Op-Ed: Simchas Bais Hashoeva – Some Practical Suggestions
by Mendel N.
I read the recent article about Simchas Beis Hashoeva, and I truly appreciate the writer for raising this issue early enough in the season so that real change might still be possible.
At the same time, I felt the article left out something crucial: practical solutions and concrete steps to turn concern into action. Reading through the many comments only reinforced my sense that the community not only wants change but is ready for it. This gave me the encouragement to share my own perspective on an issue that has deeply troubled me for years.
The problems at Simchas Beis Hashoeva have only worsened in recent years. Sadly, gangs of teenagers seeking trouble now descend on our community not only during Sukkos but also on Purim and Lag BaOmer, as many disturbing videos have shown. Our entire community feels the urgency of the situation, and there is broad agreement that key steps—such as ending vending on Kingston Avenue—are both necessary and long overdue.
It is important to acknowledge that many of the new initiatives introduced each year, such as sukkah farbrengen trucks or programs for outside teens, come from good intentions. Yet in practice, these efforts have often made the situation worse. The first priority must be to “stop the bleeding” — to address the factors that attract agitators and create chaos. Only once the environment is stable and secure can we return to building meaningful, positive programs that draw people closer to Yiddishkeit.
Real improvement will not happen on its own. It requires responsibility and leadership. The Vaad Hakohol, community council, askonim, and rabbonim must take ownership and set firm standards. Just as importantly, our mosdos—Oholei Torah, United Lubavitcher Yeshivah, Beis Rivkah, Bnos Menachem—must stand together and actively support these changes. If our schools, rabbonim, and leaders present a united front, the tone of the entire shchuna will shift.
What follows are several practical, straightforward steps. They do not demand unrealistic measures—only commitment, organization, and determination. With proper leadership, we can restore safety, modesty, and respect to the Rebbe’s shchuna, and elevate this treasured event into the true simcah the way it’s meant to be.
As we prepare for the upcoming Simchas Beis Hashoeva, I would like to propose some ideas to improve the event, ensuring it remains respectful, safe, and enjoyable, as befits the Rebbe’s shchuna. To achieve this, we will need strong commitment and devotion and b”h it will be successful.
Before getting to the practicals, it’s important to understand the following:
1. The community is waiting endlessly for this change and it will be greatly appreciated.
2. Below will be a list of practical solutions and tactics. Some are vital for success and without them it will fail.
3. It’s needed, it’s wanted, it’s practical.
Goal: to ensure a smooth and organized event ensuring safety, modesty and respect.
Community Awareness: is key!
In our community
It’s important to remind the community of the importance of this project. notify the community (in a proper manner) that changes are starting to be implemented. This way, when there are alterations to some “usuals,” they will be appreciated, understood and respected. Additionally, it sets a tone in the community that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. When community members encounter such behavior, they can convey that “this is not welcome in our community.”
To enhance safety, it’s crucial to inform community members and parents about the risks associated with their children hanging out in the streets late at night. By raising awareness about the dangers and potential issues, you can help ensure that parents keep their children at home during the early morning hours.
Practically:
Community Leaders
Community rabbinim, activists and media influencers encourage the community and notify them how we need change. Notifying of the changes, and asking for cooperation.
Publishing a detailed plan for the community early.
Out of The community
Most of the trouble comes from agitators outside of the community. It’s important to convey how we obviously encourage people to visit the Rebbe’s shchuna, but the message must be clear: inappropriate behavior is unacceptable and unwelcome. Visitors should understand that the event is for dancing and celebration, not a nightclub. Trouble will be met with legal consequences.
Community rabbinim, activists and media influencers transmit a warning to the neighboring communities (Flatbush, Lakewood, Great neck ECT..) about this year’s upcoming changes, asking for cooperation. sending a firm warning to outside agitators and their parents, to stay out of trouble and to reconsider coming.
Agitators will see change and reconsider coming.
2. Technical Aspects
Prevention Arrangements & Consistency.
Prevention is key, and we have accumulated significant experience in recent years. Effective prevention plays a crucial role in our project. When the community, especially outsiders, observes changes to the “usuals” or shifts in community attitude, it sends a clear message that things are changing, and unwanted behavior is no longer tolerated.
– First Year: night 1-2 Outside agitators will notice the changes but may still attempt to cause trouble.
– Night 3-4 outside agitators see seriousness and reconsider coming.
– Second / Third Year: The continued changes reinforce that the new standards are being upheld, leading to a greater realization of the changes. And a big decrease in agitators.
the message should be clear enough that trouble doesn’t come.
Kingston Avenue
Walkways
This is an issue year after year. The walkway to get from one side of the event to the other always gets clogged and many go over the barricades blocking the walkway.
This can be fixed simply by planning a good set-up and hiring a few “events security” (best to get Polish or litvish, outsiders are more respected) wearing event reflective uniforms. Making sure people aren’t standing in the walkway, that the barricades/mechitza all respected, the milk crates issue, and more.
This is done in meron Israel and works great!
Restaurants & Vending (food, light ups, firecrackers, community/truck sukkah/farbrengen)
It’s no secret that all the stuff on Kingston ave around the event attracts trouble, and lower the sanctity the event, If we tone down the fuss around the main event it will definitely reduce trouble, disencourage agitators from coming, and set a holier atmosphere
Vending
This is a big one. And a core issue. Ideally to ask the community to cooperate and forbid vending totally, from food, light ups,firecrackers ECT.
It should be totally shut down for the first year. and then Year 2 it should continue being closed, maybe considering it being open only during kids hours, and in a designated area (best is on Kingston between Montgomery and empire) only so we have more control of it. 9:30 everything should be packed up and closed.
A designated area also helps with keeping the mess to one area. Where we can arrange proper cleanup and even proper lighting and security.
We can consider law enforcement, people need a permit to sell on Street ECT.
To help this work smoothly we can communicate with the main yearly big vendors in advance so they can prepare accordingly and not take a loss.
Street DJ’s and farbrengen sukkah’s
Making it clear that street DJs and party sukkah trucks are not encouraged, neither is anything on Street which will attract people and make them what to come for.
Stores
Working with stores on Kingston avenue, asking their cooperation to close at 9pm, possibly including their sukkah.
Some stores and sukkah’s attract more trouble. I’m not gonna list them here.
Alleyways. Park.
Alleyways is where a lot of trouble trespassing and vandalism happens. A lot of agitators go for the alleyways to make trouble, we can simply close off the alleyways and the residents that live there will be very thankful. By stationing and working with NYPD or private/volunteer security, to close entrances and monitor the alleyways. This includes Lefferts Park where a lot of fighting and trouble goes down.
Roofs and Street Poles:
Every year, music stops every hour due to safety concerns because people climb onto roofs, which is extremely dangerous. 2 years ago, a video showed someone falling off a pole, which could have resulted in a mass casualty incident, with miracles the teenager recovered a few months later. This could be a tragedy for everyone on ground.
Preventive Measures:
– Roofs: Arrange in advance with building owners to secure roofs by locking access points and potentially installing barbed wire. This issue recurs at the same roofs each year, so targeting these specific locations will help prevent dangerous incidents.
– Street Poles: Equip frequently targeted poles with barbed wire or metal studs to deter climbing. This will address the same problem spots that appear annually.
– Event organizers: event staff standing in the area, watching the poles that no one should climb.
– Volunteer Support: Engage with Shmira/Shomrim to assist with these preventive measures. Their involvement will be crucial for effective implementation, and they will be happy to help. At the same time rely on a paid company for the places that need more responsibility.
JCM Area:
The JCM area & chocolatte is primarily a hangout spot and meeting zone, and it has been a hotspot for party-related disturbances. 2 years ago, there were two significant incidents, including a mob fight that led to the police calling in a helicopter, from what I heard.
Preventive Measures:
– Barricades: Set up barricades across the entire JCM area starting at 8:00 p.m. including the sukkah, This will block access and discourage gatherings.
– Police Presence: officers at the barricades with “No Trespassing” signs to enforce the restriction and prevent entry during the nighttime hours.
– Impact: By blocking off this area, you will reduce its appeal as a meeting and hangout spot for out-of-town partygoers, helping to minimize disturbances and maintain order. And showing that there is change.
Partnering with Chocolate, to close at 10:00, not easy for them, they are a 24 hour establishment but desperately needed.
There are more ideas and ways to implement the above but I will not list them all over here.
Through community awareness and cooperation, clear messaging to outsiders, and strong preventive arrangements, we can transform Simchas Beis Hashoeva into a safe, respectful, and joyous celebration. By organizing walkways, closing alleyways and trouble spots, securing roofs and poles, and limiting vending and late-night activity, we reduce hazards and disturbances while elevating the atmosphere. along with long-term consistency, the event will shift from disorder to dignity. Within 1–3 years, we will have complete success iyh: less agitation, greater safety, and a Kiddush Hashem in the Rebbe’s shchuna.
Mendel N. can be reached via email at campdrive770@gmail.com
