The Battle for YJP: A Clash of Faith, Finance, and Real Estate in NYC

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In the heart of New York City, nestled near the bustling Union Square, lies a chic building known simply as “The Mansion.” According to a recently published report on The Real Deal web site, this prime piece of real estate, located at 105-107 East 16th Street, is more than just a luxurious property; it is the epicenter of a thriving networking organization for young Jewish professionals. But beneath its polished exterior, a bitter legal and religious battle is unfolding, threatening to unravel the very foundation upon which the organization was built.

The Young Jewish Professionals (YJP) organization was founded in 2008 by Rabbi Naftali Rotenstreich as an unincorporated division of the Chabad of Gramercy Park. The vision was clear: to create a space where the next generation of Jewish leaders could engage in business, educational, and social networking opportunities, as was reported by TRD.  The idea quickly gained traction, attracting young, ambitious professionals eager to connect with established figures in the real estate industry and beyond.

With its catered kosher meals and high-profile events, YJP became the go-to networking organization for Jewish professionals in New York City. The organization’s success was undeniable, with annual revenues reaching between $700,000 and $800,000. The report in TRD said that this financial success enabled the Chabad of Gramercy Park to purchase the now-coveted 16th Street property in 2014 for a reported $6 million. The Mansion became both a symbol and a cornerstone of YJP’s success.

However, the Real Deal report indicated that behind the scenes, tensions were brewing. Rabbi Rotenstreich, the visionary behind YJP, found himself in a bitter dispute with Rabbi Shaya Lesches, a once-trusted employee whom Rotenstreich had hired to assist with fundraising efforts. What began as a collaboration between two religious leaders with a shared goal soon spiraled into a complex web of allegations, lawsuits, and religious rulings.

The crux of the conflict lies in the control and ownership of YJP and its assets. Rabbi Rotenstreich alleges that Rabbi Lesches created a sham organization, Young Jewish Professionals Foundation (YJPF), with the intent of siphoning funds away from YJP and, ultimately, usurping control of the Mansion, as per the information provided in the Real Deal report. According to Rotenstreich, this move was nothing short of a betrayal, a calculated effort by Lesches to wrest the organization away from its founder.

On the other side, Rabbi Lesches presents a different narrative. He counters that it was Rotenstreich who misappropriated funds and that he, Lesches, was wrongfully locked out of the YJP premises, the Real Deal report revealed. The dispute quickly escalated beyond personal animosities, becoming a matter for both secular and religious courts to decide.

The battle between the two rabbis first made its way to the Beth Din, a rabbinical court that operates within the framework of Jewish law. The report in The Real Deal explained that in a ruling that shocked many, the Beth Din sided with Rabbi Lesches, declaring that the YJPF was entitled to receive the title to the Mansion. This decision was a severe blow to Rabbi Rotenstreich, who had hoped that the religious court would affirm his control over the organization he founded.

Undeterred, Rabbi Rotenstreich sought to challenge the Beth Din’s decision in the secular legal system, filing a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court. However, his efforts to overturn the religious ruling met with limited success.