The following is the official statement from NCFJE:
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
The days leading to 28 Nissan, 5781
For nearly 80 years, the NCFJE has been tasked by our Rebbeim to organize children’s rallies and parades in the Crown Heights community for various holidays and special occasions. With the creation of Tzivos Hashem 40 years ago in 5741, the rallies increased in their frequency, and Rabbi JJ Hecht OBM faithfully continued his responsibility of organizing them, sometimes at a moment’s notice, always making every move with the guidance of the Rebbe.
In the 1980’s when the community had grown in size, Rabbi Hecht composed a note to the Rebbe asking if it would be proper to hold the Lag B’Omer rally on the street outside of 770. The Rebbe’s response was that it would not be proper, as it may cause people to compare the rally to past parades, and rather than draw the conclusion that the reason it is smaller is due to Lag B’Omer not being on Sunday and therefore the students of Public School not being in attendance, they would draw other (erroneous) conclusions.
Historically, Crown Heights generally did not hold a parade when Lag B’Omer was not on a Sunday, which may be puzzling to some people, especially knowing the encouragement the Rebbe gave to annual parades in other places, especially Israel. In this response the Rebbe gives a reason for this difference, citing a concern that applies to Crown Heights as opposed to other locations, such as Israel, which have a similar parade every year.
In the years since, beginning with the rally on 11 Nissan, 5752, rallies for various special days have been held outside 770, perhaps echoing the strong desire of Chassidim to be close to our source of life. The Sunday parades have also evolved and are unlikely to be confused with a rally. We therefore host Lag B’Omer rallies outside of 770 when a park is not a possibility, such as this year due to Covid.
It has come to our attention that certain individuals have taken upon themselves to organize a Lag B’Omer “march/parade” in the community this year, and enjoined the local schools to take part. They have the route end at the location of the NCFJE rally although the 2 events are not connected.
It is our understanding from the Rebbe’s abovementioned response that the Rebbe is opposed to holding an event that would have the appearance of a Lag B’Omer parade if it would not be done with the same attendance and “shturem” of the parades in the past, rather it would be preferable to hold a rally with the local mosdos and not hold a parade.
We are not admonishing the organizers personally, as we assume they did not know of the Rebbe’s directive before making their plans, and it is hard for one to abandon a project that hard work was put into. But after bringing it to their attention they are still moving forward, and we deem it necessary to put out a public statement to clarify our position, namely, that we have no connection to the “march/parade” being organized and believe it is not within the Rebbe’s wishes.
With fervent wishes that this will lead to harmony and bring nachas to the Rebbe in the spirit of sheves achim gam yachad,
On behalf of the board of directors of the NCFJE,
Rabbi Shimon Hecht
The text of the Rabbi Hecht’s note and the Rebbe’s response:
Why does everything have to be surrounded by politics? It’s so sad, and then we wonder why we have challenges with teens. They grow up in a community with so much confusion and then have to go online and read about it too. It’s never ending!
I did not see any politics here. a really nice letter.
They are simply letting those who want to follow The Rebbes directive to know, and ppl can choose for themselves
If those who see that they erred would correct their ways, there would be no politics
I go to daven in 770 and the men can’t agree on a simple tune to sing.
Correct yet respectful
I don’t see what is so political about it, it’s a very respectful letter.
Most of us want to do what The Rebbe wanted, but do not necessarily know what that means all the time. Thank you for educating us.
How do you know the Rebbe wouldn’t want this? Times change. A chassidishe parade is a good thing
How we wish we could ask The Rebbe directly, however until then, we must rely on those who had the zchus to be directly instructed.
I was confused when I heard that there was a crown height parade being planned. I’m surprised that the schools agreed to it, considering that the rebbe’s directive to not have a parade other than Sunday was known to them. It’s not news that Crown Heights doesnt have a parade when it’s not Sunday. I hope this is figured out in the end
If we all want to follow The Rebbes directive, then this will help us do so. The organizers were told thag this is not what The Rebbe wanted, yet they are going ahead with it anyways.
This letter is giving us all the opportunity to make the right choice and do what The Rebbe wants.
The organizers should rethink this and instead put time and energy into something that The Rebbe did want!
Hatzlacha with making the right choice!