Another Haredi-Kiruv Success Story
Yeshiva World News is kvelling. What could be greater than a man throwing away his career (although market conditions are quite bleak for many at Bear Stearns, which appears to be a significant factor) and becoming a yeshiva bachur at Dark Light? The Kvetcher has confirmed that there is a Robert Savit at Bear Stearns, so this letter probably is true.
JTA’s editor isn’t sure if this story is “moving or maddening.” I don’t think most of us over here have that conflict.
Robert, beware. Ohr Somayach rejects scientific method, and Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem rejects the work ethic as well, and reports to “daas Torah” gedolim, who are quiescent fundamentalists to the core, and whom are increasingly activist.
Someone claiming to be Rabbi Shlomo Simon, the executive director of Dark Light, wrote into Yeshiva World News,
Wonderful letter. We are eagerly awaiting your arrival here at Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem. I have every confidence that your expectations will be far exceeded by your experience here.
Oh, I am sure they are eagerly awaiting Robert’s arrival.
Robert, Ohr Somayach will use you, just as the haredim are using you now, in order to draw less wealthy and established young Jews into their web, and paralyze them with their bite. While you may not suffer because of this, others will. You are facilitating their predatory brutality upon others younger and naive than you by being their poster child, which is what they will do with you.
12 comments
It seems he lives in greenwich ct - have someone with press credentials call. It does not smell kosher.
Feel free to remove the address from this email after you read it.
I was at Bear until just before Pesach and davened with Rob Savit all the time. He was on the frummer side of the folks at the minyan, but seemed like an intelligent guy. Worked as an attorney for the firm. (Bottom line is that he exists, it makes sense that he would end up at a yeshiva, and he was very involved in the minyan.)
We’re only passing through… you can’t take anything with you other than your learning… everything works out for the best (my personal favorite) - it’s a fucking cliché festival.
And the one commenter who isn’t kvelling over this guy’s “conversion” consoles himself with anticipation of his impending punishment in the afterlife - “Whoever is responsible in any way for the loss of other people’s money will face a tremendous din vicheshbon. Trust me the din will be awesome.” Awesome? What does that even mean?
This is what it all comes down to for them - “do it or you’ll go to hell”. Wounded, terrified children. And these are the people who purport to have the answers to life’s greatest questions.
I didn’t quite understand his last statement, which wasn’t included in the quote at the YWN site - “If you find yourself in ir HaKodesh and are in need of someone to send out minyan e-mails (this time for a fee of course), or if you just want to take a yeshiva bucher for a decent meal, please contact me.”
Why - because he’s going to be hard up for cash? Didn’t he take anything away with him from Bear Stearns? He didn’t put anything by for a rainy day? How good an investment broker could he have been?
So - he screwed up, got caught with his hand in the till, didn’t plan for the future, and now he’s seen the (dark) light. And they all think it’s a “kiddush HaShem” . Why don’t I find this inspiring?
Of course, if one of your new Hareidi commenters responds to this (rhetorical) question, he’ll say it’s because I don’t have the proper kavannah, or I’m not “high” enough, some such nonsense.
They’re just like Christian fundamentalists. Except for the word “Jesus”, and the fact that they’re a little more xenophobic - there’s no difference.
I understand that you hate religious jews, but who do you think you are commenting on what someone does with their own life? you want to rip on OS? fine. but if this guy has made a choice that is not: immoral, illegal and doesn’t effect anyone but himself. who are you to comment? let him live his life his way. you may not like it but its his choice, not yours you douche. leave him alone. at least u could have made up a name.
his personal choices are not for your public rediculing
danny,
I didn’t make this story public. It made the JTA…it’s public.
DK thou art an evil hertitic! Thou shall not criticize the orthodox lifestyle or thou shall burn in a pit of fire and brimstone!
SJ, whatever happened to idiot yeshiva kid?
Thou shall not criticize the orthodox lifestyle or thou shall burn in a pit of fire and brimstone!
(I think it’s “shalt”.)
I wrote something relevant to this thread on my latest blog post.
I never even realized that this web site existed, but now that I have read some of your comments, I find I must reply. I am Robert’s father. I did not want Robert to leave for Israel, telling him he could study Torah in the U.S. instead of so far away.
I knew I would miss him dearly and I do. The only “motive” which Robert has is to be the best Jew he can be. For him that means studying in the Holy Land where he feels a greater connection with Hashem.
Robert has no agenda other than to learn as much as possible in the city of our Lord and if that is somehow evil or irritating to those who are criticizing him, I pray for you.
He has chosen his path based upon his feelings and heart and for that I applaud and congratulate him.
Just so you are aware, I attend a Conservative Shul and certainly had nothing to do with Rob’s decision to be closer to God. If that is wrong then this world is in trouble.
It should be noted that even though the Ten Commandments dictate that you respect and obey your parents, there is one time that this Commandment does not apply, and that is if your parents demand that you not study Torah. For that is the most important mitzvah of all. Robert has chosen that course and it make me shed tears of happiness for him, knowing how his love of Judaism has led him to the Holy Land.
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