Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Young Israel Troubles - Updated!

I have been following the latest mini scandal at the NCYI, this time they are threatening a shul in upstate NY since the Shul has a Female President. Here is what the Jewish Week had to say:

At the end of what was described as a contentious call — during which National Council leaders repeatedly refused to discuss plans to expel a member congregation in Syracuse — one synagogue representative made a motion of no-confidence in the National Council’s leadership. With that, the national leaders hung up, leaving synagogue representatives puzzled and upset, according to those on the call.

One of those on the call, Hillel Levin, a board member of the Young Israel of Toco Hills in Atlanta, said he was “disappointed by the National Council’s handling of the Syracuse matter and its handling of the meeting of the delegates. Of the delegates who spoke at the meeting, I can think of only one who spoke vaguely in favor of National Council’s handling of the whole thing.”

The problem here is that while NCYI (i.e. Pesach Lerner and friends) have steadily moved to the right over the past few years, quite a few of their member shuls haven't, or have even moved to the left (Atlanta is a good example).

I am hoping that this time the various non Chareidi members of NCYI will force the issue, and even oust Lerner and friends and get some new and better leadership.

The other alternative is for those shuls to all leave the NCYI. I'm not sure which is the better option - but it's the same old question we always debate here - is it better to stay and fight from the inside, or just leave?

Update: Seems they decided to stay and fight: http://youngisraelfuture.com/

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