FailedMessiah.com

Family Reportedly Flees Beit Shemesh After Haredi Harassment

A moderate haredi family from Beit Shemesh has been forced to leave the city after haredi extremists reportedly harassed and assauted them.

Haredim Arrested For Counterfeiting Siyum HaShas Tickets

Israel Police have arrested two haredi men for counterfeiting tickets to tonight’s Siyum HaShas in Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Post reports. The event, which celebrates the conclusion of the 7 1/2 year cycle of study of the entire Babylonian Talmud and the beginning of the next 7 1/2 year cycle, is reportedly sold out, making the tickets, which are in high demand, exceedingly valuable.

IDF Bans Chabad Messianist Yarmulkes

The Israel Defense Forces has reiterated its ban on kippot that have writing on them, specifically noting that Chabad followers who have insisted on wearing so-called “Yechi” yarmulkes in the military may not do so.

Israeli Cops Bust Massive Online Pedophile “Ring”

Israeli police have arrested more than 30 alleged pedophiles who are members of what is being called an “online ring.” However, it does not appear that the men knew each other or collaborated with each other in executing their crimes. The undercover investigation that nabbed the men was headed by the National Fraud Unit, and is being described as the first of kind to take place in Israel. Similar police stings have been executed all over the Western world for more than a decade.

Does Evidence Uncovered In A London Trial Show That Chabad Helped Its Patron Oligarch Steal More Than $1 Billion?, Part 2

A London Court proceeding found that Rabbi Beel Lazar – Chabad's chief rabbi of Russia – acted deceitfully to benefit his financial patron, oligarch Lev Leviev, in a $1 billion-plus battle with another billionaire, Arcadi Gaydamak, over the proceeds of Angolan diamond mines. Lazar, who is detested by everyone from members of the pro-democracy movement he helped Vladimir Putin crush to US Government officials, Israeli government officials, and a large number of non-Chabad rabbis worldwide, has a long history of deceptive, deceitful and unethical behavior. Will his latest act of bad behavior signal the beginning of the end of his unfortunate career?

Report: Australian Police Prepare To Arrest Senior Catholic Bishops For Covering Up Child Sexual Abuse – Case Could Lead To Arrests Of Chabad Rabbis

Australian police are reportedly preparing to give state prosecutors evidence against three senior Catholic bishops who reportedly knew about cases of child sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests but did not report those priests to police. The potential arrests are being called a “landmark case that could expose the church to a new wave of criminal prosecution” – and could land several Chabad rabbis in prison, as well.

A Woman’s Place Is In The Home, Leading Zionist Orthodox Rabbi Claims

In a new pamphlet titled “Who Created Me As He Willed,” Rabbi Zvi Tau reportedly writes that “home is the natural habitat for women to express their special tendency ... not the domain of social activity. At home, without the bustle ... is where a woman can fully live her life.”

The Government Responds To Rubashkin's Supreme Court Petition For A Writ of Certiorari

The government lays down the reasons why it believes Agriprocessors former VP Sholom Rubashkin's request for United States Supreme Court intervention in his case should be rejected. Rubashkin is serving a 27-year sentence for fraud and related charges.

Are NY Teachers Unions Protecting Sexual Predators?

When teachers are accused of sexual misconduct with a student, an independent arbitrator decides their fate. But that system is biased toward suspending or fining sexual predators rather than firing them, Campbell Brown writes.

Did The Haredi-Controlled East Ramapo School Board Commit Fraud Against The Citizens Of NY?

Among a litany of alleged wrongdoing it outlines, a petition filed with the State of New York Department of Education alleges that the haredi-controlled East Ramapo school board used public funds to purchase religious books for yeshivas.

Monsey Vizhnitzer Rebbe Orders Hasidim To Boycott Siyum HaShas

As the Monsey Vizhniter Rebbe strengthens his ban on Agudath Israel of America's Siyum HaShas ordered because Agudah is allowing two 'Zionist' rabbis to speak there, the Belzer Rebbe also reportedly orders a boycott of the Israel version of the Agudah event, altough his reasons for doing so are not yet clear.

Does Evidence Uncovered In A London Trial Show That Chabad Helped Its Patron Oligarch Steal More Than $1 Billion?

That is essentially the claim made by billionaire Arcadi Gaydamak, who accuses Chabad's chief rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, another prominent Chabad rabbi in Russia, David Mondshine, and the Chabad-founded and Chabad-controlled Federation of Jewish Communities in Russia with lying, perjury and cooking the books to help Lev Leviev steal more than $1 billion from him.

In Chabad Child Sexual Abuse Scandal, Bad Judgement And Alleged Lack Of Concern For Children Led To Disaster

"In many of the cases the abuse could have been prevented if appropriate action would have been taken earlier on. For example, with at least one of the alleged perpetrators there were sufficient warning signs for action to be taken. Instead, not only was action not taken but the alleged paedophile was given unrestricted access to children."

Five Towns Orthodox Newspaper Photoshops Photo Of Teens

The Five Towns Jewish Times, owned by Larry Gordon, who is from a Chabad family, photoshops a photo of local teens, lengthening skirts and sleeves to make the photo "tzniut."

Hundreds Of Holocaust Survivors And Their Children Protest Israel’s Mistreatment Of African Refugees

“Last winter I saw on television dozens of African migrants huddled together in Levinsky Park. The sight was horrible and I decided to help them by giving the migrants food and blankets. During the Holocaust, I had to learn to live with being ostracized and hungry, and when I look at the migrants in Israel, I can see what I fought for at age 11. We can't turn a blind eye while these people are in distress…[but the hundreds who came to protest today] are just a drop in the bucket. Where are all the Israelis?. Don’t they care that these people have no hope? That if they're shipped back to their countries they could die?"

Should You Really Be Fasting In This Heat?

Is it safe for you to fast when the temperatures have been so high in most of the US for so much of the summer? The answer may surprise you.

Haredim Say They Don’t Have To Worry About The Draft – “We Won’t Be Dragged Into The Army,” A Yeshiva Student Said

"Everyone knows that forcibly recruiting haredim is not possible. I'm not going to lie – we are thinking of what the future may hold – but we believe the Torah protects the people of Israel, us included. I'm certain that if you interview me at this time next year, we will still be studying. I’m not changing any of my plans.…People like to accuse the haredim of mocking the seculars and soldiers, but we respect them. After all, they protect us. But our studies also have value. It all stems from ignorance and hatred for the ultra-Orthodox."

Video: Bill O'Reilly On The Goodman Child Sex Abuse Arrest

"27-year-old Andrew Goodman raped two boys, ages 11 and 13, over a period of four years. This savage pleaded guilty to 48 felony counts of criminal sexual acts, but New York State Judge Martin Murphy sentenced the monster to just two years in prison. Murphy gave Goodman the minimum sentence, but refuses to explain why. Enter U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch, who has charged Goodman with the federal crime of transporting a minor across state lines to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Goodman could get at least ten years in a federal prison. Ms. Lynch is obviously doing this to protect children from Goodman, something Judge Murphy is unwilling to do. She is a hero and should be respected by all Americans for standing up to a gross injustice. Finally, we see a public official willing to right a grievous wrong and we want the entire country to know it. What about New York Governor Andrew Cuomo? He remains silent in the face of a judicial atrocity that has embarrassed his state…"

Lakewood Rabbi In Court Over Illegal Dumping Of Religious Waste

New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection has been fighting the rabbi for more than two years, and a court this year gave Abadi 60 days to remove the dump. The 60 days expired June 18, but the dump is still there, and the Department of Environmental Protection fears it will begin to pollute the township’s water supply.

Satmar Hasidic Newspaper: We Will Ignore Government Regulations On Metzitzah B'Peh

The Yiddish language hasidic newspaper Der Yid, published in Brooklyn by Satmar hasidim and considered to reflect the views of Satmar hasidic leadership, says haredim will fight the government's attempt to regulate metziztah b'peh (MBP), the direct mouth-to-bloody-penis sucking done by hasidic mohels to the bleeding penises of babies immediately following the circumcision cut. MBP has sickened, maimed and even killed babies through transmission of the herpes virus.

Hikind Lashes Out At Bloomberg Over Haredi Penis Sucking Ritual

"Orthodox Judaism isn't barbaric. Who cares more about children than their own parents? There's no call for Mayor Bloomberg to speak disrespectfully to our community, to speak condescendingly about our cultural traditions.…This issue is not about soda pop. it's about religious tenets and it requires an extremely sensitive and respectful approach, not flip remarks that are insulting to an entire community."

Is Chabad Punishing Restaurants That Carry Uri L'Tzedek's Ethical Hechsher?

Chabad denies it, but there is mounting evidence that Chabad is in fact coordinating a nationwide attempt to destroy Uri L'Tzedek's Tav HaYosher ethical supervision of kosher restaurants as payback for Uri L'Tzedek's short-lived boycott of Agriprocessors in 2008, and out of frustration that Agriprocessors VP Sholom Rubashkin was sentenced to 27 years for bank fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering (something Chabad nonsensically blames on PETA, "the unions," Rabbi Morris Allen, me, and, tangentially, Uri L'Tzedek).

Homosexuality And Orthodoxy

A public radio show interviews several gay Orthodox and haredi Jews and follows it up with a debate of sorts between Rabbi Meir Fund, who is haredi, and Rabbi Debra Kolody of Jewish Renewal. (Fund wipes the floor with Kolodny, who come off as a pompous ignoramus.) This is followed by a 'bonus' interview with an Orthodox lawyer who was a victim of childhood abuse. He took a case pro bono involving abuse, prostitution, and murder

The Last Will And Testament Of Howard Frank

Howard Frank, the beggar with the million dollar collection of entertainment photos who died under mysterious circumstances early in the morning of June 28th in Brooklyn, left a will. That will disinherits his only sibling and does not mention his business partner Frank Pohole or the man who loaned him tens of thousands of dollars to pay for the storage of those photos. Does that mean Howard Frank wasn't murdered?

Want To Get Well? Sell Your Illness To Goy, Haredi Ad Says

You can sell your illness or problem to a non-Jew and be healed or have that problem solved, a haredi classified ad says. But the service isn't free.

Scam: Haredi Yeshiva Students Caught In Employment Sting

Israel’s Channel 10 has no trouble finding haredi ‘full time’ yeshiva students who want to work off the books while still collecting government subsidies for their ‘full time’ yeshiva study.

Pedophile Andrew Goodman Arrested On Federal Charges

The Brooklyn pedophile who pleaded guilty to raping boys and then was sentenced earlier this month to only two years in prison for his crimes – which, with time served would have seen Goodman free by early September – has been arrested by federal authorities.

Bloomberg: Unsafe Practices Like Metzitzah B’Peh Will Not Be Permitted

Mayor Michael Bloomberg responded to haredi rabbis’ threats to sue the city if the city passes a requirement for parents to sign an informed consent form acknowledging the dangers of metzitzah b’peh (MBP), the oral-to-penis sucking done primarily by haredi mohels immediately after the circumcision cut is made.

Audio: A Brief History Of The Haredi Draft / No Draft

Here are two brief but comprehensive reports on the haredi draft. One deals with the history of exempting haredim from military service, the other deals with the politics involved in trying to reverse those exemptions now. Both are well worth listening to.

Charges Against Chabad Alleged Pedophile Dropped

Charges against Aron “Ezzy” Kestecher, accused of four counts of indecent acts on a child under 16, have now been dropped.

Haredi On Haredi Violence: Sicarii Gang Member Allegedly Attacks Haredi IDF Soldier

A Sicarii member allegedly assaulted a haredi IDF soldier in Beit Shemesh in what police say is part of a larger campaign against haredi IDF service and a potential haredi draft.

Monsey-New Square Hatzolah Phone Lines Down

"Hatzolah Ambulance of Monsey and New Square is reporting that their emergency phone lines are down.  They have asked that we provide an alternate phone number for those seeking to contact Hatzolah in an emergency situation.  That number is (646) 438-6563.  As always, we recommend dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency to be connected to the police department."

Matisyahu To Perform During Tisha B'Av Fast

Matisyahu has a scheduled performance in New York City Sunday, during the Tisha B'Av fast commemorating the destruction of the 1st and 2nd Jerusalem Temples.

American Greed To Profile Haredi Scammer Solomon Dwek

CNBC's venerable business crime series American Greed has new episode airing tomorrow night – The Jersey Score, profiling Solomon Dwek, the rabbi's son who scammed millions and then helped the FBI bag dozens of politicians and haredi rabbis. The rabbis laundered money for Dwek, using their charities and Israel to do it. One arrested haredi man was nabbed trying to sell a human kidney.

Lying To Protect Metzitzah B'Peh

Haredi representatives use lies to protect metzitzah b'peh (MBP), the direct oral-to-penis sucking done by many mohels (Jewish ritual circumcisers) immediately after cutting off the baby’s foreskin, from regulation by  NYC's Board of Health.

Chabad Fails Its Own Long Term Members, Chabadnik Says

Chabad's resources are put into outreach and missionary activity directed toward non-Orthodox and non-Chabad Jews. But it does little for Jews who already are Chabad, leaving Chabad adherents with exorbitantly high school tuition bills, and extremely high cost of living, and few of the benefits members of other hasidic groups get. Chabad's large families are often in crisis as a result.

Video: Rabbi Burger

It's offensive. It's funny. It's not my fault. Watch it anyway.

Skvere Rebbe Visits New Square Arsonist In Prison

The Skvere Rebbe is reportedly visiting Shaul Spitzer in prison. Spitzer is his former hus bucher ('butler'), who tried to burn down the home of New Square dissident Aron Rottenberg while the Rottenberg family was asleep inside, save for a son-in-law who was awake monitoring the family's security camera. Spitzer almost killed Aron Rottenberg in the process. The Skvere Rebbe did not visit Rottenberg while he was hospitalized or afterward.

Brooklyn Couple Busted For Food Stamp, Welfare Fraud

Rivka Baror, 51, and her husband Avraham Baror, 64, have been indicted for fraudulently collecting $108,715.57 in Medicaid and food-stamp benefits, from January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2012.

As Penn State Hit With Devastating, Unprecidented Penalties, Why Not Haredim?

A $60 million fine. All wins from 1998 through last season voided. No post-season bowl games for four years. All football players can transfer to any other school that will accept them with no penalty and no red shirt year. Scholarships slashed. College athletics has responded decisively to the enabling and coverup of child rape and child sexual abuse. Why can't haredim?

Haredim Sell Special "Double-Whapped" "Miracle" Ring That 'Cures" Illness And 'Solves' Financial Problems

"This segulah [sign; an amulet or other magical object or action that brings about a change in the course of nature, by healing an illness, finding a spouse, etc.] uses a ring made from pure silver, crafted by G-d-fearing Yidden in purity. It is engraved with special holy Sheimos Hakedoshim, and then immersed in a mikvah. It comes in a velvet pouch and must be double-Whapped at all times to protect its kedusha, and kept on the person (according to the special instructions that are included)."

Siyum HaShas Organizers To Vizhnitzer Hasidim: Return Your Tickets Now, Please

Three days ago, we learned that the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, New York, told his followers to boycott the upcoming Siyum HaShas, the celebration for the completion of the study of the entire Babylonian Talmud that takes place every 7 1/2 years, because two "Zionist" rabbis  had been asked to speak. Now we have a response to the Vizhnitz ban from from Siyum organizers who, while haredi themselves, have to be careful not to anger the estimated 80% of Siyum attendees who are Modern Orthodox and Zionist.

Netanyahu Sells Out To Haredim, Moves To Adopt Another Unconstitutional Law On Haredi Draft

He sold out to haredim. That’s the claim being made tonight by tens of thousands of indignant Israelis after their Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again rejected the findings of the commission he formed to deal with the issue of drafting haredim into the Israel Defense Forces and instead adopted recommendations made by a political crony and that appear to be unconstitutional.

Admitted Monsey Pedophile Wants To Withdraw Guilty Plea, Brings In Out-Of-State High Priced Attorney

A 21-year-old confessed pedophile from Monsey, New York wants to withdraw the guilty plea he entered. Shmul Dym pleaded guilty in June to two felony counts of sexual conduct against a child and two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He admitted in court to repeatedly touching the genitals of two young brothers, one 6-years-old and the other 8-years-old.

Judge Noach Dear Gets Demoted After Issuing “Bizarre” Ruling

Brooklyn Judge Noach Dear gives until it hurts – all Brooklynites. The scandal-ridden former city council member, whose role as a judge was supposed to be limited to hearing low level debt disputes, was removed from hearing criminal cases after he ruled that a man cited for public drinking of an alcoholic beverage could go free because the enforcement of laws forbidding public drinking of alcoholic beverages is racially biased.

Sleeveless Top, No Service

As I reported five days ago, stores in Williamsburg, Brooklyn have posted signs warning customers not to try to enter if dressed 'immodestly' in sleeveless and/or low cut tops. So? What's new?

Colorado Mass Murderer Worked In Jewish-Sponsored Summer Camp

James Holmes, the 24-year-old who is alleged to have murdered 12 people and wounded 58 others at an Aurora, Colorado movie theater early Friday morning, worked as a counselor at a non-sectarian camp sponsored by Jewish Big Brothers and Sisters in Los Angeles, the organization’s CEO Randy Schwab said yesterday.

Right Wing Zionist Orthodox MK Rips Up New Testament, Drawing Condemnation – And Silence

While the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee and the head of the Conference of Presidents of Major America Jewish Organizations condemned the public destruction of a New Testament by a prominent Israeli lawmaker, the Jewish Federations of North America refused to condemn Ben Ari or comment on the incident.

Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv's Heartless Misogyny

“I don’t understand how a rabbi can issue a ruling on a matter of life and death without even talking to the parties. We’re not talking about koshering a knife here.”

Hasidic Rebbe Threatens To Boycott Siyum HaShas Over "Zionist" Presence

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, New York has reportedly threatened to boycott Agudath Israel of America's Siyum HaShas because “Zionist rabbis” are scheduled to speak. Those Zionist rabbis are former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau and Yaakov Hillel. Both are haredi but have ties to the Government of Israel. They were invited to speak, according to a Agudah source, because 80% of the people attending the Agudah event will be Modern Orthodox.