Posted to Op-Ed on

Op-Ed: Chevra Ahavas Yisroel, One Year Later

by Yisroel Newman

Chevra Ahavas Yisroel is coming up for their first anniversary since they opened. It has been spoken about ad nauseum since its inception. Some praised the shul for their innovative weekly minyanim and their many unique events throughout the year.

Others, however, took issue with some of their activities, including their Lag B’Omer party, which was inappropriate and largely denounced by the community. As a result, minor improvements were made.

Personally, I believe the Hashkafa of the Shul is not the main problem. There are many disenfranchised young adults within Crown Heights who are disenchanted with the old-style Shuls in Crown Heights, so perhaps a minyan featuring uplifting and melodious music might just be the key to bring them off the streets and into the Shul. In addition there is now a comfortable place for women to come and daven on a Shabbos, learn Chassidus and really feel part of the community.

Chevra Ahavas Yisroel has admirably managed to achieve all these things and should be rightfully commended.

However, it is becoming clear to me that this Shul, for all intents and purposes, does not care for Halachic standards.

Recently Chevra Ahavas Yisroel had the innovative idea of having a woman deliver a Dvar Torah at the Kiddush. It is clear from many halachic authorities that a woman should not address men in a public forum. Many reasons are given, Tznius being one of them. After raising my objections with the Rabbi, I gave him a copy of a teshuva from Rabbi Moshe Feinstein z’l confirming this. The Rabbi responded to this, and I quote: “This particular speech is only for women during the kiddush. It’s not for the whole Shul.” Even though the whole Shul was clearly listening, I decided not to press the issue any further.

Last Shabbos however, a lady was invited to address the Shul after Mincha on the topic of shidduchim. The lady spoke at a lectern in front of the mechitza – to be seen clearly by both men and women – and lectured for over fifteen minutes. Sadly this is but one example of many instances in which the Rabbi blatantly ignored problematic Halachic issues and continues to deviate from normative Halacha.

Which Shul in Crown Heights has women getting up and address both women and men publicly?

Living in a Orthodox Jewish community obligates those who start a congregation to adhere to the rules the community follow – specifically Halacha. Together with Halacha there are extra boundaries that must be kept lest one be “Poretz Geder” – literally translated as “breaking boundaries.” This includes any stringencies within which the Crown Heights community have accepted upon themselves i.e. Tznius etc.

My point in writing this op-ed is as follows: Many people today have good intent and want to do the right thing and come up with pioneering and imaginative ways to get Yidden excited about Yiddishkeit. We have to remember one thing however – we live in a Lubavitch community, a Chassidishe community, whose standards are set forth by Shulchan Aruch. I believe that the sanctioned deviation of Halacha, however trivial you may consider it to be, is not welcome or befitting of an establishment in this community.

Maybe in other communities those initiatives will be embraced with open arms.

This Op-Ed reflects the views of its author. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CrownHeights.info or its Editors.

Any reader that wishes to make his or her voice heard, on any topic of their desire, is welcome to submit his or her Op-Ed to News@CrownHeights.info.

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75 Comments

  • Think about this.

    Machon Chana (in the old program in the mountains, where families often attended), Lubavitch Youth Organization (at the pegishas), and the JLI summer retreat program, to name but three pillars of Chabad, have had women sometimes deliver classes/shiurim to audiences that included men; sometimes with a mechitzah, and sometimes not.

    While I am not in favor of lowering standards in any way, and I have never attended the Ahavas Yisroel shul yet, these three venerable institutions are all doing their work under strict Rabbinical Supervision from Chabad.

    So maybe you should address your concerns to the mashpiah of the shul, or to the Beis Din of Crown Heights — perhaps there is some kind of way this is permissible, as done by the mosdos mentioned above?

  • insane

    you are insne!!!! Whilst it may unacceptable or not common practise in many communities there is no problem with a woman who is dressed tzniusdik to speak in front of men!!!

    ugh you people make me sick

  • LOL HAHAHA

    MECHITZA!!!!!! now THAT is HILARIOUS!!!!! on purim it was mixed all men and women drunk!!!

  • Unhappy

    I for one am appalled by this op-ed.

    Just because your prose begins positive doesnt mean you get to make unqualified psaks at the end.

    Please leave halachim determinations to the Rabbis. Don’t wave around Tshuvos.

    The Rebbe never ever passed judgement, and theres a good reason for it. Love is a much more powerful tool than the disparagement and militant bible-bashing technique ever was.

  • Round 3

    Let’s Fight!

    Hey if you’re looking for a fight, couldn’t you be a bit more creative and found something else?

    Fighting with CAY is getting old.

  • to number 2

    He is not insane, 2 of the major poskim of this generation say it is assur! Rabbi Shmuel Wosner in his responsa shevet halaivi, and rabbi Menashe Klein Z”l in Mishne Halachos has a beutiful and insightful teshuvah regarding this issue and he too says that its assur. Do your homework.

  • Yisroel P.

    In response to your Op-Ed I bring you a quote from one I wrote a short while ago.

    http://www.crownheights.inf…

    “I have recently seen a number of articles like yours written up about a certain Shul in Crown Heights. I feel that some in Chabad, let’s call them ‘Chabad Dark,’ have an unhealthy attitude that needs to be changed. This attitude has been doing more damage to our community than that beautiful soul who walks the street not dressed up to par.

    Being a curious Jew, and seeing all this ‘dark’ reporting, I felt I had to see this Shul for myself (before I judged). I immediately became attached to it and loved it.

    There I was, standing in the most judged Shul in Lubavitch along with leading Mashpiem, community leaders and other well respected individuals. Sitting near me were also the most judged Lubavitch singer and attorney. Guess who spoke? The most controversial judged Lubavitch Rabbi (I won’t give over what he said in detail, but.. it was about Judging :).

    However, in contrast to my surroundings, I have never felt so welcome and Un-judged by all those present in my entire life. I felt like a pure simple Jew, Davening with a lot of feeling – more feeling than I have ever had. This, I told myself, is true, pure acceptance – something Crown Heights should be proud of.”

    You like the rest judge regularly, and you are a hypocrite at the same time. Why is it exactly that you yourself Daven in CAY if you are against what goes on there? Why is it that you just talk about the fact the Woman speak, yet you have failed to say what the Woman actually spoke about.

  • Your fellow man

    Yisroel,

    Based i your writing this is not the shul for you i don’t get whats your obsession with it?

    Change shuls to one that fits your standards and stop pestering the people who are not up to your level of tzniyus.

  • Sara

    Shimona Tzukernik, who spoke to the shul by Shalosh Seudoas in the summertime, ASKED THE REBBE (at the beginning of her career) if it was OK for her to speak in front of men, and received a clear Brocho and HasKoma to do so.

    Chaval she didn’t ask the Judge and Jury of of the Op-Ed here for their halachic interpretation (sarcasm intended).

  • Crown Heights

    Weirdo! Get a life!
    This SHUL is the best thing that Crown Heights has had in long time.

  • Lubavitcher

    OK, I’m the lone voice that agrees with the author. It has nothing to do with the content, it has to do with circumstances (in Shul during/after “services”.)

    #2 the author DID go to the Rabbi & got a verbal potch in panim. What do you want him to do, start yelling & screaming at the time?

    This is how I read it. The goal is to get disenchanted & disenfranchised youth to want to be closer to Yiddishkeit. Sounds familiar? Think any Chabad House.

    Do they totally drop standards PROPORTIONATE TO THE BACKGROUND & ENVIRONMENT?? No. In Chabad Houses, women do speak, but in the ones I know of the women speak for women only.

    Chabad as a “sect” is based on the Alte Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch. For a Lubavitcher, a minhag Chabad is a Halacha. Halacha is non-negotiable. Once we start allowing little things (as with anything) the little deviations from acceptable practices become huge things.

    I don’t know if the Rabbi is so caught up in his own hype, but he should go to respected Rabbonei Chabad (yes, they do exist, try Rabbi Shusterman or Rabbi Schapiro) to take advice on what is and is not appropriate. Keep the “Carlebach atmosphere.” Just remember who we are.

  • Beth Rivka

    A few years ago – the last time Beth Rivka had a dinner in manhattan – a lady (mrs Teictel) – spoke publicly for men and women alike. So whats the diffrence?! And Beth Rivka is the Rebbes Mosad run by Rabbi Shemtov from Agudas Chabad.

  • Anon

    I think there is a major difference between speaking in front of men at a scheduled event(like a conference or something like that)and in a shul.
    Just my opinion. I can’t speak for the Rebbe but I don’t think the Rebbe would be very happy about that.

  • Proud Attendee of CAY

    Growing up in a Shluchus Community, our shul was very similar to CAY. When I moved to Crown Heights, I found myself missing my communities warmth and the inspiration that they gave me. CAY is a blessing from above. I have never felt more at home in a shul as I feel there. Shabbos davening in CAY is the highlight of my week.
    Obviously, people who do not understand the need of a DEEPER CONNECTION feel that they must bash everyone that does.
    To the author of this article I say: GET A LIFE!

  • To #4

    What do you get from lying. There was a heavy mechitza there. I don’t go there but I happened to be there purim, so I see the lies that get spread about this shul.

  • concerned about machloikes

    Why do people write op-ed’s and sign it anonymous if your going to put something out there don’t hide like a coward, let everyone know who you are, otherwise your like wetting the bed and running away from the mess you made.

  • Author

    The author of the article put his name to it but the website decided to not post it.
    Again this is crown heights in a Shul and not a banquet or the like. Please the read the article before posting

  • cd

    I am an older woman in the community boruch hashem from a chassidish house. One shabbos I went with a friend to check out this shul. It was like a breath of fresh air. Yes, there was a mechitza. The girls amazingly were all davening and majority were dressed very Tznious. If there is a problem with a woman speaking in shul perhaps it could be adressed by a Rav. Maybe a solution would be to have her speak from behind the mechitza and not see her. Good Luck

  • Anonymous

    I’ve been there and liked it. Not my main shul but the people are nice and the daveining is similar to Ascent in SAfed in both crowd and performance.

  • Author

    It’s not about the woman being seen, it’s about the idea of a woman speaking in a Shul to both men and women. Nobody’s saying that the Shul doesn’t have many great qualities and that it hasn’t done some good – however there are standards that need to be kept according halocho and poskim.
    Personally I am involved in learning through teshuvos of poskim a lot, as well as consulting a Lubavitcher rov on these matters.

  • Dovid Cohen

    Dear anonymous Author,

    Post your name and you’ll get a response.

    Dovid Cohen

  • Edgar Hoover

    I think we should start a campaign against the modern youth, construct walls around the town and start a protest occupy style to rid CH of the biggest issue ever, CAY. I mean clearly they are to blame for everything. The economy, drugs, molestation, traffic on Kingston and the weather. If only they were gone things can be perfect as before. I think they might also be communists, but I don’t know foresure. What they hey let’s go with that…“Rid CH of the Commies at CAY”!!

  • the

    it is very apparent that you are a frequent attendee of this shul and a lady, that is seemingly upset. now if you were to receive the honers of addressing the crowd with the topic of your choice you would most likely take it, so all you are is a depressed lady that wishes to make a difference on the youth(thank you for your concern however ea. rabbi to their congregants) if you dont feel welcomed then the same way the doors were open for you to come its open for you to leave

  • sruly

    #10 please explain “”” if tznius is not up to your standards“”” … standard is based on shulchan aruch NOT what we think Not what we would like it to be NOT what we want it to be .. so please explain …

    unfortunately in todays age if one does NOT like something or disagrees with shulchan aruch they decide to it what ever it is they want …

    in Judaism we are either observant or NOT .. and if we change things then we are reforming the religion .. who are we to reform what we do NOT like …

  • Someone very sad

    I think it is very sad to read this kind of artical, if one is going to criticise, please in the same paragraph give an alternative or give constructive criticism.

    The Problem in CH is that there is no leadership there, everyone does there own thing, and since the Rebbe left us (בגשמיות) there is a vacuum, there is no one to turn to, the gap between the generation of yesteryears and today, who never sew the Rebbe, are looking for something meaningful in there lifes, the generation of the Rebbe had so much, that generation are looking down on the generation of today with such hate because they don’t tow the line.

    I for one could stand up and take my hat of to them, having a Shul that brings in these people and Davens un Noch sings through out, it is amazing, Halavi by all Shuls, let us leave the הלכה out, for the time being, and the Rabbi there is correct in dealing with it in his own way, instead of being Mekarev the idea, all you are doing is pushing everyone out, and I am sure you think it is better, there are people in the world who do not understand the levels of yesteryears we need to embrace these ideas, and if you don’t like it go somewhere else.

    We have to start to talk there language if we want a generation that will greet Meshiach, and Moshiach is waiting for these people and I am afrade not you, with such attertude.

  • Ployni ben Ployni

    TO #24:

    YOU ARE HILARIOUS! YOU EXPECT THE AUTHOR TO REVEAL HIS NAME WHEN YOU SIGN YOUR COMMENT “DOVID COHEN”. WHY NOT JUST SIGN IT “JOHN SMITH”? DON’T BE A HYPOCRITE AND PLEASE REPLY WITH YOUR FATHER’S NAME, CITY AND STREET ADDRESS.

  • to 25

    Totally agree, They are to blame for Lack of CH Bes Din, Lack of tzneus in the street, they are to blame for all those who talk in 770 instead of davening there… one sec, they are also to blame for the fight over 770, and also all the messiras that go on.. almost forgot, they are also to blame for actually doing something for our community that makes a difference

  • Hello

    Someone has to finally, “ say things the way they are”. 
    Firstly, I’m withholding my name, only cause My Kalla is a shy person  (gotta have respect).
    The Ahavas Yisroel Shul might have great intentions, as the famous saying goes, the road to hell is  “paved with great intentions” however, we must look at a few aspects and dissect, what’s really going on. 
    We are in the Rebbes Shchuna and we are guided ( in all places ) by a book called Shulchan Aruch, there is never compromising NO MATTER WHAT!!!! As the Torah says Umkarvan latorah. 
    There are many events they have that are mixed, not only are they mixed, but the mingling and drinking and Pritzus are Mammosh Peledik, Second, having a women address a crowd on Shabbos in a Shul setting,is Mammosh USUR, there is no Heter, and women bidding on yom Haskodosh for aliyos is very questionable. 
    There are many other gray area that I will leave for now ( meetings, and programming they have with questionable people, and single boys and girls etc….) however I don’t wanna wash all dirty laundry in public 
    I wanna end off with a question, where are our Rabbonim, how can they watch this unfold and say ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, why are they not locking up the basement where this all takes place. VAYN POTZEh peh like the Rebbe would scream when things tool place and Rabbonim ignored it, and did not ( at least take a stand ). 
    Anyhow, I wish all the proper Shuls Hatzlocha and Uvo Litzyon Goel. 

  • Chaim B.

    If you don’t have the cajones to sign your name to your complaint: don’t write anything!!!
    It’s easy to criticise from behind cover.
    Besides, if you don’t like it; don’t go there. There are many other shuls to go to.
    Learn a very simple lesson in life: LIVE AND LET LIVE!!!
    It’s sad that your life is soooo miserable, that you feel the need to pull others down, rather than try and lift yourself up and improve your standing in life.
    You are a sad, pathetic individual and I hope CAY (both the men AND the women) will say a pray for you.

  • Shimshin the Shamish

    To number 24

    The authors name is also Dovid Cohen! what a coincidence!!

    Please give your response now…

  • a member

    I think the shul is gr8 fo singles, its a great place to b seen and to help ith finding a shidduch…. networking is very important here..

  • Moish

    The smartest thing they did was NOT post your name.

    You are a fool – and would have been banished to the furthermost parts of town had it been published.

    CAY is the best thing to happen to CH since bagels ‘n lox.

    Your issues are nonsense and irrelevant to those that come to CAY. If it was an issue, they would simply go to any other shul, and there are many in CH that just don’t go otherwise.

    The alternative to many was no shul at all.

    For those leaving CH because of all this – great! Now I’ll have another parking spot available.

  • Miriam R.

    You’re right. This shul should be driven from the neighborhood, along with all the young people (and some older people) – among them many Mendels and Mushkies – who have found at last a place in Crown Heights that feels like home. Everything was perfect before, when there were fist fights in 770 and every year, many disenchanted young men and women (some from the “best” families) dropped out of sight. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say. It’s not like you can’t just have plenty more kids to replace them.
    Anyone who maintains that Crown Heights doesn’t need this shul should actually come check it out sometime. Get there early, while you can still find a siddur and a seat.

  • Senior Citizen with regrets

    To 32

    You are really naive if you think the Rabbis here are going to do anything about anything. What we have in Crown Heights is non-violent (MOST of the time, not always!) anarchy. We have corruption, meseira, and pashkvillen, and the “Beis Din” (comprised of a wife who tells the “Rav” what to do, a non-Rabbi with fake Semicha and a bad-tempered bigot) does squat. What do you expect?

    My advice: go West, young man, & take your gentle Kallah with you. Find a nice community where people really care about each other. I’d take my own advice if I could but it’s too late for me. I’m stuck here.

  • Whats worse?

    All this hatred spreading these things, (may it be right or wrong) or having a lady speak in front of men?????
    oh, let the whole world know a women spoke in a shul, everyone pls spread the word!!
    seems like by doing this hatred it would help and forgive the terrible thing the shul made

  • to the author

    To the writer of this article, I dssagree… you are one of hereasons why there is a shidduch crisis in crown heights, I think and I’m sure a lot of other people think the same way that this shul is a great place for abunch of singles to go to and davin, the next step that this shul is working on now, is making an exclusive singles event which would be excelent for this comunity and wat this shul is doingis fixing the shiduch crisis, sigles have to be seen someone and CAY is the perfect place where they will be seen by other singles..

  • Esq.

    When I went to the same Shul I felt like there was a strong feminist agenda on the part of many of the members. I also felt like there was a strong agenda on the part of the Shul as a whole. The exact agenda was murky to me but it made me vaguely uncomfortable. It was as if the attendees believed that they were part of a movement. A movement that had some significance to them. In my opinion the Shul stands for something other than Lubavitch values and Jewish Law.

  • To Mr. Hoover

    thank you for the well-earned laugh!!! maybe “CAY” stands for COMMIES AND YIDDEN?

    lol lol lol
    thanks again, very clever!!

  • MAVHIL!!!!!!

    TO # 36
    “Your issues are nonsense and irrelevant to those that come to CAY”
    HOW CAN MATTERS OF HALACHA BE CONSIDERED NONSENSE AND IRRELEVANT TO THOSE THAT GO TO THIS SHUL. WHO GAVE THEM THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE WHAT IS RELEVANT OR NOT. THAT CAN ONLY BE DECIDED BY A RAV. ASK ANY NON-LUBAVITCHER ROV IF YOU THINK THAT THE LUBAVITCHER RABBONIM ARE CLOSE MINDED.
    YOU WILL BE SURPRISED BY WHAT THEY WILL ANSWER.

  • IBR

    In my opinion, this is a little like the conservative issue of driving a car to shul. The argument they make is (just like commentor #36’s comment) that conservative jews wouldn’t go to shul if they don’t drive. It’s the same thing here, saying that these people would stay home instead of going to shul doesn’t mean it’s okay to break halacha while going to shul! Just like a conservative jew *should* stay home instead of driving, so too the members of this shul *should* stay home if there are halachic issues (I say *if* because I wasn’t there and don’t know for sure.)

  • To CAY

    Hey guys/girls, I don’t daven in your shul, I have friend that does and he only says great thinks.

    I would recommend that you move to the other side of eastern parkway. (so you’re not in CH officially) and then do whatever the hell you want. Whoever doesn’t like it doesn’t need to show up.

    Don’t worry, you will still get flack from everybody who is bored.

  • NO 1

    DEAR NO 1
    Lubavitch you org. DOES NOT HAVE WOMAN MAKING LECTURES TO THE MEN. THEY ONLY GET UP TO INTRODUCE ONE ANOTHER, B. IT IS NOT GEARED FOR THE CROWN HEIGHTS CROWD. THEY ACTUALY SEPERATE FOR LECTURES IN DIFFERENT HOUSES FOR MEN AND WOMAN.

    MACHON CHANA IS AN ALL WOMANS SCHOOL….

    JLI. IS NOT GEARED FOR THE LUBAVITCH CROWD AT ALL.

  • dovid cohen

    CAY is a total disgrace. “The Rebbe never passed judgement” you say, you also use this as an excuse to do whatever you want.

    I work with quite a number of chabad-lite , they don’t daven mincha or maariv with the minyan and the food they bring in is very questionable.

    How could we stoop so low!!??

  • The real author

    The author of this article should have written ta disclaimer that only intelligent people should read this article. The majority of the comments on this op-ed reflect a complete ignorance of what was written and makes them sound completely non-sensical, distorting the whole intent and purpose of the article.

  • Holier than thou

    “Living in a Orthodox Jewish community obligates those who start a congregation to adhere to the rules the community follow [sic] ….”

    Says who?

  • Yossi

    The reality is that Crown Heights is not a homogeneous neighborhood anymore. There are crazy meshichisten that are violating halacha by screaming yechi according to some people) and then there are the anti meschichisten.
    Likewise there are those that are more strict on the gender issues and tznius and those that are less so.
    I was at the kiddush in beis shmuel during the kinus and the nivul peh in the room was astounding.
    I am not one to judge, I just walked out because it’s not for me.
    In America we vote with our feet.

  • #46: you are wrong (from #1)

    To #46 from #1:

    You are wrong on all three of your points.

    If you had ever experienced any of these three programs, and if you had carefully read what I said above (for instance, about the Machon Chana SUMMER PROGRAM IN THE MOUNTAINS WHERE FAMILIES OFTEN ATTENDED), you would not have made a fool of yourself.

    P.S. — To my knowledge, virtually every person who attends JLI’s summer retreat is a “regular” at a Chabad House. Since when is that not “the Lubavitch crowd”?
    A Lubavitch moisad is never to lower halachic standards for the not-yet-frum! They wouldn’t serve less kosher food, compromise Shabbos or Tznius, or anything else simply because their congregants may not (yet) be frum!

  • Live and Let Live

    I am a “disenfranchised young adult[] within Crown Heights.” I am “fry” by any and all of your standards — an apikores, a kofer, a min, a mumar. But this year, I donned a yarmulka and went to shul for 30 minutes — on Yom Kippur, for Kol Nidrei. I went because my Jewish heritage, identity, and tradition are still important to me, though to some that might seem hypocritical or contradictory. I didn’t go to shul last Yom Kippur — I wasn’t comfortable doing so in Crown Heights, or taking the subway to attend services elsewhere. But this year, I knew of CAY and went there. I won’t say I was uplifted, inspired, or moved by the services or surroundings; I wasn’t, though that was no fault of their own. But I was comfortable there. And several days later, I gave the shul a generous donation from my meager earnings: a token of my appreciation, a thank you — just for being there.

    Dear Anonymous:
    I live in Crown Heights. Perhaps you’d prefer I didn’t, or perhaps you’d have me become more like you as a condition of living here. Maybe, to people of your pious stature, I don’t “belong” here. But for 30 minutes this year, that didn’t matter.

  • Actually happy in a shul besides CAY

    I appreciate this article. I’m not interested in poskening on yes women, no women, but here’s what bothers me about this shul. “We are the best! We are the greatest! Yea us!! We’re better than everyone. We love no talking during davening! We don’t judge anyone!

    I have to be suspect when a little constructive dialoguing or criticism unleashes so much wrath and hatred from the defenders of this shul. From what I see, the author was just concerned about maintaining standards of halachah. To attack him as if he committed a crime makes me wonder why there is so much negative energy around this shul in the first place.

  • I AGREE WITH THE AUTHOR 100%!

    PLEASE EDUCATE YOURSELVES; SHULCHAN ARUCH AND THE REBBES WAYS ARE NUMBER ONE- IF YOULL TRANGRESS IT , AT LEAST BE EMABARASSED AND PRIVATE ABOUT IT. ITS VERY SAD THAT PPL CAN BEHAVE THIS WAY, AND STILL THINK THEYRE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

  • you are the reason.

    even if you are right, i must say that this op-ed is the reason why they have this shul, they are tierd of pepole like you. writing this only gives a bigger push to continue (as they should). take a look at yourself and ask yourself “why do i care so much?” and be honest.
    ps: i would rather go to this shul (if i lived in ch) then the one you call better,so many “reguler” shuls are so darn boring that i wonder what brings pepole in. yes we pray but ,other shuls they are getting out of hand.

  • Shulchan Aruch???

    Shulchan Aruch is for one to learn himself (or with others) but not for one to tell (scream as this op ed sounds) others how to live.

  • Big Moe

    Yeah, Crown Heights was an awesome place before CAY was formed.

    Lots of chassidishe fights, politics, and no need to see all the young people who dont fit into that wonderful cycle of hypocrisy.

    To the author: write op-eds about the REAL problems and OFFER solutions.

    At least CAY doesnt fake- unlike the hooligans running 770 under the guise of chassididh.
    At the very least they look the way are inside.

    Your beard is loooong- yes! all the way down to your wallet!!!

  • to #60

    I love the term you use!
    “chookity”
    Please translate for those of us who are not from Australia.

  • Just wondering...

    Top says “by Yisroel Newman”. Is he not the author of this op-ed piece?

  • Regular atendee to cay

    Btw purim was mixed and very untzniyusdik vchulu though for dancing the girls went to the other side! SO ITS NOT A LIE I WAS THERE! I still love cay best thing that happend in ch!

  • to 18

    Clearly you were NOT there the whole time or when I was there-there was A LOT of mixing going on. Women WERE on the men side. It was very untznious and no one stopped it.

    Refua Shelema to the people at CAY

  • to 21/cd

    Not sure when you were there-I tried going twice and both times the tznious was OUT OF CONTROL. Mini skirts, chests revealed. And not just pushing the limits-more like dressed to go to a club. I was very saddened by this because I knew several of them are “Crown Heightsters” and they know better. It’s one thing to dress like that in your own spare time and to struggle with it-it’s another to disrespect a shul when you KNOW better! Why is it so hard to cover up for one hour?
    Kids have no respect these days..it’s all about “accepting me for who I am.” And yes we should accept people for who they are, but if you know better you should also have a little respect for the rest of the neighborhood.

    Gut Shabbos to all

  • M. Rubinoff

    To “Live and Let Live” – We will be glad to see you back at CAY anytime. Every Jewish soul is precious. I hope you will feel more inspired next time you come. Yom Kippur was wonderful, as is everything at CAY, but it was very crowded and because it is a long, long day, it’s very hard to constantly maintain a spiritual high. Try coming on a Friday night – it’s the most concentrated simcha bomb of the whole week. This is one place in Crown Heights where you are always welcome.

  • Just a thought

    I am reading many of the comments above and wondering…why aren’t there op-eds about the arrogance, cynicism, lack of patience, bitterness, confusion, fighting, petty and otherwise, found in so many of the established neighborhood shuls. It seems as long as there is an old fashioned look and feel to a place, all the unfriendliness, loshon harah, talking during davening and ugly politics is all ok. The very same “Shulchan Aruch” which is allegedly being violated in CAY, is being violated in so many of our shuls. I guess it all comes down to which chapters the writer of the Oped feels most moved by. It seems to me that lots of groups within Yiddishkeit pick and choose the parts of Shulchan Aruch they will take a stand for often at the expense of other parts of Shulchan Aruch. I personally would rather err on the side of the good hearted than the mean spirited. As a member of the shul I kindly ask all those who comment to simply drop by for a davening before passing judgement. It may not be to your taste but you will likely be surprised at the lack of drama to be found there.

  • protect your neshama, stay away

    the problem with cay is the rabbi.

    he has no concern for halacha.
    he wants kosher style davening the less the better, not kosher davening.
    he judged that the people will not feel comfortable unless as much of the structure of davening and a shul is meddled with.

    the point of this shul and it’s davening is to make it least like a kosher shul.

    if you need carlebach songs, why not use non-lubavitch trup, since lubavitch trup reminds too much of chassidishkeit.

    it’s point is to be holier than thou as demonstrated by it’s coined term for membership “holy yids”, it’s detraction from the way everyone else davens and every other shul as not good enough for them, and it’s attack of anyone who has a detracting view of the shul, as if having a view of the est that is any less than stellar is an offense.

    for some reason, a shul with a proper chassidishe davening (with chabad niggunim as desired, as besht does) , and traditional conduct (the women’s section for the women, not the rabbi during davening and the Torah), a traditional kriyas hatorah, a shliach tzibbur and rabbi who wears a tallis as the Rebbe perscribed is proper (instead of like a person who doesnt know better), and a name advertising acceptance of Jews is not acceptable TO THE RABBI and by his estimation (he is himself leading this trend, and fine-tuning the “style”) not enough to appeal to young jews in crown heights.

    supposedly, action must be taken to corrode all aspects of a shul and davening to appeal to the wayward souls.
    this is what the shul is predicated upon.

    i find this an insult to the congregation, for they would surely come to shul were the excessive infractions minor or otherwise not running rampant.

    suddenly a specifically not traditionally jewish atmosphere is equated by the rabbi as a welcoming one for the congregants, not simply the soulful melodious davening.

    would the women feel less comfortable if the rabbi didnt push aside the mechitza to gawk at them in the middle of davening every time he speaks.
    is this what ahavas yisroel in this shul means.

    why cant a shul conducts itself as a shul traditionally does, and just add chabad melody to the davening to increase soul, warmth and focus without corroding davening, the shul atmosphere and halacha, or adding songs of “outside” influences.

    this is not about bringing wayward souls to davening/shul, its about bringing davening/shul down to the gutters where this rabbi see’s these souls as being (no i do not).

    there is nothing right about this shul, and ahavas yisroel is upheld only in support of the shul, while the rest of the community is denigrated in the process.

    it’s noteworthy to mention, i know of this shul under the supervision of the rabbi banishing congregants with threats of danger and using violence, for having torah views not consistent with their platform.

    the name is a ploy to cast irony on anyone who wishes to challenge it’s platform, not a reflection of unbiased acceptance of fellow jews.

    i hope the shul being in the rubashkin’s basement doesn’t bring additional kitrug to the rubashkin family.
    may the banishment of this shul from the rubashkin home bring hatzola to reb sholom rubashkin.

  • Think It Over

    The author, and the dissenting opinions posted, all denounce CAY for ignoring Halachic standards, when it is clear that the practice of women speaking in front of men, and all the other objections raised, are widely accepted in Chabad Houses all over the world. The author then specifies that “Living in an Orthodox Jewish community obligates those who start a congregation to adhere to the rules the community follows”, clarifying that his problem is that this is happening in Crown Heights. The tznius standard at CAY is arguably higher than in many Chabad Houses, particularly where the majority of attendees are in their 20’s. The big question here is not whether what goes on at CAY is Halachically acceptable – the question is whether there is room for a Chabad House in Crown Heights. At one time, one would never imagine that there could be such a need. But as “Live and Let Live” points out, as well as numerous young people at CAY who are becoming reconnected with their Yiddishkeit, the need is great, and cannot be ignored. CAY is also a place that numerous shluchim feel most comfortable bringing their mekurovim when they come to Crown Heights. Perhaps the discussion needs to be re-framed: Is there a need and is there room for a Chabad House in Crown Heights?

  • Friend of both.

    To the Author, should we point out that you are being bittul Torah by wasting time writing this article, and further, by sitting and reading comments and commenting back? CAY opens its doors to you, as you are a REGULAR there, and this is your love? THIS is your gratitude? Not even rebuking in the way the Rebbe COMMANDED us to rebuke! Like Aaron HaCohen, with LOVE.
    To CAY… they say you are doing something right when others find something wrong with it…. Yes, he has a valid point…. If you are going to be a beis Chabad, you MUST adhere to halacha, and if he was mentioning it to you, it behooves you to listen…. Still, everything the people of the shul do, brings light and love to every soul that is fortunate enough to walk through its doors. May not have the same feel as those first two months, but still miss the love.

  • Yisroel Newman

    To think it over:
    The halocho is the same for Chabad houses too, and just because they don’t follow it doesn’t make it right. That’s from a prominent Lubavitch Rov.

    To friend of both: I don’t understand why you’re anonymous and hiding. If you’re my friend then tell me who you are. I did indeed attend the Shul and after a few very wrong things going on, it seemed like things were getting better. I did something out of love by giving Chezzi the teshuva and approaching him before going public as he had requested of me. Once he gave me a patch in ponim I then felt it to be right to make a macho’oh. I didn’t attn the Shul this past shabbos and won’t in the future as BH I have some integrity. Also, thank you for looking out for my bittul Torah – I think you should worry about your own, as I’m being Moche which is a halachic concept.
    Unfortunately even when you rebuke CAY (and their Rabbi) in love, it doesn’t help.

  • Yisroel Newman

    Oh and as I wrote a few times in the op-Ed – a woman speaking in Shul is the issue and Chabad houses have the same responsibility.