See Something Say Something

Countries around the world have ways to report activities or packages that one might even just suspect of being harmful and if you know it is harmful, it must definitely be reported.

In England you can see signs like this one

In Israel you can see scenes like these

Even in America you can see signs like this one in Washington, DC

At a nuclear facilities there are signs like this

And in NYC, after 9/11 you can see signs like this

Everywhere in the world, parents tell their children to watch out for strangers and suspicious activities. Adults report all suspicious and criminal activities to the authorities.

Unless you are an ORTHODOX Jews and the impropriety involves other Jews or Synagogues. Look at the news today and read about all of the deeds that were hidden for years and communities falling apart because nothing was said. Even their Rabbis, their spiritual leaders, preached for silence.

This blog is asking for Teaneck residents, Jew and Non-Jew, to stand up to Etz Chaim. Say something to Rabbi Feldman and the RCBC about the Torat/Toras fraud, the filing for the family room, nasty treatment of the neighbors (Jew and Non-Jew alike) and frivilous lawsuit against Teaneck taxpayers.

Rabbi Feldman is being PAID for his silence

The friends of Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya will never admit wrongdoing. Be brave and be strong and tell your friends that they need to drop the lawsuit and approach the BOA through proper channels like every other synagogue in Teaneck.

It time to SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING in Teaneck. ITs time for Jews not to be silent at injustices, but vocal to their leaders. Make Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya follow the same rules as every other synagogue, church, mosque and non profit business in Teaneck.

Just because a Rabbi is cool and learned and is a man of the cloth, doesn't make him infallible.

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? 

Guest Posting: An Open Letter to the RCBC

To the Rabbis of the RCBC:

For decades the Jewish community has lived in peace and tranquility with its non-Jewish neighbors in Teaneck. Jews serve the residents of Teaneck on the Town Council and many of its committees. We benefit from over two dozen kosher restaurants under your capable supervision. We are able to walk to many shuls on Shabbat within not one but two eruvim. We have a magnificent new mikvah. We have access to the best halachic minds on this side of the George Washington Bridge.

We also live in a town that is witnessing a chilul hashem of epic proportions. For years, Congregation Etz Chaim has been working surreptitiously to build a shul without going through the proper channels that ALL other shuls in Teaneck have followed. Their leaders have been at the center of controversy since day one of their founding and even before through acts that bordered - and possibly crossed the line - on outright fraud.

After Etz Chaim finally went through the correct process under pressure from neighbors to “do the right thing” and publicly stated that they would abide by the ruling of the Board of Adjustment they got the variance they applied for and then turned on the very Board that granted exactly what Etz Chaim had requested by suing them.

Etz Chaim claims that their suit is against the Board of Adjustment and not the neighbors but their suit IS against every single resident of Teaneck. The ramifications of suing the Board of Adjustment may very well negatively affect the relationship the Jews of Teaneck have with our non-Jewish neighbors for many years.

If Etz Chaim’s lawsuit had any merit, which it does not, it still would not be advisable to sue the Township for what they want. Had Etz Chaim followed the procedures for getting permission to create a shul everyone’s lives would have been very different today. The restrictions placed on Etz Chaim could have been appealed through the regular procedures in place and perhaps the Board of Adjustment would have decided that maybe some of the restrictions could be altered. But instead, Etz Chaim, “guns a blazing”, go on the offensive and attack the Board of Adjustment. The next shul in town, a new one looking to open its doors or an old one looking to expand, is going to have to apply for variances and follow the prescribed procedures but run the risk of being denied just because of the precedent Etz Chaim has set of how shuls and Orthodox Jews behave. The Board of Adjustment may reject the application because they know that the shul will do whatever they want anyway, after all Etz Chaim did.

The ends really never justify the means. Etz Chaim has tarnished the relationship between the Jews and non-Jews of Teaneck and has caused irreparable damage through a heinous chillul hashem. It is now up to the Rabbis of the RCBC to stand up, from the pulpit or through their pens, and actively and forcefully demand that Etz Chaim stop this chillul hashem immediately. It is time for the Rabbis of the RCBC to call on their member, Rabbi Daniel Feldman, to stop the chillul hashem that will have a real impact on their shuls and the continued growth of the Orthodox community in Teaneck for many years in the future. It is time for our Rabbinic leaders to lead and bring an end to the hurtful actions of one of its member shuls.

Sincerely,

Concerned Orthodox Jews of Teaneck

Biased Reporting

Courtesy of the Jewish Standard: Etz Chaim Lawsuit Alleges Teaneck Violated Shul's Constitutional Rights

I commented on the latest Jewish Standard gem of hard hitting unbiased journalism.

The comment is currently "up".

Mr. Lipowsky, you have written and researched a few news articles on Etz Chaim for the Jewish Standard. This is a well spun and a well sanitized piece. Etz Chaim wasn't pressured into the BOA's stipulations. Robert Erlich and Rabbi Daniel Feldman told Daniel Santacruz as reported by the Jewish Sandard as early as 8/28/2008 that all they want is exactly what the BOA granted Etz Chaim.

This isn't a case of restricted Religious Freedoms. Its all about strong arming Teaneck under the guise of discrimination to bypass the appeals process and opposition from the neighbors.

Its just another instance of Etz Chaim of Teaneck attempting to circumvent the rules. Magically Shaarei Orah, Beth Aaron and Rinat Yisrael had no issues following Township rules and waiting to get approval through proper channels.

Some Famous Bypasses

Coronary Bypass

Highway Bypass

Gastric Bypass

AND..........................................

Neighbor Bypass

Teaneck congregation appeals conditions placed on house of worship permit

Monday, January 10, 2011
BY JOSEPH AX
THE RECORD
STAFF WRITER
TEANECK — A Queen Anne Road congregation that received a house of worship permit last fall after months of controversial hearings has appealed several of the permit’s conditions, calling them arbitrary and unduly burdensome.

Etz Chaim, which battled with several neighbors for years prior to getting approval from the town’s zoning board, asserted in a lawsuit filed in Bergen County Superior Court that the variances it had sought – including a request to have only six parking spaces, rather than the 21 required – were relatively minor in nature.

By contrast, the congregation claimed, the board’s conditions “are vague and ambiguous on their face, largely have no connection to any legitimate land use concern, and are far more onerous than the conditions imposed on other, comparable secular and religious institutions.”

The case has sometimes delved into the murky definition of a “house of worship,” as the congregation holds services in a private residence.

Etz Chaim owns 554 Queen Anne Road, and the group’s rabbi, Daniel Feldman, lives at the home. The congregation received permission from the town to add a family room and to hold private prayer meetings there.

A group of neighbors – some of whom had feuded with one of the members of Etz Chaim prior to the group’s establishment – complained to the town that the congregation should have applied for a house of worship permit.

The town’s zoning official issued a cease and desist order in August 2008, and the congregation decided to apply for the permit rather than filing a lawsuit then. After a series of contentious hearings, the zoning board issued the permit – along with two dozen conditions – last fall.

Among the restrictions flagged in the lawsuit are a ban on using the outdoor space for celebrations, a limit on the number of religious services permitted during the week, a ban on outdoor signage and a requirement that participants leave the home an hour after services are finished on Saturday mornings, as well as others.

“Shackled by the onerous conditions imposed by the board, Etz Chaim is not able to proceed as a fully operational Orthodox Jewish house of worship,” the lawsuit reads.

The suit claims the restrictions violate the group’s First and Fourteenth Amendment Rights, the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and state law. It seeks to have many of the conditions thrown out and to impose punitive and compensatory damages.

The group’s lawyer, Akiva Shapiro, of New York-based Gibson Dunn, said his clients would welcome an out-of-court settlement.

Harold Ritvo, the zoning board attorney, did not return a call seeking comment. Rif Campeas, one of the neighbors who led the fight against Etz Chaim, declined to comment on the suit.

E-mail: ax@northjersey.com

Rutherford Institute Update

The Rutherford Institute represented Etz Chaim of Teaneck.

The Rutherford Institute describes it's mission:
"Founded in 1982 by constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead, The Rutherford Institute is a civil liberties organization that provides free legal services to people whose constitutional and human rights have been threatened or violated.

The Rutherford Institute has emerged as one of the nation's leading advocates of civil liberties and human rights, litigating in the courts and educating the public on a wide spectrum of issues affecting individual freedom in the United States and around the world.

The Institute’s mission is twofold: to provide legal services in the defense of religious and civil liberties and to educate the public on important issues affecting their constitutional freedoms."

ONE YEAR ago I posted in Etz Chaim of Teaneck: Modern Day Robin Hoods?:
"Two things make Etz Chaim special, however. First is the unorthodox manner in which it remodeled the rabbi's residence to create worship space that technically may or may not have been what is commonly considered a synagogue, generating ill will in the process.

The second is the implied threat of a lawsuit against the town if permission is denied. Etz Chaim is represented by the Rutherford Institute, a prominent legal organization that takes cases to protect religious rights. Its 2008 annual report lists Etz Chaim as a "pre-litigation."

Etz Chaim doesn't follow Township rules and will claim that their "religious rights" were violated if their permission is denied."

This is the original article the Rutherford Institute posted on their website from the Jewish Standard.

Important Points:

• Feldman said he believes the prayer group is "among the most above-board and responsible, and we have taken every appropriate step to do everything by the book."
• 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."
• Erlich said the group had filed an appeal to the zoning board to challenge "the interpretation of what they [the township] say is going on at 554 Queen Anne Road. They call it a house of worship [and] place of assembly [but] we call it a private prayer group."
• According to the letter, "[W]hen Rabbi Feldman first decided to have a private prayer group in his home, it was of the utmost importance to him that everything be done above-board and in accordance with local ordinances."
  The letter also explains that services are held on the "Jewish Sabbath and on Yamim Tovim/holidays."
• "We told the town from the beginning what we were doing, and they confirmed that it was acceptable," Feldman said. "We were not trying to hide anything."

The Rutherford Institute 2010 CASE SUMMARY REPORT doesn't include Etz Chaim of Teaneck as one of its clients. Even the Rutherford Institute doesn't consider BOA ruling as discriminating against Rabbi Feldman and Etz Chaim of Teaneck. Etz Chaim of Teaneck got exactly what they wanted and fought for.

Etz Chaim of Teaneck has overplayed their hand.

Liar, Liar

As reported by The Suburbanite on August 19, 2010:
Etz Chaim President Robert Erlich wrote in an e-mail that the community liaison position is not unique to this application, but that the BOA has required such a position for similar applications.

"We are pleased with the approval and we will comply with all conditions imposed," Erlich wrote.

Those were the WRITTEN words of Mr. Robert Erlich, president of Etz Chaim of Teaneck. Really? You will comply with EVERYTHING and are PLEASED with the approval?

Last night, at the BOA meeting to memorialize their decision regarding the approval of the variance and the restrictions that Robert Erlich wrote that Etz Chaim will comply with, Etz Chaim's lawyer tried to continue to push through changes to the restrictions placed on Etz Chaim. Sources reported that Robert Erlich yelled at Mr.Rosen of the BOA that he must approve the changes and memorialize them now. Robert yelled at the same BOA member that chastised Etz Chaim for their unethical actions and negative behaviors towards the neighbors. Will the BOA require a liason between the BOA and Etz Chaim and leaders get up 2 times a year to preach tolerance towards the BOA? Yelling at the people from whom you are requesting a favor is idiocy. The BOA did not memorialize any changes. Afterall, Robert is pleased with the original approval and will comply with everything. If not, he is a big fat liar!

Robert did not provide a verbal quote for the article voicing his acceptance of the BOA's decision, he EMAILED it. What changed since that email?

As reported in the previous post, Rabbi Daniel Feldman will be chasing the money and officiate selikhot at the Young Israel of Plainview. It appears that the ramifications of the restriction against conducting services outside of Shabbat and Yom Tov has sunk in and Etz Chaim is now fighting to get it removed. Robert Erlich has gone on record calling Etz Chaim a Private Prayer Group and Rabbi Feldman has gone on record that Etz Chaim only uses the house 3% of the week. They asked for it and they forcibly fought for it. Now they have to live with the result of their actions and their absentee Rabbi.

Sometimes you get EXACTLY what you request.

Well Excuuuuuuuuuuse Me!

It has been a hard uphill battle for Etz Chaim to be able earn the right from Teaneck Township to exercise their Religious Freedoms at 544 Queen Anne Rd and wresling Rabbi Daniel Feldman from the grip of those Jewish Center conservative people.

Rabbi Daniel Feldman is the Mara D'Atra of Etz Chaim of Teaneck and as they enter this important awe inspiring part of the Jewish Calendar, he will be there for them to lead and guide Etz Chaim through important services surrounding the High Holidays. The members of Etz Chaim will proudly be able to hear Rabbi Daniel Feldman speak and pontificate on the Laws and feelings surrounding Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. They will hear him address Etz Chaim about the meaning of true forgiveness and getting a true selikhah and kapparah from their fellow congregants and maybe even G-d himself. They will partake in a feast before Selichot on Motzei Shabbat to fill their stomachs while Rabbi Daniel Feldman fills their ears with Torah. Selichot night promises to be the best and most awesomest 1st night of Selichot EVER for Etz Chaim of Teaneck in their short existence as a religious group recognized by the BOA of Teaneck.

This 1st night of Selichot event promises to be the pinnacle of Rabbi Daniel Feldman's leadership of Etz Chaim of Teaneck to date! True Religious Freedom will shine on him and Etz Chaim in

PLAINVIEW, NY?!?!?!?!

Now appearing at the Young Israel of Plainview:

YIP Selichos Night Program Motzei Shabbos September 4 Sponsored in memory of Cantor Kalman Chaitovsky

YIP Welcomes Yeshiva University's Rabbi Daniel Feldman, noted scholar and author.

10:00PM - Dinner and Discussion of Sources; 11:00PM - Shiur by Rabbi Feldman (TBA)12:00AM - Selichos

Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman is 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 spiritual leader of Etz Chaim

of Teaneck, NJ, where he resides with his wife, Leah, and their children

At least they advertised that he is the Rabbi of Etz Chaim of Teaneck.

Why are you paying Rabbi Daniel Feldman a salary if he ditches you on an important night of religious spirituality and need for Rabbinic leadership to inspire you to attain forgiveness from Hashem? Mortgage, Anti-Semitism and public chastising from BOA members is a steep price to pay for an Absentee Rabbi.

Embarrassed Much?

Yet another speaking engagement without mentioning Rabbi Feldman's greatest achievement yet! and no I am not talking about his Yadin Yadin Semikha.

The AD:

Yeshiva University invites you to join us at our next
Summer Breakfast Lecture at Morgan Stanley featuring Rabbi Daniel Feldman

"Understanding the Prohibition of Ribis"

Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman is 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.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Listen -

If I paid good money to start a synagogue for my friend's lawsuit against a major Jewish Newspaper and others and in the process angered my synagogue's neighbors to the point where they complain to the township, try to destroy a few synagogues to insure my synagogue's success and caused the black eye of anti-semitism towards the Jews of Teaneck, falsify documents to speed through approvals from the building dept., I would be damn sure that Mara D'Atra of my Congregation, Etz Chaim of Teaneck, would be on every announcement, flyer or advertisement that features him. The honorable Rabbi Daniel Feldman.

I don't understand how Rabbi Feldman is going to act as a moral compass for others when he is the Rabbi of a synagogue that is unethical in their dealings with money and the township.

I guess he must have explained it at Beth Aaron earlier in the month when he spoke on the topic of: Lashon Hora L'Toeles-Permissible Lashon Hora. The description of the shiur is that it is a continuation of a shiur dealing with when lashon hora can be justified, i.e. for shidduchim, or business matters.

Just what the guys and gals at Morgan Stanley need. Thank you YU!

Educational Solutions

Everyone in Teaneck is talking education. Educational reform, budget cuts and rising taxes are the latest watercooler/Kiddush talk. Here at macdmusings, the discussion is not about the scope and range of the problem, but practical creative solutions to help fix the educational system.

Teaneck's HS students need to increase the level of their working vocabulary. Macdmusings has compiled a list of vital SAT words geared to improve their scores on their SATs.

1. grifter - Master of the sleight of hand. Taking checks written out to and intended for one organization and depositing it into another. Etz Chaim's Elliot Frome is the epitome of a grifter. It helps to have a gambling pedigree and a gambler's genetics.

2. deserter - Running away like a little coward when the road gets tough. Gary Miller is a shining example of what someone knee deep in Etz Chaim's shadiness does when the doodoo is hitting the fan.

3. destabilization - After April 15, she will have been actively involved with 3 different synagogues in the span of 5 years. Elliot Frome's partner in signing false documents, Ms. Rochelle Mandelbaum is a destabilizing presence causing major problems for the synagogue and then leaving. Etz Chaim, Arzei Darom and now Beth Aaron, will your synagogue be next?

4. humble - Not blushing every time one of your followers lets anyone who will listen know that you should already be a Rosh Yeshiva at YU, is a true sign of humility.

5. marionette - Robert Erlich, as abrasive as he is, is merely a puppet of Etz Chaim's true leadership. He is a true member of Bnei Yekusiel.

6. visionary - The jackass who came up with genius idea to call the shtibshul a family room. Another example of a visionary is Allan Cohen, creator and originator of Torat Chesed, Toras Chesed and 554 Queen Anne Road, Inc. He must have learned strategy from the "Godfather" of Video Poker Lenny Frome's books.

7. protexia - Being bbfs with Rabbi Rothwachs, Rabbi Yuden's son in law, being a card carrying member of YU's semikha club and being the golden child of the RCBC.

8. congenial - From their dealings with Arzei Darom and the Jewish Center to Betty Gable's letters and today's frosty war with their neighbors, Etz Chaim and it's members are synonymous with congeniality towards others.

9. quiescent - The inaction of the local Rabbis towards Etz Chaim and their claims of discrimination.

10. discrimination - Etz Chaim's portrayal of Teaneck and all local non-Jews.

I hope you learned a lot from this lesson. Score high SAT Takers. Score high.

Power Out(r)age

I hope everyone in Bergen County is well, families are safe and everyone gets their power, clean water and cable back very soon. I want my MTV!

I am blessed that I have been given the opportunity to author this blog. There are elements in Teaneck that act and operate as if they are beyond reproach. Etz Chaim of Teaneck and Rabbi Daniel Feldman are two of those elements. Etz Chaim because they are a religious Jewish Institution being repressed and discrminated against by the evil Board of Adjustments. Rabbi Feldman because he is a public figure, a local and internationally known celebrity (one website even called him a Rosh Yeshiva at YU), a learned scholarly Rabbi with Yadin Yadin Yoreh Yoreh semikha from REITS and he writes books about ethics.

That is why this blog is so important. The pedigree should not matter. They are acting unethically and outside of the boundaries of decency and the law. This blog, macdmusings, is the only venue that is critiquing them for their actions. This is where their opponents and victims have a voice.

During the storm I checked the comments that needed moderation. There was a single comment and it was by the same negative commenter as usual. Instead of trying to guess who I am or lauding my efforts or inviting me to a Kiddush in my honor or calling me McDick or commenting on my genitalia, this time I was issued an ultimatum.

Dear Schluff: please take this as a warning, I know who you are and I am asking you nicely to stop your musings and tweeting and all of your other garbage for good.  I am not really concerned sbout EC but your defaming Rabbi Feldman is going on for too long.  Grow up amd move on.  stop brooding about what you had at the Center.  Shut it down in 48 hours or I will expose you and you will be fair game for legal action.  (The sentence that was here was removed to protect the innocent person that the commenter believes is Shluffenheimer MacDougal)  Again shut it down or I will tell them who you are, please stop already.    grow up and move on in life.  shalom

Rabbi Daniel Feldman has taken a public position in the Teaneck community. He is well known around the world and commands a nice salary to visit communities and speak. He is a public figure and public figures are held to a higher standard than you and me. He has not been defamed, he has been critiqued and criticized using pure fact or opinions based on the truth as reported by newspapers. Sometimes the critiques are based on Rabbi Feldman's own words, books or newspaper articles quoting him.  

Under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, as set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1964 Case, New York Times v Sullivan, where a public figure attempts to bring an action for defamation, the public figure must prove an additional element: That the statement was made with "actual malice". In translation, that means that the person making the statement knew that they were making the statement with reckless disregard as to its truth.

The concept of the "public figure" is broader than celebrities and politicians. A person can become an "involuntary public figure" as the result of publicity even though that person did not want or invite the public attention. For example, people accused of high profile crimes may be unable to pursue actions for defamation even after their innocence is established, on the basis that the notoriety associated with the case and the accusations against them turned them into involuntary public figures.

A person can also become a "limited public figure" by engaging in actions which generate publicity within a narrow area of interest. Jokes can be made at their expense based on their actions. Like I have made here about Mr. President Robert Erlich's newspaper quotes and transcript and reported actions from the BOA hearing.

For more about defamation click here.

So here is what is going to happen.
You will tell Etz Chaim, President Erlich, Rabbi Feldman or whomever, who you think I am.  They will serve the poor guy/gal and attempt to take him/her to court. Rabbi Feldman and/or Robert Erlich lose their case because they blamed an innocent person and they will point the finger at you as their informant and if they don't, I will. You will lose house and home when your victim sues you for everything you have and more. YOUR good name will be destroyed and I get the feeling your professional standing will be harmed, too.

All of this because you want to protect someone who doesn't care about you, leaves you scrambling for a minyan every Sunday because his Congregants don't show up to CareOne and his cronies who continue to badger your friends that don't toe the Etz Chaim party line or buy into the propoganda. Please stop fooling yourself. This is not your battle.

If you feel the need to be in touch with me, email me directly at macdmusings@hush.com

Please feel free to continue to comment and participate in the blog. I look forward to real arguments based on facts to prove me wrong.

Shluffenheimer MacDougal

Why You Rabbi?

Is Rabbi Daniel Feldman ashamed of his employment and connection to Congregation Etz Chaim of Teaneck? When searching for Rabbi Feldman on google, how many occurrences of his name are connected to Yeshiva University or Etz Chaim or both together?

I did three different google searches. When searching on google, quotation marks are used to join the words together to form a phrase. I did not search the word Teaneck to make the searches more specific. I also eliminated all blogs, such as mine, newspaper articles, images, video, news and discussions from my results.

I wanted to make sure the results reflected Rabbi Feldman's personal publicity and not the results of the phenomenon surrounding Etz Chaim and 554 Queen Anne Rd.

The first search was "Rabbi Daniel Feldman" "Etz Chaim".
I looked through all the pages. He was connected to Etz Chaim (of Teaneck) on Godaven.com, frumhomesinnj.com, yu.edu. 3 websites in all.

The second search was "Rabbi Daniel Feldman" "Yeshiva University".
I looked through all the pages. He was connected to Yeshiva University on yu.edu, yasharbooks.com,torahinmotion.org, amazon.com, yutorah.org, rabbis.org, msdcs.org, ramaz.tv, rcarabbis.org, ouradio.org, areyvut.org, www.standforfreedominiran.org, jewishjournal.com, chicagotorah.org, justtzedakah.org, frischdinner.com, jcor.org, ohelfamily.org, www.tzemachdovid.org, pipl.org and many pages within those websites. 20 websites in all.

The third search was "Rabbi Daniel Feldman" "Etz Chaim" "Yeshiva University".
I looked through all the pages. He was connected to Etz Chaim (of Teaneck)AND Yeshiva University on ouradio.org and yu.edu. 2 websites in all.

On Amazon.com, the review of Rabbi Feldman's book which came out in January 2009, doesn't mention Etz Chaim of Teaneck and neither does the book review in The Jewish Press.

On the flip side, with the exception of the 4 different websites mentioned above, every website that mentions Rabbi Feldman and Etz Chaim together is either a blog or a newspaper and there are a lot of them.

One can deduce from this that Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman is not publicizing his affiliation to Congregation Etz Chaim of Teaneck. Why is he distancing himself from associating with his Shul? Please speculate respectfully in the comments below.