Outrage in Williamsburg With Claims That Purim Celebrations Were Marred by Immorality

The Chassidishe community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is reeling with shock and outrage following allegedly scandalous Purim celebrations that took place in the streets of the neighborhood that saw a disturbing display of impropriety.

The incident, which occurred on Motzoei Shabbos, the night following Shushan Purim, has sparked a wave of anger and concern among residents, particularly as the festivities unfolded in public, visible to families and community members.

Massive crowds, including many young men—some of whom are no longer frum—gathered in the heart of the neighborhood at the busy intersection of Bedford and Flushing Avenues. The young men began dancing and celebrating in a manner that violated the modesty standards expected in the area. The lewd behavior was witnessed by families who live in the neighborhood.

Despite efforts by security personnel and locals to restore order, the chaos persisted for a significant time, with fireworks being set off, further disrupting the peace of the neighborhood.

The root of the disorder appears to have stemmed from a party organized for those who had strayed from the community. The event, which featured a DJ and a dance party, took place at a venue on the outskirts of the neighborhood. After the event, many of the partygoers, along with others from across Brooklyn, took to the streets, continuing their revelry and adding to the unrest.

In response to the events, Satmar’s Hisachdus Harabbonim issued a sharply-worded letter (see below) expressing their deep sorrow and dismay at the desecration of the neighborhood’s sanctity. The letter described the incident as an abomination, saying: “A trembling seized us, and our insides quaked; and anyone who hears this story will have their ears blocked, for such a vile event has never been witnessed … before. Those from the fringes of the community tainted our streets, mixing men and women in public, without any shame, before the eyes of the pious families of our neighborhood. Who knows what consequences this could have, Heaven forbid.”

The letter concluded by calling for a renewed commitment to preserving the sanctity of the community and taking action to prevent further breaches of modesty in the future.