First of all, the fact is that Crown Heights is a mixed neighborhood. Crown Heights used to be an upper class, predominately white neighborhood. President Street used to be called Doctors Row if I recall correctly. At that time many different groups of Frum Yidden lived here including Bobov, Skulen etc. When the Blacks started moving in and everyone started running away (White Flight) the Rebbe said to stay and we, as Lubavitcher Chassidim listened to the Rebbe.
Letter To The Community
As someone who has lived in the Schunah of Crown Heights-Kan Tziva Hashem Es HaBracha-for a number of years, and as I read the almost daily reports of violence going on in our community and the comments from the readers, I would just like to write a few lines.
First of all, the fact is that Crown Heights is a mixed neighborhood. Crown Heights used to be an upper class, predominately white neighborhood. President Street used to be called Doctors Row if I recall correctly. At that time many different groups of Frum Yidden lived here including Bobov, Skulen etc. When the Blacks started moving in and everyone started running away (White Flight) the Rebbe said to stay and we, as Lubavitcher Chassidim listened to the Rebbe.
For better or for worse Crown Heights is and will always be our neighborhood. And if the Rebbe said Kan Tziva about Crown Heights, there is no doubt that it still applies. There was always, always crime in Crown Heights. Many of us remember the lootings and the rioting in the 70’s by the Blackouts. I remember when Rabbi Okonuv Hy”d was killed for no reason. I remember when a Bachur was killed near Ohalei Torah for no reason. And now Efraim Klein Hy“d was killed for no reason. And all the muggings and violent assaults and break-ins and car thefts etc. etc., too many to remember over all the years. There was crime in the Seventies, in the Eighties, in the Nineties and now. Sure it was somewhat better when we had Giuliani as mayor, but there was always crime
The one main difference now is that thirty, twenty and even five years ago we didn’t have internet like we have today. We didn’t have News Services that inform us in seconds of everything that’s going on. If someone is on Shlichus in Russia, now he knows that a Bachur was beaten up and a lady was mugged and a car was broken into.
Websites like CrownHeights.info are a valuable asset in letting us know what’s going on, sigh for the all the good-like Peulos of Shluchim, sigh for the not so good but nevertheless important things that we need to know.
The bottom line is that unlike Williamsburg or Boro Park where the Yidden have a place for themselves, we are in Crown Heights together with Shvartzes and there is crime. However, we need to do as much as we can to prevent whatever we can prevent. This is the situation and we need to deal with it accordingly.
Dovid HaMelech says in Tehillim: ‘Im Hashem Lo Yishmar Ir, Shov Shokad Shomer’ which means that if Hashem is not guarding the city then it is for naught that the guard is standing and guarding for it will not help. The following is quoted from a Sicha of the Rebbe to Nshei Chabad:
”And it should be in a way of ‘and you should dwell safely in your land’-that we should live safely in Eretz Yisrael and every Jew should live safely wherever he is and in a way of ‘you will lie down to sleep and you don’t need to be afraid’ that even when we are sleeping we don’t need to have any guards since we are not afraid of anyone because “Hashem is your guard”. Hashem himself gaurds in a way of ‘Lo Yanum Vlo Yishan Shomer Yisrael’. And Hashem says you can sleep peacefully because I am standing and guarding you.
And in order for this to be we need to have the inyan of Tznius. Like the Pasuk says “For Hashem walks within your encampments”. When Hashem sees that the Yidden- wherever they are, are careful in Tznius then Hashem goes between them to “protect them and to put their enemies in their hands” that we don’t need to do anything since Hashem is protecting us and our enemies will be destroyed “.
Until here is the Sicha
We need to change the Tznius standards of our community. This is not about a Shliach/Shlucha who have the Nisayon of being different then everyone around them. This is about tzvishen unz! We are talking about a Frum Chassidishe community. Chabad was always known as the more frum and more machmir. If this is what our kids have to look up to then what can we expect from them in a few years. Crown Heights looks like a catwalk in a fashion show. More and more women are going around without Shaitlach rachmana litzlan. The Rebbe said that a Shaitel will help in everything; in Parnassa, in Gezunt, in Shalom Bayis etc. Even though nobody can point and say that this happened because of that etc. I think it is safe to say that added Tznius=added security.
There is a well known saying that the fifth Chelek of Shulchan Aruch is common sense. We are allowed to and we must use common sense. If Hashem wants that something should happen it will happen. But we are allowed to use a little Seichel ourselves to prevent the things that could be prevented. First of all, always, always be on the alert. Many times a Shvartze follows someone for a while before he attacks. If you are alert you can spot him before. If you need to be walking around late at night you should always try to walk in groups. It doesn’t matter if you are in Crown heights, Bed-Sty or Smalltown, USA, two in the morning is not a safe time to walk around. People say that this is our neighborhood and we can do what we want. That’s a hundred percent true but the fact is that anywhere in the world bad people lurk by night. Why are Bachurim walking late at night by Rochester (unless they lived there)? Why are Bachurim walking past St. Johns late at night? If you must walk somewhere then go with others people.
Just to point out, there are many, many of Anash men women and children, who walk every day to Eastern Parkway towards the library-many of them in the evening. Almost always nothing happens. Similarly, many Bachurim or Yungeleit go to Rochester to the park to play tennis and usually nothing happens. It’s just that the one in a hundred where something does happen we should be prepared and do whatever we can. Most Anash who have lived in Crown Heights for a few years have had something happen to them. I myself was beaten up; but life goes on. (I think most people who live in New York have had something happen to them at least once.)
I see kimat every night that from 1:30am until 5:30am the streets are empty-even Kingston and Union. Its takeh true that some people walk every night on Kingston in those hours and nothing happened to them but the fact is that the streets are empty and things are prone to happen. That’s why it says in Gemara that Shedim lurk by night.
The Rebbe mentioned more then once that in these matters we need to learn from Satmar. I’m not making this up-you can see it in Sichos. We need to have our own unified force. I remember when-before Shomrim-there was a group of Bachurim and Yungeleit who used to patrol by night. If they saw a Shvartze who looked suspicious (99% of them do) they would beat him up first and ask questions after. Halevai we would do that today. It is obvious that we cannot rely on the police, they don’t do anything. They don’t report half the crimes and when we complain, the only response is increased tickets. During the night hours there are barely any police around but by day they sit on Kingston pulling over one person after another. There is no one to talk to. We must take care of ourselves. Anyone who is able and capable of volunteering a few hours for Shomrim should join. If you cant then at least contribute some money so that they can continue doing their job. And you don’t need to be officially part of the organization; everyone should pitch in with whatever they can. If you live on Utica then keep an eye out by Utica. If you live by Sterling then keep an eye out by Sterling. And if you hear a Yid yell for help then go and help them, don’t just ignore them like it’s not your business.
With all the abovementioned, I think it is important that Webby should put a direct link at the top of the page which opens up a complaint form in order to make it easier to complain. (Whether it’s the higher police people or the Citizens that investigate the Police or the Mayor’s office, whatever it is. Don’t forget that without us Mayor Bloomberg probably would not have won.) We need to change the 71 st Precinct starting with Vega Yemach Shmo-GET RID OF THEM. Make our voice be heard. If you are able to go to the monthly meeting and complain. If you are able to call 311 or email a complaint once a day or once a week or whatever it is. And it’s not a matter of politics with the Vaad HaKahal or the Rabbanim or anyone else (even though the Vaad HaKahal that we voted in is takeh supposed to be taking care of us in these matters)-it’s US. Forget about everyone else and take a stand yourself. Even if you just call the complaint hotline or write them one time or a hundred times, that’s already something. And if anyone has time to volunteer to help Shomrim or to contribute money to them to enable them to continue doing this vital job.
p.s. Just one last important note. In Tishrei there are about two thousand guests, young Israeli boys who don’t speak the language and don’t know their way around. Every single Tishrei without fail, every one, there is some extra crime happening with them. They must be told a few things which are extremely important. Like for example which streets to stay on and which to stay away from. And what they should do if a Shvartze asks them for money.
A disclaimer: Although it may appear to be from what I wrote, I am not a racist. I don’t hate anyone more then anyone else just because they are black or whatever. It’s just that the fact is that in forty years I have never ever heard of a Yid mugging another Yid or breaking into his car. I have never heard of a Yid holding up a Shvartze. It’s like in the airport where they can’t pull over a Muslim because that’s racial profiling and instead they pull over an old Jewish lady. I am writing about Shvartzes because 10 out of 10 it’s a Shvartze. Yidden don’t do these things. Now if you want to talk about insurance scams or money laundering, then that’s something else.
Bivirchas Kesivah Vachasimah Tovah, Ah Gut Gebencht Yur to you and yours.
A. Toshev
Aaron Minkowitz
I read your article and was wondering what kind of a man or woman are you that have the need to sign his or her name with “ANONYMUS”
You are apparently afraid of your own shadow and that is a worse problem than what you describe in your article and this is in my opinion one of the problems in your neighborhood when people are always complaining but afraid to give their names.
Leshono Tova.
Aaron Minkowitz
Thoughtful Chosid
Nice letter, but you use some Yiddish and Hebrew. What is a shvartze? If it is a yiddish word, shouldn’t you have written the entire letter in yiddish?
OK, I’m making a point. You say you are nor a racist. Then please call people of other color by a more respectful name, Blacks, African Americans, etc.
You only fuel an unintended fire, and teach our children the wrong example.
We do live in a mixed community, so be mindful of others. And there are black, latino, and asian Lubavitchers who read this site. What would they think?
lady in CH
VERY WELL SAID. YASHER KOACH
Impressed
This is a very good article. As the writer began about Tzinius I did think , AGAIN??? These women & girls aren’t going to change, don’t bother.
But Anonymous is right about his other points. Unfortunately, they’ve been made many times before, although not so calmly. Still no one does anything practical.
My biggest fear is his ps. WHY are these kids coming for Tishrei with no supervision? They are in real danger if WE WHO LIVE HERE are at risk every day!
I got a call yesterday asking me to host some teens. How can they come here with nowhere to go?? WHAT ARE THEIR PARENTS THINKING???
Perhaps our Yeshivas should play host to these boys and arrange responsible Bochurim to be Temporary Dorm Counselors. Just a thought.
Meantime, we still don’t have an answer to the crime here.
Nice work, Anonymous. Thanks.
anon
Can you bring sources where the Rebbe said to beat up crminals?
qaz
Good article. However, yidden may be arrested if they beat up criminals-I think that almost happened before. Also, from what year was the sicha quoted?
hamashkif
"If they saw a Shvartze who looked suspicious (99% of them do) they would beat him up first and ask questions after. Halevai we would do that today."
"Although it may appear to be from what I wrote, I am not a racist."
Yeah, right.
YS
I live in a community outside Crown Heights, and I could not agree more with everything that was said above.
Especially about Tzinius! This is definitly an area that needs to be addressed immediately.
B’zichus noshim tzidkonios nigalu avoseinu m’mitzrayim, if the "tzikonios" part is a little lacking, chas v’sholom, it puts another delay on the getting out of this golus!
Granted, women have great powers even over men! But don’t sink to the level of the goyim that are around us!!!
The Alter Rebbe states that women should wear a complete covering over their feet. This means that wearing sandals, with bare feet – which can be seen by all, is certainly not permitted according to the p’sak of the Alter Rebbe.
So ladies; Make a hachlata for the new year – INCREASED TZINIUS, INCREASED VIGILANCE in the mitzvos related to NOSHIM TZIKONIOS, and in that merit we will surely merit a K’SIVA V’CHASIMA TOVAH, L’SHANA TOVAH U’MESUKA, and the HISGALUS OF MELECH HAMOSHIACH TEKEF U’MEYAD MAMMOSH!
SHTERNA
THE LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY WAS VERY WELL WRITTEN. IT WAS LONG BUT WORTH THE TIME READING. I THINK IT WAS PUT VERY WELL, AND HOPEFULY LOTS AND LOTS OF PEOPLE WILL READ IT, TAKE TO HEART, AND MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES. BOTH IN THE TZNIUS AREA, SAFETY OBSERVATION, AND 71ST PRECINCT.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR LETTER.
YL
VERY WELL SAID AND 100% TRUE! IF PEOPLE WERENT SO BUSY RUNNING AROUND SCREAMING (PRO AND CON) AND MAKING THEMSELVES FEEL LIKE THIS IS THEIR KISKASHRUS, AND THEY ACTUALLY PUSUED THE REBBE’S INYONIM (I.E. TZNIUS) THEN THE COMUNITY WOULD BE ALOT SAFER B’RUCHNIUS V’B’GASHMIUS
WE ALSO NEED TO UNIT AND TAKE EVERY EFFORT TO MAKE OUR SCHUNAH SAFE!
THANK YOU FOR PUBLISHING THIS LETTER
moish
we need a name
me
good points, and some good laughs! it’s time to ASEI HARBEI.
da
waaaay to long…
I am sure you lost 95% of readership just from the size of this long post.
If you want to get a message across to people, you have to keep it short. There is no indication at the begining of the ‘thesis’ of the point you are trying to make, and therefore no incentive to read through the whole thing.
Can we hear, in one paragraph, what you are trying to say..
helping Out
Excellent article!
Thank You for your thoughts and insights. I try to do all I can in a small way, but each bit helps, as you wrote. I already sent a large complaint letter to the governer’s office from a link that was posted here recently.
I think I’ll take it upon myself to call 311 every day and complain to them even to the point of being a nudge. I love to annoy people in that way!
Everyone should do all they can to stop this uprise of voilence.
Thank You.
R Bell
Interesting. Why Anonymous????
THANK YOU!
I think we should all take this Yid’s words to heart because everything he said was so true. No blaming, but how we can actually change things around. Lets all be more carefull in our tznius and common sense. No pointing fingers- remember when you do 4 fingers are pointing to YOU! it’s up to ALL of us to make a change
c.h.er
very very nice article yasher coach
Charlie
Ah, finally the voice of reason. I’ve been saying that for years. Now how do we protect ourselves? We need to learn how to protect ourselves. We need to teach our boys and girls too, some physical education, martial art would be great. Look at them. Overweight, the way they walk, the way we all are walking, CH might look like a “cat walk”, but for sure not in the way, we are all walking. Do not want to use compearathing here to describe, but it is not pretty. We need more “Quick fits” and/or similar places; we need more physical education on every level. If not to defend one self, maybe that one self will be able to run away from the trouble. We spend time teaching and learning Torah, but where does it say that we should not take care of our bodies, of our health. Seating all day doesn’t help with being healthy. We need to bring physical education to schools to Yeshivas, Seminaries, every where and on every level, and I am not talking about one hour ones a week …
Yes, there was always trouble, and I am afraid there will be more trouble, G-d forbid, but we should be ready. I read online that after that horrible beating of a bochur in Kiev, now the bouchurim are allowed to carry guns. Albeit they are not the real guns, but looks scary enough and makes plenty of noise. I am not saying that we should arm our selves, without proper training that is very bad idea, but maybe we should learn from Satmars and start defending ourselves they way it should be.
I also would have liked to comment on Tznius, but it is so upsetting that I don’t even go there. “Cat walk” is really not a word that comes to my mind when I see what is going on…
Metaphorically Speaking
I’m just curious: have you actually ever seen a catwalk?
23 Year old Married Girl
Just remember that tznius is something we should do for ourselves.We cant stop strangers on the street to tell them there sleeves are to short, there hair is showing or the like! The Rebbe MHM spoke about Hachnosas Orchim and Ahavas Yisroel ALL THE TIME! Remember that! Yes! we need to be Tznius but YES YES YES we need to be nice to othere yidden! (im writing this because a not frum girl trying to dress tzniusdikly was stop and harassed for wearing a low neckline! be careful!) thanx Moshiach Now! And A good Year for Us all!!!!
dw
good points.
Anonymous
I am not from this community but I do work here. You claim to not be a racist but you have used the word "shvartzes" many times. That is a perjorative term and quite offensive. You also point out that all the crime is perpetrated by blacks. These statements, my friend, make you a racist.
BigBen
Very good, all true, but a little too long.
Next Police Community Meeting is this Thursday September 21, 2006. On Empire across the street from the precinct. Come before 8:00pm and sign in. You can voice your complaints to C.O Vega. Be there.
Anonymous
I don’t live in Crown Heights but I work here every day and I read letters like this with disgust. You claim that you are not a racist yet you use the word "shvartzes" constantly. This is a perjorative and offensive term. You state that blacks are the only ones perpetrating crimes in Crown Heights. Sorry to say my friend, but these statements make you a racist. I don’t think being more machmir in your tznius is going to make crime perpetuated by poverty and uneducation go away.
B.S.
WELL SAID!
shana tova
kol hakavod
King Pharaoh
about the tznius issue. . .
What about touching of the beard??? Or are we only going to blame the women for the tznius issues in the community?
Married in CA
I for one will do my part in California, for the greater good in Crown Hieghts, I will try not to walk out of my house in a tichel. I think a bunch of us who dont live in CH but feel for it, can take on mitzvos for the zchus of CH to be a safer place. Maybe webby can open a link, and with those extra hachlotos, arm himself and go to the ohel and let the Rebbe know how we want to fix this problem. Thanks CH INFO for giving me this opportunity.
agrred
i agree 100% that tznius has a big effect on our security & nowadays its becoming a problem
every lady/girl should take apon herslf one more hiddu to tznius! don 4get one smaill action can make a huge dif
Eliezer
Lots of very good points!
(Are you running for vaad or office? maybe you should:)
thumbs up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
everything that was said, to our sorrow its all true. something has yo be done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
E.P. neighbor
To your added point about the Visitors for Tishrei – there was an article this summer in the Catskill Directory – and to sum it up it basically said that the frum yidden who live there all year round have to live with the consenquenses of our actions – so too with our guest – they should be made aware that whatever they do – we have to live with the reprecussions – so they should be mae aware that they should not cross in the middle of Eastern Pkwy. or dodge out inbetween cars on Kingston – or not to make loud crazy noises at all hours of the night at 770. The rest of the neighborhood groups us all together as "those Jews" so if you see someone acting inappropriatley – please tell them.
A Kesiva V’chasima Tova to all!
qb
Do to these tznius issues, Kingston ave looks more like the trash walk as appose to the catwalk.
Dovid
A letter like this ought to be signed. No one will lynch you for having opinions (hopefully).
guess
everything is so true…it was very well written
CH Observer
I really enjoyed his well thought out letter, and a chuckles indeed. I gotta admit you got it right on the money. I"YH the new year will bring good tidings only!
A Shliach
I believe that you may not bre a racist, nevertheless when you call a criminal a "shvartze" you are implicating a complete group of people, the majority of which are innocent. Indeed you don’t hate them becayse they are black. You hate the one who are criminals and they happen tp be black. If the mugger was white you would hate them. And if the shvartze was your investment banker who madwe you a lot of money you would like hime. So don’t refer to certain people by their skin color. It’s not why you dislike them, there is nothing wriong with it (Hashem made people in many ways). Substitute the word criminal for shvartze. In the case of CH it may indeed be one who is shvartz. And remember the majority of the victims of the criminals are black. So, hopefully you understand, being that you are not a racist, that its wrong to refer to people by their skin color. Refer to criminal as crimi9nals. Otherwise it is literally a chilul Hashem (maybe unintentional). Think about it!
shiffra shprintza yenta liba
i just wanted to say that if the bochurim see a young girl in danger…let them know that they can help her… yea about the tznuis…. women should take that into consideration…. thanks.. great letter !! yashar koach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lauren
merci beaucoup….tres bien cest lettre est tres important …
Cee Are
Alot of what you wrote is on the ball, however as others noted your use of the word Shvartze makes you lose a lot of credit. It is true that you’ll never see a Yid mugging (at gunpoint R"L) another Yid. Still a good majority of the black people in this community aren’t committing these crimes either. Most people just to go about their business. The majority of the crime is committed by bored youths who are just trying emulate their hip hop ganglike friends and the music and culture that encourages this behavior. But next time try to remember it’s not 1965 anymore, you can’t say Shvartze, which even THEY know by now is a derogatory term unless your speaking completely in yiddish. You lost a lot of brownie points when you used that term.
In a related story, this same goyishe culture that festers dangerous hip hop violent mentality is also fostering the untznius fashion cultures of today.
Yes, Crown Heights women have always been on the forefront of fashion, but what was considered hot and trendy in 1985 and today are very different, tznius wise.
You say Catwalk, I say much much worse. You’ll excuse my words, but many women are dressing today like they are at a bar where they do a different type of walking down a runway.
Its embarrassing. If you hear the way other frum people talk about the Tznius factor in Crown Heights. We are chassidim, yet in Flatbush and FiveTowns the women dress more tznius. Let alone boro park and williamsburgh.
Women may not want to hear this as it infringes on their duty to honor their fashion sense, but it’s become a plague on our community. Not just married women but even young girls are dressing like they are filming a commercial for The Gap.
It is the worse problem we are facing in this community. Not to let the men off so easily, there are big problems there too. I have never in all my life seen so many lubavitch men with trimmed or on the face beards in all my years in CH. Too many men/bochurim to count walk down Kingston in red polo shirts and blue jeans. And Hats and Jackets? Before Gimmel Tamuz a bachur or even a young married man would never walk in the street w/o a hat and jacket.
Of course the Alter Rebbe/Shulchan Orach doesnt speak nearly as Harsh about blue jeans as it does about improperly covered hair, skirts above the knee, shirt sleeves above the elbows and uncovered feet (i.e. sandals/no socks)
No one likes to hear that the answer to a tangible/physical issue (such as crime/safety) could be solved via a spiritual adherence, but let’s not fool our selves, we all know these things have real physical impacts on our lives.
We all have what to work on and I hope that this new year many of us will consider some changes.
huh?
Your letter doesn’t really make any sense. What Tznius and Shaitels have to do with muggings is quite unclear. The bullet-proof stockings of Williamsburg aren’t actually bullet-proof, on a physical or spiritual level. Based on your hypothesis a society that is extra modest would be a utopian one like say the Muslims? There is somehow this pervasive theme of using Tznius and Shaitels as a scapegoat for everything that goes wrong in our community.
If there’s anything that you can learn from Williamsburg I would say it’s to take care of your own. Both in Crown Heights and in Williamsburg they’re finagling the Government but at least in Williamsburg they do it for the community as opposed to Crown Heights where poor people can’t get section 8 because they’re not related to someone; Poor people in CH? It’s probably because they’re not Tznius enough or they probably wear Tichul’s G-d forbid or just maybe they waited until the Chuppah to think about a livelihood.
Maybe the police turn a blind eye because they have to deal with crazy things like infighting over a cornerstone or fighting over the election of new Rabonim or because the CH Community Council is a political mess and no one are really sure what they do.
Maybe the children of CH are rebelling because schools like Bais Rivka are so mismanaged that the teachers pay was 5 months late last year and their singular book keeper doesn’t have a computer or records of who was paid what. Maybe it’s because the faculty has completely lost touch with reality preaching nitpicky Tights vs. Socks and Tznius Buttons when the students are smoking pot and breaking Shabbos. Maybe it’s because our Yeshivas are so against college and higher education under any and all circumstances that the students lose the benefit of education all together. Maybe it’s because our best and brightest went on Shlichus or are working on Baalei Tshuvah. We’re so innovative at making people frum yet somehow once you’re frum or if you were born Lubavitch there’s no love.
Maybe it’s because since the Rebbe left us the lunatics have taken over the asylum. Maybe they just have the loudest voices but it seems to me that Crown Heights is becoming a disorganized Monsey. When did we become Misnagdim? As Chassidim we have an inherent desire to perform to – and often beyond – the letter of the law but somehow it’s turned into fire and brimstone Mussar. We’re building fences to the Torah right off the deep end. What about Baal Toisef? When the Rebbe was here we let him decide everything for us and now the answer to everything is no, with no heart and no love and no exceptions. College, Tichul’s, Sonograms… G-d gave us all free choice but the people and Rabbi’s of Crown Heights disagree with G-d and we leave the children no choice but to rebel.
Maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about and Shaitel’s and elbows are going to fix everything. Maybe, instead of paying rent this month, all Lubavitch men should go out and buy a $1000 uncomfortable head mop and wear it for 12 hours straight.
Happy New Year
carrol guy
the beard thing is common in many many frum areas and not as bad, I should restate not even close to the horror and shanda of tznius issue. You won’t find that in most areas vechulu. yes, the men have there share of issues to deal with but its the woman that is the key.
Anonymous
To the editor of this letter, and those who support the disgusting thoughts and comments written above: G-d should only help you for the words you write above. As a minority yourself, how dare you judge and accuse an entire race, and refer to them in a derogitory manner? And it makes me ill to think that my fellow yidden promote and support:"If they saw a Shvartze who looked suspicious (99% of them do) they would beat him up first and ask questions after. Halevai we would do that today." I will pray to Hashem for you as we approach our New Year- as you need a lot of help.
BrookAve
To huh?: Where can I find a head mop for $1000.00??? Any hair helmet my wife wants is at least $1800.00 and that’s out of the box before styling etc…
yanki
everyone is talking about tzinus for the women and there is nothing wrong with it.i wanted to suggest tznius for men, they should learn to control their eyes and not look at girls that are dressed immodestly and thereby encouraging their behavior. i am not even talking about internet and the negative viewing that goes on over there but this is really a team effort and we need everyone to do their share. good gebentched year to everyone
Cee Are
I honestly don’t think he thought he was being mean. It’s obviously written from long time local from a different era when people didn’t think to use that word. I think some of the people who have been living here for 30+ years are so traumatized by years of these crimes that they look at their African American neighbors differently than they would in any other setting.
I’m not defending his words, as I wrote above I think it was wrong. I’m just saying, let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. He did make some good points and whether Huh? likes it or not, what we do spiritually affects us physically.
How many times did the Rebbe tell us to check our mezuzahs or Tefilin when someone was sick. How is this any different? Something is lacking spiritually, which is very apparent today in this community. It wouldn’t hurt to work on these issues.
To all you liberals out there
To all of you who have the problem with the term "Shvartze"
Go jump in a lake; i have lived in CH my entire life and i am tired of being afraid! Why do i have to worry when my wife goes out alone? Why do i have to tell her "maybe you should leave your ring at home," out of fear that she will get mugged?
From your own comments "I work in CH…""I am shliach…". You can sit on your high horses living in safe areas making judgments, but until you live here SHUT YOUR MOUTHS!
What is the big deal if he is a racist, 99% of the people in CH are racists and for good reason. I would rather be called a racist and avoid shvartzes, then fool myself into thinking i am safe and end up getting mugged/beat up or worse Chas V’sholom!
Cee Are
Your rant about not wanting to be afraid and use of the word Shvartze have no connection. There is no reason we should be afraid and we shouldn’t sit idly by and we should do something about it. Yes crime in Crown Heights is up and it is 99 percent of the time committed by the goyim.
Still, I never heard The Rebbe speak negatively about a goy, what makes you think we should? Aren’t we supposed to be better than them? I also strongly disagree that 99 percent of CH is racist. That is just not true. There is a difference between being fed up and angry and frustrated at the people in our community committing the crime and hating someone simply because of the color of their skin.
You should be ashamed and embarrassed that you think this way, erev yom tov, I hope the aibeshter isn’t judging you the same way you judge his creations.
No one is asking you to make a bbq with them and sing peace songs, but come on … I’m also fed up and I also have had it up to here, but I refuse to sink to your level of hate.
Anonymous
To the ignorant individual who told some of us to go jump in a lake…I have news for you. There are other people in this world, OTHER THAN AFRICAN-AMERICANS, that can G-d forbid mug you, your wife, or anyone else. Focus on the issue- the crime and the violence. Race has nothing to do with it. According to some comments above, Jews are harassing other Jews for wearing garments with lower necklines than what some of you approve of. So what? Leave people alone. Live your life, and let others live theirs. Don’t be rude and judge others as we are not a perfect people by any means. We have Rabbis (amongst others) who are molesting little children…before you judge someone else…look within.
Sam
First off, wat is wrong with the word shvartze? And if that means that i’m racist, so be it. They all call us diffrent names. Everyone is racist in their own way. and besides, if you were to get chv beaten up or mugged by a Black felllow i want to see if you would still get all offended by such terms.
I dont think too many people who actually live in CH are complaining.
Itzik_s
Shvartze is not really the issue here (we all use the word, and it really does mean black); the article loses its credibility when the author says that 99% of them look suspicious.
The fact is that the bulk of blacks in our part of CH are law abiding citizens. Many, like us, are immigrants or the children of immigrants who came here for a better life. A few are actually members of the solid black middle class which dates back many generations, but for the most part has moved to the suburbs.
Sadly, some of these fine people lost control of their children because of bad influences from the streets or from school (happens among us too occasionally), but by and large, they are law abiding and on the same side as we are when it comes to crime. They are honest working men in flannel shirts and jeans, and in this generation even professionals in suits and jackets – they do not look or act suspicious in any way. We may see their culture as inferior (in reality many are G-d fearing, churchgoing, polite men and women; they should not be judged by the beat of their music or some other harmless cultural practices), and they hardly understand us, but we live with them in peace now and with the exception of some political problems years ago, we always did. (These people had nothing to do with the riots and have less use for Sharpton than we do).
If anything, many of the criminal element come from buildings owned by certain community members who rent to lowlifes who move here from the projects (or straight from Rikers Island), for the sake of having direct payments from the government, dumb tenants who do not protest when conditions are bad, or who knows what. Others are professional criminals who commute here to "work" from outside the neighborhood.
Huh?
BrookAve, I was really low balling a chinese mop.
Cee Are, Sometimes what you do physically effects you spiritually.
Chochom
I beleive that it is high time for the Lubavitcher to start taking care of their own inside CH, instead of running around on the world scene making a name for themselves. Start beefing up security for the lubavitchrs living in CH. They are living in fear, especially the wives, who have no choice but to live there. Better take care of your own, instead of building mega-million dollar chabad centers around the country.
Anonymous
To Itzik_s – nicely put.
incredulous
I would like for an intelligent and informed person to explain logically the connection between crime and the way women dress. I fail to see the reasoning behind it. Yes, I believe there can be a connection between the physical world and the spiritual world, but whose to say and be the true authority on why things are happening? Have we all become miniature Rebbes where we can decide self – righteously who is to blame and begin pointing fingers at them? If you say it is women who are causing these frightening things to occur, then why is crime being perpetrated against men even more than against women? Can it be that this is simply what occurs when you live amongst strange people who happen to be the majority in our area, and who live without fear of repercussions due to many reasons which have been discussed before?
Previous Victim
Sam & the To All You Liberals are quite right.
Why are WE fighting? ‘
Animals are animals. Criminals are criminals. Shvartzes are….
If you don’t like it, go bring a few home for your wives/husbands to look after. Put your $$ where your mouth is, all you liberal loony-tunes.
I pray you are never mugged.
May Hashem keep us all safe & grant us a healthy, safe year.
Cl
i dont understand why eveyrone is focusing on the stupid word he wrote. who cares? as if e/o is suddenly so politically correct. i agree that i think most people who got all ‘offended’ at that word are not from the Shchune (why are u not offended and outraged at what is happening but when one of us uses a negative word suddenly u cant handle it- what comes first ur own or the other).
and i also agree that it was not said in that way, it was said the way chassidim talk- the same way he wrote ‘takeh’ and ‘kimat’ he said ‘shvartze’. if u’r not from this community and dont know that this yiddish-hebrew-english is how people speak, than dont say anything. this is, afterall, CROWNHEIGHTS.info, not whereeveryoulive.info. so dont mix in and dont pick on the stupid thing that he probably meant completly harmlessly.
he made some incredible good points- didnt point any fingers or put blame, but just came out with something to do, practically. we read all these crimes so often and feel helpless. so someone finally came out and tried helping, since no one else is. so he didnt leave his name? big deal. u cant take a lesson from what he said cuz there’s no name? he didnt want to- he doesnt need to get harrased in the mikveh from now on or while he’s Davening Shacharis in 770 or have his children or wife harrased "i saw u’r husbands/fathers article…." he wanted to make a point for the benefit of US, the community and he did. he’s not mechuyav at all to leave a name and it doesnt lower him. he doesnt need the harrasment. stop being politically correct people and focus on what he said- in such a polite, mentchliche way with such a quality message and try to do what you can.
cl
he made some incredible good points- didnt point any fingers or put blame, but just came out with something to do, practically. we read all these crimes so often and feel helpless. so someone finally came out and tried helping, since no one else is. so he didnt leave his name? big deal. u cant take a lesson from what he said cuz there’s no name? he didnt want to- he doesnt need to get harrased in the mikveh from now on or while he’s Davening Shacharis in 770 or have his children or wife harrased "i saw u’r husbands/fathers article…." he wanted to make a point for the benefit of US, the community and he did. he’s not mechuyav at all to leave a name and it doesnt lower him. he doesnt need the harrasment. stop being politically correct people and focus on what he said- in such a polite, mentchliche way with such a quality message and try to do what you can.
To all you liberal out there
To Itzik_s,
I don’t know what dream land you are living in!!
Keep on believing what you want, "it’s only the minority, the majority are good people." That is what the holocaust deniers say about the Nazi’s yimach shimo. The same person who smiles at you in the elevator, curses you when your back is turned. Don’t think it is not true, it happened to me last month.
However, lets get something straight; it is not that we are racist against blacks we are racist against all non Jews. If CH was a community of white trash, we would have the same problems, with different slurs. I have not met a single Lubavitcher who doesn’t believe that we are better people then the goyim (Cee Are, "Aren’t we supposed to be better than them?" that statement is more racist than calling them shvartzes). If you believe that you have a nefesh eloyki, you are a racist!!
Since we do live amongst blacks, and blacks are the ones committing all the violent crimes, automatically they will be the ones that we will use slurs against. We don’t care that in Montana white trash commit rape and murder, we don’t live in Montana.
Itzik_s, have you ever walked down the street at night, seen a group of teenagers coming at you and felt afraid?
If you answer no, I think your nuts. If you answered yes, you’re a racist.
Second question, has a black person ever crossed the street out of fear, to avoid a group of buchurim? I don’t think so.
Third question: if you found yourself in a tight spot, and had to choose between your black neighbor who smiles at you every morning and evening and a Lubavitcher who you never met, who would you pick?
After answering these questions truthfully, do you really think that you are not a racist? The only difference is that I am honest with my self and you are not. True I might be a bit more vulgar, less eidel, but we both believe and want the same thing.
A SAFE CROWN HEIGHTS!!!
PS For those of you who don’t know what the word racism means: A belief that one’s own race is superior.
Sick of the scapegoat mentality
To Huh? – Thank you for your reply – couldn’t have said it better myself, very eloquently written.
hatomim habochur hachosid hayirai shomay
the word between us bochurim, is that the only thing missing on kingston ave. is the sand… and to "yanki " and all those we are all human. it says that "tzadikim ainom birshusom" – only a tzaddik can l’chatchila control his eyes. a bochur cant walk with closed eyes bumping into everyone.
Itzik_s
Of course crimes are committed by blacks! BUT 99% of CH blacks do NOT look suspicious, nor are 99% of them criminals! THAT is what I objected to!
Also, when I refer to the community, I mean the largely Caribbean homeowners who live alongside us (and yes, I know that among them there are a handful of racists who refuse to sell to us when they cash in on the houses that went wild in value because of us), and the small but growing group of black business owners on Utica, Troy and Nostrand. I do not mean some po’ piece of trash who was packed (yes, there is a pun here) into a Section 8 apartment after conniving his way out of the projects or after a stint in Rikers. Those are the ones who say hello to you and then stab you in the back.
And the core black community of CH DOES NOT support or encourage these criminals. Last night at the precinct meeting we all clapped when it was announced that 2 black predators were arrested! There is more black on black crime than black on white crime and no one has any patience for the predators.
The rest of your post does not connect in any way to mine. Of course we help our own first, but we don’t need to start up with others either.
And nefesh haelokis is only racism if you read it superficially. To me, this concept and am segula means we have more responsibilities both to ourselves and to the world around us. Not in the way the liberals misuse the phrase tikkun olam, but to live our lives as the Torah tells us to so that we are a positive influence on the world.
Itzik_s
The one correction I do need to make is that according to a senior 71st precinct official with whom I spoke yesterday, the professional criminals whom I referred to are actually local lowlifes – they don’t come in from elsewhere to "work" in CH.
claw
Let’s get our facts straight. Eastern Parkway was known "Doctors Row". Union Street was known as "Lawyers Row". President Street was known as "Politicians Row" (only the most corrupt political figures could afford the houses on President St. between Kingston Avenue and New York Avenue). If I recall Mayor Beam used to own a house near the Rebbe’s (M"HM) house. Our little neighborhood used to be considered "the country" until Eastern Parkway was built about 1910 c.e. The area from East New York Avenue to Kings County Hospital (and beyond) used to be swamp and farm land. The small houses on Lefferts & East New York Avenue used to be owned by share-croppers. The 71st Pct was always know as the most anti-Semitic Precinct going back 60 years. History paints a picture of the past for the present.
sirabe
to all who are still reading the right to ownig a gun was made for a reason maybe if people knew that it’s a possiblity that the one they are attacking has a concealed weopon maybe they won’t attack
also maybe someone should make like a little league for the nice jewish boys of the community
A. Non Amos
In the words of the great Jewish comedian, Jackie Mason: "They’re Shvartz, i mean its not racist. Are they pink? no they’re Shvartz"
SHLOIME DRIMMER
AS A POINT OF INFORMATON AND LIVING IN CROWN HEIGHTS OVER 50 YEARS PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT PRESIDENT ST. WAS NEVER CALLED DOCTORS ROW.THE AREA IN BROOKLYN THAT WAS CALLED DOCTORS ROW WAS OCEAN AVE.STARTING ABOUT 3 BLOCKS AFTER CHURCH AVE.
withheld to protect the innocent
OK I Think I got it…
Don’t ever say the word SH’VARTZE or SH’VARTZER, because it’s racist!
Don’t even think that just because a big black (oops, I mean darkish, brownish colored skin) GUY, (or girl, I also don’t want to be a SEXIST-CHAS V’SHOLOM!!!!) is standing next to you holding a knife or a gun that he/she really wants to do you harm, he/she might just want to show you what they have, and it’s a friendly gesture.
A GMAR CHASIMA TOVAH TO EVERYONE, (EVEN THE "MORONS" WHO MAKE LOUD NOISES…)
Beyla
Some Shvartzes are Jews too. Here is a link about Jamaica’s Jewish community – http://www.jamaica-gleaner….
I honestly do not believe that you can understand how offensive the ideas being expressed on this site are to any Jew of non-russian descent. I have given up on going to shul because I cannot bear to hear idiots complaining about ‘bloody shvartzes’ and then back-tracking about ‘there being some very nice shvartzes’ and all the rest of it. The bottom line is that I am Jewish, my children will be Jewish, but I will need to keep my children away from Jews like most of you for their own safety and chinuch.
Is that what you want? Is being white supremacists your interpretation of being a ‘light unto the nations’?
yossel
B"H
Yidden, those of you who said that the lack of Tznius has nothing to do with the current problems in the neighborhood?
Many times the Rebbe spoke about a spiritual cause of physical problems. Remember the mis-management of the renovation of the Mikveh? A fire happened in 788 and the Rebbe threatened to sell 770 to pay for the completion of the Mikveh.
The lack of Tznius and the FIGHTS AMONG OUR LEADERS must
STOP
NOW!!!
We have no leadership to speak of, despite the Rebbe’s efforts to help us organize the Shechuna with a Vaad HaKahol and Beis Din. I believe if we correct these issues, our community will see positive results.
The comments about our schools focusing on trivial matters, is on point and I agree fully. True tznius must come from within as well as without. If modesty takes a back seat in our attitudes, then how can we expect our manner of dress to relect an attitude we don’t have.
Case in point: How many late-model, huge, gas-guzzling dark-windowed overpriced SUVs are blasting around our neighborhood? What message do these trucks send? "GET OUTTA OF MY WAY, I’M COOL"
Is this a chassishe attitude?
Shmuly
The premise of this article makes absolutely no sense.
The fact is, there actually exists an inverse correlation in this county: the most liberal suburban cities i.e. Laguna Beach, Malibu, La Jolla, Boca Raton, Hempstead, Bala Cynwyd… are actually the safest places to live.
There exists no correlation at all between the way a people dress and their likelihood of being subjected to crime.
You admit as such yourself.
You claim that crime has always been a problem, and yet the standards of tznius have rapidly declined. If there were some sort of connection, crime rates would have become more severe in recent years — which they have not.
If you live in a dangerous neighborhood (See: Crown Heights), you will inevitibaly become the witting victim of crime regardless of your race or religion.
Instead of authoring mindless dribble chalk-filled with racist overtones, it would be wise to instead acknowledge our choice of location, and accept our subsequent fate.
Shmuly
Kalman Singer
The person who wrote this is nebech misguided and needs to get his or her headbolts tightend. There have always been a sprinkling of black Jewish faces in Crown Heights. If I were one of them I would take umberage at your racist comments. You are a fool and please NEVER go on any type of shlichus- nobody needs your closed minded claptrap. And what on earth does what a woman wears on her feet have to do with anything. If your’e so holy don’t look
Paula Susman
I quote you “Yidden don’t do these things”..perhaps not. Yet, yidden do other things to other yidden (Jews) as I prefer to say.
I live in Crown Heights. I have for 5years now. I am Jewish and I am not Religious it would amaze you to hear of the sneers, the insults, the hurtful comments people make to me. You my friend have much more to worry about than people of another color. If you are a true Chosid you would concern yourself with love for every jew. It has been made clearly obvious that CH has fallen by the wayside..perhaps, you should read your own words again and consider for a moment that not following the teachings of Chabad could be the communities own worse enemy. And, I dont mean simply Tznius, or davening, kosher of shabbos..that is all quite lovely, however, if your heart is cruel and judgemental all the Mitzvot you do do not hold a candle to what I do.. I live in CH since my children do and they are Lubavitchers ..My heart is in all the right places and I make no judgements on anyone until they walk on my face. You say yidden dont do these things. I say they do and they do much worse…Before you cast stones at other colors or religious holding ask yourself what can you do to help?? I have been robbed, attacked, and more and let me just leave you with this thought it was not only by people of another color..
So, next time you walk down the street and you see a Jew who does not dress like you think back to the good old days when CH was bustling with words like “come to me for shabbos”..be friendly to your neighbor no matter what they look like. You would not believe how far it will get you. Judge not the physical..imagine if we didn’t WOW we could truly then see the beauty of the person..
Helene Smiley
Very nice letter but I feel it may be filled with too much hate. The Torah of which you speak does not teach hate anywhere that I have learned. It is always better and one will have more success embraceing our neighbors no matter who they are or where we live that having constant conflict. I personally have found that we are more alike than you’d like to believe. It doesn’t mean the we have to sit and eat a meal with them but a LITTLE respect goes a LONG way. Try it. I have and it works. Helene Smiley. Deltona, FL