By COLlive reporter
Two executives of Crown Heights institutions have received a rabbinical approval to run for the upcoming elections for board of the Vaad Hakohol – Jewish Community Council.
Rabbi Shea Hecht, chairman of the National Committee for Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE), and Zalman Wilhelm, administrator of Bnos Menachem girls school, are now candidates in the 12-men race.
Monsey Rabbi Abraham Rosenberg who is supervising the elections has overruled his May 23 decision to disqualify Hecht and Wilhelm, citing the council’s bylaws.
In an email dated May 31, 2010, which a copy was sent to COLlive.com, Rabbi Rosenberg writes:
“After reading and reviewing all the papers submitted, the Bais Din had a conference call this morning regarding the motion submitted by Rabbi Osdoba shlita’s party and the remedies requested.
“At the conference the Bais Din decided that due to many factors (including but not limited to the fact that the criteria of being a candidate was not advertised and the fact that the bylaws are vague), to reverse my previous decision, and to qualify candidates Hecht and Wilhelm.
“We examined other possible remedies and in our opinion they will cause delay of the election and many other problems.
“Therefore the election committee is hereby ordered by the Bais Din to immediately qualify the aforementioned candidates.
“The additional motion by Rabbi Osdoba shlita’s party to disqualify some of the candidates that were previously qualified was dismissed.”
Speaking to COLlive.com after hearing the decision, Hecht said: “The fact the the 5 rabbonim reconsidered and okayed me as a candidate is to me the greatest endorsement that they believe that someone with my experience and knowledge should be part of the Vaad.”
Wilhem declined comment until he receives more details.
Here is the full list of the candidates:
Avrohom Benaroch
Fishel Brownstein (current Chairman)
Zev Cadaner (current member)
Michoel Chazan
Yosef Hackner
Shea Hecht
Yosef Keller
Elie Poltorak (current member)
Meir Schreiber
Chanina Sperlin (current Vice Chairman)
Meir Spinner
Zaki Tamir
Aron Vogel
Zalman Wilhelm
COLlive: 2010 Election Coverage:
+ Candidates Agree: No Dirt
+ Candidates for 770 Gabboim
+ Candidates for Vaad Hakohol
+ Last-Minute Signing
+ No New Candidates Yet
+ Election Commitee Reps Chosen
+ Op-Ed: The Psak is Out, Now What?
+ The Ruling on Crown Heights
+ Community Din Torah Ends
Maybe it’s just me, but Rabbis who flip flop, sit on the fence, give a definite maybe, decide like an oscillating fence and pasken like alternate side of the street parking just don’t instill the confidence as being unwavering and resolute.
VOTE FOR RABBI SHEA HECHT!
Zalman Wilhelm definitely has my vote. He is a straight thinking person
As an admirer of R’ Shea, I just wonder whether he will be as effective on the Vaad as he is doing his own thing (for Yidden) with his own moisdos.
As for his headgear, he’s a bit of an original character, in a good way. Let him wear what he wants.
my friends
if you want soemthing really serious an lishma, not for koved, vote R Hecht
Zalman! Do you have nothing better to do?
i see rabbi rosenberg could run for rav of crown heights he chamges his mind etc.
The one’s who know how to run a Lag B’omer parade!
this will be my first time voting, and i’m voting for Shea Hecht!!
I think now that there is this clarification in who can run, the elections should be delayed to allow others as well as organization leaders to run
Let these experienced stalwarts run the show…. no inteference allowed…. not from any extremist group…. Peace and quiet shall reign strong on the streets of Crown Heights. Let Montgomery and Carroll and Crown – be witness to the holy work of the rebbe undisturbed. Let President preside overall. Do I make sense dudes?
i was planning on skipping the vote, now i will vote (for hecht, wilhelm, hackner)
The question is what to do with gaboyim? submit empty ballot or vote for those that wont laugh at the rebbe ?
To #23, #9 and all you negative sayers… The one praising the current Vaad evidently knows what’s really going on better then you. You are being manipulated by propaganda that has no merit. The current Vaad is listening the Psak that 5 Rabbonim Paskened in a Din Torah. It’s just that they are Gentlemen and don’t want to spread around more filth. We all owe them a debt of gratitude for the positive work that they are doing for our community.
Yasher Kochachem … May you be Marich Yamim Al Mamlachtechem.
who is this guy continuously praising the current vaad….
RED yarmulke, LOPSIDED hat, com’on.
At least Poltrak is an attorney, so it is what it is, but him?
בושה וחרפה
Shea Hecht can run, Moishe Rubashkin can run, Dovid Fisher can run, still going with the present vaad.
I will vote for Hecht. It will be my first time voting.
if there’s someone out there who can be relied on, it’s him! yessss!
VOTING FOR RABBI HECHT, FORSURE!!!!!
and when a private person wins a seat on the vadd and him and his family benfit that is okay?
the man we need!
Maybe these 2 will finally get Crown Heights back to its glorious years of Respect; Safety; and Derech Eretz Holiness.
HECHT SHALL NOT WIN
I am so happy the 2 are back in. they both have expreance in running a moshed. plus R Hechet has lots of political power. he really cares about us. and will do a great job. with willhelm and the new runners
Rabbi Hecht: Good job or not it’s a conflict of interest and in the long run this will turn out very bad ..
Lets all stay the course And Pray For “Fair” elections
I’m not sure about that endorsement part but Hecht is probably one of the better candidates.
The 4 current members of the Vaad Hakohel, did not listen to the Psak – they have not removed their case from court – so how can THEY run??!!…
HACKNER! WILL DO A GOOD JOB!
The current Vaad are the ones that brought the peace.
They have my vote!!!
We need new faces who care and can get the dob done!
its time to get a 3rd rav already and end the machloikes.
Moshiach NOW!!!
A hugh yshar koach should be given to Rav Rosenberg for being involved, caring and making fair decisions that will further promote achdus and sholom in our community
This new psak together with his previous ones will go along way to make the Shchuna the why the Rebbe wanted it to be
I was NOT planning on voting until now; This has not changed my mind one bit
this is good news..
maybe more should be added. more ppl with a good track record and who know how to run an organization
So there may be hope?
I am so happy R Hechts stayed the course. We can really use the connections. Thank YOU Shea!!!