This Tishrei, while the streets of Crown Heights pulsed with music, flashing lights, and — sadly — growing dangers of drugs, girls, and violence, one place stood apart. The Farbrengen Sukkah became a warm, spiritual refuge for over 300 boys a night — a space where connection replaced confusion and belonging replaced the pressure of the streets.
What began as a mission to offer teens a safe haven during Simchas Beis HaShoeva and Simchas Torah became so much more. Boys came looking for warmth, Yiddishkeit, and meaning — and found brothers, mentors, and hope. Some came simply to escape fights breaking out around them; all left uplifted.
On Hoshana Rabbah, a split second decision was made, a spontaneous trip to a men’s spa took the boys out of the Crown Heights chaos — giving them one last moment of calm and bonding before simchas beis hashoeva ended.
Many Yuntif meals were hosted and Simchas Torah followed the same theme as the nights of simchas beis Hashoeva.
Now, the spirit continues. The Farbrengen Sukkah was just the prelude to the upcoming 10-day Chanukah Program, where the mission of safety, connection, and joy in Yiddishkeit will shine even brighter.
We’ve seen what happens when you give these boys opportunities to be themselves in a healthy holy way— they thrive. But to keep the flame burning, we still need $5,000 to cover costs.
Donate. Join. Farbreng.
For more info reach out to Rabbi Kollin at 3103844286 or go to the website https://www.fabrengenretreat.com
to donate click here:
https://gofund.me/5e847903
Cashapp: https://cash.app/$Gavrielkollin
Zelle: 3103844286
Venmo and PayPal: @gavrielkollin
I personally saw boys go into the sukkah saying “I got to stay safe and I wanna Farbreng anyway!” This is truly an amazing cause!
Go Gavi! Awsome
“This Tishrei, while the streets of Crown Heights pulsed with music, flashing lights, and — sadly — growing dangers of drugs, girls, and violence, one place stood apart.” Please don’t insult and denigrate the entire Crown Heights community. One can promote themselves and showcase their good and even essential work without putting others down. True there are many challenges in CH that need to be addressed, and apparently it appears that you are doing good work, but there were and are other places and organisations in CH that are also a “warm spiritual refuge.” Wishing you much success in your… Read more »
Facts are not gonna care how you feel
Keep giving the Rebbe nachas!!!!!!! Amazing and unbelievable impact and work
This is how you deal with
Unwanted spiritual drift..
With embracing the jewish soul.
חזק ואמץ
Nice work. The article should not put crown heights down.