Blue Shirt:
I was at that funeral. I explicitly and unmistakably heard R’ Elya Svei say,
“I have a kabala from my rebbe, Rav Elchonon, that Mashiach will come in the year two-oh-oh-nine.”
Many people in my yeshiva discussed those words for a while, and some made unflattering comments about R’ Elya not having such a firm grip on sanity anymore. Nobody, however, questioned his use of the Christian date. If you don’t like it, that’s your prerogative, but please refrain from casting infantile insults toward Just Smile for the crime of speaking the truth.