This week marked the first Yartzeit since the massacre of the Rebbes Shluchim to Mumbai. While on duty, the bright candles of Rabbi Gabi and Rivka Holtzberg HYD and their Chabad House guests were extinguished. This Shabbos is dedicated as a Shabbos of Chizuk and Achdus in tribute to these two soldiers of the Rebbe, killed on the frontlines of Shlichus.
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After speaking to both Rabbis Osdoba and Schwei they told us how they were hurting not only from the false statements in their name in this matter, but many others that have come out over the years. Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba released yesterday this letter in his defense, and that of the Shomrim Six. “Since it has been said in my name as if I heaven forbid gave permission to give over [Masser] and to inform [Malshin] on the members of Shomrim. I am here to clarify that this is a complete and total lie, and it is entirely not in my hands, since this sort of act is prohibited by Halacha in every way possible.”
Ms. Clarke at a function in Crown Heights congratulating her on being re-elected.
Yesterday, 33 Democrats voted “no” and 20 Democrats voted “present” on House Resolution 867, which condemned the “Goldstone report” on Israel's conduct in Gaza last winter. The final roll call vote on the House floor was 344 for, 36 against, and 22 present.
H. Res. 867, introduced by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, calls on the Obama administration to oppose efforts by the Arab states in the UN General Assembly and other international forums to use the Goldstone report as a propaganda tool and a diplomatic weapon to attack Israel. In all, 21 percent of the Democratic caucus did not support this pro-Israel measure, including Crown Heightses representative Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.
BROOKLYN, NY [CHI] — Before opening arguments began on Monday in state supreme court, where six Shomrim volunteers stand trial for an alleged assault, the prosecution notified the court that it will be seeking to revoke bail and may bring charges of witness-tampering before a grand jury against the Shomrim Six in connection to the witnesses being summoned Friday to the Jewish Court of Law, and the community pressure relating to the court case.
On Sunday night, the Israeli yeshiva students who pressed charges, along with attorney Paul Levi Huebner, arrived at the Beth Din at 9:30 PM. None of the rabbinical authorities were present at that time, so the group was told to return at 10:30 PM. When they convened later that night, the rabbinical authorities cautioned the yeshiva students, saying that testifying against fellow Jews is against Jewish law. The students agreed with the Jewish Court and gave their promise to not testify.
by Reuven Fenton - New York Post
Kosher Clashers - Beat-trial Defense Blames Orthodox RivalsA long-standing rivalry between two Orthodox Jewish neighborhood patrols took center stage yesterday in the trial of a half-dozen men accused of assaulting yeshiva students in Crown Heights two years ago.
Six members of the Shomrim patrol are charged with attacking the four students after having been called to break up a melee at the school.
But one of the defense lawyers said in her opening statement that the defendants were charged as a result of efforts by Levi Huebner, a lawyer for a rival patrol called Shmira.
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — It has been the talk of town for a week, six Crown Heights men who volunteer in Shomrim facing jail time for an alleged brawl in which Jews pressed charges against them. Many were taken aback by the inaction on behalf of the rabbinic authorities in the community, but that changed on Erev Shabbos.
Rabbis Avrohom Osdoba, Shlomo Yehuda Segal, and Yitzchok Raitport issued a summons to a Din Torah to five of those involved in what they called “the terrible sin informing on Jews to the secular courts.” Those summoned included Levi Paul Huebner, an attorney for Shmira, who Shomrim claim has been pursuing them by making frivolous police reports and bringing civil actions against the organization and its individual members. As well as four of the Tzfati Bochurim who are the ones pursuing the actual charges, Elkon Moshe Gurfinkel, Zalman Bronshtein, Schneir Rotem, and Yakov Shatz.
A grueling full day of jury selection took place in the New York State Supreme Court today, where six community members are facing serious criminal charges and can face a possible lengthy prison sentence.
The prosecution and the defense polled prospective jurors as to their work and interests in order to determine if they each can function as a fair and impartial judge based on the facts that will be presented during the course of the trial.
One calamity after another has befallen the Chabad community at large. Young lives have been taken from us, Jews are facing prosecution, and others already sit in prison.
Most Crown Heights residents wave their hands dismissively when the case against six Shomrim members is brought up. “It’s just politics,” they say. Despite the fact that these are fellow Jews, the young men standing trial on Wednesday are also the volunteers who altruistically aid the community daily, in countless ways. It would be commendable of the community to now actively take a stand for fellow Jews and give support to those who have been on-call 24/7 to serve others.
Shula Swerdlov, 3. Photo: Beraleh Shainer
In a heartfelt letter written by a few friends of the Swerdlov family, who lost their precious 3 year old girl Atla Shula in a terrible accident, they decided to run a toy drive in her memory. In the letter they wrote “when a child leaves this world at such a young age we have to do whatever we can in his/her merit,” adding “I started to think of a way in which we could help other children in her honor and being that Chanukah is around the corner…”
The following letter from Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba was released today lambasting the new Vaad and its supporters for their failure to comply with the agreement to go before a Zabl"o Bais Din, and accusing them of Mesira.
The letter [freely translated]:
To Anash of Crown Heights - Kan Tziva Hashem es Habrocho - and all to whom the Rebbe's shechuna is dear.
Following up to my letters of Elul 5769, I am obligated to notify the community that after receiving Rabbi Schwei's signature on the shtar birurin- to proceed to a Din Torah, we informed the court that we are placing a hold on the restraining order against the most recent elections, in order to deal with it at the Din Torah.
I need to clarify that the entire process of going to court to place a restraining order against the latest elections was according to Halacha and with the consent of Bais Din.
The crowd in front of 770 on Motzai Simchas Torah.
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Abundance of joy and Simcha was not a rare sight of the days of Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah, but what was were the Hatzalah ambulances which seemed to never get a chance to stay put in front of 770 for too long.
by Yonit Tanenbaum
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Ten principals of Jewish schools across North America gathered in Brooklyn this week to participate in the Menachem Education Foundation’s Principal Leadership Program. The program began with an informal dinner on Monday, Oct. 5, and continued with two full days of intensive and challenging workshops on Oct. 6 and 7.
by Sara Gordon - N'shei Chabad Newsletter
Chaya Tzirel Goldberg OBM who passed away Chol Hamoed Sukkos three years ago at the age of 1.
Photo by: Levi Liberow.
Photo by: Levi Liberow.
When I found out that my friend’s baby had been diagnosed with a malignant tumor, my first reaction was, “But it can’t be. I know her.” How could this happen to someone I knew? We were too young to be dealing with such things.
I went to visit her, but she was not home. I don’t know what I would have said. I don’t know if she knew I had dropped by. I did send a card or two to tell Chana Devorah that I was thinking of her. But I didn’t call. I was afraid. What could I possibly say? Since I didn’t call, she didn’t know.
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Two sides of town, two candidates. Mayor Michal Bloomberg played guest in the Sukkah of Sholom Ber Drizin, while mayoral hopeful Bill Thompson dropped in at Crown Heights’s in-reach center Aliyah and later the dancing of Simchas Beis Hashueva.
Department of Health inspectors entering the restaurant for their followup inspection.
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Crown Heights' oldest food service joint was shut down yesterday by the NYC Health Department. Crown Hot Bagels, know as the bagel shop near 770, had notices posted on its front door ordering its closure.
A reader sent in the following photos of a Jewish owned minivan with Quebec license plates blocking a buildings multi car garage. The car was parked the night before and remained parked there throughout the Tuesday, blocking access to the 23 parking spaces underneath the building.
Reb Yisrolik Shemtov on the stage of Simchas Beis Hashuaiva in 2006. File Photo.
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — History repeats itself, Yisroel Shemtov who has been organizing and running Simchas Beis Hashuaiva for 28 years, has been forced out once again from the show, courtesy of the new Vaad.
by Yonit Tanenbaum
Morah Leah's Pre-1a class learning about Pesach last year.
QUEENS, NY [CHI] — Due to the suffering economy, many schools have found it difficult to pay their staff. Despite the financial squeeze, the Hanhala of Cheder Tzeirei Hashluchim at the Ohel made it their chief concern to pay teachers their dues before the new school year began.
Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba on the backround of his letter.
As it seems from a letter that was distributed to homes in Crown Heights this week, Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba has taken the first step to ending the madness and infighting in the Crown Heights Beis Din. The following is a translation of the letter.
BS”D. 13th of Elul, Chodesh of Rachamim, 5769.
To Anash residing in Crown Heights - Kan Tziva Hashem es Habrocho - and to Anash worldwide who cherish the Rebbe's Shcchuna. Hashem bless you all.
As a follow up to my letter of Rosh Chodesh Elul, I am pleased to notify Anash in Crown Heights and worldwide that, with Hashem's help, we have successfully reached an agreement for a Din Torah to deal with all the topics related to the disagreements in our shechuna over the past years. Since Torah was given to bring peace in the world we are assured that through a Din Torah peace will reign in our shechuna.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) is inviting residents to come out for a “town hall meeting” in the Jewish Childrens Museum this coming Monday evening to discuss the Healthcare Reform bill titled “H.R. 3200 America’s Affordable Health Choices Act”, and to learn what is in it for us and how it will affect our families.
Will major media attention help?
Mom says daughter taunted, attacked on Crown Heights playground
An 11-year-old Jewish girl was attacked at a Crown Heights playground by a band of black youths who slammed her into a metal slide, kicked her repeatedly - and pelted her with anti-Semitic invective, the girl's mom said Wednesday.
Mom says daughter taunted, attacked on Crown Heights playground
An 11-year-old Jewish girl was attacked at a Crown Heights playground by a band of black youths who slammed her into a metal slide, kicked her repeatedly - and pelted her with anti-Semitic invective, the girl's mom said Wednesday.
Illustration Photo. Photoshopped by: AvrohomDesign@gmail.com
Could you imagine how much worse it would become to drive up Kingston Avenue? Or how many more tickets would be issued on a regular basis? Well, don’t worry the above picture didn’t happen yet. But it can! Just like Empire Boulevard was revamped almost overnight.
