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Thursday, 27 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 7, 2024

Zaki, What’s With the Beard

EXCLUSIVE: Crown Heights' big winner Zaki Tamir talks to COLlive editor Yehuda Ceitlin about his trimmed beard, starting community taxes, working with Shea Hecht and Chanina Sperlin, and what he needs from COLlive readers. Full Story

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Tonight: Bochurim Q & A 2

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June 21, 2010 3:15 am

I’m a comedian, can I do an hour for someone?

BTW, the way they are both sitted, is very cute and telling. So interesting…

Beard thing is ruffling feathers?
June 20, 2010 8:47 pm

Hmmm makes you wonder were peoples priorities are. The beard issue seems to be something many with beards are fixated on. Wrongly so! The rebbe did not judge one by his beard. So in Lubavitch a beard is in. Well guess what? Many chabadniks today trim there beards! Got a problem with that? First clean up your house, and your mess all you holier then thous. And then, and only then may you speak. Frankly, most of these pro-beard posters have skeletons in their closets. I’ll go with the trimmed beard blindly. I’d also hold judgement on trimmed beards –… Read more »

DEAR ALL PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON COLLIVE
June 20, 2010 5:03 pm

I LOVE READING YOUR COMMENTS BECAUSE EVEN WHEN YOU ARGUE- YOU DO IT WITH ACHDUS!! AAAND YOU GIVE ME A GOOD LAUGH. BECAUSE THE FACT THAT U GUYS R ACTUALLY ARGUING ABOUT THESE THINGS IS FUNNY AND MOST OF THESE DISCUSSONS GO ARROUND IN CIRCLES ANYWAY ANDDDD—U GUYS R JUST REALLY FUNNY!!!!!!!!
SO HELP US HASHEM BECAUSE WE WANT ACHDUS FOR ACHDUS AND NOT FOR MACHLOKES….
thank you-thank you very muuch!!!

crownheightsunited.com
June 17, 2010 12:02 pm

Comparing this to craigslist, there have,r”l, been incidents of security problems for people posting on the internet. Is there a way that this site could be secured and monitored so that unscrupulous individuals do not post or reply?

You can't go wrong when you do the right thing!
June 17, 2010 9:46 am

Zaki has now become the role model for our youth. Let him show them that you can have a succesful career and askan and still have a proud full beard! You can’t go wrong when you do the right thing!

Zevach
June 17, 2010 1:40 am

Ad Mossai Jingle
by Shevach Tamir
Produced: Ovadiah Tank
Recorded at: W4M Records, Bal Harbour Fl.

looking forward
June 17, 2010 12:33 am

looking forward to lots of improvements, so help us give nachas to the Rebbe…..

Not so impressed
June 16, 2010 11:07 pm

He reminds me too much of President Obama. Big talk, big change, few concrete ideas. Mostly charisma.
I’m concerned.

what is a beard?
June 16, 2010 9:24 pm

A beard is an expression of chassidishkeit. NOT yiddishkeit – because russian orthodox galuchim also have very long beards. I feel that a chossid should represent chassidim.
Not having a beard may be OK for a misnagid or modern orthodox Jew, but a chossid must have a beard.
Not conducting oneself according to established chassidic traditions, and yet calling oneself a chossid – is a strong testament to ones’ integrity and commitment.

to#41
June 16, 2010 7:33 pm

the rebbe said that there shouldn’t be an eruv in CH.

The man for the job!!! Hands down!!
June 16, 2010 5:45 pm

I happen to know him on a personal level, and let me tell you this guy can reach the sky. Oh this is good. ENJOY THE RIDE!

Vote for Rudy
June 16, 2010 3:37 pm

If someone like Rudy Guiliani would run for Vaad Hakohol, wouldn’t he win by a landslide, even though he probably eats Chazer has no beard or even a Yarlmuka, but he gets things done.
That is all that matters.
Good lucky Zaki!
And I hope people learn to look at the character of a person and not how long his facial hairs are.

better a nice Jew without a bird, than the nice bird without the jew
June 16, 2010 3:29 pm
Job Criteria
June 16, 2010 2:02 pm

Lets think of what the job entails, then demand our expectations. He is not a Rav but rather our politician.

Beards are important, as he agreed and so eloquently stated he will COnsult BOTH rabbonim on.

Ahava Vachva Vshalom Vreius!

beard
June 16, 2010 12:29 pm

It is the brain we need to be concerned about-rather than the beard;this man has a lot of brains and can help the community a lot.

Rabbi Pinchos Woolstone
June 16, 2010 11:09 am

It is vital that an experienced ,highly respected and independent third Rov be elected.
There is not the time for learning on the job.
A strong financial incentive will help attract the right personality

Raizy
June 16, 2010 10:42 am

I had lost hope in this Vaad.
Beard, no beard, this guy is a Mentsch.
Quite impressed with his humility and integrity.
Good Luck!
We’re very proud!

ch resident
June 16, 2010 8:45 am

I voted for tamir.However, the beard issue really bothered me. When you represent a community, you are the show person for that community. You represent us. In NY today, a beard is not an unusual thing that needs to be hidden. The litvish community do not have beards so that is who they are. Lubavitch have beards so if you don’t you are making a statement by not having one. I do find it embarrassing when I see pictures of community leaders in the frum, chassidishe world all with full beards. I know our kids have a problem with beards,… Read more »

start him off slowly
June 16, 2010 5:03 am

First a Yechi Yarmulka. He could always change it, or cover it if he doesn’t feel uip to it.
A beard is a life time commitment.

gashmius is ruchnius
June 16, 2010 2:16 am

some of the coments are really not in place. since when only mashpiim have beards? The guy is serious anough to consider it himself. And whast is wrong if I want my kids to look up to a guy with a beard. And for those who forgot – gashmius and ruhnius are not 2 sepazrete things – it is all one!!!!

to #53
June 16, 2010 1:58 am

to you and everyone else he is r’ pinye korf
he for sure earned and deserves the respect!!!!!

TO #1
June 16, 2010 1:14 am

EXTREMELY WELL SAID and you are totally right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LET US NOT GET CARRIED AWAY HERE!

Mr. Tamir = integrity
June 16, 2010 1:09 am

I am impressed with your honest understanding of your position. Yes, your beard is your own personal thing, but you have the integrity and courage to not only realize, but publicly state, that as a leader, everything about you becomes public, and in your own words- answerable to the people. To me this is a true leader – one who knows that he is a public servant.

To #42
June 16, 2010 12:47 am

I agree wholeheartedly. LOWER RENT PRICES!!!! Seriously, there should be RENT CAPS and better living conditions.
No one deserves to pay $1800++ for a crumbling, infested 2 bedroom!

Resident
June 16, 2010 12:29 am

Dear Mr Tamir, I am 34 years old, and after finishing parnosa shiurim by the HFLS, it became clear that in the Syrian Jewish community, there is so much free “mentoring” that is passed to the younger generation, they end up becoming quite wealthy, perhaps we can widen and change our outlook to helping each other with parnosa, in the sefardic community, chessed is how can I get you to make 100,000 200,000 not just if you gave matza or veggies for Shabbos. In the Sefardic community people really work together. This new outlook would really help our moisdos as… Read more »

beards
June 15, 2010 11:22 pm

Having a beard is a display of godliness. Shaving and trimming ones’ beard is a by-product of roman/goyishe ideals and appearances. We have yet to find factual proof that our tzadikkim of history DID NOT HAVE BEARDS! The avos had beards, Moshe & aharon had beards, the shevotim had beards, ALL the rabbeiyim had beards. EXACTLY where and how is the rationale that having a beard is “optional”?! Do I understand that; It is an “option” for a YID to emulate goyim and goyishkeit?! Goyim do not wear yarmulkas – are you going to remove your yarmulka because you want… Read more »

WHATS WRONG WITH YOU?!
June 15, 2010 11:05 pm

when he was elected he had no beard! he never tried to deceive us! we voted for him because we thought he would be great for helping us begashmius! you want a mashpia go find one! but stay the hell out of his personal life! if you would rather us be mugged in the streets and treated like crap by the police and get zero financial help from the city as long as your kids have a beard to look up to [while being mugged and pushed around] then elect pinye korf! but u didint you elected him! so take… Read more »

disheartened
June 15, 2010 10:24 pm

its sad to see how secular the perspective of lubavitch has become…….and then they blame it on the rebbe, achdus,yiddishkeit

Quirk?
June 15, 2010 10:24 pm

“What’s your take on the elections?
A quirk made me Rosh Hakohol.”

I think Tamir is the “Dark Horse.”

(A dark horse is a political candidate who is nominated unexpectedly, or an underdog in other fields who achieves unprecedented success.)

There have been presidents elected by being the “dark horse,” namely:

Abraham Lincoln
Franklin Pierce
Rutherford B. Hayes
James A. Garfield
Warren G. Harding

COLLIVE FAN!!!
June 15, 2010 10:16 pm

Go Yudi……….

#5 #14
June 15, 2010 10:07 pm

i agree to #14 totaly! we live in the rebbes shchunah & listen to evrything he wants

To beard or not to beard?
June 15, 2010 9:44 pm

Why all the yada yada over beards? many of the outgoing and recent Vaad members had beards and were functional morons! Let’s have some achdus ahavas yisroel over here.

Zaki
June 15, 2010 9:42 pm

No one said that you can only help someone if you have a beard but Part of leading a chassidishe Lubavitch community is respecting that which the community holds by. Respect is the Underlined word here. And I think that Zaki (a man of respect) is someone who is willing to grow a beard for this cause. Thank you!

shomrim six
June 15, 2010 9:19 pm

the 7 mosrim that testified againts us had big beards. a beard dosn’t make the person. next time you need help from someone ask him if he has a beard first, then ask him for help.

beard
June 15, 2010 9:16 pm

in the times of the frierdike rebbe the chairman of agudas
chabad (kramer) was without a beard

just wondering
June 15, 2010 9:16 pm

i wonder how many of those people defending the beard, ware a beard them selves

to chai 18
June 15, 2010 9:13 pm

dai dai dai

RKG
June 15, 2010 9:01 pm

Glad to hear you will be consulting mashpiim/rabbonim about the beard!!! This was a big issue for us!
We are behind you whether or not we voted!!
Lots of hatzlacha, hope you can help bring rent prices (and cell phone towers) down!!

Eruv in Crown Heights
June 15, 2010 8:55 pm

its time we made an Eruv in Crown heights

about the beard
June 15, 2010 8:20 pm

i was not voting for a mashpia

How does a article
June 15, 2010 8:08 pm

about zacki become a shomrim shmira discussion? But since its mentioned… Lets clear a few things. Shomrim & Shmira are currently 2 separate individual organizations who since the times of Chazzan in the Vaad have been running independently from the Vaad. and I quote Chazzan “When Shmira/Shomrim separated from the Vaad, no one complained as it was a content legal battle that was easier to defend privately then as a community run organization” It is not in ANYONES power to tell them what to do, its like telling ULY and OT to both join forces. The job of the counsel… Read more »

Happy resident.
June 15, 2010 8:00 pm

Zaki, Mazal tov on your win. I’m excited about the new start. My advice to you is as follows, as we prepare for a fresh start with new people this should also apply to the council where there are worn out desk chairs. I’m sure you catch my drift. Don’t be afraid. GOOD LUCK, you’ll need it & I’m with you.

Zaki
June 15, 2010 7:40 pm

I agree as well that Zaki is representing a chassidishe Lubavitch community and therefore out of respect for the community and it’s standards-the right thing for him to do would be to grow a beard…And it seems like he is getting the message to do the right thing because it looks like he has started to grow his beard…Zaki keep it up…we r proud of you!

Oy Why the Beard
June 15, 2010 7:39 pm

Does Yossi Popack who help many moisdos have a beard
Does Sam Melamed former vaad hakohol have a beard
Izaac Zelimier O”H Shomrim Coodinator have a beard
Drizen Who helps many have a beard
Isaac Hager who helps out in the police department have a beard
Zalman Lezel a Shmira Member who helps many have a beard?

You dont need a beard to help people…

and We all know that many of the bearded ones… meant to help people… yeh ill just leave it their.

LRS
June 15, 2010 7:33 pm

Mr Tamir, I am very impressed with your answers and your drive. You seem like an intelligent young man with a good head on your shoulders.
I believe you will make a difference for our community
thank you

you always got A+ in my class.....and continue to do so!
June 15, 2010 7:32 pm

You make an old teacher very proud…..I am not surprised….Keep up the good work and giving your family and all of us in Miami Beach nachas…..Keep up the good work….

chonon
June 15, 2010 7:22 pm

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayy

Basil
June 15, 2010 7:18 pm

Did anyone notice by which retaurant they are sitting?

"Fair and Equal Justice to. . ." the men under 30 or not married
June 15, 2010 7:14 pm

It’s not fair for those men not to be able to vote. . . Personally I think it should be Bar mitzvah and up but whatever but it should be at least 18 and up…..

shomrim has no issue
June 15, 2010 7:10 pm

if you have a issue with shomrim or shmira it is your issue not mine. the jury came back with a not guilty vertict. why did you wake up now for peace? why didn’t scream sholom when blood was flowing in the street during the court case. now that shmira lost that fight you are looking to make peace? i chalenge any one in the community to a debate about this issue. the proof is in the evidence and that is a matter of fact not propeganda. so to any one with a smart idea about shmira and shomrim keep… Read more »

to #28
June 15, 2010 6:53 pm

yep,now we can go back to the same old garbage.
how can a community be so stupid?
no comedian could have come up with this
just unreal

one year
June 15, 2010 6:33 pm

who thought a year ago that we’ll have din torah and fair election? thank you to the exiting vaad. giev credit where credit is due.
good luck zaki!

who ever you want me to be........
June 15, 2010 6:16 pm

I agree with #9!!!

Chai 18
June 15, 2010 6:14 pm

18 times the word “people” chai was used in the interview l`chaim

Ther Rebbe
June 15, 2010 6:08 pm

Himself mentioned that a beard helps with Gashmius….. To those who say he only deals with gashmius look up those sichos from the Rebbe…..

to # 4
June 15, 2010 6:03 pm

I agree with you 100%. We see tragedies amongst us day in day out and we are still fighting. These people are supposed to be doing good for the community, and they definitely are by protecting us, but at what expense?! How many people have to get hurt from their personal rift? Let us resolve this once and for all! Imagine if everyone worked TOGETHER to stop the violence that goes on in our community. Things might finally get done in our community! Enough is Enough! No one is interested in your personal fight! Keep it amongst yourselves please.

Re: Shmira and Shomrim
June 15, 2010 5:46 pm

They should be dissolved, and then rebuilt as one organization, open to all volunteers of goodwill.

we love u zaki!!!
June 15, 2010 5:38 pm

with or without a beard u are my hero………

Leave the poor guy alone
June 15, 2010 5:36 pm

zaki make money and u wont need a beard,,,and the whole ch will think u are a hero chossid and when ever else u wont to be…………………

Thank You Tamir
June 15, 2010 5:15 pm

I am grateful that ZT seems to understand that the beard is an issue because he is representing us and being looked up to by our youth.I hope this will be reflected in practicality

TO # 8
June 15, 2010 5:14 pm

that’s a great idea why shuldnt there be once and for all a vote for one security organization lets them go to rabonnim to figure it out then have every one vote and elect one leader
get rid of machlokos

to #4
June 15, 2010 4:45 pm

I agree with you 100 percent, but it would be harder than trying to make peace between radical Mishichistin and extreme Anti’s.

The fight between those two parties (Shmira and Shomrim) is so severe, it seems as though there can never be Sholom between them until Moshiach comes.

However, if you draw up a petition, I will definitely sign it. It never hurts to try.

MiamiFan
June 15, 2010 4:41 pm

zaki, we are very proud of you, and wish you much hatzlacha. I know its none of our business, but we think the beard you are currently growing looks pretty good and hope it stays!!

To #5
June 15, 2010 4:30 pm

“we are the laughing stock in boro park and Williamsburg who are smart enough not to have elections”

B”H we now have a lot more respect from them due to the (almost miraculous) arbitration process.

The vote is not only democratic, but was uniquely devised, instituted and fought for by the Rebbe (remember who that is?).

Mazal Tov to Crown Heights!!!
June 15, 2010 4:19 pm

…about that beard though… seems like your mashpia needs to have a talk with you 😉

To #5
June 15, 2010 4:15 pm

Smart enough? The Rebbe himself wanted these elections. Are we smarter than him?

Representing G-d - Beard or no Beard
June 15, 2010 4:14 pm

When asked who should be a Mohel? A Yoray Shomayim with a beard or a excellent Mohel without a beard….. the answer is???? So why bother Zaki? We had many beards representing Kan Tzeevah… and what holiness did they bring?

When looking for a healthy, well oiled Gashmius community … we do not look for the beard … but who is best with his hands!

the people
June 15, 2010 4:03 pm

Zaki, Stop saying “the people”, “the people”, “the people” in every interview and article you write. It sounds like communist Russia or North Korea.

to #9
June 15, 2010 4:01 pm

i agree, hope we see his beard (and everyone else in need of growing their’s…) in the uncut version. And the brochos will surely flow down on Klal Yisroel, their families, and themselves!
Moshiach NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking forward
June 15, 2010 3:55 pm

Kol Hakavod to Zaki! He’s got his head on streight, he’s ambittious, and knows where he’s heading.

to # 1 etc.
June 15, 2010 3:55 pm

being that zaki is representing a chasidishe community it makes all the sense that he is taking the beard issue seriously, (lubavitch does not find it to be a minor issue) i did not vote for him but see from his answer to this issue that he is taking the people he represents seriously, kol hakovod and much hatzlocha.

The Real Joe
June 15, 2010 3:44 pm

About the Shmira Shomrim issue and Crown Heights security as a whole we need a security coordinator who will be elected by the people not appointed for life he will need to some one respected by enough Shmira and Shomrim members and the Police etc since this election will be a new thing the possibility of everyone over 18 male and female voting seems like it can happen

i love the angles
June 15, 2010 3:39 pm

honestly now we know what they both look like from every angle… and why arent they eating the great food that basil has…..

to shmata
June 15, 2010 3:35 pm

totally agree with #4

Thanx for asking about the beard
June 15, 2010 3:32 pm

yes, he’s not a rabbi or a mechanech but for heaven sakes – he represents the Rebbe’s shchuna! kan tziva! its already weird that we have such a young guy representing us to the world
we are the laughing stock in boro park and Williamsburg who are smart enough not to have elections

Shmata
June 15, 2010 3:27 pm

I want to create a petition for a community vote for Shmira and Shomrim. The community will vote for who they want to protect them and the community will decide who will be the coordinators of that organization. It has been way too long and way too many people getting hurt from this stupid ridiculous machlokes! What do you guys think? should we put together such a thing?

To #1
June 15, 2010 3:27 pm

i Agree 100%

to #1
June 15, 2010 3:27 pm

Well said!!! In total agreement with that. Let us not mix matters here.

A RESIDENT
June 15, 2010 3:22 pm

Concerning the beard…. we are looking for gashmius from Mr. Tamir. The ruchnius we need from the rabonin. His personal life and personal decisions must remain his own.

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