Good Will Hunting

I recently read “Unchosen” by Hella Winston, and while indeed well written, I felt that her take was distorted by personal bias and by the disgruntled voices of those she ultimately heeded. Suddenly, I needed to vent.

I am not usually a fan of blogging. While I love the concept of freedom of expression, I am usually of the opinion that one’s dirty laundry shouldn’t be aired. Not because it’s technically wrong – but just because it is inherently improper.

Recently there was an influx of heimish bloggers. Most of who admittedly or subconsciously attempt to portray the SatWillSidic life as one of oppression and a medieval backwardness, and who assume that for one not to find discontent it must be due to one’s lack of intellect. In light of the above – I felt an open and intelligent albeit female take on the issue, was called for.

As a Satmar Williamsburg woman with insatiable quest for knowledge and an IQ of 145, I have never felt stifled or oppressed by our practices, not by our particular brand of observances, my religion in general, or my family’s convictions in particular. My husband too, an observant man himself, while schooled locally has managed to educate himself in English, math and all aspects of IT. And he subsequently B’H succeeded in business. To quote Matt Damon in ‘Good Will Hunting’ you don’t have to drop a hundred fifty grand on an “education you coulda' got for a dollar fifty in late charges at the public library.”

I believe that ultimately we all have a say in our destiny. Hashem gave us that option. While I will never deny that there are faults within our community (and which community is free of fault??) I am strongly of the opinion that we each have the choice to live a life of fulfillment, contentment and one saturated with love.

I plan to discuss more of Hella Winston’s work (‘Unchosen’) as well as blog about my own take on the shortcomings, virtuous deeds as well as general talk about life ‘on the inside’. Because I believe that it is necessary for someone to finally point out that while it is indeed true that there are those in the community with a more limited ability to relate to people (be it their kids, their spouses or those who don’t share their convictions), the extreme cases are B’H the exception rather than the rule. For the most part we are a community of well meaning, yet ultimately human beings. With faults like everyone else.

We are a sensation only because of who we are, what we stand for - and the fact that we sometimes forget that.