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Itchke’s Shitebel to Celebrate Move to New Home

Since its inception back on Rosh Hashanah of 2008, Itchke’s Shitebel has been steadily growing in its membership and diversity. It has been a place where many young and even older people have come to Daven, learn, and yes, even ‘chap a schmooze’ – and of course, no Shabbos is complete without the Kiddush.

“This has been the one place where I have always felt welcome” said one congregant who has since become a full time member of the shul. Indeed, the Shtiebel is a place where one can expect to hear a ‘good shabbos’ when they walk into shul whether they are a regular or just visiting.

Over the past few years the Shtiebel has been using various places for the High Holidays, This year the location for the Yomim Tovim was Beis Chaya Mushka, which was a great success. Looking to build off of that success, the Shul decided it was time to move to a bigger and better location.

Thanks to the hard work of a few dedicated members a new location was found: the 1349 President St. basement of Rabbi Moshe Rubashkin, which became available due to Chevra Ahavas Yisroel moving to its new location.

The Shul’s spiritual leader is Rabbi Chaim Fogelman of OK Labs, who first joined the Shtiebel back in 2010.

“Itchke’s Shtiebel is a great Shul where everyone is welcome. We have 5 shiurim almost every week, we farbreng every shabbos and there is a great sense of brotherly love. It has been one of Crown Heights’s best kept secrets; a place where the members are loving, caring and devoted to each other,” one member said.

This Shabbos, Parshas Noach, will be the first Shabbos in the new location, and many members are very excited about it. “This move will accommodate a more inviting atmosphere for our members and activities,” said longtime member Pinny Bard-Wigdor. The amount of space will be more than enough to have room for members, guests, and just about anyone else that decides to come and give the Shtibel a try.

In honor of the move, and as a Chanukas Habayis, Itchke’s Shtiebel is inviting everyone to a Moitzei Shabbos Kumzits, October 20th at 9:00pm, with Rabbi Chaim Fogelman. All those with or without instruments are more than welcome to join in for what will be an exciting evening of Music Food – and of course, a L’chaim or two.

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9 Comments

  • LaAniyas.Dayti@gmail

    Is that the Shulchan upt front? No seats in front?
    The Rebbe was very much against those (Rabbanim) who permitted this. Previous generations of chassidm didn’t need the Rebbe to point it out. Today’s generation are wondering “what is this guy talking about here?”
    Chinuch al pi derech chassiduss imbued kids with basic chassidishe hergeshim. Today that seems to be forgotten, and the hergeshim taught are the peripheral things that the Rebbe never meant to be replacements. They were meant to be additions.

    What, you ask, are these peripheral things? Sloganeering, rallies bichlal, 365 day camp culture, and last but not… Mekusharism. It’s just an addition. It’s not the whole deal.

    In the 30’s 40’s and 50’s of last century, the 2nd generation American born Jews had difficulty passing on their “feeling Jewish” experience (a Jewish heart) because it lacked a tangible substance, to meaningful, intelligent adult experience. (A point the Rebbe used to make in the early days of summer Merkos shlichus by bochrim.

    Is there a similar transference gap in Lubavitch today?

  • Grade, No. 1 is correct

    About thirty years ago I went with my uncle, a very respected Lubavitcher Rov, to a Shul in the Catskills. When he saw the placement of the Shulchan, he told me we would never daven there again.

  • Bima NOT upfront at Itchkes

    The picture shown seems to be from the previous Shul that was there. I was there today and Itchkes is set up differently. Men are on the other side with bima in the middle and plenty of space in front of it…..

  • Confused Chossid

    You are beyond ignorant, and I dont mean to be rude but it needs to be mentioned. The Rebbe said that you should always see the good in everything, yet somehow you see an article about a shul the accepts people and what you come out of the whole thing is the only negative that you could find based off of a photo that apparently is not even of the actual shul.

    I want to add that I am not religious and do not go to shul on the average shabbos but when I lived in crown heights for a short time I would end up there regularly because they were that welcoming and actually cared about the people showing up, rather then other shuls in the “Rebbes Community”.

    You should be ashamed of yourself, and if you aren’t its ok I am sure the Rebbe is ashamed for you!

  • Ultimate Ignoramus

    So your not frum, but you are THE mavin on what the Rebbe wanted.

    Spare a thought for the Ribbono Shel Olam and his Torah, Chukim, Umishpatim.

    BTW that comment #1, was asking a question in order to teach shomrei torah umitzvois a din that could very well be lost in the Chabad “Lite” Chabad of Disco, and Chabad of Boxing. (OK I’ll kiss you when I see you, and say LeShem Yichud the Rebbe and his noshrim.)

  • Tableau

    ‘Shekoach to Dayti.
    Let this be the next argument in Lubavitch. At least the next generation will hear of the concept – and maybe even want to find out its source and origin.

    The question that occurs to me: Where is the Shulchan placed in the heiligeh Kollel minyan?

  • Picture

    The picture places in this article is not of Itchke’s Shtiebel. You are more than welcome to come see for yourself!

  • Member

    Moshe Chanin founded the Shul ( he is the greates guy you’ll ever meet)
    Rabbi Chaim Fogelman is the rabbi
    The members are the ones who keep up the Shul
    The board of 5 Moshe Chanin, Piny bard-vigodor, Eli Hecht,Pacy Lipkind and Dovy Wachtel make sure it’s all put together and the bills are paid
    And together it’s all a rocking great shull
    And if you come just once you’ll agree