The Shuk Danced: Beis Hashoeva in Machane Yehuda

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Levi Amit and Zeevi Green

On Motzei Shabbos, the eve of Hoshanah Rabbah this year, it seemed as though Shuk Machane Yehuda in Yerushalayim transformed into Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights, when thousands of Chabad Chassidim filled it with lively dancing for a Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebration organized by Shliach Rabbi Zvi Ruderman.

With the Shuk considered a sensitive area for security reasons, the Simchas beis hashoeva event did not take place there for a number of years. This year, after hard work and cooperation by the Wow organization for Hakafot directed by R’ Mendy Lipsker, the Israeli Police Department, and members of local government, the event was once again allowed to take place there.

The thousands in the Shuk Machane Yehuda danced until midnight, accompanied by the popular Chassidic singer Simche Friedman and the Yosef Chaim band.

Throughout the evening, guest singers appeared on the stage, among them the known Chassidic performer R’ Aharon Sitbon and his son, the singer R’ Dovid.