Williamsburg, Satmar and Me

Apparently so many of you are of the opinion that they know precisely what it is that makes Williamsburg tick. The only problem with your assumptions is that they are so very wrong. Simply stated: Williamsburg is not one entity with a set of rules - - but rather it is a group of people with a somewhat similar ideology and lifestyle. Those that choose to live here have the option of living their lives in a manner that will fit anywhere on the spectrum. The two ends of said spectrum are radically different, just like any other Jewish community, be it Lakewood, Bnei Brak or even Tosh. All these communities have preliminary ‘rules’ – but they are not necessarily binding.

There has been a remark by one commenter that he saw registration forms for the local yeshivas, and if anyone were to be found with the internet then the children would subsequently be expelled. Every yeshiva from Torah V’daas to Torah Temima has registration forms where they clearly state that children from homes that have a TV will not be accepted – yet any survey will reveal that this rule is not necessarily abided by. And no one would accuse a Flatbush resident with TV of being ‘not typical’. These guidelines are just in place to portray the ideology the leaders want for their ‘community'. As a rule, leaders tend to be more to the ‘right’ than the rest of the members.

In addition, we all choose to belong to a group and to leaders that best fit the lifestyle we want. Some prefer leaders that are more liberal than themselves – so this way they can allow themselves to lighten up, and no longer worry about the conscience that has been holding them back. While at the same time, many prefer aligning with leaders that are somewhat more old school and follow more strictly the letter of the law – this way they know that regardless of where temptations in life may lead them, they will always come back – and always belong.


And now for a historical perspective on Williamsburg and her residents:
Williamsburg was initially formed by a chasidish group mostly originating from Hungarian and Romanian communities. Being that the initial towns no longer existed, and most of the members unfortunately perished, this new group consisted of handfuls of different Jews from different towns. Yet the common denominator amongst them all was that they were of similar principles. Be it their focus on tznius, on Torah-learning, or simply their desire to once again live a Yiddish speaking – chaseedish life. They all lost and left a life behind, but still had the hopes and dreams of recreating something that can – if not replace, then at least restore – their heimish home.

The members of this ‘conglomerate’ were from many different walks of chasidish life. Even amongst the rabbonim, as frum as they all were – there were those that were more liberal, while some were more moderate, while others still were die-hard traditionalists. So while the rabbonim placed in position of authority were perhaps more extreme in their beliefs, most of these rabbonim were understanding of the fact that their followers might not be exactly of the same mind – even though they held their rebbes in highest esteem.

Satmar Rebbe Zatz”l especially – as much as he was known for his very outspoken and uncompromising approach towards anything and everything that he deemed unhalachic, when it came to an issue that was simply regarding ‘frumkeit’ his position was entirely different.

Examples that come to mind:
• While CRC / Hisachdus was banning TV with an official ‘issur’, lots of rabbonim were also advocating to include in the ban radio and newspapers. But the Rebbe would not go for it.
• While the Kasho Rav Zatz”l was loudly objecting to girl working in an office environment, the Rebbe was not only not against it, but he even encouraged it – as long as the parents had confirm the acceptability of the place.
• As much as the Rebbe himself was a big Gaon and Talmud chochom and encouraged and valued Torah-learning, unlike other kehillos that rushed into opening kollelim for their freshly-married yungerleit, he actually recommended that they go out in the world and earn a living.

Being that he was a responsible, compassionate and true leader – he understood that by going to the extreme he will alienated a large number of this newly established community. Therefore he gave them the opportunity to live their lives and be accepted as who they truly were, as long as the basic criteria was met. It was on these standards that Williamsburg in general and Satmar in particular were developed.

So while the lifestyle Begreatfull describes, does unfortunately exist – it is by far not the typical. As for me? My family would be considered ‘average Williamsburg’ – and amongst my family I am just ‘one-of-them’, and in no way do I stand out. Nor do I ever intend to.

After five generations, our community has evolved quite a bit, and yet an entire spectrum of very different families still comfortably co-exists. Even though they greatly vary in their ideas and subsequent lifestyles, they nonetheless share their core common beliefs.

As a radiant rainbow ought to be - - each color drastically different, yet blending together so artistically.

P.S. While I know that I have quite adequately covered this issue, I don’t doubt that there will be differences of opinion. Hey, it’s comment that give blogs their color.

How Much Is Too Much?

I’m back!

Vacation has come and gone, as has that dreaded deadline. The scary thing is the task didn’t get done. There is a beautiful thing about self-imposed deadlines – you get to readjust it as often as you like and there is no boss there to judge and complain. Actually, that is also the down-side of independence. Not only do I have to come face to face every single day - with the failure that I have become. But I don’t even have whom to blame! I can’t bitch about the task being too difficult, since I was the one who decided that it was possible in the first place!

Kinda like those who’ve shunned responsibility and the yoke of religious obligation. I feel bad for those that find that life still sucks, yet they don’t have a G-d to complain to or obligations to whine about. I don’t care what anyone says about it – but while a hefty lump of freedom certainly sweetens life, an overdose is overkill.

But that was totally not the topic that I was going to blog about! But I guess it sorta relates to my trip too. Ever been to Vegas? The initial attraction to Las Vegas is the many conventions occurring at any given time. Consequently, some of the world’s greatest performers tend to congregate there. They have their own maxim there: “Welcome to Las Vegas, where too much is never enough…” Trust me dear readers – one week in Vegas, is way more insane living than one should ever be subjected to.

Don’t get me wrong, we had a fabulous time. The strip is awesome! Especially at night! It was amazing walking around the shopping mall at The Caesar’s, The Venetian, The Aladdin and too many more places to mention. The casinos are fun for a bit, and the free attractions some hotels provide are enough to keep you busy for a few evenings in a row. The Bellagio’s water shows range from sweetly romantic melodies to ear-shattering, tap-to-the-beat, and smile-inducing rock. The Mirage volcano was pretty OK, but the effects were too obviously faked to impress. The Sirens of T.I. was a stupid performance if ever there was one. Six years ago they had the Pirate show – and I thought that was stupid. I guess I’ve learnt that just like extravagance and beauty can always be outdone – unfortunately, so can stupidity.

Six years ago many things were different. As a matter of fact, there seemed to have been intentions at that point to ‘clean up’ Sin City. There were some children’s park built, and many hotels focused on children’s attractions. And from the Jewish perspective: while six years ago there was no kosher restaurant to eat out in, at this point there are five kosher eateries, many minyanim, a kosher mikva – and a vibrant, growing Jewish community. All of that is thanks to Rabbi Shia Harlig from Chabad, whom I was privileged to personally meet, who made it his life mission to bring yiddishkeit to Las Vegas, which makes it easier for the Heimish traveler to feel more at home.

But in spite of the success with the burgeoning Jewish life there, their other attempts at reinventing this City into a family friendly place failed dramatically. As an emcee / comedian was saying ‘Bringing children to Vegas, is like taking a Hooker to Disneyland’. Sin City is back – and I don’t know if that is such a good thing…

Or rather, as they would readily admit: It’s too much of a good thing.

Traveling in Time

Preparing for a trip can be exciting. Suddenly shopping is warranted and spending money is excused. Not that I enjoy throwing my dollars away, but the idea that I have given myself a budget which I am going to spend anyway, somehow makes me feel less guilty.

There is one part of traveling that freaks me out though, and that is the actual traveling. To be more precise: it’s the airplane.

I have this unmitigated fear of being in the air that the mere thought of it literally causes shortness of breath. It isn’t like I have never flown before, my last count has had me on around a dozen flights or so, yet no past experience nor reassurances about statistics and advances in mechanical science could possibly relieve me. The relief I feel when landing has made me reexamine my suicidal tendencies.

But the plane ride here was pleasant, and the trip looks like it will be a success.

Wish us luck… I still need to get home!