Jewish Week Editor Downgrades Ukraine's Long-Serving Chief Rabbi

The Jewish Week's editor, Gary Rosenblatt writes:

Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich, a leading chasidic rabbi in Kiev, told the visiting Americans that the Jewish community of Ukraine, estimated at between 350,000 and 400,000, was “at a crossroads. Will we make it or break it?” he asked, adding that “this community is not looking for handouts but for partners. Reach out and challenge us,” Rabbi Bleich urged.

But then, in a separate article written as a paean to Chabad, Rosenblatt writes:

As [Chabad's] Shmuel Kaminezki, the chief rabbi of Ukraine, explained in an interview in Kiev last week, “When our rabbis come to a community, the first thing they do is buy a cemetery plot. They are there to stay.”

Rabbi Bleich has been Ukraine's Chief Rabbi for more than 10 years. Chabad recently tried to supplant him by bringing in its own 'chief rabbi.' It looks like the Jewish Week has picked sides in this dispute.
Why would that be, Gary? What's that matter, grease got your tongue?

Comments

[L]

Wasn't it someone else who Lubavitch chose as their chief Rabbi in Ukraine - Azman may have been his name - and not Kaminetsky ? Maybe Gary just got his names mixed up.

[Shmerel]

Chaikin, was the man Lubab picked to become 'chief rabbi' and usurp rabbi bleichs position.Chaikin was a raBBI IN brussels, he is close to 75, and should know better!!!
When will Chabad stop usurping rabbinical positions so they will be able to get their hands in the communities cookie jars and shove their messianic drivel down peoples throats?!!

[Avodas Avoda]

Wow Shmerel. That's no way to talk about the organization that has saved more Jewish neshomos than any other organization in existence. I think you ought to calm down.