“ Neturi Karta should take him in. I feel bad fior the kid to be born to such ppl. What kind of Jew is anti-israel? ”

“ That shul owes everything to him! It was a nothing place with barely a minyan. He made it grow into a mosdos. To fire him over a political ideology, is stupid. ”

“ Neturi Karta should take him in. I feel bad fior the kid to be born to such ppl. What kind of Jew is anti-israel? ”

“ He is a tzaddik please don't bash him ”

“ Chabad wouldn't throw him out, even if he is a non-Zionist. Does he have a problem going to Chabad? ”

“ The term "Anti Zionist" means different things for different people. A few people are against Jews living in Israel. Some people are against Jews ruling the land of Israel before mashiach comes. Many people (myself included) are against this particular group of (anit-Torah) murderous hoods who took control of the land by force, and disguise their governing as though it would be a democracy.

The point is, that there may not really have been such a great difference of opinion between YI and this local rabbi. It could be that he merely placed the emphasis on being against this particular government, and that via misunderstandings, people construed his words to be against YI's positions.

Sounds like a loss for the community. He accomplished a lot there. But I'm sure that Hashem has another community for him, that will benefit even more. ”

“ Chabad wouldn't throw him out, even if he is a non-Zionist. Does he have a problem going to Chabad? ”

“ A Torah believing Jew, like the Chofetz Chaim zt'l and Satmar Ruv zt"l, he is entitled to think like the gedolei yisroel that didn't share the ideology of the apikores and Torah hater Theodor Herzel. ”

“ biala is zionist so he cant be a biala chusid he is a satmar chusid ”

“ Funny; rather sad. In Rabbi Avigdor Miller's Shul on Ocean Parkway there is a sign "Young Israel of Rugby", and Rabbi Miller was a strong Anti Zionist. Ok, he probably bought it from them. Does anyone know? It is sad because that Shul didn’t function as a “Young Israel” Shul, just in name only, and now because of his publicity, they woke up that hey, something is wrong here. If he was good before the publicity then he should be good now. Removing him once installed is despicable. ”

“ “ Chabad wouldn't throw him out, even if he is a non-Zionist. Does he have a problem going to Chabad?”

Chabad would not welcome a naturei karta type of a guy. While Chabad is not pro-Zionist it is not anti-Zionist either. So any kind of anti-... goes against chabad philosophy. ”

“ He may be a tzaddik. No one should bash him. No one has to agree with his silly political stand.. No one has to retain him as the Rabbi of a Young Israel. To "Nuturei Karta": Israel aside for a moment. Not a bit of shame for allying yourself to Iran where the president denies the holocaust. It is not a matter of dollars it is a matter of embarrassment. If you know any survivors, or have you lost people in the Shoah. What are you thinking? ”

“ Perhaps he could try Teheran. ”

“ The should immediately change the name of the Shul! It does not deserve the title Kol Emes!!! Shame on them! Perhaps they should disavow the Chofetz Chaim or Rav Avigdor Miller ZTl for their positions against a formal Jewish state! ”

“ “ Chabad wouldn't throw him out, even if he is a non-Zionist. Does he have a problem going to Chabad?”

Chabad would not welcome a naturei karta type of a guy. While Chabad is not pro-Zionist it is not anti-Zionist either. So any kind of anti-... goes against chabad philosophy. ”

“ Why despicable were you there do you know all the facts relating to his hiring and firing? Maybe he did not tell them upfront his views about Zionist or better yet he let them to believe that he is a supporter of the state when in reality he is a strong anti-Zionist, I did not expect from you such harsh condemnation. ”

“ “ Chabad wouldn't throw him out, even if he is a non-Zionist. Does he have a problem going to Chabad?”

Chabad would not welcome a naturei karta type of a guy. While Chabad is not pro-Zionist it is not anti-Zionist either. So any kind of anti-... goes against chabad philosophy. ”

“ Funny; rather sad. In Rabbi Avigdor Miller's Shul on Ocean Parkway there is a sign "Young Israel of Rugby", and Rabbi Miller was a strong Anti Zionist. Ok, he probably bought it from them. Does anyone know? It is sad because that Shul didn’t function as a “Young Israel” Shul, just in name only, and now because of his publicity, they woke up that hey, something is wrong here. If he was good before the publicity then he should be good now. Removing him once installed is despicable. ”

“ “ Chabad wouldn't throw him out, even if he is a non-Zionist. Does he have a problem going to Chabad?”

Chabad would not welcome a naturei karta type of a guy. While Chabad is not pro-Zionist it is not anti-Zionist either. So any kind of anti-... goes against chabad philosophy. ”

“ I'm sure this guy meant no harm. However, he used very poor judgment here. He was well within his rights to seek employment there and keep his opinions on this issue to himself. He chose not to, knowing it would offend separate himself from the community he was trying to lead.

The community should forgive his single act of poor judgment and help him find new employment elsewhere where he can be effective.

Secondly, the shock that a few posters had that a chussid would work at a Young Israel shul is appalling. YI is responsible for bringing more yidden back to a Torah life, and strengthening the lives of the MO than any other. This guy (along with YI) were trying to bring people closer to H". I have nothing but praise for both Rav Kolakowski and Young Israel. They were both doing something that most are too lazy to do... bring yidden closer to H". ”

“ Not so fast. There's a question of chazakah. I wonder whether he will take them to a din torah. ”

“ maybe chabad but there are plenty of lubavitchers who are antizionist! Read any of the works of the 5th and 6th Rebbes. Especially the 5th Rebbe Rashab who was even opposed to religious zionism! ”

“ That pic is very confusing! A chareidishe girl named Faith?! A chassidishe rabbi in Young Israel? I would love an explanation and more info on this family... ”

“ I don't know which is more repulsive: the statements of the shul or the commnets posted here. Obviously, some have already forgotten what day it was just yesterday.

This pious young man was hired by a DYING shul because no one else wanted to take the job. He came in and infused it with LIFE, rebuilding it, reinvigorating it. The day after they fire him, they announce a new Rabbi has been hired, meaning they had been planning all this all along behind his back. They should be ASHAMED of themsleves. The business about his views on zionism is just an excuse to cover their own misdeeds. They knew what he was when they hired him. They knew his views all along. They used him to fill a slot until they could get somebody "better."

Their comment that he "has in fact been barred from membership because of his anti state of Israel views" is a true chillul HaShem. Is it no longer possible for Yidden to have legitimate Torah differences without hating one another? Their is NO EXCUSE for this behavior.

Yes, I said LEGITIMATE Torah differences. The Torah opposition to zionism is legitimate. It's not just the Neturei Karta. Many Gedolim have and do reject zionism, including the Chazon Ish, Rav Schach, Rav Miller, Rav Kotler, Rav Gifter, Rav Miller, Rav Hutner, the Satmer Rebbe, the Toshe Rebbe, the PREVIOUS Lubavitcher Rebbe and R' Kolakowski's rebbe, the Biala Rebbe (that's right, contrary to claims above he is NOT NK, he is a chossid of the Biala Rebbe).

Someone above asked "What kind of Jew is anti-israel?" if you mean that being anti-zionism is "anti-Israel" the please see the list above. There are many others. And I can assure you that each and every name listed was/is a FAR BETTER Jew than you (or I) will ever hope to be.

Someone else said "Its time we rid ourselves of these people." Then rid yourself of Torah because these men I listed above are/were living embodiments of Torah and you would have to throw them out as well. Who are you going to replace them with? The athiest leaders of zionism? Kach terrorists? How about Olmert, Lapid, Livni... they are the real face of the zionism you so ardently defend while condemning Gedolim. That's right: when you condemn a pios man like r' Kolakowski, you condemn all of them as well

I never ceased to be amazed by the pro-zionist crowd when they decry the lack of Ahavas Yisroel of those that oppose zionism and then turn right around and spew sinas chinam at them. And then we wonder why haShem does not then answer our prayers and send Moshiach. I think the answer is obvious.

”

“ Not so fast. There's a question of chazakah. I wonder whether he will take them to a din torah. ”

“ “ Chabad wouldn't throw him out, even if he is a non-Zionist. Does he have a problem going to Chabad?”

Chabad would not welcome a naturei karta type of a guy. While Chabad is not pro-Zionist it is not anti-Zionist either. So any kind of anti-... goes against chabad philosophy. ”

“ Seems good to everyone. With his and his wife's limited exposure to Yiddishe lifestyle (through no fault of their own) he is better off in a Jewish neighborhood, not in the middle of a desert. It's understandable that most BT's want to do kiruv, but this is rarely good for their ruchnius. And it's not good to get a salary from MO heretics, in physical sense of being dependent on them as well as spiritually. As far as his former congregates go, it's their loss. The new MO priest will quickly teach them how to properly love Zionist government, maybe he'll even organize a delegation to a "pride" parade in Israel. ”

“ This rav served "at will" and does not have tenure or contract protections against discharge by the synagogue. He could have walked out the door anytime he wanted and the shul could not have sued him. Why would "chazakah" of any sort be applicable here. ”

“ "While Chabad is not pro-Zionist it is not anti-Zionist either". What is that supposed to mean? Are we black or what? Are we left or right? are we vegetarians or do we eat meat? Thats always been Chabads problem. They don't want-not can't-to state that they are anti the zionist regime. The Frerdika Rebbe stated that the state of Israel has set back Moshiachs arrival at LEAST 50 years. So what does that say about what they believe? ”

“ Why despicable were you there do you know all the facts relating to his hiring and firing? Maybe he did not tell them upfront his views about Zionist or better yet he let them to believe that he is a supporter of the state when in reality he is a strong anti-Zionist, I did not expect from you such harsh condemnation. ”

“ What kind of "chazakah would there be...thats lunacy. If this guy were to have authorized eating chazer fleish at a simcha at the shul, they would have fired him on the spot. Opposing the existence of EY is an even greater shanda since it puts yiddin at risk and empowers oyaveh yisroel. ”

“ The day after Yom Kippur you call MOs heretics and a MO Rabbi a priest. Your slate was clean but you just dirtied it up with your hatred for other yidden and your name calling. ”

“ excellent news. #16 - what is "Zoinsest" - chabad is not anti zionist, you are quite the fool. Maybe a long time ago they were. Get with the times! Look at the settlements, at the people living there, chabad is all over as well as all over the army. They are true lovers of the land and the people. ”

“ "While Chabad is not pro-Zionist it is not anti-Zionist either". What is that supposed to mean? Are we black or what? Are we left or right? are we vegetarians or do we eat meat? Thats always been Chabads problem. They don't want-not can't-to state that they are anti the zionist regime. The Frerdika Rebbe stated that the state of Israel has set back Moshiachs arrival at LEAST 50 years. So what does that say about what they believe? ”

“ But not in a YI shul. he should stay with his own. ”

“ That pic is very confusing! A chareidishe girl named Faith?! A chassidishe rabbi in Young Israel? I would love an explanation and more info on this family... ”

“ I don't know which is more repulsive: the statements of the shul or the commnets posted here. Obviously, some have already forgotten what day it was just yesterday.

This pious young man was hired by a DYING shul because no one else wanted to take the job. He came in and infused it with LIFE, rebuilding it, reinvigorating it. The day after they fire him, they announce a new Rabbi has been hired, meaning they had been planning all this all along behind his back. They should be ASHAMED of themsleves. The business about his views on zionism is just an excuse to cover their own misdeeds. They knew what he was when they hired him. They knew his views all along. They used him to fill a slot until they could get somebody "better."

Their comment that he "has in fact been barred from membership because of his anti state of Israel views" is a true chillul HaShem. Is it no longer possible for Yidden to have legitimate Torah differences without hating one another? Their is NO EXCUSE for this behavior.

Yes, I said LEGITIMATE Torah differences. The Torah opposition to zionism is legitimate. It's not just the Neturei Karta. Many Gedolim have and do reject zionism, including the Chazon Ish, Rav Schach, Rav Miller, Rav Kotler, Rav Gifter, Rav Miller, Rav Hutner, the Satmer Rebbe, the Toshe Rebbe, the PREVIOUS Lubavitcher Rebbe and R' Kolakowski's rebbe, the Biala Rebbe (that's right, contrary to claims above he is NOT NK, he is a chossid of the Biala Rebbe).

Someone above asked "What kind of Jew is anti-israel?" if you mean that being anti-zionism is "anti-Israel" the please see the list above. There are many others. And I can assure you that each and every name listed was/is a FAR BETTER Jew than you (or I) will ever hope to be.

Someone else said "Its time we rid ourselves of these people." Then rid yourself of Torah because these men I listed above are/were living embodiments of Torah and you would have to throw them out as well. Who are you going to replace them with? The athiest leaders of zionism? Kach terrorists? How about Olmert, Lapid, Livni... they are the real face of the zionism you so ardently defend while condemning Gedolim. That's right: when you condemn a pios man like r' Kolakowski, you condemn all of them as well

I never ceased to be amazed by the pro-zionist crowd when they decry the lack of Ahavas Yisroel of those that oppose zionism and then turn right around and spew sinas chinam at them. And then we wonder why haShem does not then answer our prayers and send Moshiach. I think the answer is obvious.

”

“ I don't know which is more repulsive: the statements of the shul or the commnets posted here. Obviously, some have already forgotten what day it was just yesterday.

This pious young man was hired by a DYING shul because no one else wanted to take the job. He came in and infused it with LIFE, rebuilding it, reinvigorating it. The day after they fire him, they announce a new Rabbi has been hired, meaning they had been planning all this all along behind his back. They should be ASHAMED of themsleves. The business about his views on zionism is just an excuse to cover their own misdeeds. They knew what he was when they hired him. They knew his views all along. They used him to fill a slot until they could get somebody "better."

Their comment that he "has in fact been barred from membership because of his anti state of Israel views" is a true chillul HaShem. Is it no longer possible for Yidden to have legitimate Torah differences without hating one another? Their is NO EXCUSE for this behavior.

Yes, I said LEGITIMATE Torah differences. The Torah opposition to zionism is legitimate. It's not just the Neturei Karta. Many Gedolim have and do reject zionism, including the Chazon Ish, Rav Schach, Rav Miller, Rav Kotler, Rav Gifter, Rav Miller, Rav Hutner, the Satmer Rebbe, the Toshe Rebbe, the PREVIOUS Lubavitcher Rebbe and R' Kolakowski's rebbe, the Biala Rebbe (that's right, contrary to claims above he is NOT NK, he is a chossid of the Biala Rebbe).

Someone above asked "What kind of Jew is anti-israel?" if you mean that being anti-zionism is "anti-Israel" the please see the list above. There are many others. And I can assure you that each and every name listed was/is a FAR BETTER Jew than you (or I) will ever hope to be.

Someone else said "Its time we rid ourselves of these people." Then rid yourself of Torah because these men I listed above are/were living embodiments of Torah and you would have to throw them out as well. Who are you going to replace them with? The athiest leaders of zionism? Kach terrorists? How about Olmert, Lapid, Livni... they are the real face of the zionism you so ardently defend while condemning Gedolim. That's right: when you condemn a pios man like r' Kolakowski, you condemn all of them as well

I never ceased to be amazed by the pro-zionist crowd when they decry the lack of Ahavas Yisroel of those that oppose zionism and then turn right around and spew sinas chinam at them. And then we wonder why haShem does not then answer our prayers and send Moshiach. I think the answer is obvious.

”

“ biala is zionist so he cant be a biala chusid he is a satmar chusid ”

“ They DID know know about his "anti Zionist" beliefs BEFORE they hired him. I have a friend who lives there and he told me that there were other reasons why he was let go. I will not mention them here on this board. ”

“ You are mistaken; Chabad is definitely anti-zionist. But of course Chabad has no shortage of rabbonim, and would have no reason to take a Bialer. If Chabad took over a shul with a Bialer rov, though, they would not fire him. ”

“ While there have indeed been some great anti-Zionist rabbis, there have also been some great rabbis who embraced Zionism. Among them were Rabbi Reines z'tz'l, Rav Kook z'tz'l, Rav Soloveitchik z'tz'l, Rav Herzog z'tz'l, Rav Goren z'tz'l, Rabbi Shapira z'tz'l, Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, Rabbi Mordecai Eliyahu, Rabbi Hershel Schachter, and Rabbi Moshe Tendler. The names mentioned represent several different strains of Religious Zionism, all of which are legitimate Torah positions. Rav Kook and Rav Soloveitchik will likely be seen as the two greatest Jewish thinkers of the 20th century.



”

“ Since when is Zionism a required tenet of Judaism? Given, an MO rabbi would likely have trouble keeping a job as a Rav in a Satmar shul in Williamsburg, but how is that grounds for termination? What does that have to do with his ability to teach Torah and make weddings in Virginia? ”

“ While one can see why his views were repulsive to his congregants, my heart goes out to a young yiddishe family with a small child to support. Hopefully he'll get a new position soon.

BTW Chabad was not anti-Zionist. Do you think all the heads of state of Israel would have made it a point to visit the Rebbe for eitzahs and long discussions, if he hated Israel? They didn't exactly go to the Satmar Rav for eitzahs. ”

“ Who is the "Frerdika Rebbe" and why would anyone care what he had to say about EY and zman moishiach?? ”

“ Your comment was right on target and said what I was trying to say, until you called them “Kach terrorists”; there you lost me. Are you comparing them C”V to Hamas? You need to know that your “Torah view” is very far from the Emes. Would the Tosher Rebbe call them “terrorists”? Shame on you. ”

“ Why do you emphasise the PREVIOUS Lubavitcher Rebbe? The most recent Lubavitcher Rebbe did not change anything; he was more anti-zionist than half the others on your list. When everyone else was falling over themselves rejoicing at "reishis tzmichas ge'uloseinu", he was calling it a "choshech koful umchupol", and he continued to call it that throughout his life. ”

“ While there have indeed been some great anti-Zionist rabbis, there have also been some great rabbis who embraced Zionism. Among them were Rabbi Reines z'tz'l, Rav Kook z'tz'l, Rav Soloveitchik z'tz'l, Rav Herzog z'tz'l, Rav Goren z'tz'l, Rabbi Shapira z'tz'l, Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, Rabbi Mordecai Eliyahu, Rabbi Hershel Schachter, and Rabbi Moshe Tendler. The names mentioned represent several different strains of Religious Zionism, all of which are legitimate Torah positions. Rav Kook and Rav Soloveitchik will likely be seen as the two greatest Jewish thinkers of the 20th century.



”

“ "Faith" means "Tikvah." ”

“ While I disagree with your last statement, you make precisely my point. You can argue a legitimate Torah view supporting zionism and I can make a legitimate Torah argument opposing zionism... and we can do so without calling one another names, etc. I have no problem with that. What dismays me are statements like "what kind of Jew..." or "it's time to be rid of (them)..." This pure sinas chinam and should not be tolerated, regardless of which "side" says them. I am equally dismayed that a frum site like vosizneias permits this kind of incindiary language. ”

“ That pic is very confusing! A chareidishe girl named Faith?! A chassidishe rabbi in Young Israel? I would love an explanation and more info on this family... ”

“ Members of a shul should be allowed to decide who is their rebbe based on any factors that are important to them. The rebbe is an "employee" of the shul and absent a contract, he can be discharged at any time. The large percentage of synagoguges in the U.S. and eretz yisroel are supportive of the medinah but there are some extremists (including the Satmar and a few others) who despise the tzionist philosophy. In a democracy, we should tolerate their views however offensive the majority of views may find them. However, we certainly have no obligation to support or emply them. ”

“ While there have indeed been some great anti-Zionist rabbis, there have also been some great rabbis who embraced Zionism. Among them were Rabbi Reines z'tz'l, Rav Kook z'tz'l, Rav Soloveitchik z'tz'l, Rav Herzog z'tz'l, Rav Goren z'tz'l, Rabbi Shapira z'tz'l, Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, Rabbi Mordecai Eliyahu, Rabbi Hershel Schachter, and Rabbi Moshe Tendler. The names mentioned represent several different strains of Religious Zionism, all of which are legitimate Torah positions. Rav Kook and Rav Soloveitchik will likely be seen as the two greatest Jewish thinkers of the 20th century.



”

“ Members of a shul should be allowed to decide who is their rebbe based on any factors that are important to them. The rebbe is an "employee" of the shul and absent a contract, he can be discharged at any time. The large percentage of synagoguges in the U.S. and eretz yisroel are supportive of the medinah but there are some extremists (including the Satmar and a few others) who despise the tzionist philosophy. In a democracy, we should tolerate their views however offensive the majority of views may find them. However, we certainly have no obligation to support or emply them. ”

“ I agree with everything in your last post except for the part in which you said "You can argue a legitimate Torah view supporting zionism etc Where can I find this Torah view? I have yet to see anyone write a Sefer in which he shlugs uup the Satmerer Rebbe's Ahl Hagula V'aal Hatmara. . ”

“ I agree with everything in your last post except for the part in which you said "You can argue a legitimate Torah view supporting zionism etc Where can I find this Torah view? I have yet to see anyone write a Sefer in which he shlugs uup the Satmerer Rebbe's Ahl Hagula V'aal Hatmara. . ”

“ What a shame. The fired Rabbi, who was affectionately called 'My Hasidic Friend' by many of Richmond's secular Jews, now has no pulpit. I just don't understand. Who will be their Hasidic Friend now? I do not think that Richmond will be able to attract another Rebbe of Rabbi Joseph Kolakowski's caliber - he was certainly one of a kind. Although, Richmond did just open up a post-high school yeshiva. They brought in a Mashgiach from Lakewood, Reb Chaim Moskowitz. I do not think that the Mashgiach had anything to do with the Rebbe's termination.

The truth is, Rabbi Kolakowski is very eccentric. He walked with a silver cane (even though he is in his 20s) and I think he only wore red-tinted glasses, like Hacham Ovadia Yosef. I think the community was just very confused by his strange hanhagos.
”

“ "While Chabad is not pro-Zionist it is not anti-Zionist either". What is that supposed to mean? Are we black or what? Are we left or right? are we vegetarians or do we eat meat? Thats always been Chabads problem. They don't want-not can't-to state that they are anti the zionist regime. The Frerdika Rebbe stated that the state of Israel has set back Moshiachs arrival at LEAST 50 years. So what does that say about what they believe? ”

“ While I disagree with your last statement, you make precisely my point. You can argue a legitimate Torah view supporting zionism and I can make a legitimate Torah argument opposing zionism... and we can do so without calling one another names, etc. I have no problem with that. What dismays me are statements like "what kind of Jew..." or "it's time to be rid of (them)..." This pure sinas chinam and should not be tolerated, regardless of which "side" says them. I am equally dismayed that a frum site like vosizneias permits this kind of incindiary language. ”

“ Because there is a halacha of chazakah, and the shul can't just ignore it. ”

“ I seem to recall an anti-Zionist Satmar one of the Kedoshe Mumbai HY"D who was murdered at the Nariman Chabad House. ”

“ Neturi Karta should take him in. I feel bad fior the kid to be born to such ppl. What kind of Jew is anti-israel? ”

“ The term "Anti Zionist" means different things for different people. A few people are against Jews living in Israel. Some people are against Jews ruling the land of Israel before mashiach comes. Many people (myself included) are against this particular group of (anit-Torah) murderous hoods who took control of the land by force, and disguise their governing as though it would be a democracy.

The point is, that there may not really have been such a great difference of opinion between YI and this local rabbi. It could be that he merely placed the emphasis on being against this particular government, and that via misunderstandings, people construed his words to be against YI's positions.

Sounds like a loss for the community. He accomplished a lot there. But I'm sure that Hashem has another community for him, that will benefit even more. ”

“ go to williamsburg brooklyn and ask the 10's of thousands of yidden living there your stupid question. ”

“ I seem to recall an anti-Zionist Satmar one of the Kedoshe Mumbai HY"D who was murdered at the Nariman Chabad House. ”

“ So many posts with outrage that the shul fired a"tzadik" who agrees with many "gedolim on antizionism", but are people forgetting that not a single chasidish shul would EVER hire a Zionist Rabbi with a knitted kippa even if his child was dying of hunger and had no job. If this guy is so zealous about his antizionist ideology,he should stick to being a rabbi in his community or join neturei karta maybe they will find him a job as a leas-ion to Ahmidinijad on anti Israel education.

I have zero remorse for any person who is an anti-Zionist zealot and thinks he speaks for the entire Jewish people and that his interpretation of the Torah is correct on Zionism. There are MANY gedolim who supported Zionist movement and The Satmar Rabbi is not the sole voice for ALL Jews. Chasidim forget that there are 16 million Jews around the world and we don't revolve around their little world. ”

“ I am also a long time Richmond, VA resident. Let me clarify a few things. Kenesset Beth Israel is a vibrant shul and has been for many years. It enjoyed a few extraordinary rabbis since we have lived here, including Rabbi Ron. The two shuls did not merge. They attempted to merge, but there was ONE lone family who held out. It was this family who orchestrated the hiring of Rabbi Kolakowski. He was hired even before he was married, and arrived here soon after his wedding. The synagogue from the get-go imposed all kinds of rules and restrictions on him. They didn't like it when he said a certain meat couldn't be brought in because of the hechsher. He had signed a two year contract with them, that they played around with time and time again. Faced with the needs of a growing family, Rabbi Kolakowski agreed not one time, but many times to a pay cut in order to keep providing parnasah for his family. Before he was fired he was only earning a quarter of his promised salary. He was working several other jobs in order to make ends meet. Time after time, the "powers that be" would produce yet another rule that he had to follow. Rabbi Kolakowski is an earlicher mentch who only thinks the best of everyone. Even after he was fired, he has gone back repeatedly to help them with the mikveh. (The mikveh is the main reason no one wants to let go of the shul. There is a Chabad mikveh, but it is only open to women.) Rabbi Kolakowski has an incredible amount of Torah knowledge. What I don't understand is how only one comment out of 122 comment about the lack of kavod haTorah. Only comment 46 picked up on this. That comment alone is well worth a re-reading of every single person here. He did not deserved to be humiliated in public and talked about incessantly. Although, as I said, he is a very kind man and he is not at all upset for the reason he was fired. If anything, he is actually proud of it. ”

“ The shul knew exactly what and who they were hiring when they hired him. (Although now they are lying and claiming they had no idea.) From the get go, he asked that the Israeli flags be moved OUT of the shul and put into the front hall way. (He did NOT insist that they completely remove them from shul premises.)

This past summer, one donor whom this rabbi had brought in insisted the flags be moved out. He based his five thousand dollar donation on this. They got upset, and said no. They also were upset with another member Rabbi Kolakowski had brought in, who shares his views. This member was also barred from being a member, and threatened that if he showed to daven, THEY WOULD CALL THE POLICE ON HIM. They called Pesach Lerner, who said he can't be rabbi. He was demoted to ba'al koreh, which again, HE HUMBLY ACCEPTED to keep providing parnasah for his family.

Please know that this shul you are so strongly supporting cut off his medical insurance just after they had their first baby, because his wife couldn't meet her expectations as their rebbitzen. It didn't faze them that she had been in the hospital for two months suffering from kidney problems. Within a week of giving birth, they expected her to be back at shul.

They were constantly nitpicking at him. They threatened him with dismissal because his desk wasn't neat. Do you want me to go on?

BTW, this article appeared in the local Richmond paper on Friday, right before Shabbos Shuvah. You have to bear in mind we are talking about three individuals. ”

“ NCYI has a rabbinic placement office...were they the ones who originally recommended this rabbi in the first place? That would be quite ironic, and speak very poorly of their ability to vet rabbis who are appropriate for their chapter shuls. ”

“ My point was that we can disagree without being hateful to one another. If I were to have said or implied, for example, "even though there is no legitimate Torah argument supporting zionism" or "even though opposition to zionism is anti-Torah" (or some such) it would have defeated the purpose of my post and merely stirred the pot even further. Please realize that BOTH sides of this debate believe that THEIRS is the legitimate Torah view and that the other's is NOT. For the sake of civility (which has been desperately lacking here) I preferred to present them in "neutral" form, regardless of my personal position (which, if you must, I think you can figure out if you reread my post). I hope you understand. ”

“ Read *Eim Habonim Semichah* by Yisachar Shlomo Teichtal zt"l , Rov Soloveitchik's *Kol Dodi Dofek*, or any of the many writings of Rav Kook. Rov Soloveitchik's work is particularly important because it was written in the diaspora after the establishment of the Jewish state. ”

“ So many posts with outrage that the shul fired a"tzadik" who agrees with many "gedolim on antizionism", but are people forgetting that not a single chasidish shul would EVER hire a Zionist Rabbi with a knitted kippa even if his child was dying of hunger and had no job. If this guy is so zealous about his antizionist ideology,he should stick to being a rabbi in his community or join neturei karta maybe they will find him a job as a leas-ion to Ahmidinijad on anti Israel education.

I have zero remorse for any person who is an anti-Zionist zealot and thinks he speaks for the entire Jewish people and that his interpretation of the Torah is correct on Zionism. There are MANY gedolim who supported Zionist movement and The Satmar Rabbi is not the sole voice for ALL Jews. Chasidim forget that there are 16 million Jews around the world and we don't revolve around their little world. ”

“ also, the Chabad Mikveh is outside of the eiruv, so they need it for the women on Shabbos, but so many of the women stopped going on shabbos because they don't like this shul. We are trying to build a new mikveh here in Richmond where everyone can feel comfortable. ”

“ They do not refute his Sefer. They motly talk about the mitzvah "yishuv Eretz Yisroel" There is no way to refute the "Sholosh Shvuos". It's Gemorah. There is no other Gemorah that states otherwise. Also see Sanhedrin 98. ”

“ Actually Tikvah means hope nothing less or more! Emuna/bitachon mean faith ”

“ That pic is very confusing! A chareidishe girl named Faith?! A chassidishe rabbi in Young Israel? I would love an explanation and more info on this family... ”

“ actually, the Rebbe himself has said it privately as well. The Rebbe was a realist. There is a medina.Its a fact. Now we have the choice to utilize every posible avenue to undo all the bad it has caused, and is constantly causing, and be mikarev hashems children. ”

“ While there have indeed been some great anti-Zionist rabbis, there have also been some great rabbis who embraced Zionism. Among them were Rabbi Reines z'tz'l, Rav Kook z'tz'l, Rav Soloveitchik z'tz'l, Rav Herzog z'tz'l, Rav Goren z'tz'l, Rabbi Shapira z'tz'l, Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, Rabbi Mordecai Eliyahu, Rabbi Hershel Schachter, and Rabbi Moshe Tendler. The names mentioned represent several different strains of Religious Zionism, all of which are legitimate Torah positions. Rav Kook and Rav Soloveitchik will likely be seen as the two greatest Jewish thinkers of the 20th century.



”

“ This is a very sad story, no matter which way you look at it. I hope he finds a new source of parnassah immediately. ”

“ That pic is very confusing! A chareidishe girl named Faith?! A chassidishe rabbi in Young Israel? I would love an explanation and more info on this family... ”

“ Before moving to Ocean Parkway- Rav Miller was Rabbi in the YI of Rugby which was in East Flatbush- ”

“ People shouldn't bash him when they don't know the situation. He came to that shul when it was dead, and only because of him were they able to get minyanim. The board of Kol Emes isn't even shomer shabbos, and they are the laughing stock of the whole community of Richmond. If they didn't like his views, they never should have hired him. They claim that they did not know he was anti-zionist. That just proves how idiotic they really are. From his first shabbos there, when he wouldn't put up an Israeli flag that knew that he wasn't a zionist. I personally witnessed the kindness that Rabbi Kolakowski treated the person who wrote the article with, and I think the person who wrote it is a Rasha Merusha. ”

“ if someone has a chazakah for stupid comments,i guess all his comments are stupid ,if a rav has a contract which must be renewed,or has other clauses there's no chazka ”

“ How else would you categorize Kach? These people gather every year at the grave of Baruch Goldstein on his yartzeit. There is a plaque that reads: "To the holy Baruch Goldstein, who gave his life for the Jewish people, the Torah and the nation of Israel." A JDL member in the US and Kach member in Israel, he went on a shooting spree that killed 29 and wounded 150. Is that NOT terrorism just because the victims were unarmed Arabs instead of unarmed Jews??? Terror is terror, no matter who employs it. C"v we should EVER legitimize this kind of massacre as anything else other than what is was. Now you can argue "well he was just crazy" but that doesn't change the fact that Kach REVERES this man! They call him "holy!!!" So yes, while maybe not in terms of scale but that is no different that Hamas. ”

“ They would. Why are you so shocked ? ”

“ It is interesting to note what people are writing and ends up like a mixed chulent.
Satmar and Zionism are two different things. Many of the Satmar sect have followed the sefer Shlosha Divarim written by the Rav Joel of Satmar Z"L. It is in a high language and only very brilliant people can understand what is written. However, the problem is that many people, whose learning is on a low level, think they understand what is written and think they know what they are reading and are the ones distorting the whole philsophy. Not all Satmar are anti Zionist, they are anti State of Israel. At this point many of us are not for the State of Israel but for Eretz Yisroel. Yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel who are not for the State do not avail themselves of the benefits. So before people start bashing , especially so close after Yom Kippur and before Hoshanna Rabba, when our fate was not sealed, take a deep breath, keep quiet, don't call or text just anyone you have ever met in you life... just be dan l'chaf zechus and hope for the best. Obviously, there may have been something we don't really know about this Young Israel why they were forced to do this. Let's hope the Rabbi and family will settle in a place where they will fit into more properly. That is not to say that the people in Young Israel are not fine, i am sure they are and do feel sorry for the move they had to take. ”

“ Unarmed? What were the hatchets with which they hacked him to pieces? And what were they doing with them if they were just praying? Boruch Goldstein saved the Jews of Chevron from a pogrom, and you have no right to impugn his memory. Hashem Yikom Domo, including from those who continue to spill it. ”

“ That the board of Kol Emes isn't shomer shabbos doesn't matter; at least they are Zionists. ”

“ Go learn the halachos on this, and you will find that it is not nearly so simple. ”

“ Most Chareidim are anti Zionism, if it refers to the Zionist state of Israel - the anti Jewish government of Israel. They are not anti Zion, the holy land of Israel. I am Chareidi, I love Eretz Yisroel. I hate the Israeli government. I do not like The Iranian dictator, or the PLO or Hamas etc. I do not want them attacking Israel because I love the Yidden in the land of Israel. But, the gov't is anti Chareidi, it has to go. Moshiach has to come! ”

“ I’m with you Milhouse. Boruch Goldstein was a Tzaddik, and was wrongly vilified by EVERYONE for no good reason. There is a sick innate need for people to prove their anti-bigotry which makes them buy into this “Goldstein-a-terrorist” mantra. He was a good doctor who treated the Arabs and was very nice to them. In addition to trying to prevent a pogrom, two people murdered in Chevron/Kiryas Arbah died in his hands. If a murdered Jew would to die in my hands I would snap too. Would you also call me a terrorist? If I would have been there, I would have said: Boruchel it is not worth it; you are worth to me more then all the Arabs in Chevron. I vehemently disagree with Kach in Hashkofah although I love them, and to me Boruch is a big Tzaddik.

To throw out food for thought, let me tell you what very few know. When Rabbi Meir Kahana HY”D was murdered (BTW in my opinion the CIA and Mossad at the least knew about it beforehand, if not orchestrated by them), the Leveiya took place on Ocean Parkway in front of Young Israel of Rabbi Bomzer. Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L who lived a half a block away, came out on the street to pay his respect. Rabbi Kahana had learned in Mir in Flatbush for 14 tears and Rabbi Miller was the Mashgiach. That Thursday night in Rabbi Millers famous Hashkofah Shiyur, Rabbi Miller was asked what he has to say about Rabbi Kahane. Look what this Tzaddik, the Kanohi said; he praised Rabbi Kahana to the hilt for his tenacious fighting of the Reform. All the knuckleheads out there; learn how a Tzaddik thinks of a Yid regardless of his diametrically opposed views! ”

“ he is a rodef ”

“ biala is zionist so he cant be a biala chusid he is a satmar chusid ”

“ he is a rodef ”

“ You seem to be confusing the illness with the symptoms. For Young Israel shul members the problem with the rabbi is that he is 'farfrumpt' and that in their eyes makes him irrational and not someone who one would wish to have teach ones children. They see his dress and antizionism as evidence of his irrationality.
Matzahlocal101, how do you imagine that MO Jews, let alone Conservative, Reform Jews, agnostic or atheist Jews view the Chassidic community and their leadership. How do you think non Jews view you? Do you think they do so with respect? Why do you think that they choose to deliberately ignore the views of the Gedolim whether past or present? Do you imagine that a 19th century modernist 'German of the Mosaic faith' would view you in a favorable light because you may for different reasons be antizionist?
”

“ Who is a rodef? R Kahane HYD? Dr Goldstein HYD? R Miller ZL? Why would you say something like that? What makes or made any of them rodfim? ”

“ A rodef is somebody whose actions endangers other yiden's life, make your own conclusion which of the three fall in to that category ”

“ My Rebbe in Cheder Teitched "Rodef", a pursuer. Who among the three was a “pursuer”? The answer is “none”. Neiya Pshotim in “Din Rodef”. ”

“ I can see that I have to pick up where your rebee in cheddar left you at”

If you purse someone and the person is running to save his life and in the course of fleeing from you he trips on a stone or falls off a cliff and is injured or killed you are chayev even you didn’t acutely hit him the same if a terrorist commits an act out of revenge that injures or kills chas voshulm a yid you are rodef
”

“ Just FYI he started out as the rabbi of Cong. Kol Emes he built up the minyan and community then they merged with YI against his wishes and the rest is history......

Its a shame he worked so hard, to get booted its sad ....
”

“ You, my friend, are misinformed---Kol Emes was founded in 1964 by hard line religious zionists. In 1985 we affiliated with Young Israel of Richmond for the past 24-25 years. We believe the State, land, and people of Israel deserve our support.
Many of our children study, live and serve in the Israeli armed forces, and make aliah.
Rabbi K. did not get fired. He decided to resign because he did not want to modify his beliefs and teachings.
We were instructed ny NCYI, that Rabbi K. could not remain in the Shul as Rabbi.
Don't feel sorry for him as he has established his own outreach center in Richmond.
-------Current President of Young Israel of Richmond ”

“ Hi, now you're going to hear it from the source. When my husband was interviewed for the position at YI of Richmond, he got off the plane looking like a Satmar chasid. At the initial interview, he mentioned moving the flags (American as well as Israeli) from the front of the shul. He never never hid who he was or what he believed. YI of Richmond was in a nearly-dead state at that point, and I believe they were desperate for any young Rabbi to re-invigorate the shul and bring people in to make minyonim. My husband worked diligently to this end, and at the end of two years, there was a regular, reliable Shabbos morning minyan, along with Shabbatonim every other week and regular shiurim taught by himself and two other yingerman. There was even talk of starting a kollel. After a new member offered a sizable donation on the condition that the flags be moved (without my husband's direction or knowledge), the board members (all three of them) consulted with Rabbi Pesach Lerner of NCYI and he said the shul's assets would be seized if my husband continued to be Rabbi there. My husband acquiesced and stepped down, hoping to continue on as baal koreh and/or Kollel yingerman. After this point, things between my husband and a few board members got ugly. Both sides (including my husband) did and said things that were not right. Lashon Hara was spoken. It was a sad state of affairs. This was all a week before my daughter was born and it was a very stressful time.

Neither my husband nor I belong to or have any association with Neturi Karta (or however it's spelled). I have strong ties to Satmar, as I was mekarev by Satmar chasidim, and I also have ties to Chabad. The posek for National Council of Young Israel actually was av beis din for my gerus, and I consider him to be like a father to me. My husband has worked for Biala and Shidlovsa, but doesn't align himself with any particular Rebbe. He is a chosid of the Baal Shem Tov. It is easy to be confused by our mixed backgrounds. We definitely come from "anti-Zionist" shitas, but strive to do our best to love ALL Jews, including and especially those living in Israel. We make mistakes just like everyone, but baruch Hashem, there is tshuvah in Judaism. I just daven that Hashem will accept mine.

We loved our time with Kol Emes, and we still maintain strong ties and friendships with some of the members there. We wish Rabbi Allen and his wife hatzlacha and hope they succeed in unifying and strengthening the congregation. Richmond is an amazing community with two mikvaos, a day school, a Yeshiva katana, a brand-new Yeshivah gedolah (hooray!), and three very different but very wonderful orthodox shuls. I love living here, even as a Satmar chassidiste, and hope to continue to do so for many years iy"H. ”