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Sevitz structured out in UOS shake-up
ANT KATZ
The first inclination that anything was amiss beyond rumours at the UOS, was at 21:09 last Thursday on the Kashrut-SA Facebook page, on which Sevitz has built a huge audience, when he posted the following statement: “After having had the privilege and honour to serve as the executive director of the UOS for more than 14 years, I will be leaving the organisation at the end of November.”
He told SAJR on Friday that “because there was a lot of chatter” on the Facebook page, he felt he had to say something.
“I would like to thank the organisation, its member shuls and our special SA Jewish community for the wonderful years of partnership and support,” he wrote. “I wish the UOS the greatest success with its future endeavours on behalf of the SA Jewish community.”
At the request of Jewish Report on Friday, UOS Chairman Jonathan Levitt prepared a statement over the weekend which SAJR has just received.
Sevitz said on Friday that he had appreciate the sentiments expressed in the online support because it made him realise the extent to which he had affected people’s lives positively.
Statement from the UOS exco
In order to maximise efficiencies and improve levels of service delivery to the community, the UOS has embarked on a strategic restructure, which was led by an independent expert consultant.
As part of this restructure the executive council and management team decided to replace the position of executive director with two new positions: head of finance and group services, as well as head of kashrut.
PICTURED RIGHT: UOS Chairman Jonathan Levitt
Darren Sevitz has served with dedication as executive director for the past 14 years and although he was offered a senior position in the new structure, he decided instead to leave the organisation in order to pursue new opportunities.
The UOS executive council and management team acknowledge Darren’s years of loyal service as well as the many wonderful contributions he has made to the success of the organisation during his tenure.
We wish him great success in his new endeavours.
Plans are in place to manage the organisation in the transition until the new positions have been filled by candidates of excellence.
We are confident that the restructure will significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the UOS and its service to the South African Jewish community.
The statement is signed by Jonathan Levitt, chairman of the UOS, “on behalf of the Executive Committee”.
No comment, says Sevitz
Asked today if he had anything to add to the UOS statement, Sevitz declined to comment.
FAMOUSLY FUNNY: Sevitz’s sharp wit was often challenged on Kashrut-SA by the equally slippery-tongued Howard Sackstein. The two men developed a strong online repartee
During a recent interview Sevitz told SAJR that the Kashrut-SA Facebook Group had grown to over 3 500 members and continued to grow daily. On an average day, said Sevitz at the time, he would field anything from 20 to 50 questions – excluding around 10 private messages per day.
Sevitz pointed out, however, that the Facebook Group was seasonal. “When it comes to Pesach – and December when people are in unfamiliar territory,” he said, there was a huge uptick in numbers. Also, when new products are launched, the Facebook page sees more activity.
He has always prided himself on answering questions in less than five minutes. “If it takes more time I am either in a meeting or I had to research the answer”, he says.
Shortly before Shabbos, Darren posted on Kashrut-SA again: “Thank you for all the positive comments and good wishes. I am overwhelmed by the response and goodwill. I am excited about my prospects for the future, and look forward to the opportunities and challenges which await me. I reiterate my comments about the UOS – I wish them well, and the best of success in their future endeavours on behalf of the community.”
We part as friends and colleagues and I look forward to hearing great things from the UOS in the months and years to come.
There are currently over 160 postings on the Kashrut-SA Facebook Page relating to Darren’s original announcement. Added to that, someone opened a “Bring Back Darren Sevitz” Facebook Page on Friday morning.
“The reality is that I am not coming back,” says Darren, and so he messaged the person who opened the page, someone whom he only knows casually, to please close it down, which was done on Friday – but not before it had accumulated close to one thousand members.
Chaya
November 10, 2014 at 10:23 am
‘\”Senior Posision\” my foot – i here it was at half the pay!’
Mark Esterhuizen
November 10, 2014 at 10:31 am
‘I am shocked! I work for a large corp and have regularly worked with Darren for years – both on the business side and kasher side.
What’s the point in changing 1 guy who does such a good job – for 2 who may do worse? ‘
Ann Levit
November 10, 2014 at 10:41 am
‘We want Darren! What’s not broken, don’t fix!’
Howard Kassel
November 10, 2014 at 10:59 am
‘We will miss Darren very much. he was outstanding at this job, and not only in kashrut related matters. He brought the UOS out of the dark ages and made it into the personal, relevant organisation it is today.’
Heather
November 10, 2014 at 12:03 pm
‘Sounds like you Mr Levitt may require some restructuring yourself. No matter what this is not how to treat people with long service and GREAT service. Sounds to me you did not like dealing with his independent efficiency. When something is not broke don’t try and fix it. Perhaps a greater explanation about 2 for 1 would be in order! ‘
Lance
November 10, 2014 at 1:36 pm
‘It appears to be more smoke and mirrors and it reeks of a cover up and behind the doors going ons. Why can we not be treated with respect and told the truth?’
Gobsmacked!
November 10, 2014 at 2:10 pm
‘One must commend Darren for the class and humility he has shown through what must be a terrible time for him and his family.
Based on the truly cynical and nonsensical statement that was put out by the UOS, one has no option but to feel that there is more here than meets the eye.
Perhaps the way forward (even if it does not save Darren’s job) is for a commission of enquiry to be appointed (perhaps by the SAJBD) to get to the bottom of why this happened and whether the process that was followed is sincerely in the community’s interest.
‘
Hayley Coleman
November 10, 2014 at 2:29 pm
‘#BringBackDarren’
Max Melamed
November 10, 2014 at 2:43 pm
‘@ Mark Esterhuizen
It’s quite simple really, two subservient employees are more useful than one free thinking independent employee.
‘
Lorraine Zive
November 10, 2014 at 3:19 pm
‘It was an unbelievable shock to see that Darren is no longer going to be at the other end of the computer and very promptly too.
Why is it, when someone is well like, a mensch and a pleasure to deal with, do we constantly find that they are made redundant. I feel very sorry for Darren, he worked so hard and now this is what has happened, not the first time either.
I can actually understand why their is so much anti-Semitism going around because it comes from within.
Totally disgusted.
’
appaled
November 10, 2014 at 3:32 pm
‘This is such rubbish. There is for sure more going on than we are told. Maybe Mr Levitt should look closer at the real useless staff that are employed at the UOS and Beth Din and rather restructure there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Disgracefuland appaling’
Sue
November 10, 2014 at 4:20 pm
‘This reeks of dishonesty… Darren is the face of the UOS ….too much for whom?’
DAVID
November 10, 2014 at 4:23 pm
‘THIS IS’NT RIGHT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER PUT A COMMENT ON A WEBSITE OR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE. THAT’S HOW ANGRY I AM. I SORT OF THOUGHT I MAY HAVE SEEN THIS COMING WHEN DARREN SEEMED TO HAVE LESS AUTHORITY FROM ABOUT A YEAR AGO – AND WE HAVE SEEN THE LOWERING OF SERVICE STANDARD.
THIS REALLY, REALLY IS’N’T RIGHT. DARREN IS ALWAYS A MENTCH SO I AM NOT SURPRISED HE WONT COMMENT. BUT THAT IN ITSELF SAYS TO ME HE IS NOT GOING VOLUNTARILY. BUT HE STAYS SHTUM AND GETS ON WITH THE JOB FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS AS IF THEY WERE ANY OTHER DAY.
THE TRUE MEASURE OF A MAN ‘
hopeful
November 10, 2014 at 4:25 pm
‘I know many people who have served long and hard at the beth din. I hope this \”restructuring\” does not filter through the entire.uos. I have a feeling mr levit is the.spokesman for a higher power’
Dror Michal (Israel)
November 10, 2014 at 4:26 pm
‘I visit South Afrika a lot and I tell my friends all over the world that it has the best run orthodox authority in all Jewish world. If Mr SEvitz made this over 14 years, then this is a disgrace. Such a young man. I am going to come and shake you hand befor you leave soon.’
Nicole
November 10, 2014 at 5:06 pm
‘Sounds like constructive dismissal! Darren is amazing and why would a restructure result in two junior positions? Just proves Darren does the job of at least two people! Pity some people can’t be as honest and transparent as Darren or have his integrity!’
michael
November 10, 2014 at 5:20 pm
‘looks like a mini dictatorship. were they too scared that Sevitz was becoming popular and actually doing some useful work?’
Sam
November 10, 2014 at 5:25 pm
‘That what happens when the beit din has a monopoly in the market. Firstly over charging, lying, no gratitude. I guess that how a business needs to run to keep the dictators on the top. Disgusting! ‘
Anonymous
November 10, 2014 at 5:42 pm
‘It’s refreshing to see that the community is not entirely blind sighted… Pity that it’s only a handful of comments. Yes there is far more to this story, although its pretty straight forward – Darren was driven out in a full blown back-stabbing coup de tat. Power hungry megalomaniacs. With Darren has left the last shred of dignity in that organisation.Hmmm all well and good to get 40 000 Jews keeping Shabbos… but what ever happened to true Derech Hashem? Disgrace. ‘
David B
November 10, 2014 at 8:00 pm
‘Not suprising.
Isn’t this the same office that gave that ridiculous psak (ruling) not to do kindness to the Breslov Chassidim who clearly were destitute and not-all-quite-there – leaving them hungry and shelterless, on Erev Pesach of all times?
‘
fed up
November 10, 2014 at 9:05 pm
‘Actually this goes beyond Mr Levitt. The Kashrut Dept at the moment are in the hands of a puppeteer who is keeping himself far out of the picture for now. Let it just be said that as it is always, good done outwardly and publicly can very often be covering up much more malicious doings. People must keep to what they know best and succeed at and stop trying to fix and redo things that are not in their scope of expertise and knowledge. ‘
David Ambrows
November 10, 2014 at 9:22 pm
‘what a shame. Anyone getting rid of Darren must be u kosher. ‘
Lindi
November 11, 2014 at 5:30 am
‘A VERY sad day for the Jewish Community! Good Luck Darren, you will be missed!’
Hylton and Rhoda Rosowsky
November 11, 2014 at 5:53 am
‘The Federation of Synagogues, later the Union of Orthodox Synagogues of the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s, was a nameless, faceless and impersonal organization, largely irrelevant to the lives of everyday South African Jews, shrouded in mystery and secrecy.
\n
\nThe appointment of Darren Sevitz in the early 2000’s changed all of that. With a quiet yet powerful determination, he brought the UOS to the fore, making it meaningful, relevant and most importantly, personal.
\n
\nWe recall fondly how he spoke in our shul with a knowledge and passion not to be matched.
\n
\nWe fear that this inexplicable decision has catapulted the Federation backwards at least 20 years.
\n
\nWe bless Darren with the blessing of a Shabbat morning:
\n
\nMay he who blessed our forefathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob, may he bless Darren and his family and all others who dedicate Synagogues for prayer, those who give lamps for illumination and wine for Kiddush and Havdalah (i.e. communal professionals) and all who are involved faithfully in the needs of the community – may the Holy One,
\n
\nBlessed is He, pay their reward and remove from them every affliction, heal their entire body and forgive their every iniquity and send blessing and success to all their handiwork, along with all Israel, their brethren.
\n
\nDarren will be sorely missed; the void will be dearly felt.
\n
\nHylton and Rhoda Rosowsky’
Barry Cohen
November 11, 2014 at 7:01 am
‘I sincerely hope nobody injures themselves by jumping to conclusions. Darren has proven to be a very capable boy and can handle himself. ‘
peter
November 11, 2014 at 7:41 am
‘Maybe we should ask if this beit din is kosher in its dealings? Looks more like a business with power hungry rulers, rather than an organisation that serves the community righteously.’
Saul
November 11, 2014 at 7:45 am
‘#Mafia’
Mike
November 11, 2014 at 7:47 am
‘Makes sense if you running a business…’
Denis Solomons
November 11, 2014 at 8:17 am
‘Was Sevitz pushed or shoved ! ?’
zalman
November 11, 2014 at 8:47 am
‘south africa prides itself with good middos….it took rav yisroel salanter a lifetime…some leaders think they are born angels..sorry uos,time to get real…this would have never happened in the real telz yeshiva’
Make me wonder
November 11, 2014 at 8:50 am
‘This confirms all my suspicions and thoughts regarding the UOS and the BETH DIN, CORRUPT, CORRUPT, CORRUPT!!!! If Jonathan Levitt can sleep at night then he has no morals. the Chief Rabbi is only worried about making a name for himself with Sinai indaba and the Shabbos project maybe he should take the time to actually listen to his community and act like a community Rabbi and NOT a politician. The Beth Din is corrupt (personal experience) and now it seems so is the UOS! And then they encourage people to keep kosher…… why should we when things are so expensive and the community lines the pockets of the UOS etc. FED UP & ANGRY’
Horrified
November 11, 2014 at 10:03 am
‘Reading through the above comments here and the activity on Facebook, especially the \”Bring Back Darren Sevitz\” page, which mysteriously disappeared, one senses that there is distrust building towards the BD, the UOS and The Chief Rabbi.
It also seems that there is a lot of uncertainty regarding where power lies (as it were) within the UOS and BD. This being the case, it is probably a good time to debate and get answers to the following questions:
1. Should the Chief Rabbi also control the UOS and BD?
2. Are there checks and balances in place to ensure that nobody can build a fiefdom to the detriment of the community?
3. Is the Chief Rabbi and the BD accountable to the community? If so, what are the parameters of this accountability?
4. What is the Chief Rabbi’s job description and boundaries? In this vein, a matter of concern, which needs to be brought up and debated was the \”Jesse Duarte situation\”. In this regard, it must be pointed out that Jesse Duarte’s statements and position on the Israel-Gaza conflict were indefensible. Nevertheless, were the manner in which the Chief Rabbi handled it and the statement he issued correct? Was there adequate consultation with the SAJBD before this statement was issued? Was the community placed in jeopardy? Was there any truth to the allegation that was made by the Ahmed Katrada Foundation that the Chief Rabbi had threatened the ANC or alternatively, what exactly was said that could have led to such an allegation? Is this type of issue within the realm of the Chief Rabbinate or should it be under the SAJBD? In these issues, should the Chief Rabbi be subordinated to the SAJBD and be a available as a resource for them?
5. Should there be a term limit for the Chief Rabbi?
The time has come for a big indaba!’
Samuel Shalom
November 11, 2014 at 10:29 am
‘Getting to the core of the issue: Who are Sevitz’s rabbis and what is this dispute really all about?
The sense of outrage is palpable, but the commenters and posters so far have not focused in on the core dynamics. This is at bottom about the murky world of RABBINICAL POLITICS. One knows who the UOS’s rabbinic backers are, the Beth Din with Rabbi Kurtstag at the helm surrounded by various underling rabbis including the Beth Din dayanim (rabbinic judges who VERY powerful people) as well as the many employees that are connected to Chabad and to the Rabbi Goldfein/Yeshiva Gedola crowd, including the Chief Rabbi who inside the UOS/Beth Din walls is just another high-profile puppet.
So the question now is, who is or are Sevitz’s rabbis? Is Sevitz a follower of any of the rabbis on the Beth Din since they all basically head communities with congregants and followers, OR as may be likely Sevitz is connected to rabbis or a group OUTSIDE of the UOS/Beth Din orbit, such as Ohr Samayach, Aish, the Kollel, Yeshiva College, or some religious power center that is not beholden to the UOS/Beth Din axis? The answer to this question would go a long way to understand why Sevitz was pushed out!
Here are a number of possible scenarios, if anyone knows which is true or fits best, please enlighten us!
If Sevitz is a follower of ANY of the Beth Din rabbis and has crossed swords with them, then he has lost his key allies and has nothing to stand on and has to fall on his sword, as he has now done. You cannot fight your own rabbi and hope to win. It is near impossible.
If Sevitz is a follower of another religious group that is not beholden to the UOS/Beth Din rabbis such as Ohr Somayach, Yeshiva Maharsha, Yeshiva College, Aish HaTorah, Kollel, or any other rabbi independent of the UOS/Beth Din axis, then it is no surprise that he has been pushed out because by his popularity and efficiency he was building a \”Trojan Horse\” power-base within the UOS and it’s no surprise he has been thrown out or thrown under the bus as they say. Rabbis and their organizations are VERY territorial and sensitive to any threats of takeovers or displacement by other rival rabbis and rabbinic groups and religious organizations and movement, or there agents and followers they do not control.
If Sevitz is simply a \”non-political\” person (something that is hard to believe for someone who has been the face of the UOS and its affiliate Beth Din for so long) then as a straight forward employee who has just moved up the corporate ladder and made a name for himself now as a \”CEO\”, it is no wonder and it’s to be expected that he has been challenged by jealous rivals who do not wish to see him \”get too big for his boots\” so they booted him out, or gave him a golden handshake and told him \”voetsak\” in a nice way.
Perhaps it is a combination of all the above, but without clear information who Sevitz’s own rabbis are and who his own Halachic guide/s are in this essentially rabbinic-organization power struggle, then it is like to try to figure out who is \”boxing\” when only one side is known i.e. the Beth Din/UOS rabbis who obviously gave the blessings and \”hechsher\” to have Sevitz defenestrated for their own good reasons and presumably they have their own justifications.
But what about Sevitz’s rabbinic backers, where are they, if he has them, who are they and what do they say and if they are part of the total equation Sevitz’s rabbis must speak up because they are the ONLY ones who can come to his \”rescue\” and make his case versus the Beth Din rabbis. Thus, what are the issues involved that the Beth Din/UOS would make such a drastic move that even hurts it, as surely they would have anticipated, yet they still went ahead and got rid of Sevitz? So it’s something serious as people can sense and that is why there is such a strong reaction that cannot be suppressed.
For the record, these kind of disputes involving the Beth Din/UOS in some way are not new. In past decades the old Adas Yeshurun community who had as their rabbi the late old Rabbi Zaltzser openly broke away from the Beth Din and set up their own Hechsherim and Shechita telling the government at the time that the Beth Din did not speak for them. That was eventually patched up when the Beth Din agreed to have a dual-track hechsher (kosher supervision) system of regular Kosher and \”Mehadrin\” kosher for the very frum crowd. Then there was the time when the Kollel first got going and they were very outspoken against what they viewed as the lax approach to kashrut of the old Beth Din, and there was much public recrimination back and forth that went on for years and still exists if one gets to know the very religious community in Johannesburg who are always looking for ways to be more and more kosher…
The question therefore is, what is the real problem and what are the real issues, and who are the real personalities and especially rabbis involved here? Otherwise all the speculation will go nowhere unless people are willing to come forth and have the guts to post this information online such as on this thread and others that will inevitably follow.‘
Manfred (CT)
November 11, 2014 at 10:31 am
‘The UOS of Cape Town is separate and distinct from the UOS of Johannesburg. The above relates only to the UOS of Johannesburg. Cape Town has no involvement in this whatsoever.’
Chad
November 11, 2014 at 10:53 am
‘Heard Darren on radio Chai this morning. Never met the man, but now I want to. This is the kinda guy you want in your network.
Expect a call from me bud, I’m taking you out for a drink.’
Rabbi
November 11, 2014 at 3:35 pm
‘At the recent rabbinical conference, the Chief Rabbi and Rosh Beth Din told us they had taken over the UOS, but promised that there would be no retrenchments. They emphasised that nothing would change.
And now this?
(Sorry I can’t list my name)’
Barry Cohen
November 11, 2014 at 4:44 pm
‘Samuel Shalom. If only it was that simple!!!’
Harold
November 11, 2014 at 5:40 pm
‘Who are the members of this Executive Committee?’
Isaac
November 11, 2014 at 5:44 pm
‘I must commend the UOS executive for their tremendous spin doctoring. If ever the ANC or ESKOM or SANRAL need an official spokesperson, I can highly recommend Team Levitt & Goldstein.’
Mark
November 11, 2014 at 6:41 pm
‘Definition of a Consultant: Somebody you pay to do your dirty work, while you stay out of the picture and keep your hands clean.
Definition of UOS Leadership: People who hire consultants.’
Craig
November 11, 2014 at 7:05 pm
‘OK so let me understand this move to efficiency and improved service delivery:
You get rid of the guy who brought you efficiency.
You get rid of the guy who made you famous for service delivery.
You create two new junior positions.
And you offer him a \”senior\” position.
Riiiight.’
Merle Gever
November 11, 2014 at 7:54 pm
‘Why? What’s wrong with you people?
Power corrupts;absolute power corrupts absolutely!’
Samuel Shalom
November 11, 2014 at 8:21 pm
‘JUST THE FACTS PLEASE! NO LOSHEN HORA.
\n
\n@Barry Cohen 11 Nov said \”Samuel Shalom. If only it was that simple!!!\”
\n
\nSo please let us know what you know. The \”scenarios\” I posited were just stabs in the dark of what is going on, so please let us know. Thanks!
\n
\n@Rabbi 11 Nov said: \”At the recent rabbinical conference, the Chief Rabbi and Rosh Beth Din told us they had taken over the UOS, but promised that there would be no retrenchments. They emphasised that nothing would change. And now this? (Sorry I can’t list my name)\”
\n
\nNo need to post your name, the Internet allows for anonymity, use any pseudonym or pen name you like, as long as there is no slander or defamation involved. The Jewish public has a right to know what their leaders are up to!
\n
\nCrucially your comment does reveal something important though, that as you write: \”the Chief Rabbi and Rosh Beth Din told us they had taken over the UOS\” that should really read the other way around that \”the Rosh Beth Din and the Chief Rabbi (in that order) told us they had taken over the UOS\” because at the end of the day, Rabbi Kurtstag a powerful man who is almost 80 and who is the Rosh Beth Din (\”head of the beth din’) rules over and over-rules Chief Rabbi Goldstein who is half his age, in his 40s.
\n
\nRabbi Kurtstag as Rosh Beth Din has all the rabbinic power, while Rabbi Goldstein has the \”PR\” pull and the ability to harness the masses. Rabbi Goldstein does not make and would not make such a daring move without it coming, and certainly not without the full backing from a higher source like Rabbi Kurtstag.
\n
\nSo the question is then what is Rabbi Kurtstag doing? Does he have any real and valid complaints against Sevitz? If so what are they and if they are valid, then he should let the public know and show that he has what to stand on. But if Rabbi Kurtstag does not have valid complaints against Sevitz, and all it is is a crude power play and politics to cut out a popular and competent figure like Sevitz who everyone agrees was doing an excellent job as CEO of the UOS, so as they say \”what’s his problem?\” or \”what’s his case?\” and why does \”he have a beef\” with Sevitz? Is it just to pull out Sevitz to make way for the total rule of the Chief Rabbi? Or what?
\n
\nOne suspects that the new Shabbos Project probably has something to do with it because at this point the Chief Rabbi has managed to cash in on a source of new financing for the UOS via the inflow from the Shabbos Project getting big bucks from local and especially from mysterious outside sources that to date have yet to made public.
\n
\nA key question behind everything is who financed the Shabbos Project to give the Rabbi Goldstein so much new-found power to act like this? After having an overnight staff in Johannesburg of about 40 people plus funds for massive PR, strategic planning, for what was a huge global effort COST A LOT OF MONEY, people, programs and media do not work for free. So who are the new \”powers that be\” the new financiers and backers of the Chief Rabbi and just HOW MUCH MONEY WAS SPENT on the total Shabbos Project, both within South Africa and globally? Does anyone know, surely there must be a group that can tell us and be held accountable for something on this scale. So far no one knows since everyone is just enjoying the hype, but it is time to answer the tough questions to know who is paying the piper and hence is now also calling the tune?!
\n
\nInterestingly outside of South Africa the Aish HaTorah organization has given the Chief Rabbi its full backing, and [SORRY, SAM, YOU CAN’T SAY THAT IF YOU CAN’T PROVE YOUR ID AND/OR THE ALLEGATION -ED] and Sevitz is now no longer indispensable. What were the behind-the-scenes discussions all about? The revenue will come not just from SA Kashrut supervision that Sevitz made his life’s passion, but now there is obviously an inflow of support from the work of the suddenly hugely successful Shabbos Project that has created a huge staff with funding. So the question is, was there pressure from [SORRY, SAM,\nDITTO -ED], for example, the Aish HaTorah crowd, that wanted Sevitz out of the way to make way for one of their own or someone less inclined to question and stand up to [SORRY, SAM, DITTO -ED]? In time the truth will come out, hopefully soon.
\n
\nThe only way this situation will ever be clarified is if people, like posters on this thread, will have the guts to come forth and give reasons if they have behind the scenes information. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE YOUR REAL NAME AS LONG AS YOU REMEMBER NOT TO SLANDER OR MALIGN ANYONE. JUST THE FACTS, JUST THE FACTS WILL DO!! The days of doing things out of the public view are forever gone now, because we live in the age of the Internet where such things are not hidden anymore. This is actually very good since it creates TRANSPARENCY and requires ACCOUNTABILITY especially when this effects the broader community who should have say in matters that effect there lives directly! So please come forth and post your comments, choose a \”pen name\” or no name at all and just put out into the online public sphere what you know and help prevent an injustice and staunch the public’s obvious outcry.‘
craig
November 12, 2014 at 5:50 am
‘couldnt agree with zalman more,yeshiva gedola of jhb aint nothing close to telz 50 yrs ago or even any mainstream yeshivish place.if this is what they produce….well they could probably make pig kosher…in fact it was probably chief that got them to place a pig head in kosher section at woolworths!!!!’
Anonymous
November 12, 2014 at 6:15 am
‘All that is GOLD does not glitter’
Concerned
November 12, 2014 at 7:38 am
‘Is the Chief Rabbi accountable to the UOS board, or is it the other way around?’
Darren Sevitz
November 12, 2014 at 10:24 am
‘News of my imminent departure from the UOS has been met with much community reaction and comment, specifically on social and other media.
The vast majority of comments have been positive, wishing me well and thanking me for my years of service.
However, many comments have been particularly
negative and disparaging of the organisation and its leadership.
I distance myself from these comments.
I have dedicated my professional career and my personal life to the pursuit of Torah and Mitzvot, and while I have outwardly focussed primarily on the mitzvah of kashrut, the others are no less important.
As essential as it is to ensure that what we put into our mouths is kosher, so too must we ensure that what
comes out of our mouths is kosher. And if you want my personal opinion, observance of the latter should be Mehadrin.
This community is known for its warmth and unity, and I respectfully request that the lashon hara, negative
speech and divisiveness come to an immediate end.
As mentioned previously, the UOS and I part as friends and colleagues, and I truly wish them every success for
the future.
‘
Even More Horrified!
November 12, 2014 at 11:25 am
‘Yesher Koach Darren, you are an absolute mentsch!
I agree that character assassination is off limits.
Unity however, does not come from stifling legitimate debate. It comes from reaching a broad consensus based on tolerance and vigorous debate.
A number of important questions have been asked during this saga and these questions NEED to be answered before a legitimate consensus can be reached and we can move on as a unified community.
I sincerely hope that the UOS, the Beth Din and the Chief Rabbi will take heed of these questions and provide the community with honest and comprehensive answers and that they set up a forum to openly debate these issues.
Anything less would simply be a show of cynical contempt for the community.’
Choni
November 12, 2014 at 11:30 am
‘I’ve kept out of this discussion, but after reading Darren Sevitz’s last comment, I can only put much of the blame on the editor of this site for allowing so much negative comment to be published over this issue which turns out to be of no importance at all.’
Samuel Shalom
November 12, 2014 at 1:08 pm
‘@Darren Sevitz 12 Nov says: \”News of my imminent departure from the UOS has been met with much community reaction and comment, specifically on social and other media.\”
Indeed, we all wish to thank you and everyone wishes you all the best on your life’s voyage. May HKB\”H bless you and yours in all ways forever. The public consensus agrees that you are a true mentsch and evidently a sincere eved Hashem (servant of God)! May you go safely with Simcha (happiness) from strength to strength in good health with your entire family until 120 years!
\”The vast majority of comments have been positive, wishing me well and thanking me for my years of service.\”
True! And note that every one of the comments has been 100% positive about you.
\”However, many comments have been particularly negative and disparaging of the organisation and its leadership.\”
Why should that be a surprise? People have brains and are not stupid, so criticism should be welcomed, unless one lives in a totalitarian society.
\”I distance myself from these comments.\”
Okay, no one is blaming you. But people need to have their questions answered when a popular and efficient person like yourself experiences something that is surprising and unexpected. People have placed lots of faith in you, and they trust you and connect with you in many strong ways on many levels and they genuinely care for you, realizing that while you are hemmed in politically, yet the public at large is very ill at ease about your sudden and unexpected departure.
\”I have dedicated my professional career and my personal life to the pursuit of Torah and Mitzvot, and while I have outwardly focussed primarily on the mitzvah of kashrut, the others are no less important.\”
This just proves that you are a genuine person, tocho kebaro (\”consistent\”) and that you are probably even a true Tzadik (righteous person) who has accomplished a lot for Torah, Yiddishkeit and the Jewish People.
\”As essential as it is to ensure that what we put into our mouths is kosher,\”
True!
\”so too must we ensure that what comes out of our mouths is kosher.\”
True too, but what is the \”un-kosher\” part here?
\”And if you want my personal opinion, observance of the latter should be Mehadrin.\”
True, but it also says \”lo ta’amod al dam rei’echa\” meaning do not stand idly by while the blood of your friend is shed, and in that one must also be \”Mehadrin\”! The point is obvious, but by way of analogy what if one sees someone who has a chezkat kashrut (assumption of being kosher, pun intended) of being a good Jew, and then that person, while on a mission of doing good for the Jewish people who is in fact a shaliach mitzvah (emissary of doing good deeds) acting as an accepted shaliach tzibbur (emissary of the community) is then enveloped by a strange group and comes out of it diminished and essentially stripped of all his prior \”positions\” and status, so then should outsiders just sit back, and go on with life as normal, or should they ask what is going on, what happened and why was my friend treated like this, should I not go and help him or at least stop the mob from doing even more harm?
\”This community is known for its warmth and unity,\”
True! And that is precisely why they are concerned about the fate of a fellow-Jew in their midst.
\”and I respectfully request that the lashon hara,
negative speech and divisiveness come to an immediate end.\”
Since the issue involves the community, the question therefore is not just about the fate of one person, but that of the entire community who wish to know what is going on please. Otherwise as they call them the \”rumor mills\” will just keep on churning along in the absence of truth and clarity.
\”As mentioned previously, the UOS and I part as friends and colleagues,\”
As the saying goes, with friends like that, who needs enemies?
\”and I truly wish them every success for the future.\”
Indeed we all do, but there is this feeling that people are being treated condescendingly and that you were the victim of a putsch and handed a raw deal. Maybe people do not like what they see, and they do not want to be \”led\” in the direction that things are going in. You are a wonderful person and have done amazing things by popular consensus even without being an official rabbi, you have proven that a well-informed and motivated \”CEO\” can get the job done and you are to be commended for your accomplishments and for the good name you have attained for yourself both in this world and no doubt in the World to Come. As Sefaradim say and bless \”Chazak U’Baruch\” and \”Tizku Lemitzvot\” and may HKB\”H shower all His great blessings upon you forever!’
Clarity, is that you?
November 12, 2014 at 5:42 pm
‘Dear Darren
\nThanks for your statement, for always choosing to take the high road and for being a living testament to all of us ‘normal people’ that mentsch’s, although elusive, are not mythical creatures. That said, this issue is not about you. Sorry, we love you, but it’s not about you at all.
\nFor what it’s worth, here’s my take and the cause for my concern:
\nOrganisations are entitled to restructure, hire, fire and operate with a certain amount of independence. The parameters of this independence are determined by a constitution. In this case, major changes were made to the operations of the UOS without the sanction of the stakeholders – the signatories and subscribers to that constitution and the people (shuls) who represent us.
\nSo what, you ask? Well…
\nThe UOS governs all Jewish life here in South Africa. The UOS has 3 ‘divisions’ : the Beth Din, without which marriages, brit milah, conversions, divorces, barmies, Baties and Din Torahs couldn’t take place.
\nThe second ‘division’ is Kashrut – everything from schitah to Pesachdik Coca Cola. This division is also essential to Jewish life.
\nThe third division is that of the Office of the Chief Rabbi. This division as I understand it was historically a purely symbolic one although it’s currently more of a ‘marketing’ initiative – marketing Judaism to Jews.
\n2 of those divisions are critical to Jewish survival. One of them isn’t. That’s all I’m going to say on that. You can work out which is which for yourself.
\n
\nEarlier this year the Chief Rabbi was named CEO of the UOS – essentially heading up 2 major positions of the three divisions.
\nFor each of these divisions, the leader is in a position of power, influence and responsibility.
\nWhat is happening is this:
\nThe current Chief Rabbi, currently holds 2 of those positions having been made CEO earlier this year. This was done without the sanction of the stakeholders (the signatory shuls who represent you and I and our interests). They were ‘informed’ after the fact.
\nIrrespective of who holds the CEO position, the heads of each of the divisions should remain separate from one another.
\nThe (alleged) plan going forward is to make the Chief \”Av Beis Din\” – essentially giving ONE person the power to be judge, jury and executioner. The issue with that? well…
\nTo whom would such a person be accountable? Clearly the powers that be already feel no accountability. This is not a matter of character of the Chief Rabbi. It’s purely a community matter and the community should weigh in on it.
\nIt’s all of our future.
\n
\n
\n
[The writer is a prominent and very well-informed senior member of the community who for professional reasons has chosen to remain anonymous -ED]
\n
\n
‘
Dan
November 12, 2014 at 8:35 pm
‘One of the things the beit din failed to see was the FB page becoming such a strong platform for community members to engage and Darren gaining a mass following.
\n
\nWith Darren’s popularity growing and much bureaucracy the result was inevitable. They saw this as a threat to their positions and policies.
\n
\nSouth Africans are so afraid of being direct but in reality most of you condemn the beit din.
\nIts about time to stand up for change.
‘
Some One
November 13, 2014 at 12:23 am
‘Well, the answer to the conundrum is right there in what Mr Levitt said: they hired an independent expert. Everybody knows what an expert is: and ex is a hasbeen and a spurt is a drip under pressure. Who wants to take advice from a hasbeen drip?
Darren, we wish you well and hatzlocha in your future endeavours.’
Max Anonymous
November 14, 2014 at 9:16 am
‘You people are morons. If you knew the real reason he was let go, you wouldn’t be routing for this guy. Trust me’
Colin
November 14, 2014 at 11:03 am
‘Max – are you saying he did something wrong and they hid their actions as a \”restructure\” without following procedure? Really? Do you have any idea how illegal that is? Are they capable of doing such an illegal thing? How devious. Hmmm’
Really Max!
November 14, 2014 at 11:13 am
‘Max Anonymous, if you know something we don’t, why don’t you share it with us?’
Steve
November 14, 2014 at 11:14 am
‘Please Max Anonymous indulge me – I really want to know if he was at fault somehow..because its well possible he was, and he is just playing nice intentionally’
Matisyahu
November 14, 2014 at 11:37 am
‘\”Let go\” – but that would make the official statement from Levitt and the UOS a lie. Surely you aren’t calling Levitt and the Exec Committee liars.
Or are you.
Are they?’
percy
November 19, 2014 at 4:33 pm
‘Talk going around is that the ‘consultant’ will be one of the ‘ heads’ . Any truth in this statement?
I am sure both new incumbents have already been appointed. Any truth in this statement ?’
Josh
November 20, 2014 at 8:37 am
‘Dear Darren
You are a true mentch and a personal hero. Thank you what you have done, both for the community and me personally. I am eternally grateful.’
Max Anonymous
November 21, 2014 at 8:46 am
‘No the consultant was not offered the job.’
David
May 2, 2015 at 11:41 pm
‘I know for a fact that Mr Sevitz has been manipulative in handling of staff , hardly a total mensch ‘
david orlansky
November 3, 2016 at 4:54 pm
‘there seems to be an attempt to get ohr somayach and yeshivah gedolah people into senior positions.are they qualified to run a community? does ohr somayach pay affiliation fees to the u.o.s? they certainly benefit daily from kashrut etc. the yeshivah gedolah cannot claim to produce community leaders.
’