Posted to Op-Ed on

Response: We Must Protect 770 — Without Abandoning Hachnosas Orchim

The Op-Ed is right to sound the alarm. What happened on Rosh Hashanah — seats thrown into the street, a Rabbinic table upended, Rabonim ignored while chaos reigned — was intolerable. We must say clearly: this is our house, our shul, our community. If we fund it, host in it, and feed those who abuse it, then yes — we share responsibility for what is happening under our roof.

But responsibility without clear thinking will get us nowhere. It’s important to be honest and precise about two truths that are both true at once. First: not all visiting bochrim are the problem. Many come with pure intentions — they learn, they do mivtzoim, they bring real chayus to 770. We should never throw out those who come to learn and uplift. Second: a belligerent and violent minority is destroying what the rest of us cherish. That minority cannot continue to hide behind the goodwill extended by the majority.

So what must we do? Here is a concrete, realistic plan — forceful but lawful — to restore order and protect our institutions:

Hold perpetrators accountable. We have video. Use it. File targeted criminal complaints for assault, vandalism, and any other offenses. Let the courts and the police do their jobs. If members of our community fear being labeled a moser, the Rabonim and community leadership must stand publicly behind those who come forward. Courage from individuals needs to be matched by courage from our institutions.

Blacklist violent perpetrators. Work with immigration counsel and appropriate authorities to bar entry or re-entry to the U.S. for those who commit violent acts. This is not a blanket ban — it is a targeted response to criminal behavior, not a crusade against visitors or a statement about political views.

Stop enabling the troublemakers. Mosdos and private hosts must implement clear vetting and hosting rules. If an individual is actively fighting our Rabonim or participating in violence, they should not be invited to eat, sleep, or build on our property. Hospitality is a mitzvah — but it is not a license to be violent.

Demand accountability from our stewards. The vaad, the gabbaim, and the institutions that run 770 must be decisive. If they cannot or will not act — if they take money without enforcing order — they must be challenged publicly. If refunds are owed for seats or services disrupted on Yom Tov, the congregation has a right to ask for them. Leadership that takes funds must also protect the people who pay.

Invest in professional, visible security. We need full-time, trained security on the bimah and at the doors during high-risk times — not to intimidate guests but to enforce norms and protect the davening. Security should be respectful, trained in de-escalation, and supported by Rabonim and lay leadership.

Be precise and lawful in our response. We are not calling for mass bans or collective punishment. We are not attacking ideological positions. We are calling for the targeted removal and prosecution of violent actors and for institutions to stop enabling them. That distinction matters — it keeps us on the moral high ground and makes our actions defensible and sustainable.

Finally, to those who say “we’ll talk and nothing will happen”: true. Talk by itself changes nothing. Action does. If the vaad will not act, then we — rabbis, parents, and concerned members — must take the next steps: report criminal acts, stop hosting violent people, demand refunds where due, and fund proper security. This is uncomfortable. It will require people to risk being unpopular. But protecting 770 — its sanctity, its Rabonim, and the many good guests who come to learn — is worth the effort.

We can preserve hachnosas orchim while refusing to tolerate violence. Hospitality must never be a cover for chaos. Let us act decisively, lawfully, and with the courage our community needs. If we do, 770 will remain the beis medrash it is meant to be — a place of Torah, kavod, and kedushah.

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16 Comments

  • Levy

    Why isn’t there a single word here about the gabboim bringing in the shvartzas as security guards and putting them in the front of 770 wearing crosses and beating up buchrim? If that wouldn’t of happened no benches would of been thrown out! Rumor has it that rabbi braun was for bringing in these shvartzas, anyway, wrong descion!

  • Joseph Korf

    Sorry. There’s only one simple way. When you hit rock bottom only drastic action will help. In this case it’s shutting down 770. Period. Shut it down for the whole month of Tishrei. NO ONE will be allowed in. All sides are at fault. As such all will be barred from entering. Lock the doors and all windows bolted shut. Place guards all around the building.

    Watch how things will change!!!

  • A chossid

    How can it be our house?! Do we want the same gaboyim for 20 years when they were only elected for 3 years?

    You can’t allow hefkaris but then complain when its hefker!

    If the community ourselves don’t care about the rules: elections for gaboyim are to be held every 3 years then how can we expect these young buchurim to follow any rules?

    • Gabbaiom of Aguch not from the farmers of the שכונה

      770 is a shul that belongs to Lubavitch hq
      The rebbe was clear that the gabbaiom should not be elected by the community
      Rather should be nominated by the board of Lubavitch hq.

      This is the rebbes shul. The main sanctuary of Lubavitch worldwide. A place that inspire and impact the Jewish world.

      Hence a simple commonsense Crown Heigts farmers should not be the one electeding the gabbaiom

  • Shmully

    Very sad but true.

    A beautiful article well written.
    Let’s look at a few issues.
    1) some trouble makers, hold USA passports.
    2) no one can be banned from 770. Speak to Aguch in connection to the tunnel.
    3) when the gaboyim throw you to the Rov. The. The Rov throws you back to the gaboyim. You end up feeling like a ping pong.

    We must start with new elections for gaboyim and for a 3rd Rov.
    Period

  • Ummmm

    Tell the Netzigim and vaad hakohol we won’t vote in the mayors election…….

    Tell the rabonin we will only eat from non chk establishments and we will put up an eruv in crown heights……..

    Tell the Gaboim in 770 that they must live in crown heights not Florida and that no one will pay for alyoas or membership………

    Unless they stop the madness

    • a member of the Netzigim

      1. It’s not the Netzigim responsibility or duty to make elections for gaboyim.

      2. unfortunately there are to many establishments already with out CHK this means nothing.

      3. good luck with that.

      4. Get reed of Krats first and the kaboyim start doing something as kaboyim

      5. LET THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN CROWN HEITGHS START COING TO 770 AND ONLY THEN SOMTHING CAN BE DONE.

  • Ummm

    Tell kratz we will stop supporting his food organization until he stops embarrassing poor families with lines from the veiber shul or home…….

    Tell aguch and Merlos we will stop donating money…….

    Tell tzfas Yeshiva no more bocherin from their yeshiva…….

    ……until they stop this madness

  • Ummm

    Tell Rubashkin we will make his sukkah 8 feet wide…….

    Tell ashel we will not support him even if he welcomes all……

    Tell kabakov that we will stop shopping at all his establishments…..

    ……unless they stop the madness

  • The only solution

    770 needs new management!!!!

    Elections NOW!

    (Maybe new gaboim will even be ready to end the ridiculous lawsuit with Aguch…. And use the money for 770….)

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