R’ Yisroel Shemtov is Back

By COLlive Reporter

Reb Yisroel Shemtov will once again be organizing and leading the Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebrations in the Crown Heights neighborhood.

Having twice been ousted by previous Vaad Hakohols, at a meeting with the newly elected Vaad Hakohol and CHJCC members Zaki Tamir, Fishel Brownstein, Yossi Hackner, and Eli Cohen, the decision was made to hand the reigns over to Shemtov once again.

“Reb Yisroel has been organizing Simchas Beis Hashoeva for 33 years,” Zaki Tamir told COLlive. “To bring achdus to the neighborhood, we are making arrangements so that everyone can feel part of it.”

Thousands attend the annual musical celebration each year on Kingston Avenue between Crown and Montgomery Streets, with joyous dancing accompanied by known singers and musicians.

Each night of Chol Hamoed Sukkos, people stream to the Brooklyn neighborhood from throughout the New York tri-state area to participate in the annual event which the Rebbe encouraged many times.

In a sicha on Chol Hamoed, 5752, the Rebbe stated that there should be no intruding on another’s business in the matter of who runs Simchas Beis Hashoeva, Shemtov said.

Shemtov has assumed not only the task of coordinating the 4-night event, but has personally undertaken the financial responsibility as well.

“Each year, Simchas Bais Hashoeva costs over $30,000 to run,” Shemtov told COLlive. “I am asking all who are close to the Rebbe to feel a personal obligation to participate generously in this vital project.”

Shemtov says the costs must be covered by private donations, especially from community members who know it’s a project that the Rebbe held so dear.

Checks may be written to LYO (Lubavitch Youth Organization) or to Yisroel Shemtov, and should be sent to Y. Shemtov at 1594 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, NY 11213.

Tamir thanked Shemtov for stepping up and agreeing to spearhead the effort to organize the Simchas Beis Hashoeva this year.

“We didn’t know what we were going to do it, how we were going to finance it,” he said. “He really saved us. Now as a community we must show him our support to make it happen.”

Special thanks to Schmeilach Schapiro of CH Houseware and Hardware store for allowing the stage to be set up partially covering the front window of his store. The store will be open Erev Sukkos and throughout Chol Hamoed.