Author Topic: "I was a Hasidic Jew - but I broke free" (Read 105461 times)

YankyDoodle · « **Reply #80 on:** February 14, 2012, 03:55:01 PM »

I must say I was surprised/impressed with her decision to not throw the chassidim under the bus. I was expecting her to come out guns a blazin' but she actually tried to explain (logically) some of the reasons for certain behaviors (i.e. not trusting police.) For the most part she stuck to what actually happened to her (as opposed to how crazy the religious Jews are et al.)

momo · « **Reply #81 on:** February 14, 2012, 03:57:19 PM »

Hate to say it but she came across genuine. Not saying that she is, just saying that people who do not know, will be eating out of the palm of her hand

HelpMe · « **Reply #82 on:** February 14, 2012, 04:01:24 PM »

Quote from: momo on February 14, 2012, 03:57:19 PM

Hate to say it but she came across genuine. Not saying that she is, just saying that people who do not know, will be eating out of the palm of her hand

I am one of them and you are correct.

JEWDA · « **Reply #83 on:** February 14, 2012, 04:02:18 PM »

the book is now on sale at Amazon $13.24

sky121 · « **Reply #84 on:** February 14, 2012, 04:03:33 PM »

I think a lot of what she is saying really very well might have been her reality.
And whether it's a rule or not we can all honestly say that yes, it's expected to have a lot of children in the Hasidic world.
There are many other examples of things like that. Things that aren't necessarily "rules" but have become expected in many Hasidic houses.

Dan · « **Reply #85 on:** February 14, 2012, 04:17:41 PM »

Maybe the book should be called "The Scandalous Rejection of my Satmar Roots?"

I maybe be "Hasidic" and do "crazy" stuff, but she and I lived in 2 opposite worlds growing up.

sky121 · « **Reply #86 on:** February 14, 2012, 04:24:15 PM »

Quote from: Dan on February 14, 2012, 04:17:41 PM

Maybe the book should be called "The Scandalous Rejection of my Satmar Roots?"

I maybe be "Hasidic" and do "crazy" stuff, but she and I lived in 2 opposite worlds growing up.

True. But A LOT of people do live in that world. For Jewish people it may very well be too general a title.

good sam · « **Reply #87 on:** February 14, 2012, 04:24:25 PM »

Quote from: Dan on February 14, 2012, 04:17:41 PM

Maybe the book should be called "The Scandalous Rejection of my Satmar Roots?"

I maybe be "Hasidic" and do "crazy" stuff, but she and I lived in 2 opposite worlds growing up.

She knows that:

Quote

I have no affiliation with Chabad, as they have a notorious long-standing feud with the Satmar community. I do know that their customs are very different and they have a less repressive attitude toward women.
What bothers me most about the Chabad community is the messianic aspect, obviously. But that seems to be a minority within the greater Lubavitch society.

http://www.deborahfeldman.com/blog.php

sky121 · « **Reply #88 on:** February 14, 2012, 04:35:21 PM »

Each Chassidus varies from one to the next and there are those generally known to be more relaxed and those that are regarded as stricter.
And within each one even there are always those that are more strict and those that are less.

good sam · « **Reply #89 on:** February 14, 2012, 04:36:42 PM »

I noticed Whoopi Goldberg didn't say much. Maybe she didn't want to offend her fellow jews

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #90 on:** February 15, 2012, 04:09:24 AM »

A problem I find sometimes by the ultra strict chassidim, is that some optional chumros sometimes become yehoreg ve'al yavor, and the good old halocho stays sometimes in the cold.

It can be very rejecting to those looking up to them.

Dan · « **Reply #91 on:** February 15, 2012, 09:50:32 AM »

Seems to me like these stories usually happen within the "ultra-strict" communities.
I mean, I don't think we're going to see any books from Chabad girls with a title like that...

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #92 on:** February 15, 2012, 09:56:16 AM »

Quote from: SuperFlyer on February 15, 2012, 04:09:24 AM

A problem I find sometimes by the ultra strict chassidim, is that some optional chumros sometimes become yehoreg ve'al yavor, and the good old halocho stays sometimes in the cold.

the texting on shabbos phenomen is a great example of that

springles · « **Reply #93 on:** February 15, 2012, 11:42:16 AM »

I agree with others who wrote that she comes across as genuine. It sounds like she had a particularly difficult upbringing and her situation seems to be different than most. I am not Chassidish but she does seem to be attacking the general Chassidic group and not focusing on her particular Chassidis and more importantly her family and the people arround her who certainly failed her. She does appear genuine but dont take that to mean that her intentions are pure. The purpose of this book is vindictive and agenda driven, it wouldnt get published otherwise. It is interesting to see this interview right after watching the Oprah show and see the stark contrast in how the two report the same obligations (namely Mikvah). She also describes the education of the women as sorely lacking (graduating HS with a 4th grade reading level) while the women on Oprah seemed just as educated as she is if not more, getting Masters degrees and having legitimate professional occupations.
Its all about perspective and if you have a strong agenda then your perspective is very skewed and unreliable.

JEWDA · « **Reply #94 on:** February 15, 2012, 02:32:44 PM »

Interesting Video

HelpMe · « **Reply #95 on:** February 15, 2012, 05:51:28 PM »

Quote from: jewda on February 15, 2012, 02:32:44 PM

Interesting Video

Is this another tradition?

Dan · « **Reply #96 on:** February 15, 2012, 05:55:04 PM »

Quote from: HelpMe on February 15, 2012, 05:51:28 PM

Is this another tradition?

Sure. Of morons.
Personally I'd put up signs for the men to move to the side when women walk by.

JEWDA · « **Reply #97 on:** February 16, 2012, 02:05:09 PM »

Someone on her Blog asked her:

Have you seen or care to see Oprah's interview she gave with Chabad regarding Judaism and our culture?

She answered:

I’ve seen some clips. I’m glad she came in to the community with an open mind. However I have no affiliation with Chabad, as they have a notorious long-standing feud with the Satmar community. I do know that their customs are very different and they have a less repressive attitude toward women.

What bothers me most about the Chabad community is the messianic aspect, obviously. But that seems to be a minority within the greater Lubavitch society.

Bp · « **Reply #98 on:** February 16, 2012, 02:43:08 PM »

to all.....if anyone would know her father and mother, And Saralle berkowitz growing up(BTW her mother lived in CH for many years) you wouldn't have any questions.

netzih · « **Reply #99 on:** February 16, 2012, 03:19:08 PM »

Quote from: Bp on February 16, 2012, 02:43:08 PM

to all.....if anyone would know her father and mother, And Saralle berkowitz growing up(BTW her mother lived in CH for many years) you wouldn't have any questions.

why bashmutz people no one knows?