Ahead of this year’s Simchas Beis Hashoeiva, Crown Heights Rabbonim, askonim, and NYPD representatives held a series of meetings to discuss ways to elevate the kedusha of the event and ensure that it reflects the true, authentic Chassidishe atmosphere, in accordance with halacha and the Rebbe’s wishes.

In an initial Zoom meeting, Crown Heights Rabbonim, together with principals and representatives from local mosdos serving thousands of children, met with organizers, including R’ Meir Deren, one of the key organizers of the Simchas Beis Hashoeiva, and askan R’ Yaakov Berman.

The group discussed some of the challenges that have arisen in recent years due to the enormous crowds, including the large number of teenagers who attend, many of whom come from out of town.

Several ideas for improvement were raised, including a proposal to move the Simchas Beis Hashoeiva to Empire Boulevard, where there would be significantly more space, and it would be easier to maintain clearly separated areas for men and women.

For years, there has been ongoing discussion about the disturbances that can occur at and around the Simchas Beis Hashoeiva. Every Sukkos, the event draws enormous crowds to Crown Heights, and alongside the tremendous simcha come recurring challenges, including overcrowding and mixed areas along Kingston Avenue, street vendors selling toys and snacks that draw children away from the actual dancing, and teenagers congregating on side streets rather than participating in the main event.

Over the past several years, organizers and the Rabbonim have taken a number of steps to address these issues. These have included reworking the physical setup of the Simchas Beis Hashoeiva, issuing a letter signed by the Crown Heights Rabbonim, the CHJCC, and community and school leadership announcing that street vending of any kind would not be permitted, and increasing coordination with the NYPD on crowd control and security.

These measures have helped considerably, and this year, organizers and the Rabbonim are working to build on those efforts with further improvements.

Following the initial meeting, the NYPD requested an in-person meeting with the Crown Heights Rabbonim to discuss the matter further. The meeting took place at the Crown Heights Beis Din, with NYPD Community Affairs representatives Sgt. Mike Barreta and PO Jonathan Connors meeting with Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun.

Also attending the meeting, alongside R’ Yaakov Berman and R’ Meir Deren (virtually), were Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz, principal of Ohr Menachem, and Yossi Cohen, who has led the music at the Simchas Beis Hashoeiva for many years.

The meeting concluded with all participants committing to continue brainstorming and to redouble their efforts to ensure that this year’s Simchas Beis Hashoeiva is a resounding success, conducted in the proper spirit of Simchas Beis Hashoeiva and in keeping with the way the Rebbe requested it to be celebrated.