jewish

The Consequences of Uncontested Elections: Chaim Rose and Avrohom Fromovitz, CPA, Award Themselves Taxpayer Funded Lifetime Health Insurance

In March 2021, Chaim Rose was elected trustee of the Village of Chestnut Ridge. Shortly thereafter, for the first time ever taxes were raised 8% in one year. About a year later Avrohom Fromovitz, CPA, was appointed a trustee as well.

Soon after, in 2023, taxes were raised by an additional 45%.

In 2020 property taxes were $12.06 per $1,000.00 of assessed value. By 2025 property taxes were levied at a rate of $23.10 per $1,000.00 of assessed value, a 91% increase in just 5 years. To put things in perspective in the entire 5-year period from 2014 to 2019 property taxes increased by just 9% (from $10.54 to $11.48 per $1,000.00 of assessed value).

While burdening homeowners with dramatically increased property taxes, Fromovitz and Rose quadrupled their salaries, raising village employee payroll costs by several hundred thousand dollars. This may not sound like much, but Chestnut Ridge is a small village with a very small tax base. Small villages generally pay very low salaries. Rose raised his salary from $6,000.00 to $50,000.00 in a few years.

In 2024 after taxes had risen 71% from 2021 the village put out a misleading letter which blamed the dramatic tax increases on the rising cost of waste management, while failing to mention the village’s ballooning payroll costs caused by Fromovitz and Rose’s self-serving raises.

In reward for their prudent management, the leaders of Chestnut Ridge wholeheartedly endorsed Rose and Fromovitz, CPA, for reelection. Their support effectively prevented any serious challenge to Fromovitz or Rose.

After consolidating power Rose and Fromovitz continue to find new ways to enrich themselves at the expense of homeowners. Last month Fromovitz and Rose voted to provide themselves with free health insurance paid for by already struggling Chestnut Ridge taxpayers, which will undoubtedly lead to further tax increases. To add insult to injury, the law awards trustees with health insurance for life after 7 years, which  means that every time the village gets a new trustee who stays in office for the typical 2 terms, the village will be left with a legacy cost of a lifetime insurance policy.

To put things in perspective, Fromovitz is about 39 years old. If he takes this plan until 85 that means a bill to the taxpayers of well over one million dollars even before adjusting for inflation. For just one trustee.

“Nice work if you can get it.”

Avi Yankelewitz, Esq. The writer can be reached at avi@yankelewitzlaw.com

The Flawed Narrative: Addressing Bias in the Discussion of Divorce in the Frum Community

The recent article, “Divorced Wives: Why Frum Acceptance of Divorce Led to Disastrous Results,” presents itself as a commentary on the growing normalization of divorce within the frum community. However, its overwhelmingly one-sided perspective and blatant bias against women undermine any meaningful contribution to the conversation. A more balanced and nuanced approach is needed to explore the true challenges facing frum marriages and the consequences of divorce.

Blame Misplaced: Feminism as a Convenient Scapegoat

The article attributes the erosion of family values to the influence of feminism, painting it as the root cause of marital breakdowns. This oversimplification ignores the cultural pressures within the frum world that also contribute to these issues.

One glaring omission is the discussion of the role of young men who are often raised with the expectation to exclusively learn Torah, with financial support provided by their in-laws. While Torah study is a cornerstone of frum life, this reliance can sometimes foster an unhealthy dynamic, where men are neither financially independent nor emotionally prepared for the realities of marriage.

When these young men enter marriage, many lack the maturity and skills to contribute as equal partners. This dynamic places an undue burden on women, who are expected to manage the home, raise children, and often support the family financially—all while respecting their husbands as the “head of the household.” Feminism is not the sole disruptor of family values; systemic imbalances within the community also deserve scrutiny.

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Divorced Wives: Why Frum Acceptance of Divorce Led to Disastrous Results

A relatively new phenomenon has arisen in the Orthodox Jewish world: divorce. While in the past it was a rare consequence of a husband beating his wife or a wife committing adultery (R”L), nowadays the frum divorce rate seems to be out of control, with young mothers (or in some cases fathers) stating that they didn’t have a connection with their spouse.

The questions are as follows: What changed? What are the results of these behaviors? What is the Torah view on this? And what is the solution?

To answer the first question in one word: acceptance.

While civilized society over the past millennia has valued the traditional family unit as one of sheer necessity, the post-industrial revolution era and feminism have led to the erosion of family values. This has reached the point where the divorce rate in the United States is nearly 50%. The frum world is not immune to these challenges. When certain organizations and askanim were allowed free rein to mix into shalom bayis issues and advocate for divorce—along with major publications and now “frum” podcasts advertising such organizations and askanim—this led to the establishment of organizations to help the children from divorced homes. This, in turn, reduced the individual burden of the custody-bearing parent and inevitably led to the acceptance of divorce we see today.

To address question number two: the results are, in one word, a disaster. To describe personal examples is beyond the scope of this article, but it is well known that court cases force men into legal servitude through child support, hard-earned assets are lost, and personal mental well-being is destroyed. The most affected are young children, as they become proxies for one side to take revenge on the other. In many cases, this leads to rebellion, substance abuse, and even suicide.

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Against Wieder

The biggest issue on the ballot this election is Proposition 1, not the Melnik vs. Weber, or the Lawler vs. Jones race. Proposition 1, dishonestly portrayed as an equal rights amendment will negatively impact the community in many ways for years to come. See Vote No On Prop 1. This is why almost all organizations and all Rabbonim are urging the community to vote no. Even Agudah, not exactly a hard right organization, is urging a no-vote. Agudath Israel: Vote No on Prop 1 – Agudath Israel of America  “The proposed amendment would enshrine a litany of new protected classes in New York’s constitution, which would jeopardize religious freedom and undermine parental rights.” The only frum politician publicly in favor of Proposition 1, is Aron Wider who is currently running for NYS Assembly.  

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Of Rebbes and Lotteries

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Reb Fishele Strykover, Reb Bunim of Pshyskhe, and The Lottery

Reb Fishele learned under the Maggid Reb Ber (Mezritch) and then with Reb Meilich of Lizensk. Later, he went to the Chozeh (seer) of Lublin, where he met the Yid Ha’kodesh and the Kotzker.

One day, sometime in the first quarter of the 19th century in the town of Strykov in central Poland, the Chasidisha court of the revered Rabbi Ephraim Fishele Shapiro, known as Reb Fishele Strykover, was thrown into turmoil. Without warning, Reb Fishele had withdrawn into his room and would not see or receive anyone (similar to what the Kotzker did for the last 20 years of his life). His Chasidim were dismayed. No longer could they go to their Rebbe the righteous one, for guidance or consolation. After much pleading and begging, still the Rebbe Reb Fishele did not want to leave his room nor speak to any of his Chasidim. For him it was over and done with, he is no longer a Rebbe!

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