Free Translation of the Letter from Horav Yurkowicz

 [Please note that the bolded text is Rabbi Yurkowicz's, not mine.]

As a consequence of "clarification" that was unfortunately publicized on Motzoe Shabbos Shemini, which was written in my name as if I approved it via correspondence, I would like to state that:

1. The version that was publicized was without my consent, and therefore it should be clear that the above document has no authority as a decision of the zabl"o, and no one has permission to go to another Beis Din.

...and the Zabl"o Writes!

Translation of the letter from the Zabl"o

1. According to was stipulated on the shtar borrerus, that even if one or two dayonim remove themselves, the zabl"o is still able to pasken, and clearly the zabl"o is still in its full authority.

2. Also, authority is with the zabl"o to make judgements, even after the psak din, regarding conflicts that arise regarding the implementation of the psak and regarding any complaints about the psak.

3. The zabl"o (while still in its original membership) offered Horav Avrohom Osdoba shlita the opportunity to submit his complaints and appeals, and guaranteed that they would be considered. This indeed happened (e.g. the complaints and appeals have indeed been previously submitted to the attention of the Bais Din Zabl'o).

The Zabl"o Writes!

Translation of the Psak

Since the above mentioned beis din of five has already deliberated and made a psak din regarding accepting the elected Rov and determined that he should take his position [of rabbonus], there is no place for any summons or ikul from any other Beis Din in this matter.

Psak!

Green

I am proud to report that thanks to the hard work of Shmuel Chanin, and others that have contributed their time and resources on behalf of the Vaad Hakohol, we have been able to emerge from a very difficult financial period and move on to the development and establishment of the Vaad as a financially independent corporation that is run in a professional and efficient manner. 

The Clock is Ticking

I've been asked numerous times for information about the rabbonim I am going to for counsel now that Rabbi Rosenberg is retired from the zablo. 

In the interest of the rabbonim involved, that has to stay confidential for now. It's no secret that those who are involved in this Din Torah are subject to a shocking amount of harassment and manipulation, myself included.

Daas Torah

I learned of Rabbi Rosenberg's retirement from the zablo the same day I finally was forwarded a hazmonah from Rabbi Krauss. The "perfect timing" has left me under a bit of duress.

With regards to the Rabbonim, I'm proud to stand by everything I've said and done until now. This is because everything I've done has been according to Daas Torah and totally free of my personal opinions and aspirations. Depending upon an impartial Rov for guidance, someone who undertakes the achrayus of paskening halachah, was an incredible source of strength and confidence, I must say.

Rabbi Rosenberg's Exit

By now the word has spread that Rabbi Rosenberg has resigned from the zablo.

I have not spoken to him since he submitted his resignation, but from my point of view, the burden that he was carrying was becoming to great.
 

Hazmonah!

Let's Be Clear...

To clarify my previous remarks on the ikul issued by the beis din of Rabbi Krauss:

We have not been told by the zablo to ignore the ikul.

What's with the Ikul?!

A few days after the ikul was issued, I was in communication with Rabbi Rosenberg, and we discussed a conversation he had with Rabbi Krauss (who issued the ikul).

In a conversation between Rabbi Rosenberg and Rabbi Krauss, Rabbi Rosenberg informed Rabbi Krauss that even before the ikul was issued:

1. The hachtarah had already taken place
2. Rabbi Braun's contract had already been signed by the majority of the vaad members, and was apparently in full effect
3. That the shtar birurin of the zablo din torah had been signed on by all of the elected bodies of the kohol (the Vaad Hakohol, the Rabbonim, Gabboim, etc.)
4. The elections had taken place in a very public manner, under the guidance of the zablo, and that a large majority of the kohol had participated

These crucial details may have not been disclosed to Rabbi Krauss by the plaintiffs at the time the ikul was issued.

WHO is "CROWN HEIGHTS?"

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

The language of the ikul issued by the Beis Din of Rabbi Chaim Kraus, shlita, implies that members of our community, unrelated to the Zabla, have requested the ikul on behalf of the entire Crown Heights community.

However, the names of these individuals were not stated in the ikul document, nor were they disclosed (to my knowledge) to any member of the Vaad Hakohol.

Follow Me!

Dear Friends,

Thanks for bearing with me during this brief hiatus.
I have a small request to make of you all.

I am very determined to make Crown Heights into a place that gives the Rebbe the nachas ruach he deserves from us all. A small (but important) part of making that happen is through my connection and accessibility to the entire community.

Please take a moment to become a follower of this site. I am commited to maintaining open lines of communication with you as I possibly can. When you "follow" this site, you'll receive and email notification whenever I post to this site.

As I mentioned, I am always accessable to meet with you at the offices of the Vaad Hakohol. You can arrange an appointment by emailing tamir@chjcc.org.

Best wishes,

Zaki

Temporary Suspension of the Tamir Report

Dear brothers and sisters, friends, and fellow residents of Crown Heights,

It is with much regret that I inform you of my intention to suspend use of my web site. I was under the mistaken belief that my direct communication with you through my site would add a sense of confidence and clarity regarding community related matters. The site was intended to increase unity in our community and allow for bare, accurate information to be delivered directly to the public as the decisions were being made. In fact, what has developed instead is a growing sense of mistrust and resentment between my colleagues and myself.

Almost every party mentioned on my site in past few weeks has complained about my methods of reporting and it has caused great strain on my relationships in the Vaad Hakohol. It has always been my position that reporting directly to the public is the preferred method of operation and my position has not changed in that regard.

Rabbi Braun's Schedule

Rabbi Braun will remain in Crown Heights for approximately one week before returning to Australia. During the week, he will keep office hours, which will be announced after tonight's meeting with the Vaad Hakohol.

He has wisely chosen not to interview with any of our neighborhood blog sites. It doesn't appear that these requests will be honored any time in the near future.

From the Comments...

Q: If we are going all the way towards transparency, will the vaad hakashrus publish financial statements for the community, as proper stewardship would require?
A: The Vaad Hakashrus will be transparent and accounting will be presented to netzigim once per month pursuant to the by-laws.

Q: You and our Rov should work this out privately [meaning the smichah documents].
A: These matters are not private. There is nothing private about public service.

Strings Attached?

From the comments:

"is it not true by your meeting with chanin who tied a string to the check stating he must be a third signer on the vaad's bank account? did we also elect him, i know i never saw his name on the ballot, and i voted for you...."

Shmuel Chanin will in fact be a signatory on the account, together with the members of the Vaad. The account requires 3 signatures on any payment issued. Therefore, any check that is cut would require the majority of Vaad members to sign anyway.

Are there strings attached to the money? Not quite. Here are the facts:

The Price Tag

The combined salaries of the three rabbonim come to $200k.

Motzoe Shabbos Vaera, I attended a meeting with members of the Rabbonim Committee. At this impromptu meeting (attended by some 20 people), I was offered $50,000 by to bring Rabbi Braun and install him as Rov. This was clearly insufficient.

After much negotiation it was agreed that the Rabbonim Committee and the Vaad Hakohol would split the costs of the Beis Din. The Rabbonim Committee obligated themselves to give $100,000 (half of that to be given upfront) with the Vaad responsible for raising the remainder.