Recently, a significant letter emerged from two rabbis in the Lakewood/Toms River region, urging their congregations to avoid Smash House Burgers. The reason is rooted in concerns about the behavior of local teens at specific hours, which they believe does not align with community values.
This development marks the second chapter in an ongoing controversy. In case you missed the initial incident, read our earlier article on the Smash House mix-up here. The initial story revolved around a babysitter mistakenly ordering from the non-kosher Smashburger instead of the kosher establishment, Smash House Burgers. However, the current situation is markedly different and arguably more concerning.
Clarifying the Letter’s Content
To clarify the points made by the rabbis, it’s essential to note that they are not asserting any issues regarding the kashrut of Smash House. They haven’t claimed that the food is non-kosher or that the owners have acted improperly. In fact, the rabbis have acknowledged the efforts being made by the restaurant. Their primary concern lies with the atmosphere: particularly, the availability of seating beyond typical family meal hours, leading to what they perceive as loitering by teens.
The letter conveys the message, in essence, that anyone who values spiritual integrity should refrain from supporting a venue that, at certain times, fosters an environment that undermines community standards. The striking point is that this applies to patrons at any time, not merely during the problematic hours. The rabbis are proposing a complete boycott of a kosher establishment based on the actions of a portion of its clientele.
Rabbi Shais Taub’s Insight
Rabbi Shais Taub, a noted Lubavitcher author and columnist for Ami Magazine, shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), bringing attention to a broader issue that needs to be discussed: the role of kosher restaurants in the Orthodox community today.
Rabbi Taub is correct in emphasizing that kosher restaurants serve as more than just places to eat. Within the Orthodox community, they function as vital social spaces, where individuals, especially young people, gather to connect and unwind. It’s natural that some may act out in these environments; this is a facet of human interaction. The real question we should be asking isn’t how to exclude these youths from the restaurant, but rather why they are drawn to such spaces and how we can cultivate additional constructive options for them.
Actions Taken by Smash House
I reached out to Benji Haimoff, the owner of Smash House, to inquire about the specific changes made at the Toms River location in light of community concerns. His response highlights the proactive measures taken, which should be considered by anyone contemplating the boycott.
In his words, here’s what Smash House has implemented:
- Adjusted Thursday closing time from 2 AM to midnight.
- Engaged security personnel to manage loitering.
- Revised the menu to avoid any mention of cheese, even though it is a meat-focused restaurant, in deference to community sensibilities.
- Replaced bacon with beef facon.
- Ceased operations on Saturday nights, representing a notable financial sacrifice, as this timing typically holds high revenue potential in Orthodox neighborhoods.
A closer look at these changes reveals a restaurant that has taken community concerns seriously. They voluntarily sacrificed prime revenue opportunities, revamped their menu, hired security to address behavioral issues, and adjusted their hours—all actions taken before a boycott letter was even distributed.
Despite these efforts, the community’s rabbinical leaders issued a boycott letter. Their correspondence acknowledges the improvements stated above, yet their criteria for lifting the boycott seem to remain vague.
Assessing the Responsibility
I hold a profound respect for the rabbinate. The rabbis who signed this letter clearly have their community’s best interests at heart. Still, I believe the letter reflects a fundamental misjudgment of the situation.
If teens in Toms River are gathering at a kosher burger restaurant inappropriately, the solution shouldn’t be to eliminate the location. Instead, we need to address the underlying reasons for their behavior. This requires developing programs, establishing youth infrastructure, and creating spaces that allow young people to socialize in a constructive manner within a frum framework.
If such resources don’t currently exist in the Lakewood/Toms River area, they should be created. This collective responsibility should not fall solely on a restaurant owner’s shoulders.
Consider this: if Smash House closes or suffers a significant loss of business due to the boycott, where will these teens go? They won’t simply vanish; they will find alternative venues, which are less likely to maintain kosher standards.
Understanding the Viability of Kosher Businesses
This situation underscores a critical issue: the sustainability of kosher restaurants as a business model. Establishing a kosher venue is challenging. Operators contend with slim profit margins, certification costs, concentrated customer bases, and high community expectations. Those who dare to open kosher restaurants in expanding Orthodox communities deserve the community’s support, particularly when they adhere to kosher compliance standards.
Smash House Burgers in Toms River is a certified, operational restaurant that serves the community. They did not create the issue of loitering; they responded to it. Demanding a boycott places the burden of a communal social issue on a business that has made significant strides in addressing concerns.
This is an unreasonable demand. Supporting kosher establishments is vital in communities that need reliable options for dining.
A Message to the Rabbis
The letter concludes by inviting community members to inform them of any notable improvements. With all due respect, significant progress has already been made. Smash House has altered its hours and closed on Saturday nights. They have hired security and made menu adjustments that reflect the community’s sensitivities, exceeding their halachic obligations. By any rational measure, these are substantial improvements.
If this list doesn’t meet the rabbinic standard, the community owes Benji Haimoff an honest and clear assessment of what would. He has already sacrificed Saturday night revenue, which is no trivial matter and is still facing a boycott letter in the community’s WhatsApp group.
Moreover, there are broader questions that need addressing: Has the community invested in alternative spaces for these teens? Have we asked the teens what their needs are? Is there a gap in youth programming in the Lakewood/Toms River area that a burger restaurant is inadvertently fulfilling? If so, whose responsibility is it to rectify this?
A kosher restaurant filled with frum teens, even if they are rowdy, remains a kosher restaurant full of frum teens. There are certainly worse environments they could choose.
It’s time to support Smash House Burgers in Toms River. They’ve earned that support.
