Chabad Plans 40th Hei Teves Celebration in Crown Heights
Three central Chabad organizations are jointly organizing an Armory event marking four decades since a landmark federal court ruling.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Judaism
Agudas Chassidei Chabad International, Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch and Machne Israel are jointly organizing a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Hei Teves at the Bedford Armory in Crown Heights. The anniversary commemorates a January 6, 1987 federal court ruling that the library of the Rebbeim belongs to Agudas Chassidei Chabad.
Why it matters
The celebration aims to emphasize the ongoing message of Didan Notzach and strengthen Chassidim's connection to the Rebbe. Anniversary farbrengens and programs are being planned in Chabad communities worldwide, with more than 40 major celebrations discussed internationally.
The anniversary commemorates a 40-year-old federal court ruling dated January 6, 1987, which affirmed Agudas Chassidei Chabad's ownership of the Rebbeim's library. Details of the Crown Heights Armory program, including whether children's programming will be offered, remain under development.
The players
Agudas Chassidei Chabad International
A central organization of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement that holds the library of the Rebbeim following the 1987 federal court ruling.
Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch
The educational publishing and outreach arm of Chabad-Lubavitch, one of the three central organizations co-organizing the celebration.
Machne Israel
A central Chabad-Lubavitch organization that is co-organizing the 40th anniversary event alongside Agudas Chassidei Chabad and Merkos.
The details
The Armory event is being planned as a production featuring speakers, musical entertainment and a multimedia presentation. Representatives of the three central organizations held a joint meeting, and coordination meetings with local shuls in Crown Heights have been held to arrange community participation, while Iggud Hshluchim/Vaad Or Vechom is working with Aguch on an international effort.
Timeline
January 6, 1987 (Hei Teves 5747): Federal court rules that the library of the Rebbeim belongs to Agudas Chassidei Chabad.
Shabbos preceding Hei Teves: Farbrengens are planned in Chabad communities worldwide.
Coming weeks: Full Armory program and schedule are expected to be announced.
Roadmap
The 40th anniversary of the 1987 federal court victory over the Rebbeim's library is being marked with coordinated programming across Chabad communities. The Crown Heights Armory event builds on decades of institutional continuity in the movement's central organizations.
Residents of Crown Heights and visitors interested in attending can expect further details on the Armory program and schedule in the coming weeks. Those wishing to join a local farbrengen should check with neighborhood shuls, which are coordinating community participation.
The takeaway
Anniversaries like this one show how a single legal victory can become a lasting touchstone for a community's identity. Readers interested in the movement can follow upcoming announcements about the Armory event as details are released.
What happens next
The full Bedford Armory program, schedule and speaker roster are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Further reading
For more on the faith and traditions behind this anniversary, explore our Judaism coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by COLlive.
