons death on someones wrong doing, but to do good in order to prevent such situations is always a good thing.
My resolution (I’m writing this publicly to set an example) is to love my fellow Jew. I will work on staying away from the stupid politics in our community. I will not discuss with others matters of dirty politics and will refrain from reading articles consisting of dirty politics.
We must stand together as one community, the Jewish community. Not make fun of others for not dressing properly and not make fun of others for supporting the rabbonim; its time we focus on the principle- Achdus!
Help each other in the street, say good morning to one another and create a freindly atmosphere amongst us Jews.
Then they will repect us. How can we demand respect from the cops and the shvartzes if we do not respect ourselves.
– my personal thought, my own resolution, please do not take this as any sort of ‘mussar’ to anyone in the community.
maven
TO the author of the letter in the inbox:
Shame on you for making a false comparsion between Devorah Halberstam and Cindy Sheehan!
Devorah Halberstam is no Cindy Sheehan. Devorah is a Jewish woman whose innocent under age son became a holy martyr by dying at the hands of a crazed Jew hating Arab, while coming home from bikur cholim for the Rebbe. Cindy’s son was an adult volunteer in the US Army, who died doing his chosen line of work. Devorah took this terrible tragedy of her life, tierelessly sought justice, and help others, to spread Torah and light, while Cindy took her tragedy and used it to gain media attention, to grind her own personal political axe, and belly ache.
You should have some ahavas yisroel for Devorah, and some rachmanas for a Jewish woman who suffered, and you should daven that you never go through what she went through. You may not agree with her, but that is no reason to be so void of feelings.
Kach
It might just be time for local residence of CH to take matters into our own hands… with all due respect to shmira and shomrim, maybe it’s time to enlist our own men on each block and have people patrolling, and do it the satmar way…. if we catch someone we beat the daylights out of him so he won’t ever think about muggin anyone here.
CH is worse than Russia, worse than France and soon unfortunately might be even worse than Iraq!
I’ll finish in the words of MATISYAHU:
"slam your fist on the table and make your demand
you better make the right move"
anon.
On the contrary: If we all had legal guns, we would be safer as we could defend ourselves
It is an established fact that States that have made concealed carry of guns available to their law abiding citizens have seen a REDUCTION in crime far greater than the reduction seen in gun control states
Moishe
Very well stated. Yashar Koach.
Acts of Goodness
I agree with Mr. "Do Good". I, too will take on a Hachlotah.
The article was well put……..we need Rudy again!!!!
Rather, maybe our mayor will wake up….but we must work on ourselves & then Hashem will help……..as the saying goes, "Meet G-d halfway, and he’ll meet you the other half"
Moish
B"H
Finally, some sanity.
Hopefully most people see things these way and won’t get diverted by all those arguments that don’t deal with the problem.
A groiss yasher koyach
jcone
satmer does not beat the daylights out of any one willamsburg shomrim just forcefully apprehend and hold on to the person till the police arrives ,then they encourage to press charges and guide all the way up to a verdict, total in the frame work of the law ,and it does not antagonize peacefull neighbors
btw willamsburg shomrim is a grassroot org, with members of all kehilos ,with all their disagreements blocked out for the saftey of the neighborhood
xx
If you live past Schenectady, hearing gun shots is not an uncommon occurrence-it used to be even more frequent. This past year, there were a few shootings on Utica Avenue. Someone visited me last year who knew something about identifying gang members and was nervous when walking down Utica and Carroll and saw several gang members on the street.
mother in CH
I agree with Mavon. Don’t dare talk about Devorie Halberstam that way!! This is not what this is all about!
Shocked
Frankly, all things aside, I am mystified, shocked, and horrified that in the year 2006 a person can simply shoot someone dead and walk around a free man with no consequences. Frankly, if I were a detective on this case, I would be so embarassed that a person commited this serious crime and I was unable to catch him. (where are the people from CSI: NY and Law & Order when we need them?)
Anon
"You should have some ahavas yisroel for Devorah, and some rachmanas for a Jewish woman who suffered, and you should daven that you never go through what she went through. You may not agree with her, but that is no reason to be so void of feelings."
and cindy sheean doesn’t have feelings? is she not deserving of some rachmonos? someone does not become an authority on social and political issues just because they suffered a tragic loss. do i have the right to say what i want about the holocaust just because i lost so many family members on the hands of the nazis ym"s?
securecrownheights@gmail.com
a long time ago there was a suggestion to vaad hakahal
to install Video Surveillance cameras on every block in
Crown Heights.
The expense is really not that big. And in city’s around
the world It did cut crime to a very low level and at the
same time There will be A recording of police activity if
any exists.
And that will give the drivers who are being stopped for
traffic Violations the evidence thy need in court for
police wrong doing.
(Like who is stopped by whom and for what)
In today’s market this can be achieved for about
$1,000.00 per block
And crown heights is about 50 blocks .
This is very affordable and a small price to pay
for the security of our families .
use the technology the world offers today and save lives.
I will donate the first camera today .
Here is a new email box securecrownheights@gmail.com
Anyone can contact me with pledges so we can go to
the vaad With pledges and demand the security.
p.s.
and we can start with one block at the time
Reuven
Firstly, to the author of the main article – Brilliant!!! Whenever something happens, everyone gets caught up in trying to solve the world’s problems! Lets stick to the issue at hand. Since I moved back to CH 7 months ago I have heard of muggings and shootings way too often. Why did it have to take a Lubavitcher getting killed for the whole community to wake up. Shvartzers are shvartzers, but they are also people and not all of them hate us or want to kill us. We should’ve gotten worked up over the first murder of a innocent human before it hit home. We all live in the same neighbourhood and we all gotta live together. Let’s work TOGETHER – Lubavitchers and shvartzers alike to make this CH into a safe and friendly community.
And to "maven" – Thank you for proving my point that ppl in this community only care about their own. Just b/c C.S’s son volunteered to go and help protect OUR country, doesn’t mean she didn’t suffer. We’ve got to stick to the issue at hand and not get sidetracked by ppl’s personal agendas.
long time resident
Well said
I was reluctant to attend the levaya because I felt it would be turned into some political rally. We do need to take this unfortunate event and do what we can for our community. BUT, I agree, gun control is NOT the answer – that’s stupid – the guns that threaten us are not legal now, and more laws will not stop those guns.
Increasing shmira (joining shmira and shomrim?) would be a good start. Our community gets very little respect in the city circles.
With regard to Devorah H/Sheehan, with all due respect to DH, I can see the comparison – she is doing much good, but don’t capitalize on this for stupid gun control laws. Was the gun that kill her son legal? Would laws have protected him? NO, those criminals will get guns anyway (or knives, etc)
We should be screaming for CRIME CONTROL, cops who are not afraid to do their job, and joint patrols
Sbk
Your work is amazing Webby, not that this was just a piece of work to you, but I could feel what you felt when you wrote it. It’s hard to feel the impact of such a thing when it’s not as close to home for me as it must have been for you, but you did a good job at makin me feel like garbage ;). Kudos, you.
Refugee from Manhattan
Recently my wife and I have been looking for a new place to live. Having grown up in a small town with a small group of Yidden, it has always been my dream to live within a real Jewish community. I came as a young man to live on the Lower East Side just in time to see that remnant of Jewish history disappear. It is now effectively gone. My wife for some time has wanted to make the move to Brooklyn. I have spent time in Crown Heights over the years more so in the last couple in search of the yiddishikeit that can only be found there.
I had always considered CH an oasis in the desesrt that surrounds it, hoping in time that too would improve. Unfortunately not only has it not improved but as the author of this article rightly states it has become worse. I remember all too well the crime rate in the 70’s and 80’s all over the city, as well as the troubles in CH in the 90’s. I thought all that was over but it appears it is not. Moreover what struck my wife even more than the sense of danger was the lack of friendliness to a fellow Yid albeit an unrecognized one. Is this the future of the Jewish community in New York? Do we now huddle in the shrinking ghettos letting criminals dictate our lives afraid of each other?
If we are to have a future at all it must be together!
We must as we are taught embrace each other and stand for the rights of all to a crime free and safe city.
We must go beyond just saying "Good Morning" to those we know in the street, we must truely make it a good day for everyone in the community. We must be the shinning example for all to see that no one would want to tarnish it. Is this not the way Moshiach comes?
Maybe then CH will have a place for me
Using Blood for Political Gain and Money
It is obvious that The Vaad Hakohol, lead by Rubashkin, under the advice of Chanina’s Political analysis, have made a well thought out, cold, calculated assessment on how to "handle" the situation at the Levaya and beyond.
The Vaad Hakohol’s Choice:
They could have blasted the Mayer for the lack of adequate police protection.
The Blame lies squarely in the Lap of the Mayer. Police only follow orders from their captain and the captain follows orders from the commissionaire and he follows orders from the Meyer. You can’t blame the rank and file Police Officer for following orders but you can blame the Meyer for issuing the orders.
It’s the Meyers free choice to use the Police to prevent Bloodshed. Instead the Meyer chose to use the Police for his own Political Gain, to reduce the City Budget by using the Police as "Ticket Writers" for cold blooded financial gain for the city.
Likewise, Chanina Sperlins head is in Politics and not into saving Lives. Saving Lives? That’s for Shomrim, but HE has a Political Life ahead of himself. All the Vaad Cares about is Politics an MONEY.
Everyone expected our Kehila to pour out their Anger and Anguish and "capitalize" on the world wide focus and sympathy for us, to utilize this super high profile spotlight, to gain more protection for Crown Heights. That’s exactly what ANY community would do, when hit with such a High Profile Crime, to be publicly outraged at the lack of adequate Police Protection.
The Meyer of the City of NY, knew very well that he "Had it Coming" and that he was going to "Get Hit Hard" for what happened because it’s his orders to the commissioner to have all precinct captains to give as many tickets as possible instead of using the police to prevent REAL crime. Every second “wasted” writing a ticket, is a second which could have been, used instead to search and apprehend REAL criminals.
Roomer has it, that before the Levaya, City Hall was in a Panic about "what we would say" about the Meyer.
A DEAL WAS STRUCK between Chanina and the Meyers Office: "If you don’t blame us for what happened and don’t make us look bad, we will reward you with lots of Political Gain and CASH (Awarded Programs) for C.H.
The Deal was approved!
It was a cold blooded, heartless, calculated Deal to TRADE Efraim’s Blood for Money and For Political Good Will and Power!
Leah Rosenstein
My son was mugged on Utica and President 2and one half weeks ago. Your website reported Schenectady but it was Utica. The thugs pulled a gun on him, beat him up and knocked him out. He is only 18 and waited until morning to report it. It was also in the middle of the night and he had gone to a farbrangin. iI wonder if the same thugs that robbed my son killed Reb Ephraim. We do not live in Crown Hts.
Baruch
Did anyone of the vaad hakahal demand more police for our neighborhood? I’ve heard that we lost more than 100 policeman in our neighborhood due to the Mayor’s office.
At a time like this, shouldn’t our elected kahal leaders have demanded and demanded with full force — the return of our policeman???
Why the niceties? Why the mempsie pempsie??
Ad mosai?
A Call for Candidates for Vaad hakohol
Baruch wrote:
-> "Did anyone of the vaad hakahal demand more police for our neighborhood?"
If our Vaad Hakohol, isn’t getting us more Police Protection, it’s time to elect a new Vaad who will.
Rewarding the Guilty = Bloodhed in C.H.
Why did the Vaad Hakohol not blame Bloomberg for the lack of adequate police protection to fight crime instead wasting their time writing useless Tickets?
It’s not the first time that Rubashkin chose to trade Jewish Lives and our Safety for the only reason of having hopes that by doing so he will find Political Favor in Politics.
This past summer, Shmira and Shomrim risked their lives to save the yidden in one of Boimelghreens buildings (near Chovevey Torah). Our Shmira/Shomrim members not only risked their lives but were injured too.
The next day, as one Political Figure tried to play the Race Card and started raising questions about the use of force against the criminals. Rubashkin immediately “melted” and immediately stated on the record, that he doesn’t think that our own Patrol is really needed and he would look into dismantling the current system (in favor of a Join Patrol, with “them”)
Shmira and Shomrim were then thoroughly outraged at Rubashkin. Not only did Rubashkin not give adequate financial support to both Shmira and Shomrim and not only did he not even defend their actual life-saving actions in that case, but he indirectly agreed with “THEM” and blamed “US” and played right into the hands of our enemies!
Shmira and Shomrim thoroughly outraged, immediately demanded from the then head of the Netzigim, Reuven Lipkind that he call and immediate emergency meeting of the Netzigim to resolve the emergency situation. Lipkind promised he would call a meeting but repeatedly delayed it for months. In the meantime “we” (Shmira and Shomrim), made the “same mistake” to “forgive” the guilty and not blame them publicly, in the “hopes” of “striking a deal” that if we don’t blame them for their past actions they will “Reward” us for saving their Kovod, by them promising, to be better in the future.
By the time the netzigim Meeting came about, months later a few days before Rosh Hashana, the head of Shmira (Stern) finally made his long awaited speech without a word of criticism for what had happened. He only had a lot of (20 minutes worth) of “sweet nothings” to say about “how wonderful” shmira is.
History repeats it’s self, now too when we have legitimate reason to blame the guilty, we choose to praise the guilty with “sweet nothings” instead. All this, in the hopes of finding favor in someone’s eyes – to be rewarded politically somehow.
When will we wake up to realize that “the system of rewarding the guilty” is counter-productive?
If we reward the Guilty in the C.H. Bloodshed, how can we blame the Israeli Government for their similar rewarding the Arabs for their Terrorism (by Awarding the Arabs “Gifts of Land”) in hopes that by doing so you can “appease” the enemy. During World War II, 6 Million Yidden were killed in the hopes that you could “appease” the enemy by remaining “neutral”.
Boruch ben Tzvi HaKohaine Hoffinger
We don’t need a cop on every corner, we need laws on every corner: The 7 G-dly Commands of the Children of Noach!
I try to teach them to non-Jews whenever I can.
Law-enforcement persons, fear not that you’ll get laid off, we’ll find you a better job!
why?
someone needed to be killed for the cops to potrol the street’s
www.doonlygood.blogspot.com
Firstly I would really like to comment on the great article written. It hits the point to the tee.
I most defently think that new candidates for Vaad Hakohol should be elected.
There defently needs to be more Tznius and Ahavas Yisroel in CH and around the world not only in Chabad but out of it aswell, However Chabad should set the example that’s what The Rebbe would most defenetly demand from us at this time of sorrow and pain.
starting to compare people to others is not a resolution to the facts, these are people who lost dear ones (Lo Aleinu, Velo Aleichem) and got them motivated to do something about it. If they are right or wrong that is another thing.
True that gun control wouldn’t help much and that crime control is what should be emphasized. However I think both should be enforced.
I am a newley wed that was about to move to CH to open a buissness, which according to my statistics will make a killing, however i decided not to, for the crime rate is too high from what I’m used to in the quiet Montreal.
In summery I think the Heads of the current Vaad are all ego seekers as most "Machers" are. What a community needs as a leader is someone motivated mainly by doing good for his Shchuna. and not for his pocket or fame. If any money comes out of it Gezunterheit, but that should be his last motive, he should want to do it for free because of his love to the Shchuna, just as Hatzoloh and Shmira/Shomrim.
We all must stop always saying that it’s racists or anti semitism, what it is, it’s hatred now it’s the Jews soon it’s someone else, people that commit crimes are people that would do it to anyone, hence the reason they are put in Jail and not sent to another neighborhood where there are no Jews or whatever be the case.
For the two women that lost their children, it’s a shame, and if through the Rachmonus they can be heard… good for them, but they are still normall people and they can do as much as any other person can.
On a final note I don’t think it should take a tragedy to make do Hachlatos, one should always strive to DO ONLY GOOD. Hoileich Umoisif.
remember an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but a good word and good thought a day keep the hatred away!!!!
maven
Anon wrote << and cindy sheean doesn’t have feelings? is she not deserving of some rachmonos? someone does not become an authority on social and political issues just because they suffered a tragic loss. do i have the right to say what i want about the holocaust just because i lost so many family members on the hands of the>>
We have free speech and everyone is entitled to air their views.
Devorah is not holding herself up as an authority, but you must admit that her work for the Jewish Children’s Museum, and her crusade for justice for her son’s murder is nothing short of amazing and admirable. She has shown tremendous courage and has channelled her grief into mitzvot, and tat should be an inspiring example for all of us.
We should never know of her suffering.
Rebok
for all the Extremly PIOUS, GREAT NOBLE people of crown hieghts I would like to share a few facts .i just happen to know what happened with rubashkin that day.a] i know he was up before dawn with the authorities . what happened with the publicity rubashkin didn’t want to say the obvios and b] yes he did mention the lack of the cities protection and how everywhere the crime rate went lower but in crown hieghts it got higher.Meanwhile everyone is muttering how the vaad [namely rubashkin] reacted wrong and how we need new leaders…who REALLY CARE about the community .This community is being completly disscusting like an aroggant chazer” oh bring me PEACE”
How the heck are a few guys supposed to make everything right?everyone just critisizes and demands yet there are VERY few people who would take the effort or time to help the community ,…because hey that’s what the vaad is here for right?!!! WRONG you cannot bring peace to peaple who don’t want it [what they want is a nice life of course with thier” PROPER KUVOD”] AND THEY wont lower themselves a drop [G-d forbid ] well the vaad is working very hard and yes they probly could have given better responses/situations IF they had ru’ach hakodesh perhaps , but they don’t , life’s not a perfect story book and they deal with the situation at hand.i once heard a holocaust surviver speak he said the only way to prevent another holacaust and more blood shed is ; not to waste time just screaming and ranting ”build a community every member who has something to add abring good will stand side by side working” AND THAT’S THE ONLY WAY ‘ DONT JUST DUMP THE RESPONSABILITY ON OTHERS.ay don’ As for the ”wise” machers of crown hieghts i’d like to see your lists of plans .Everyone knows it is much easier to criticise .
kobeR
Mr. Do Good’s letter should be printed and posted all over CH !!!!!!!!Yasher Koach
maven
REbok– I agree with your substance but it is difficult to read your post.
Could people please take the time to try and spell things correctly, and to use paragraphs and punctuation. Anyone reading this blog would think CH people are a bunch of greenhorn Russian peasants.
And some of you think this is the same as sending messages on a cell phone. Can’t you write a decent line or two?
vifel a shiur
couldn’t agree more.
another few points i thought devorah halberstam was alittle out of place the focus should have been about the crime in this community nothing to do with hate crime or frankly with her son after she spoke about the niftar and the community situation then it makes sense to mention her son. just my opinion also ..
besides the that the vaad hakohol doesnt have the balls to say the truth that crime is getting higher and higher… who tought you how to speak isnt there anyone better who sounds like they know what they are saying and r a little sure of themselfs.
and MY MAIN point is i think its time to get real leaders for this community and more people running for vaad hakohal maybe things would change ….. not enough people really care so there aren’t that many people running and not many people voting etc.
and by the way maybe its time to make one strong shimra instead of 2 weak security forces cut the crap and work toghter .
another idea place video camars on top of street lights on every block they only costs 220 $ each for security thats really cheap.
Optimistic
We could start by giving each other rides. Another minute in the car and you could save someone from being later or the not-always-easy walk.
Not to express an opinion on Devorah, but I have a question? WHy is she beyond reproach? When a person says soemthing publicly, the public has the right to comment. Moshiach Now!!
mtisyahu fan
young man control in your hand
take a stand fan fire or the flameof theyouth
you’ve got the freedom to choose
you’d better make the right move
translate these words use it for thetragedythey are exactly right
Lola
Matisyahu fan, I agree with those inspiring demanding words, but you got it slightly off:
Young Man,
control in your hand
slam your fist on your table and make your demand
Take a Stand
Fan Fire for the flame of the youth
You’ve got the freedom to choose
you’d better make the right move
Sholom
Aside from Matisyahu..this is a wonderful essay, yasher koach for writing it, Anonymous…
Commenting
To refugee from Manhattan:This is the Rebbe’s shechuna, instead of running away which is the easier way out, come back to CH and do your part to make it better here. People always complain about everyone else. We need to show action on our own part. We need to stay even when the going gets tough, like a true soldier of the Rebbe. By the way, what makes you think that Manhattan is a better place for a frum Jew than CH?
To Webby: TZNIUS is NOT a HERGESH, it is HALACHA!!!! Thanks for the site.
To Maven:What’s up with you? Are you embaressed of your own? Do you become bigger, when putting down others? Why do you have to put down someone because of their spelling? B"H most boys in this community went to only Limudei Kodesh and, yes, they may not spell 100%. And so???? Who gives? If you’d like don’t take one ever as your son-in-law, but I personally think that you’d be making a big mistake if you judge people by the way they spell/read/write. People don’t make spelling mistakes on purpose. Do you do everything perfectly? If you’re human, then probably not. Give the person credit for writing, I’m sure they’re getting better at it every day. In any case, you always have the choice of not reading their post-if it bothers you so much. Some of the most successful people in this world have difficulty reading and writing. By you MOCKING a person’s SPELLING you are really sending out a message that you are a human who needs to belittle others to make themselves big. This is what a bully does. A true king is crowned by others and does not enforbe his rulership. I’m sure that you get the point. Please stop. This type of insulting has happened a few times on this website already. Please show us that you’re made of better stuff than that.
Moshiach NOW!!!!!!!!!!
TEC
To Maven, Re:spelling mistakes
Writing is a form of communication, and as long as a person gets their message/idea across, their writing has been successful.
pple
oh good! gossip! thatll help things! talk about the wrongdoings and yada yada yada….well heres the thing: no matter where we are were going to be persecuted, shot, harressed…..the list goes on….so instead of talking about the wrongs of the community…which every civilization has…take opun ur self a hachlata thatll help bring our redemption!! good solution dont u think?????????
The EAR
To Maven:
i hate to break it to u but we are a bunch of "Russian peasants." (Im from Russia, are u?) not everyone has to be educated and sophisticaed as long as they know the laws of the land which include decency to ur fellow jew, not putting another down by embarressing them, not rebuking those whose worldy knowledge seems to be less than urs when in fact theyre probably a lot smarter than u r.
ma
The EAR,
All I am asking is that you use normal English with punctuation marks because some of these posts are not readable at all.
cs
You make some really good & valid points.
As far as Mrs. Halberstam is concerned, she has positioned herself as a public figure & as such her actions will elicit comment. Having suffered a loss does not mean that her actions & statements , however well-meaning, are necessarily good ones or above reproach.
The place to really make a difference is tomorrow night
at the community-wide meeting with the police.There has been a steady increase in crime, we are all aware of it & we want something done. We also want those two female cops , targeting & ticketing Jews, to be transferred after appropriate retraining & disciplanary action. Note to the cops : Defending the indefensible & giving the community bogus excuses, which it doesn’t buy for a minute, causes us to lose respect for the NYPD
Tomorrow , March 9th 7:30 PM Public school, corner New York Ave & Empire Blvd
Moishe
i’m not dead! Do you hear me?
The suddenness of life. Instant strife. Cut through like a knife. Split second here then gone. What did I do wrong? And even if I did, can I not sing the song – of life, I’ve got children and a wife. A son engaged to be married overseas. Minding my own business, why’d you shoot me, please! I demand to know. Was it something I said? For now I’ll close my eyes and rest my head. But although I’m gushing blood and consciousness, too, I’m not dead. I’ll be back, I’m not through. Reeling them in one at a time, you’ll pay for your crime. Crimes against humanity, run now, but just this time, I’m coming back again, but not to get you, you see, it’s G-d who is master of creation and is tzedek/justice, it’s up to his mercy. Set my soul unbound by the Brooklyn concrete light. I don’t fight, I take flight, gone in the sky, back another day, this message I’ll relay: Set my people free from Brooklyn slavery. Set me free. That’s it, my delivery.
Delivery from a nameless enemy, making victims from afar. Your gun is a coward, you’re busted up, insides ajar. Comprehension to a minimum, blinded by your muzzle flash. Past, again climbs to the night, frightened by your trigger pulling finger, you turned around in flight. Darkness of the night covering over actions so impure. Writing rhythms over blood, you’re dance will hit the floor. No gore for my listeners, beseeching up above, that your justice is meted out – by the heavens, not white gloves. So stuff your pain, and now regain your consciousness, realize this game you’ve lost. Brooklyn circles jugular, in disdain you count your loss. Try not to edit thoughts as they flow in tears, a stream. Hot reminiscent flashes, bright focused laser beam. Burning scorching over underwritten crimes in 71st precinct. Under noses, tense and smelling. Crown Heights took a beating.
—
Time slows down, down to the sound, flying faces all around, lying dirty in this pit, RIP, is what the rock reads, etched in stone, doesn’t have to mean forever, you see, one day the Earth will heal my flesh and I will repossess my soul from ancient days, gone not. Now back to the fore, back for more, up from the floor, will come bodies, emptying graves, alive as day, day forever now, taking the time to stretch away, one long day, of sleep without a peep, deep under, sometimes six, sometimes not, thunder felt in chests, rained on pained, limbs whole and complete, competition to a low, or not at all.
Dancing now, on the snow capped graves that you once dug for me, I thank you in person, for your most profound, mitzvah above all – one of truth. but now no need for truce, the truth has been revealed: One Life, One Will, One Love, One G-d.
His chants so sweet and pure now emanating from every. . .door’s smashed down to the ground, concealment no more, know that I’m only as alive as my source. I did not survive, but was revived. The time is now to indulge in all that G-d gives us. So I shake off the dust, Arise!
posted by Saad at 12:33 AM 3 comments
Dimyun
I think it’s unfair to compare her to Sheehan, if anything the comparison would be with Carolyn McCarthy, whose husband Denis McCarthy was killed by Colin Ferguson in the LIRR massacre. She was subsequently elected to the United States Congress on a platform of gun control.
Sheehan on the other han’ is only known for being anti-Israel and anti-war.