Reply To: Bothered by the Lakewood Matzav?

The matzav definitely changed. It’s not the gohr yeshivish crowd it used to be. That doesn’t mean the Jews moving in deserve vitriol. Either switch to a different kollel or learn to accept other people while not being jealous of their money.

I know someone who lived in Lakewood in the R’ Shneur days. R’ Shneur used to go to any wedding where the resident was from Lakewood. Like incognito said, there was a frum community then which had nothing to do with the yeshiva.

Moving to another community may be a temporary solution if the whole yeshiva goes, or if the main roshei yeshiva go:

1. Everyone goes there.

2. Parents move in to stay close to children and grandchildren.

3. Others move in to be close to parents, or to join the new “happening” community.

4. Vitriolic letter likes this comes out again. Lakewood moves elsewhere.

Solution: learn to maintain your standards while accepting people of other standards. The Brisker Rav ZT”L was uncompromising in his Yiddishkeit but raised every shtuki and asufi left by his doorstep, and was supposed to be well-liked even by the frei. Reminisce about the good old days but don’t hate the newcomers. Lakewood is a victim of its own success.Mourn the loss but don’t hate other Jews.