כ״ח אב ה׳תשפ״ה | August 21, 2025
Tefillin Stolen Once Again from 770 by Repeat Thief
Just weeks after a pair of tefillin was stolen from 770 and incredibly recovered, another pair of tefillin was stolen by a repeat thief and visitor to 770. Gabboim warn mispalelim to protect their precious items and not to welcome known criminals into 770.
Just weeks after a pair of tefillin was stolen from 770 and incredibly recovered, another pair of tefillin was stolen by a repeat thief and visitor to 770. Gabboim warn mispalelim to protect their precious items and not to welcome known criminals into 770.
By Anash.org reporter
Just weeks after a pair of tefillin was stolen from 770 and later recovered thanks to an AirTag and the swift action of Crown Heights and Manhattan Shomrim, another costly set of tefillin was stolen today from 770.
The thief was identified as Simcha (Roy) Sliverman, a man with a long history of thefts in and around 770. In today’s case, as in others, he stole tefillin, removed the money kept inside, and then discarded the tefillin themselves in the trash, where they were later found and recovered.
Sliverman, who comes from a Jewish family, has been connected in the past with various community institutions. Sadly, he has repeatedly turned to theft and has previously stolen tefillin from a number of individuals, including Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam tefillin belonging to Rabbi Yehuda Friedman.
“This is not the first time he has stolen tefillin,” said Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Kratz, one of the managers of 770. “The problem is made worse when people in the community try to mekarev him and make him feel welcome in 770. This only encourages him to come more often, and it causes real harm.”
Sliverman, along with several other known thieves and unsafe individuals, is officially barred from entering 770. The gabboim are urging community members to be vigilant and to immediately notify the gabboim or police if these individuals are seen entering the premises.
770 gabboim also continue to remind bochurim and anash not to leave their tefillin or valuables unattended, and to consider placing AirTags or other tracking devices in their tefillin bags to help in recovery in case of theft.
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COMMENTS
Does he have a mental disorder? Why doesn’t someone get him real help, as opposed to just being nice to him. Why can he just roam around Crown Heights? Whats will stop him from stealing from any other Shul?
I would think twice…
For although the natural reaction is to condem..
But then i think – what would the rebbe say?
If the rebbe saw us putting up a big picture of a yid – with the title ‘גנב’ …
Would the rebbe approve?…
This kind of thinking that the Rebbe preached for absolute positivity and never ch”v any law and order has created havoc in our community.
כל המרחם על האכזרים סופו לאכזר על הרחמנים
Of course we need to check and double check and try to handle things in a peaceful way. But sometimes there is no other way but to put our foot down and make it public.
Some of the people on this list have literally destroyed the lives of young people in our community by feeding them heavy drugs.
We need to stop this foolish “not the Rebbe’s way” argument, and do what’s right – which is what the Rebbe wants. The Rebbe himself spoke numerous times about shuls, mosdos, and communities needing to be strict and uphold standards.
The Rebbe doesn’t want dangerous people hanging around chassidim and young bochurim in 770
You’re so right is that this misguided attitude of acceptance is destroying us. Hashem y’rachem.
there is next to zero enforcement they come timeand again people give them money the only security are the police outside if they would get wise ban most of the phonies and set up a paid permit system for the others plus a roving security guard that has the pictures given clear instructions you could eliminate 90% of hthe problem!
security grants can help pay for some new measures such as
– reduce number of entrances, exits (without reducing emergency exits)
– 1 entrance for visitors (added plus: with security guard/greeter)
– 1 entrance for locals with keyfob/qr code/fingerprint (combination code for shabbos)
– signage about cameras
– short term lockers (for your tefilin during davening)
Unfortunately, he is a drug addict, has been in rehab several times, then relapses when he is left out!
That back door should be locked
Have a push bar with an alarm sounding for emergency exit