Many of us have made themselves comfortable, we work hard to make a decent living, we opened our own Shul, we established our own Mosdos of Chesed, and we steer clear from any politics and Machlokes.
Sounds great? Perhaps. If you lived on your own island with your own Yeshiva and day school for your children, and you had pure role models for your children to look up to, and to aspire to follow their example.
Op-Ed: Yungelait: Don’t be Intimidated. It’s your Calling!
We are all tired from all the wars. We are disenchanted by the strife. The animosity has taken the better of us. To paraphrase a Yungerman: “my house is in Crown Heights, my shul is in Crown heights, but I am not part of Crown Heights.”
Many of us have made themselves comfortable, we work hard to make a decent living, we opened our own Shul, we established our own Mosdos of Chesed, and we steer clear from any politics and Machlokes.
Sounds great? Perhaps. If you lived on your own island with your own Yeshiva and day school for your children, and you had pure role models for your children to look up to, and to aspire to follow their example.
Unfortunately we don’t live on isolated islands. I’m sure that you know a fellow or two, who not only stayed away from getting involved in politics, but you probably know someone who said; to hell with Yidishkeit, if such is its face.
Politics took the better of us. The Rabbinate became political. The community leadership became political. Vaad Hakohol? A dirty word.
A child goes to school and he hears his friend berating a Rav. When a teacher says that the Rav said this is the way things should be done for Peisach, some kid jumps up to say: “We don’t go by this Rav”.
Then we question why some children go off, to feed in greener pastures.
How can I ensure that my children will grow up knowing that a Rav is something that the Torah says you must look up to, and follow his instruction when in doubt?
How can we guarantee that we create an environment for our children, which will not disenchant them from Yidishkeit?
I don’t have all the answers, but one thing is for sure; apathy won’t work.
It may feel comfortable for a few years while the children are still in nursery school, maybe kindergarten and first and second grade. But what happens when the child starts growing up and he asks questions about this Rav or the other? What about this letter/pashkvil that he read in Shul, or which some smart classmate shared with him for sheer entertainment?
What happens when there is a crisis and we need to rally the Kehila, who is this person or institution which commands the respect of all the residents of the neighborhood? Who can you turn to, if you feel that your school needs guidance how to handle your failing child?
You are the answer! Apathy is not.
You grew up in an atmosphere of strife and disillusionment, and that’s why you chose to run away by becoming apathetic, and your brother chose to run to the village.
If this environment continues, where do you think your child will run?
Give your child a chance to grow up in a better atmosphere than you did.
Forever parents worked their hearts out, to shape a better future for their children. You are no different. You will help your child, by changing the frame of mind from being apathetic, to becoming conscientious and taking charge.
I noticed over the last few years, that Crown Heights has been blessed with hundreds, yes hundreds, of good young men, who stepped up to the plate. Many have started their own Shuls and they carved out a warm corner for themselves and for many of their disillusioned friends. I know of dozens of young men and women, who were brought back into the fold, thanks to these efforts.
Many are focusing on creating Shiurim, and thank G-d they are slowly but surely creating an environment of Torah and Chassiduss in Crown Heights.
Some took to organizing Farbrengens on a regular basis to warm the Chasidishe heart on a Yoma D’Pagra.
Others have created for themselves work of Shlichus in Crown Heights, by reaching out to the disenfranchised boys and girls, who were written off by others as dropouts and losers. Many Chabad houses have sprung up in Crown Heights, with amazing success.
And let’s not forget all the efforts to foster Chesed and Achdus by young good men and women in our community, which can serve as models of how to implement the true Lubavitch spirit and the teachings of the Rebbe.
One area has been left out by all these great people, and this is the structure of our neighborhood, the Rebbe’s Shchuna, where we all live, and plan to raise our children.
A major reason is one of fear and intimidation. Fear of the burden of getting involved, especially when you see how much time is spent by those who have been holding these positions in the past. And intimidation of all the negative energy, that has been associated with these organizations.
So allow me to suggest, that being a member of the Vaad Hakohol shouldn’t have to consume your entire day and night. A member of the Vaad Hakohol/CHJCC is a member of a board, no different to being a member of the board in Oholei Torah or Ahavas Chesed. These organizations have executive directors and administrators, who run the day to day operations, and the board only meets once in a few weeks for a couple of hours, to make some decisions during dinner time, or when undertaking a project like putting up a new building.
There is no reason why a board member of the Vaad Hakohol should be occupied all day running the Vaad Hakohol/CHJCC. That’s why you have an executive director with a staff in the office, this is their job. You only serve as an oversight committee to see that things are working right. On the contrary, when the board meddles too much, that’s when we have situations like those that we have seen in the past. As the saying goes; too many chefs spoil the broth.
And with regards to the intimidation factor. If the Vaad realizes that they don’t have to meddle, then they won’t encounter all the negativity associated with having constant criticism directed at them on a daily basis. All of this can be conveniently avoided.
Most of you work in businesses, and some of you work in major companies. Imagine what would happen if the president or ceo mixes into the daily operation of individual employees. In no time will he destroy the moral of all the employees and the company will simply disintegrate, and be gone forever. Such behavior will also frustrate the ceo, because he won’t see things moving exactly the way he would like every single day.
If we approach serving in these organizations in this manner, that a Vaad member serves only a member of a board, and not as an executive director, then the community can only benefit from your wisdom and experience that you acquired in the business world or in communal activity, and we can all learn and grow, with you, and thanks to you.
Guys, it’s your calling now. You can do it, and you will do it successfully, if you realize that you can. The fact that you kept away all this time, while at the same time showing that you are not lazy and that you do care, keeps you clean of any blemishes, and gives you the most credibility and stature, to fit the bill of a community leader.
Yungelait, this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity, to turn things around for you and your children. Please, take advantage of this moment. Who knows if there will be another such opportunity, if this one is neglected.
Sign up, become candidates, run for community leadership, and most importantly, vote!
And to paraphrase a friend; all the elections until now, were against somebody, this time is the first time we are voting for something, and that something is called peace and stability.
Please see the moment for what it is.
If the same old machers and tumlers are the only ones who run for Vaad Hakohol/CHJCC, and no new faces show an interest in becoming leaders, then chances are that no more than 1000-1200 out of 3000 people will vote in the Vaad Hakohol elections. Under such circumstances, which normal person will want to become Rav in a community overcome by apathy? And which Rav will want to run, if his job is to be a referee in a 24/7 soccer match.
However, if the community will see new faces running for leadership, then we have a good chance to see over 2000 people come to vote. After such a showing, there is a great chance that a good qualified Rav will agree to run as a candidate to join the Bais Din. And the people will have their say, in deciding on a promising future for ourselves and for our children.
May Hashem give us the wisdom and the strength to make the right and brave decision.
selie
AMAIN
THANKS ALOT.
If alot of people hold this way, then we can bring ourselves into a much more positive zman.
keyn yehi ratzon
give the Rebbe nachas
and do rotzoin HKBH
DR. LEVI A. REITER
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN, VERY CONVINCING, AND I BELIEVE CORRECT AND TO THE POINT. I WILL DO MY BEST TO CONVEY THE MESSAGE TO YUNGERLITE WHOM I ENCOUNTER, AND I WILL IY”H TAKE THE ADVICE MYSELF.
THANKS FOR BRINGING OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE PSAK– THAT WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE AND RENEWEL,
AND THIS MEANS TO VOTE AND TO GET INVOLVED.
YASHER KOACH!!
Why Should I?
Thank you for your op ed. Firstly, you ask us yungerleit to step up and put our names out there. Who are you? where is your name? You happen to have written a nice piece sign your name. Secondly, the practical fact is, if I run for something then my kid gets taunted in school because im involved in CH politics. Not fair. Lastly, you write that if we dont get involved that will work until our kids get a little older and start asking questions, let him ask. Ill say there is machlokes and fighting and I dont want to be involved with that and he shouldnt either. Just live an honest life and do the best you can to raise a simple honest family.
A concerned parent
Very well thought out piece – hopefully yungerleit will heed the call not only for Crown Heights communal service, but also for communal service on Shlichus…
We are facing a terrible stagnation of yunderleit sitting in Kollel who want to go on Shlichus, yet “THE SYSTEM” is holding them back… there are tons of places to go where there are not shluchim, or the shluchim there just occupy a place in name alone and leave the place dormant and fallow… go out there and help your fellow Jews!!!!!! THE SYSTEM is great for those already in it, but it should not hold back our precious talent from shinning
parent
once again the blame for off the derech kids is the lack of leadership in our community! So why do I know hundereds of boys and girls who stayed on the derech the last 10 years or so while there was strife in our community.
Role models are teachers, parents, rabbis, rebbitzins, neighbors , anyone with a good CHASSIDISHE OUTLOOK, WHO LIVES THEIR LIVES THE WAY THE REBBE WANTED US TO WHILE THE REBBE WAS HERE B’GUF. They are role models. Teach your kids what its like to sit at a farbrengen in 770 in the 80’s.
Teach our kids what it felt like to have a rally in 770 just for the kids and how the rebbe spoke to each one of us.
IF ALL PARENTS WOULD DRESS ACCORDINGLY, SPEAK THE RIGHT WAY AND WITH DERECH ERETZ TO ALL AROUND US, WE MAY BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
If we keep politics away from our tables and show kids how we can live happily despite what is going on , things will be good.
Do not agree!
Unfortanatly – I do NOT agree with this op-ed.
We all know that 770 was our life-line our blood. That was our center of life. But ever since 770 was highjacked and taken away from us by (who I consider) as “Non-Lubavitchers” I no longer feel myself as a Crown Heights resident. definatly not a “proud” one. And, yes. I just sleep over in CH and I am NOT a part of CH!
Sorry!
Anonymous
Is Zaki Tamir running again?
thumbs up!
I really hope the good guys listen.
It’s time to do something for our people!
Intimidation?
Tell me, you speak about not being intimidated, yet you are intimidated to write your own name on the article… how ironic!
If you want to teach everyone not to be intimidated, for starters, TELL US WHO YOU ARE! Talk is cheap!
I plan to look at the article again in several hours. By then, I hope to see your name on it!
chabadnik
I think that CH should continue as it is today
Lubavitchers should go out on shlichus, officially or un-officially (every jew is a shliach)
A lub should live outside from CH tryng to attract other Jews to Iddushkait
I am not saying as full time outreach (this is for official shluchim) but , tryng to make a decent living and participate ,helping shluchim (giving shiurim, inviting ppl for Shabbos)or voluntary helping Lubs schools, etc, and bring Moshiach now
CH is not a place for REal Lubs, in this is what we see, guys just fighting, machloikes, politics, point being, CH is not the NAtural place for a Lub to be,you under-perform in CH, CH is perfect place to visit, IOW, there are too many ppl in CH.
Who Seed Watt
Interesting fiction. Classical “straw man”. Pose a problem that doesn’t exist, then solve it. Serving on the Vaad Ha’kohol is a MAJOR responsibility and commitment of time. Don’t oversimplify the task. Those who run and serve should be commended, at least for their attempts. People are turned off, not by the old politicians, but rather by the low road of negative commentary against those who dare to run and serve. The above inaccurate commentary about existing leadership included.
TO THE AUTHOR...
YOU WROTE:
I noticed over the last few years, that Crown Heights has been blessed with hundreds, yes hundreds, of good young men, who stepped up to the plate. Many have started their own Shuls and they carved out a warm corner for themselves and for many of their disillusioned friends. I know of dozens of young men and women, who were brought back into the fold, thanks to these efforts.
======================================
YOUR BASIC POINT IS CORRECT “get involved” NOT in politics but rather REAL positive peoolos” such as Shiurim, Farbrengens, Achdus, Chesed, Mivtzoyim etc etc
======================================
I TAKE ISSUE WITH YOUR (flawed)PREMISE… “you link a correlation between the dropouts & community politics”
THE SAD REALITY IS HOWEVER THAT POLITICS HAS BEEN WITH US SINCE KORACH…
======================================
WHY IS IT THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BACHURIM HAVE REMAINED FRUM & WELL ADJUSTED CHASIDIM DESPITE COMMUNITY-POLITICS OF THE 80s & 90s (did you forget?!) HOW HAVE THEY MANAGED?!
======================================
YES. i’m suggesting a much more obvious RISK-FACTOR which tends to be present in the vast majority of DROPOUT cases
======================================
btw
there are many excuses USED by the dropouts to justify their self-destructive choices (knowingly destroying their longterm true-joy in life)
These are just that EXCUSES & RATIONALIZATIONS of Nebach cases (outwardly putting on a happy face) but inwardly Lost Confused & Hurt!!!
Hurt by growing up in a home with COLD shalom bayis or untreated LD etc
these POOR NESHAMOS are love-starved & looking to fill a vaccume produced by Bad Shalom Bayis or Untreated Learning delays.
You show me a “dropout” & i’ll guarentee you that He/She is either a child to:
1) unloving parents
2) parents who allowed hollywood-TV etc at home
3) parents who neglected to intervene early in childhood before the LD destroyed the childs self-esteem0
===========================================
dont believe this GENERALIZATION? Test it yourself!
DO YOU KNOW A SINGLE CASE (a boy who shaves or a girl who dresses like a shixet) WHO’s Parents DO have a-happy-marriage+home-environment?
how about TV & MOVIES in the house?
how about ignored Learning disabilities
ive yet to find dropout who defies the above CRITERIA
Note: these are all PREVENTABLE risk-factors,,, this link is [ervassive in the dropout-demographic far more than any of the typical (excuses) AMASLOS
=================================
those who stay healthy & disciplined are those who can differentiate between phony-faker-rabbis & authentic judaism they wont reject the good-with-the-bad
====================================
the proof is sadly statistically accurate!
show me a dropout
& you’ll sadly find one or more of these sad home-conditions
shloime freundlich
In the Bible it talks about Korbnos for sins .It says “a prince who sins” not if etc but when a price will sin.When you get involved in the kalhal you alwas get tainted. My Shul Beis Shmuel makes some Crown Heghts wide events ,like Purim concert,Mumbie achdus Shabbos ,helping Lag Bomer etc,still we get flack ,but at least we try
The Mrs.
323, is that you? I totally agree with you – to your face and when you leave as well. You made some excellent points and have given us as a community a lot to think about. Keep writing and IY”H you’ll spark some change!
This is why
To “Why should I?”
1- You ask why the talented and well meaning writer did not leave his/her name. I didn’t see your name attached to your comment like Dr. Reiter did. So why criticize a good intention?
2- You answer that You needn’t get involved b/c when your kids ask, you’ll say that “there’s machlokis and fighting” there and we do should not get involved with that.
You miss the entire point of the OP ED– which is that with fresh young people active, running, & voting– there is hope for a new era without fighting!
Yep!
Very well said, indeed, regardless of who wrote the piece!
If I see the same old posters filled with bleary-eyed, pig-faced gangsters demanding re-re-re-election and daring to promise “responsiveness” when they mean “deafness” and the like, I’ll go nuts. Age should not be a factor – all we are asking for are two things: common sense. You don’t even need too much of it to surpass the status quo. And mentchlichkeit. That means honesty too. Most normal people have these two winning factors. For some reason we’ve haven’t been seeing much of them in public for the longest time. Kol hakavod to anyone normal who runs. Hey! We can just present a complete coupe and fill all positions with gentlemen for once! An amazing thought, almost too good to believe. Please let it happen.
Chani V.
HEllo???? Who is so blind that they dont see that it was written by Yosef Katzman????
To those who say that there are other reasons for the problems faced by individuals,, there is a saying in English,, A fish stinks from the HEAD!! Sure there are other parts that smell, but that is where our problems have been coming from. Hopefully instead of sitting here, and criticizing, anonymously, you will not be cowardly, and do the right thing. To the dad who says he will tell his children not to get involved, There is no such thing. YOU BY NOT GETTING INVOLVED ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM! A much bigger part, then u give urself credit for…
kuti krap
Guys did any of you go to 770 ?
did any of you see another shul in the world that
when the short guy name kuti krap can do as his own house ?
he will dance and YOU will daven outside ?
wake up wake up wake up yiden time to run hendel mendel back to palastine. who need the machloikes ?
send hendel mendel who calls him self mm“h or mh”m back to zfat and all po]roblems solved.
his long arms are the popets zev kadaner, eli poltrack etc.
start fresh elect real people Crown hights jews not hate mungers .
This article DOES have an author
Look on the left hand side at the top of the article –
The author is Yosef Katzman! He does put his name!
waiting for real peace
how about just having women run it?
they can do all the voting too, so it doesn’t have to be a tznius issue.
my bet is that this would be the best and only sure way to eliminate the fighting!
Mendy
“To the author wrote”
You say that every kid that shaves has one of three problems…
you so don’t know what your talking about. Let me tell you I shave my parents have a wounderful marriage,
I did amazing in school, academically and socially.
I did not grow up with movies or TV, oh and we also live comfortably financially.
reg. guy
I agree with “Yep!”
Ridiculous
to Intimidation & why should I:
The author’s name is right at the beginning of the article. Yosef Katzman. I think you owe him an apology!
Mottel
(SIGH)
Can nobody hear read English?
It says clearly at the top “by Yosef Katzman”!
Gut Shabbos
Ushow me a “dropout” = DISTURBED HOME/LD
. show me a “dropout” & i’ll guarentee you that He/She is either a child to:
1) unloving parents
2) parents who allowed hollywood-TV etc at home
3) parents who neglected to intervene early in childhood before the LD destroyed the childs self-esteem0
dont believe this GENERALIZATION? Test it yourself!
DO YOU KNOW A SINGLE CASE (a boy who shaves or a girl who dresses like a shixet) WHO’s Parents DO have a-happy-marriage+home-environment?
how about TV & MOVIES in the house?
how about ignored Learning disabilities
ive yet to find dropout who defies the above CRITERIA
Note: these are all PREVENTABLE risk-factors,,, this link is [ervassive in the dropout-demographic far more than any of the typical (excuses) AMASLOS
=================================
those who stay healthy & disciplined are those who can differentiate between phony-faker-rabbis & authentic judaism they wont reject the good-with-the-bad
JUST THINK!
the proof is sadly statistically accurate!
show me a dropout
& you’ll sadly find one or more of these
TO Mendy wrote: (WHO SHAVES)
HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN YOUR CHOICE TO CHOOSE A LIFE STYLE AGAINST THE REBBE AND THE WAY HE TAUGHT US TO FIND HAPPINESS AND JOY IN LIFE. DO YOU THINK YOU KNOW BETTER THEN THE REBBE HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF HAPPY AND HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE LIFE. THINK ABOUT IT THINK AOBUT IT
look b4 you comment
“Thank you for your op ed. Firstly, you ask us yungerleit to step up and put our names out there. Who are you? where is your name?”
You blockhead! Can’t you read english? It says on the top right corner “by Yosef Katzman”.
Charlie
Fools, he added his name later. When the article was first posted it was anonymous. I guess he added his name because of these comments. Se everyone please stop shouting. On another note, your spelling (and I mean almost everyone’s) disqualifies you from even having an opinion—never mind posting it here. All you commenters should start over with grade school.
Respect for Rabbonim
In answer to the post that dropouts occur when you have 3 criteria……Unfortunately we have dropouts that were outstanding Talmidim among whom were “Chozrim ” of the Rebbe. Their parents have exemplary marriages and they were very loving to their children. I think that Gimmel Tammuz was a major factor in this sad development. But along with that, when you have no respect for Rabbonim, you are going to have the unfortunate developments that you see today among our young. Hopefully we can get on the right track and see a brighter future. Moshiach Now
Daniel Botnick
Katzman did his best to stir up this machloikes. And now with his cynical, honeyed words he is slyly seeking to perpetuate it. He is old news and should be used used to wrap fish. Keep your nose out now, Joey. Your day is past.
GET RID OF TAMMANY HALL
REMEMBER THE OLD POLITICS OF TAMMANY HALL? MAYBE NOT, BUT FAT, GRUNGY POLITICAL HACKS USED TO RUN THE CITY. CORRUPTION WAS TYHE RULE OF THE DAY. IT TOOK A NEW BREED OF PEOPLE WHO WERE ABSOLUTELY SICK & TIRED OF SEEING THEIR CITY SINKING IN RUINATION TO CLEAN IT UP– AT LEAST FOR A WHILE.
THIS IS CROWN HEIGHTS BEFORE THE PSAK. THE SAME OLD SPOILERS, TOO FAMILIAR FACES OF PURE POLITICS FOR PERSONAL GAIN.
WE ARE TIRED OF CH TAMMANY HALL, AND NOW WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO START A NEW BALL GAME WITH FRESH NEW FACES AND SOME CHASSIDIC VALUES.
LET’S GET INVOLVED NOW BEFORE THE OLD GANG REVAMPS AND SOLIDIFIES– BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GOLDEN MOMENT HA-SHEM HAS BLESSED US WITH.
TO Mendy (that SHAVES)
you claim to be a shaving-dropout (NOT a REJECT)
you claim to have NON OF THE TYPICAL RISK-FACTORS (LDs/SH”B/TV)
you claim to have no Poverty Nor shtusim growing-up
you claim to have no Learning disability
you claim to have no Problems socially (Popular)
you claim to have no TV or Movies growing-up
you claim to have no Shalom Bayis issues
you claim to have no Mental-Drug issues
(if true)
U R VERY VERY very RARE!
IN FACT U R THE ONLY SHAVING BACHUR I HEARD OF WHO DENIES HAVING ANY OF THE 3 TYPICAL CAUSES!!
(GROWING UP WITH TV, UNTREATED CHILDHOOD PROBLEMS, PARENTS WITH POOR SHALOM BAYIS)
UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Botnick you HATE MONGER
Botnick, sadly it is you who is yesterdays, check that – last years, news. You are still bitter over getting tossed out of the CHJCC, and here you hare harking over it. Keep on dwelling on the past, I for one will take Katzmans vision of a bright future over your bleeck miserable past view of a past full of incestuous infighting with no chance at peace.
Good bye and good riddance to you and all of your ilk.
i agree
theres always some Shalombayis-issues or TV at home or Parents too bissie to think about chinuch everyday
Yosef Katzman
Botnick, I love you. Where have you been all these years? How come we never met?
You bet, I prefer a filet mignon to a (minced meat) hamburger, and you surely don’t mince any words.
Invite me for a drink and I’ll bring the herring. Better yet, I invite you to come over and I’ll serve the drink and the herring, or if you prefer I’ll order some sushi.
Who Seed Watt
To: “i agree”:
I, for one, am not too bissie!
Wow
Interesting how an article about mochlokes can stir up so much machlokes in comments…this is why I stay in hibernation in CH and focus on family instead of community…
simcha
can’t believe anyone has the gall to call botnik a hate monger. anybody who lives in ch knows full well that dan bitnik is a peaceloving non-controversial fellow. unless that somebody has a personal agenda.