According to a Ynet report, a request by Venezuelean President Hugo Chávez to pay an official visit to the Chabad Shul in Caracas was rejected. Chabad Rabbi Moshe Ferman in Venezuela, rejected the president’s request arguing that it was aimed at garnering political gains in light of the West’s revulsion of him.
(Take a look at the picture, and you might see another reason not to let this Jew hater into a Shul.)
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28 Responses
He’s a 2-bit dictator who deserves to be overthrown., But rejecting their own country’s leader is prone to cause hostility and anti-semetism, and otherwise backfire as it is considered an insult to the country itself. Chabad typically doesn’t concern itself with long-term reprecussions.
GOOD FOR RABBI MOSHE FERMAN KEEP IT UP !!!
What’s this guy playing at? It’s like a Russian Jew refusing a request by Stalin, or a Cuban refusing one by Castro.
This is a sensitive issue, and Rabbi Ferman should meet with President Chavez in a different venue, not in the CHABAD SHUL.
200 posts on the topic, and we still don’t have a clear policy on whether those who hug Ahmadinejad should be welcome in a Shul.
JOSEPH — I realize that much of the Yeshivish world doesn’t have Chabad bumper stickers on their minivans, but you’re trying a bit too hard with that comment. Relax, there will plenty of other opportunities to let your feelings on Chabad shine through.
reply to joseph: i was always wondering what gives chabad the edge, i am not sure if the end of your post was meant to be factual but it got me thinking maybe thats why they are so matzliach. either way something to think about, thanks
‘chabad typically doesnt concern themselves…….’
Although your right and rejecting their leader will cause hostility, it seems that chabad demonstrate the fact that they fear the Almighty alone and are not intimidated by some parasitic ‘tsuris macher’ who needs to make an impression on the western world.
shmu, I have no idea what you are talking about.
To Joseph Says:
kishke Says:
You took the words out of my mouth, this will only cause anti semitisim, I think they should of let him in to the shul and try to get him to be a little more friendy to the jewish community.
To Joseph??????? You are obviously not living with reality.
To the rest of you: His name is Rabbi Perman (not Ferman), and if this story is true, dont you think he thought about all of our concerns prior to making his decision??
looking at that picture – i feel bad for Chavez. His kids are going to get kicked out of Cheder and he will never get an aliyah again (…except in Antwerp)
Here is what another Shliach there, NOT Rabbi Perman wrote to me…
I dont know any details about this, but “dictators” do not “ask”? They just show up! (I mean, the guy is dictating American policy, you think he’s gonna “ask” a local organization if they would please host him? Ulay yesh lomar, someone is reading his Purim Torah early this year -:)
good one daas bal habayis, and you beat me to the post 🙂
But in truth, rabossay, he’s following the lesson from Purim, where Mordechai said not to go to Achashverosh!
shmu: I have no idea what you are talking about.
‘Chavez’ kids are gona get kicked out of cheder and he will never get an aliya’
pshhhhh….now thats what I call intelligent humour. The second time ‘tacky sarcasm’ was used on this subject. The first was on another blog.
Does anyone wana make it ac chazokoh????
What to do in a situation like this requires Daas Torah. I am not a Lubavitcher, nor do I approve of their present day philosophy (VeHaMaivin Yavin), but I wonder if this Rabbi consulted with the Beis Din of Lubavitch, or did this on his own. The ramifications of having or not having Chavez in the shul are too serious for the average Rabbi to contemplate and decide upon.
Looks like the story is true, see here for more details & Rabbi Permans explanation.
http://www.col.org.il/show_news.rtx?artID=27447
For all you hateful LADERGAERS who in order to HATE Chabad become political experts, I am sorry to spoil the party but here is a email sent by Rabbi Perman’s son-in-law and one of the Shluchim in Caracas
“For the information of anyone who is interested. The story which was
reported in COL and subsequently in the Israeli Media is 100% false it is a
completely fabricated story and it has caused us quite a bit of damage here
in our community. Anyone who is in the position to pass this on please do
so.”
You guys and gals just love to post and talk! Find out more of the story before condeming, deciding and advising.
It’s kind of funny to read through the posts, knowing that the story is fabricated.
Proud Jew…..
well I cant speak for anyone else but I always saw Chabad as a very proud group of Chassidim devoted and loyal to their religion. I sorta was impressed with this story. Now I am kind of dissappointed.
Its intersant that this story was posted here, considering its accuracy. Perhaps the massive Chillul Hashem caused by the Seattle airport incident gave this story some initial credibility.
The Shliach of Caracas denies the entire event ever took place and further, he claims this has hurt him. So please for his sake stop the bad rumor
nameless, its good to know they are devoted to their religion. Yidden are devoted to their religion as well.
I agree that the Seattle Airport Chillul Hashem raised all sorts of suspicions on them.
a first for chabad!!!
not inviting the king to be seen with the local shluchim!!!
nevertheless, of course, i applaud.
while on the subject, a historical question i would like an answer: during the 1930’s (or at least late 1930’s) did the various “yekke” kehilot say “tfilat lshlom hamelech”??? if anyone knows, plz post and / or email me. (i assume the “parsim” today have no choice in the matter, but the venezulaians today still have a choice.)
This is unbelievable!!!!
With 3,800 Chabad Houses around the globe being run by about 5,000 couples, there are people who chap un to 1 story that happened in Seattle which there is a hava mina to say that it was bichlal not even a chilul Hashem, and yet you are willing to over look all the good they do (can you imagine an org as fine as oorah, now times that by 3,800) and all you can do is criticize?? Un mir shemen zach nisht?????
A frielichen Adar.
M
WHY WOULD HE WHANT TO COME ANYWAY????????
qwerty
sorry, you’ll have to do better than that……
What I mean t to say was I dont see another group having the ‘Chutzpah’ to reject their leader, no matter how antisemitic he might be!
Their yiras shomayim has always been very admirable. Try not to demean it!