By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Moshe Meir Gluckowsky, Executive Director of the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch – 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, is insisting not to reopen the institution until it is safe.
In a video message to COLlive.com on Wednesday, Rabbi Gluckowsky said it was the responsible and right thing to do to close the yeshiva and send bochurim home, including the Israeli citizens.
He said the administration of the yeshiva has been divided on the issue, but the decision is in line with the ruling of the Crown Heights Beis Din and instructions of federal, state, and city health regulations.
While the physical doors have been shut, he said, Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Zalman Labkowsky and maggidei shiurim have been teaching bochurim over Zoom video conferencing and bochurim have been learning on their own.
The iconic 770 building is home to one of the busiest shuls in the country with minyanim held around the clock by locals and visitors. The Yeshiva shares the location as well.
“Hatzalah told me that when this neighborhood is opened up responsibly, the last building that will be opened is 770 Eastern Parkway,” he said.
His recorded remarks are in response to a public letter that has been distributed in Crown Heights homes and a protest march by a group of bochurim who have not returned to Israel.
“They don’t belong here,” Rabbi Gluckowsky said. “There is no social distancing by them and they joke about the whole coronavirus… they don’t respect anybody.”
He accused them of creating or at least contributing to the “ruckus and chilul hashem” of the minyanim outside 770, making it the second to highest-ranked location of social distancing violations in New York City.
He added that the 1414 dormitory and kitchen were closed because the yeshiva must be kept closed and that the bochurim have been spreading false rumors about the yeshiva receiving funds to feed them.
He said that shutdown relief funds from the government have not been received yet and that “the only boys who are eligible for this grant need to be a citizen or have a green card.” He said that “any student who gives us proper documentation will be reimbursed from the school.”
He concluded that he looks forward to the day when the learning of the yeshiva at 770 will resume. “When the building will open, with Hashem’s help, there will be a simcha by all of us.”
VIDEO:
WELL SPOKEN, KEEP IT UP!!!
THE COMMUNITY IS WITH YOU ALL THE THE WAY!!
The opinions of Rav Glucousky are always grounded perfectly on straight thinking, honesty and Torah. We can all rely on him and anyone that opposes him is simply a destroyer of all things holy.
It on line…. Anybody can see. But sure if you need other people money just say so. But you cant leave people in limbo without proper food.
You saved lives in this community.
I think most of the dedicated hanholoh were mentioned in this video, but one overly devoted member of hanholoh didn’t get a mention… Rabbi Shmuly Avtzon
Without generalizing. Because there many that are not doing disturbs and its unfair for them.
They could open just the kitchen easily ( like a regular restaurant remains open)
First: do a list of how many students are in the city and eat in 1414
Second: give the prepare food to take out. Like it was prior to the closing of the building.
They should be portioned trays and distributed in the way of distancing but if there are 200 boys they have to be fed and if some of them are not officially in the yeShiva They should go like everybody to the distribution centers of food
Dining room was closed the week of Purim.
TELL THE BOCHURIM TO GO TO THE SCHOOLS THAT DISTRIBUTE KOSHER FOOD EVERY DAY!
There are food pantries all over NY open to anyone. Nobody needs to starve.
Rabbi Gluckowsky you are doing an amazing job. Closing the yeshiva is in accordance with the Beis Din, Hatzalah and the state of New York. You care
for lives and saving lives. Unfortunately these students have their own agenda and are hurting our community physically and spiritually.
Thank you again. DZ