Daily Archives: October 9, 2009
As the night goes on, reservations disappear, to be replaced with a surge of energy. Giddy, high on happiness. And yes, some alcohol to loosen up. Hidden in coat pockets, disguised in water bottles and juice. But hey, if it works for you.
Op-Ed: So You Think You Can Dance
This Op-Ed reflects the other side of the coin, a different look at the same event. This comes in contrast to this mornings “Op-Ed: Whose Event Is It Anyway?”
There’s a solid wall in front of me, blocking me from the wind, keeping me warm. Bodies pressed up against me, in front, back, and all sides. Squeezing my friend’s hand to make sure she is still there. Moving, swaying, tapping to the beat, because it’s catchy, infectious. Head bobbing up and down, lips singing along with the familiar tune.
As the night goes on, reservations disappear, to be replaced with a surge of energy. Giddy, high on happiness. And yes, some alcohol to loosen up. Hidden in coat pockets, disguised in water bottles and juice. But hey, if it works for you.

Simcha Monica Celebrates Sukkos in the Street
More than 600 men, women and children participated in the first ever Simchas Bais Hashoava in Simcha Monica, CA on Wednesday the third day of chol hamoed. Special permits from the city were granted to close the street just one week prior to the event.
Video of the Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebration in the Sukkah at the Chabad House of Colorado Springs, CO (By Mordechai Lightstone http://www.mordechai.org).
Video – Simchas Beis Hashoeva at Chabad of Colorado
Video of the Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebration in the Sukkah at the Chabad House of Colorado Springs, CO (By Mordechai Lightstone http://www.mordechai.org).
BROOKLYN, NY — Residents in Windsor Terrace are up in arms after a pair of thugs pelted a house with eggs and rocks while shouting anti-Semitic slurs this week, witnesses said.
The alleged bias incident, which took place early Tuesday on Prospect Ave., is the second such crime to rattle the neighborhood in recent weeks - and comes on the heels of other high-profile anti-Semitic incidents across the borough.
Hate Crimes Up in Brooklyn
BROOKLYN, NY — Residents in Windsor Terrace are up in arms after a pair of thugs pelted a house with eggs and rocks while shouting anti-Semitic slurs this week, witnesses said.
The alleged bias incident, which took place early Tuesday on Prospect Ave., is the second such crime to rattle the neighborhood in recent weeks – and comes on the heels of other high-profile anti-Semitic incidents across the borough.
Thousands of Yiddishe residents of Boro Park celebrated Simchas Beis Hashoeva, they danced and sang together on 13th Ave between 47th and 48th street in Boro Park Brooklyn. This is the third year that Chabad of Borough Park, under the directorship of Rabbi Aaron Ginsberg, organized such an event.
Video Playlist – Simchas Beis Hashoeva on 13th Ave
Thousands of Yiddishe residents of Boro Park celebrated Simchas Beis Hashoeva, they danced and sang together on 13th Ave between 47th and 48th street in Boro Park Brooklyn. This is the third year that Chabad of Borough Park, under the directorship of Rabbi Aaron Ginsberg, organized such an event.
Photos: Leil Hoshana Rabbah in 770
After concluding Simchas Beis Hashueva the crowd marched up Kingston Avenue to 770 where the masses followed the custom of reciting the Tehillim and Torah as well as an apple and honey.
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Ten principals of Jewish schools across North America gathered in Brooklyn this week to participate in the Menachem Education Foundation’s Principal Leadership Program. The program began with an informal dinner on Monday, Oct. 5, and continued with two full days of intensive and challenging workshops on Oct. 6 and 7.
Jewish Principals Kick Off Innovative Leadership Program
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Ten principals of Jewish schools across North America gathered in Brooklyn this week to participate in the Menachem Education Foundation’s Principal Leadership Program. The program began with an informal dinner on Monday, Oct. 5, and continued with two full days of intensive and challenging workshops on Oct. 6 and 7.
Would I be able to expose my children to the true and intended nature of the most joyous celebrations in Jewish history dating back to the Bais Hamikdash? Or would I be risking their safety by allowing them to be bombarded by what appear to be insane asylum escapees with smashed hats and beards that betray what they had for breakfast the week before, violently waving tattered yellow flags on broomsticks, while pushing and shoving in a circular fashion – their version of dancing?
As I approached Kingston Avenue, I first passed the children, teens and adults of all ages who, as in years past, were crowding around the on-duty police officers, marveling at the sight of a real gun. “Is that a real gun?” I overheard one young adult asking with a tone that betrayed a childish glee. “Did you ever shoot anyone?” asked another.
Op-Ed: Whose Event Is It Anyway?
I guess the seven year itch theory is true. Or perhaps I was just being optimistic that things had, perhaps, changed for the better. Either way, I finally decided that after seven years of avoidance, I would risk venturing out to Kingston Avenue during Simchas Bais Hashoeiva. My objective was to observe and report on its current state, to determine if it was safe yet to bring my little children to participate in the celebration.
Would I be able to expose my children to the true and intended nature of the most joyous celebrations in Jewish history dating back to the Bais Hamikdash? Or would I be risking their safety by allowing them to be bombarded by what appear to be insane asylum escapees with smashed hats and beards that betray what they had for breakfast the week before, violently waving tattered yellow flags on broomsticks, while pushing and shoving in a circular fashion – their version of dancing?
As I approached Kingston Avenue, I first passed the children, teens and adults of all ages who, as in years past, were crowding around the on-duty police officers, marveling at the sight of a real gun. “Is that a real gun?” I overheard one young adult asking with a tone that betrayed a childish glee. “Did you ever shoot anyone?” asked another.
KINGSTON, NY [CHI] — Mayor Rudy Giuliani, America's mayor, visited with Jewish leaders of the mid Hudson Valley in Kingston NY today. Mayor Rudy started off with a prayer for the Yankees to win the World Series and then discussed some of the issues on the minds of the Jewish leaders, from local economy to Israel and the threat of Iran.
A Mayors Prayer for the Yankees in a Chabad Sukkah
KINGSTON, NY [CHI] — Mayor Rudy Giuliani, America’s mayor, visited with Jewish leaders of the mid Hudson Valley in Kingston NY today. Mayor Rudy started off with a prayer for the Yankees to win the World Series and then discussed some of the issues on the minds of the Jewish leaders, from local economy to Israel and the threat of Iran.