While getting my degree in Education, I took a social studies course where we learned about the concept of historical perspective. We often bring a “presentist” approach to our understanding of the past, using our current values and beliefs to judge people. We forget that they lived in different eras, faced different dilemmas, and had […]
Although Jews are known for their humor, most people assume that Hasidim don’t have a funny bone in their body. This assumption isn’t without cause: Hasidic Jews generally don’t smile in public. Enter Yoely Lebovits, Satmar Hasid, and the first boy in his community to be named after the rebbe. (News of the Satmar rebbe’s […]
This past Tuesday, a security camera in Williamsburg Brooklyn caught a young man sneaking up on a Hasidic Jew on the street and punching the back of his head. This attack appeared to be completely random, with no provocation. The young man then fled the scene. As if this event is not shocking and troubling […]
By now everyone has heard how fifty super wealthy parents, including Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, were arrested for committing fraud to get their children into college. My story – one of a young woman, who fought against all odds to get an education – will never make the news. I grew up in an […]
Atideinu Aims to Help Children in Orthodox Families Make Good Life Choices This is Atideinu, a twice-weekly after-school program geared to children in Orthodox families, who may or may not be excelling academically, socially or emotionally. Today, they participate in a guided discussion about things for which they are feeling grateful. The Kosher Adventure Maker […]
Reading the news can be depressing, but for every negative story about the Chasidic community, there is an uplifting one to be found. I feel fortunate that mine is among the positive. Born in Netanya, my family was close to the previous Klausenberger Rebbe, as well as connected to the Bostoner Rebbe. Later on, my […]
