On Wednesday, 17 Tishrei, 400 men, women and children gathered in the East 30s and 40s neighborhood of East Flatbush for a grand hakhel and simchas beis hashoeva.
Lively niggunim and yom tov favorites could be heard from blocks away, setting a joyous tone for the afternoon which was spent singing, dancing and soaking up the simcha and achdus felt among the local families of the East Flatbush kehillah.
“My husband and I kept looking at each other and saying, ‘Can you believe that our block is having this huge fair?!’” Mrs. Rivky Friedman said. “ When we moved here 4 years ago there were just a few families, and now, there are so many of us. Everyone was volunteering, doing their part to make this happen. As people started to arrive, we felt such a strong sense of community, and so privileged to be part of it.”
The street was closed off to accommodate the grand affair, complete with bounce houses and booths providing crafts, hot dogs, and carnival-inspired treats. The highlight of the event was a children’s rally with music, pesukim, and a captivating fire show, which left attendees of all ages breathless. And of course, there were balloons galore!
The joy was palpable as locals basked in the warm sense of community togetherness. With the shul under contract for a new building, there is a heightened sense of anticipation at every gathering.
Those involved say that this development is not just about having a larger building for minyanim and shiurim – the kehillah is committed to creating programs for men, women and children. The added space will provide new opportunities for the anash of East Flatbush to learn, socialize, and draw inspiration from each other.
“It feels like an oasis, with young growing families experiencing yom tov together – watching the kids play together as the women sit chatting and the men farbreng,” Mrs. Friedman said. “We belong to something so unique – a warm community with an out of town feel, but right next to Crown Heights with all of the wonderful things that come along with that.”
“I had a smile on my face the whole day as I kept thinking, ‘I’m so lucky, I’m so lucky, I’m so lucky!’”
So nice to see CH home owners that believe in community even if outside the box of CH
EF is an amazing community, there’s so much achdus! I’m really looking forward to visiting my kids and grandkids there in a few weeks. It’s isru chag here, but you still have tomorrow, Simchat Torah, to enjoy more fun. See you soon!