Mordy Tendler Part 7 (Suspended!!!)

Received via email: Kehillat New Hempstead 720 Union Road New Hempstead, NY 10977 (845) 362-2425 To: Members and Friends of Kehillah New Hempstead From: Board of Directors and Board of Trustees Date: February 28, 2006 It is with a heavy heart that we are compelled to write thiscorrespondence.As you are all aware of the controversy and issues surrounding our Rabbi, Rav Mordecai Tendler, and the resulting harms on ourcommunity and Kehillah, the Board of Directors(”Board”) inaccordance with its fiduciary responsibilities, has undertaken the necessary due diligence to determine the source, accuracy, extentand affect of those issues. After months of extensive investigation and outreach, the Board pursued the input of many persons with knowledge of the underlying issues, as well as attempting to engage the Rabbi, and his representatives, in the appropriate dialogue to achieve a resolution of remedial and rehabilitative cures. These issues concerned the following:(i) the accuracy of certain explanatory statements made by the Rabbi;(ii) a continuing spiritual deficiency in KNH;(iii) a related loss of membership;(iv) an associated overall decline of community support for KNH;(v) the lawsuit commenced by Adina Mermelstein;(vi) the failure to adequately apprise the Board of the Rabbi’s defensive efforts; and,(vii) a corresponding loss of financial funds and support for KNH. To date, and since the inception of the controversies, the Rabbi has failed to acknowledge or resolve the breadth of these issues. This failure has been consistent and now affects the very manner in which the Kehillat needs to function.Being unable to confirm and verify the Rabbi’s defensive positions,the Rabbi’s continuing lack of responsibility, aware of theworsening negative ramifications affecting the Kehillah, the growing chorus of controversies and issues, and being further convinced that a resolution of the above issues are highly unlikely, the Board has voted to suspend the Rabbi from his rabbinical duties, compensation and responsibilities, the suspension to commence on February 28,2006 and remain until a final determination from either a court ofcompetent jurisdiction or agreed beis din, or a final negotiated resolution. The decision comes on the heels of a prior recent request that asked that the Rabbi take a leave of absence, that being subsequent to many months of recommending remediation and rehabilitation, acts which were not pursued by the Rabbi. Our decision to suspend, of course, took into consideration the Rabbi’s active participation in the birth and growth of ourKehillah, his long-standing commitment to our Kehillah and community and the extent of his outreach efforts. While we are mindful of the range of anticipated member reactions, we believe that the Board’s decision is in the best interest of theKehillah. To correctly communicate this stance, we are attempting to coordinate a forum to discuss the Board’s efforts, the Board’s decision herein, as well as our healing and rebuilding intentions. Lastly, decisions that concern the very essence of our personal and spiritual relationships are never easy. Being exposed, though, to the harms which emanate from our awareness of the realm and breadth of the existing controversies, we are committed to providing the necessary contributions to ensure for the successful implementation of our rebirth. We are hopeful we will continue our community efforts in this regard. May Hashem bless us to direct the correctness of our actions, bless our Kehillah in its spiritual growth and rejuvenation, and bless us with Shalom. SP/spcc: Board of Directors Board of Trustees Daniel Schwartz, Esq.