Yud Shvat — one of the most powerful days of the year.
A day of hiskashrus and hachlatas. Mashpim farbrenging late into the night, reunions on every corner, and chayus is pumping throughout the shchuna as we recommit ourselves to the Rebbe.
But not everyone experiences Yud Shvat that way.
For many Crown Heights teens, Yud Shvat — like other yama depagra— can be deeply challenging. Some don’t feel they belong in any setting or farbrengen. That feeling of being hefker, of falling between the cracks, can sometimes lead bachurim down paths that leave them feeling even more disconnected.
This year, Baruch Hashem, there was a place for them.
Gavriel Kollin, who runs The Farbrengen Retreat, created an alternative space right in the heart of Crown Heights: a 40-foot RV Farbrengen parked on President Street and Kingston Avenue. The RV was open both nights of Yud and Yud Alef Shvat, from 10 PM until 4 AM, and each night ended with a trip to the Ohel.
Inside, there was catered food, warm vibes, niggunim, kumzitz, and real farbrengens — a safe, welcoming, heilige space for teens who often feel they don’t belong anywhere else.
Many of the boys shared that this was the first Yud Shvat they truly felt they had a place they felt comfortable. One bachur, who went to the Ohel with the group at 4 AM, said he had never felt so close to the Rebbe before.
Where else would these boys have been this Yud Shvat?
If this shlichus speaks to you, please consider donating to help Gavriel continue making these kinds of peulos happen. He’s already planning a similar initiative for Purim — creating a safe, uplifting, and meaningful space for the bachurim of Crown Heights when they need it most.
To Donate:
Click here to donate now.
Zelle / PayPal: 310-384-4286
Cash App: $gavrielkollin
You are all so incredible, starting with whomever organized this, and also the precious and beautiful neshamos that take part in these activities. Please continue to shine your powerful light and spread it all around you. May we be zocheh to the Geoulah HaAmitit vHaschleimah NOW!
We all need to remember that the world is a better place because each of us are in it and that we have things to accomplish that no one else in the entire world can.
Rabbi Gavi is an authentic caring hero for the crown heights teens !
All the best to u my man