I know that the commotion over Tzivos Hashem's misguided silent auction started the other week, but, at least on this side of the Rockies, people still seemed rather irked.
I spent (wasted) the time going over the booklet, and came to the following conclusion.
The contents could, according to my opinion, be divided into four different categories.
- Holy Things: Those things that are directly connected to Judaism -such as Jewish Books, Hats, Sheitelach, Jewish Music and the like.
- Normal (or stam) Things: Those items that are normally auctioned off at events -Jewelry, computers, meals at restaurants.
- Prust Things: Items, which while not so bad . . . just don't fit into a Jewish Auction - HDTV sets, DVD players baseball paraphernalia and the like. (I know that some will take issue with this category, being that The plasma tvs, dvd players and the like can be used for good things. Or to the other extreme, that baseball and other sports things are completely wrong . . . )
- Blunders: Those things that are completely illogical and show a serious erosion in the organizers values -This included all movie related things (which even though I have no problem with an autographed James Earl Jone's Darth Vader's helmet, I think it does not belong in the auction in any way, shape, or form), The backstage pass to Levi Okunov's fashion show, the 'no holds barred' lunch with Dr. Ruth(!), and all other such blunders.
Of these four categories, there were
22 in category number 1,
79 in category number 2,
20 in category number 3,
and
16 in in category number 4.
Despite the clear lead of those two in the upper half, and the relative 'wiggle room' in the third category . . . the fact that even one of these things (let alone sixteen!) managed to make it on is a real wake up call to us.
What were they thinking?
I know that Tzivos Hashem has since sent out a letter:
Thursday, Chai Cheshvan, 5767I for one find it of little use . . . what good is an apology for offense, if the offender does not regret his actions? You shouldn't have known about it is no excuse. (Picture in your own mind some action or another committed against a fellow and see if the answer 'you weren't supposed to know' helps.)
Dear Members of Anash, Sheyichyu
I am writing to address the concerns of many Crown Heights residents
who recently received the Joseph Papp Humanitarian Fund auction booklet
in the mail.
As you well know, Tzivos Hashem is recognized as a singular Mosod that
consistently offers innovative programs for the children of our
shchuna, as well as children around the world. Most notably, our World
Wide Tehillim Club, Chidon Sefer Hamitzvos, Craft Workshops and the
Jewish Children's Museum stand at the forefront of Jewish youth
educational projects.
A lesser known project that bears our name is the Joseph Papp
Humanitarian Fund. The Papp Fund has been operating humanitarian
projects in the former Soviet Union since 2000. The fund was created by
the celebrity friends of Joe Papp O"H, and continues to run with their
active participation. As a result, the annual fundraisers for this
vital organization are geared towards the friends of these people.
I apologize for the unfortunate misunderstanding that led to many
objectionable prizes being included in the 2006 Papp Fund auction.
Though we certainly never meant to offend anyone, I can understand the
disappointment of many residents and I assure you that Tzivos Hashem
has reviewed and revised its fundraising guidelines to avoid such a
mix-up from reoccurring.
Thank you for your constant support of Tzivos Hashem's many crucial
projects. I look forward to your continued trust in our commitment to
help raise a pure generation of children who will usher us into the era
of Moshiach. May it happen Bimheira Biyameinu, Amen.
Respectfully,
Yerachmiel Benjaminson
Executive Director
Tzivos Hashem
The problem is in our perceived dichotomy in the world.
If Judaism is one domain, and the world around us another, then in order to connect people to Judaism we must bring in the outside.
If however, we understand that there is no dissonance between the Torah and the world, then there is no need to reconcile the two by taking away from one or the other.
IF the Torah is the truth, if then there is no need to make 'exceptions' in our standards to bring in support.
True this items are of no objection to the intended crowd, an autographed six season of Everybody Loves Raymond is not perverse by 'modern standards' but if we are here to support the Rebbe's cause, how can we make it happen through something inherently objectionable to the founder?
I am not here to criticize Rabbi Benjaminson, I do not know the man, nor do I accuse him of insidious things . . . Nor do I underestimate the challenge or the pressure to conform -I'm sure that many would find it difficult to tell Meryl Streep that here signed poster is not fitting for the cause which she wishes to support. But if somebody doesn't do it, then who will?
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Technorati Tags: Tzivos Hashem, Bloopers, Chabad, Judaism, Essays
1 comments:
An open letter to Tzivos Hashem
What on earth is happening to us ? To Chabad ?? The Rebbe M”HM has charged every one of us – ‘official’ shliach or not – to light up the way for our brothers and sisters in these darkest of times, with the light and warmth of chassidus. To lift up the world and uplift the spirit of all that are in it, in these last moments of golus, by preparing ourselves and the world for Moshiach, and spreading the news of his imminent arrival.
Unfortunately, as the world continues its downward spiral, and reaches new ‘lows’ daily, we seem instead to be sinking r”l right along with it. I have just looked through a ‘chinese auction’ booklet that I got in the mail. To say that I’m shocked and horrified by what I saw is a massive understatement!
To begin with, there are pictures of the Rebbe on many of its pages, alongside various ‘heroes’ from the (under) World of Sports and TV….not to mention assorted (sordid) ‘rock stars’ including Elvis Presley and (quote) “one of todays hottest performers” Avril Lavigne, complete with a CD of her latest single. Not to be outdone from the World of Medicine (?!), one can also (again quoting your booklet) “indulge in a no holds barred conversation with ‘Dr. Ruth’…” Are these the Role Models we want for our children?? And they’re put in a booklet with Our Rebbe?!?
How about some of the ‘items’ you can bid for in this auction? Well, there’s an All Star Rock and Roll poster with such ‘legends’ as The Grateful Dead, Kiss, The Monkees, and The Beach Boys……yet more ‘paragons of virtue’ (not true)…you’ll also find ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ poster signed by the actress herself, Meryl Streep, an autographed biography of ‘Darth Vader, Unmasked’…a ‘priceless’ vintage designer Bob Mackie gown made especially for (what else) an ABC TV special….There are also DVD players to be had, and an opportunity to win The Complete Sixth Season DVD Collection of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’, a popular TV show.
Fortunately there’s a ‘start your library’ option. Unfortunately, it bears no resemblance whatsoever to the Rebbe’s call for a ‘bayis maleh s’forim’. This budding ‘library’ begins with an autographed copy of a John Grisham novel – not anything you’d want your children to read, and the second selection? The ‘memoirs’ of James Earl Jones, a black actor. Seems you can also win a 2 night getaway to N.Y., and take in a popular Broadway show as the trip highlight…You might also win The Shopping Spree, or bid on a ‘Fashionistas Dream’ for yourself, and an ‘inspirational’ (I think not) visit to the set of Sesame Street for your impressionable children….There’s also a ‘Chagall’ portrait of the animals – obviously not only the ‘tahor’ group – in Noah’s Ark…Bid, as well, on ‘Flags of the World’, an album of the ‘United (against Israel) Nations’……how about an ‘Elvis’ stamp collection….situated on the very same page as the ‘770 Collection of Stamps’, celebrating the Global Impact of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Chabad. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry….
Looking perhaps for the ideal vacation spot? How about the Hawaiian Getaway, with some lovely (and explicit) pictures to whet the appetite…or maybe a VIP Trip to Hollywood strikes your fancy….No time to take a vacation?? Not to worry…There are TWO BIG HI DEFINITION FLAT SCREEN TELEVISION SETS to be won, that will enable you to bring all of these exotic places and famous people right into your living room (not to mention all the ‘garbage’ that comes along with it.) THIS IS BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS !! In the 1950’s the Rebbe wrote a Public Letter blasting television…writing how Yiddin would go out of their way NOT to pass by a church, and yet there are people who CHOOSE to bring not only the church BUILDING, but the actual priest performing the SERVICE into their homes via a television set. The TV gives children access to ALL MANNER OF DEPRAVITY that’s ‘out there’ in todays (S’DOM LIKE) world, the very opposite of life itself….OUR LIFE…….’KEY HAYM CHAYAINU V’ORECH YAMAINU’….
HOW COULD IT BE…that THIS auction, REPLETE with THINGS and PEOPLE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO EVERYTHING the REBBE M”HM stands for,
be found in a booklet, together with the REBBE’S HOLY COUNTENANCE, that will SURELY be taken as a tacit endorsement and ‘haskama’ of everything therein, by everyone involved in the bidding and buying of these ‘items’ ?!?
HOW COULD IT BE…that a BOOKLET FULL OF MIXED MESSAGES
that are at best CONFUSING and more likely DAMAGING to the (SPIRITUAL)
‘HEALTH AND WELFARE’ of our children be a ‘PROJECT’ of ‘ TZIVOS HASHEM’,
THE VERY ORGANIZATION FOUNDED BY OUR REBBE TO PROTECT THE
NESHOMOS OF OUR PRECIOUS CHILDREN ?!?!?
HOW COULD YOU DO THIS ???
We want MOSHIACH to come…We want MOSHIACH to WANT to come….
By any stretch of the imagination, DOES ANYONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND BELIEVE THAT THE REBBE WOULD’VE ALLOWED THIS ‘MAILING’ TO TAKE PLACE ?? AND KNOWING THE ANSWER – AS WE ALL DO – HOW COULD YOU ALLOW IT TO GO OUT ???
IT’S TIME TO TAKE A GOOD HARD LOOK AT WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND US IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY, AND FIX IT ASAP !!!
WE ARE ALL RIGHTFULLY PROUD TO BE CHASSIDIM OF THE REBBE M”HM.
LET’S MAKE SURE THAT THE REBBE IS EQUALLY PROUD OF US. WE,
WHO CARRY HIS BANNER……THE BANNER OF LUBAVITCH…..
YECHI ADMO”R MH”M !!!
Gittie Munitz LA
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