INBOX: After Years of Frustration – 50 Days From Simchas Beis Hashoeva
After years of frustration, I write this article with thought and hope — not only to express aggravation, but to suggest a solution.
Year after year our community faces a situation at Simchas Beis Hashoeva which troubles us deeply. We get through it, try to forget, and then the following year it hits us even harder.
And yes, we are 50 days away, but we need to act now if we want real change.
I am referring to our Crown Heights streets during Simchas Beis Hashoeva night. In recent years they have become a dangerous, disgustingly dirty, terribly immodest center for teen violence, a chillul shem Lubavitch, and a danger for our youth that continues long after the dancing ends.
This is a disgrace to the Rebbe’s shchuna and to our community.
Just a little flashback:
Outside agitators and gangs of teens caused chaos and fights. 20+ arrests were made and multiple people injured.
Teenagers from outside (and sadly, some from within) harassed our daughters, demanding their numbers, following them down side streets — leaving emotional, physical, and spiritual damage that continues all year.
Crowds of teens treated our streets like a nightclub — lying on sidewalks, intoxicated, distributing drugs, dressed immodestly, and openly approaching girls.
Mini riots broke out on Kingston Avenue — mobs of teens running wild, looking to fight, pushing, knocking over strollers, trampling property, while families stood terrified.
Climbing and vandalism everywhere: teens climbing poles, rooftops, and sukkahs, breaking fences, damaging cars and property. Music had to stop again and again until they were pulled down.
Real danger of tragedy: two years ago, a teenager fell from a pole and nearly lost his life — it was only a miracle that prevented mass casualties.
The list can go on, but my purpose is not to complain — it is to remind us of the seriousness and to push for solutions.
To be fair, there has been progress. The stage and program have been beautifully upgraded — thank you to those responsible, the community appreciates it! Last year the Vaad Hakohol even tried to direct vending a block away, though sadly it was not enforced and the problem only grew worse.
And let’s be clear: we encourage people to join! There is a very positive and holy side to Simchas Beis Hashoeva, and guests are welcome and encouraged. But we must also take responsibility to ensure that what happened in past years does not happen again.
For those who remember Meron before the tragedy — it was once chaotic and unsafe, but with proper planning it was transformed into something beautiful and organized for millions. If Meron can handle that, surely Crown Heights can handle a fraction of that number.
It is possible. It is practical. It is necessary.
The Goal: Restore Safety, Modesty, and Respect
To achieve this, we need to take a few clear steps together:
Restore Respect & Safety: Keep the event holy, organized, and secure.
Community Awareness: Parents, leaders, and media setting the tone that inappropriate behavior has no place here.
Better Organization: Clear walkways, safer crowds, no dangerous climbing.
Tone Down Street Distractions: Work with stores and vendors so the simcha is the focus, not the street scene.
Protect Trouble Spots: Close off areas that attract fights and misconduct.
Community leaders — the time has come. Enough is enough. Let’s make this happen.
For my full solution breakdown, community activists can reach out to rebbepic@gmail.com.
Take a lesson from the original
Look at the original Simchas Beis Hasho’eivah in the Beis Hamikdash! the Gemara in sukkah says originally the men were inside and the women were outside, and it was a lot of problems, so they built balconies for the ezras noshim. The organizors should work with Rabbonim to work something out.
and of course, everyone there should act as befits Frum Jews especially Chabad, no crazy music or mashke
G.Singh
“There is no joyce without wine”” Pesachim 109a
Yoni Cohen
As your article has no signature, your message is void and unworthy of any response- the definition of a pashkvill.
Pashkvil Batachat
Your comment is ridiculous. Who cares what their name is? It’s the ideas that matter.
Mushkie
The only way to control “outsiders” I’d to set up “check points” (like in Israel at border crossings to various territories). All outside groups entering the neighborhood should need to pass these . A suspicious group of youths can be “talked to” about the community standards of behvior, observed if they seem intoxicated or looking for trouble and if so, escorted by Shomrim to “babysit” the them.
Mushkie
Continued
Outsider youths usually enter as a group. They usually come by foot, park a distance away. A perimeter can be easily set up a couple of blocks away in all 4 directions, requiring only 4 checkpoints. Of course those manning the check points have no legal authority, no more than security guards. But it is a deterrence and a hassle for trouble makers who detest being spoken to.
Mushkie
Continued
Plus, it identifies potential trouble makers (they often come in a group, are rowdy, intoxicated etc), and they hate when a grown up of Shomrim/security sticks with
them. If they cannot have “fun”, they will soon become bored and leave. (Including public alcohol consumption/drug distribution/trafficking
It might not eliminate all trouble makers, but it will definitely reduce most of it.
chiam zuchmir
why does only crown heights suffer from this-
why dont the othe big chasiddiut is it something that depends on chabad or chagas
or maybe – just maybe – we need a big rethink