On Tuesday night, 28 Teves, was the initial meeting of representatives of Crown Heights Shuls to begin preparations for the election of a new Board of Directors for Crown Heights Jewish Community Council and Vaad Hakohol Deshchunas Crown Heights. The most recent election took place in 2010 and the officials elected at that time have served until now, close to 14 years.
Chairman Zaki Tamir opened the meeting and spoke of his role in moving the community forward and that the time has come to pass the mantle to a new generation of leaders. Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba, in his remarks, emphasized the importance of ensuring that every conversation in our homes be respectful and full of Torah content. Rabbi Yosef Braun spoke of the power of a community in that it takes a multitude of individual opinions and turns them into a new entity of the opinion of the community.
Rabbi Eli Cohen, CHJCC Executive Director, then presented some of the history of prior elections and the potential for the strengthening of the community by electing a strong Vaad. He emphasized the importance of the neighborhood of Crown Heights to the Rebbe and the attention that the Rebbe gave to the democratic election of community leadership. He spoke of the tremendous need in the community for affordable housing, security, and support for education that can be accomplished by a renewed spirit of cooperation and unity in community. The election of the new Vaad will be a first step towards also filling the third position on the Beis Din that has been empty since the passing of Rabbi Yaacov Schwei Z”L.
Rabbi Michoel Chazan, former Board member and Rabbi of Kingsbrook Medical Center described how the recent development of more community shuls and class minyanim does not take the place of the need for a strong and unified community. The pieces are stronger when they can be brought together.
An agenda was proposed to advance towards an election to be held on the Sunday after Shavuos – June 16, 2024. Three committees were formed to move the agenda forward, and many of the representatives present volunteered for the committees.
The outreach committee will be working to expand on the work started by Yudi Gruenberg, a relatively new resident of Crown Heights, and organizer of the newly revamped Mishpat Shalom initiative, who has already secured the participation of 50 of the approximately 80 shuls in Crown Heights. The majority of those shuls had a representative at the meeting, and it is hoped that by the time of the next meeting, on February 11, 2024, 2 Adar I, there should be at least 75% participation, including many more of the new young shuls and class minyanim of Crown Heights. Any Shul that would like to participate should contact Yudi at the Mishpat Shalom number, 718 604-8000 ext 6.
Also under formation are the Election Committee that will organize the actual election process, sending out notices, identifying candidates and conducting the polls on Election Day. A Bylaws Committee was also formed to look at adjustments and updates that need to be made to the community bylaws to account for new circumstances, like the extension of the community boundaries and new not for profit laws in New York State.
The entire meeting was conducted in a spirit of unity and cooperation and the hope was expressed that this peaceful and forward-looking approach will continue throughout the entire process until the election and beyond.
VIDEO
The following Shuls have indicated that they wish to participate and named a representative so far:
94 Shul
96 Shul
99 Class Shull (534)
Agudas Israel
Agudas basement 96
Ahavas Achim- Empire Shtiebel
Ahavas Moische – Maple Street Shul / Itchke’s
Aliya- Bais Laime
Anshe Moshe
Anshe Rubushov
Anshei Maaseh
Bais Binyamin
Bais Menachem Mendel
Cong 935
Beis Gimpel Chaim
Beis Levi Yitschok
Cong Adas Yisroel
Bais Shmuel
Bnei Solomon Zalman-Frankel
Bris Sholom- the Best Shul
Brownsville Anash
Chevra Ahavas Yisroel
Chevra Shas
Cong Yaakov Yehuda
David Gershon
Der Shtible
French Shul
F.R.E.E.
Anshei Lubavitch
Getzel Shul
Hadar Hatorah
Merkaz avreichim
Ktav Sofer
Mayanot
Menachem’s Shul
Mishkan Menachem- JCM
Nosson’s Shul
Rayim Ahuvim
Reb Michoels Minyan
Mitzvah Center
Sosnowiec
The Besht Center
The Crown Heights Shul
The Lincoln Place Shul
The Shul
The Shul -Beis Moshe
Unzer Shul
Zevi’s Shul
Gaboim of 770 is not under this jurisdiction.
The mess we have in CH is all because people are not staying in their lane.
Stay out of 770.
You brought enough of a Churbam here. And I am not referring to the Tunnel fiasco.
Since when is it not under “this jurisdiction” The elections for gaboim were always done through the va’ad hakohol and there are even ma’anos from the Rebbe about it!
I for one am sick and tired of seeing the same faces who stood around all these years allowing the chaos at 770 to continue.
We want change, enough is enough
We can put in some more leaders
And we can vote out the ones we don’t want
You can never vote out the real people in charge!
The people who win elections will be working for the people in charge so what’s it worth?
Agree and I think the people of CH does too.
We need some NEW people. If these people didn’t do ANYTHING for so many years???? Why do we need them doing things again. I want them replaced.
That’s why we have elections…..
Then you have to participate. You have to get up and go all around … don’t just get up to cast one vote
Are you willing to be on the Vaad? This is a hard job and you should be thanking them. Yes they may have made some mistakes and you need a change but they’ve been working very hard.
Who said that if there was a different Vaad this wouldn’t have happened?
By this logic, nothing should be changed ever. One can never say with certainty that changing something will have a positive effect, but if results are disappointing, one votes in new leaders. That is the best we can do.
Peace can be poison sometimes. Change is needed. Say no at the right time to who ever needs to be told.
Isn’t it the shul of chabad lubavitch? Why are crown heights individuals electing gaboyim?
Am I missing something?
If I recall they once tried this before and the Rebbe told them to undo it because it’s not a crown heights community shul. Its under agudah of lubavitch
Is this just a rumor or do you care to to provide a source?
We have a copy of this written by the rebbe, copied by r Leibel groner a”h in 5748
Where is this copy?
What I’ve seen is ma’anos of the Rebbe to the va’ad hakohol with pretty positive messages about the elections.
Also it was all done under the CH bais din which the Rebbe appointed!
Elections for Rabbonim and Vaad Hakoel – is great
However elections for Gabboyim in 770 – is not ok! This is against the Rebbe’s wishes. 770 does not belong to Crown Heights. Per the Rebbe Aguch has to take care of this, 770 belongs to “Lubavitch”!
For those who remember: The first election of Gabboyim was abolished by the Rebbe via Rabbi Chadakov,
No I don’t remember such a thing as it isn’t true.
The Rebbe encouraged the new gaboim and it was approved and help up by the CH bais din.
Do we really need this? Why do we need a Vaad Hakohol? History has shown us that it has been a consistent trigger for machlokes. Do we really need to revive this institution? What benefit do we have from it? If you want to accomplish something, then just go ahead and do it. There are many askonim in the community who do incredible work and raise a lot of money without any official titles or positions. What exactly do we need a Vaad Hakohol for? So that we can fight over who gets kavod and who doesn’t? I think the… Read more »
Zaki Tamir is amazing and did so much for the community we need more people like him pls!
Saddened not to see so many more Shuls on this, where’s Anshei Lubav I understand they’re building their own community but as mentioned we need to also unify the greater CH community
It’s there. Read the whole list
Thank you
You’re going to have to do a heck of a big job explaining to the young people why they should even care or bother with these elections. You’re also going to have to do a new headcount of families. 14 years is a long time. Many have moved on or passed and many have moved in. Who is going to be in charge of making sure the voting is proper?
I am very impressed with our current leaders for beginning this new election which we so badly need
talk is cheap! why did it take what happened this week to prompt even initial action? are they finally realizing that they can’t hold this of for much longer? When we see real action then maybe we will believe to many people here believe this was a reaction to what happened and believe once the heat dies down it will be same old bs!
Rabbi Chanina Sperlin was not elected to the vaad last time but he is still involved in community activism. It seems that whoever wants to be active does things whether they’re elected or not. On the other hand, many of those who were elected did nothing. I think the whole election is just a fraud and there’s no need for it. If you want to do good, you should just do it. There’s no need to wait to get elected. And if you’re useless, getting elected is not going to change anything for you anyway, so the vaad seems like… Read more »
Put things into perspective, that was just 3 years after the first iPhone was released. The works has evolved and the next generation does not have or is interested in the baggage of previous generation. The new Gen has a more mature – professional if you will call it – look at things. Very different mindset. Just see what the new generation of 20-30 year old are accomplishing. I see much promise Bez”H
So why is gallus getting so much darker ? and we have never seen so much dangerous antisemitism in the US , accomplishing? Seems the young generation or young professionals since you guys want to sound and be so Americans is in total denial of what’s happening on social/ spiritual level but also of what’s coming
Just as new shuls are being included, so should women. Some women may not have a man representing them, and all women are entitled to a vote and to express their voices.
We’re going to hear a lot of polemics about how it’s going to destroy the whole Torah if women have the right to vote in community elections.
Meanwhile either elections never get held or the elected officials do nothing. But hey at least no women were involved!!!
The same is true for single guys. They don’t vote either. Only married people vote and they need to speak with one voice, no matter who is the one who actually casts the vote
In the past people who weren’t married and over 30 could vote, so what you said is inaccurate.
…and that’s not the system the Rebbe set up. Households vote, not single men or women.
Single men and women, divorced and widowed women, all have households in this community. They are active participants of this community, and their ideas as well as concerns need to be heard. Listening to their perspectives can only help build a stronger environment for everyone. (side point that the percentage of single men, women, divorced and widowed households has largely increased and they now represent a bigger portion of the community than ever before)
Unfortunately people think when there is a election we are voting people that will bring change. This is not the case. The people who make the decision are not up for election. They don’t give up their jobs and will never let the elected people do anything. That’s why things never change and once people are elected they give up! We need real change. Anyone not put in place by the rebbe should not be in charge of anything related to the community and should have to run for election. And if they lose they need to give up power.… Read more »
I want to know WHO will run and STOP THE SHELTERS coming to town? WHO will STOP FELLOW JEWISH LANDLORDS FROM TAKING MONEY UNDER THE TABLE FROM RENT STABILIZED APARTMENTS? WHO will stop all this?
Indeed it will take a VERY VERY STRONG person. I hope it can be done in a way of SHOLOM AND DARCHEI NOAM! WE can not have any MACHLOIKES! Our Jewish sisters are being Tortured in Israel. Soldiers are losing two feet. Lets do it the right way!
Doesn’t 770 belong to the broader lubavitch/chabad community?
770 is under Aguch not the CHJCC
The Congregation Lubavitcher Inc. is a tenant of 770, they have been found to be inept and incapable, they are an unelected rabble, funds are collected with no accountability. The young extremists have been able to do as they wish with the tacit support of CLI and its masters.
The Yeshiva administration is no better in fulfilling its responsibilities than what is written above about CLI
A total revamp is necessary using open and transparent processes
Because that’s how it was done by the Rebbe with his approval!
I hope Moshe Pinson wins it all!!!
The real Shliach of Crown Heights!
He should be Mayor!
I’m wondering why people always are negative
Young people
And shuls getting g together to build this community over
That amzing thing
Amd we need to join this
So each one of us will be heard and change CH to a better place
Women need to be able to vote.
…and that’s not the system the Rebbe set up. Households vote, not single men or women.
What if I don’t go to shul, does my concern not count.
Also why did they not order any food, I’m sure they would of have had a better turnout
The boys should only learn ,and not become builders- even though they are called Bonim! After Ain Ke Lokainu!
770 should be enlarged in a persuasive positive manner.Aguch should start a campaign to enlarge 770 as soon as possible!
SHOLOM Al YISROEL
which shul is this meeting in
If 770 really is for Lubavitch, Chabad, Nshei and Meshichist, why are residents and Shuls of Crown Heights determining the makeup of Gaboyim ? These other Shul members don’t even go to 770.
The Vaad is for Crown Heights residents, this should be votable by all residents, whatever their marital status, gender, visa status or which of the 4 camps they identify as.
Achdus is Achdus
In the past, that is how the elections worked and it was approved by the CH bais din and the Rebbe.
Will there be women on the ballot? Decisions being made for the community should have perspective of all the people who make up said community. And what about singles, divorced women, and widows? How can we make sure their voices are heard and counted? One vote per household (via the male) does not speak for the Crown Heights community at large any more – if it ever did. If this is really for the community, they all votes need to be valued and counted. If this is just for the select few, then there will continue to be difficulty finding… Read more »