“One who did not see the joy of the Simchas Beis Hashoeva [in Crown Heights] has not seen joy in his life.”
38 years ago, the Rebbe spoke about dancing in the streets on Chol HaMoed Sukkos, so a few hundred people gathered on Montgomery Street and danced at what became the first year of Simchas Beis Hashoeva in Crown Heights.
To keep the music playing, a chosid, Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov, handed out $1,000 to each of the musicians each night.
In the following years, production was simple and Rabbi Shemtov covered the costs, to keep the Rebbe’s inyun going. But the events got bigger and bigger, and after several years of the simple but joyous events, a group of young Yeshiva students approached Shemtov. “You have a big Mitzvah on your hands,” they told him. “And we want to expand it appropriately, with a big stage and big Sukkah, and really take it to the next level,” and promised to cover the costs.
Click here to donate to the Simchas Beis Hashoeva, which the Rebbe took a personal interest in.
Shemtov recalls that the Simchas Beis Hashoeva events in the 1980s were even bigger than today. The streets of Crown Heights were flooded with people from all sorts of neighborhoods. One of the highlights for visitors coming from all over the world was to join Simchas Beis Hashoeiva.
As the bochurim who sponsored the previous events got married and moved away, the expenses once again fell on Rabbi Shemtov, who for the past 15 years has been covering the $25,000 a year it takes to keep Simchas Beis Hashoeva running.
These days, each year on Chol Hamoed Sukkos, a few thousand people gather each night for the joyous celebration, which continues with a live band until 5:00 am.
Why does he do it?
“The Simchas Beis Hashoeva events were very precious to the Rebbe,” Shemtov said. “He asked to get a report every morning from how it was the night before. The Rebbe took a personal interest.”
This year, you can help Rabbi Shemtov fulfill the Rebbe’s wish for a lively Simchas Beis Hashoeva in Crown Heights.
As we’re coming up on 40 years of Simchas Beis Hashoeva, we ask the public to donate in increments of 40.
Click here to fulfill the Rebbe’s wish, donate to the Simchas Beis Hashoeva.
Photos: Courtesy of JEM
Bring back MBD, Avrohom Fried, Piamenta etc etc and then I will donate!
Donate first then ask for some choices.
Reb Yisroel Shemtov is a true chosid
wow Mazel Tov 40 years of Simchas Bais Hashoevah lets keep on dancing and Rock and roll
AMAZING!!!! Wish i could be their!!