By COLlive reporter
A letter mailed to all the Shluchim in Florida by Head Shliach Rabbi Avrohom Korf names a group of seven Shluchim as a new Vaad to oversee Chabad operations in the state.
In the letter dated Yud Shvat, Rabbi Korf names Rabbi Sholom Ber Dubov (chairman), Rabbi Yossie Biston, Rabbi Zalman Bukiet, Rabbi Yisroel Frankforter, Rabbi Chaim Dovid Janowski, Rabbi Zalman Levitin, and Rabbi Dov Schochet as the members of a new Vaad Hashluchim to represent him “in all aspects of Shlichus in the state of Florida.”
Rabbi Korf also says that he will “defer all decisions to them and will accept their decisions as final.”
The letter states the Vaad’s responsibilities include identifying underserved areas and assist in bringing new shluchim, signing off on any contract between Shluchim, propose codes of conduct between Shluchim, and serve as arbitrators among Shluchim in case of disputes.
The letter came as a surprise to many Shluchim, COLlive has learned, and sources said that it was written in response to requests to name the Shluchim who were in the Vaad set up a few months ago. These requests followed a letter this Vaad sent out yesterday demanding that Shluchim do not hire or collaborate with any individuals who are not affiliated with a Chabad Center without prior consent from the local Shliach, but did not sign their names.
It has been common practice in Shlichus that upon the passing of a Head Shliach, a firstborn son or a son who worked closest with the father inherits the responsibility and assumes the title and role of Head Shliach. In some cases that role has been split between siblings, such as in Paris and in Illinois. In Florida, the son who works closest with his father is Rabbi Benjy Korf, Director of the Lubavitch Educational Center in Miami.
A while after the original letter was sent out to Shluchim, Rabbi Avrohom Korf followed up with a clarifying email stating the following:
“I wanted to clarify that I would never give up my Shlichus Chas Vesholom as the Rebbe said that the Shlichus is until Moshiach com[es] and continues even after. The vaad is here to help with the growth of shlichus in Florida.”
This is a great idea. A vaad is more likely to be impartial,than an individual.
This Vaad was VOTED in by the Shluchim of Florida months ago with a fair election and full Haskoma of Rabbi Korf.
Beware of agenda driven people trying to spin fake news to sway public opinion.