ב"ה
Thursday, 27 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 7, 2024

An Ode To Crown Heights

From the COLlive inbox: A new father shares a partial list of his own experiences with "the community" in recent weeks. Full Story

Benshimon Ft. Benny, Mitzvah Blvd

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Reach out
March 14, 2017 9:38 pm

To those of you who think that you are being ignored,there may be a possibility,that people actually are ignorant of what is going on. There is a time in everyone’s lives,when we need the assistance of others. People are not neviim ,and sometimes ,because of the pace of life nowadays ,people do not know of your situation . When we have a difficult situations ,we tend to think “everyone knows” but this is not always the case. May we never need help,but when we do ,reach out. As the Rebbetzin once said,you are helping your fellow yid fulfill their mission… Read more »

#4...."noone.."
March 13, 2017 2:57 pm

it is truly sad that,in your experience, “noone cares or does a thing”. I was not raised here ,nor do we have “a name”, but, on our block, people cooked for each other for at least a week when they had babies. Neighbors have babysat for each other. A wonderful organization, Yad v’Ezer, provides meals for during times of need, such as a Shivah, r”l, and Bikur Cholim offers all kinds of help, rides to hospitals, meals and other support, to name a few. Groups of people make Sheva Brochos for each other.One may need to reach out to a… Read more »

to 35 I am 25
March 10, 2017 8:16 am

I could not agree with you more, which is why I repeated over and over again ‘iy”H.’ As much as we want that every yid should have every good imaginable, we haven’t found any way to make that happen. I certainly do not have the advantages of the author, but I do have advantages that still others do not have. I know people who have it bad and it is sickening. The only thing we can do is daven and serve Hashem and do what’s in our power that our children have it better than we have had it. To… Read more »

My personal experience
March 9, 2017 7:10 pm

I’m a BT who last couple of births were sections and I’m a mother of twins who also had a toddler as well at the time. I would have settled for 1/8th of the help that this man’s wfe had

proud crown heightser
March 9, 2017 6:38 pm

kudos to you for taking time to write this wonderful article
thank you

Positivity
March 9, 2017 6:29 pm

Thank you for sharing

So true!
March 9, 2017 5:39 pm

As a shlucha who does not have a large family, I can attest to the amazing community of CH. From hosting our students and even keeping in touch with them afterwards to hosting Shabbos Kallahs, Sheva brochos, taking care of them like family and so much more! CH is a place that has so much chesed. When my sister moved to CH and had a baby, our mother wasn’t there and I couldn’t be there, Shifts and Puah brought her gourmet meals just like the author wrote. There are so many different ways to put yourself out there and make… Read more »

To number 25
March 9, 2017 5:10 pm

Some things are our of you’re control, please be more sensitive

Crown Heights
March 9, 2017 10:55 am

Crown Heights is an amazing community, The only reason people are leaving is because they cant afford the housing or are able to buy a house.

The heart and the home are open
March 9, 2017 10:28 am

I have personally hosted many sheva Brochos lchaims
Shabbat and you tov meals as well as guests for many weeks
The individuals and families had no relatives or support system
Yet with pleasure many many of my friends ,and I, open our hearts and homes

I agree!
March 9, 2017 10:17 am

We live abroad and came to support our daughter and son-in-law when they had a baby. The love and support from friends and shuls was incredible, especially as there was no family to fall back on. We were enormously grateful, thankful and very emotional.

really nice article
March 9, 2017 9:00 am

Finally a pleasant letter to read, focusing on the positive unlike most of the other oped

no name person
March 9, 2017 7:50 am

great article. I live in CH and do not have a large extended family. As you wrote it is mostly family who rally around you.

Beautiful wake up call!
March 9, 2017 7:40 am

Not a crown heights resident but totally agree!
Thank you for giving chizzuk to those who are taken for granted. Recognizing the good doesn’t mean ignoring the not so good. Time and place for everything …

a parent
March 9, 2017 7:18 am

you don’t need a big name. but you have to reach out. people just know that some is going through a tough time or a mazel tov.

to number 19
March 9, 2017 7:11 am

The only way to do that is by having a large family IY”H. Doing your utmost and davenning to Hashem that they go in the ways of Hashem, and iy”H, the next generation and the generations after that will have what you lack iy”H. Some have it harder than others, Hashem does what’s best for each individual.

Fellow BT

Amazing
March 9, 2017 6:36 am

So true, about time Crown Heights gets it due.

Great article, and shows a lot about the author as well!

Thank you for taking the time to say Thank you!
March 9, 2017 6:21 am

Hakaras Hatov goes a long way!

Reminds us of our obligations
March 9, 2017 6:16 am

Such a nice, positive article rightly proclaiming some if the extraordinary qualities of CH. It is nice to read about the author’solid support system, which as the aurthor describes, is family based. I think it illustrates in a positive way how much we have to go out of our way to help the many people who don’t have that.

This is moshiach times!
March 9, 2017 6:06 am

It was so heartwarming to read this article. I feel the same way about the Pittsburgh community. I’m sure this is happening internationally where we have become more compassionate and leaders have stepped up to help! The Rebbe said to open our eyes that Moshiach is so close! This chesed is Moshiach chesed. We are in a new era!

finally
March 9, 2017 5:51 am

finally,crown heights is being praised! was waiting a long time for this kind of article. I am proud to be living in this shchuna!a freilichen purim to all!

How do we set this up for the non-gezhe, BT community members?
March 9, 2017 4:55 am
as another c-teen host
March 9, 2017 2:06 am

i want to thank you for writing this. thank you!!~

DLH
March 9, 2017 12:18 am

Beautiful.

One hundred percent
March 8, 2017 10:34 pm

While it is not a sin to raise issues which are occuring in our communities, all too often we tend to be overly pesimistic about our communities and about Frumkeit as a whole. But as you wrote – so elequantly – when we are in doubt ourselves, let’s not forget the incomparable kindness and generosity which exists in the Frum community like no other. And this is not for fame, honor or anything of the sort; it is because of the core Neshama which rests in each and every Jew.

Hakoros Hatov
March 8, 2017 10:12 pm

That is truly amazing there is no other community in the world as wonderful and giving and loving as Crown heights we are so fortunate to be part of it the Rebbe taught us and guided us to open our homes and hearts for another yid thanks for sharing your wonderful experience

kahn tzivah Hashem es Habrocho
March 8, 2017 9:42 pm

Beautiful!

Lucky Guy!!
March 8, 2017 8:57 pm

Not just because you have a large, strong, careing built-in support system, but because you do truely appreciate the fact that there are beautiful, wonderful Yidden in this community & beyond! Baruch HaShem!

Crown Heights Admirer
March 8, 2017 8:55 pm

So beautiful and so true! Thank you for posting this!

so beautiful
March 8, 2017 8:42 pm

The sensitivity and ahavas Israel of the author

grandparents
March 8, 2017 8:38 pm

my grandparents do the the same thing fyi

Great piece!
March 8, 2017 8:28 pm

Thank you for a well written and meaningful op-ed. I too have been a recipient of many of these kindnesses, and always wanted to write somewhere how blessed we are as a people and as a community — but, I never did. I’m with you! With all its faults, and we are all human, and all have faults, Crown Heights is a WONDERFUL community and I love living here! Thank you to all my friends and neighbors, and those I don’t know, but who help make it the beautiful community it is! And thank you, AM Yisroel for being the… Read more »

love it!!!
March 8, 2017 8:25 pm

thank your leibel .. beautiful article.. and you are right.. we definatelly deserve that pat on the back hashem and the rebbe must be so proud of us. mi keamcha yisroel!! especially here in the rebbes shchunna!!

How special
March 8, 2017 8:21 pm

You are so right in everything you said so eloquently. I am living in this community for 45 years. I have seen such a surge in all that you mention plus more. Years ago when you made a wedding and didn’t have money you looked like a rachmanus. Look at the gamachim and Devorah Benjamin plus so many others who make a chassan and kallah shine. Devorah Sheiner is another example of someone helping out someone in need. One just has to reach out to her and if she can she will do so much to make your life easier.… Read more »

Fantastic 👏🏻
March 8, 2017 8:20 pm

So nice to read about how wonderful our community is! Thank you for taking the time to write and share some positivity. I couldn’t agree more, and feel truly blessed to be living in the Rebbe’s Schuna.

a fellow thinker
March 8, 2017 8:17 pm

thank you for sticking up for those that go unmentioned!

happy for you
March 8, 2017 8:14 pm

I’m glad for you, but please be aware that most of this is because you have large local families and very recognizable names.

Other people have just as much going on and no one cares or does a thing.

Chossid
March 8, 2017 8:11 pm

Chossid yid

WOW!!!!!!
March 8, 2017 8:09 pm

What an amazing article written with such appreciation! It’s wonderful to be appreciated! Kol Hakovod to the author! For a change this article is so refreshing to read. Thanks for your inspiring kind words. Mazel Tov on the birth of your new son. May Hashem always shower his blessings upon you, your dear wife and family.

Kol Hakavod!!
March 8, 2017 7:55 pm

Beautifully written!! Emes is Emes!! Kan Tzivah Hashem es Habracha!! Thank you for sharing!!

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