Internal Community Action – Purim Collection in 770
by Rabbi Yosef Katzman
Keren Simchas Choson V’Kalah is one of the most respected and essential organizations in Crown Heights. For decades, it has assisted needy brides and grooms with dignity and self-sacrifice.
Dvora Benjamin stands in the street day after day — in heat, cold, rain, and snow — raising funds dollar by dollar. On Purim especially, this work becomes critical. Purim is not merely another fundraising opportunity; it is the day of Matanos La’Evyonim.
For decades, Rabbi Benjamin a”h collected in 770 throughout Purim — starting with Machtzis Hashekel on Taanis Esther, and both the night of and during the day — as is customary in Jewish communities everywhere.
The Gemara teaches:
“כל הפושט יד נותנים לו” — on Purim, anyone who stretches out a hand is given.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 694:3) codifies this halacha.
The halachic spirit of Purim is expansive generosity — not restriction.
In every shul in the world, collectors come on Purim. This is not unusual. It is normal Jewish practice. It is halacha. It is minhag.
For decades, collections for KSCVK were conducted inside 770 without objection.
In recent years, however, the current management of 770 has instituted a policy prohibiting outside collections inside 770 on Purim.
One of the gabboim was approached respectfully, and it was requested that KSCVK be allowed to continue its longstanding Purim collection inside 770. Initially there was discussion. Ultimately, KSVCK was informed that the decision stands: no collecting inside.
This is deeply troubling.
770 is a מקום קדוש designated for tefillah, Torah, and mitzvos. Tzedakah — especially Matanos La’Evyonim on Purim — is unquestionably a mitzvah activity.
Halachically, one of the few purposes for which we may sell a shul is to purchase a Sefer Torah. And one of the few purposes for which we may sell a Sefer Torah is to help marry off needy kallahs.
In simple terms: if we must help young couples marry and begin their lives, we would sell the shul.
We cannot justify maintaining a shul (which is cited as the reason the current administration is restricting outside collections) if there are needy chassanim and kallahs who require assistance.
We all remember when the Rebbe sold 770 because the mikvah was in disrepair — because without a mikvah, chassanim and kallahs cannot fulfill the purpose of creation.
That this is now happening in 770, the Rebbe’s holy shul, is astonishing.
Restricting Purim tzedakah collection inside a shul raises serious concerns:
– It contradicts the halachic mandate of Purim.
– It overturns decades of established minhag hamakom.
-It limits a core mitzvah opportunity in the Rebbe’s shul.
– It conflicts with the Rebbe’s consistent emphasis on increasing tzedakah.
This is not about personalities.
This is not about politics.
This is about Purim and halacha.
We are asking members of the community:
– Speak respectfully but firmly to the gabboim.
– Ask them to reconsider this policy.
– Emphasize that this is about restoring longstanding practice.
– Ensure that KSCVK can collect inside 770 on Purim, as has been done for decades.
Purim is a day of expanding generosity, not restricting it.
We cannot allow a precedent where tzedakah on Purim is limited inside the Rebbe’s own shul.
Please take action.
