THE REAL SCANDAL: Revenge against Gumar Aguiar and covering their backs for having sanctioned the taking of tens of millions of dollars from Guma Aguiar for years is why the ten rabbis signed this letter when they realized that Guma had dumped them/EJF to get a conversion for his wife from arch-rival Rabbi Bomzer.
Ever since poster Roni/Tropper has joined the discussions on this blog with his bloodthirsty and vitriolic attacks against anyone who dares to question Tropper/EJF he has unrelentingly made Rabbi Bomzer the source of all evil because he has performed lenient conversions.
Regardless if one agrees with either the Rabbi Tropper's or Rabbi Bomzer's prescription for doing conversions, from the outset this letter of censure against Rabbi Bomzer was presented as a fait accompli without either Rabbi Bomzer being asked to give his side of the story or any other context except that which poster Roni/Tropper and the words in the letter signed by the ten rabbis, that includes Rabbi Tropper's signature on it, to the left. [remainder of post as comment on this post here ]
Ever since poster Roni/Tropper has joined the discussions on this blog with his bloodthirsty and vitriolic attacks against anyone who dares to question Tropper/EJF he has unrelentingly made Rabbi Bomzer the source of all evil because he has performed lenient conversions.
Regardless if one agrees with either the Rabbi Tropper's or Rabbi Bomzer's prescription for doing conversions, from the outset this letter of censure against Rabbi Bomzer was presented as a fait accompli without either Rabbi Bomzer being asked to give his side of the story or any other context except that which poster Roni/Tropper and the words in the letter signed by the ten rabbis, that includes Rabbi Tropper's signature on it, to the left. [remainder of post as comment on this post here ]
I'm really confused by RAP's latest posting but I have to say that one thing came through. It must have been really embarrassing for EJF to have one of its principal lay leaders not be willing to live up to the necessary standards for a halachic conversion. Despite the possible loss of money, despite the embarassment, EJF still refused to sponsor someone for conversion who would not live a halachic lifestyle afterwards. That's pretty impressive in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteLarry,
ReplyDeleteWe are not sure what happened, EJF did provide this information it was released by other sources. More likely Tropper was trying to milk Guma as long as he could and to postpone the conversion in order to get more money end eventually Guma had enough went someplace else.
We really do not know if Jamie keeps Shabbat or taharas hamishpocha or if she wears knee length skirt. We only have Roni/Tropper words, those of us who know Tropper would not trust him with ‘what day of the month is today?’
cvcvb
ReplyDeleteWE are sure what happened: EJF refrained from doing a conversion to someone who used to give money to his organization. Why would they not convert someone who used to give money and threatened them not further give if they would not perform the conversion? IT boggles the mind that they would not perform the conversion and risk to lose millions of dollars! as they did if not for the impressive fact that tropper was honest in this sitruation! And it is known that all of sudden Bomzer made the conversion.
ReplyDeleteNow, if any of you want independent info you can ask Rav Eisenstein and he will state to you: that 1)Troper refrained from making this conversion risking millions of dollars, 2) becuse jamie said that she would nto keep shabbos and she was and is a mechalel shabbos befarhessya from day one of conversion, 3) Bomzer made the covnersion and got tens of thousands of dollars, and Lypcsyc was part of the scam and got a building instead of this (this part is attested in lypsyc own blogs).
Controversy over Guma Aguiar reported by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. JTA.ORG says that "the blog Daas Torah spills a lot of e-ink on him.
ReplyDelete(Looks like they took a lot of the stuff from this blog to write up their own blog report.)
As noted at Tom Kaplan wants director of Kaplan Foundation removed (January 26, 2009) and Guma Aguiar - philanthropic activity (January 26, 2009) and Guma Aguiar of EJF - raised as Christian (January 29, 2009) and more, the mainstream secular Jewish media is beginning to ask big and serious questions that are surely gowing to come back to haunt not just Guma Aguiar, but also his uncle Tom Kaplan and his first and most notable rabbinic patron Leib Tropper who with Guma and uncle Tom hatched the EJF scheme and sold it to the world in spite of Guma being hitched to a gentile woman from Brazil who refused to convert via their own EJF all while they were enticing rabbis to join with EJF to come up with higher standards for conversions while Guma was writing the checks to the tune of tens of millions from the Lillian Jean Kaplan Foundation that went to EJF and to "Horzons" the pet outreach project of Rabbi Tropper.
Anyhow, here is the latest report from jta.org, and note the comment that "the blog Daas Torah spills a lot of e-ink on him.":
Is Guma Aguiar a philanthropic savior or the Messiah?
By Jacob Berkman · February 10, 2009
While the rest of the philanthropy world seems to be in the tank, it appears that the Jewish world has found a new benefactor -- and perhaps Messiah.
Guma Aguiar, a 30-something oil man, has announced two major gifts to Jewish non-profits over the past several weeks.
First came the announcement that he had given some $8 million to the pro-alliyah group Nefesh B’Nefesh over the past year. Then, last week, the March of the Living, which takes high school-aged Jews to Poland to see the sites of the Holocaust, announced that Aguiar had given it $500,000.
The announcements came with the standard fanfare that arrives with most similar announcements.
From Nefesh b’Nefesh::
"This substantial donation demonstrates how the remarkable commitment of Jews who choose to make Israel their home even in these challenging times, is echoed and fortified by the support of generous individuals like Guma," said Tony Gelbart, Co-Founder and Chairman of Nefesh B'Nefesh, "these vital funds strengthen Israel's human resources and ensure its future. The gift has already played a major role in helping Nefesh B'Nefesh bring a record number of newcomers to Israel in 2008."
Aguiar firmly believes in creating facts on the ground and views his commitment to Nefesh B'Nefesh as a vital strategic investment in Israel. "There is no greater priority for the Jewish people or Israel than strengthening immigration (Aliyah) from the US, Canada and the UK" stated Aguiar, who was named "Top Industry Executive of 2008" by Oil & Gas Investor Magazine, " Our goal of enabling 100,000 individuals to realize their Aliyah dream seems more realistic with every passing day, in light of the 18,000 who have moved to Israel with Nefesh B'Nefesh's assistance thus far, and another 12,000 already 'in the pipeline.' My family is deeply moved to be a part of this incredible historic process."
"Our tradition teaches us that when economic times are tough, giving to others for important causes is the most helpful thing to do," Aguiar added, "It is a profound honor for me to help fulfill what I consider a truly sacred task."
And from the March of the Living:
“On behalf of the thousands of people who will benefit from Mr. Aguiar’s generosity, we sincerely thank him,” said Dr. Shmuel Rosenman, Chairman of the International MOL. “This support will enable us to forge ahead with our work of educating the next generation about the horrific realities of the Holocaust while effectively combating anti-Semitism and hate.”
The gift will support the organization’s scholarship funds and its educational opportunities. It will enable students without sufficient financial means to take part in this invaluable, life changing experience represented by participation in the March of the Living.
“It is urgent and vital for our youth to witness and understand the magnitude of the Holocaust firsthand and grasp the astonishing miracle of the rebirth of the State of Israel from the ashes of the Shoah,” said Aguiar. “I am extremely moved to be a part of the 2009 International March of the Living. This outstanding organization is on the forefront in enlightening the next generation both about our people’s history and heritage.”
“With the rising wave of anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial spreading worldwide,” he continued, “the three kilometer March from Auschwitz to Birkenau will act as a powerful unifying experience helping to inspire the future leaders of the Jewish people.”
This could be the start of big things from Aguiar, the CEO of Leor Energy.
Aguiar apparently had never spoken with Nefesh officials before giving them his first gift. He simply walked into their Jerusalem offices last year and handed them a check for $5 million, according to Charley Levine, a spokesman acting on Aguiar’s behalf. That was followed by two more gifts, of $2 million and $1 million each, Levine told the Fundermentalist. (“Everyone looked around the room and said, ‘Let’s see if that check cashes,’” said one person close with the situation.)
Aguiar discovered huge natural gas reserves in Texas and made a fortune, Levine said, and now he wants to give back significantly to the Jewish people.
“He retired at 31 and is now actively exploring ways to put his money to work,” Levine said. “Parenthetically, I see this as a new model of post-financial crisis. Post Madoff. A new model of the Adelson type. Only he came through totally unscathed of anything over the past six months.”
Aguiar, who apparently didn’t come from much of a Jewish background but started learning about Judaism several years ago, could be an interesting character to watch.
The Orlando Sun Sentinel ran a story a few weeks ago in which Aguiar’s uncle, with whom he founded Leor Energy, accused his nephew of wanting to become the messaiah.
And he has become something of a star in the Orthodox world since his Nefesh gift was announced. The right-wing Israel National News has a video interview with Aguiar and the blog Daas Torah spills a lot of e-ink on him.
Those close to Aguiar insist that he does not think that he is the messiah and that his uncle was merely trying to slander his nephew over a business disagreement.
Rabbi Moishe Meir Lipszyc, the director of Chabad Lubavitch of Fort Lauderdale, has known Aguiar for five years, since Aguiar was just a 26-year-old tennis instructer. Aguiar has given Lipszyc's organization about $1 million in gifts so far.
Aguiar came to Lipzyc after Aguiar’s grandmother died, and knew nothing about Judaism at the time.
“He gives tzedaka to no end. He attributes his whole success to God. He did not grow up frum, did not grow up religious,” Lipzyc said. “The man is a person that loves other human beings. This talk about the mashiach is so ludicrous. He wants to make the world a better place to help bring the mashiach"."