Op-Ed: Is It Time To Talk About Class Shuls In Crown Heights
by Rabbi Gershon Avtzon – Cincinnati Ohio
I had the privilege of growing up in Crown Heights, the Shchuna and daled Amos of the Rebbe. While my father would bring me every shabbas to the Rebbe’s Farbrengen and seder niggunim, we would not Daven in 770 Friday night and shabbas day. Instead, we would daven in a small Shteeble called the “Sosnowitz Shteeble” located (at the time) on Crown St. We would come to 770 for Tekios on Rosh Hashana and for Napoleon’s March on Yom Kippur.
When I was very young, I asked my father the obvious question: If we live right near the Rebbe’s Shul, and we are always being told how important it is to spend as much time as we could in the presence of the Rebbe, why are we davening in the Sosnowitz Shteeble and not 770? My father gave me an illuminating answer: The Rebbe does not want any shul in Crown Heights to close!
He elaborated: While today, Crown Heights is known as a place where Lubavitcher Chassidim live, it was not always that way. Just a few decades earlier, there were many different chassidic, and non-chassidic, groups that had centers in Crown Heights. As some non-jewish people started coming into Crown Heights, these groups – against the wishes of the Rebbe – left Crown Heights for other communities. This caused a risk that the small shuls around Crown Heights would close and the Rebbe did not want that to happen. Thus many local balebatim gave up on the opportunity to Daven with the Rebbe in order to fulfill the Rebbe’s desire. It was their shlichus in Crown Heights.
With this education and mindset, it was always clear to me that – while we have the responsibility to strengthen the existing shuls in Crown Heights – nobody would ever willingly and voluntarily open a new shul in Crown Heights. Why would any group of Chassidim choose on their own not to daven in 770?!
It was therefore very shocking to me, as the years went by, to see the phenomenon of “class-shuls” opening up on every block of Crown Heights. It seems that every age group has in recent years created their own oasis and community and seems to ignore the treasure – 770 – that is in their midst. It really “got to me” when a friend of mine, who lives in Crown Heights and attends one of these shuls, commented to me that it has been months since he stepped foot into 770!
Being open and transparent: For quite a number of years, this bothered me tremendously and I attributed this concept to the darkness of Galus and the general apathy of many young people today. It was recently that I realized the tremendous benefit of these small shuls: In addition to the fact that the Crown Heights community has expanded so much geographically, and it is also difficult for a father to daven with a bunch of sons in 770; more importantly: It gives a young man – and woman – a sense of belonging and community.
Every person has an inner need to feel needed and that they matter and can contribute. This need is very difficult to fill in well-established shuls and institutions. By being part of a small community shul – especially with people your age – gives each person the feeling that they are an essential part of a community.
On a simple and practical level: One person serves as the Gabai, the other is the Baal Koreh and the other is on the board. If someone does not come for a shabbas, there are people that will notice and show care and concern. This sense of community actually encourages more young people to participate in Tefillos, farbrengens and shul events. This is in addition to the social life that is afforded to people. This realization and perception has changed the way that I view these small shuls and communities.
Together with the above, I would like to call out to all of the young leaders and members of these wonderful and important young congregations: Do not forget the Beis Rabbeinu Shebebavel that is in your midst! Don’t forget the tremendous zechus – that people Pay thousands of dollars and much travel time – to daven in the Rebbe’s Shul – the Beis Hamikdash in our time!As Dovid Hamelech writes in Tehillim (137): “אִם־אֶשְׁכָּחֵ֥ךְ יְ֜רֽוּשָׁלִָ֗ם תִּשְׁכַּ֥ח יְמִינִֽי” – If I forget you, Yerushalayim, may my right hand forget [its skill].
On a practical note: I would strongly encourage and recommend that every “class shul” should designate one tefilla a month that they all daven in 770 as a community. It doesn’t matter which Tefilla it is, as it is the inner-statement and mindset that we are establishing: We are are not Chas-Veshalom running from 770, we are “expanding 770” and bringing the Kedusha of 770 to our own little shul and community. It is so vital that we, and our wives and children, internalize this very important mindset of our everlasting attachment to 770.
Ps – Today, 28 Shevat, is my Yom Holedes BH. With the Koach of “Mazalo Gover”, I bless everyone with Hatzlacha in all aspects of their lives B’Ruchnius and Gashmius. May we merit the Hisgalus of the Rebbe and the rebuilding of the third Beis Hamikdash – now!
Please feel free to share your thoughts on the above with me by sending me a personal email: rabbiavtzon@gmail.com.
A chosid
Rabbi: Many people would still daven in 770 in Daled Amos from the Rebbe if there were elections for gaboyim as the rebbe wanted…. BUT it has been hijacked by gaboyim who not only don’t care for the “congregants” but don’t care for the Shul either… Please address this topic
gershon shapiro
there are the right & wrong reasons for not Daavening in 770 The shenanigans that goon the huge crowds all the time.One glaring example If you are standing or even sitting near the entrance doors in front or in back you cannot hear the chazzan the Baal koreh in 770 therefore what’s the use etc.many do so for the wrong reasons during the week the excuses are invalid Go to770 even for one Tefilla!
Mushkie
Rabbi Avtzon: You candidly admit “For quite a number of years, this bothered me tremendously…It was recently that I realized the tremendous benefit of these small shuls”. In other words, you realize that your strong positions on issues CHANGE as you evolve.
Therefore, your strong opinion on many topics simply reflects your CURRENT belief, and indeed, it is subject to change as you age and grow!
Your point?
What are you trying to imply?
don’t we all develop understanding?
Mushkie
I am implying that the powerful opinions he writes today may be obsolete tomorrow. Halacha withstands the sands of time. Opinions that are not based on halacha are like ocean waves, they come and they go. Opinion articles like these should come with expiration dates or Best Before dates.
AH
Mushkie, we often find in the Mishnah and Gemara and later sefarim that a Tanna or Amora or Rishon changed his mind on something. Does that mean that his earlier opinion wasn’t “based on halacha,” ch”v? No, and indeed we learn both the earlier opinion and the later one as part of Torah.
Mushkie
I already wrote: halacha is eternal, always real. It withstands the sands of time. If the opinion of a Tanna or posek changed, the earlier opinion has validity, it’s part of Toras Emes.
The same cannot be said of opinions of mashpiim, that change as they themself mature and grow.
These youthful mashpiim are adamant in their radical opinions, my way or the hiway. Until they mature and change mind
Mushkie
Mashpiim or hanhalah provide guidance and the student is prepared to die in battle for that “shitah”, but later the mashpiim or hanhala mature and reflect further and have an “oops” moment.
Their view takes a u-turn, but the student is left holding the bag filled with ill conceived advice.
Like in this topic, insisting on davening in 770, to the detriment of the benefits gained from small shuls.
Mushkie
I raise this point because the “ka’no’us” while mocking anyone who holds differently, is an ongoing concern.
It makes one question the guidance if mashpiim, because it is very possible, in a few more years, they will realize the folly of their opinions…too late for those who listened to them!
This author bravely admitted it. Others don’t. Stick to their guns. Drive over the cliff at full speed
Mushkie
Suppose, as a dumb example, a mashpia insists that you only buy blue cars. Blue reflects the kisei hakovod. Anyone buying another color car doesn’t care about yiras shamayim.
Suddenly everyone insists on buying blue cars. It now a “thing”.
Till the mashpia realizes that one can serve Hashem in a white car too.
Oops.
This sadly happens and is common.
Like op-eds or hanhalah and shitas.
Chaim
0ver 30 years have passed and nobody from CH really has any interest to daven in 770. IYH when the Rebbe returns we will build and return!!!!
chosid
The Rebbe is currently in 770! after yud shvat the Rebbe would read a pan in the friediker rebbes
room etc. Elections for gaboyim will solve most issues
bob
i feel like rabbi avtzon is the only guy who writes op eds
Bob, you’re right !
Bob. You hit the target with that comment.
We now have the Op-Ed Rabbi. He should write a book.
Bring back the aura of kedusha
Now that the court agrees that 770 does not belong to the hooligans who hijacked it, what is being done to get rid of their horrible behavior?
Also upstairs. By the women you are greeted by a notice from the gaboyim that no signs are to be attached to any wall, and there, by the hijacked space, are dozens of signs, and women who harass you when you enter.
Nope. Not going to 770. Clean it up 1st
meyer chein
Throut history Jews have had small shulls Even with many Rebbes and Hahamim. Of course the had a great central shul also. This is a political and social issue
yitzchok
If not for the people with tunnel vision in 770, everybody would be in 770 and class shuls would not exist. I have not step foot in 770 since gimmel tamuz. I dont need the heart ache.
I dont need to hear yechi every 20 mins. and need to to see a shvil and I dont need to see people mocking the rebbe etc etc.
Beis chayenu, Beis Rabbeinu
As for Davening in 770.
• We must beautify and treat 770 as befitting the Rebbe and Friediker Rebbe’s shul.
• also. Since when has it become obligatory to daven “once a month” in 770 .
Mushkie
It was a custom to visit the mishkon once a month ON ROSH CHODESH and Yom to, as written in Shmuel that Elkona (the husband of Chana and Penina) would do so.
From visiting every Rosh Chodesh, one develops the thought of visiting every Chodesh (dropping the “Rosh”).
From visiting the Mishkan one develops the idea of visiting 770.
That’s how new modern nimhagim are born. One thinks it, says it..
Arrogance of an outsider
This is a pretty condescending and arrogant article. Please stay in Cincinnati
Trying to understand
What was condescending?
AH
The arrogance seems to be in the mirror. How do you talk like that to a fellow chossid, and a mechanech to boot?
Dovid
You remind me of Senator Chuck Schumer, who loves the spotlight every weekend. Keep your Op Ed’s at home, and worry better about the Cincinnati Shuls !
Mushkie
You and “Arrogance” above take issue that the author is an out-of-towner. You feel, how dare he tell “us” his thoughts. The silliness of your words can be broken down to: (1) we know better because we live in Crown heights – it makes us smarter and more chassidish, because of the zip code! (2) you have no right to advise us or give an opinion until your city reaches perfection – silly!!
Mushkie
According to you and “Arrogance”, if the author lives in Crown Heights, he can have an opinion, but once he is outside of CH, he must shut up. How silly! Do you have opinions about Washington or Israel? How dare you, if you (a) live in CH, (b) live in a place that is imperfect (crime, politics etc). Pure silliness worthy of Chelem!
Crown Heightser
A shaliach is kmoso, like the meshalach. Does the same apply to davening only in the chabad house shul?! Even when it does not suit your needs for davening??? Smarten up!
Mushkie
Chabad House minyanim are often geared for mikurovim. The minyan is not made for you (pages are announced and instructions to stand/sit etc are made throughout the davening). But 770 IS made for you. If side problems exist, they need to be fixed. But the shul and minyan in 770 is for each of us.
Shocking to me
It’s shocking to me that a person who doesn’t live in Crown Heights and is on Shlichus – where I am sure there is much work to do for him locally – has the audacity to express these bombshell opinions which serve only to cause rift and division. Instead of seeing the beauty of the class minyonim where yungeleit are b’achdus etc, you see the negative with your tunnel vision. Just do your job.
Reader
It’s seem every comment written by Mushkie is really a Menachem.