In a blatant thumb of the nose to Jewish law and tradition, the board of trustees and the board of directors of Montreal’s Snowdon YM-YWHA voted to have their health facility open on Shabbos.
Opposition to the Shabbos desecration is virtually unanimous in Montreal’s sizable Orthodox community, as well among many of Canadian city’s traditional Jews, according to the Suburban newspaper.
After board member Leon Elfassy, who voted against the change, spoke out against it on Montreal’s Radio Shalom Jewish radio program, Rabbi Reuven Poupko of the Beth Israel Beth Aaron Synagogue called Elfassy “a hero.”
A press release called the decision “consistent with the YM-YWHA’s mandate to serve as a resource to the entire Jewish community.”
The Y on Westbury Avenue has a regular visitation of Lubavitch boys and girls who use, separately, the world-class athletics facilities and pool.
Over 350 Lubavitch families live in the Snowdon neighborhood. The community does not have an official rabbi or representative to lead a boycott.
“I didn’t hear any talk about a boycott,” one father who was visiting New York told COLlive.
“Most don’t even know about it, and it’s not like there is another option for the kids.”
Rabbi Berel Bell, a member of Vaad Ha’ir and a Lubavitch Dayan, was not available for comment.
I think it is worthwhile to mention that the Montreal Y and one other JCC (I forget where) were the ONLY places closed on Shabbos. The Y is using this as their main argument for staying open on Shabbos and who can argue with that? As far as to boycott? I’m honestly torn because there is no where else in the city where there is all women classes and separate swimming that caters to the children’s school schedual.
I laughed- very funny…..
NICE
….and dirtier….
Yes indeed there is a boycott, but not at the Y. It is in our very own yeshiva. All those boys who wish to follow the directives of the Rebbe, and not attend the secular studies…they are the ones that have been boycotted. These boys are NOT ALLOWED to register in the Rebbes Mosad!!! The extent people will go to in order to get money from the gov’t. They will SELL our CHILDREN!!!
That’s just the way it is. It’s a fact of Jewish life in every major city. Anyways, it’s good for Chabad — there’s plenty of non-religious Jews who may go there Shabbos and there will need plenty of “McKarving” to be done. Chabad will be very busy.
the yeshiva is the only place to boycott now..
Maybe we should boycott Israel and not spend our money there because businesses are open on Shabbos….
Stop being ridiculous, if you have a problem with the Y than don’t go.
leave it to g-d!!
To clarify a few points. #1: Ben Weider had nothing to do with the fact that in 2003 the Y did not open on Shabbos. There was a committee that had Rabbis from various shuls & synagouges come in & talk to the committee about Shabbos. There was a poll done among the membership and the result was that most people wanted it closed so the reccomendation was to stay closed & that’s the way the board voted. This time there was no committee & the makeup of the board was changed. Less people on it & handpicked by the… Read more »
The only thing Anash in Montreal is bannig – is the Yeshiva! That’s what’s happening now.
As a Montrealer I can say that the Y leaders would love it if the “Frum” community boycotted. They would love to see a “Frum Free” Y. Boycotting would play right into their hands.
Let’s face it, it’s all these not “frum”: people that give big donations & support the “Y”. When was the last time “frum” people made a large donation to the “Y”. B”H we have many other more important things & people to support!
it seems like u r happy with the fact that the y will be opened on shabboss…….all i can say is shame on u!
and nice example with starbucks…….but starbucks doesnt call itself jewish starbucks or the like!
u cant proclaim to be a jewish orginization and go against what the jewish people hold of!
i think u should cut the bs
read before you write
the article didn’t say there was a boycott
rather it just raised the question “will they consider a boycott”
and to all those who see nothing wrong with a jewish center opening on shabbos, see what happened in baltimore: https://collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=3466
thats Bochurim but what abut everyone else the whole Anash?
The yeshiva doesn’t allow bochurim to go anyway
too bad that’s life…..you cant go to the Montreal Y any more.
cant compare the sports center 2 the y.
i can’t belive something is really going on in montreal… how did you guys manage to come up with something newsworthy?
i say to Ban the Y…..
let them take off the word ‘jewish’ from their building
and leave it “community center”
they actually wanted to do the same thing a few years ago and then the person whos name is on the building-ben weider OB”M- was poyel that they shouldnt do it.
now that he passed away ,unfortunately, they think they could do what ever they want.
that is simply a huge chutzpa
starbucks is owned by yidden do you buy a coffee there?
cut the bs…i love the y…i dint give a penny to open it so i dont have a say. maybe ill enjoyed more without the frummies…
ya i agree that we arent satmar…….but we r jewish who try to beleive (at least a little) in what we do.
now having said that:
how could a place where it has in huge letters outside stating “Jewish community center” (now i stress on JEWISH) open up on shabbos!?!?!?!
that has nothing to do with satmar it has to do with being JEWISH…….think a second it doesnt make any sence!!!
this has to be stopped immidietly.
way to go and cheeper too
whats wrong with it being open on shabbos?
dont let it happen
if the frum community boycotts the Y–the powers that beas well as the regular non frum users will be happy! some of them dont appreciate lots of loud kids!
i agree with “do things the Rebbes way”–its a great idea! (by the way there already is someone who sells challa there every friday)
The only ppl who will lose out from boycotting is the frum ppl the y doesnt want frum ppl in their place…
i am a montrealer and i never heard of this boycott….
how dare they!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe the decision has to be made based on the answer to the following question: What action can be taken that will make it more likely that the powers that be will retract their decision to open on Shabbos?
More often than not boycotts do not have the effect of changing peoples’ minds. Those with connections to the Jews responsible should use their leverage to be poel a change in policy.
Beezras hashem, me and my family will not be going there anymore
we’re going to go to the sports center on van horne
and make sure someone gives out candles and timetables there every Friday and even goes over on Shabbos to speak to people. Boycott won’t work in quiet Montreal nor is it really the way to reach Yidden there.
Vu Zeinen di Bochrim? All we need is a couple of Akshonim!
even if there should be some protest – there is no one here who can lead it