Symposium
Not on view
Date2009-07-28
ClassificationsPoster
Credit Linenone
Object number2009.A.187.1-2
Object DescriptionPoster, Symposium, Brooklyn, July 28, 2009. This symposium, organized by Agudath Israel of America, addresses the scandal of rabbis, politicians and other communal bigwigs [44 total arrests] who were arrested on July 23, 2009 following a two year investigation of corruption and international money-laundering. Solomon Dwek, a Jewish businessman and philanthropist living in the Syrian Jewish enclave of Deal, New Jersey was initially charged with bank fraud, but became a federal informant in one scheme of money laundering in the Syrian and haredi communities and another of political corruption in New Jersey. Five rabbis in Deal and Brooklyn were charged with helping Dwek conceal his assets by accepting bank checks from him to their charities, deducting a fee, and returning the rest in cash. The rabbis arrested were Samuel J. Kassin, 87, prominent leader of Shaarei Zion, a central Syrian synagogue in Brooklyn; Rabbis Mordchai Fish and Lavel Schwartz of Brooklyn; and Rabbis Eliahu Ben Haim and Edmund Nahum of Deal. Another Jewish man in Brooklyn, Levy-Izhak Rosenbaum was accused of selling kidneys internationally. The symposium, held the day before the eve of Tisha Ba’av and five days after the arrests, was attended by thousands and was held at the main building of the Vishnitz community in Boro Park. The program featured an opening mea culpa from a the Spinka Rabbi, Naftali Tzvi Weiss, a hassidic leader who pleaded guilty in 2007 to financial crimes relating to his group’s educational institutions; two Ashkenazi and Sephardi haredi rabbis who denounced those involved in the scandal; and two criminal defense attorneys who discussed the law in regards to money laundering. Gedolei Yisroel, Prominent Lawyers, & Community Askanim [people who are involved in community activities] issue dramatic call for massive rally! “In light of recent developments, and the arrest of a number of individuals from the entire Jewish spectrum, Gedolei Rabbanim, Renowned Attorneys, & Community Leaders will speak out on the recent startling events that have been unfolding and which are affecting scores of Jewish families throughout the Tri-State Area.” It is of utmost urgency that every individual in the community attend! For men only. Free admission. Black on yellow. Illustration of law books, gavel, and scale against background of flag. In English with Yiddish. Posters were found stapled back to back to lamppost on Avenue K in Midwood, Brooklyn. TWO OF SAMECollections
- Posters and Announcements
Keywords
- English
- Yiddish
- Religious movements and leaders
- Agudath Israel
- Brooklyn
1946-04-26
Object number: 5073.81