By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba, Rov of the Crown Heights Beis Din and the senior rabbinical authority in the neighborhood, said a search has begun to find a third member.
He said there is a void now, after the loss of Rabbi Yaacov Schwei OBM, a member of the Beis Din who passed away this past month after being infected by coronavirus.
Rabbi Osdoba was elected by members of the community in 1986, alongside Rabbi Yehuda Kalmen Marlow OBM and Rabbi Yosef Heller (who has since resigned from the Beis Din and heads the Crown Heights Kollel).
In 2003, Rabbi Schwei was elected as a fellow member of the Badatz. And in 2010, Rabbi Yosef Braun won a majority of the votes in a communal election.
“We had a friendship the began many years prior to his joining the Badatz of the neighborhood,” Rabbi Osdoba said about Rabbi Schwei in an interview for this week’s Kfar Chabad Magazine.
“I have gratitude to him for helping me at the time with the style and editing of Divrei Torah for the sefer that I wrote,” he said.
“Besides for his greatness in Torah and Chassidus, he was a baal kishronos (a person of talent), was exemplary in his midos and was well-liked by the people,” Rabbi Osdoba added about Rabbi Schwei.
In the interview, Rabbi Osdoba paid tribute to the many lives that have been lost during the Covid-19 pandemic as listed in “Yizkor: The Souls We Lost During Coronavirus.”
“We are in great pain over the losses,” he said. “Along with that, we are thankful to Hashem and rejoicing over each and every one who has recovered… We are davening for the healing of those who are still sick.”
Asked about filling the role of Rabbi Schwei, Rabbi Osdoba said it is a priority he is working on. “The community is big, Baruch Hashem, and there is a lot of work here,” he said.
“We are searching a person who will be a worthy figure and will have the appropriate characteristics,” Rabbi Osdoba added. “I hope that with Hashem’s help it will come to fruition soon.”
Can we wait after the 30 days to talk about a replacement?
Sensitivity for the family
Rabbi Levi Garelik.would be a great choice.
Rabbi Garelik has my vote too.
The vaad hakohol wouldn’t let him be rav…
we need someone that actually knows how to pasken and also will not demand a 3 year salary of 250k deposited into a secured account
Rabbi Garelik has been paskening my Sha’alos for many years and never asked me for a penny.
Additionally, a rov is not a money making business and even if it was there’s not enough money in the world that would make it worth it for anyone to become a Rov.
What we need is Ba’ale Batim that understand that a Rov is someone who is given over Lev V’nefesh to the community and gives up his ability to enjoy life so he can serve the community.
Dear friends , I just took a look at the campaign to support the rav’s family and the causes he supported . We need to raise at least 50 thousand . We can do better for the rav who gave us years of his life . Please help ! Just my own personal opinion
whats the link to donate?
To Donate https://www.charidy.com/rabbischwei
But why are they collecting money on the streets , and not getting money from the CHJCC, is there a big hole in the CHJCC where the money that comes in gets lost ?
Yes
We haven’t had elections in CH I over 10 years. I think it’s time. 770 needs new leadership and we need a new rov.
Long overdue…
Why not simply reinstate Rabbi Segal. He was voted in already
We need someone young, who can speak English fluently and relate to the majority of the kehila.
agree with the other things you write
must be able to bring achdus, Yiddishe & Chassidishe pride and involvement with younger generation as well as older and everyone in between
He has my vote
I hope this will be a democratically elected process and not the rabonim appointing a rav on their own
the Rebbe clearly said there should be elections
Rabbi Nota Kuperman has answers from the Rebbe on this matter, which was written to Rabbi Zirkind a”h circa 1986.
If anyone is interested please reach out to him directly for clear Horaos from the Rebbe on this topic of selecting a Rov in n Crown Heights.
Reb Yitzchok Chanuka
Rabbi Shea Werner!
Not all are on the beis din
He can’t just automatically be considered the third Rov without being elected. Let him run and we’ll see if he gets elected. There has to be a process
He should have been a good candidate if he would have waited his turn, Not just spring him self on us and put out flyers every week like he is the new Rav in CH with out talking to the current rabbis, we had enough of machlokos, please don’t add a new one to the list . good things come to people who wait, not to people like him !
The vaad hakohol would never let that happen he knows too much and is too sharp
Rabbi Telzner Melbourne Australia!
Took over for his shver. How could he simply leave Melbourne?
He would be the best pick!
Rabbi Werner is a big talmid chacham and was a rav in Detroit for many years and he recenly moved to Crown Heights. Why not elect him? He would do an amazing job.
ואיך כאן המקום להאריך בדבר
It should not be up to the rov to decide it should be up to the crown heights community!
Rabbi Nota Kuperman has answers from the Rebbe on this matter, which was written to Rabbi Zirkind a”h circa 1986.
If anyone is interested please reach out to him directly for clear Horaos from the Rebbe on this topic of selecting a Rov in n Crown Heights.
Please state the horaos from the rebbe on this. I seem to remember he spoke in fabrengen about it too
Rabbi Osdoba did not say he is or the rabanim are deciding who will be rav. He sais they are considering who are suitable candidates.
If this will be a fair process, shouldn’t the people decide who are the suitable candidates?
It’s not state senator. Look in hilchos dayanus for more clarification on the qualifications necessary, and that’s only the beginning. The rabbonim have to determine that any candidate has the requisite qualifications and practical experience. People can decide who they like and prefer, but people cannot just decide that someone is qualified to be a rov. This should be easy to understand.
Why are they looking for a new Rov in the supermarket in the meat section?
Best comment here!
Being a rov is no simple feat.
He must be able to cope in a cold sometimes frigid environment.
He must maintain his energy even when he is surrounded by dead animals.
He must be noticeable and stick out.
The packaging must be nice and of course he has to be fresh.
He has to be kosher lmehadrin with lubavitch shechita.
thats all for now
Hahahahaha!!! VERY funny!!!
Hahahahaha very funny!!
its a picture of all 3 rabonim obvialsy Rabbi schwi in ot with us today
Funny
Rabbi telzner is perfect!
Pls find a Rov that can help CH with Shalom Bais and Chinuch and loyal to CH families and CH women
I think rabbi Tayar from Melbourne Australia!
NO GHEZER ROV AS THAT SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT, WE NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS THE CHARISMA AND AUTHORITY, HAS NEVER BEEN MIRED IN CONTRAVERSY, AND COMMANDS RESPECT NOT JUST IN CROWN HEIGHTS BUT AROUND THE WORLD.
Would be perfect.
If i remember correctly I think rabbi schwei was gez’
Rabbi shwei is from geza chassidei chabad. Agav, Rabbi shweis rebbetzin tzu lange gezunte yohren, has not lubavitch family. I happen to know some of them, from a very choshuve family in Toronto and Lakewood. They were michabed harav shwei with brochos under the chuppah and with speaking during events. He was 10000% respected amongst big rabbonim and roshei yeshiva and lomdim from all walks of life. Once, a misnagdishe rov was doing a chuppah for this family and saw the they were giving brocho achrinta to r schwei. The rov hamesader asked one of the family members of r… Read more »
After Reb zalman shimon Dworkin passes away the Rebbe wanted Rabbi bernstein to take over the position.
Being humble he declined the honour
Maybe today would be different
I vote him
A true chassis Ans Talmud torah
I remember that when Rabbi Berenstein ran KAJ (Breuers) all Lubavitchers ate Breuers (as did all frum people)
Doesn’t Halachah say that when a Rav passes away, if he has a suitable son, he should take over…
a great choice for Rov. A world class gaon and posek and expert on medical and technology related Halacha.
Talmid of R Nissan Nemanov.
A humble but strong chossid and ish halacha.
World class gaon and posek esp on medical and technological issues.
Past community Rov, Posek for Kashrus and Rosh Yeshiva-Semicha.
Choizer and author.
Talmid of R Nissan Nemanov.
A humble but strong chossid a d ish halacha.
Speaks an articulate English, Hebrew and Yiddish.
WE WANT RABBI KUPERMAN. The rav of the Besht shul. Very down to earth man.
They are looking in the market place for some chicken to be the new rav
Rav ulman Sydney Australia
Young, charismatic, contemporary ,
Brilliant, has my vote
why would he want to put himself in a position of abuse? Although I would be thrilled if it happened
Probably doesn’t need to move
Rav Shuchat is a Goan and should be on the Beis Din Tzedek of CH. He is well known and respected throughout the hareidi velt and sits on the Agudas Harabbonim. And he is PRO ERUV.
So he went against the beis din of the town. Completely disregarding the morei deasrah, and we should respect him?! Sorry no way!!
Rabbi chain meir aisenbach
He’s a true gaon of this generation
I think hes 50% gezh
It is true that Rabbi Garelik is real smart, and therefore he knows he’s not interested in this position. He is not looking for the koved or the aggravation that comes along with it.
The Rebbe wanted elections..
Son in law of Rabbi Heller Shlita
Rabbi Bluming Great Candidate!
Son in law of Rabbi Heller Shlita
That while many of the qualities mentioned are important it is equally important that the 3rd person be someone that will complete the beis din, so that all 3 will work together side by side… each with their unique personality and respecting each other.
The rebbe wanted elections for rabbonim.
When the rabbinim were first elected who decided if they were “worthy” candidate?
Does the av beis din own the beis din?
A great mistake was made in crown heights when rabbi shvei was made the only canidate running unopposed, in effect a vote for or against was the only option.
That is not even a Communist election.
In order to have legitamcy there must be fair and open elections.
firstly like some mentioned give 30 days The other thing to consider is that the rabbonim forsure want a 3rd person. They are overloaded. But right now everyone is in isolation and we need to get through this crisis. When things settle down then there could be elections Furthermore please be respectful to rabbs braun and osdoba Firstlt they are mourning the loss of rabbi schwei they are overwhelmed with problems and shaalos right now In order to choose a rov they need to speak to each other They need to reach out to potential individuals who will need to… Read more »
Do they plan on making chopped meat out of the new Rabbi??
who says it has to be a lubavitcher? Rabbi piekarski wasnt and nor was rabbi hendel. The rebbes shechuna is crying out for a godol b’yisroel, someone whose stature in the torah world not only commands respect but whose psak din is respected world wide, who when he walks into a shul people stand up, and is not afraid to challenge and confront even the biggest askanim and ashirim if they step out of line.
Rabbi Garelick would be perfect for this job ! What an asset it would be for the community
A real Chosid yerei shamayim and lamddan
A real Mentch. A real Chosid Yerei Shomayim and Lamdan!!
I was actually gonna write in a comment that rabbi Shmuel Chaim Bluming should be the next candidate but I see that chevre already brought it up
Crown Heights needs Rabbi Dov Yehuda Schochet currently at he Shul of Bal Habror.
Never Heard from The Rebbe that we have an “Av” Beis Din” in This neighborhood..
It’s a Mistake. Please Correct. Thank you.
Should I infer from the need for three, that R. Ozdaba and R. Braun plan to sit together as judges on Dinei Torah?
Just throwing another name out there. A real mentsch, connects well with the kehilla, is almost fluent in English, and is an anti
Rabbi Shein. He sometimes sits in the Beis Din. Talmid Chocom with amazing midos, very approachable
Badatz Crown Heights is a myth, unfortunately of course A. 3 people however learned and capable cannot run a whole community. That is why there isn’t Badatz of Borough Park or Badatz of Williamsburg. Those communities are too large and diverse for a single entity to claim to represent them and cater to their needs. In the last 10 years, the CH community has grown so much that there are different CH communities today each living on their own with little connection to each other B. The community’s coffers are empty. So we all will be voting someone in and… Read more »
look in to it. this is the Rebbe’s will. an elected beis din. look into it.
How writing a comment who you think is a good candidate will help out in any way? Are the Rabbanim reading COL comments and will then say “Hey, great idea! Never thought about this guy!” Oh, actually the next comment was bashing him so i guess its not a good idea…”
Yeh. This is an ecosystem. Its leaders reflect the community. Same people that post, vote. So the elected will be and are a reflection of the electors. So it’s possible what people post here will affect an election outcome.
Marbe Aitza, marbe chochma.
All the comments here (respectful, of course) add to the general knowledge of how to proceed. The existing rabbonim of the Bais Din, Rabbis Osdoba and Braun, would be well served to consider and incorporate the comments here into their considerations!
Let me explain. The other guys that were mentioned meet some of the criteria to be a rov, but not all. Rabbi bluming meets all the criteria needed to serve as a rov. Talmid chochom,anovo,yiras shomayim,and meurov Bain haberiyos.
badatz is an inyan ruchni see sichas 2 adar 5748. if/when they see fit they can apoint assisting dayonim/motzim. farkert the rebbe wants that the shchuna should be one. thats the rebbe wanted it to be beis din of crown heights NOT the lubavitch beis din of ch.
A big Talmid Chochom, Boki in all aspects of Halachah and connects very well specially with the younger generation.
Rabbi Sholom Ber Shuchat would be a great candidate!
Very knowledgeable, speaks clear, very popular, well known throughout the frum world, sits on Agudas HaRabonim etc
I believe there will be an election as there was for the last Rov.
It would be appropriate that the conditions for a candidate being eligible for the position be circulated in advance thereby avoiding the confusion and rancor of the past.
Transparency is essential
from Flatbush-
Very well versed Torah Scholar and articulate. Can relate to all ages. A wise Talmid Chocham
How can anyone overlook Reb Leib Schapiro (in Miami)?
In addition to being a tremendous Talmud Chacham
and a Posek, his zaide was the Rebbe’s teacher.