The MacDougal Challenge

There were the 

Rock N' Roller cola wars 

of the 1980's

Coke Vs. Pepsi 

a classic battle fought 

in the 7-11s around the country 

on a daily basis.

There was the Thrilla in Manilla

Smoking Joe Frazier VS. Muhammad Ali

There was England VS. the Scots

Our fight for freedom

Budweiser VS. Bud Light

The fight for your buzz

But those battles are nothing 

compared to the upcoming battle 

on August 17, 2012!

554 Queen Anne Rd. DBA

Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya 

VS. 

Teaneck Board of Adjustment

In the spirit of Shabbat Nachamu,

a nice comforting Weekend

usually filled with a nice big 

Etz Chaim L'Chaim

at 554 Queen Anne Rd,

I am challenging

Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya

with

The MacDougal Challenge.

The challenge is as follows: 

I will NOT post anything new on the blog

about Etz Chaim/Ohr Saadya

from

Friday August 3, 2012

until 

Thursday August 16, 2012

at 11:59pm.

DURING THIS TIME

554 Queen Anne Rd DBA: 

Torat Chesed/ Toras Chesed/ 

Etz Chaim/ Ohr Saadya

must drop their lawsuit against the BOA 

and the entire township of Teaneck

(Not ask for a continuance, settle, postpone or delay - They must DROP the lawsuit)

and apply for everything they want

through normal accepted channels.

IF Ohr Saadya completes the challenge successfully

and drops the lawsuit,

I will take the blog offline

and it will stay offline

until they try to merge 

576 Queen Anne Rd

with 544 Queen Anne Rd.

Then I come back online.

President Robert Erlich 

and 

Founder & Spiritual Leader

Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman:

The clock is ticking!

New Beginnings

A special Tisha B'Av Drusha from my brother

Rabbi Zitzinheimer MacDougal on the laws of Tisha B' Av

Rabbeisai (Holy Rabbis) Tesha Bav is a special time where all the yiddishe kinder (Jewish people) take the time to actually sit during a weekday. No running, jumping, hopping, skipping, rolling or dancing for Hashem's holy children. In a technically advanced age this is a big deal for anyone not just all the yiddishe kinder. Tomorrow night is a very holy night for sitting and listening to Eicha the holy book that is read on Tesha Bav.

Not only must we sit but we must sit on the floor or on small stools or technologically advanced mini beach chairs. The beach is assur (not permissible) to go to and stare at the scantily clad women without schvim kleids, the chairs are ok to use in Shul, unless of course there is a scantily clad woman on the chair. That is Assur of the highest degree, but the nekeivas (women) are nice to look at and really helps the concentration. 

One may not wear leather shoes because its super comfortable and a sign of being rich when we are supposed to be like a poor person mourning and feeling sad. Rabbosai you may wear the Tretorn Skymra SL Lace-Up Canvas Sneaker because it is made of canvas not leather. You can perform a huge hiddur mitzveh (enhancement) for Tesha Bav and buy it on amazon for $750.

Drinking and eating is not permitted on the holy tzoim (fast) yum tuv (holiday) of Tesha Bav unless you are suffering from pavlovian urges and really get hungry for a delectable hot kiddush and mashke when you drive by or get to shul. I posskin that you follow the Hydra Rav and use vitamin suppositories to nourish to body like a hydra.

You may not wash your hantelach (hands) past your knuckles, but roiv (most) people don't seem to wash them  so this halucheh (law) is one you don't have to remember anyway.

For the best Tesha Bav experience, I recommend a Shul with a women's section, with lots of mashke (booze) and loose moral standards with fraud and gambling, a Ninve (Non Jewish city that Jonah got to repent after the whale vomited him up) if you will like the one at the residence of the brilliant Bekiyus (proficiency) of the Rav of YU at 554 Queen Anne Rd.

But I digress. I would like to share something I read on Tesha Bav that is fitting for our times and Shluffenheimer's message to the sefardim (spanish/porteguese/middle eastern Jews) at Ohr Saadya. It is from the ou.org and it has shaychis (appropriateness) to the matzav (situation) in Teaneck with Ohr Saadya today.

The prophet Jeremiah spent years warning his people that they repent and stop insisting that the Temple would protect them. To his chagrin, the Jews honored the Temple more in spectacle than in spirit.

But, the Jews ignored him, even imprisoned him, and to his unbearable agony, he was proven right. The Temple was destroyed, the people ravaged, the nation dispersed and he was the witness.

The book of Eichah is timeless. Although it was composed in the wake of the end of the first Temple era, the Sages of the Midrash find it full of allusions to the destruction of the second Temple, over 500 years later. This is not at all an anachronism, because Jewish history is a continuum. Just as we live by the torah that was given over 33 centuries ago, so we are molded by the experiences of our forbears and the historical epochs they created.

Jeremiah weeps and we weep with him, because – if we are thoughtful and perceptive – we can see all of Jewish history in the dirges of Eichah. This is the challenge of Tisha B’av. Can we realize that this is not merely a day of tears, but of challenge and hope?

The book of Eichah calls Tisha B’av "a day of Jewish rendezvous with G-d" and we don’t recite Tachanun because it has elements of a festival.

Rendezvous with G-d? Festival? On a day of destruction and suffering? Yes, because Tisha B’av proves that G-d is not indifferent to Jewish conduct. We matter to him. And since we do, we know that He awaits our repentance and that there will be a third Temple, an eternal one.

The Sages say that the Messiah will be born on Tisha B’av. Let us read Eichah with the prayerful hope that he has already been born and that this day next year will be a day of joy.

\

OY! Alla Da Yiddisher Kinder should know that Shluffenheimer is like the prophet Jeremiah in that he weeps and cries and lives through the scorn and deridation of the Jewish people of Etz Chaim and Ohr Saadya as they ignore his lessons and pleas for repentance for their actions that affect all the yiddishe kinder. 


Hashem watches and judges the actions of am Yisroel (the Jewish people) and the actions of these Ohr Saadya and Robert Erlich and Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman and Zalman Levine and Akiva Shapiro and Rachelle Mandelbaum are causing negativity towards Jews and a huge chillul (embarrassment towards) Hashem and towards the yiddishe kinder of Teaneck. 


Rabbi Feldman's disciples who comment on this holy blog with their foul language embody all the negative traits of the Ninve at 554 Queen Anne Rd. 

Rabbosai there is hope in these troubled times.


I use the heilige (holy) term Ninve because just like the inhabitants of Ninve repented for their evil ways there is hope for the future of all the yiddishe kinder and the sefardim at Ohr Saadya that they will repent and return to the fold of the tzibbur (the community) of Teaneck.

As we say in Eicha:
Hashivenu Hashem Eilecha VenaShuva - Chadesh Yameinu KeKedem

Bring us back to you Hashem, and we shall return, renew our days as of old

Drop the lawsuit heilige neshama (holy soul) Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman, Robert Erlich and Akiva Shapiro and approach the Board of Adjustment with love and respect and don't forget 
אנחנו חייבים לבצע את חוקי המדינה בה אנו נמצאים.


While we are in golus (exile) we must follow the laws of the country we are in and Ohr Saadya should file for everything they want for their family room in the BOA of Teaneck, the way that Hashem wants them to.




Have a good shabbos and a meaningful fast,


Rabbi Zitzinheimer MacDougal

The Trial

After the BOA decision,
the neighbors were happy,
Robert Erlich told the papers he was happy,
Rabbi Daniel Feldman told the papers he was relieved
and Etz Chaim's lawyer said
he was happy with the balance the BOA made
between religious freedom and respecting the neighbors.


All was quiet and dandy.


Enter Akiva ”I need to enhance my resume” Shapiro.


He pushed for a trial instead of applying to the township for a sign and going to BOA to appeal specific issues.


There are systems in place in all-inclusive Teaneck
to accommodate synagogues and mosques and churches.
All you need to do is follow them.
Instead, overtaxed Teaneck residents will be footing the bill,
so Akiva Shapiro can get trial experience.


If Akiva Shapiro,
member of Ohr Saadya and dinner honoree,
didn't need this trial on his 2 1/2 year old resume,
would Ohr Saadya still be going to trial?

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

It Must Be Real It's in Newspapers.

This posting will be updated as more articles are printed.

I will be excerpting part of each article to highlight important parts

and inconsistencies between the writers. You can click on the links for complete articles.

1. BOA approves Etz Chaim variances; restrictions apply - Teaneck Suburbanite

Thursday, August 19, 2010

BY HOWARD PROSNITZ

TEANECK - After months of contentious hearings, the Board of Adjustment on Aug. 11 approved variances sought by Etz Chaim, an Orthodox Jewish organization, giving it the status of a house of worship and permitting it to hold religious services on its premises at 554 Queen Anne Road. However, the BOA imposed several restrictions on the organization’s use of the one family residentially-zoned home.

A super majority of five votes was required to approve the application, which included variances for parking and the use of a kitchen. With three members recusing themselves, including BOA chair Anne Senter, and two absent, only five voting members were left on the dais. A single negative vote would have blocked the application.

On at least one occasion during the hearings, Edward Trawinski, attorney for Etz Chaim, threatened to sue the township for discrimination.

Some of the restrictions imposed by the BOA limits religious services to the Sabbath and Jewish holidays and prohibits weekday morning and evening services; restricts life events (weddings, bar mitzvahs, funerals) to members of the congregation, prohibits cooking or catering, limits classes and workshops to one a month and prohibits signs without further application to the board. The BOA also required that Etz Chaim designate one of its members as liaison to the community and that the congregation’s leaders remind members at least twice a year to respect neighbors’ privacy.

But Ritvo said that the board could not restrict the congregation from applying for expansion in the future.

"The board cannot deny them the right to come back," he said.

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.

Neighbors of 554 Queen Anne Road, a house that Etz Chaim acquired from Mario Guralink, a member of the congregation, have contended that the group has dealt duplicitously with them and with the township, conducting full scale, regularly scheduled religious services since 2007 while claiming that the house was the residence of Rabbi Daniel Feldman who, according to the neighbors, conducted private prayer meetings in his family room.

Guralink retains ownership of an adjacent house at 576 Queen Anne Road and neighbors are concerned that the two houses will eventually be combined, or both demolished, to construct a large synagogue at the site.

In 2007, a family room was added to the house and other substantial renovations were made. The family room, which contains an Ark and Torah scrolls, is used for services. In August 2008, Township building official Steven Gluck ordered the organization to cease from conducting public worship in the house. Following Gluck’s order, Etz Chaim filed the application for a BOA hearing. The congregation had been permitted to continue to hold services pending the outcome of the hearings.

As far back as 2007 a petition signed by 78 neighbors alleging that the house was being used illegally for religious services was presented to township officials.

Months prior to Etz Chaim’s application to the BOA, the organization had produced a brochure requiring members and new members to contribute $5,000 toward a building fund.

BOA member Harvey Rosen, who voted "reluctantly" in favor of the application, chastised the congregation’s leaders from the dais.

"From the first meeting it has been evident that the applicant has exhibited reprehensible behavior. As a member of their religion I am ashamed at some of their behavior," he said at the hearing.

He noted that in his seven years on the BOA he has dealt other contentious and emotional cases involving houses of worship. But in every other case, he said, the community and the applicant have resolved their differences.

"From day one when they began operating as a quasi-not for profit their behavior has been surreptitious and anything but forthcoming," he said.

He urged the township officials to be vigilant in enforcement of the restrictions: "Perhaps more vigilant than in other cases because of the behavior that the applicant has exhibited."

In an interview, Griggs Avenue resident Janet Abbott, one of the protesting neighbors, said that the BOA’s decision was fair.

"The fact that they had a number of stipulations reflected some of the concerns we raised. We are pleased that we were heard and we are glad for the congregation that they can have their services and that everything is above board," Abbott said.

E-mail: suburbanite@northjersey.com

Surefire Way To Get Approved on Wednesday

This was forwarded to me and I feel it is good solid vital advice for Etz Chaim, Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman, its moral compass, Robert Erlich, its fearless figurehead president and its planning committee puppets to use on Wednesday at the BOA meeting.

It is a surefire way to get the approvals you need for 554 Queen Anne Rd from the township:

Building permit

I just applied for a building permit for a new house.

It was going to be 100 ft tall and 400 ft wide with 9 turrets
at various heights and windows all over the place and a
loud outside entertainment sound system.
It would have parking for 200 old cars and I was going
to paint it snot green with tatty pink trim.

The City Council told me to get lost.

So I sent in the application again,

but this time I called it a

Mosque.

Work starts on Monday

Big Bash on Queenanne

Summer. The smell of grilling meats permeates the neighborhood. Kids playing and bicycle riding. Its a nice time for neighbors to get together, sit out on lounge chairs and swap stories.

Synagogues hunt for fundraisers that take advantage of the summery feel of August. President Robert Erlich and the planning committee, have I got a fundraiser for you:

The 1st annual 554 Queen Anne Rd, Inc DBA Congregation Etz Chaim of Teaneck aka. Rabbi Daniel Zvi Feldman's shul aka The Shtibshul Barbeque.

I'm already salivating thinking about it. Your Kiddushes are legen-wait for it-dary, can you imagine what a BBQ would be like?

The venue is important. Once all of your neighbors agree to allowing your BBQ to take place at 554 Queen Anne Rd, you are golden! CareOne is not appropriate due to the hearts and lungs of their clientèle. Every other minute one of the residents will pull the fire alarm because they think they are on fire. Check out my posting on Biur Chametz for more information. Parking will be at a premium. I suggest parking at the safe parking structures in Hackensack and chartering a bus to the Stibshul. Everybody wins!

The menu is also a vital part of the barbecuing experience. After all, what is a BBQ without the food. You should serve:

• In-Ground Steaks (from realtors due to Etz Chaim)
• Pickle Snotsberry SteakBurger (fresh from the Yekusiel's robotic kid's noses)
• Frank Furor (from the neighbors)
• Chickens all types (especially two-faced ones like that Levine chap who got kicked off the JCT board)
• Flies (from the stench the Stibshul has brought to the Teaneck Jewish community)
• Bunion Rings (from walking to shul because NO ONE parks at Etz Chaim on Friday nights)
• Slaw (costs from all of the lawsuits)
• Pot Salad (to defray the costs from the BBQ because everyone has used all their money to pay for the Shtibshul's mortgage)

The menu sounds absolutely delicious. Yummy. Sign me up!

Don't forget to post it on teaneckshuls. LOL, Who am I kidding?!?!?!?

Thank You Teaneck Thank You

I want to thank everyone for a wonderful Tisha B’Av. I enjoyed synagogue hopping and experiencing the mourning of the destruction of both Temples. The community in Teaneck really came together to show their achdut (togetherness) as a Jewish people. There are some elements in Teaneck that made it even more special and really put me in the right mood.

They say that you don’t really learn something until you experience it for yourself. Let me tell you friends, Teaneck is the destination to truly feel the meaning of Tisha B’Av. The fast day was extra meaningful in Teaneck.

Gilluy Arayot (prohibited sexual relations), a reason for the destruction of the 1st Temple, is very prominent here. Couples are getting divorced because of affairs and wife swapping is rampant. I must admit, Teaneck is not as bad as Monsey because they do not have a Key Club. What is a Key Club? Check the comments if someone asks.

Where else can one experience the true meaning of Sinat Chinam (hatred of others), a reason for the destruction of the 2nd Temple, on a daily basis. Just see how the members of Rabbi Daniel Feldman’s synagogue at 554 Queen Anne Road, Inc. DBA: Congregation Etz Chaim of Teaneck treat their neighbors, fellow Jews that are local to their location and the Jews of Teaneck at large. They inspire me to pray harder, to tear my clothing in 2 places and to eat extra eggs smothered in delicious ashes.

Teaneck is the place to be for the three weeks, nine days and especially Tisha B’Av. One day, when the Messiah comes, it will be a holiday and we will travel on the wings of eagles to the holy land of Israel. We will all rejoice together in Jerusalem at THE synagogue, the rebuilt 3rd Temple. A Temple not funded by illegitimately obtained monies and based on illegally filed building plans.

Amen!

This posting was brought to you by the letter A, the number 55 and
etzchaimteaneck.blogspot.com and
etzchaimteaneck.org

The Guralnik Connection

Robert Erlich and Rabbi Daniel Feldman claim that there is no connection between Mario (Mordechai) Guralnik and Etz Chaim. Mr. Guralnik is not involved with running or operating Etz Chaim. Something happened to convince the neighbors otherwise:

This is from The Bergen Record December 16, 2009
Part of the hostility stems from long-standing tension between the neighbors and another resident, Mario Guralnik, who owns the house next door and once sent letters to the neighbors about combining the two properties to form a "synagogue center," before Feldman moved in.

That's pretty wild. What did Robert Erlich, the President of Etz Chaim have to say about these letters?

This is from The Bergen Record on December 18, 2009.
Robert Erlich, the president of Etz Chaim, was the sole witness to testify, first under examination from his attorney and then from several residents who were clearly dubious about the group's plans.

Several neighbors brought up two letters sent in 2006 on behalf of Mario Guralnik, who owns the adjacent home and is a member of Etz Chaim. The letters claimed the two properties would be combined to form a synagogue center.

Erlich said repeatedly that the letters were written before his group even existed.

"I can't emphasize this enough," Erlich said. "That letter preceded any thought of my organization purchasing the property. That letter has nothing to do with the proceeding tonight or with what goes on at 554 Queen Anne Road."

Guralnik has said the letters were intended as a courtesy and that the plans fell through.

In fact at the Board of Adjustments hearing on December 16, 2009 Erlich went as far as saying that he doesn't know the person who wrote the letters. This is from the transcript from that hearing:

MS. CAMPEAS: I'm sorry. I want to know why the neighbors on my block as far back as three years ago received threatening letters from somebody that's still untraceable, but came from 576 Queen Anne Road talking about a mikvah being built there, an original bath which is quite a large building, and also --
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Wait, wait, wait. That's one question, right?
MS. CAMPEAS: Well, there are three parts to it.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Well, just one question at a time.
MS. CAMPEAS: Okay.
THE WITNESS: 576 is not a part of this variance hearing.
MS. CAMPEAS: Why was there a hole opened between the fence where the children from your family room are playing in the backyard of 576?
MR. RITVO: Let me help you, ma'am, if I could. Do you know anything about the letters that she's describing?
THE WITNESS: Since they've come up on blogs, et cetera.
MR. RITVO: Did you know about these letters three years ago?
THE WITNESS: No.
MR. RITVO: To your knowledge did anyone in your congregation, that's associated with your group or congregation write those letters?
THE WITNESS: No one in an official capacity.

MACDMUSINGS BREAK IN THE ACTION:
PRESIDENT ROBERT ERLICH JUST SAID THAT THE PERSON WHO WROTE THE LETTERS DOES NOT REPRESENT HIS CONGREGATION IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY.


MR. RITVO: Well, does official --
VOICE: Official.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Do you know if anyone that wrote these letters?
THE WITNESS: I do not know the person who wrote the letter.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Do you know.
MEMBER LEVINE: What is 576?
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Okay, let's -- sir, Mr. Erlich, just so we can get to this. Do you know about these letters? Have you heard about them?
THE WITNESS: I've seen letters writ by a woman named Betty Gable. I've not -- I do not know who she is.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: You don't know who she is?
THE WITNESS: No.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Is she a member of your congregation?
THE WITNESS: No.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Has she ever tried to join the congregation.
THE WITNESS: No.

MACDMUSINGS BREAK IN THE ACTION:
PRESIDENT ROBERT ERLICH JUST SAID THAT THE PERSON WHO WROTE THE LETTERS IS NOT A MEMBER OF HIS CONGREGATION NOR DOES HE KNOW WHO THE PERSON IS.


ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Okay. Does 576 belong or associated with your property?
THE WITNESS: Absolutely not.
MS. CAMPEAS: The letter, okay --
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Is there a hole in a fence where your congregation can go onto the property of 576?
THE WITNESS: No, there is not.
VOICE: As of last week.
MS. CAMPEAS: How do I put into a
question I beg to differ?
But anyway what I'd like to say is that the letter actually came from 554/576. These were letters that were sent to us, and it was called the New Nosic (phonetic) congregation and it was considered -- they wanted to be called the Treasure of Teaneck?
MR. RITVO: Let me stop you, ma'am.
MS. CAMPEAS: So I want to know about this.
MR. RITVO: Let me explain the process, please for your own benefit.
MS. CAMPEAS: Yes.
MR. RITVO: This is a time Mr. Chairman has set for you to ask questions.
MS. CAMPEAS: Yes.
MR. RITVO: You can raise whatever issues you wish in questions about this and then when it's your turn to present proofs or testimony.
MS. CAMPEAS: Uh-huh.
MR. RITVO: You can rebut it, and present whatever proofs you have about where the letter came from and why you think it's relevant for the Board to consider.
MS. CAMPEAS: I can say so --
MR. RITVO: But now is the time question.
MS. CAMPEAS: Okay. So I want to know --
MR. RITVO: If you think of a question --
MS. CAMPEAS: Okay. I will continue with a question, sir.
I want to know why these letters were sent from both residences to us if there is no connection between the two?
THE WITNESS: I can't answer for something that was done before we owned the residence.
MS. CAMPEAS: That's okay. Thank you.


Mr. Robert Erlich was caught in what is known as a LIE. He has been President of Etz Chaim since its existence. He is privy to ALL the information of their planning and operations meetings. He is the boss and he is the President. Mr. Guralnik admitted in news articles that he wrote the letters. Isn't he a member of Etz Chaim? You know who he is, you know he's a member and you know that he prays there.
Maybe this next article will refresh Robert's memory:

From The Bergen Record December 18, 2008
The origins of the dispute stem from years of quarreling between Mordechai “Mario” Guralnik, who owns the adjacent property at 576 Queen Anne Road and prays with Etz Chaim, and some of his neighbors.

After neighbor complaints, Guralnik was cited for various zoning violations in 2006 and 2007, including running a business from his home. Guralnik pleaded guilty to all the charges and paid fines, according to court records.

Soon after the first citation, neighbors received two letters six months apart in 2006 announcing plans to build a “synagogue center” on both properties at 554 and 576 Queen Anne Road.

Several neighbors took the letters as veiled threats. Though Guralnik and Feldman say they have no concrete plans at present to build a synagogue, the neighbors see the prayer group as the first step in that direction — without having submitted to the zoning process.

“It was clearly done to intimidate people,” Abbott said of the letters. “That sort of set a frame. And then when these other things started happening, and there was no process, it just became a very threatening experience.”

Guralnik said that the letters were meant to be informative and that the plans simply fell through.

Feldman said he was aware of the problems between Guralnik and some neighbors but said they had nothing to do with Etz Chaim, which is not run or operated by Guralnik

But that is not the case. He is very much involved and runs and operates a part of Etz Chaim. Robert Erlich testified that the writer of the letters does not represent or have anything to do with Etz Chaim. Rabbi Daniel Feldman intimated that Etz Chaim is not run or operated by Mario Guralnik. Well Rabbi Feldman, how do you explain etzchaimteaneck.org and other Etz Chaim of Teaneck online endeavors?

I cut the through the fake information posted on whois.com (as discussed on http://macdmusings.blogspot.com/2010/04/whois-etzchaimteaneckorg.html) and got to the real information about Rabbi Feldman's website.

I searched on http://cqcounter.com/whois/ and got the REAL information of who is the registrar and administrator behind etzchaimteaneck.org. It is a SHOCKER!

ETZCHAIMTEANECK.ORG - Domain Information
Domain ETZCHAIMTEANECK.ORG [ Site Info Traceroute RBL/DNSBL lookup ]
Registrar Register.com Inc. (R71-LROR)
Whois server whois.publicinterestregistry.net
Created 26-May-2008
Updated 12-Apr-2010
Expires 26-May-2010
Time Left 41 days 23 hours 24 minutes
Status CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
DNS servers DNS010.D.REGISTER.COM 216.21.236.10
DNS039.C.REGISTER.COM DNS039.C.REGISTER.COM
DNS152.A.REGISTER.COM DNS152.A.REGISTER.COM
DNS186.B.REGISTER.COM DNS186.B.REGISTER.COM

ETZCHAIMTEANECK.ORG - Geo Information
IP Address 96.9.36.174
Host etzchaimteaneck.org
Location US, United States
City New York, NY 10018
Organization Register.com
ISP Register.com
AS Number AS16805
Latitude 40°75'53" North
Longitude 73°99'24" West
Distance 7580.58 km (4710.35 miles)
Map Location World Map Google Maps Yahoo Maps Microsoft Live Maps

ETZCHAIMTEANECK.ORG - Whois Information
NOTICE: Access to .ORG WHOIS information is provided to assist persons in
determining the contents of a domain name registration record in the Public Interest Registry
registry database. The data in this record is provided by Public Interest Registry
for informational purposes. This service is intended only for query-based access. You agree
that you will use this data only for lawful purposes and that, under no
circumstances will you use this data to: (a) allow, enable, or otherwise
support the transmission by e-mail, telephone, or facsimile of mass
unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations to entities other than
the data recipient's own existing customers; or (b) enable high volume,
automated, electronic processes that send queries or data to the systems of
Registry Operator or any ICANN-Accredited Registrar, except as reasonably
necessary to register domain names or modify existing registrations. All
rights reserved. Public Interest Registry reserves the right to modify these terms at any
time. By submitting this query, you agree to abide by this policy.

Domain ID:D152819415-LROR
Domain Name:ETZCHAIMTEANECK.ORG
Created On:26-May-2008 14:51:25 UTC
Last Updated On:12-Apr-2010 19:37:03 UTC
Expiration Date:26-May-2010 14:51:25 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:Register.com Inc. (R71-LROR)
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:35006118636c1072
Registrant Name:admin3 etzchaimteaneck
Registrant Street1:554 Queen Anne Road
Registrant Street2:
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:Teaneck
Registrant State/Province:NJ
Registrant Postal Code:07666
Registrant Country:US
Registrant Phone:+1.2019280700
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email:admin3@etzchaimteaneck.org
Admin ID:2435674863943369
Admin Name:admin3 etzchaimteaneck
Admin Street1:554 Queen Anne Road
Admin Street2:
Admin Street3:
Admin City:Teaneck
Admin State/Province:NJ
Admin Postal Code:07666
Admin Country:US
Admin Phone:+1.2019280700
Admin Phone Ext.:
Admin FAX:
Admin FAX Ext.:
Admin Email:admin3@etzchaimteaneck.org
Tech ID:0261453863c67747
Tech Name:Domain Registrar
Tech Organization:Registercom
Tech Street1:575 8th Avenue
Tech Street2:
Tech Street3:
Tech City:New York
Tech State/Province:NY
Tech Postal Code:10018
Tech Country:US
Tech Phone:+1.9027492701
Tech Phone Ext.:
Tech FAX:+1.9027492701
Tech FAX Ext.:
Tech Email:domainregistrar@register.com
Name Server:DNS152.A.REGISTER.COM
Name Server:DNS186.B.REGISTER.COM
Name Server:DNS039.C.REGISTER.COM
Name Server:DNS010.D.REGISTER.COM
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
DNSSEC:Unsigned

So etzchaimteaneck.org was registered and is administraed by someone with the address 554 Queen Anne Rd, Teaneck, NJ and the phone number (201)928-0700. I assumed that it was Rabbi Feldman's phone number because he lives there.

You know what they say about ASS - U - ME ing

I did a reverse phone number search of (201)928-0700 on whitepages.com and guess who came up?

Mario Guralnik
576 Queen Anne Rd
Teaneck, NJ 07666-3328
(201) 928-0700
Job: Community Clinical Research Center, Member

On May 26, 2008 Mario Guralnik created Etz Chaim's website. On December 18, 2008 Rabbi Daniel Feldman intimated that Etz Chaim is not run or operated by Mario Guralnik and Robert Erlich testified on December 16, 2009, that the writer of the letters does not represent or have anything to do with Etz Chaim. He also said that 576 Queen Anne Rd has no connection to 554 Queen Anne Rd. No hole in the gate between the two properties and no parking guarantees from 576 Queen Anne or furniture built there and transported through the fence. Most of all, the owner/operator of their website used that property's phone number to register etzchaimteaneck.org. I guess there is no earthly connection, only an internet connection.

Rabbi Feldman, you must have lied for the sake of shalom, right?

How I Met Your Method

I'm Barnbert Stinslich. Yes, THE Barnbert from Teaneck. This is an awesome time to live in Teaneck, because I live there and my awesomeness. Sometimes I amaze myself with awesomousity. I only buy the best, eat the best and hang out with the best.

When I pray, I pray with the best, too.
Arzei Darom you say?
You offensive simpleton I said the best.
I pray with Rabbi Feldman at Etz Chaim of Teaneck.
The synagogue is
legen-
wait for it



-dary!

One of the things that makes Etz Chaim
legen-
wait for it
-dary
is our awesome Playbook.


















Ah, the Playbook.
The root of all of Etz Chaim's awesomeness. It helps us navigate the perils of Bloggerville. There are a lot of hatahs out there and we needed a guide to help us respond to them and respond to them we will. So lets lawsuit up and review some of the rules:

1. If someone has to audacity to bring up the Betty G(r)able letters, you must fantasize about her and her deliciously hot body (definitely not a him. It couldn't possibly be Mario Guralnik) and then respond:
You are quoting a letter from the mysterious "Betty Grable." While such a letter might arouse my suspicions, too, were I an opponent, I would not be inclined to rely too heavily on a communication by an apparently fictitious person. If there were something official from Etz Chaim to that effect, it would be different. But Etz Chaim stated in the first meeting that no such plans exist and no such intention exists.






















2. If they ask you about the truth of what Etz Chaim is doing float them a gentle:

You obviously don't know anyone within EC, and I can't imagine you have actually tried to talk with any of them one on one.















3. If you are asked, Why Rabbi Daniel Feldman doesn't talk in public about the involvement of Mr. Betty Gable in the operations of his shul and the maintenance of the property or any issues about Etz Chaim and 554 Queen Anne Rd. you can whisper these sweet nothings through the magic of the internet:
He will consider standing up once those who slander him identify themselves and their comments.
or
Why don't you? I'm sure you haven't. Easier to type accusations on a keyboard, I suppose.





















4. If someone says something you generally dislike, you take a deep breath, flex your manly fingers and type with conviction:
Enough with the insults. You are not doing anything to promote peace in what is already a too-contentious situation.
Then you should insult them right back and attack Arzei Darom and other shuls in the area because of our special brand of shul envy. Especially for Beth Aaron and their grandfathered ability to have zero off the street parking.















5. And lastly, if someone accuses Etz Chaim of impropriety, no matter how valid, you must respond very forcefully:

Your allegation is without basis. I'm not going to claim there aren't reasons to oppose Etz Chaim in this endeavor, but your slanderous accusation is not one of them.
And then tear them a new asshole with your righteous anger. Yes anger, one of our best qualities.












If this doesn't work we are going to lawsuit up and go out to the Rutherford Institute.

We are very lucky to have the Planbook. Without it, Teaneck would never understand what we are really about or fully appreciate our awesomeness the way it was meant to appreciated.

Hope to chat again soon,

Barnbert Stinslich

Where's The Beef?

I was asked the following on another blog:


macdmusings whoever you are you seem to angry at Etz Chaim but not about the neighborhood stuff. What's your beef?







My response was:


My "beef" is that Etz Chaim, instead of showing remorse for their actions and trying to build bridges, are dragging orthodoxy through the dirt in Teaneck.

Be genuinely humble, reach out to the neighbors in a real open way, drop Robert Erlich as president and lose the connection to Mr. Guralnik on all levels (the alleged non-denier of writing the Betty Gable letters). If Etz Chaim does that, for real, I can realistically see things calm down. They need to change Teaneck's perception of them

And the response to this posting will be, "You obviously don't know anyone within EC, and I can't imagine you have actually tried to talk to any of them one on one."
That's why I blame the leadership. They control the strategies, plans and tone of the of Etz Chaim's actions, not the average minyan goer.

Where is Rabbi Feldman and what is his role in leading Etz Chaim? I am sure if he was truly in charge this wouldn't be happening.

What do you, the reader, think or feel about my answer? Do you agree?

Be blunt!