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Op-Ed: On the Race for the Rabbinate

by Yitzchok Wagshul

With elections for a new Vaad Hakahal successfully behind us, I think our community should take a moment to reflect on our accomplishment, and to congratulate ourselves on a job well done.

The idea for these elections—as mandated in the recent psak din that resolved all outstanding community disputes—was that we should have a Vaad Hakahal universally accepted by all segments of the community. As in any election, there will always be some people disappointed by the results, but—since virtually every eligible voter in Crown Heights participated—there can be no doubt that those results are the legitimate will of the people. True, “the people” aren’t always perfect; there’s always the possibility of winding up with an outcome that is less than objectively ideal. But democracy is the best system we have, and it was endorsed by the Rebbe, so, once a valid election has been held, we can all feel good about the results. It’s part of the system that, if things don’t turn out as expected, there will be another election in a few years and we will be able to choose again.

Why have our Schools not Introduced more Technology?

using a smartboard in a classroom. Illustration Photo.

In the last half a dozen years, the world of education has taken a giant leap toward integrating technology into schools. The Smart Board is the latest manifestation of this phenomenon. The teachers’ job of preparing lessons has not become easier with Smart Boards but his lessons have become infinitely more exciting and his ability to individualize and engage more of his students will increase manifold.

Thanks to you, CrownHeights.info Readers FC Won!

Thanks to you all, our readers, 14 Friendship Circles won $20,000 to help and benefit their organizations. With over 35,000 votes in Chase Bank’s ‘Community Giving’ competition, Chabad once again rallied and together won these great prizes.

In The Eyes of a Tourist

By Levi Stein for the Detroit Jewish News

I can’t believe I’m back from 2 weeks of traveling around Europe with my wife. Although I’m constantly traveling helping Chabad houses, this is my first experience traveling as a tourist. I have so much to say and so much to tell, that I decided it would be best to do so with pictures.

Live Siyumim for the 9 Days

For over 30 years NCFJE (www.ncfje.org) has organized live siyumim for each of the nine days on the radio. As in past years, there will be a live video of these siyumim will also be broadcasted www.Jewish.TV, Chabad.org’s audio and video site, in addition to the radio broadcast.

Con Ed Restores Power To Brooklyn, Queens

ConEd workers restoring power to the vicinity of Union and Albany.

NEW YORK [CBS] — The power problems that impacted thousands of ConEd customers in Brooklyn were finally over Sunday.

Late Friday night the utility reduced voltage by 8-percent in the central and southwest parts of the borough due to problems with some electrical cables.

Sullivan County’s Walmart Beefs-Up Kosher Section

By Steve Israel for the Record Online

MONTICELLO — First, Walmart conquered the Main Street market of hardware and underwear.

Now the retail giant is going after another market — the Catskill kosher market of gefilte fish and blintzes.

The Monticello Walmart just ran a full-page ad touting “expanded selections” in its “new kosher fresh section for the summer 2010.” It’s added kosher products like Empire organic chicken and Teva Angus beef sliders.

For Jews, Swedish City Is a ‘Place To Move Away From’

Inset Lone Rabbi: Shneur Kesselman, reading to his children, insists he won’t leave despite the dangers.

SWEDEN — Alienation and Anger: The 15% of the city’s population that is Muslim lives mostly in one neighborhood, amid high unemployment. Malmo’s Jews report that many of the anti-Semitic incidents come from this sector.