R’ Braun Says Goodbye to Sydney

By COLlive reporter

The Tzemach Tzedek Chabad shul in Sydney, Australia, was packed as Rabbi Yossi Braun addressed the crowd at a farewell gathering for their spiritual leader of 7 years and his family.

“I’m leaving now,” he told them as he plans to move to New York following his election as the new third member of the Crown Heights Bais Din (Badatz).

“As much as it was difficult for my wife to come here 15 years ago – we both have family in New York,” he said, “in a sense it is more difficult to move back because our family has grown since, and we see a lot of our family here in the room.”

The evening was emceed by Rabbi Yehuda Spielman, with brief speeches by congregants Yisroel Hoffman and Benjamin Amzalak.

Rabbi Braun implored with members of the shul, established 7 years ago, to commit to its future. “It does pain us that we don’t see an immediate long-term plan at Tzemach Tzedek after we leave,” he said.

“If we can help in any shape or form, either by leaving,” he joked, “or on a more serious note, from overseas, we’ll be more than glad to help.”

(Amzalak told COLlive.com the shul will start looking for a successor after Pesach and that in the meantime “we have secured the services of Rabbis Perlow and Gourarie.”)

Rabbi Braun, said to be in Crown Heights in time for Shabbos, did not address the controversy surrounding his election, which some claim should be nullified due to a lack of prior background check.

The evening continued with personal farewells and concluded with live music by the Niasoff brothers for Rosh Chodesh Adar 2.

VIDEO

Rabbi Braun’s speech – part 1

Rabbi Braun’s speech – part 2