Man Dies of Intoxication on Purim, Shluchim Clarify
A terrible calamity has befallen one Florida Chabad House when an uninvited man showed up at their Purim party, became highly intoxicated, and subsequently died. Local news outlets pounced on the story, and a huge whirlwind of myths and speculation about what happened is spiraling out of control. In an exclusive interview with Crownheights.info, the local Shluchim described in minute detail exactly what transpired that day.
As every year, the Chabad House hosted a Purim party for all the members of the community. The party was to be attended by invitation only, and an entrance fee was charged. It is unclear how Jesse Allen, who is not a member of the synagogue, or even Jewish, became aware of the party, but he showed up and sneaked inside without invitation or payment.
The room was only dimly lit by a few strobe and disco lights, yet a few of the revelers were able to tell that this stranger was already heavily intoxicated when he showed up. It is entirely likely that there were other narcotics in his system as well.
It is important to note that absolutely no alcohol was served at the event whatsoever. However, a small number of revelers did bring with them a small bottle or flask of alcohol for their own personal use, at their own discretion. Nevertheless, it is also important to note, not one other person at the event was visibly intoxicated in the slightest.
Unknowing that he was already severely intoxicated, and that he had a history of substance abuse, a participant shared some of his alcohol with Mr. Allen. He then began to show real signs of intoxication, shouting epithets and verbal abuse, at which point he was asked to leave the premises – which only caused him to escalate his tirades. A couple of community members gently escorted him outside, and sat him up so that he may get some fresh air. They assumed that, as in 99.9% of these situations, he would overcome his intoxication and go on home.
Unfortunately, when the community arrived back at the center the next morning, they discovered that he tragically did not survive the night. The police were immediately called, who upon thorough investigation cleared the community center of any wrongdoing whatsoever.
The Shluchim expressed their greatest sorrow over the unfortunate incident, and their condolences to the family of the deceased. They also assured us that everyone involved acted in the best of faith that they did all they could for the unfortunate fellow.
CH
God Rest his soul. Also, I hope people understand that it is a very misfortunate event and the community center was compassionate enough to let an alcoholic that was an outsider join their party. It is very typical to place intoxicated people on the grass to sober up. If a man has a few extra shots, the grass is a great place to leave him to sober up. 99.9% of drunks don’t need medical intervention to sober up, only need time for it to wear off. Sadly they didn’t realize that he apparently had potentially fatal alcohol poisoning which turned out sadly to indeed be fatal. God bless his family and rest his soul.
empire
i think what the rabbi meant is that the person wasnt officially part of the community (i.e. he wasnt in their mailing lists, or an invited guest) so they didnt know of him. although now we know that ambulance should have been called, if you call an ambulance for every drunk….
nevertheless i dont think the approach was “he’s not jewish who cares..”
WAKE UP!!!!
THE AIBERSHTER HAS JUST SENT A WAKE UP CALL.
Do not brush this off or take this casually. Every shliach should take this is a major wake up call.
merline
The guy was drunk when he showed up. Hello.
CH
have you never done something that is no big deal 99.9% of the time but once in a blue moon goes wrong? Have you never violated a traffic law that once in a blue moon could be fatal? 99.9999999% of the population have at one point of their life done something that was irresponsible. Thankfully 99.999% of the time, no harm is done by irresponsible acts. Rabbi Ezagui was not responsible for that man. He intoxicated himself. He was an adult. My assumption is that Rabbi Ezagui never met a man so toxically intoxicted so he thought this man was a typical drunk. It would have been nice if he would have called 911 in hindsight, BUT IT WASN’t HIS RESPONSIBILITY. The man was an adult and responsibility was his alone. I’m not demening the deceased. I’m sure he was a wonderful man if not for that one vice which sadly claimed his life. May G-d rest his soul.
Daytona member
I was at the party – the guy popped in out of no where at the end of the party looking like he was high on something- he was freaking the few community people out ( by the fact that he was going up to each table and drinking directly from water pitchers, etc) so the rabbi asked one of the members who he was and to help him out- what the article didn’t add wS that the guys who took him out cared for him outside trying to get him a cab home , asked him his name/ address etc but the guy wanted to be left alone.
Rabbi ezagui has a fabulous reputation for going above and beyond and this happened to be an unfortunate situation that could’ve happened on your front porch too.
CL
the drinking issue has to be addressed. a certain amount should be recommended. how sad.
I’m sure they didnt just leave him in the grass. maybe they didnt know where he went and they didn’t see him.
mendy
BH
BSD
THE BIG QUESTION IS LIKE THE AYGLAH HARUPHAH
WHY AT A CHABAD ESTABLISHMENT
Why is this article here?
Thanks again for posting such articles and causing unnecessary uproar and useless stupid arguing and commenting! It’s a very tragic and unfortunate story, but plenty sad and pathetic people use every opportunity to spew hatred and point fingers. So what does this website hope to gain by posting this?
Rabbi Ezagui is a fantastic, considerate man! This was nobody’s fault except the individual who drank himself to death! Even his mother sees that her son was to blame! They kindly let him in, they DIDNT serve alcohol, he found some and drank – they were in no way responsible to supervise this man!
So all sad, lame commenting individuals who need to prove their lack of lives, and start throwing dirt on people, kindly find yourselves help, and take your issues elsewhere. This story, and the actions of the people involved, does not need you input!
for those that seek the truth
He wasn’t invited and nobody knew him. A program was going on with over 100 children and hundreds of adults in their social hall which was dark due to a laser show and it was at that time he entered. He urinated all over the place which got parents very nervous. He was escorted respectfully walking with his own two feet out the door. According to the detectives he was bipolar and was on heavy medication. Nobody left him alone he was asked what’s his name or home address and he wouldn’t give it just wanted to be left alone etc. His own mother told the Rabbi which was quoted also in the paper he had major drinking problems etc. The detectives reported that he had a history of going from church to church in search for parties to drink etc..
in summation: a very unfortunate incident that landed on a Chabad property.
David Schmidt
How absolutely sad that all of the Non-Jewish locals can understand that a very sad story has impacted so many. A young man with severe problems was taken so young. His family will never be the same. An entire community that is as close-knit as communities are was delivered a very large blow. Everyone has hindsight and wants to pile on, and that is even more disturbing because of the additional pain it causes everyone. The principles of this Synagogue had an OBLIGATION to protect young children. The party was not free to the public (many reasons for this). You needed a ticket to get in. This gentleman bypassed the gatekeepers and hung around. It seems as though he came in highly intoxicated. That is what the police confirmed. He was known for going place to place, party to party in the hopes of finding something to get high on. He might have found something. I say might because he was indeed intoxicated when he walked in. There was alcohol, however me and you might not have found it (since it was safely tucked away by individuals as the Center chose not to provide). It was not readily available. I repeat, it was a children’s party and not one where there was booze being passed around. Many people, religious and non-religious were present. The Shul principles who have built up a pristine reputation would never compromise that. You are talking about one of the cleanest, most beautiful, most security conscious, and best run Chabad centers in the world. True to that, they averted a potentially dangerous situation with an out of control drunk with exposure to tons of children. They amicably escorted him out and offered him a ride as well as cab fare. He just wanted to lay down. Shortly thereafter the last person left the building. Unfortunately they were parked in the other side of a 30,000 Square Ft. building. Unfortunately this person expired. Everyone is pained over that. The newspaper article quoted the Rabbi as saying that he was “not a member of our faith”, that was a quote that was told to the reporter in the context of whether or not the gentleman was a member. To the reporter that seemed like a question to ask. Unfortunately, the placement of this quote is quite inflammatory and probably intentional. I implore upon the readers here to understand that reporters do spin stories. Look at the headline to the story and decide for yourself if the reporter did not tip his cards “A man who was drinking at a JEWISH holiday party was found dead”. The “Jewish” was inserted with intent. Do not take my word, the largest talk show host in the area who went to bat for the synagogue and berated the reporter for a very loose article void of some of the key facts. Be wise, do not be so quick to judge. The local area has come to support the center through this ordeal, shouldn’t the “Crown Heights” community as well?
eretz yisrael yid
to much alcohol comsumption must be some self awareness also our communities are affected i think the time has come to eliminating the vodka from our fARFRENGINS
My heart goes out to the Shluchim
There are so many risks with being a Shliach and having an open door policy – because of nut jobs like this. You try to be nice with a mental case and then it comes back to haunt you.
Unfortunately, Shluchim will have to learn not to be so nice and start making police reports for crazies instead of trying to help them as in the past.
My heart goes out to these shluchim. It seems that no good deed goes unpunished.
what-s the point
What is the point of this article being posted here?
lchaim vlo lamoves
A few years ago a frum guy died in miami beach at the lubavitch Beis Menachem shul on Simchas Torah..
I enjoy lchaim but the fact remains it is way too large a part of our “culture”