So it continues...

The sad, twisted saga of Martin Grossman's "sainthood" continues. Kolel Shomrei Hachomos recently established a tzedaka fund in memory of Mr. Grossman. The fund is a g'mach that makes free loans to various families and individuals in need in Jerusalem. It says that mishnayos will be learned and a candle l'zecher nishmas will be lit for his soul, and, presumably, some of the merit of the fund will 'rub off' on his soul as well.

This is madness; it just goes on and on. At least the comments here on VIN seem to tend towards that sentiment. These comments in particular (sic)- "When a chashover Tzaddik Kollel Yungerman dies leaving over yesomim Kollel Shomrei Hachomos does nothing yet when a convicted murderer gets executed they open a gmach lzecher nishmaso? What on earth?" and "This is a Purim gag, right? I have to go. The Jeffrey Dahmer Community Center near me is having a party" - struck me as particularly poignant. The guy MURDERED someone, for God's sake!

Well, I can strike this tzedaka from my list. I know, I know - "but they do good work!". So what? I have plenty of other tzedakos doing works just as good to which I can contribute that aren't hoisting a murderer up on a pedestal, no matter how deserving or undeserving he was of his ultimate fate.

As long as we're on the discussion of tzedaka mosdos that I can cross off my list, did anyone see the latest Kupat Ha'ir mailing? I mean, did the all those gedolim really 'instruct' all of us to give all our matanos l'evyonim (and presumably, maos chittim) dollars to Kupat Ha'ir exclusively? Don't think so. Did Kupat Ha'ir lightly twist something that those gedolim actually did say or write? Probably. Granted, Kupat Ha'ir does very good work. But I don't appreciate deceptive, dishonestly tinged marketing practices. Sure, we all know that mosdos and tzedakos are hurting because of the recession. That doesn't give any one of them a right to lie, cheat, or steal their budgeted revenue in any way, shape or form.