By COLlive reporters
9:02: The main shul of 770 Eastern Parkway is packed for the hachtara inauguration ceremony for Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun, the elected third member of the Crown Heights Bais Din (Badatz). A large sign in both Hebrew and English is hanging above the year-round Yechi sign.
9:11 PM: Oholei Torah Zal was dismissed to go to the event. Rabbi Shmarya Roitblat told bochurim that “the Rebbe wanted it to be b’rov an hadras melech.” Bochurim were seen walking with him to 770.
9:20 PM: A video of the Rebbe is being shown where the role of rabbonim was highlighted.
9:31 PM: Rabbi Sholomke Schapiro is the MC and announced ‘Yechi Adoneinu’ with a mild reaction.
Rabbi Avrohom Rosenberg, the Monsey Dayan who presided over the Din Torah to streamline communal matters, stood up from the head table and headed to walk off.
He was stopped by some people there, exchanged a few words, and made an exit. The MC thanked him for coming and showing his support.
Elie Poltorak, a former member of the Vaad Hakohol, told COLlive that Rabbi Rosenberg did not leave because of or as a result of the recitation of Yechi. “He had a personal simcha – a sheva brachos I think – and said in advance that he would only come for a very short while to show support.”
Rabbi Rosenberg was the subject of strong criticism about how he handled the case and okayed the election of Rabbi Braun without a prior background check (claims are he does not have proper smicha or shimush).
9:40 PM: Rabbi Yaacov Schwei, a member of Badatz who backed Rabbi Braun in the election, blessed the crowd and welcomed his new colleague describing him as “a Chassidishe rov, one that knows very much how to learn Nigleh and Chassidus.”
He said he hoped the new rov will be able to correct issues in the community “like tznius and make order in kashrus.”
“According to the pain now, will be the measure of joy,” he added, and reminded the all male crowd that “the first time when rabbonim were elected there was also much ‘darkness’.” He ended with Yechi and received a short applause.
The other member of the Badatz Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba is boycotting the event and has called on residents not to attend “since the psak (of Rabbi Rosenberg) has no halachic standing,” as he told COLlive.
9:47 PM: Rabbi Mordechai Gurary, rov of Chevra Shas shul, walks in and joins Rabbi Nachmen Schapiro of Oholei Torah, Rabbi Baryl Lipsker (Rabbi Braun’s father in law) and others.
On stage are Vaad Hakohol members Zaki Tamir, Fishel Brownstein and Yossi Hackner. Also former members Abba Paltiel, Michoel Chazan, Yanky Herzog, Chanina Sperlin and Leibish Nash.
Roaming around the stage, as part of the organization or not, are Yaankel Chazan (editor of Bais Moshiach Magazine), Mendel Hendel, Yitzchok Holtzman and Eli Slavin.
9:51 PM: Rabbi Nissan Mangel, who was slated as Rabbi Schwei’s candidate before declining, told Rabbi Braun in his speech: “Don’t worry. Once you will be the rov even the enemies will concede.”
He went on to say, amid chatter in the crowd, that “we live in a time when one person says one thing and the other especially says the opposite” (a direct reference to the rivalry of Rabbis Osdoba and Schwei).
10:25 PM: The new rov’s father, Rabbi Chaim Eliezer Braun, Rov of the Shaari Tzion community in Flatbush, is speaking in a Poilisher Yiddish accent. He said “everyone used to say about my son that he is filled with Torah and Mitzvos.”
“My son has constantly learned with my father (a known rov) who really wanted to give him smicha but was too weak to hold the pen,” he said.
10:31 PM: A letter laid out on the tables from Vaad Hakohol asks residents to pay the Mas Hakohol community tax ($180 per year) which, they pointed out, the Rebbe himself participated in with a check from his personal bank account.
“With the restoration of the complete Beis Din, we need everyone to ensure that our Beis Din is properly supported and can serve the entire community,” they wrote on a two sided paper with a “commitment form.”
10:35 PM: Rabbi Baryl Lipsker gently interrupted his mechutan the senior Rabbi Braun, telling him that it’s getting late. The speaker answered, “I can let you finish my speech.” Following the comment, he quickly indeed ends to loud applause.
10:40 PM: The MC invites members of the Vaad Hakohol and election committee to hand the Ksav Hachtara to Rabbi Braun, “one of the choizrim from the Rebbe’s sichos.”
The whole crowd immediately stood on its feet with much respect. The MC read the text committing the Crown Heights community to honor, obey and respect the authority of the new rov. The crown listens silently.
Rabbi Braun receives the framed document and smiles, perhaps for the first time during the evening. A long and strong applause is heard and bochurim begin singing a niggun from the Rebbe’s father. All the members on stage come over to Rabbi Braun and wish him a Mazal Tov.
10:48 PM: The new rov, Rabbi Braun, now the former rov of the Tzemach Tzedek community in Sydney, Australia, opens with the greeting “my hosts – the gabboim of 770, the Vaad Hakohol, election committee, the community and the real mara d’asra – the Rebbe.”
He continues to speak in English: “My friends asked “what do you need this tzarah (headache),” and until now I’m not sure myself. What am I doing at this podium?!” The crowd chuckles.
He stated that he will be “dedicated to those who voted for me, those who didn’t vote for me and those who asked others not to vote for me. The past is past. Let bygones be bygone. I forgive everyone.”
“I’m not one to shy from radical things,” he noted after quoting a joke about misnagdim. Rabbi Braun is about 40 years of age.
11:01 PM: Rabbi Braun still speaking with much innuendo, mixing Yiddish and English.
He went on to say a story from the Chasam Sofer who told a secular Jew to close his store on Shabbos, and “strangely he didn’t listen to the rov. It was something common in those days,” he said with much irony.
“He’s rocking the house,” one bochur told COLlive. “Like the Head Shliach of Crown Heights.”
Rabbi Braun mentions his brother “a dayan in Monsey” and how rabbonim are not meant to be well-liked, but just enough for people to be comfortable with.
“This neighborhood should be a place that not money should lead, but achdus should lead,” he said to a loud applause.
11:07 PM: Before he ends his speech, Rabbi Braun noted that “here they don’t talk about the positive. Outside people see the good Crown Heights has to offer. I come to give but to receive even more.”
Plates of food placed on the tables at the beginning of the event are mostly empty. Some people leave and the back of 770 is cleared. The shul remains full.
11:09 PM: The Ptchiner Rebbe of Boro Park speaks. After him Rabbi Amram Klein of Ungvar (son of the known Rabbi Menashe Hakatan) speaks and notes that “a job of a rov is to eat nails but not complain.”
11:24 PM: Following Rabbi Gurary, Vaad Hakohol Chairman Zaki Tamir is invited to speak. “It’s my honor to be a part of and witness a historic moment in Crown Heights and Lubavitch,” Tamir, a defense attorney, begins.
“I’m speaking last because I’m the clean-up crew to make sure this continues after the night is over. Now that we have a third rov the Bais Din is complete,” he said.
“There is a driver to this community. It’s not me or any other individuals. It’s the Rebbe who runs this neighborhood and Hashem who runs the world,” Tamir said.
He called on residents to pay the community tax. “If we can borrow money to eat, we can borrow money to support our rabbonim,” he said, ending with telling the crowd “I love you.”
11:34 PM: Rabbi Abba Paltiel, a supporter of Rabbi Schwei and former member of the Vaad Hakohol, tells Rabbi Braun in his speech, “You will have to restore health, trust and respect to this community.”
11:43 PM: Rabbi Baryl Lipsker, Rabbi Braun’s father in law, closed the event with announcing “Yechi” 3 times.
The event officially ended with participants noting the large crowd, one even estimating over 3,000 people. As per an understanding with Rabbi Osdoba, a contract with Rabbi Braun was not signed until further notice. But participants didn’t seem to care. “I felt in awe when everyone just stood up and gave him honor,” a young bochur said.
Zaki doesnt even know who I am yet. However, I will tell you a fact that has been verified, Zaki Tamir never takes any steps affecting the Vaad or beis din without consulting the rabbonim in advance. He is a man that shows everyone respect and NEVER SAYS ANYTHING BAD ABOUT ANYONE!. Zaki is helping the Crown Heights community in so many ways that would blow peoples mind away if you only knew. MAny people do know and are appreciative. Go up to Rabbi Osdaba and ask him, go over to Rabbi Osdaba and ask him! Zaki is a man… Read more »
just interesting when rav braun shalita came in to 770 for the hachtare their was one person he went to give a kiss to , mendel hendel ,just interesting.
“Gut Yom Tov ” was because of Yud Aleph Shvat- officially the day the Rebbe took on Nesius.
I LOVE YOU, PEOPLE
Let’s daven for Moshiach
Yes there were LOTS of people. 770 was packed. Numbers I don’t know, but it was a PACKED HOUSE
Yes, there were LOTS of Baalei Batim.
Yes, Rabbi Braun is/was a valid candidate.
No, it is not respectful to contradict a Zabla Beis Din of Talmidei Chachomim.
We should all be steadfastly POSITIVE. Those who are negative by nature are trying to drag CH down by being constantly negative. The way to overcome this is to be more and more POSITIVE! As the Tzemach Tzedek said that we should be “day workers.” Let’s spread the light of Torah and Chasidus and that will be the best help for our new Rav to accomplish bringing Achdus to our holy community. Moshiach NOW!
as an outsider reading your notes here, it seems to me there is a lot of bitterness that has to be dealt with, post Gimel Tamuz, people are hurting, especially when the next generation are losing interest, it is time for a unified front, for achdus, for leadership, for direction, for focus, in order to progress, and move forward to greet Moshiach Zidkeinu, Ba’agola Didan.
nice pictures
3000? From the pictures it would be a long stretch to est. half that amount.
So, does he have Smicha or not?!
Your argument re look at the comments are absurd. Perhaps there is 70% of the people of ch who post that are on R Osdobo’s side. The only way to know how everyone feels is to do a true poll of the shchuna. Regardless, of all that, he was voted in by the majority whether you like it or not. He won the elections. like Gore v. Bush. I am unimpressed that you went to college, perhaps thats why you have no Daas Torah whatsoever and you have no say compared to the Rabbonim. And what do you say to… Read more »
They are many here who are speaking nonsense. The majority of those who attended the hachtarah were in no way Bochurim. Yes, there were a lot of Bochurim, but look at the pictures and you will see that most of those present were local CHeighters, meshichisten and non-meshichisten.
Rav Osdoba’s call for boycott was a failure and the community sent him a strong message: if you don’t want peace, stay home or resign, but the community wants peace, with or without you!
since i have been a bochur in 770, and bh i have a family, job, etc. while i still see the same people hanging out in 770, just their beards get whiter so they get promoted to sit closer to the front
i do not see the hundreds of young hard working anash of ch that daven in the countless shuls from eastern parkway to maple st
CH is morally and spiritually BANKRUPT!
Final point,
For the survey to be valid, you must clearly list each article you have taken your data from. For details why look up reliability, validity and testable.
Keep it positive? Yes, ideally.
But how can we teach our children that it’s not okay to cheat their way through Yeshiva, when the rov got in that way?
Making “peace” with this whole load of nonsense is not in pursuit of Shalom, it’s a display of dishonesty, and laziness. We must deal with the matter appropriately.
If he wasn’t a mishechist, and didn’t win the election purely on that card, he would NOT be receiving the support he is. This is very biased support.
It’s the furthest thing from ‘a patch in ponim’. It’s the community saying: we want a stable bais din = 3 rabbonim. And we accept the psak din of the zablo that was given the task to set the stage for proper community leadership and not dictatorship.
This was NOT against anyone. It was FOR the future stability and health of our entire community.
We need all 3 Rabbonim!
We fully respect all 3 Rabbonim!
Did anyone notice how hendel slipped out the back? This guy is unbelievable, he made this big mess, accomplished that there be a Hachtara he didn’t care that there was not one Crown Heights Moised represented at the event. He did not care whether Rabbi Braun was qualified or not, he just wanted to hurt Rabbi osdoba. Now that there is real work to be done, like pay salaries fix the mess that resulted from this fight. Abra Cadabra he is gone. He did the same thing by the Yeshivah mess. If you look at the way he operates, he… Read more »
You through around “let’s make peace” jargon.
Peace does not conclude giving in to dishonesty.
The amount of people in attendance has nothing to do with approval ratings. And how dare you assume what people are feeling inside, you have no idea unless you ask.
See the comment on talking a scientific survey.
Here are the simple facts as documented by COLLIVE:
“9:02: The main shul of 770 Eastern Parkway is packed for the hachtara inauguration ceremony for Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun”
“9:11 PM: Oholei Torah Zal was dismissed to go to the event. Rabbi Shmarya Roitblat told bochurim that “the Rebbe wanted it to be b’rov an hadras melech.” Bochurim were seen walking with him to 770″
question: how was 770 “packed” at 9:02 when the rent a crowd began when Hravo Roitblat dismissed the bochrim at 9:11? (and it also takes some time to walk over to 770)
To 81 & 86 and the other who try to assume the new “rov” have communal approval based on the audience size last night. In the past, when a rov joined the Badatz with less controversy (and hence, more communal approval) there was always a smaller crowd— per capita taken into account. So clearly “Rov approval” and number of attendees have no correlation. (And for the few people out there that took statistics I know that correlation does not prove causation, but as you can see I am including other variables, so thank you very much). If one had time… Read more »
why repeat the mantra: he doesn’t have semicha? Didn’t you hear the new? ALL of the arguments being made Rabbi Osdobo, Reb Yoel etc were brought up to the Zablo Beid Din. The Rabbonim listened to the arguments, then they set out to investigate the facts, and you know what their unanimous conclusion = daas torah was? Rabbi Braun has and had semicha! and that recently he also got dayanus. so who are you trying to sell the Brooklyn bridge to? you cannot accept that the psak din doesn’t assist your political agenda? Do you think that if you repeat… Read more »
The CH community has slowly pushed out anyone who was anything in the Rebbes days, pushing out Rabbi Osdaba is the final nail in the coffin.
3.000 people for sure – the place was packed wall to wall!
I agree., I was there, there was easily 3,000 people. Especially with many leaving early and people coming later.
rabbi osdoba you dont say anything for yoursefl if you need to chnage your mind every five inutes
how could it b that some political people making seder in the shchuna????
and let’s check weather the rebbe allow to get a new rav when the main rav AGAINST
Rabbi Groner was not there
Rabbi Krinsky was not there
Rabbi Heller was not there
Rabbi ASDOBA was not there
The Community was not there.
what do you call that?
MAZAL TOV Rav Braun!!!
If anyone has any chances of fixing ch, it’s you!
I am very impressed.
We chose the right man for the job!
Rabbi Braun,
Wishing you lots of Hatzlacha and easy work.
MAY YOU BE ZOCHE TO BRING AT LAST THE PIECE AND HARMONY WE SO NEED.
“wow it was packed” and all the other bug eyed comments….it was packed with OT and yungerleit. I see no baal habatim and I MEAN BAAL HABATIM for those that have no clue.
That said, what a utter shame. The whole event was just another low point for us here in CH.
How sad!
At least the color war banners gave the event a more festive flavor, a broch!
Boroch Atu Shehachiyanu vecholo…
You only see people who came very early. Most busy people didn’t not come until 10, but by then there was no place in the middle, so all the balei batim you don’t see in pictures were just standing further away. I was there and 770 *was* in fact packed.
i just figured out the problem.
when i looked at the pictures, and i see the pepole in the crowd, and on the head table, and i look back at the kinus hashluchim, i see the diffrence from what is left over in CH and what is out there doing the rebbes work.
look and you will see the same thing. you dont have to look that hard.
on many, many, many levels
this is not a fresh beginning, it’s just more fuel to the machlokes.
i think that most people, regardless of whether or not they support this hachtara, know that this only will complicate crown heights’ politics .
you are 1000% wrong. the overwhelming majority want to see the beth din function is a strong, healthy, positive and unified voice. we are the people who always supported the beth din – and will continue to always support a unified beth din. all the ‘askanim’, ‘helpers’ & ‘handlers’ on both sides “must” go immediately. they are the source of all our problems.. if you would leave the Rabbonim “alone” in their office to work out their differences, without the ‘help’ of the above mentioned, we would be in much better shape. we support the rabbonim. pleeeease get rid of… Read more »
Its the furthest thing from ‘a patch in ponim’. It’s the community saying: we want a stable bais din = 3 rabbonim. And we accept the psak din of the zablo that was given the task to set the stage for proper community leadership and not dictatorship.
This was NOT against anyone. It was FOR the future stability and health of our entire community.
We need all 3 Rabbonim!
We fully respect all 3 Rabbonim!
Rabbi Braun, you really impressed us last night.
We are looking forward, as the winds of change are blowing for the good!@
To me, Rabbi Osdobo is very relevant! He is one of the 3 Rabbonim elected by the entire community!
He needs to be encouraged to sit down with the newly elected rov and see if they can find common ground. As far as I know, there is no personal animas between them. I don’t think they ever interacted with each other in a meaningful way.
Let bygones be bygones. Let all 3 Chavray Habadat”z sit together and try to work towards the betterment of the entire community.
Mazel Tov! Horav Braun Shlit’ah, yairich yamim al mamlachto.
This Hachtara was a great show of unity. Mazal Tov!
CH NEEDS A BIG CHANGE AND RABBI BRAUN IS THE RIGHT ROV IN THE RIGTH TIME >>>>HATZLOCHO RABO<<<<
I felt proud to be a Lubavitcher when Rabbi Braun spoke more than I have felt in a long time.
The “ashamed” lubavs should try to refrain from making such comments, the people in 770 were interested in making lasting peace and moving on with life.
Dovid Chaim.
The crowd was unified and blessedly free from hoodlums, terrorists and those dedicated to destroy the Beis Din. What a Kiddish Hashem!
allowed me make a sh’hechyunu liked someone did
do those (very few) of you who question Rabbi Braun’s credentials and knowledge of Torah and Halacha – if you want to be honest with yourself, go over to him and speak with him in learning. I’m pretty sure that after 2 minutes, (most of) you will be totally lost.
This man is a serious Talmid Chacham – he is not in your league. you know what? prove me wrong!
He didn’t get semicha? are you sure? what do Rabbi’s Rosenberg, Kuperman, Hecht, Yurkovitch and Havlin say?
Rabbi Ozdabo’s intentions was good, when he will sit down with Rabbi Broun he will be impressed and his fears will disapear. Its time to move on and support the new Rav and the entire Beth Din.
Every family should pay the Mass Hakahal so the Rabonim could do their job without looking for suplemental side jobs.
Zaki, we are proud of you, Chazak, you took the bull by the horn, you live up to your responsibilities while your friends are shying away!!
As a young yungerman, I’m pleasantly surprised to see a rov full of youth and vigor, who speaks my language, when he gives a speech – he doesn’t boar the $#@ out of me (even in a long speech). He seems bright and sharp. I wish him the very best and hope he succeeds in elevating the spiritual level of our great community.
Let us give him a chance to succeed.
I was very skeptical. I didn’t vote at all. Last night’s hachtara gave me good vibes and I really feel there is a good possibility that Rabbi Braun is the man to save the current situation with the local rabbanus.
He seems very capable, dynamic, young and determined. I wish him hatzlocho rabo umuflogo. Anyone that can – should assist him in helping improve the spiritual matzav of our shcuna. Yaarich yamim al mamlacto
If anyone wants to argue that it was full of bochrim and very little baaley batim – it’s wishful thinking (and then you blame the radical tzfatim of suffering from hallucination…) – its how you would of hoped it would of turned out.
Truth as known by anyone in attendance last night – it was a huge crowd – much much more then anticipated and expected.
I heard from several different people that yesterday, while on a stopover in California, Rabbi Braun personally called Rabbi Osdobo, and asked to sit down with him privately – before – the hachtara ceremony and he will try to clear up all of Rabbi Osdobo’s doubts about him.
I think that Rabbi Osdobo should be encouraged to sit down with him for at least a half hour private meeting to see if is doubts are well founded or not.
We must give achdus and sholom a real chance.
Do you think that the more times you repeat a lie – it makes it the truth?
The zablo beis din of 5 distinguished Rabbonim state clearly that he HAS semicha. They have seen it.
He is NOT obligated to show it to YOU. He showed it to the RABBONIM in charge of the election process.
Is Shea Hecht a laydagayer, this is just one person I am listing, there were many others
lets not kid ourselves, the Hactara happened, but you can count 183 maried pepole, out of 1.000 votes,
this is not waht we were hoping for, this was suposed to be the “big deal” without mentioning names. look who wanst there… and you will see what i mean.
what a shame. that we could of and should of had a normal event. instead it was the same old junk
I don’t remember such a great event last 10 years… b”h
He’s not my rov.
I also would like to take this opportunity to thank Rabbi Kantor for taking principled stands. I don’t think it was fashionable to write all the words he wrote but he was the voice of many such as myself.
If it wasn’t by the fact that I am beholden to my family, I would move out of Lubavitch to Bobov or Beltz.
where were the maskirim? where was aguch? where were the mashpiim? where were the elder chassidim? where were the other people of the community? makes you wonder no?
Mazel Tov Rabbi Braun, I am very excited that we have chosen such a wonderful Ruv as our 3rd ruv. I wish him much success. The hachtara was very emotional for me. He spoke beutifully. I see only good coming from Rabbi Braun. He did mention it will be bchesed and mercy. There were thousands of people there forsure, maybe 3000 to 4k. Remember there are many working people who had to leave early, as I did, and many people who came late. so there were many people who came in and out. I saw many choshever people in the… Read more »
The Hachtarah was beautiful, a real Kiddush Hashem. There were Rabbonim who came from different community’s, like Ungvar, Stichen, etc. and Crown Heights Balabatim showed up in force. Rabosiy, It’s time for sholom. Those people from outside Crown Heights who criticize the Rebbes community, shame on you. This community has educated your children , opened their homes to you, and supported Chabad Houses all over the world. We have KA”H over 2500 families and we do have problems, but so do you. What message do we give our children, if we are always fighting with each other, and the Rabbonim… Read more »
Can I sit at the head table?
I am an out of towner but i do follow the crown heights vaad hakol frequently. I never post comments but after seeing the full story about rabbi braun i decided to speak up. I think that rabbi osdoba has no right to do this AT ALL. it is a complete lack of derech eretz for him. imagine if your “co-worker” refuses to come to your job “inauguration”. I think that people should start thinking about the lack of derech eretz rabbi braun is receiving. crown heights is in very tough times right now so we must give him the… Read more »
From all the pictures it looks like there were 7-800 people max and many if not most were bochurim??? This certainly doesnt look like the community showed up….
and going to bais rivka and shikeren zich ohn with “eletere mashpiyim” is NOT bittul torah!?
Didn’t the rebbe say that the whole community should come to a hachtora!? Why would this be “bittul torah” if it was done after seder?
If it was bogomilsky instead – it would be OK?!
To all those who came to this Hachtora. A picture is worth a thousand words. You now got yourself your Rav. To the Rest of you, I beg of you now that you have your rov you can ask him all your shailos, Nidda, Gittin, Kashrus Etc. Please leave Rabbi Bogomilsky alone. We have the evidence as to who you support. So don’t dare come with excuses and use him. Now in your eyes you have a beis din so its time to go there. Fight it out amongst yourselves. Rabbi Bogomilsky you know who your true chasidim are and… Read more »
this thing CANNOT last al pi torah-see the Rebbes sicha about veeyayosu kulom aguda achass LASOIS RTZOINCHA etc.,vol.2 in lkutei sichos pg.436-7.is anyone brave and honest enough to be mifarsem this sicha?alas the only definite thing to say about this sad affair is:'”rabonnus”,yesoido bemachloikus vesoifo bemachloikus!
Not entirely sure what’s going on here, but thank G-d I do not live in Crown Heights.
I hope to visit there soon to daven in the Rebbe’s Shul.
rabbi rosenberg lechatchila said he had was unable to stay for more than 20 minutes. and indeed he left after 20 minutes. the fact that it was after yechi was not connected to his leaving . he has been here around enough not to be surprised/shocked by yechi.
crown heights cant function without an australian rov.
this is the first sign in years that does not have a slogan printed onto it. what gives?
Firstly, even if there is CRITICISM – HOW CAN PEOPLE COUCH THEIR WORDS IN SUCH A DISREPCTFUL MANNER???
Secondly, let Rabbi /Braun – surely a fine person – just humbly sit for a few days or weeks and pass the smicha test. THAT’S IT!!!!!!!
Rabbi Ozdaba isn’t looking for arguments; as Rov, he has an achrayis to protest this injustice to the community. It’s easy to through out the “let’s make peace” term, and try to make Rabbi Ozdaba seem as one who takes delight in war. Using democratic party terminologies that indicate the reader isn’t a thinking person, by trying to set them to sleep with vague word choice. This is clearly a problem, and it was not handled in the most appropriate manner. But please, don’t make this Rabbi Ozdaba’s problem. He has served this community for many years, and may he… Read more »
3.000 pepole?? Who are you kiding?
It was major “smack in the face” to “you know who”, the one who called on the entire community not to attend the event and 99% of the community ignored him anyway. I went over to one of the people in charge and asked him if perhaps we should call him now, since the place is packed and if he sees he lost anyway, he may as well come …. perhaps we should try and call him and ask him to come now, since 770 is PACKED. He answer me: “why bother calling him”? Who needs him, anyway since the… Read more »
Most of you form your view from COL comments, not sechel anushi. The guy who wrote 50K was being…what is it they call it? Oh yeah, sarcastic.
1) The zabla of 5 distinguished rabbonim say that you are lying. They state clearly that he DID have semicha!
2) You probably never even heard of the names of the seforim he quoted during his speech at the hachtrara.
(some people think, that if they repeat the same lie many times (lack of semicha), some people will start to believe their malicious fabrications)
Why does everything have to start and finish with yechi even if it on the cheshbon of shalom and not machlokes
Wow, Rabbi Broin bring young, exiting talents to the Rabbinate of the community. as a first impression, he seems very learned and talented. i hope is a good new beginning for our entire community. mazal tov.
1) I go to the Besht and I was there with some friends.
2) There were tons of people there. I came in late (10:30pm) and there were tons of people leaving early. Put together those who left early and came late, and you’d have double what you see in the pics.
3) Why the cynicism and baseless sinas chinam?
Mazal Tov Harav Broin. Yaarich Yamim Al mamlachto. his speaking skills are impressive as well as the content.
The crowd was much larger than I had anticipated. This was a clear and unequivocal statement that the community accepts the ruling of the zabla – regardless form whom they personally voted.
It was a huge, wonderful hachtara ceremony.
if you want to live in fantasy land and make yourself feel good – by all means. but anyone who was there and reads your comment will have a good laugh.
this was a truly remarkable event. rabbi braun impressed me.
R U identifying people from the pictures? WERE U THERE? were the photographers tiring to focus on the bochrim? you are hallucination…
After reading all here, I must be honest. I feel bad for the Rebbe’s Shchunah…I see many Chassidim, eltere Chassidim in these pictures, that are compromising their integrity and trying to grasp at straws for a semblence of normalcy. There seems to be a ayounger group of residents of Crown Heights, some with, some without beards, that have taken control of the Rebbe’s Schuneh of Kan Tziva. My yearning to come back to live in Crown Heights, has somewhat discipated, if this is what we have to look forward to. Di Aibisher vet zicher helfen.
NGCA
Rabbi Osdobo needs to meet one on one with Rabbi Braun and talk with him – directly – (without any ‘helpers’!) about any issues he may have.
The community elected a third rov to lead and service them. They elected a biad din. These three rabbonim MUST sit together – that is what they were elected for. There is no other option.
The rabbonim didn’t appoint a rov. It’s the community who did t (via elections)_. The community accepts him, the zablo confirms his position. This is the facts of life.
The chutzpa to underestimate the crowd. There was at least 50,000 people there besides every single Lubavitcher Moised from CH & internationally. The pictures also don’t tell the truth they only show about 50 baalei Machloikes like S & S. Can anyone identify one Yungerman from Bais Shmuel, Ohel Noson, The Besht, The Class etc. etc. etc.
im pretty impressed with the crowd. two chairs for many crown heighters who were able to make their way over. Moshiach NOW!
Seems like many of the negative and mocking comments above are time stamped during the actual event. In other words, they probably were not in attendance at the hachtara.
These people are commenting about the feeling and number of baaley batim in attendance. are you guys for real? You are just making things up? Ask anyone who was there tonight – people from all political persuasions were sincerely impressed
Reb Shea hecht was there for a very long time…
The entire Vaad Hakohol supported the hachtara and signed the teuda.
of course he can take the tests and do shimush lijke anyone else etc etc BUT do you really want to appoint a ‘rov’ who has gone about things in a dishonest way, who probably would have continued to assume his position on beis din as rov, without the necessary qualifications and training if he hadnt been found out????? Is this the kind of guy YOU want to TRUST with your shailos? Is this the kind of guy you want to TRUST with the shchunah? Is this the kind of guy who will bring PEACE to the neighbourhood because he… Read more »
This was my first personal contact with Rav Braun. I didn’t vote for him. Seeing and hearing him tonight gave me the sense that there is a likely possibility that he will be a healing and unifying force in our community.
This was a truly amazing and inspiring hachtara. If game the feeling that there is truly hope for our community to ‘krich’ out of our mess.
This young, energetic and inspiring new Rov made a very positive 1st impression on me and those is spoke with. I hope & pray that Rabbi Osdobo and Shwey learn to all work together as a 3 man team.
these politics r cute !!!!
R U guys for real? The place was packed with bochrim, and almost no baaley batim?
There was a very respectable turnout from all factions. I saw quite a few diehard supporters of Rabbi Osdobo stay for the entire duration of the hachtara. ‘milda d’avidi l’igluey lo meshakrei inshi…’
Mazel Tov Rabbi.Braun. May you continue doing all the excellent work you do! You’re awesome!!!!
I hope that Rabbi Osdobo will be able to communicate with the 3rd rov elected by the community. I understand that the new rov made several overtures to Rabbi Osdobo, I hope they will find some common language. After all, they were both elected by the community to serve the community (not themselves)
Just for your info. The Rebbe stated this story several times about the Noda Beyehuda! It is a fact. There is a similar story of the Tzemach Tzedek.
When a rov is asked an actual, current question, he has ‘sayaato dishmayo’. When the question is only theoretical, Hashem does not mix it to protect his personal kovod.
Some are trying to concoct a controversy out of thin air, namely that Rabbi Rosenberg left as a protest to yechi.
Ask anyone who was involved in the planning of the event, they will tell you that Rabbi Rosenberg stated from the outset that he will be there from 9:15 to 9:30!
It seems like the vast majority of negative posters above were written by individuals who maybe saw pictures of the event, but surely were NOT there. The place was filled because of bochrim??? Are you joking? Will you call day – night? Anyone who was present will tell you it was truly a very impressive showing – far larger then we ever had in the past. It was the furthest thing from partisan. It goes to show us that the vast majority want a fresh new start at sholom, achdus and effective leadership. And most importantly, they accept and follow… Read more »
hachtarah for a “rov” who cant be honest or transparent enough to just SHOW his alleged smicha certificate!
IS IT SO COMPLICATED?
apparently it must be…
Hashem yishmor, C.H…. get yourselves a real rov, an honest and integral one
there are no financial problems in sydney, wait and see how long it takes them to find a new rov, who will be paid! do you honestly beleive thats why they didnt renew his contract?????????,
Can’t Rabbi Braun take the tests from R. Lepikofsky like anyone else. 5 tests for smicha, and about 7 more for dayonis. This could take a smart person likr r. Braun maybe a month. Then get shimush. Rabbi Osdibo may then agree. Braun’s father was saying a story about a rov unable to answer hypotheticaal questions but gets help from heaven when there are real situations.
What a messed up community to be a part of………can anyone get along?! The word community comes from the word unity, if theres no unity theres no community, that pretty much sums up crown heights!
welcome to our community
Shehecheyanu Vkimonu Vehigionu Lezman Hazeh!
Rabbi Braun. May you always go mechayil el chayil
So lemoshol exactly to which moisad would you send your children? The one without the politics? And which one is that? Perhaps public school. In this way they’ll get exactly the same Yiras Shomayim as their father. A mentch is a shpigel, tateleh.
its stupid and disgusting.
and for yud shvat no less.
It gave me real hope for the future of crown heights!
When you take cow manure and spread it across the field it helps plants grow. When you gather it all up, all you have is a pile of ****. That is the difference between Chabad on Shlichus and Crown Heights. You make a mockery of the Rebbe and Chabad Chassidus! Far Shtusenkeit!
770 WAS FULL WITH BOUCHRIM FROM OT, AND KVUTZEH BOCHURIM. DIIDNT SEE ANY CHASUVA BALEI BATTIM…TO BE EXACT I DIDINT SEE ONE,,,JUST SAW THE USUAL LEDIK GAYERS AND EASY PASS HOLDERS…
SORRY TO SAY BUT THIS LOOKED LIKE A BIG JOKE FIRST THEY GET 200 BOCHURIM FROM OT TO MAKE IT LOOK FULL THEN RABBI SHVEI GETS UP THERE AND INSTEAD OF SAYING A DVAR TORAH IS CURSING OUT RABBI OSDOBO (IS THAT HOW WE WILL GET ACHDUS) THEN R’ BROAN COMES UP AND MAKES JOKES OF MISNAGDIM AND SAYS HES NOT SURE WHY HE CAME TO ALL THIS TZOROS (AT LEAST HE ADMITS HE CAME TO TZOROS) AND SAYS THAT HE IS A RADICAL. RABBI ROSENBEGR LEAVES AFTER 5 MINUTES OF SAYING YECHI. AND THE LISTI GOES ON IS THIS… Read more »
Most of the comments were unsigned…I just read them without too much ‘kavana’ or seriousness.
Not signing, I suppose they don’t want to be taken seriously…So why comment? Bettor off learning Torah.
Why do I comment…because it’s close to my heart. This is ‘The Rebbe’s MH’M’s’ neighborhood…only THE BEST.
Some are an ambush…criticize without a name…’pashkvil.’ Something The Rebbe, MH”M hated.
Why do they care? They’re ego is too big.
Anyway…congratulations Rabbi Braun…this ‘Kohaiine’ is behind you 100%.
But do we have a ‘beis din?’
1. Rabbi Schvei
2. Rabbi Braun
3. ?
The crowd was not some crazy Mendel hendel mob, in fact the couple of times yechi was said there was a very weak response, the people there were your abridge joe’s who respected the will of this community that elected our new rov
BH a choshuver Talmid Chochom was inaugurated as Rov of CH. Most of the naysayers are ridiculously putting to risk their children’s frumkeit. As R Abba Paltiel stated, verbal disrespect for Rabbonim removes the yoke of respect from the youth. Get over it! Moshiach Now!
He was talking about 11 Shevat ,The day of Kabolus Hanusius.
I was there and it was very inspiring. Good things are coming to Crown heights. If you want to stay in the past it is your choice. Those of us that were there are ready to move on!
PEACE!!!
May the good times begin!
I CANT UNDERSTAND R. Osdoba i learned that a bias din must speak in one voice, one dayan is not allowed to reveal inner discussions. CAN someone please EXPLAIN THIS GEMARA? SANHEDRIN 31A ? “Question: What is the source that afterwards, a judge may not tell Ploni ‘I wanted to acquit you, but they outnumbered me’? Answer: It says “Lo Selech Rachil b’Amecha” and “Holech Rachil Megaleh Sod.” Once, a matter was said in the Beis Medrash, and it became known that a certain Talmid revealed it 22 years later. R. Ami expelled him from the Beis Medrash, and announced… Read more »
Let’s be smart and look forward now that we finaly have a third Rov.
Let’s hop our community will do better and better until the coming of Moshiach.
Remember the Rebbe. have Derech Eretz, and give nachas to him. Be a mensch, every one of you.
Its time
I don’t know how you pulled this off…!
mazel tov to our new rov, rabbi braun shlit”a. yaarich yomim al mamlachto! may he (together with rabbi osdoba & rabbi schwei) raise the level of chasidishkeit and achdus in the entire community!
i am a young bachur in zal, and i am wondering what is going on in crown heights. what is the big deal? what does a rav even do in the community? is it a real job like does it effect my life? why is it a high paying job? i am really lost are we just looking for a crutch in all our own issues? what will be if crown heights would have only one rav and when you need a beis din you can arrange a zabla why 3? if its big and needs more why not 2… Read more »
Wishing Crown heights and the entire Chabad world may today start the begining of only nachas, successa nd happiness for everyone.
I’m sorry. Do they think they have a nes rebbe? What a chutzpah.
A very sad abuse of 770.
Remember his event as another descent in the life of our community.
There is no unified Beth Din.
This futher divides Crown Heights
The CHJCC is a disgraced organization.
A community being served by an individual without Smichah, what a scandal.
The Rebbe must be crying at this shunda
G-d deliver us from this mess
Moshiach Now! to save Lubavitch.
i spotted hendel whats up whats his agenda please someone enlighten me on what his plans are
Mazal Tov!
chevra – the simcha begins!
I was there and it was very inspiring. Achdus will come. I can feel it. B”H!
i am soooo happy.
Best thing that happened to CH in a loooooooooong time.
Why can’t Bochrim over 20 vote for Rov even if they are not married?
Correct me if I’m wrong, by I believe there is no difference in Halocho between a man who is 20 and a man who is 30.
Why was there a difference by the election?
Was there a reason that Rabbi Rosenberg walked out ?
Can someone explain ?
Im sitting here at my computer and im confused, Confused if this is good or bad. Confused if this will be the solution. Confused if the rebbe is proud of this moment. Confused how i can explain this to my students, To my children when theyre grown. Confused all around, just like most of my friends and a lot of Crown Heights….
what allow buchrim to take off time from learning?
is this binyan beis hamikdash where do you get such a heter did you speak to a rav?
shame on oholei torah
i would not sent my sons to a mosod who has politics in its blood
we need some action against having relatives running mosdos in ch i dont think it’s right in allowing mashpiem, rabbanim, rosh chevrah kadisha to all run the show we need a democracy
was rabbi Groner there?
he was awesome! dernumem yeder einer!i wish him lots of success-cuz he is going to need it!
One of the main claims of those against rabbi broun is that those who voted for him didn’t have all the facts and if they would have known what they now know they wouldn’t have voted for him.
That argument can now be put to rest, I would say more people came out tonight then voted for him to begin with.
What is going on at 770 it looks crazy fix those walls
ich how does the community allow such desecrating things to happen
I think this man is exceptional. He is not politicking. He is starting with a fresh slate. People need positive leadership that they can relate to.
I hope he brings healing to Crown Heights and that the Satan stops entering the heart of the ‘leadership’ and lead them astray towards machlokes, division and destruction. amen.
Beautiful words, but may this only be a beginning and may the community go from strength to strength
enough already why everyone mentioning this end of fights
you all know your lying as we know there are more fights now then ever
why is hendel on the stage
the new rav wow should run for president its cool
its all fisher falt
tell zaki the rebbe runs the world
9:11 PM: Oholei Torah Zal was dismissed to go to the event. Rabbi Shmarya Roitblat told bochurim that “the Rebbe wanted it to be b’rov an hadras melech.”
Rabbi Roitblatt, with all due respect, when did the Rebbe ever allow Bochrim to be part of any such events? Because of your politics to support your Mechutan you take this responsibility against the Rebbe’s wishes to send Bochrim away from learning?
R’Braun’s father says that ‘he wanted to give him smicha’ but couldnt lift the pen!?!?!? Seriously!? So does that mean that maybe hes saying he’ should have’ but ‘doesnt have’ Smicha? And do I really believe that someone is too weak to lift a pen to sign one name at the bottom of a paper?! to give his beloved grandson Smicha!? And a ROV makes a JOKE about misnagdim at his Hachtorah!!??! ok guys – there you have it- CH you are doomed and been duped !!!! And COL – you probably shouldnt publicize the whole joke thing – its… Read more »
Mazel Tov Rabbi Braun, BE”H Rabbi Braun will be strong enough to withstand all the pressures of this great community.
Lets Hope that Rabbi Osdoba sees the clear intention of the community, and takes part in the new beis din.
NOT A PUSH OVER ROV
Did they get any outside Rabonim other then Rabbi Rosenberg, if yes who, if not, why not?
I must admit that the speech of HaRav Braun was incredible from the beginning to the end. WOWWW. really, I’m impressed.
May ashem bless the community
B”H! Rabbi Braun will be a true Rav for our community.
May he have much Hatzlacha in his tremendous undertaking!
whats that all about?
Great!!!!!!
HIRE CHARLIE AS ROV AND SAY THE PAST IS THE PAST WHO CARES IF HE HAS SMICHA OR NOT!!!
FROM HENDEL AND CO!!!
He did not want to be exposed back in Monsey (BP & Willy) under the sign, so he left.
They don’t get it. They was shafted big-time.
The only peron present who has pikchus there is R.Mottele Gurary. Go figure. Maybe he’ll get a brettle.
Now is the time for peace.
A sad day for Crown Heights
WE DONT EVEN KNOW IF HE HAS S’MICHAH
DOOD, THIS IS SHULCHAN ARUCH, “BASICS!” HELLO IS SOMEONE LISTENING
You know i am very hurt by this… This is the problem in out community,,, We are told NOT to go to 770 tonight by Rabbi Osdoba.
Ending seder to rent-a-crowd is exactly what the Rebbe wants
the speeches are waaaay tooooo long
Wasn’t sure if I would come…but am so glad I did. It’s beautiful and so inspiring. Who knows…maybe with so many trying so hard (Zaki at the forefront, but every person who is here as well), this will mark a new beginning for the community.
rabbi rosenberg told a bochur on the way out left to protest yechi
sounds like a politicla party not a hachtara
at 10:05 the general of the yellow team came out cheering to his teammates “who won this war”. we did.
at 10:15 they sang the team song.
the generals of the blue team were to busy planning the grand sing so they were to busy to attend.
judge Rosenberg left when his $400 an hour was up.
judge tamir said this one is not for points, and for poins will be next week
just came from maariv in 770 the shul is full bot not full of crown heights residents i would say about 500 married men of the 2400 families we have in CH its mostly bochurim and guest
What do you want to proves? That R’ Braun is the Meshichisten Rov and not the Rov of the community? We know from the beginning that he was supported by the meshichisten (being the candidate of HaRav Schwei), but he was elected and not only by meshichisten but by many non-Meshichisten as well to be OUR Rov. So please, Meshichist or not, let’s give him a chance. I don’t care if my comment is not published. We don’t care from which camp he comes. What we care for is the future of our community, our youth, the plague of tznius… Read more »
where’s the respect for Rabbi Osdabo???
9:11 PM: Oholei Torah Zal was dismissed to go to the event. Rabbi Shmarya Roitblat told bochurim that “the Rebbe wanted it to be b’rov an hadras melech.” Bochurim were seen walking with him to 770.
============================================
I think the Rebbe did not want bochrim getting involved in politics
That’s how you’re making it sound. It wouldn’t surprise me if it were true but I am asking for clarification. Did Rabbi Rosenberg not understand that he was being used to support the most ridiculed fringe within Lubavitch?
He’s realizing he maid a bitter mistake, The main shul of 770 is packed with Bochrim from Oholei Tora. Shame on them, mixing the Bochrim in Shchuna politics & causing Bitul Tora & a Chilul Hashem
When the S’forim arrived in 770, they are surely hollier than this purgurer, the rebbe didnt want the bochurim to go outside & great the S’forim, so there shouldnt be bitul Tora
For this nachmans let them be mevatel Torah??!!
But for kalmanson to give a shiur he couldn’d let that?
Where’s the leadership in OT?
When the S’forim arrived in 770, they are surely hollier than this purgurer, the rebbe didnt want the bochurim to go outside & great the S’forim, so there shouldnt be bitul Tora
rabbi rosenberg left already?! they didnt give him a seat?