[VIDEO Of Purim At KNA – Updated 11:50 PM] 1. Overall – Overall, Purim was great. The party in shul, Purim night, was action-packed from the start at 9:30 PM straight until the end at 1:30 AM. I think that it was an environment in which fathers would feel comfortable that their sons could be very leibedick but in an appropriate surrounding. No alcohol was given to under-age attendees.
2. Change for next year – The filling of forms for checks occurred faster than we could enter and print the checks. We gave out about 209 checks on Purim night and I spent the later part of Purim morning making another 52 checks. We will need to increase our check output rate next year. The food ran out a little after midnight but that was okay. We can increase the food order a little for next year. The band was fanstastic. They did not take any breaks at all for the four hours that they played. The security guards worked very well too especially in keeping the women’s area reserved for women only. Lastly, the HVAC system kept up with the crowd. We have about 28 tons of HVAC in the men’s Bais Medrash and the second floor of that room, which is the Ezras Noshim, has another 15 tons of HVAC. The temperature was cool and the air was fresh with a massive number of people dancing continuously for four hours. The truth is that, with the exception of the check writing capacity, I don’t know how it could have been any better. Purim day was a pleasure with so many friends and family coming by.
3. For the people leaving positive comments on this article – I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I deeply appreciate your support. I try to “break my back” for the Kehila. I shouldn’t want the appreciation of people but I have to admit that it makes me feel better and it energizes and encourages me to do more.
4. For the detractors, such as numbers 21, 31, and a few others – I understand where your sentiments are coming from. Something that I have learned in life is that “Most people who don’t know, don’t even know that they don’t know”. For many frum people, they have very fulfilled lives that only lack money. You are probably one of them. What you don’t have any concept of is the fact that the demands that are upon me are close to inhumane. You have no concept, and no experience, with the life of someone like me. I am not going to get into the religious topic, at this moment, of how much someone has to work for Hashem to give them financial success. Right or wrong, my life has been characterized mostly by pain and very little by pleasure. The pain is substantially derived from the enormous work load, demands, threats, attacks, and opportunities that require my constant involvment in medical science, basic science, law, finance, business development, marketing, strategic planning, corporate governance, governmental regulatory agencies, politics, human resources, intellectual property, and many other disciplines. Our company has a large staff of very intelligent, experienced, and capable people but, for the larger inpact issues and projects, I am the management and intellectual intersection point for all of the separate disciplines. Add to that a family (Baruch Hashem), religious responsibilities, home, shul, and community service, then what is left is very little of me. There is only so much that an individual can do. I understand that you don’t understand. I am not seeking your approval. I am only answering you. I expect that you will not believe that what I am saying is true. So be it. I’ll keep destroying myself in trying to be an Eved Hashem, you will think negatively of me, and in 120 we will find out the truth. Maybe you are right and I am wrong.
5. thelakewoodscoop.com – I only sent my essay about Purim to this website.
6. To number 12, “Purim Rav”, you are correct. I gave to others on Taanis Ester who would distribute the money to the poor on Purim day. Thanks for looking out for me just in case I got this one wrong.
Best regards,
Kasriel Roberts
See Video below of Purim at Rich Roberts’s Shul – By Simcha Vision.
Roberts Purim Party from Arifilms.com on Vimeo.
Was really nice, I bought my son. I possible suggestion would be to hire 1 if not 2 traffic police, Maneuvering traffic was quite difficult.
Thank you again.
Rich, you are a role model to all as to how a person must always strive to do the ratzon HAshem, may you be forever blessed with health wealth and serenity, with peace of mind.
A true person who not here for kavod. Be you only see success and have the koach to continue your good deeds
disregard the haters. Rich rocks!
After reading the first letter on the scoop , I decided that this is the only mesiba I will attend Purim night and it was very enjoyable uplifting it looked like all enjoyed ! And to the very super human Dr. Roberts not only do you have and impact with your medical knowledge for this world ,your bright and creative ideas how to help Klal Yisroel is greatly appreciated! Some examples 1) Chol Hamoed carnival gives to ALL of Lakewood ! 2) your Shul makes EVERYONE comfortable . These are major accomplishments for every resident of Lakewood
in one word: INSPIRING
A full rounded eved Hashem . Im sorry that some of us are unable give credit , to ‘fargin’ , your success and how you channel it to serve Hashem and his people . You have no obligation to explain yourself , youll never have everybody think like you . Your good will defenitely gives you syata deshmaya that you are doing the right thing . Chazak Ve’ematz!!
casriel your a tzaddik we reallly appreciate all you do for this town thank you
You don’t know me. I don’t know you. We’ve never met. I am impressed with your obvious sincerity, and with the humility demonstrated by the willingness to bare your soul just to answer some detractors who do not begin to fathom the challenges you have to confront and overcome. Most people would not stoop to respond.
Keep to your path in avodas HaShem. It is truly inspiring.
Raboisai, it’s Reb Kasriel in this Town of Lakewood. Where he works he could use his pen name.
You are a tzaddik and do not even need to explain yourself to others. For anyone that had questions, you have been very clear and there should be many more like you that can and do give so generously. Thanks on behalf of the klal.
much thanks for what you do for all of us
what you do for your family, and the klal is inspiring. may hashem bless you with nachas, and simcha, and menuchas hanefesh. yasher koach!
The dancing was amazing and fun it really uplifted my purim and made my night full of fun!!
Thank you!!
We need more ppl in this town like you! what an inspiration!
R. Kasriel Shlita,
You are a Great Tzaddik and A Major Bal Tzedaka. Thank you for all you do for this Town of Lakewood,Thank you for taking care of our daughters school TBY,and Thank you for Purim. I came with my little 6 year old son for his yeshiva shagas aryeh,filled out form,but never got check since it was way too late, Maybe a special request,if you can please send a nice one to make him look like a big bal Tzedaka as well. One suggestion from me, I’m a son of one Klall Yisroel s “Super” Bal Tzedaka of the past generation. Just please do more for hashem,never listen to naysayers. Hashem gave it to you to give out. I’m here to really help if I can,I’ve seen my father give out millions in his life to every type of yid and mossad,I would love to be a Gabbai Tzedaka for you,and since my father died a few years ago,I would love again to be involved to help you with your klall work at any time. My number our dear friend Danny Lemberg has for you. My name is Binyomin you can reach me thru him. e-mail me (moderated) Thank you for everything you should only have Bracha.
who was the band by this event?
Dr. Roberts, I don’t know you but I have heard about you. For someone of your caliber, to “lower” himself to the level that you take the time to write what have, it truly a sign that you not only do and give to the klal, but that you have a huge heart and really care. Which person that does what you do, even cares about explaining all that have explained? You obviously do what you do,not only because you can, but because you care. I can only imagine your warm smile and encouraging words that you provide to any needy person that you help out. I have “kinas sofrim” as I can only imagine the spot that is reserved for you in the world to come. Keep up your great work
well done well planned well said.Lakewood is a better place because of you rich.
Dr Roberts I would like to thank you for your comftorable and beautiful bais medrash and for all your generosity to the public
R Casriel, I’m so impressed with so many different parts of what you do. It pains me to see how much you have to go through and how hard things are for you. As someone who is involved with helping people I have gone through a lot and wish I could somehow help you do what you do without the pain. I’m in a totaly different kind of situation than you but I think that we would probably have a lot to gain from each others ideas. I have considered coming over to you and shmuzing about this however since I know that the mere fact that a stranger is coming over to discuss something with you might in itself cause you anxiety (by the shere number of people that want something from you) therefore I never did it. After reading your letters here on TLS I’m in a quandry, I wish I would be able to help you but I’m not sure how to go about it. I entered my email address above and I’m authorizing TLS to give it to you if you want.
I’m any case, R, Casriel “Chazak Ve’ematz” be strong and may you be zoche to continue your great work at least until 120. And please don’t get thrown off by the detractors, there’s always a reason why they aren’t happy and its not really about you.
The band was shir chodosh orchestras, (hudi greenberger 732-779-9966) amazing!!
Thank you Dr. Roberts. I was at the shul on purim night and it really was beautiful atmosphere and experience.
I filled out a form for a check – but after 20 minutes of waiting I moved on to my next stop. Is there any way I can still pick up the check? I really wanted to wait around but I asked some other people that came way before me, how long they were waiting for and they said it was a lomg wait.
Thanx again for all you do and if its possible for me to obtain the check please ask the scoop for my email address.
We too try to help the klal and distribute money allpurim although not nearly on the scale you do. It is an overwhelming and exhausting job. I can’t imagine how you feel! Thank you for all you do and keep it up!
mr. roberts, thanks for all the chessed you do in this town.
Its impotant to remember that its your shul and your money and you have full rights to decide how to run your shul and how to distribute your money please dont ever forget that .as for the naysayers they are here to make life a bit more lively
Please, it’s “KASRIEL” to us yeshiva leit.
dear R3 the party was great!!! the kids actually danced and enjoyed themselves.every aspect of the party was fantastic you are a walking kiddush hashem you inspire me to hopefully one day be able to give back to the community
hashem should bless you and your family and all your loved ones health happiness osher v’kavod shalom verieus….and time and strenght to enjoy your great “mitzah partys’
to comment # 20 saw sign on shul doors on shabos unclaimed checks go to kaismen look him up on list
Shout out to R’ Avraham Carlebach as well for arranging the whole party!!
Dear Dr. Richy,
Hashem knows the truth. Keep on doing what youre doing. You’re an amazing individual, who works extremely hard, and is doing an amazing job!! remember this world is “olem hafuch” an upside down world.
Dr Roberts,
I feel it is not my place to give you advice. However there is something that pained me greatly about your comments. The fact that you bothered to respond to those that had negative comments about your Purim Plans.
I am a resident of Lakewood. Although i have not benefited from you directly, and B”H have had no reason to. I am sure that I have benefited indirectly. whether it is from your support to Mosdos and Schools that I am involved with, or helping friends and neighbors that are in need. Your support and assistance to many and particularly to the entire Lakewood Community is legendary. I did once have occasion n to daven in your beautiful shul, and it is a testament to the thought and effort that you put into all your actions.
There are people in this world that will always be negative, regardless of the situation. Sometimes it is because of stresses in their life, that they are unable to see anything outside of their specific situation, other times it is just because they enjoy the fight (there are other reasons as well, but I am not a psychologist).
One of the many things I have learned over the years is that it is better to just avoid these people, as no good tends to come from it. I understand that in your situation you don’t always have that luxury, as many people actively seek you out, but it may help you to know what you are dealing with.
One of the tools that I use in explanation of Ayin Tov, is that it doesn’t mean that you have to be naive. What it means is that even though you know people may have issues, you understand the reason why they are like that (stress, depression, Yetzer Hora etc.) and are able to seperate the person (who is inherently good) from these issues. Although you always want to examine someones critique to see of there is any room to improve, that doesn’t mean that the critique necessarily has any justification.
Thank you for all you do for the Klal and the Prat. Ashrecha Shezachisa L’shem
OK, so this is how it works.
You are overwhelmed, exhausted, etc. from giving out tzedaka. I am unemployed/underemployed and have time to offer. You make me your Gabbai Tzedaka and your problems will be solved.
I will deal with all the requests, nudniks, etc. and you can go back to concentrating on your business and being with your family.
Of course, being that I am such a dedicated person, I would expect some “slight” renumeration for my efforts. Being known as “Gabbai Tzedaka for Rich Roberts” would give me nice kovod, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for someone in such a position to be offered peanuts and drive a jalopy and live in a run down hut.
So the salary would of course need to be respectable. Low six figures. A new car (leased) and a nice size house would be fringe benefits.
Being that I am an EXPERIENCED gabbai, I think it is a bargain!
(My talent as a GABBAI are known all over town.)
A win-win situation for both of us (or at least for me).
Truthfully, I’m really thinking about YOU. It is only for a person like YOU that I would be willing to put up with all the trouble.
Yasher Koach, Reb Rich (Casriel, Kasriel). WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE YOU IN OUR TOWN AND THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.
p.s. Danny Lemberg knows me too. (I always remember his father’s yahrtzeit on 2 Nissan and remind him. I also let him bring chometz cake into the shul even though after Rosh Chodesh we don’t allow any chometz.)
I have never seen somebody more happy to give out money like you thank you very much we should all learn from you the amount of learning going on in kna is unreal coffe tea cake to make anybody happy and comfortable thank you I love learning by kna keep up the good work you did for tby the building is a master piece
please / ime beging al of yu 2 youse SPELL CHECK befor you poste thingz on hair. It realee panes me too reed seeminglee intelligint commints with tipos all ovar da place.
Reb Kasriel,
I have not been privileged to benefit from your tzedaka directly or via your carnivals, however I’m certainly aware of your reputation as a Baal Tzedaka and as a wonderful person.
I would like to point out that there are those of us, who work extremely hard for a living yet our salaries are quite meager. I for one am ok with this because I know that Hashem is looking out for me and has my best interests in mind.
Although I do not know the exact amount of hours that you work and are involved in external situations, we too put in many many hours extra with our schools and local organizations. Our approach to life is the same, only the amount of money in our pockets is different. I am proud to say that although we probably won’t be featured anytime soon on the scoop, Lakewood, klal yisroel and our families benefit greatly from us as well.
We certainly understand well the efforts you put in for the Tzibbur and we wish you the same brocha we wish for ourselves; Hashem should pay you dividends as only He can.
Thank you for all that you do.
I think 32 has a smart idea and roberts should take advantage. Let them be in contact.
WOW!! Wow!! what a Kidush Hashem this is! i feel lucky to live in the same town as such a chosheva person! thanks for all that you do for lakewood, the way you do it is what amazes me most!!!
31
Actually Mr. Roberts’ Respond to the negative people was rxtremely well put and breathtaking. Such a response, rather than a counter attack may very well enlighten such troublesome people. So I think it was well worth it.
32
I think Mr. Roberts is happy with the way he handles the chalanges & responsabilties in his life. You would have to come along more pollished than that for him to consider you as his gabai. But good luck & see if you could get Danny Lemberg to make some kind of carnival on Chol Hamoed too. Its getting kind of stuffy at the Roberts.
A Chag Kosher Visameach to Alll!!!
36 are you number 32?
To Rav Casriel Robertsi do not understand why you even bother responding to your so called detractors (who are understanderbly either bitter or jealous of you or both)i am sure that your detractors do not do the amount of chessed in their entire lives that you do in one week
Why exactly is it s virtue that the bank took no breaks for 4 hours? Are they not entitled to take breaks?
A chutzpah noira for anyone to criticize this major baal tzedakah. I too do not believe he should have bothered to respond. I will be dan l’kaf zchus, as Dr. Roberts is, that the critics simply do not know or understand.
Dr. Roberts, may you be gebentched with bracha, nachas, gezunt, hatzlocha, menuchas hanefesh, and everything else you need. And may you be zocha to continue your holy work in Lakewood and beyond.
You know an oseik b’tzorchai tzibur is real when Reb Kasriel expressed a preference for the rain and mud to be at his sons bar mitzva in a soaked tent , rather then at at the Chol Hamoed Carnival for the towns kids.
That’s real ! WE NEED REAL PEOPLE !!!
As i see that u read the comments, well my comment is: u continue what u do for the klal in the way YOU want to! People will ALWAYS criticize! U ARE doing good things annd whoever dosent like it shouldnt come to u! I was a gabbai tzedaka for a few years out of my house, distributing BIG amounts (180 n up!) And i totally understand what ur saying! If someone dosent like it, too bad on bim! Continue everythbing that ur doing and as u said; after 120 ull see that it was ALL worth it!!!
Thanks again!
from a guy that never met u and has no clue who u r besides what i heard on the street.
Kol HaKavod Rabbi Dr. Kasriel Roberts!!!! May HKB”H continue to give you & your beautiful family the koach to continue to do all that you do. May HKB”H never diminish your רצון to be inherently good and you should BZ”H have the means to continue giving tzedakah on the scale that you give so that you too can one day be called and perceived like the Holy רש״ש & Ben Kalbah Savuah!
Thank you for all that you do for our community!
Sincerely,
A True Admirer