Satmar Rebbe: Declining Spiritual Atmosphere

 

this is huge! its historical!

[Audio]: Satmar Rabbi Calls for Exodus from Williamsburg, Citing Rising Rents and Declining Spiritual Atmosphere

Brooklyn, NY — In a rare and pointed address, Satmar Rebbe Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum didn’t mince words: the days of Williamsburg as the heart of the chassidic community may be coming to a close

Citing skyrocketing rent and what he described as a deteriorating spiritual atmosphere, the Rebbe urged families to begin thinking seriously about relocating to communities more suited to raising children in accordance with Torah values.

The prices are out of control, the influences from the street are creeping in, and it’s becoming harder and harder to live a Yiddishe life the way we want for our kinder.”

The comments were not offhand. Sources close to the Rebbe say he has been expressing concern for past year, but this was the first time he addressed the issue publicly and unequivocally.

The gashmius (materialism) is choking the ruchnius (spiritual life),” he said. “When a young couple can’t even dream of affording a one-bedroom in the neighborhood they grew up in, and when the streets no longer reflect the kedushah (holiness) we expect — it’s time to consider alternatives.”

While he did not name specific communities, many in attendance took it as a tacit endorsement of established and growing chassidic enclaves like Kiryas Joel, Bloomingburg, and parts of Rockland and Orange counties, where housing remains more affordable and community infrastructure is built around Torah life.

audio at https://vinnews.com/2025/05/29/audio-satmar-rabbi-calls-for-exodus-from-williamsburg-citing-rising-rents-and-declining-spiritual-atmosphere/

FOR SURE Don’t even contemplate (sic!) a move to Eretz haKodesh! It’s abit more exp3nsive and also has Gashmias! But it has Har HaBayit!