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
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.
____________
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
28 comments:
Not sure that you are correct. The expression predates the use of the word spade as a racial epithet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_call_a_spade_a_spade
Just one citation.
Mac, you really are brilliant. The sense of entitlement that the EC/OS or whatever they call themselves this month have shown and keep showing is beyond belief. Has anyone ever tried to explain to them that a temple is supposes to be a place that is more moral not less so. It's amazing that the rabbinic leaders in Teaneck don't tell them to stop already.
Is calling a spade a spade mean "I agree or we agree to these Stipulation" but actually we were coersed into agreeing to these inhuman and overly oppressive conditions. The ultimate denial of a citizen's constitutional rights.
Actually one of the key problems with Jason Flynn s argument is that CVS and the liquor store and other commercial references made were established and exist within a section of Queen Abbe Road that has been zones for commercial use. EC or Ohr Abdellyk (sp) is in a residential zone so that argument kind of falls flat. I could care less if they our up a sign but how many prayer groups have signs. Originally they said that all they wanted was to be a prayer group and not a shul. Those conditions were granted that is why they are wrong for suing. I understand they always wanted to be a shul, but they should have sucked it up and sought to ease the restrictions later.
5:57pm
The "N" word predates modern usage and fag originally meant "a bundle of twigs". Its still wrong.
And in the spirit of honesty and transparency you forgot to post the rest of your quote from Wikipedia:
"however, in contemporary U.S. society, the idiom is often avoided due to potential confusion with the slur [1] and/or confusion with playing card references such as "black as the ace of spades".
You have to read the whole source.
6:06: First of all, learn how to spell. The word is coerCe not CoerSe. Well, then again, spelling is not of EC/OS's strong points. At one time they called themselves ToraT Chesed but when it turned out that was a shul belonging to someone else, they changed the name to ToraS Chesed.
Second of all, "inhuman and opressive conditions" you say!!! Of all the inhumanity that exists in the world, you complain about not being able to hang a sign or have kiddush for longer than one hour each Sabbath. Think hard 6:06, is this what being religious and concerned about real inhumaninty and injustice is all about.
Who is leading this bunch???
I don t know 6:35 I am just being sarcastic you arrogant munch butt.
6:06 Food for thought:
http://www-contendo.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1261364509028&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter
And Robert's response scroll down to find his letter):
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Article.aspx?id=164443
He is defending the Teaneck's BOA'S decision. He doesn't sound like he was being coerced. His words and description are an exact match.
"The ultimate denial of a citizen's constitutional right" ?? What about the rights of the rest of Teaneck's citizens? The town enacts laws to protect its citizenry. What gives one group the right to demand a separate set of laws and regulations just because they think they deserve them? First follow the law yourself, then you have the right to ask for a variance of the laws just like the rest of the citizens are able to do.
Mac can you link those in or quote what Erlich said.
Is he really the leader of the place?
I thought those former Arzei Darom people run the place. Wasn't this all about their personal grudge against the rabbi of their old shul?
It was all linked and covered in my posting:
Its a PPG
http://macdmusings.blogspot.com/2010/08/its-ppg.html?m=1
Heard that it was Erlich who actually tried to coerce some of the neighbors not to testify. Something happened at the hearings with Erlich tormenting neighbors. Can anyone share more about that?
The text of Its A PPG:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2010
Shluffenheimer MacDougal at 11:11 PM
Its A PPG!
PPG ≠ Power Play Goal (Sorry Zach)
Shluffenheimer MacDougal would like to wish a hearty Scottish Mazal Tov to Etz Chaim for getting their approval from BOA on Wednesday August 11, 2010.
I'm sure there will NOT be a kiddush this week or a special L'chaim to celebrate. There will be no ticker tape parades down Cedar Lane or Queen Anne Rd. for that matter. CareOne will not be putting postings on TeaneckShuls to help you with a minyan and NNJ Kids will not make a monthly donation to your PPG.
Based on initial reports from the BOA meeting, Etz Chaim members are POed. They got their approval but there are A LOT of restrictions that they will have to obey.
Personally, I don't understand why they are upset.
From Day 1 President Robert Erlich has claimed that Etz Chaim is a Private Prayer Group and runs within the constraints of a PPG. In a response to an article in The Jerusalem Post Robert Erlich wrote: A reply from Teaneck Sir, - Marilyn Henry's article about the Teaneck, New Jersey, Etz Chaim variance hearing egregiously misrepresents and mischaracterizes many of the elements of our situation, and in doing so unfairly terms my testimony either "clever or deceptive" ("A house, or a house of prayer?," December 27). In truth, the article is deceptive in taking the ancillary statement of a technical legal distinction and wrongly portraying it as the relevant question at hand. The distinctions between a private prayer group and a house of worship, in our case, are numerous and not at all accurately depicted in this column. Our group meets at the rabbi's house only on days when driving is forbidden, meeting at all other times and for all other functions at other locations; no other synagogue-type functions take place at the house, which is not the mailing address or corporate office of the organization; the house is a full-time, round-the-clock private residence of a family of five, maintaining a residential look, with no permanent fixtures of a house of worship; among several other distinctions.
The Rabbi of this PPG, Rabbi Feldman, claimed in The Jewish Standard that: The rabbi disputed the change-of-use argument saying that of the 168 hours in a week, only five are devoted to religious services at the house, which are held Friday night and Saturday morning and afternoon. “That’s 3 percent of the time,” he said. “It is our understanding, confirmed in two meetings with the township, that [a] prayer group in the house is a permitted residential use. Thus, we do not believe that the use has been changed in any way.”
Coincidentally, again based on early reports, most of the stipulations that the BOA have attached to Etz Chaim's approval are consistent with Robert Erlich and Rabbi Feldman's descriptions of what Etz Chaim of Teaneck really is. It is a PPG -Private Prayer Group!
So, Mazal Tov to Etz Chaim of Teaneck on getting township approval to be all the Township will limit them to be, a PPG. I'm sure there were easier ways to get Rabbi Feldman a house.
My theory is that Robert Ehrlich was appointed so none of the ex-Arzei Darom people would have to testify.
You do not have much of a life do you Mac? You are more concerned with what EC does probably more so than most of the members. Concerned for the residents of Teaneck, that is a lot of BS. Why do you hate some much? Did Feldman knock down your sand castle when you were a kid playing on the beach. What motivates your anger scotty?
Asked and answered in
http://macdmusings.blogspot.com/2010/01/wheres-beef.html?m=1
Only difference is now Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman gets no benefit of the doubt. His Shul, he calls the shots.
What are you talking about Mac is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Who else is going to take those hypocrites to task. Mac will bring them down, right Mac.
Anon 7:54, dumb theory come up with a new one. Erlich overthrew the existing regime of Cohen and Levine to become president, don t you know anything.
Cohen and Levine appointed Erlich so they could claim that Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya was not started to help Dr. Abdelhak get revenge on Arzei Darom. Robert Erlich has no connections to Arzei Darom unlike the rest of the ”planning committee”. No Judkowitz, Cohen, Levine, Mandelbaum.et Al by design.
Why Levi Goldberg is on the board doesn't make sense, unless you know that he's a puppet of Zalman Levine's.
Get real. Erlich was the choice of Rabbi Feldman's. He's the founder and spiritual leader of the shtibshul and He's the ultimate decisor. Feldman's the real mastermind and he has the almost Rosh Yeshiva brains to pull it all off, right MacD?
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?
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.
Can someone please explain the history here because I see the town had actually ordered this temple to cease and desist.
http://554queenanne.info/TeaneckTo554QueenAnne08-08-2008.pdf
TOWNSHIP OF TEANECK
PAUL A. VOLCKER
MUNICIPAL GREEN
8 18 TEANECK ROAD
TEANECK, NEW JERSEY 07666
PHONE (201) 837-1600 FAX (201) 837-1222
August 8,2008
554 Queen Anne Road, Inc.
a.k.a. Etz Chaim of Teaneck
C/O Gary E. Miller
193 Vandelinda Avenue
Teaneck, New Jersey 07666
IZ abhi Daniel Feldman
554 Queen Anne Road
Teaneck, New Jersey 07666
Re: DECISIOIU AND ORDER
554 Queen Anne Road
Block 2409, Lot 8, RS Zoning District
Gentlemen:
As a result of my meeting with Rabbi Feldlnan in November, 2007, and our meeting with your
attorney, Joel E. Glucksman, Esq., on May 28,2008, I received a letter from Mr. Glucksman
dated June 20,2008, memorializing the representations made concerning the "private prayer
group" being held at the above referenced premises. Subsequent to these events, a packet of
information, dated July 22,2008, had been submitted to the Teaneck Building Department by a
group of residents in the vicinity of 554 Queen Anne Road containing statements, photographs
and copies of documents pertaining to the use of the above premises. I have reviewed this
information and compared it to the representations contained in Mr. Glucksman's letter. Based
on my review, it is my opinion that the facts demonstrate that the above premises are now being
used for a second principal use as a house of worshiplplace of public assembly without first
obtzining :: zcni~g pernlit in -.rielation of the provisions of Sectio~ 33-23(d)(3)a of the
Development Regulations Ordinance of the Township of Teaneck, being Chapter 33 of the Code
of the Township of Teaneck. As a result of this decision, the following actions are being taken
by this enforcing agency:
1. You are hereby ordered to cease and desist from using the premises as a house of
worshiplplace of public assembly within 20 days from the date of this decision.
2. In the event such use is not discontinued and in the event no appeal of this decision is
filed with the Teaneck Zoning Board of Adjustment within such twenty day period
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-72, summonses will be issued for each day the violation
continues.
You have the right to file an appeal from this decision to the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the
Township of Teaneck by filing such appeal and payment of the required filing fee within 20 days
of the date of this decision pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-72.
In addition, you have the right to apply for a Zoning Permit. My preliminary review of the file
indicates that an application for a Zoning Permit would be denied unless application is made to,
and approvals are first obtained from, the Zoning Board of Adjustment pursuant to the provisions
of N. J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d) and N.J.S.A. 40:55D-76 for site plan approval (see Section 33-1 7),
conditional use approval (see Section 33-24(a)(3)d and 33-25(d)) and for variances from the
conditions for a conditional use (see Sections 33-25(d)(2), (3) and (5)). Furthermore, any such
approvals would also be subject to compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code,
including the requirements for use group A-3, houses of worship/places of public assembly.
The Township of Teaneck reserves the right to verify compliance with the above directives, as
well as, any other legal rights to enforce the terms of this decision and order.
BY ORDER OF:
i ---,
Steven M. Gluck, RA
Construction OfficialIZoning Officer
cc: Ferrara, Turitz, Harraka & Goldberg PC
Helene V. Fall; Municipal Manager
Joel E. Glucksman, Esq.
Raphael Campeas
Janet Abbott
DEAR ANON 1:45
Ehrlich as a coup leader? Mr. "Park 4 cars on my lawn"? Can't wait to see his explanation at the trial of that mendacity. Better yet his explanation of how he would park cars in the driveway of 266 Johnson. You know, the unfinished green Guralnik monstrosity that had no driveway then or now.
Remember, this was all under oath. So how much can we rely the word of anyone who represents them? Zero,zilch,nada.
What are the applicable laws for those who prevaricate?
Coup leader? no
Coop leader? no. Have to be a rooster not a chicken.
Hey Mac, does it really matter what they do anymore. They will get their shul in the end. Anyway just wanted to let you know that I will probably end it all soon anyway. My life is not that great anyway, so good luck to EC, they are no different from the rest of the so called Frum community, just out for themselves, so Long Mac.
What is with that Green Monster? Biggest eye sore imaginable, just sitting there for three years. Same guy who owns 576 and sent letters to the neighbors threatening to build a mega church "shul" for the Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya crowd. Does Mr. Flynn remember that?
Mr. Flynn probably forgot that Anon 11:30, he just knows these wonderful guys that do great chesed in the community like do a yearly Purim party at Care One to bring happiness to the residents.
How does Mr. Flynn explain that:
(1) the shul's lawyer at the town hearing said after the town issued its resolution that: “The board, based upon testimony, came to the CORRECT LEGAL DECISION. And the board balanced the exercise of freedom of religion with the effort to minimize the impact on a residential neighborhood.”
(2) the rabbi of his shul agreed. He said: “I am GRATIFIED BY THE DECISION. I don’t know all the details of the stipulations, but WE WILL ABIDE by them as we have always complied with all instructions of the township.”
Read for yourself. http://jstandard.com/index.php/content/item/etz_chaim_gets_nod_from_teaneck_board_of_adjustment/
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