August 17, 2012 is Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya's next court date VS the Teaneck BOA. What do you think will occur on August 17th? What will Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya do?

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

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


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 policeErlich 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.


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? 

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why are you so enthralled with all this? Even if what your saying is true does anyone really care anymore. It is like your a jilted lover and you will stop at nothing to destroy his rep because he chose them over you. You've already sold me on the questionable way the congregation started, but at this point what's done is done. They will get their variance. I think that they were wrong for suing The Board but life goes on. It is sad that your life is stuck on the fate of Or Saadya. Therapy would help in sorting out the issues.

Shluffenheimer MacDougal said...

WERE wrong? They ARE wrong. The lawsuit is happening. The next Teaneck Orthodox embarrassment is coming to a court room near you.
BTW thank you for reading the blog. ;)

Anonymous said...

Okay so they are wrong. At this point it changes nothing, if they are meant to win, they will win or lose if that is what the Almighty intends. They feel that they are on the moral high ground anyway. Unless you are the Judge presiding over the case, not much you or I or anyone else can do, take care.

Shluffenheimer MacDougal said...

That's where you are wrong. I am doing what I can.
Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman the spiritual leader and founder of Ohr Saadya can stop it.

Made your way through school by studying or relying solely on G-d and sleeping with the textbook under your pillow? G-d.helps those who help themselves, not those who sit back and hope for the best.

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:25 - your logic is flawed. They were wrong and continue to be wrong. And that is no reason not to stand up against their tyranny. If we all had the attitude you have the world would be full of injustice. I applaud macdougal for taking a stand and bringing attention to the chilul Hashem Rabbi Daniel and his buddies perpetrate every day. His actions will help rid the Teaneck community of this scourge.

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:18 your logic is equally flawed, rid the communty of this scourge, what are they selling drugs on the property? This blog is not going to stop them in their efforts legal or not to create a shul. That will happen eventually. Maybe you should start a protest outside the house so you can take a stand against this great injustice they are doing against Teaneck and their neighbors. As you know the issue was already decided but Or sadyaa is unhappy with the restrictions that they agreed to. How they started is irrelevant for the Trial. Social Justice has nothing to do with any of this anymore Mr. Thomas Hobbs, but if your inclined, you can march by the house with your protest sign to let them know their tyrrany won't stand with good citizens like yourself.

Shluffenheimer MacDougal said...

So make Robert Ehrlich step down. You don't sue because you made a bad decision. Its infantile.

Anonymous said...

McD you have done it again. The truth you uncovered about Rabbi Daniel on his Linkedin page is great. The chutzpah of calling yourself the rabbi of etz chaim a month before the entire group even knew about the purchase of the house - amazing. Unless the rabbi is using as a way to bridge the group from before with the new group - we all know that that is just not true. MacD, thanks for showing everybody the truth, the sad, abominable truth, and nothing but the truth.

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:04 - I think I will and I plan to invite my many friends who also believe in justice, ethics and morals. But unlike your friends at etz Chaim, I will get permission from the town first before we protest.

Anonymous said...

I do not have any friends at Etz Chaim Mr Hobbs, or Or Saadya for that matter Anon 4:23. Have fun and keep me posted I would not want to miss the wheels of social justice spinning in the face of civil tyranny.

Anonymous said...

Amen brother 6:08!

Anonymous said...

So they are going to trial, one key issue - was EC/OS coersed by the township into agreeing to these rigid conditions, 25 in total, that qualify their right to be a prayer group? Are these restrictions unconstitutional? Are they arbitrary and capricious and void for vagueness? I do not know boys and girls. Watch the trial and find out.

Anonymous said...

"Coercion"????????
That is so lame. There were several days of hearings when they got to put on testimony and they were represented by counsel.
Usually when a party claims coercion, it means they have no case.
Sounds like the temple realizes it has no case because it agreed to the conditions and now is looking to rationalize its lawsuit.

Anonymous said...

""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."

I love this sequence. Strategy = don't appoint a community liason and give out his phone number because it is so "onerous". Then say relations with neighbors are good cause no one complains. Then say when they do complain to the police they could have come to us.

Anonymous said...

I think Erlich meant on that one they could have knocked on their door or come to the building to talk to them about the noise, if there was noise. I think it was on Saturday, and no one would have answered the phone, but Who do you talk too?, maybe appointing a community liason is onerous, that is probably the least of the complaints. They actually probably don t even talk to the neighbors. So I guess we will see how it plays out.

Anonymous said...

Who is this Erlich character anyway? He can't seriously claim he was under "duress." If I understand correctly, he spoke with his lawyer before agreeing to the conditions.

Also, found this on Shluffenheimer's earlier blog post:

“We are pleased with the approval and we will comply with all conditions imposed."

ROBERT ERLICH, August 19, 2010

Anonymous said...

You forgot to include the quotes which read "made under duress". Oh yeah and "coersion"

Anonymous said...

This statement was made under duress. Erlich was brow beaten into accepting these harsh conditions. He was of sound mind when he agreed to these horrid conditions, yeah that's it he was suffering from temporary erlichanity

Anonymous said...

Etz Chaim plotting since 2007.
Still can't get the story straight.
Functioning but non compliant since 2007.
Penultimate defense- Duress-The devil made me do it.
Ultimate defense- Antisemitism. We want a do over!

Anonymous said...

You asked who Ehrlich is - he is simply a lying conniving weasel, nothing more, nothing less. I suppose in his non Presidential role he is a lawyer.

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