By COLlive reporter
Efforts are being made to revive an inactive representative body that wields power over the governorship of Crown Heights communal affairs.
Shuls in the neighborhood received a letter this week asking them to choose a delegate to the “Netzigim” that ceased activity in 2009.
According to the by-laws of the Vaad Hakohol of Crown Heights, the elected neighborhood council – the Netzigim – organizes elections and receives periodic reports on behalf of the community.
This council has not been active ever since Yanky Sufrin and Yisroel Best dueled over the chairmanship with the backing of each of the Crown Heights Beis Din members, Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba and Rabbi Yaacov Schwei, respectively.
“As we come close to the end of the second year of the three year term for Vaad Hahokol, it is essential that the Netzigim begin to meet once again and to move the community forward,” wrote Zaki Tamir, Chairman of the Vaad.
Tamir asked shuls to conduct a new selection process to appoint a netzig or an alternate delegate.
While most Crown Heights shuls traditionally took part in the Netzigim body, the newer ones make sure to keep their distance.
Close to a dozen shuls have opened in the last decade, many catering to a niche crowd or particular age group.
“We didn’t join in the past and we’re not sure (whether to join now),” the president of one of them told COLlive. “Too much machlokes was involved in the Netzigim in the past, so why would we want to be a part of it?”
Notification about selection of Netzigim will be announced in shuls this Shabbas Parshas Terumah (2/25/12) that the election will take place in the week of Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei (Sun 3/11 to 3/18).
Tamir said he would like to see the first General Meeting be held on Sunday, Beis Nissan (3/25/12).
This SEEMS to me like a very important step toward Shalom and better community organization and structure. I and my education business, Mosad Chok leYisroel, will be happy to help and learn more about what is involved. 718.308.7458.
Thank you Reb Zaki for taking the lead with this!
you couln’t have said it better!!!
I find it interesting that, in the article and comments, people are complaining about how “corrupt” and unfair elections are…
Democracy in action, folks. Don’t like things in CH today? DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, and support elections so everyone gets a voice!
Old is out.
if you want to do something good for others, just do it. Find like minded folks and do it. Make a shul. Shiur. Sports. Charity. School. Whatever.
Don’t continue the communistic model of corrupt “elections” and “leaders.” Don’t give the responsibility to do and the authority to speak to others.
Do it, or you deserve what others do.
The whole thing is a bunch of garbage. No one in any of these positions does anything. They take the money that is given for grants and only G-d knows where it goes! CERTAINLY NOT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR WAYS TO HELP PEOPLE. WHEN PEOPLE REALLY NEED HELP THEY GO TO ACHEINU B’nei Yisroel IN WILLIAMSBURG!!
yes and yes
Do the small steibles have the same 1 vote as the lager shuls. Does 770 just get 1 netzig
Just another excuse for corruption. Netzigim, no netzigim….it doesn’t make a difference, the whole system is flawed & corrupt. Once people get elected we don’t hear anything from them, but we DO see lots of pictures with politicians. Time to face facts – Crown Heights is the laughing stock of the Frum veldt. Instead of being a beacon of honesty & efficiency these clowns (and their predecessors) have run us into the ground and all that’s left is an ailing community with no resources and no power. Why now? Who is in trouble? Who wants to keep a hold of… Read more »
It was a clear response to the rebbe that once elections for the first vaad and rabonim their job was done.