Chabad asked the new rabbi in Poway to resign. He said no. – Forward
Posted By admin on July 25, 2022
Rabbi Mendel Goldstein, left, with his father Yisroel Goldstein at a National Day of Prayer service at the White House in May 2019. Yisroel was secretly cooperating with an FBI investigation at the time. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
By Louis KeeneJuly 20, 2022
The leadership of Chabad in San Diego asked the rabbi now leading the embattled Poway synagogue to resign this week after he rejected their oversight proposal. But the rabbi refused to step down.
The synagogue experienced both a shooting and a corruption scandal in recent years.
Rabbi Mendel Goldstein, who took over at Chabad of Poway after his father was named in an FBI investigation, has been locked in a battle with regional leadership for control of the synagogue for months. He says hes leading the fractured community out of turmoil.
But in a letter sent July 12 and obtained by the Forward, Rabbi Yonah Fradkin, who oversees Chabad institutions in the San Diego area, accused Goldstein of noncooperation with state and local Chabad leadership, which sought to implement direct supervision over him. The letter asked Goldstein to resign by 5 p.m. Monday, saying, We are sorry that it has come to this point.
Goldstein, who is in his early 30s, said on Tuesday he had not complied and has no plans to.
At stake is a Chabad community that has hardly strayed from the national spotlight since the attack during Shabbat services on Passover 2019 that killed a woman and injured three other worshippers. Among the injured was Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, the synagogues founder. He was honored at the White House, but he later turned out to be at the center of a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme. That triggered a lawsuit over whether the synagogue was appropriately secured before the attack and in-fighting over governance.
After the FBI announced Yisroel Goldsteins guilty plea in July 2020, some congregants left the synagogue and tried to wrest power from Mendel Goldstein, one of his sons, who had taken over the pulpit months before the indictment became public. Yisroel Goldstein was sentenced in January to 14 months in federal prison, though he was released to house arrest after three months under a pandemic program to reduce prison populations. Hes believed to now be living at his old hilltop mansion in Poway.
His son Mendel Goldstein was not a subject of the federal investigation, and initially enlisted three outside advisers an accountant, a lawyer and an insurance agent to serve as the synagogues board of directors. But after Goldstein hesitated to yield control of Friendship Circle, a related nonprofit that his father had exploited in his scheme, the board resigned. Goldsteins father-in-law, Rabbi Yisrael Greenberg, became the synagogues chief financial officer.
The Vaad of San Diego, the umbrella organization for San Diego Chabad institutions led by Fradkin, sent Goldstein a letter April 1 informing him of its plan to appoint a senior shliach that is, another rabbi to oversee him for an undetermined period of time.
The timing will be simple and straightforward, reads the letter, which was obtained by the Forward. If Rabbi Mendel Goldstein does a good job in rebuilding the community, bringing it together and growing it, all while meticulously adhering to the policies of Chabad of S. Diego and Chabad of California, he will be placed in charge of Chabad of Poway as the Senior Shliach sooner.
The letter implied that Chabad of California, led by Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, supported the decision.
Goldstein appealed to Chabad International Headquarters a few days later, saying in an April 4 letterthat Rabbi Fradkin and other San Diego Chabad leaders have been trying to marginalize him since he took over in 2021.
Goldstein said the congregation has been growing steadily under his leadership. He said he told the Chabad leaders that more than 200 people attended a Purim carnival; that the kiddush after Shabbat services at the synagogue was consistently sponsored; that he has been officiating weddings and bnai mitzvah; and that there is a waiting list for the synagogues preschool.
I have been met with opposition and obstruction at every turn from Rabbi Fradkin and every member of the Vaad that ever dealt with Chabad of Poway over the past 18 months, Goldstein wrote in his letter, and I have consistently sought to find a path forward in a responsible and practical manner.
Two people familiar with the situation have said that Goldstein sees the move to appoint a shliach to oversee him as a path to pushing him out.
Reached for comment, Goldstein said he was proud of the transparency we have instituted within every element of our organization. This includes, of course, lay leaders who are familiar with all the monetary aspects, along with stringent financial controls.
He added: No doubt there are people who feel hurt by the events of the past years. I remain hopeful that with time and effort, we will regain trust and continue to build a thriving and welcoming community.
In requesting Goldsteins resignation, the Vaad, which comprises Fradkin as well as Rabbis Dovid Smoller and Yeruchem Eilfort, said Goldsteins refusal to allow two Vaad designees to provide oversight was impeding the communitys ability to heal.
The ultimate power cannot lie in one persons hands, as it did with Yisroel Goldstein and now lies with you, and you alone. This is obvious, their letter said. Our Vaad and constituents believe this. Past Chabad of Poway supporters and members agree. Common sense dictates the same.
Fradkin did not return a phone message left on his voicemail Tuesday.A message was left with Cunins secretary on Wednesday.
Current and former congregants remain split over the synagogues leadership. Some never gave Mendel a chance, saying the family name was tainted.Others think the son is aptly steering the community out of his fathers mess.
And a few who remained members of the synagogue after Yisroel Goldsteins guilty plea have since left, saying Mendel lost their trust by failing to follow through on his promise of transparency for example, by not hiring a forensic accountant to audit the synagogues finances as he said he would.
For some people it took a while to sink in, said Solomon Pinczewski, an early member of Chabad of Poway who left the synagogue after the FBI announced the investigation.
Read the rest here:
Chabad asked the new rabbi in Poway to resign. He said no. - Forward
- Rabbi recounts fear and heroism during deadliest antisemitic attack in ... - June 8th, 2023
- A Legacy Of Leadership And Love: Rabbi Gershon Edelsteins Enduring ... - June 8th, 2023
- Rabbis of LA | Rabbi David Vorspan: The Rabbi Who Never Will Quit - Jewish Journal - June 8th, 2023
- Crime and Murder" - Rabbi Pintos harsh criticism of hurtful teachers - The Jerusalem Post - June 8th, 2023
- Rabbi Shimshon Rafael HIrsch on the parasha: Moshe and Elitism - Arutz Sheva - June 8th, 2023
- Science, Demons, and Salamanders in the Mind of a Great Rabbi ... - Mosaic - June 8th, 2023
- Evening of Song & Inspiration to Feature Rabbi YY Jacobson - COLlive - June 8th, 2023
- Rabbi Harold Kushner was a humble author and teacher - Online Athens - June 8th, 2023
- Brooklyn rabbi who fled to Israel in 2010 when he was accused of molesting children appears in court - Daily Mail - June 6th, 2023
- Why I, as an Orthodox rabbi, am committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion - St. Louis Jewish Light - June 6th, 2023
- Praying in the 21st Century With Theologian Rabbi Arthur Green - jewishboston.com - June 6th, 2023
- Trio gets 15 years in federal prison for armed carjacking spree, including of rabbi in Solon - cleveland.com - June 6th, 2023
- Who Was Rashi? | My Jewish Learning - June 4th, 2023
- Reform Rabbi Draws on His Jewish and Latino Heritage - San Diego Jewish World - June 4th, 2023
- Emmaus Freddy-winning Fiddler production powered by authentic education from local rabbi - lehighvalleylive.com - June 4th, 2023
- The Rabbi in Uniform - COLlive - June 4th, 2023
- Why I, as an Orthodox rabbi, am committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion - Forward - June 4th, 2023
- Recollections of Rabbi Yosef Goldberg - COLlive - June 4th, 2023
- Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch: We are losing the soul of the Reform movement - The Jerusalem Post - June 4th, 2023
- 'I was at shul but the problem was the rabbi wasn't' - The Jewish Chronicle - June 4th, 2023
- Turning the Page: Why a Shul Rabbi Authored a Jewish Childrens Book - Jewish Link of New Jersey - June 4th, 2023
- Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, an architect and guardian of Haredi-secular relations - The Times of Israel - May 30th, 2023
- Who will succeed Rabbi Edelstein as next leader of the non-Hasidic Haredim? - Haaretz - May 30th, 2023
- European rabbi urges auction house to withdraw Hitler items from sale - The Jerusalem Post - May 30th, 2023
- Young Long Island Rabbi Donates Kidney to a Senior Congregant - 'There was no question about what we needed to ... - Chabad.org - May 30th, 2023
- Kentuckys longest-serving rabbi honored after announcing 42-year retirement - WAVE 3 - May 30th, 2023
- Ahavas Achim's Matthews to be ordained as a rabbi - The Daily News of Newburyport - May 30th, 2023
- Live broadcast - Rabbi Pinto's spiritual revolution in Miami - The Jerusalem Post - May 30th, 2023
- I was there as an Indian, says the Rabbi-lawyer who recited Torah at the New Parliament - Moneycontrol - May 30th, 2023
- Temple Beth David Ready To Welcome New Rabbi - Cheshire Herald - May 30th, 2023
- Chief Rabbi tells the General Assembly of journey towards healing ... - The Church of Scotland - May 30th, 2023
- Legacy of 12th-century rabbi, doctor and thinker Moses Maimonides on display in NY - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2023
- Rabbi Hershel Billet on the future of American Jewry - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2023
- Bennett wins defamation lawsuit against rabbi who claimed he wasn't Jewish - The Times of Israel - May 24th, 2023
- Compatible Kidney Donor Turned Out to be His Chabad Rabbi - COLlive - May 24th, 2023
- Around the world: Prayers and spiritual commitments for Rabbi ... - The Jerusalem Post - May 24th, 2023
- Rabbi Lader reflects on career ahead of retirement - Cleveland Jewish News - May 24th, 2023
- OPINION: As a rabbi in a small town, I understand the Jewish class ... - The Jewish News of Northern California - May 24th, 2023
- New sefer Torah in West Houston dedicated in honor of Rabbi's father - Jewish Herald-Voice - May 24th, 2023
- This lawmaker and rabbi was scheduled to deliver an invocation. His colleagues replaced him with a Christian - Forward - May 24th, 2023
- Rabbi Pinto's Visit to Dubai with Sheikhs, Businessmen and ... - The Jerusalem Post - May 24th, 2023
- Jewish Rabbi Had A Vision Of Jesus On The Cross | God TV News - GOD TV - May 24th, 2023
- Topeka Rabbi speaks about the importance of Jewish American Heritage Month in Kansas - KSNT News - May 24th, 2023
- Rabbis in the United States | Jewish Women's Archive - May 17th, 2023
- Rabbi - New World Encyclopedia - May 17th, 2023
- It was only 50 years ago this month that the first female rabbi was ... - May 17th, 2023
- RABBI | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary - May 17th, 2023
- Seeking answers in Judaism? It turns out, a rabbi can help. - May 17th, 2023
- Plane encounter between singer Noa Kirel and top rabbi goes viral - The Times of Israel - May 17th, 2023
- Airplane encounter between Noa Kirel and a top rabbi goes viral - The Times of Israel - May 17th, 2023
- Red carpet rolled out in Dubai: Rabbi Pintos welcome by senior governme - The Jerusalem Post - May 17th, 2023
- The Hampstead rabbi hiking Mount Everest with a Sefer Torah - The Jewish Chronicle - May 17th, 2023
- Rabbi Pinto was asked about the judicial reform; Watch his answer - The Jerusalem Post - May 17th, 2023
- This rabbi is betting $5,000 he can convince you to go vegan - Forward - May 17th, 2023
- Memory Lane: Rabbi Zvi Gottesman, Spared from the Massacre ... - Boro Park 24 - May 17th, 2023
- King Charles praised for helping chief rabbi observe Shabbat at coronation - The Times of Israel - May 6th, 2023
- Film tracks the match made in prison that turned a convict into a rabbi on a mission - The Times of Israel - May 6th, 2023
- Haredi calls for boycott of bread giant after board chair protests leading rabbi - The Times of Israel - May 6th, 2023
- Rabbi Harold Kushner asked God tough questions and shared the answers ... - May 5th, 2023
- On the brink of a rift in the nation: Rabbi Pinto calls for the strength - The Jerusalem Post - March 28th, 2023
- Religious and gay: When coming out means going up against your homophobic rabbi father - Haaretz - February 25th, 2023
- Rabbi Falk to leave Green Road Synagogue in June - Cleveland Jewish News - February 11th, 2023
- The 50 Most Influential Rabbis in America - Newsweek - January 25th, 2023
- Orthodox pilgrimage to the grave of Kabbalah rabbi buried in Istanbul picks up after COVID slump - JTA News - Jewish Telegraphic Agency - January 23rd, 2023
- Science News Roundup: Meat cultivated from cow cells is kosher, Israel's chief rabbi rules; Space startups funding halved in 2022 as investors shift... - January 23rd, 2023
- Film about rabbi, civil rights activist to be screened Feb. 5 at Fox Theater - The Bakersfield Californian - January 10th, 2023
- The Granada massacre of 1066: When a Muslim mob crucified a Rabbi and murdered almost the entire Jewish population in a city - OpIndia - December 31st, 2022
- www.the-temple.org - December 27th, 2022
- Sunday Sitdown: Local rabbi reflects on meaning of Hanukkah on first night celebration - WAVY.com - December 25th, 2022
- Why Is Naftali Bennett Suing This Rabbi for Defamation? - Israel News - Haaretz - December 13th, 2022
- Spanish rabbi shares story of bridging religions with Mandel JDS - Cleveland Jewish News - December 11th, 2022
- Rabbi: Lets recommit to one another and get the polio vaccine | Opinion - NJ.com - October 15th, 2022
- A Shared Scripture Conversation between a Rabbi and a Pastor - Alpena News - October 15th, 2022
- A Kosher Vape? Meet The Rabbi-Certified Jewish Vape Brand, Oy Vapes! - Herb.co - October 15th, 2022
- Judaism and feminism: how far we have come, how far we need to go The Stute - The Stute - October 15th, 2022
- Six Greater Phoenix rabbis, other clergy highlight Arizona's 'draconian' abortion bans - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - October 15th, 2022
- Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley: October 21-27, 2022 - Sedona.biz - October 15th, 2022
- In tribute: A man of dignity, Oklahoma's Ben Shanker, died 'at the high point of Yom Kippur'. He and his wife Shirley, of blessed memory, were my... - October 15th, 2022
- It's splendorous. It's packed with meaning. It's the etrog. J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - October 15th, 2022
- Herzog presides over quasi-biblical gathering revived by his grandfather - The Times of Israel - October 15th, 2022
Comments