The Gold Standard

To win a courtcase, there must be some contact with the opposing counsel. In the case of Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya or ECOS (Every Congregant's Overtly Sinning) there was a winner before any correspondence was sent between Akiva Shapiro ECOS lawyer and Teaneck.

When going to court against a township, especially in the case of "religious discrimination" and the duress of Robert Erlich, it is important to pick an experienced and qualified lawyer to help you win. But that's not the case here. ECOS picked a lawyer who values something more than religious freedom for the Shtibshul Prayer Group. It can't be the money because he is doing the case pro bono, so what is in it for him?

Lets learn a little bit more about Akiva Shapiro from Martindale (a handy website where you can research lawyers). I'll be sure to bold the important parts.

Practice Areas Litigation Appellate and Constitutional Law Media, Entertainment and Technology White Collar Defense and Investigations
University	Columbia University, Bachelor of Arts, History, 2001; Yale University, Master of Arts, Religious Studies, 2008
Law School	Columbia University Law School, Juris Doctor, 2008
Admitted	2009, New York; U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York

Akiva Shapiro is an associate in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher's New York office, where he is a member of the firm's Litigation Practice, as well as its Appellate and Constitutional Law Practice Group. Mr. Shapiro's practice focuses on a broad range of appellate, constitutional, criminal, and complex commercial litigation matters, often involving challenges to the policies and legal determinations of government actors. Mr. Shapiro is regularly engaged in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, federal and state courts of appeal, and New York's trial courts. (Since 2009 - 2 1/2 years at most - my addition)


Some representative matters in which Mr. Shapiro has been involved include: Persuading a New York appellate court to grant an emergency stay, and issue a precedent-setting ruling on the merits, preventing the NYPD from continuing to target the ticket-sales practices of an entertainment venue; representing a brand drug manufacturer in an interlocking, multi-year cluster of intellectual property lawsuits, both at trial and on appeal ; suing to prevent the implementation of a statute on takings and environmental impact grounds; and a wide range of high-stakes commercial disputes involving-among other things-fraud, breach of contract, and class action claims. (Since 2009 - 2 1/2 years at most - my addition)

Mr. Shapiro has participated in the preparation of numerous certiorari and merits stage briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court, including as principal architect and author of a number of amicus briefs relied on by the Court in the constitutional, criminal-immigration, and separation of powers contexts.

Mr. Shapiro is also currently leading the trial team in a suit to protect the land use and First Amendment rights of a New Jersey synagogue; for his work on that case, among others, Mr. Shapiro was nominated for the Frank Wheat Award, given to lawyers in the firm who demonstrate leadership and obtain significant results for their pro bono clients.

Mr. Shapiro earned his Juris Doctor in 2008 from Columbia Law School, where he was a senior editor of the Columbia Law Review, a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and a semifinalist in the Harlan Fiske Stone Honors Moot Court competition. After law school, Mr. Shapiro served as a research assistant to Judge Debra Livingston of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and to Professor Harold Edgar. He also received a Master's Degree in Religious Studies from Yale University, where he was a member of the Yale Journal of Law and the Humanities and the recipient of a Yale University Fellowship. In 2001, Mr. Shapiro graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Mr. Shapiro is admitted to practice in the State of New York and before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. (Since 2009 - 2 1/2 years at most - my addition)

Mr. Shapiro regularly speaks on constitutional and legal ethics topics , and has published "Should the Lower Courts Save Taxpayer Standing?" in The Journal of Appellate Practice and Process, 10 J. APP. PRAC. & PROCESS 273 (2009)."

Very impressive guy this Akiva Shapiro and he totally fits ECOS. He graduated college in 2001 and got his MA in religious studies and his JD in 2008, from two different Universities located in two different states. Very impressive to  go to Yale and Columbia concurrently and earn those degrees. He was admitted to the bar in 2009. That's a ton of education and experience for ECOS to draw upon to help them win, NOT! 

Akiva Shapiro has an impressive write up and has achieved a lot since 2009 - 2 1/2 years at most. Obviously ECOS wasn't happy with their last lawyer and they took on this experienced lawyer to show Teaneck that they mean business, afterall he was the lawyer who prepared a brief for Zivotofsky vs Clinton which was argued in the Supreme Court in 2011. 

So what is in it for  Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya or ECOS (Every Congregant's Overtly Sinning) ? Why Akiva Shapiro? 

• He's a member of  ECOS
• He's doing it Pro Bono
• He convinced Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman its a good idea
• Zalman Levine doesn't like losing
• Robert Erlich wasn't happy with the accurate quotes in the various newspapers
• Since Mario Guralnik is not involved with ECOS anymore they feel their chances for victory greatly improved
• ECOS already used Jason Flynn for their parking initiative and it failed
• Gary Miller was extremely active and disappeared
• They will have nothing to talk about during laining if there are no lawsuits

Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya loses either way because of the bad press and the stigma of going to a shul that has separated itself from the community and is built on hate.

Teaneck loses either way because the tax payers have to foot the bill for the BOA's defense.

Akiva Shapiro, ESQ has already won. 

• He is lead counsel on this case.
• He was nominated for the Frank Wheat Award, given to lawyers in the firm who demonstrate leadership and obtain significant results for their pro bono clients.
• He was honored at Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya's  last dinner.
• He was promised  2 aliya's a month by Levi Goldberg and then Levi changed it to 3 aliya's because Zalman told him to.
• Rabbi Daniel Feldman will speak at Beth Aaron on a Tuesday night in his honor, for a modest donation of course.
• He will have his picture and name in prestigious newspapers like the Jewish Standard and Teaneck Suburbanite.
• Columbia and Yale will write about him in their alumnus newsletters.
• The Famous Urine Cake King will give Akiva a lifetime supply of splash guards and cakes for his urinals.
• Free high risk deliveries from Dr. Abdelhak.
• Mario Guralnik promised him free parking in his backyard.
• Rochelle Mandelbaum will make sure he gets all the approvals to extend his house, when Akiva is ready.
• Elliot Frome put in a huge bet in Vegas on the verdict and promised Akiva 10%.
• Allan Chanan Cohen promised to smile if Akiva wins.

Akiva Shapiro arranged special permission to argue the case in NJ because he is only recognized in NYS. 

He wins no matter what the outcome, because Akiva doesn't "really" care about ECOS or money. Akiva wants the recognition, the press, the awards and the accolades. Akiva Shapiro is 2 1/2 years into his law career and isn't focused on the outcome. Being first chair is all he cares about and he steered ECOS and Teaneck into the lawsuit for personal reasons. 

Akiva Shapiro is the perfect lawyer for Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya. They both fit together

No Respect

Poor Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman can't get respect from his own congregants.

I blog about Robert Erlich, Levi Goldberg, Zalman Levine, Chanan Cohen, Elliot Frome, Rochelle Mandelbaum etc. and I get tons of hate and people defending them in the comments.

I post about Rabbi Feldman being overlooked by YU and attacking his integrity because he hasn't controlled and spiritually lead the synagogue that he founded to peacefully coexist in Teaneck and NO ONE comes to his defense.

I guess a Levi Goldberg is more important to Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya than Rabbi Feldman.

”Poppa I'm A Real Boy!”

I had a great question posed to me this morning on the previous posting:

Anonymous said...

Here is an interesting question Mac. Why is it that you have no problem ripping Rabbi Feldman or Zalman Levine or Cohen, but the one guy that you have never taken to task in your open minded reporting is Levi (can do no wrong) Goldberg? He was right there from the beginning. He walked out of Arzei, took over the Gabbai position in the Jewish Center Orthodox Minyan and is involved in everything else. He is no better or worse than the rest if these houligans, yet for you he is above criticism. Why? June 24, 2012 7:08 AM



My response:

Shluffenheimer MacDougal said... 7:08am Critcising Levi Goldberg is like watching a puppeteer have his puppet make fun of you, but instead of yelling at the puppeteer, you yell at the puppet.

It does take a certain personality to be an effective puppet. You have to have be the correct balance of false modesty and two-faceness and not care about your family or livelihood. Etz Chaim had a ton of meetings at Goldberg's old office where he used to work. ”old” And ”used to”.

My guess and purely speculation is that Mr. Goldberg's bosses were not happy with all the afterhour shenanigans.

Levi is Zalman Levine's younger brother-in-law and Zalman wants to stay out of the spotlight, so he uses Levi as his puppet.

As a gabbai Mr. Goldberg wasn't worthy of my attention, so Mr. Vice President Levi Goldberg you've made the big time. Welcome to my blog. Thank Dr. Levine for all of the special attention you are going to get. June 24, 2012 8:22 AM


If you would like to let Levi Goldberg, Vice President of Ohr Saadya know how you feel, email him at goldberg@ohrsaadya.org

Teaneck Patch - Biased Reporting Part 2

Teaneck Patch posted an article about Etz Chaim/Our Saadya taking Teaneck to court.

In the comment's section Mr. Jason Flynn posted an inane comment:

Jason Flynn 2:35 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Can we call a spade a spade. There are many synagogues and churches all up and down Queen Anne Road, from let's say West Englewood to Degraw. Some have no parking. Most are 5-10x plus the size of this congregation. Some have services from 6 AM - after 10 PM, seven days a week. There is CVS, restaurants, fruit stores and even liquor stores. There are multiple NJT bus lines that stop up and down this Avenue all day. There are medical buildings, realty offices and banks. Yet, a small congregation has these restrictions and their rights are being violated. Which store front, bank or church have NO signs in front of them on Queen Anne Road? Which one is restricted to one day a week of usage? 


As a person that enjoys membership and participation with the wonderful people that make up this congregation, let's call a spade a spade. The congregation assists the elderly, home bound and ill of our community, regardless of race, religion or beliefs. They provide educational, enriching and productive programming for youth through adult. In 2012, it is kind of embarrassing that our township would even think to ask our congregation not to have a sign outside or use it more than one day a week, when dozens of religious and corporate members of Queen Anne Avenue are not given ANY of these restrictions.

____________

I tried to respond but my comment has been moderated:

Jason Flynn using the term "Calling a Spade a Spade" is highly racist. NO ONE really uses the term since the seventies for that reason.


Jason Flynn forgot to inform the readers and commenters that he has a grudge against Teaneck for fighting against his charter school and not allowing his school to add to our tax roll.  Transparency is key Mr. Flynn.


Etz Chaim/Our Saadya and Rabbi Daniel Feldman, the founder and spiritual leader, gave extensive interviews for the local papers outlining their weekly needs. Rabbi Feldman said in the Jewish Standard that they need the house on 554 Queen Anne Rd. for 3% of the week. This was long before Robert Erlich "gave into" Teaneck "under duress".


This is a case of a group of people trying to scam Teaneck. They got caught and reapplied with specific stated needs and they got what they wanted. Instead of showing maturity and applying for the NEW changes and a sign like ALL ESTABLISHED CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES AND CORPORATIONS do, they are trying to renegotiate a signed deal in court.


Teaneck has tons of Jewish synagogues, prayer groups and kosher shops.  The lawsuit is calling an open and friendly town antisemitic. Its happening because Rabbi Daniel Feldman, the founder and spiritual leader of Etz Chaim/Our Saadya, is allowing his synagogue to try to circumvent the laws instead of following them under the guise of accusations of antisemitism. This is on top of all their negative activities since 2007.


For more info check my entire blog, Biased Repoting and the comments on this Jewish Standard article.

More to come soon

But No Cigar

So much happens when you spend time away from the news and current events. Some news stories fall through the cracks and I like to catch them and bring them to your attention.

In my blog posting Why You Rabbi? I covered the theory why Rabbi Daniel Feldman was distancing himself from being associated with Congregation Etz Chaim when he wore his "YU" hat. A lot has changed since then. Rabbi Daniel Feldman has embraced his connection to Etz Chaim, stating on his Linkedin profile that he is a maggid shiur at YU and the Rabbi of Etz Chaim since September 2007.

The contract on the house wasn't signed until October 30, 2007 and while they were still in CareOne the group was still called ToraT/S Chesed. Seems Rabbi Daniel Feldman started working for Etz Chaim before the big move and all the Mechitza Minyan oldtimers were told that the move to the new house was a done deal. They didn't know that 554 Queen Anne Rd, Inc. was incorporated on September 19, 2007. Rabbi Feldman was hired in September for a shul that wasn't available to be moved into until November. I'm not shocked. It makes perfect sense. In September 2007, Rabbi Daniel Feldman was the Rabbi of Torat Chesed, Toras Chesed and Etz Chaim. That's a killer resume right there and if you add in Yeshiva University its super mighty impressive.

But is it impressive enough to be a Rosh Yeshiva at YU?
Anyone and I mean ANYONE who has talked to one of Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman's congregants over the years has heard "He's the next Rosh Yeshiva at YU." Really? Is he?!?!

Leave it to the Commentator, YU's newspaper, to dig deep and find out why is Rabbi Feldman NOT a Rosh Yeshiva.
 

New (Old) Rebbeim and the Missing Rosh Yeshiva

By SHMUEL LAMM • Published: NOVEMBER 17, 2011 • 

Rabbi Daniel Feldman, in his first year with the Mazer Yeshiva Program (MYP), has opted to teach Masechet Shabbat (Tractate Sabbath). Rabbi Feldman brings extensive experience to the MYP lineup, with nine years in SBMP and three in Isaac Breuer College (IBC). Like Rabbi Schwartz, Rabbi Feldman cites Rabbi Shachter as a formative influence in his life. Additionally, he benefited from relationships with Rabbis Sobolofsky, Willig, Rosensweig, Simon, and Goldwicht. In his shiur, Rabbi Feldman attempts to explore the intellectual and historical underpinnings of the Talmud and accompanying mefarshim (commentators). He believes in engaging students in conversation, exploring the reasons for every statement, question, and answer they come across in the texts. The subject matter in this shiur has important real-life applications. In recognition of this, Rabbi Feldman devotes a day every week to analyzing the practical uses of their previous shiurim. The shiur aims not only improve students’ learning skills, but to influence their halakhik conduct outside of the beis, as well.

Rabbi Feldman’s position in MYP, however, has been a cause for confusion. Unlike the many other rebbeim in the program, and despite his many years of experience in Yeshiva, YU has not conferred upon him the title of Rosh Yeshiva.

YU is already well known for its high number of roshei yeshiva, a situation that some in the YU circle fear dilutes the title’s esteem. Has YU decided to bar additions to the ranks?

Rabbi Reiss, The Max and Marion Grill Dean of RIETS and undergraduate Jewish studies, spoke to The Commentator to explain the meaning of “Rosh Yeshiva.” Ironically, he explained, despite the great significance currently attached to the Roshei Yeshiva, the title itself originated as something routine. Its application, rather than reflecting a specific level of expertise or institutional power, was largely a matter of tradition. Any rabbi in the MYP program was referred to as a Rosh Yeshiva. Over the years, however, the honor and respect associated with the title grew and, as a result, YU developed a more official method of conferral. In the current system, around three years into a rabbi’s MYP career, University President Richard M. Joel and Rosh Hayeshiva and Chancellor Rabbi Norman Lamm decide whether to grant him the title. Though they consult no established criteria in order to make the decision, the rabbi is evaluated based on his scholarship and work with students. Rabbi Feldman, as a brand-new addition to the MYP program, has not yet been considered for the title. 

Impressive article and equally impressive resume. Even Ohr Saadya's bio is extremely impressive (except for the Ohr Saadya part). Ohr Saadya's bio for Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman:

Our Rabbi

Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman is the spiritual leader and founder of Ohr Saadya of Teaneck.

Rabbi Feldman is also an instructor of Talmud and Jewish Studies at the Stone Beit Midrash Program of Yeshiva University, and serves as the Director of Rabbinic Research at YU’s Center for the Jewish Future. He is an alumnus of Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and received his ordination (Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin) from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, where he was a fellow of the Bella and Harry Wexner Kollel Elyon.

Rabbi Feldman is the author of “The Right and The Good: Halakhah and Human Relations” (Jason Aronson, 1999; expanded edition, Yashar Books, 2005), as well as three volumes of Talmudic essays entitled Binah BaSefarim, wich have been published with the approbations of R. Avraham Schapira, R. Ovadiah Yosef, R. Natan Gestetner, R. Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg, and others.

Rabbi Feldman is the co-editor of six volumes of Talmudic essays and serves on the Va’ad HaHalakhah of the Rabbinical Council of America. He is a frequent lecturer in locations across America and abroad and has written for publications such as Tradition and Jewish Action.

Boys and Girls, lets say that loud and clear for everyone to hear: 

According to the OFFICIAL website of Ohr Saadya, Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman is the spiritual leader and founder of Ohr Saadya of Teaneck.

As the Spiritual Leader and Founder of Torat Chesed/Toras Chesed/Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya he is personally responsible for everything his congregation has done to the Teaneck community at large. 

• Etz Chaim of Teaneck, an Orthodox Jewish congregation at 554 Queen Anne Road, is suingthe board of adjustment.
• Griggs Avenue resident, Janet Abbot a neighbor of the congregation, said that one of the restrictions imposed by the BOA was that Etz Chaim appoint a member of its congregation to serve as liaison with the neighbors. Abbot said that to the best of her knowledge, this has not occurred. "Nobody has contacted us," she said. She noted that except for a noise complaint, "Nothing untoward has happened," since the variances were granted.
• "The board's decision was fair because it recognized that Etz Chaim has a right to have a congregation and also recognized that they created a synagogue without going through the normal processes. The board institutionalized what they said they were already doing," she (Abbot) said.
• But Rif Campeas, another neighbor, was more outspoken. Campeas said that on at least one occasion since the variances were granted, a neighbor called the police because of excessive noise emanating from the congregation. "They said they would abide by the board of adjustment decision. The town has invested time and money, but Etz Chaim is never satisfied,"Campeas said.
• In an interview, Etz Chaim President Robert Erlich and Akiva Shapiro of the law firm of Gibson Dunn in New York City, co-council in the case, emphasized that the suit is against the board of adjustment and not the neighbors. "Our relationship with the neighbors has been good and we hope that this suit doesn't affect that relationship," Erlich said.
• He (Erlich) noted that the dispute over noise involved a single incident that was resolved immediately and that the neighbor could have approached the congregation directly rather than calling the police. Erlich said that the congregation has not appointed a community liaison because it is taking the BOA's requirements as a whole and is working through them.

(From the Posting Neighborly Love)

• Trying to masquerade a family room as a shul as chronicled on 554queenanne.info 
• Torat/Toras Chesed fraud posted on Paradise Lost
• In bed with Mario Guralnik posted on Guralnik Connection
• Rabbi Feldman cultivating positive relationships with the neighbors as posted in Some Famous Bypasses

and sooooo much more. Read my blog!

As the Spiritual Leader and founder of a congregation that can do all of that, is there any question why Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman isn't a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University and YU doesn't want him representing them? 

Keeping Up With The Joneses

It was only a matter of time.

Not to be outdone by Arzei Darom's Rabbi Aharon Ciment, Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya's Rabbi Daniel Feldman, Beth Aaron's Rabbi Lawrence Rothwachs and Rachelle Mandelbaum (who was involved in all of their construction projects), Rabbi Lawrence Zierler got himself a new ride and into the construction game.

Since Rachelle doesn't have influence or involvement in the construction at the Jewish Center of Teaneck, one can assume there will be no conflicts and everything will be done for the betterment of the members of the now Orthodox Jewish Center.

The new Mikvah on Sterling, on the other hand,

Beth Aaron's Trojan Horse

After helping Beth Aaron with their extensive sawdust expansion and Etz Chaim Ohr Saadya to their new family room sanctuary, last year their heroine found her way onto Beth Aaron's board.
Wonder what other good things are in store for Beth Aaron and Teaneck. If her track record at Arzei Darom, Jewish Center of Teaneck and Etz Chaim Ohr Saadya is any indication of what she's capable of, get your lawyers on speed-dial. There is no hiding or skirting the issue when it comes to this lady.

I wonder if you can guess who she is??????????

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Members:

The Nominating Committee has completed its assigned task, and has submitted its slate of nominees for the officers and members of the Board of Directors for 5772-5772 (2012-2013). Their terms of office will begin on Rosh Chodesh Tamuz 5772, which this year is June 20th.

According to the Beth Aaron Constitution, if there is no opposition to this slate, these nominees will be deemed elected. However, any member of the Congregation may submit a petition to me with additional names for any position no later than June 19th. To be considered for nomination, the petition must contain the signatures of at least ten percent of the members of the Congregation in good standing as of June 10, 2011.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 201-743-8222 or president@bethaaron.org.

The members of the Nominating Committee are Aliza Fischman, Larry Kahn,

Ronnie Schwartz (Chair), Yacha Singer, and Moshe Teitelbaum. On behalf of the outgoing Board, I thank all of them for a job well-done.

Sincerely,


David Goldberg
President

Officers

President-- David Goldberg

First Vice President --- Hillel Hyman

Second Vice President -- Yair Mayerfeld

VP- Finance -- Jeff Neugroschl

VP -Programming -- Sandy Zlotnick

Treasurer -- Rob Sperber

Secretary - Moshe (mo-b) Singer

Financial Secretary -- Ben Alexander

Board of Directors

Two Year term (2011-2013)

Myron Chaitovsky

David Horowitz

Louis Karp

Rachelle Mandelbaum

Joel Richter

Ronnie Schwartz

Moshe Teitelbaum

One Year Term (2012-2013)

Marc Felsen

Larry Kahn

Micah Kaufman

Josh Klavan

Jordan Sterman

L'via Weisinger

Neal Yaros

Two Year Term (2012-2014)

Ben Cooper

Aliza Fischman

Isaac Hagler

Steve Hoenig

Abe Leidner

Steven Pudell

Pinny Wechter

Immediate Past President

Larry Shafier

Sisterhood Representative

TBA (Appointed by the Sisterhood President)

Men's Club Representative

TBA (Appointed by the Men's Club President)

The Shul Who May Not Be Named

Which is Rabbi Daniel Feldman's real PPG (private prayer group)?

How many names can one place have?

• The Teaneck Shul
• The Teaneck Shtibul
• Torat Chessed
• Toras Chessed
• Etz Chaim
• Ohr Saadya
• 544 Queen Anne, Inc.
• The Shteibshul
• Another name?

They have currently decided to follow the money and go with Ohr Saadya, which means light of the help of g-d. Sounds like a Mosque, which coincidentally is what I suggested they do in my posting Surefire Way To Get Approved On Wednesday.

It was named after Yaakov Abdelhak's grandfather, for a sizable donation of money of course. Who is Yaakov Abdelhak and why does he need a shul named after his grandfather? Better yet, why did the South of Cedar need ANOTHER private prayer group? What really happened to the Mechitza Minyan/Merkaz L'Torah at the Jewish Center of Teaneck? Why did Yaakov Abdelhak need a PPG of his own and why is the PPG suing Teaneck Township? 

Next time you visit Torat Chesed/Toras Chesed/Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya ask these questions to Rabbi Daniel Feldman, Zalman Levine, Rochelle Mandelbaum, Allan (Chanan) Cohen, Levi Goldberg, Famous Urine Cake King, Robert Ehrlich or even Yaakov Abdelhak himself. I'm sure not only will you be fascinated by their "non" answers, but you will find them encouraging you to pray elsewhere.

The Avenger