Rabbi Telsner rejects Yeshivah petition

NAOMI LEVIN

YESHIVAH Centre dayan Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Telsner has rejected a petition asking for a controversial sign to be removed from Chabad’s central synagogue.

In response, petition organisers have proposed to take the matter to a higher authority for a ruling, citing Lubavitch headquarters in New York as potential mediators.

For 18 years, a large sign with the words of the prayer Yechi has been hanging at the back of the Yeshivah synagogue. But following the ostracising of a group known as the “Moshiach Men” from the Chabad community, synagogue members petitioned to have the sign removed.

They argued it was divisive and gave oxygen to those fringe members who believe the late Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson is the messiah.

Responding to the petition last week, Rabbi Telsner said the sign would remain in the Hotham Street shul, in line with a ruling by the late head of the Yeshivah Centre, Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner.

“I see no reason to change the status quo and am upholding Rabbi Groner’s psak [ruling] in relation to this matter,” he wrote in a letter to Yeshivah congregants.

But many members have responded angrily. Community stalwart Emmanuel Althaus said Rabbi Telsner had selectively quoted Rabbi Groner’s ruling.

Rabbi Groner’s full ruling, he explained, also banned the shouting out of the Yechi prayer -— a practice that continues to this day, despite leaving many members feeling uncomfortable.

Althaus said with Rabbi Telsner’s inaction, the matter has just been swept under the carpet.

“This issue, irrespective of the individuals involved, is going to keep on bubbling, it has not been resolved,” he said, criticising the lack of accountability and transparency within the Yeshivah.

Menachem Vorchheimer, one of the petition’s organisers, has proposed the matter be escalated and referred to Merkos, the Lubavitch headquarters, in New York.

“It is apparent that legacy issues and conflict of interest present a roadblock standing in the way of Rabbi Telsner making an objective decision based on current circumstances and with respect to the future of Yeshivah,” Vorchheimer said. “We have respectfully made our views clear in this regard.”

The Melbourne businessman argued that if not resolved by Merkos, the issue could cause “further irreparable damage to Chabad Lubavitch in Melbourne and elsewhere”.