Yidden of All Stripes Celebrate with Chabad in Yerushalayim

Thousands gathered in Yerushalayim on Sukkos for the annual Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebration organized by Tzeirei Agudas Chabad Yerushalayim, continuing a tradition that has been held for more than 30 years.

The event, which traditionally marks the opening of the Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebrations in the city, was held on a larger scale this year, with residents of Yerushalayim and visitors from across the country filling the courtyard of Shikun Chabad.

Men, women, and children from across the spectrum of the Yerushalayim community joined together in hours of dancing and simcha, creating a lively atmosphere of achdus and chassidishkeit.

The musical program featured chassidic singer Mendy Weisel, accompanied by keyboardist Elimelech Weissberg and his orchestra.

Rabbi Aharon Sitbon led the crowd in moving nigunim, while international chazan Rabbi Dovid Caytak performed special chazzanus pieces, including “Yehi Ratzon,” traditionally sung at farbrengens in the presence of the Rebbe.

One of the highlights of the evening was a performance by fire artist Daniel Elmalich, who captivated the crowd with an impressive display of fire torches, recalling the torches and lights that illuminated Yerushalayim during Simchas Beis Hashoeva in the times of the Beis Hamikdash.

Twelve children then took the stage and recited the Twelve Pesukim, with the large crowd joining along.

Rabbi Yaakov Halperin, a shliach of the Rebbe and Chabad representative on the Yerushalayim City Council, conveyed the greetings of Mayor Moshe Lion and the city of Yerushalayim to the participants.

Rabbi Halperin, who works throughout the year on behalf of Chabad shluchim and mosdos across the city, also offered his own bracha to the crowd and the shluchim.

The event was led by Rabbi Naftali Roth, chairman of Tzeirei Agudas Chabad Yerushalayim, who has headed and accompanied the annual celebration for many years.

The organization and production were overseen by Rabbi Noam Roth, CEO of Tzeirei Agudas Chabad Yerushalayim, together with a dedicated team that worked for weeks to prepare the event.

The celebration continued late into the night with hours of dancing and singing, leaving thousands with the feeling of true Simchas Beis Hashoeva, as Chazal say, “Whoever did not see the Simchas Beis Hashoeva never saw true joy.”

Photos: Dovber Hechtman