It seems some people have some strong opinions about Mogen David’s leader Rabbi Gabe Elias.
Here one I’ve heard:
Dear Rabbi Williams:
Allow me to extend you my sympathy. I know it is not your fault but you have made a BIG mistake. This is not good employment for a nice Jewish Rabbi. Ask Rabbi Kelemer, Rabbi Muskat and ANYONE who worked with Gabe Elias. Shul presidents, administrators, teachers and parents. They could all be lying?
Here is some advice:
1. Do Not, I emphasize: DO NOT fall for his trap when he promises that that you’ll become great Chaverim, Brothers etc. It’s a ploy, so you don’t know he is working behind your back.
2. Don’t initiate any good programs – so the community will love you and respect you. He’ll envy your talent and steal the credit that is due to you.
3. Watch out from the board. They are all his stooges. They are mentally frail and old but will turn on you in a second. He promised them things, (Kaddish, Bring their grandchildren back to the fold. Bla Bla Bla…)
4. Warning:
* Gabe Ellias uses slick Sh’mate salesman techniques. He worked there prior to Mogen David.
* The man is a master manipulator.
* He claims to have a S’micha (rabbinic ordination). No one has ever seen it. Some little Sh’matkale is hanging on the wall behind him… too far to read, blocked by a large desk. These accusations are on going or a long time. He claims to have studied at Telze but it was for a short stay and there is no evidence of a S’micha. Adraba, In order to put these rumors to rest, let him take the "Smicha" off the wall and allow reliable people to examine it. (Notice I specified: Reliable people.)* Did I mention fraud? His method of operation is always the same: First act like a nice guy. After everyone thinks so, takes over. He did this in Elitzur (Sport camp). Took over, just added his name to it and became: A Baal_Camp. His next endeavor is Mogen David. He came in as a part – time Hebrew school principal. (By the way, his brother does the same shtick) Within a short time he made friends with the board and quick as lightning strikes the existing leadership is out one-by-one.
5. Motivation: Power: It’s also nice to have a paying job (He looked like a shleper before…) IRS tax deductions: Claims to be a Rabbi and owner of a nonprofit organization: Elitzur.
But that is small money. There is more. He DOES NOT WANT THE SHUL TO thrive because the large endowment in the bank is worth millions of dollars. In addition to the property and the building. They are worth a lot. Just consider the location and how close it is to Beverly Hills & Century City.
Why would he want to split this POT OF GOLD? He is waiting patiently for the old members to die out. Nobody has a clue about this plan. It would be nice if someone informed them. He in the meanwhile keeps them on life support so it look like a synagogue. When anyone raises a questions regarding the empty shul and why are all the other synagogues in the area bursting at the seams? He offers to hire a new assistant rabbi for a while.
This is TRULY an amazing story that movies are made of. What’s left but to pass the popcorn and watch and see if he will get away with it. Only G-d or the IRS have the answers.
Best wishes,
Someone who Knows.
