By COLlive reporter
Shabbos in Crown Heights provided one last opportunity to sway undecided residents ahead of the disputed election day – Sunday, May 24.
But the contemplation was not which candidate to choose for membership in the Vaad Hakohol. Rather, it was whether or not to vote.
Over the weekend, residents were bombarded with letters in mailboxes, pamphlets in Shuls and a car outfitted with a loud-speaker in the streets – calling on them to vote, or remain at home.
Two members of the Crown Heights Bais Din, Rabbi Avraham Osdoba and Rabbi Yaacov Schwei, are at odds on the matter, only adding to general disappointment among the local Lubavitch community.
“We got a call asking us to send a representative to the Netzigim,” a member of the Crown Heights Shul at the Lubavitcher Yeshiva said about the disputed body in charge of the elections.
“We said: ‘No thank you.’ We’re not getting involved in the fighting,” he told COLlive.
Osdoba’s camp, who is opposing elections until the two rabbis work things out, took the matter to court this past week.
Responding to the judge’s ruling that elections can be held, but will remain in question, Osdoba attorney David Berger wrote: “There will be no effect nor enforcement of any results of the elections until the Supreme Court gives its stamp of approval.”
Berger cites candidate Eli Poltorak‘s submission to the court’s Appellate Division that “no harm would result from the elections as it can be contested thereafter.”
Yankie Herzog, a former member of the Vaad Hakohol associated with the Schwei camp, said: “These are scare tactics. The chosen candidates can take office Monday morning.”
Asked how will that happen if the current administration does not recognize the process, Herzog told COLlive: “It’s going to be an issue. We’re not looking for violence. We will file for contempt on their court order, turning it on them. My advice to them is to let it go.”
Locals who privately consulted with Rabbi Yosef Heller, senior member of the Bais Din who refrains from political matters, suggested “shev v’al ta’ase” (sit and do nothing).
The rabbi quoted from Gemara Chulin: “The world does not exist only for someone who keeps his mouth closed in the time of argument.. Someone who makes himself not seen.”
Related Documents:
Court Order
Order to Show Cause
Crown Heights Chronicle’s sudden issue
COLlive Elections Coverage:
+ Crown Heights Elections Are On
+ Candidate Tamir Calls It Quits
+ Judge Rejects Sunday Election
+ Candidate Tamir Calls It Quits
+ Op-Ed: Why We All Need To Vote
+ Op-Ed: A Letter to My Supporters
+ Disputed Candidates Press On
+ Vaad Hakohol Under Dispute
Al deateyft atfuch vesoyf metufayich yetufun.
That Reb Nachman Shapiro did not vote to honor his father A”h who wa sRav Osdoba’s mazkir. Is that true?
I agree “shev v’al taaseh” is probably the best solution at this current time. By the way, Rabbi Osdoba is not from Russia. And yes, Mendel Hendel , who should have been sent sailing back to where he came from , as soon as he set foot on American soil, (he is the main source of every single machlokes which has teken place in Crown Heights over the last 2 decades) IS the main person behind these elections, with the funding as well; he has carte blanche fynding from S.B. Drizin and this is no secret, but yes he is… Read more »
can you tell me all those 70 rabanim
ochin vey to such 70
only A WOMAN CAN GIVE SUCH WISE ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you choose to vote, do it with seichel. Look at the candidates & decide…who is better for the community? A CPA who is decent & intelligent, or a loud-mouth bully? Someone who looks like a clown or someone who understands the hilarious education system? Someone who cares about US, or someone who cares about his Kovod? Bottom line: WHO WILL BRING IN MONEY TO THIS STRAPPED COMMUNITY? Or who will continue to embarrass us? And no…I am NOT voting. Nor will I vote in any other election, because no one wants to hear what I have to say. I… Read more »
THINK for a second. There is nothing we can do to stop Rabbonim from fighting. Many have tried to make peace with them but they are not interested in peace. Realistically there is simply nothing in the world tat anyone can do to force them to make peace. o now what do we do? Should we sit back and “NOT VOTE” stare blankly at the wall, twirl our thumbs while they fight each other or should we move on with life? If we vote we can move on with life (forget the Rabbonim) and just do what we need to… Read more »
If you were to vote, what would you accomplish? Do we also need two vaad hakohol’s fighting with each? is it not enough for Rabbi Schwei to separate & form a separate competition Bais Din! If you are truly interested in peace & unity among our community then I think it is best to let Rabbi Osdoba & Rabbi Shwei work things out with each other – before we have another election which will only bring more division to our community!
To all those getting of subject and trying to involve name that have nothing to do with this situation. apparently Hershkop are the antidote to this people and you just cant stand people who are true.
its like the current administration involving rush limbaugh “i want obama to fail” when it has nothing to do with any situation
if chanina is a mosser hes a mosser
if herzog is a mosser hes a mosser
if spritzer is a mosser hes a mosser
screaming hershkop does not change the facts
your just trying to downplay your corruptness
Ah Bi Kein Yiden sol nisht shaten. Like CB halberdtam once said I am very busy now I am saying tehilim for both sides to win
Osdaba VS. Scwaai
Can’t wait!
During the lifetime of Rabbi Dvorkin, who was the Mara Deasra of C.H. before the 3 Rabbonim were elected. Rabbi Dvorking had started to give Hechsherim on Milk and Wine products. Rabbi Osdoba, was not any official Rov, in C.H. at that time, yet he smelled money and decided to go in to competition against Rabbi Dvorking who was the only Mara Deasra the time. Rabbi Osdoba the started giving his own Hechsher in competition with Rabbi Dvorkin. Rabbi Dvorkin was furious at Rabbi Osdoba and referred to Rabbi Osdoba was “Der Uzbek”. Uzbek is a term used in Russia… Read more »
this is pure propaganda and not true
It’s time Rabbi Osdoba realizes that C.H. is NOT RUSSIA
Rabbi Osdoba will NOT be able to stop a free Crown Heights from voting, for whoever they choose.
“Why so all the websites allow the hershkops to spam their websites.”
let’s not forget how they are working with Krinsky, shemtov and dovid Fisher… Wait I forgot, there is more to this conspiracy, they are also getting help from Rush limbaugh and judge Glasser.
They are controlling everything, they tell all of us what to think, they are the true leaders of Crown Heights. 😉
he is still a rov – part of the badatz or not he is a rov – CH has alot more then the 2 rabbonim we have gurari bagomilsky heller and so on, everyone should ask their rov what to do!
The Meshichist web site run by Mendy Hendel has something very fishy going on. They posted all video’s and campaign posters of supposedly all candidates, but they conveniently “forgot” to post any video or campaign poster of Fishel Bronstein. On the other hand, Mendy Hendel who is behind the entire elections, has a close friend and associate called Zev Kadaner, (they run a school, Ohr Menachem together) and Kadaner’s video was of course listed, FIRST and Kadaner’s campaign posters are listed by Mendy Hendel’s web site very prominently, in a HUGE SIZE and Fishel Bronstein, whom everyone knows is an… Read more »
Should take at least some of the Rabbi’s advice.
The rabbi quoted from Gemara Chulin: “The world does not exist only for someone who keeps his mouth closed in the time of argument.. Someone who makes himself not seen.”
Rabbi Heller is now just an ordinary private person. Although Rabbi Heller was once elected, long ago, but Rabbi Heller quit the Badatz, more than a decade ago. Right now, Rabbi Heller (because he QUIT,) is just an Ordinary Nice Jew, not unlike me or you or anyone elese in the streets of C.H. Because Rabbi Heller chose to quit, his opinion for or against anything, has no meaning any more, than what any other nice Jew, teacher, rosh yeshiva, mashpiah, rosh hakolel, of any other kolel or any other Talmid Chochom, has to say. There have been more than… Read more »
Can you post the pics I would like so see for my self ! I cant belive that Mendy Hendel is behind all of this? Where can I get them?
Comment # 13 is right. Rabbi Osdoba doesn’t know how to spell the word Azhore. (Osdoba spelled it with a Hey and it should be with an Aleph). But it isn’t Rabbi Osdoba’s fault because he is largely SPACED OUT (always mumbling Tehilim, to himself, even when he is paid to work for you by a Din Torah, by your Simcha or under your Chupa). It’s like the Gemoro says that Achashverosh MELECH TIPESH haya. Achashverosh vas a Tipesh – a Stupid king that signed any paper presented to him without even looking or thinking. If Haman present Achashverosh with… Read more »
Are you crazy ? or just trying to play with the minds of CH?? Everyone knows that osdobo and shemtov talk and made peace & they made peace with fischer. and that osdobo is againts yechi so if you need to choose who to support there is no questions any normal person would support osdobo over shvei!!
in this article rabbi heller say’s dont go and vote, why is it not the headline even according to shwaii he is a elected rabbi and there is two rabbis that say dont vote and one say’s to vote
the head line should be majority of elected rabbis say dont vote
When I left camp the last year, I said to myself “Oh g-d am I gonna miss color war”. believe it or not its right here.. I’m so excited and looking forward to some nice plays and skavingers(i.e. cute arguments on Kingston ave and 770)
this morning I saw Rabbi Leibel Groner Voting – please post the picture for all to see.
thanks
this is what a טעות סופרים is…you disrespectful troublemaker…
ה’ ירחם עליך להחוצפה שלך כזה!!!
Why so all the websites allow the hershkops to spam their websites. They are spewing hatred all over the place, and their comments are totally irrelevant to the issues posted on the sites. Lets have some editorial discretion . Their old vendettas against hendel , Spritzer or herzog have no relevance to these elections whatsoever, and they only degrade the quality of the websites.
set up on montgomery and kingston at 8 this morning and guess who was there setting it up mendy hendel and 5 boys from tfas i have pics if anyone wants!!!!!
אזהרה ב א’
ולא ב ה’
Can’t spell, for crying out loud.,
Herzog is a Moiser, but dont forget some of the good company he has on the list of signatures of ‘askanim’ they produced.
DER SOTON KEN ZICH ONTON IN RABONIM ASKONIM SO CALLED MASHPIYM AND ETC., ZOGT A KAPITEL TEHILIM AZ DER SOTON ZOL ZICH NIT ONTON CHAS VESHOLOM IN MER KEINEM…
whatever rabbi heller would say is choosing a side – all he said was sit and do nothing no matter who is running, if next week osdobo would make elections he woyld say the same thing, so its not about picking a side its about sit and do nothing until we dont have these machlokos!!
Kadaner should be disqualified form running for Vaad Hakohol. According to the Netzigim ByLaws, anyone who heads any Organization or Mosad in C.H. is disqualified form running for Vaad Hakohol office because it is a conflict of interest. I can just picture kadaner walking in to the CHJCC and taking the money form the CHJCC and using it to fund Mend hendels boys school, Ohr Menachem and Beis Chaya Mushka, both headed by Kadaner. Then Kadaner will go ahead and charge the parents full tuition anyway, while siphoning off CHJCC funds for his school. Beis Chaya Mushka recently sent out… Read more »
to what “community” does this hoopla refer?
The Hershkops (comment # 1 above) are really and interesting bunch of anger venting children. They remind me of what we all often see in the streets of CH when we often find backs who yell “Hitler” when they see a Jew, while the blacks don’t realize that Hitler killed blacks too ! ! ! Likewise with the Hershkops (comment # 1 posted above) they are so filled with anger and wanting to vent it at Meshichisten that they fail to realize that Osdoba is not their Friend either because it was Osdoba (Not Schwei) who issued the insulting Siruv… Read more »
So apparently, Rabbi Heller is also against the last elections for the three new Ra-bonim, based on the same se’voro!
Just assuming…
We need a new vaad hakahal
however not in such a setting
I think the whole Crown Heights is celebrating one big Shev vaal taseh while the community rots
if he said that then he is clearly taking rabbi osdaba’s position and getting mixed in politics
Yankie Herzog is a Mosseir.
http://machanemenachem.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/suing-in-federal-court-aka-mesira/