Chabad Raises Money Exclusively For Postville's Jews

Last week I showed you that the defense fund for Sholom M. Rubashkin was in fact…

…a fund started by a national Chabad nonprofit for Rubashkin's benefit, and that Chabad was using tax deductible donations for Rubashkin's defense.

Now Chabad is raising money for Postville's Jews, many of whom are ardent supporters of Rubashkin, but not for Postville's non-Jewish population – many of whom are Rubashkin's victims.

Here is a screenshot of the new website started by Chabad for this purpose. Please click images to enlarge:

The picture is at the bottom of the page is Postville's kosher store. The area of the page circled in red says:

Donate Now
Your donations will support the 125+ frum families and 300 school age children including heating support. Thank you for your gift at this time of great need!

For those of you who do not know, "frum" means Orthodox Jewish.

Clicking the donation button gets you here:

The Judaic Resource Center is also described on the Postville Emergency Relief site:

The JRC text reads:

Judaic Resource Center of Iowa

When the call comes Rabbi Yossi Jacobson and the Judaic Resource Center of Iowa answers. Most recently when the spring floods destroyed dozens of homes in Des Moines it was The Judaic Resource Center who sprang into action to prepare thousands of food baskets for hundreds of families. This went on week after week until these families regained their homes. There was no discrimination with regard to any faith or ethnic issues. None. All who needed were fed.

It’s time once again to answer the call and Postville needs your help.

This is the same Judaic Resource Center that raised money exclusively for Postville's Jews this way:

Note there is not even a whiff of non-denominational aid. Everything goes to Postville's Jews.

And that is the case with the new fundraising website, as well. The new website is just more skillfully worded. It is almost as if Chabad was responding to my criticisms, and responding to the national united fundraising and relief campaign that I suggest and have helped launch.

The news link on the bottom left of the new website leads to a blog started on Thursday 11-20. Here are screenshots of the blog:

Of course, these screenshots should look familiar to you. In what may be an amazing coincidence, but probably was absolutely intentional, Chabad chose make its blog look almost like mine.

It chose to use TypePad, which costs money, rather than use any of the other, free blogging services available like the ubiquitous Blogger and WordPress.

Then, once choosing and paying for TypePad, it chose, out of dozens of available templates, the exact same template I use, right down to the fonts and colors.

At any rate, Chabad is actively raising money and food exclusively for Postville's Jews.

Postville's Chabad organization works under Chabad's organization in Des Moines:

Here is a screenshot of Chabad.org's Postville center information page:

You'll note there is no mention of the Jewish Resource Center on either page.

But another Chabad website, ChabadWorld.org, helps us out:

So you can see Chabad of Des Moines is in fact the same organization as the Jewish Resource Center.

Here is ChabadWorld's Chabad of Postville listing:

You can see the email address listed here matches the email address listed on the blog screenshot above. The second listing, the Torah Educational Program, is the yeshiva. Its bank account was allegedly used by Rabbi Sholom M. Rubashkin to commit bank fraud.

That is the origin of the food shortages cited in the Jewish Resource Center's explanation of the origin of the Postville crisis:

The Issue
Right now hundreds of families in Postville, Iowa are without food and basic necessities. The Food Banks are unable to meet the demand. The reason? Where there is no income there is no ability to buy food.

Many of your know the story. A raid by federal authorities seeking undocumented workers resulted in over 350 people being arrested or detained. That action crippled the facility in their work of processing kosher beef and chicken. A series of continuing allegations resulted in the closing of the beef processing and just a few days ago chicken processing also ceased. This foced hundreds out of work and into the streets of tiny Postville.

The question of who is guilty or not guilty is, at this moment, is being considered in the courts. That will take time. But, right now milk and basic necessities are being rationed, shelves are empty and this is only the beginning.

This dire situation requires immediate assistance.

Why Chabad needs separate fundraising and separate food distribution is beyond me. It is divisive, and it shows no regard for the victims of Agriprocessors' crimes, just as it shows no regard for the Postville residents who worked so hard, for free, hours and hours and hours every day, to help all of Postville.

And I doubt Chabad will ever understand this.

Comments

[h]

looks like he uses the same blog template as FM. now thats an ironic coincedence. i am sure SR has nothing to do with that site it just struck me as funny is all!

[BLAME THE JEWS]

YES-KEEP BLAMING THE JEWS-YOUR DOING A BETTER JOB THAN ANY NAZI COULD-THERE WRONG FOR EVEN TRYING TO HELP FELLOW JEWS? SO EVERY ORGANAZATION THAT RAISES MONEY FOR JEWISH CAUSES IS WRONG-YOU ARE SUCH A FRAUD- AND A SELF-HATING JEW- YOU MAKE ME SICK!!

[Norm]

Hey "Blame the Jews":

This time "the Jews" are simulataneously cause and will be a victim of anti-semitism. Quoting Pogo "We have met the enemy and he is us!"

?

Jews don't have to always be and act like victims (for an example take a look at the proud sabras who have built Israel and the brilliant Jewish scholars in the disapora).

The problem here is that the Postville Jews and their supporters in Brooklyn are acting out the false Jewish stereotypes that the anti-semites have perpetuated foir years.

[David Duke]

your so full of yourself- you think theres a team of chabadnicks watching you -to determine what to do? Im dying to know what happened that your so full of hate for these people. because the rebbe didnt take your advice? who the hell do you think you are?
ive been watching you blog for a few months now-but this garbage is getting tired-you know when this story is done-what will you attack next? Rabushkin is wrong for hiring illegels? meanwhile every resturant-landscaper- and im sure you had work done on your house from a illegal-dont be such a hypocrite!!

[Archie Bunker]

While it's sad that Shmarya is so absorbed in hatred which is the primary drive behind this blog, he happens to be correct in this instance.

It is a desecration of G-d's name that Chabad and the OU, who have direct responsibilities, are not doing something to help Rubashkin's non-Jewish victims. There are also other sins attached to this like violating the concept of darkei shalom & a passive form of misgareh beumos.

[critical_minyan]

shmarya,
while at the beginning you were only a nuisance to Chabad, I believe now you are actually leading it morally through your blog.
That is why they launched their fundraising website, there is no question that whoever created their website is probably an avid follower of yours.
Until the last Rebbe returns from the dead, in my opinion, you are the current interim Lubavitch Spiritual Leader.

[Anonymous]

Gosh SR, you don't really think they are imitating you do you?

They don't even know who you are.

[stillnotshmaray]

jews not center of universe
shmarya not center of jews
chabad takes care of its own
no news

[chickenman]

sad to see such hate for chabad that evening helping jewish victims is a crime.

[BaltimoreYid]

Shmarya may have issues with Chabad but he is in no way responsible for the mess in Postville. I remain an independent Torah observant Jew who is glad that people like Mr. Rosenberg are there to point out our flaws. The image we have of ourselves as "a light unto the nations", is in serious trouble right now. I pray that it's not too late already for all of us. Stop blaming a blogger and accept the fact that we are far from perfect. Hashem yirachaim.

[Yochanan Lavie]

Charity begins at home, but it shouldn't end there.

Baltimore: Well said.

[chickenman]

did any one assess if this chabad effort was to supplement the aid so that strict kosher requirements that may not be met by general aid are met. easy to blame chabad. but if abbas and sb and other wondeful groups are collecting non kosher stuff someone needs to help the yidden.

time may come soon to face it that even if new funds arrive or new owners take over it may take months to sort of this mess and get the place going. perhaps chabad communities need to do a katrina like response and take in famalies in limbo in other cities. so far all the talk of new investors owners is talk. agri is a fincial legal bankruptcy quagmire.
hashem give strength and comfort to ALL the victims of this trsgedy.

I hope the hatred brewing against jews is a few wackos and hot heads and not a general thing.

[Joachim Martillo]

One can choose to whom one wishes to give charity, but if Chabad is misleading donors to believe that the charity is distributed non-denominationally and if Chabad running this project under the aegis of a 501(c)(3) organization, to which donations are tax-deductible, Chabad would be engaging in several flavors of civil and perhaps criminal fraud.

[Barry]

There is a question that no doubt everyone posting here wants to know the answer to.

How many tee shirts with the 'painful hook in throat' slogan were ever sold and how much income did Shmarya's make from their sale?

Come on Shmarya, be truthful. I promise not to tell the IRS.

[lobbying4peace]

Shmarya,
When you and Jeff Abbas and Rabbi Allen rallied together to collect food for the community of Postville, didn't you do it with the Jews in mind? The food wasn't first sent to the community food pantry. It was driven directly to the kosher store and unloaded there, for the Jewish community. Here is a quote directly from your blog about it:

"All food which was not able to be distributed through the kosher store was then returned to the Postville food pantry."

(There wasn't much left, by the way.) I am not criticizing you for your efforts. People in Postville had food to eat because of what was done. If it had been taken directly to the food bank, there is a possibility that some people would have had too much pride to go there to get it. You never know. Just don't be so quick to judge. You guys did a good deed, but it was first for the Jews, then for others.

Last week some Jewish people organized a plea to various companies for the entire community of Postville, not just the Jewish community. Are you now going to take credit for giving us that idea, too?
Whatever we do you seek to find the negative.

We are not accustomed to asking for help from anyone. It is a humbling experience to accept charity. But accepting from someone you have some kind of connection with, sort of like family, makes it somewhat easier. It is also easier to give to someone you feel a connection to, like family. Who else is going to help us? People believe stereotypes, and they believe the things you write about us. You are surely not helping to build good relations. Your tendency to sensationalize the things you report and your obvious negative undertones only stir up more trouble than is already present. When will you be happy? Whatever we do, you will always find the negative.

[StillNotShmarya]

critical_minyan: eternal leader the late departed He without substitute and SR not in possession of rule book, but not to worry, Postville soon to go back to killing cows in holy manner approved for consumption with new work force -- new workers don't know from unions and work for peanuts: shown with new plant labor foreperson Ms. Latvia-Ulrichston, fresh from Ukraine:

http://www.mythfolklore.net/3043mythfolklore/images/oz/oz_movie_monkey.jpg

[Max]

One of the first major food shipments arranged by the Jewish community was organized by a Jewish non-profit call The Good People Fund. They arranged for a '53 tractor trailer filled with pallets of food to be delivered the Postville Food Pantry in August, not earmarked for the Jewish community.

Additional food shipments have been delivered first to the make-shift food kitchen established at the Multicultural Center where food was separated between items that would be acceptable for consumption by orthodox Jews and items that could go to anyone in need. The kosher items were taken to the now defunct kosher grocery store which is being used as a pantry, while some items were bagged for delivery directly to Jews in need.

Much of the items were food collected from the conservative Jewish synagogues in Minneapolis/St. Paul persuant to a request received from Mayor Penrod, and Jews in Postville for food assistance for the Jewish community.

While requests have gone out to Chabad, so far the response from Chabad has been limited at best. I was told that a trailer full of goods is on its way from New York, although this has not been confirmed. Anyone with information about this should post information here. I'm sure people would welcome this assistance.

Multiple food appeals have gone out to the Jewish community for assistance to be funneled through St. Bridget's and St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Rather then physically sending food, it is best if people send checks. Money can be used to purchase food at substantial discount or meet other needs of those in desparate circumstances. Let people on the scene determine the best way to use the funds (in some cases for example, they can arrange transportation so familes can move in with relatives in other parts of the country while they get back on their feet).

1) The Jewish community has responded to the needs of both Jews and non-Jews, with the majority of support going to non-Jews.
2) Chabad may or may not have responded to the needs of people in Postville but it appears as if they are only responding to the needs of orthodox Jews.
3)We really need to be careful that we are not going to inundate the people of Postville with quantities of food they cannot handle. Money is best.
4) This crisis will go on for awhile, until people a) leave town; or, b)find other jobs.
5) Despite what CBS reported, the City of Postville administration has been woefully negligent and shown a level of incompetence as to border on the criminal.
6) There are good people in Postville who may not be professionals at crisis management (including the folks at St. Bridget's, St. Paul's and volunteers at KPVL), but are doing a far better job then the Mayor and his administration, and they deserve our thanks and support.

[Nigritude Ultramarine]

sad to see such hate for chabad that evening helping jewish victims is a crime.

Chabad is like the Chasida, a non-kosher bird that only does chesed for their own.

[Nigritude Ultramarine]

its own

/Preview is your friend

[Shmarya]

did any one assess if this chabad effort was to supplement the aid so that strict kosher requirements that may not be met by general aid are met. easy to blame chabad. but if abbas and sb and other wondeful groups are collecting non kosher stuff someone needs to help the yidden.

Please.

You even commented on posts where I explained the need and the unified approach.

And the Chabad site quoted above says nothing about "supplement" – in fact, it says quite the opposite.

[Bruce]

The bottom line is that when you really study the jews many of them do not obay the law, always trying to change it to their liking. You all havent seen nothing yet. Just wait till Barack finally moves into the oval office in January with his pitbullish buddy Rahm Emanuell. Out goes the U.S. borders and in comes the North American Union. We can all be proud members of THE NEW WORLD ORDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shmarya]

When you and Jeff Abbas and Rabbi Allen rallied together to collect food for the community of Postville, didn't you do it with the Jews in mind? The food wasn't first sent to the community food pantry. It was driven directly to the kosher store and unloaded there, for the Jewish community. Here is a quote directly from your blog about it:

As I noted above and in another post, the only reason the food went to the kosher store is because the Jewish community of Postville REFUSED to accept for from the food shelf and INSISTED on separate distribution.

You guys did a good deed, but it was first for the Jews, then for others.

That was because your Chabad community through the mayor issued an emergency appeal claiming starvation.

We wee told moments before Shabbat (or, in my case, moments after Shabbat began) that this was a dire emergency.

We responded.

But the fact is, there was plenty of kosher food in Postville then,

The food shelf had canned goods, beans, and staples.

There was a truck with two pallets of halav yisrael dairy products parked at the kosher store waiting to be unloaded.

No Jew (or non-Jew) in Postville that night needed to be hungry. Certainly no one was starving.

What your community lacked (beside halav yisrael milk, which was not on that truck and was needed for the kids) was Paskez cookies and crackers, pas yisroel bread, and other items that are not staples or even particularly necessary.

Again – you got the bulk of that food separately because:

1. You said there was starvation, even though there was not.

2. You insisted on separate distribution.

We are not accustomed to asking for help from anyone. It is a humbling experience to accept charity. But accepting from someone you have some kind of connection with, sort of like family, makes it somewhat easier. It is also easier to give to someone you feel a connection to, like family. Who else is going to help us?

My God! Dozens of Postville residents who are not Jewish have already helped you. Thousands and thousands of non-Orthodox Jews outside Postville helped you and continue to help you.

Past that, everything you just wrote could be said by the Guatemalans, Somalis, Palauans, and American-born non-Jewish workers.

People believe stereotypes, and they believe the things you write about us. You are surely not helping to build good relations. Your tendency to sensationalize the things you report and your obvious negative undertones only stir up more trouble than is already present. When will you be happy? Whatever we do, you will always find the negative.

Chabad is raising money exclusively for Jews. Chabad has done next to nothing for the non-Jews of Postville. And Chabadniks committed the crimes that put Postville in the situation it is in today.

If you do not want to be stereotyped, do not act like a stereotype.

[Cheers]

Intersting to note that the whole basis that Scott has to demand that we help the Falashas was because of the so called Psak by Rabbi Feinstein that these people should be considered Jewish. This shows that Scott too understands the concept of the need to help a fellow Jew first. After all, this is based on Jewish law. If anyone wants to get into the detailed discussion of helping the "victims" of the Agri "crimes", that is their own opinion and they are entitled to it. But Scott's own previous work shows that the Jewish responsibility of charity is to the Jew first. Sorry, but our own opinions does not halacha make.

[Shmarya]

ntersting to note that the whole basis that Scott has to demand that we help the Falashas was because of the so called Psak by Rabbi Feinstein that these people should be considered Jewish. This shows that Scott too understands the concept of the need to help a fellow Jew first. After all, this is based on Jewish law. If anyone wants to get into the detailed discussion of helping the "victims" of the Agri "crimes", that is their own opinion and they are entitled to it. But Scott's own previous work shows that the Jewish responsibility of charity is to the Jew first. Sorry, but our own opinions does not halacha make.

I see the yeshivas in Chabad still cannot teach basic halakha (Jewish law).

1. The pesak from Rabbi Feinstein is real, not "so-called._

2. Establishing a halakhic case to mandate aid is different from help on the ground.

That many Jews would not give money to help Ethiopian Jews unless the Jewishness of the Ethiopian Jews was clear meant we had to do everything possible to make that case.

It did not and does not mean that case was halakhicly necessary in order to help them.

3. There is a specific Jewish law, Mefarnesin Aniyei Akum **IM** Aniyei Yisrael, which means of non-Jews ask for help, they must be helped together with the Jews.

Many poskim hold non-Jews must be helped together with Jews even if the non-Jews do not ask for that help.

You ignore this halakha.

[Archie Bunker]

It was just a matter of time until trailer trash anti-Semites came on here to bash Jews in agreement with with Jewish anti-Semite Shmarya.

Heeeere's Brucie at 1:01 pm.

[Anon]

What is wrong with Chabad raising funds to support their own?

If you want proof that SMR's denial of bail is unfair, you need look no further than the attached to see how hardned criminals are routinely released on the own recognizance without even a dime of bail.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1121083gas2.html

[Bruce]

I've been here all along BUNKER! That's how liberals operate. They name call and try to force you to back off in shame. OH PLEEEEESE ARCHIE, DON'T CALL ME AN ANTI-SEMITE. YOU HAVE HURT MY INNER TOUCHY FEELYNESS.

Lets see what the AMERICAN HERATAGE DICTIONARY has to say. Sem-ite 1.Peoples of the Near East and northern Africa , including the Arabs, Ethiopians, Hebrews, and Phoenicians

So BUNKER. YOUR WRONG!!!
I have no problem with Arabs, Ethiopians, Hebrews, and Phoenicans. It's just Bolshevic commies like yourself that i have problems with

[Bruce]

Some of us have to work for a living so ByBy
Talk at you tomorrow.

[chickenman]

crown heights has an effort to load a trailer with relief supplies. if it feeds a kid great. does it really help to scream at jews all u care about is your own. that is crap during katrina chabad of texas cared for many folks. during the spring floods chabad of iowa helped.
with all the anger and accusation on this site why would a rubashkin loyalist trust schmarya. ideal world all work together. pville is no longer a melting pot it is a social economic meltdown.

[StillNotShmarya]

if u do good u do good even if you don't do good over there but over here -- but meltdown mebbe coz Agriprossors try build bizness on foundation of smoke mirrors & melting sands
hustle here hustle there
2 bad
no good

[Yochanan Lavie]

Archie has been called many things in these pages, but I never thought I'd see him called a Bolshevik.

Suggestion to Shmarya: Just like you disallow Rev. Neal and other missionaries to post here, so too should you exclude Nazi pieces of shit. If that asshole had half a brain, he'd know there are Jews trying to help the Gentiles of Postville.

[Yochanan Lavie]

hustle here hustle there
2 bad
no good

I guess they took a walk on the Wild Side.

(Apologies to Lou Reed):

Sholom came from Crown Heights, BK
Hitch-hiked his way over to Ioway

Plucked his payot on the way
Bought an abattoir and then he was home free
He says, hey bubbeleh, take a walk on the Agri side
Said, hey motik, take a walk on the Agri side

Candy came from out on Palau island
In the backroom she was every bosses' darling

But she never lost her head
Until she had no money for bread
She says, hey Sholom, take a walk in the jail yard
Said, hey boss, take a walk in the jail yard

And the Somali girls go:

Doo, doo, doo, etc.

Gal Investments never once gave it away
Everybody had to pay and pay

A hustle here and a hustle there
Postville city is the place where they said
Hey tenants, take a walk on the outside
I said hey schmoe, take a walk on the outside

Unemployed workers came and hit the streets
Lookin' for paychecks and a place to eat

Went to the "multicult"
You should have seen free food go go go
They said, hey Agri, take a walk on the kind side
I said, hey Rubbishclan, take a walk on the kind side
All right, Nu?

Shmarya is just blogging away
Thought he was Ed R. Murrow for a day

Then typepad had to crash
A new server would have helped that dash
He said, hey Yidden, take a walk on the holy side
He said, fellow Yidden, take a walk on the ethical side

And the Ethiopian girls say:

Doo, doo, doo, etc.

[Max]

Chickenman:
Where is the trailer or drop off center located? If people want to help in CH or Borough Park, who do they contact? Are they also collecting chalav Yisroel milk? Is the truck refridgerated? Please post information!!!

[Jerome Soller]

Max,
I am not acting as proponent or opponent of the Borough Park effort. I personally feel it is absolutely disgraceful that Chabad is not doing anything for non-Jews. At the same time, as a pragmatist, there are people in need that require food. Therefore, I view it as a good thing that Chabad is finally doing something concrete, but wish Chabad would also do the morally and halachically right thing and not limit their aid to Jews.

The following link takes you to the Borough Park effort:
http://chabad.info/index.php?url=article_en&id=12974

Jerome

[chickenman]

jerome posted the chabad info. People are in need any help is good. let's stop the war on people, we all loose!!

A rancher (farmer) near Postville had offered to donate some different types of his livestock to the frum Jewish community if some of them could come to the farm to slaughter the animals. (They knew him and had slaughtered there before.)- He asked that the parts of the animals the Jewish community could not use be donated to the food pantry for non-Jewish individuals to use. - Many days later NO ONE had acted on the offer. - I find it frustrating after bringing over $440.00 of non-perishable food to the multicultural center 4 days ago that offers like this were not acted on.- It would have been a great help to both frum community members and to non-Jewish resdients. - Also, one of their frum community family menbers had a dairy farm outside of Postville. It would seem there would be ways they could access milk "milked by a Jewish person" even if it would be raw milk. - I can't understand the New York community wanting to pay transportation costs to transport food from New York to Iowa, but am grateful for any help they give after being in Postville different times the last 7 months.

[nachos]

To the best of my knowledge, the farmer that owned the dairy farm outside Postville no longer milks cows. Unfortunately, due to the USDA, if he were milking cows and gave someone raw milk, he could lose his shipping license. Unfortunately, that is one thing the USDA is very strict on!

[yidandahalf]

Barry, did it every enter your mind that Shmarya may faithfully report every penny of his income as many self employed do with their future social security benefits in mind?

[lobbying4peace]

"As I noted above and in another post, the only reason the food went to the kosher store is because the Jewish community of Postville REFUSED to accept for from the food shelf and INSISTED on separate distribution."

I can't find anywhere in your blogs or comments where you said this previously. Please tell me where to look. I am a member of the Jewish community and this is the first I am hearing of it.

"That was because your Chabad community through the mayor issued an emergency appeal claiming starvation."

No one issued an emergency appeal to the mayor claiming starvation. Again, sensationalism.

BTW, not all yidden in Postville, probably close to half, are not Chabadnicks. Have you ever visited? There are a lot of streimels in shul on Shabbos.

I previously wrote:

People believe stereotypes, and they believe the things you write about us. You are surely not helping to build good relations. Your tendency to sensationalize the things you report and your obvious negative undertones only stir up more trouble than is already present. When will you be happy? Whatever we do, you will always find the negative

Your response:

Past that, everything you just wrote could be said by the Guatemalans, Somalis, Palauans, and American-born non-Jewish workers.

Maybe I am dense, but I don't get the connection. The Guatemalans, Somalis, Palauans, and American-born non-Jewish workers don't have you blogging negative things about them 24/7. I had/have no problem with any of these people. I do not stand for racism. My children will be the first to tell you that I do not condone negative speech directed toward any race OR religion. You, on the other hand, apparently can not rest until you twist things around and find fault with everything a Yid in Postville does and then blog it for all the world to see, thus encouraging, and inciting, hatred of Jews.

"Chabad is raising money exclusively for Jews. Chabad has done next to nothing for the non-Jews of Postville." "If you do not want to be stereotyped, do not act like a stereotype"

Chabad is not raising money exclusively for Jews. Period.

I do not act like a stereotype. You do not even know me, or you would agree.

[Yochanan Lavie]

My stereotype is a Bang and Olafsonn, complete with turntable.

[Shmarya]

I can't find anywhere in your blogs or comments where you said this previously. Please tell me where to look. I am a member of the Jewish community and this is the first I am hearing of it.

Try looking. I don't index my remarks to please you.

Past that, it's true. You might try asking your friends.

No one issued an emergency appeal to the mayor claiming starvation. Again, sensationalism.

REally?

Then please explain who several disparate people got phone calls claiming it?

Why did the mayor tell people this? Why did others – including at least one Jewish community leader – say this?

Maybe I am dense, but I don't get the connection. The Guatemalans, Somalis, Palauans, and American-born non-Jewish workers don't have you blogging negative things about them 24/7

That would be because they do not claim to be Orthodox and they do not claim to be more correct and practicing the authentic brand of Judaism.

They also did not defraud, exploit and abuse poor defenseless people.

Chabad is not raising money exclusively for Jews. Period.

Yes it is.

[suitepotato]

The Torah and Talmud are nicer to slaves and gentiles in theory than Chabad is being to those they helped bring to this sad condition here and now in practice. To say that helping Jews in need is a mitzvah is a partial truth. They're committing a sin of omission as they say by leaving out the other mitzvah and minhagim which clearly convey a message of taking honest responsibility and steps to mend the damage one has caused.

The entire Agriprocessors story reads like a case of a frat house that paid a hooker to strip at a party, and when she fell on a beer soaked floor and died of the injury, tossed the body and got caught for it, then made all the excuses and split every hair they could to pass off blame and deny responsibility. It is exactly that unseemly.

Shmarya, keep reporting. Honesty and integrity must be things people live. So too must be guilt, empathy, community, commonality, and friendship. Keep noting the ongoing tragedy of irresponsibility.