Bobov Lotto, online

By Michael Orbach

Issue of Dec. 25, 2009 / 8 Tevet 5770

At first glance, the internet may seem like an unlikely place to buy a ticket for the $89,000 “Split-the-pot” raffle run by the Bobov chasidic community.

But then again, it would also be an unlikely place to buy a ticket for the $50,000 Keren Chasanim D'Satmar raffle run by the Satmar chasidic community.

But then again, the internet can be an unlikely place altogether.

“It's not forbidden because everyone allows it for business,” explained Mordechai Trieger, one of the men behind Jewishraffles.org, a site that sells fundraising raffle tickets for the chasidic community. The website, which launched this past year, is a joint effort by three men from three different chasidic kehillahs: Bobov, Satmar and Spinke. The site is a heimishe affair with a beige and maroon color scheme.

The majority of tickets to the raffles are sold in batei midrash and shuls, but “a certain number are sold on the telphone, and then we have a few on the internet,” Trieger said. He’s had buyers from London, Switzerland, Belgium and Israel.

The proceeds of the raffles go to a variety of causes, from supporting institutions to helping newlyweds. Ticket prices range  from $5-$25 and feature prizes between $25,000 and $100,000. The raffles are relatively lucrative and many groups depend on them; most raffles easily bring in $50-$100,000, Trieger estimated.

The generic-ness of the site is important to the three operators.

“If we have our own website it would be like us endorsing the internet, and the rabbonim don't want that,” said Trieger. “The rabbonim don't like to have [the internet] at home and not to play and have fun with. It's very dangerous. Even the goyim know it's a dangerous place.”

Yankel Fisch, an organizer  of the Satmar raffle, said that the money it raised would go to help Satmar grooms; a long-standing tradition in the community. By his estimate, 90 out of the 200 weddings in the Satmar community in Williamsburg this year would receive help from the raffle's sales.

The site does not advertise.

“The thing is, it's not a business. If I wanted I could have 30 raffles. I'm not making money, I take a certain percentage to keep up the website. No major expenses, $1,000 for the whole last year,” he said. “It's not the nicest website because of that.”

Modernity does have some unintentional side effects, however. A video made for the Spinke raffle tells the story of the dynasty in Yiddish. The only snag lies in the opening music: a popular Christmas tune.

Questions or comments? Contact Michael Orbach at morbach@thejewishstar.com