Moses Teitelbaum

Police officers at the 90th precinct in Brooklyn are "looking at" a man picked up this morning in connection with an alleged fight last month at the synagogue on Rodney street in Williamsburg, according to Michael Levoff a spokesman for the police department.

Mr. Levoff stressed that as of now, no charges have been filed, but that hasn't stopped the warring factions within the Satmar community from using this latest development to try and paint the other side as bullies

Supporters of Aaron Teitelbaum, the eldest son of the Grand Rebbe Moses Teitelbaum, whose death last month sparked a battle of succession, claim that the man in the precinct is responsible for the broken finger of one of Aaron's supporters.

Scott E. Mollen, a lawyer who represents another Teitelbaum brother, Zalmen, counters that the supporters of Aaron were responsible for any disturbance, and noted that the Zalmen supporter in the station was only being questioned about that. If anything, he said, the aggressors were in Aaron's camp.

"The guard he hired could have easily helped the New York Giants front line," he said.

Now there are rumors of a protest planned by Zalmen supporters outside the 90th precinct this evening, but Mr. Mollen said he had heard similar rumors about a protest there this morning, and that never happened.

A press release from Aron Teitelbaum's people announces the giant Shabbos service tonight, and two more tomorrow, under a tent in Williamsburg (which Jason Horowitz told us about a couple days ago on this site).

From the press release:

Grand Rabbi Aron, the oldest son of Rabbi Moses Teitelbaum obm, arrived in Williamsburg, Wednesday (April 26) and, as the new Grand Rabbi, plans to reside there. Grand Rabbi Aaron's highly skilled qualifications and credentials as a speaker and charismatic person and as a dean and a rabbi who served Satmar in many positions for so many years make him well-qualified to serve as Grand Rabbi.

Full release after the jump.  read more »

Tomorrow kicks off a conference on rising energy costs at the Community Church of New York.

Then, the City Council Transportation Committee meets to discuss Roosevelt Island tram safety.

In the afternoon, NARAL Pro-Choice New York hosts their annual Champions of Choice awards at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, where last year's champion, Mike Bloomberg, is schedule to say a few words.

Then, George Pataki attends shiva for Rabbi Moses Teitelbaum, just before Harlem residents protest Columbia University's proposed expansion plans at the university's main gate.

And in the evening, Wesley Clark headlines two fundraisers for WesPAC: a cocktail reception at the home of George Soros, followed by dinner at The Carlyle.

—Nicole Brydson

There is still no compromise or resolution in sight in the bitter battle of succession between the two sons of the Grand Rebbe Moshe Teitelbaum, who died Monday night and left a vacuum in the leadership of the Satmar community.

On the contrary, the two factions keep campaigning and claiming victory.

According to a source, this weekend Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum is coming to the city, where a tent will be set up at PS 16 in Williamsburg for thousands of the Rabbi's followers to rally and show their support. Some of those same supporters just issued a statement announcing a ceremony to take place in "the coming weeks in Williamsburg" to appoint the older son as Grand Rebbe. That statement, which claims the support from Satmar congregations "around the world," seems a bit premature, at best.

Scott E. Mollen, a lawyer who represents Zalmen Teitelbaum, said "It's inexplicable how they can claim victory since it is now evident that the Grand Rebbe left a written will that expressed his desire that Rabbi Zalmen succeed the grand rabbi."

He noted that the appellate courts has just yesterday reversed an earlier decision and put the main synagogue and Grand Rebbe's home under the control of Rabbi Zalmen.

Moshe Indig, a supporter of Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, countered that "This is not a court issue, the court has nothing to do with succession."

"This is a corporate issue," Mr. Indig said. "We are talking about a half billion dollars in assets. The board members from Satmar community around the world want him (Rabbi Aaron) to be the successor. "There is going to be a big crowning ceremony."

In other words, don't expect concession speeches any time soon.

—Jason Horowitz

The death of Rabbi Moses Teitelbaum last night raises two immediate questions.

The first was which of the Rabbi's two sons, Aaron or Zalmen, would speak at his funeral, and if both, in what order? That answer could shed light on the battle over succession rights in the Satmar community.

The second question has more of a bearing on the Bloomberg administration. With Greenspun on his way out, who will be the city's liaison to the Satmar community in this tumultuous time? An educated guess might be Fred Kreizman, who, according to one knowledgeable source, was at the Satmar Rebbe's bedside on April 4 before rushing to Borough Park, where he acted as Mr. Greenspun's point man on the ground. Kreizman is also up for a promotion within the CAU. This could be a key time for him.

- Jason Horowitz

The Times reports that the state assembly has overriden over half of George Pataki's budget vetos; and has the obituary for Rabbi Moses Teitelbaum, who passed away last night.

The Sun writes about the looming budget crisis.

And the Albany Times Union reports on possible misuse of taxpayer-funded member items by Ruben Diaz Sr. and Ruben Diaz Jr.

—Nicole Brydson