The BOGO Tuition fund – which caused an uproar in Lakewood today – has been shut. The site has been deactivated this evening, but not before approximately $140,000 was collected as people hoped for tuition relief.
Earlir, the site published an update stating “For all the peddlers of Lashon Harah: All funds that are given today are under the direct control of Zecharia Waxler, Partner – Roth & Company, and Dayan Roth of Lakewood.”
However, there were no endorsements on the distributed flyer.
Earlier this afternoon, the sign outside their headquarters on Route 9 was taken down.
Sources told TLS that all funds from donors will be refunded, though there has been no such statement updated on their site.
UPDATE: 8:45 PM. The site moments ago posted the following updated:
“We would like to thank all those that participated in this campaign, and those that are considering to participate.
Due to the many questions and concerns raised by members of the community, we are temporarily suspending this campaign
We are currently in talks with Rabbanim and Askanim in Lakewood, and are looking for the best way to go forward for the benefit of the community.
All the payments that were made, are secure, and are under the direct control of Zacharia Waxler and Dayan Roth.
Once we have the backing of the Rabbanim, we look forward to reopen the campaign. In the meantime, anyone that requests a refund, will be refunded promptly.
Thank you very much for putting your trust in our program, and we look forward to helping the Lakewood community going forward.”
[TLS]
I just called the number.
It seems that they are still taking money over the phone.
so now we could call it the BOGUS fund
The 1st place people are gonna call is their school.
Since no schools knew about it… Even if it’s a real thing- it doesn’t have any credit …
Did the Scoop try to verify with either Dayan Roth or Mr Waxler?
People have over 140k through the site alone. Hardly not falling for it. I guess it’s no wonder when you see how many in the community fell and are falling for Trump! Sad!
I just called the number too. They are definitely still trying to take money. Only credit or debit.
Good point, #5. You seem to have the basic sense that many around here are lacking. Remember what your Mommy always said, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t.” Even if these people aren’t crooks, they certainly went about this in a very unprofessional and naive way.
Ty TLS
But this scheme seemed from the get go that it wasn’t thought out.
First, why not involve rabbonim from the get go?
Second point, if u are doing it to help the poor, you should at least speak to the schools and rabbonim to ascertain who needs this kind of help and who can effort tuition without the help. Especially where u will only match 1 million, the poor should have first licks!!!
I might bed that seems to me a SERIOUS ribbis issue
I don’t understand the veiling of ‘how it works’. If they came up front with this, then there would be far less distrust. Transparency..