Posted to General on

Nightlife: Out of the box, in The Heights

By Mimi Notik
<%popup(nightlife july 07/schedual lrg.jpg|800|511|Click Here for the new August Schedule!)%>

Admit it. The trendy graphics caught your attention. You saw it from afar, and came closer to see what it was about. And when you did, the headline trapped your curiosity.

Nightlife?

Yea, you were a little surprised, very intrigued, and even a little excited.

Then you saw the small print and gasped.

“What? In Crown Heights?!”

Pictures and more information in the Extended Article!

With Nightlife’s out-of-the-box events and a lounge area fit for Park Slope, it’s no wonder that the many nightly attendees are also surprised. Standing amidst the lounge candles, plants, coffee stand, chic floor pillows and luxurious furniture, it’s not hard to feel like you’ve traveled to an out-of-town locale.

But alas, while being at Nightlife might make you say, “Uh, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore,” you’ll find the enormous room when you descend a spiral staircase in a home not very far away – but right on President Street.

Chairman of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, Rabbi Moshe Rubashkin, is Nightlife’s visionary and host. Fully sponsored by The CHJCC, Rubashkin has teamed up with BYIT (a project of THI) to make the unbelievable happen: a cool hang out spot and innovative programs five nights a week for single young ladies living in Crown Heights.

To program coordinator Rochel Leah Shapiro, the stated goal is to make the abundance of single girls in the community “feel like they own their own space in Crown Heights.”

But no matter what the declared goal, Nightlife is surpassing not only the initial vision, but everyone’s expectations.

Since its inception in July, Nightlife has experienced tremendous success. Over 400 girls have been through the doors to enjoy outstanding lectures and fun seminars appealing to an array of interests. Taught by well-researched experts, courses have included jewelry design, voice training, food decorating, sushi-making, professional makeup application, and more.

During lively voice lessons with Kineret, girls (both singers and non-singers alike) learned new techniques, and laughed their way through giving each other advice.

A night with Chana Weisberg gave all the right answers to our common questions on
G-d’s ways – as she eloquently painted a picture of how everything that happens is part of the past, present, and future.

On Tisha B’Av, close to 90 girls showed up to Nightlife and heard Eicha by candlelight – an incredible alternative to the usual experience.

Perhaps the most astonishing thing about Nightlife is the variety of girls that attend. While many might wonder, “Is this going to be my crowd?” there really is no way to label the group that arrives to Nightlife events.

“The programs attract every type of person,” says Mushkee Wolf, a Crown Heights resident.

When brainstorming for the project, Shapiro was encouraged to pinpoint a target audience, but she felt the idea went against the goal of harboring unity. As it turns out, her refusal was warranted. Girls of every age, background, and social bent have walked through the doors to discover a common identity and experience the ultimate meshing of Crown Heights singles.

Perhaps it’s possible because of what many call, “a chilled out environment.”
Says one girl, “Here, when someone asks you what you do, you don’t have to act like you’re busy. You can just say, ‘nothing’ and it’s totally fine.”

Nightlife seems to have established a refined and stylish presence that surprised many girls. Aside for the debonair décor, the food is always plentiful, fresh, presented with marked originality, and what one girl calls, “beyond delicious.” Along with the actual programs, many details – including colorful tablecloths and a fun stand-up chalkboard – all come together to create a vibe that feels like the perfect medium between trendy and sophisticated.

“Everything is done with class,” says Ita Friedman.

Recently, a captivating lecture with Rabbi Shea Hecht was followed by a wine-tasting. Guided by professional wine connoisseurs, girls tried out different wines, each accented by five corresponding courses of fancy hors d’oeuvres.

It was the first night for Rochelle Oliver, and she was pleasantly surprised. “This is certainly on the edge,” she said with a smile.

The good news is that the up-scale vibe and professional programming doesn’t stamp Nightlife events with a pricey fee (one evening costs $5). Referring to Nightlife’s sought-after lecturers, Rina Meckler says, “You come here and it’s not the typical ‘oh, let’s learn,’ and it’s always something that people would usually pay a lot for.” Nightlife also offers “5th night on-the-house!” cards, with a free entry after four nights of participation.

This coming month, Nightlife has announced programs that include self defense (Krav-Maga, to be specific), a drumming circle, spa-night, and more. Sunday nights are devoted to entertainment – featuring Concert with Open-Mic and Jewish Jazz nights – while Mondays and Thursdays will feature captivating speakers, with new additions; Sara Esther Crispe, Esther Piekarski, Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe, and Rivka Slonim, to name a few.

The full Nightlife picture points to something very revolutionary. Seeing the void that Nightlife has filled for so many thus far, people have been asking about making a version for boys, and mothers are constantly asking if they can join.

So what makes this nightlife different from all other nightlifes?

Is it the trendy set-up? Social opportunities? The topics addressed by lecturers? The delectable food? With each aspect given careful attention, it’s hard to decide.

But one thing’s for sure:

If you’re a single girl living in the hood, you’ve got plans tonight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Save the date! Sunday, August 5th: Concert and open-mic. Take to the stage with singing, music, poetry, dance, comedy, or whatever else you might have up your sleeve (really)! Sunday August 12th: Enjoy live music and an open cocktail bar!

Be sure to visit www.CHnightlife.wordpress.com for up-to-date professional pictures and recap of events!

Email: CrownHeightsNightlife@gmail.com

Related Articles

24 Comments

  • Chana

    Wow, wow, wow. Yashar Koach to ALL the organizers. May you go from strength to strength, quickly outgrowing your current space!

  • Fan of Nightlife

    So what makes this nightlife different from all other nightlifes?
    Rochel Leah Shapiro!!!!!!!!

  • No way you can have a boring summer!

    This Nightlife idea is the best ever! I thought I would have a boring summer, but there’s no way that could happen with every night something happening – something fun, different, and yet productive….What strikes each time I come, is that all different types of girls come and socialize…I’ve made lots of new friends.

  • like ariel

    Mimi – great article once again…
    I feel like I’m missing out on something great, now I see why you’re so busy!

  • MUSHKY B

    KOL H’AKAVOD ROCHEL LEAH!!!!!!!!!

    LOOK WERE THE ACCOMPILSHMENTS OF ONE SELFLESS GIRL CAN GO !!!!!!!!!!
    A HUGE CHANGE IN POEPLES ATTITUDE/VEIWS GOING ON

    AIN MEELIM
    KEEP IT UP!

  • KayPee

    Everyone come to NIGHTLIFE its awesome! Shea Hecht, is soooo good seriously I vote for nightlife to be extended for the whole year! Its awesome! we learn a little and its fun! thanks to whoever sponsors the program it really is amazing!

  • wow!!

    this program looks amazing – I woul dlove to have had such a thing when i was single- and th etopics would interest m enow too – lets organize something like this fo rmarrieds also!!

  • Nightlife?

    It truly looks like an amazing and much needed program.
    And precisely because of that, it is with some hesitation that I remark on the following: It seems to me that the name ‘nightlife’ carries insinuations that may not be wholly appropriate for a bas yisroel.
    Otherwise, hatzlacha rabba!

  • chguitar11213

    its very nice that the girls have a place in ch to hang out and chill ,but the all repectable mr. rubashkin has cut funding for the boys yam program which sorta of says screw the boys let me just cater to the girls!

  • reb shual

    Reb Moshe Rubashkin

    You continue to amazme me with your amazing ideas

    You have my vote

    To give up your life and House is amazing

    And a special thanks to the real Boss your wife Faigy. She is a true Aishesh Chayil

  • THANKFUL MOM

    THANK YOU TO ALL THE ORGANIZERS OF NIGHTLIFE, ESPECIALLY TO MOISHE & FAYGIE
    FOR OPENING UP THEIR HOME & BEING SO GRACIOUS. FOR THE GIRLS TO HAVE A PLACE TO GO IN THE EVENINGS & HAVE A VERY “KOSHER” HANGOUT IS WONDERFUL. THE SUMMER TIME IS A VERY LONELY TIME IN THE CITY WHEN MOST FAMILIES ARE AWAY IN THE COUNTRY & THE STREETS ARE EMPTY.
    THE GIRLS GET TOGETHER AND ENJOY EACH OTHERS COMPANY AS WELL AS HAVING A FANTASTIC PROGRAM THAT EACH & EVERY GIRL PARTICIPATES IN. THEY ARE GEARED TO & FOR THE GIRLS.
    AS A MOTHER I AM VERY GRATEFUL!
    THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF ALL THE MOTHERS & THE GIRLS THAT ATTEND!!!

  • Night. Life.

    To “nightlife?”

    As far as the title goes, its more than fitting.

    Night.

    Life.

    Furthermore, the actual program leaves no room for inappropriate insinuations. It is everything geared (and needed) for a “Bas Yisroel” today.

    As this program proves so well, a little bit of an open mind doesn’t have to hurt Crown Heights or go against anything…

  • zeldy

    I would second what one person entioned above. Firstly, yasher koach to all involved in this program. Then I would say it is at least, or more necessary – to have some kindof similar program for the boys!
    That’s my suggestion!

  • Let-s Share

    To chguitar11213:

    Until now, there was only YAM, so if some funding is cut and it goes to the girls, it does NOT say, “screw the boys, let me just cater to the girls.”

  • To The Nightlife Team

    Nightlife’s success is do to an AWE-INSPIRING team of truly caring and dedicated individuals who know how to make things happen! To Moshe & Faige Rubashkin, Sury Ciment,RL & DL, Chaya Sara Zarchi, Kraindy Klein, Brocha Friedman, Tzivia Lehrer, Chana Lewis, Golda Fehler, Miriam Steinhauser, and the rest of the CHJCC & THI staff – THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE CROWN HEIGHTS COMMUNITY!!!

  • unlike any other

    WOHO!! Article says it all – this Nightlife thing is unlike any other program that ever existed….it’s for everyone, it’s cool, classy, and hip. you walk out of one evening with a good feeling. – Thanks to all involved!

  • bochur

    don’t forget about the bochurim!!!!! we’re also in ch, and bored out of our boxes!