By COLlive reporters in Crown Heights
Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent $109.9 million to get re-elected last year (including an ad on COLlive.com), but in Crown Heights where the stakes are lower and the players are limited, the cash spent on the elections for Vaad Hakohol – Jewish Community Council is relatively low.
Why low? Because the elected volunteer members have access to funnel government funding to projects and organizations of their choosing.
The cash spent thus far is estimated in the low thousands – for sending printed letters to local homes, flyers on street poles and in shuls, 2 prominent advertisements on COLlive.com (paid for by competing groups) and a slanted edition of the Crown Heights Chronicle (paid for by one of the sides).
“These elections are seen as a crucial step towards regaining normality and peace in our community,” said Mrs. Mica Soffer, Director of COLlive.com and a Crown Heights resident.
“And I’m glad to be able to state that our Community News Service has proven itself as a fair and honest information source for the candidates, the voters and anyone interested in Crown Heights.”
A DOCTOR’S SELF SACRIFICE
Seen on Kingston Avenue Friday was candidate Dr. Meir Shlomo Spinner who was handing out some of the 500 flyers he printed bearing the slogan “It’s Your Schuna – Get Involved.”
The 55 year-old psychologist said public speaking was not his “style,” but he wants to get elected so he’s speaking to people and introduced himself at the candidates forum (“which was a very big deal for me.”)
What reaction is he getting?
“Most people will ask what I need this for. Why the headache. So I get into detail and they become more receptive. Many are fearful to get involved.”
We asked him if he was aware of the voting bloc recommended by ANewCrownHeights.com. “I agree with a lot on that platform and the people it promotes, but not 100%. I will work with whoever gets elected.”
RUBASHKIN SENDS LETTER
Previous Vaad Hakohol members have weighed in Friday with a letter promoting an anything-but-the-current-Vaad agenda. It was sent out to local homes.
Former members Moshe Rubashkin, Dr. Tzvi Lang and Rabbi Shmuel Plotkin said that the current Vaad “have demonstrated by their actions that they believe that their cause justify the means.”
Fishel Brownstein, Chanina Sperlin, Zev Cadaner and Elie Poltorak have taken the Rubashkin administration to court questioning their management of funds (they said it was a reaction to an effort to discredit their election. The case has since been removed).
“Vote responsibly,” the previous Vaad urged in the letter but did not endorse a specific candidate.
In response, Elie Poltorak told COLlive: “They brought three lawsuits against us before we counterclaimed against them. We had to do so to defend against their lawsuits—rather than as a ‘reaction to an effort to discredit their election.’”
CADANER WON’T CAMPGAIN
Cadaner says he is not worried.
“At this point everybody knows what’s what. I cannot knock more sense into people. It’s time for them to decide what they want,” he told COLlive.com.
Not even campaigning in the neighborhood Shuls over Shabbos?
“No. That’s not more important for me than the things I do on Shabbos. Elie (Poltorak) is going around for us.”
Us?
“We are running as 4 candidates together. That is our success. It’s the first time in a very long time that Crown Heights had a Vaad Hakohol who all got along and worked together. And we are running to keep working together.”
In fact, a number of candidates were seen throughout Shabbos at various neighborhood Shuls, some making campaign speeches, others mingling with the public.
HECHT GOES PRO
While candidate Rabbi Shea Hecht is included in the “New Crown Heights” bloc, his campaign is focusing on himself and he has told COLlive.com he’ll work with anyone who is elected.
That didn’t stop opponents from spreading slander about him supporting Mayor David Dinkins, hated by Crown Heights Jews for his incompetent policies during the 1991 riots.
Hecht himself said that was not true.
A member of his campaign added: “Shea supported Rudy Giuliani in those elections and we can back this up with documents but we won’t get dragged by those who promised to run a clean elections and doing the opposite.”
It seems like the source of that rumor was Hecht’s objection for the Vaad to sue Dinkins, claiming the Rebbe was against publically fighting politicians while in office.
In any case, Hecht has released a well-produced short video highlighting his accomplishments and years of service to the community:
The source within the Hecht campaign added that the video is just one step and that another “surprise promotion” will be announced after Shabbos.
GETTING “THE YOUNG VOTE”
Another voting bloc is Yossi Hackner and Avraham Benarroch who are saying they represent a demographic which has not voted in the past – “the young Crown Heights.”
Hackner told COLlive.com he was going to visit some “young shuls” over Shabbos to get them to care.
Currently, Bais Shmuel, The Crown Heights Shul, The Shul, Bais Simshon and the like do not have members in the Netzigim (body of representatives of local shuls which work with the Vaad).
Hackner and Benarroch stated in a letter sent to COLlive.com that “we are running on our own and not against anybody and look forward to working with whoever gets elected to the Vaad.”
Their goals, they said, are unifying and strengthening the voice of the Bais Din, Chinuch, working with the police but not being afraid to hold them accountable, finding jobs and transparency.
Other candidates with a good chance to get the young vote are Aaron Vogel and Zaki Tamir, who are also running together.
CHAZAN IS NOT CAMPAIGNING
Candidate Rabbi Michoel Chazan is officially not part of any voting bloc and does not have running mates.
Truth be told, he is also not campaigning.
As part of his job as Chaplain of Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, he was seen this week at the 25th anniversary dinner of the Chesed Shel Emes organization (which has a chapter in Crown Heights).
Along with fellow Lubavitchers Rabbi Avrohom Leider of Kings County Hospital and Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Holtzman of SUNY Downstate and others, he awarded the organization on behalf of the Central Committee of Rabbinic Chaplaincy.
So why isn’t he getting the word out?
“If people want me, they’ll vote. And if not, I’ll still be involved in community matters.”
That’s what we have rabbonim for
Unfortunately the beards were not a role model in the past
Anyone who trims their beard cannot be considered our leaders; they do not represent our community. The vaad should be people we can look up to, not who will pull us further down.
We’ve seen voting by those that always made it a point to emphasize that crown heights is for peasants (but yet live here ???). They ridicule the entire idea of our Vaad and Rabbonim. Who do you think they are voting for? For the good of Crown Heights? I have a very good idea, and did not vote for those I am certain they are voting for. Let’s hear for whom you think they are voting.
I’ve seen much to indicate otherwise.
We need more objective news like COLLIVE & the “Crown Heights Chronicle”, they both give EVERYBODY a chance for their opinion & a explanation,
To 23 & 33
If you disagree with his opinion, Go Ahead, but “We” (the readers) would love to hear your “Opinion & a Explanation”,
and im sure the “Chronicle” would be more then ready to print it.
P.S. Looking forward to reading your opinion
for best election comment. Whoever you are, I’d for vote for YOU! At least you’re genuinely funny, not a buffoon like Poltorak!
I was confused, untill I check’t the FACTS (the Din Torah).
DONT be confused by those that want to go back in time (2005), & DONT take my word, just check waht Rabbi Rosenberg wrote.
My VOTE is REAL CHANGE
Sperlin
Cadaner
Polterak
Brownstien
Chazan
Cadaner
Polterak
Chazan
Brownstien
Chanina
Achdus is OUR VOTE
Chazan
Cadaner
Polterak
Brownstien
Sperlin
I would vote for:
Terrence Nelson
Lemrick Nelson
At least then I’d KNOW first I’m being robbed and then I’m being stabbed in the back!
And since I need a third I guess Al Sharpton fits the bill…
The six to vote for:
1. Chazan
2. Spinner
3. Hackner
4. Bennaroch
5. Tamir
6. Vogel
Hackner Bennaroch Hecht
all it takes is for 2 people from one side to win and 2 from the other and there will never be peace. we need to vote in a bloc we need to vote in party so this way they can all get along. if we dont like what they are doing in 4 years we can vote them out, but this way is insane nothing will get done
Several candidates regularly trim their beards which is against Halacha and certainly miles away from being a true Lubavitcher. People who trim their beard are an embarrassment to Lubavitch, lead our youth down the wrong path and can’t do anything positive for the community except encourage even more Lubavitchers to begin trimming their beard too, Chas Vesholom. Trimming ones beard is an abomination that should not be tolerated in Lubavitch, never mind voting for someone like that, which would further encourage the undermining and corruption of our youth who will “look up,” to those who blatantly and shamelessly, disregard the… Read more »
agree with – #s
1,2,3,5,10,12, 13,15,19,21,22,23,24,25,26, 27,31,32,33
completely dissagree with #s
4,6,7,8,9,11,14,16,17,18,20,28,29,30
I heard Aron Vogel speak today and he has my vote. He cares about Crown heights and wants to see progress and action with helping people.
Vogel
Tamir
Hecht
Bennaroch
Hackner
Spinner
Winning Team.
brownstein
Chazan
Tamir
(Cadaner)
(vogel)
Don’t let all the background noise fool you. The current Vaad has done an incredible job within the short time that they have been in office. Lets not forget that they had a lot of cleaning up to do after the mess that the last two Vaads left in their wake. The most important thing is that a group of people can work together effectively, and the incumbents have demonstrated that they do so very well!
Tamir and Hecht can bring change
finaly the “LOSHON HORO” (crown heights chronicle)newspaper is out again and this is what we will have by voting in the Polterak gang. If you want a decent Shechuna vote for Shea Hecht and his group.
Vote out Messira vote out:
Cadaner
Polterak
Brownstien
Sperlin
We must Vote in:
Rabbi shea hecht
Dr spinner
Yossi hackner
Bennaroch
Tamir
Vogel
Where is it written that it is against halacha for women to vote?
A real Erleche Yid!!!
They brought the din torah, and it is they who will bring the peace!!!
i agree with #6
(the current vaad is amazing)
I am voting for a NEW crown heights with no agenda other than helping our community.
WE NEED A NEW CLEAN SLATE
Vote for Hackner Bennaroch Hecht Tamir Vogel Spinner
i feel sick that this is the rebbes shchuna…all those involved in fighting, letters of hatred, mesira….the rebbe is watching you….
Vote for “neutral”, not for “crooked”!
Hecht and co have what it takes to make a real change! Ignore the hate and lies and go for the truth!
It was slanted because all it had were articles saying how great the current vaad is. Wasn’t at all balanced.
An editorial can have your opinion, but a one sided newspaper with only propaganda as new is some from the USSR
Vote out Messira vote out:
Cadaner
Polterak
Brownstien
We must Vote in:
Rabbi shea hecht
Dr spinner
Yossi hackner
Bennaroch
Tamir
Vogel
Chanina
Polterak and Co. are not working to bring achdus. They are part of and right in the center of the machlokes. If you take them out of the equation, there will be no machlokes left. They are the Schwei side. The Osdoba side backed out of running. The other candidates; Spinner, Hecht, Hackner, Benharoch, Vogel, Tamir and Schreiber are new people as they are not on any side. Poltarak and Co. are cunningly tring to convince everyone that they started to bring achdus when they are in fact one of the teams fightting this machlokes. PLEASE ONLY VOTE FOR PEOPLE… Read more »
THAT WILL BRING ABOUT THE PEACE
Why is there shaimos in a trash can?
I like that our community is taking this seriously.
All you need to do is read Poltorak’s letter and ROSENBERG’S psak!! Isn’t this why we had the d.t.??
Most vaads in the past ie rubashkin etc, there was a fight the vaad didn’t get along, the current vaad, Fishel Brownstein, Chanina Sperlin, Zev Cadaner and Elie Poltorak have proven crown heights that they can work with achdus, they are a team & they have helped so far crown heights so much, proof type in their names by the collive search you will see what comes up, type (separately each candidate) Chanina Sperlin , Zev Cadaner etc.
Elect a new vaad so we can stop fighting and let them help out our troubled community already!
I am voting for all the candidtates on http://www.anewcrownheights.com
Cadaner
Polterak
Chazan
Brownstien
Chanina
In order to keep the peace! (they’re the only ones how can do it)
CROWN HEIGHTS DESERVES BETTER!!!!!!1
ANYONE BUT CURRENT VAAD
I’m voting for him and dr spinner
If you want the peace to happen!!!
CHARLIE BUTTONS FOR PRESIDENT
CAMPAIGN STARTS NOW…
WE WANT CHARLIE BUTTONS FOR PRESIDENT OF THE VAAD……………………….VOTE CHARLIE BUTTONS FOLKS IS A VOTE FOR HONESTY INTEGRITY.
Why do you say the chronicle was “slanted?” Everyone’s entitled to an opinion, and he gave an honest endorsement. It was an op-ed. Slanted is when some other sites pretend to post neutral news but in fact lie or “slant” it their way. This isn’t slanted: it’s straight out an opinion.
After reading Poltorak’s lies & Spielman’s personal hate, I’m glad I’m voting for the Hecht/Spinner/Hackner etc ticket. New blood, people who care, with no garbage & corruption sticking to them like vomit.
The Rubashkin letter is a lie!! Just read Rosenberg’s psak!
And u believe what they wrote?! Come on! Use your own sense….obviously no one here is saying the whole truth so how cud one letter shape ur opinion?! (to Mr. Glad)
I am voting for
Rabbi shea hecht
Dr spinner
Yossi hackner
Bennaroch
Tamir
Vogel
I am happy to be part of this monumental time in crown heoghts history and I encourage everyone to do the same.
These candidates have all said they will be happy to work with anyone that gets voted in and they want good for the community.
No more fights only help
Becouse what ever the corrent vaad will do it wont make him happy becouse if not for last years election he will still be in and would of been there for good
CAMPAIGHN START NOW…
WE WANT CHARLIE BUTTONS FOR PRESIDENT OF THE VAAD……………………….VOTE CHARLIE BUTTONS FOLKS
I am happy i read the letter from plotkin, lang, and rubashkin before i went to vote. Poltorak lost my vote,