Occupy Rodney Street
Samuel Katz2011OpinionReflectionsOff the DerechReligion
Credit: gotamistllc (flickr)
Every revolution needs a bus ride. The civil rights movement had Rosa Parks’ bus ride on December 1, 1955 and the Freedom Riders in 1961. Now the revolution I always wanted to see has a bus ride too. Two weeks ago, on October 18, the New York World ran the now-famous story about a woman who took a seat in the front of the B110 “Borough Park-Williamsburg” Bus and was asked to move to the back. The New York Times ran a story about it on the 19th, and NPR ran a story about it on the 20th. In a matter of days the Hasidic world had come –- yet again — under the microscope.
In the context of Occupy Wall Street (and Occupy Just About Anything Else) and the news from Libya and Tunisia, the conversation about the sex-segregated buses in Hasidic communities made me wonder about an old question: Can a revolution ever come to the Hasidic world?
It is quite obvious — to those familiar with the Hasidic world beyond the public images of a close-knit community and large happy families — that the Hasidic world can use some revolutionizing. Beyond the many blatant travesties — fraudulent, large-scale pilfering of public monies for both public and private use; placing public relations concerns over those of individuals (as in the cases of protecting child molesters) — the greatest need for revolution is against an ideology whose intent is not necessarily sinister or malicious but whose results have devastating consequences. I speak of, amongst other things, the withholding of a robust secular education to generations of men and women, denying them the ability to develop informed and independent-minded opinions, and the cultural blackmail exercised upon those who dissent or refuse to conform.
I would love to see a revolution on Rodney Street. Just as Wall Street symbolizes corporate greed, Rodney Street — the symbolic headquarters of the Satmar sect – epitomizes the backward views of contemporary Hasidic society. It is the place from where its ideology has originally metastasized, an ideology that denies the basic dignity and human rights both of those within its embrace and those outside of it. What we need is a revolution that allows those within its ideological confines to choose that worldview or to discard it as they see fit.
Every revolution gets a bus ride, and this revolution, for me, already had a bus ride more than a half decade ago, when I was a fifteen-year-old yeshiva student.
It was December 1, 2005, and I was riding the B16 bus down Borough Park’s Sixteenth Avenue to get to yeshiva. My friend Nuchem joined me a few stops later, and, like every morning, we huddled together while clutching our tefillin bags and making sure to avoid contact with female riders, for fear of the evil thoughts such contact might elicit.
That morning there was one seat at the front of the bus that remained empty. A poster above the seat said, “It All Started on a Bus,” and beneath it was the iconic image of Rosa Parks sitting on a bus exactly 50 years earlier. Underneath the photo was a note asking to keep the seat empty in her memory.
Nuchem pointed to the sign, and gave me an inquiring look. He knew I was more familiar with secular knowledge, “worldly,” as he and my friends called it. I told him about Rosa Parks and how that seminal act sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, inspired generations of civil rights activists, and led to lasting change via anti-discrimination laws.
Nuchem rolled his eyes. To him, civil rights, whether for African Americans or for women, was a nonsensical idea invented by those who considered themselves “enlightened.” Nuchem took a good look at me and then walked over to that empty seat and sat down.
“Nuchem!” I hissed as I grabbed his arm. He laughed hysterically, and called me crazy for caring about Rosa Parks, for caring about civil rights, for caring about anything outside of the interests of our own little world. He shook his head and rolled his eyes as he continued laughing.
Nuchem got off one stop ahead of me. We went to the same Yeshiva, but he wanted to walk the last few blocks so he could smoke a cigarette before we began our day of study. We were both barely sixteen at the time. I looked at the picture of Rosa Parks and the seat dedicated to her memory and through the window I saw Nuchem light up his cigarette as he walked down the street with his typical yeshiva bochur swagger. I realized then that a revolution like the one Rosa Parks sparked could never happen here, not because there were no injustices, but because the language of freedom, dignity, and individuality had been made laughable.
The people in Tahrir Square, in Libya, in Tunisia and in Zucotti Park all know about freedom and justice and they respect it. But intrinsic to the Hasidic ideology is the banality of these ideas, and that is its greatest injustice; it gives the community immunity to dissent or change.
The greatest injustice on the Boro Park-Williamsburg bus is not the segregation of the sexes per se but the ideology that makes people okay with it. The fact that men and women can ride a bus in the twenty-first century where women are sent to the back without anyone having any qualms about it, points to a psychological and cultural atrocity that goes far deeper than the section of a bus one may or may not sit in. The fact that defrauding the government of taxpayer funds is accepted by the Hasidic masses as the norm, or even an entitlement, is a far greater crime than the fraud itself.
It is these cultural parameters that make this community immune to change. Because they have raised a generation that doesn’t know its own crime even when, as in the case of sex-segregation, the crime is against themselves. They have raised a generation of women undeterred by signs asking them to step aside for men. They have raised a generation that feels privileged to be denied an education that would have provided them with knowledge and economic opportunities. They have raised a generation that finds what Rosa Parks did laughable.
The Hasidic community has many faults but what it lacks most is consciousness of these faults. Without this consciousness, and with ideas of freedom and individuality considered laughable, I doubt that a revolution could ever come to that world. The Hasidic community is a body that does not know it is ill and doesn’t believe in medicine, an illness that no doctor can remedy.
And yet, sometimes I am optimistic and say to myself that imposing rules or criteria on revolutions is like imposing a shape on liquid. It is defined by the absence of it. Maybe one day a young yeshiva graduate bemoaning the fact that he has been ill-prepared to provide for his family, a young women with three kids who realizes that her intelligence has been undervalued, an abused kid outraged that his abuser has never faced the consequences, will open a Twitter account and type the words: #OccupyRodneyStreet.
31 Responses
Samuel, I’ve been reading this site for a long time, and this is the first time I’m commenting. This is, by far, the very best, honest, and accurate portrayal of modern Hasidic society in New York. How sad.
I agree and think it is plainly obvious. Nonetheless, thanks for articulating it, for many people, especially those outside the culture, don’t seem to recognize this.
P.S.
Unless I misunderstood one of the articles, the concept of change having to come from within was written about here as well – http://www.unpious.com/2011/10/sex-segregated-buses/.
Well said, Samuel
BRILLIANT! MOVING! That last sentence gave me goosebumps.
Thanks: David, crticV, Gutman Braun and Jake.
CriticV: Shulem Deen did an excellent job at exploring this issue, I just wanted to share a personal reflection and thoughts about change and possiblity in this context.
“I realized then that a revolution like the one Rosa Parks sparked could never happen here, not because there were no injustices, but because the language of freedom, dignity, and individuality had been made laughable.”
It’s telling that the term of disparagement used by Orthodox Jews for non-observant Jews is “frei”–free.
WHY WOMEN GET RAPED ?!!
Imagine yourself in a high crime and drug infested area like Harlem,East New York,Brownsville or the south Bronx. You then decide to sit down on a stoop to count up ten thousand dollars in cash from your Gucci pocketbook in public. Within no time,some druggist or thief grabs the cash and runs off. Now you frantically call police,who when hearing your complaint, look at you like you lost your mind. What are you doing counting wads of cash in a high crime area like this. What did you expect? Same is with women dressing in short skirts or cut out tops. If you got raped when you dress immodest,its your fault. That’s why in areas like the village or upper west side, the rape rate is high. You dress like a slut you become a slut. Learn from us Jews where women dress modestly and keep a low profile. Rape among Jews is non existent. Dress modest and you won’t get raped. Simple. Process that.
jpacnyc.blogspot.com
I have to admit that this is thought provoking. But the thing is, you have overlooked the one core ingredient to an uprising which is missing here. Namely jealousy, hardship and deprivation. The masses of Chasidim do not yet feel deprived at all, sadly.
A revolution is ultimately when the haves revolt over the have nots motivated by jealousy. So, in Libya there were many, many have nots. Same goes for Tunisia. Syria however is more complex. There are have nots who would like to revolt, then there are the wealthy masses who have done al-right within the Assad system and have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.
Now look at Qatar, ever wondered at the hypocrisy of the the Qatari government? Al Jazeera in Doha has been instrumental in all of these uprisings, yet it is paid for by a semi-dictatorial monarchy, a fiefdom, in a country where there is no democracy.
How does that work? The people in Qatar are extremely wealthy. The get to retire at the age of 30, and are then given a state pension. They do not yearn for “freedom” at all. So it is for charedim. The charedi system people feel is enriching. Most people do ok within it at this point in time, and do not feel they would do better elsewhere. The jealousy element is missing.
However, all is not lost. With extreme poverty coming our way in Meah Shearim, when demographics will force the Israeli state to stop propping up the charedim, that is when things will change. Something must give in Israel, and there is no reason to suppose that it will be the secular state. Unless of course, there is a mass exodus and charedim leave Israel.
Rechov Yoel perhaps, not Rodney St.
Jpacnyc
An attitude like yours is a disgrace to society. Not to mention ignorant beyond words.
So a 5 year old asks to be molested by dressing provocatively? Do 80 year old women getting raped look slutty?
Are religious muslim girls never raped because they are covered from head to toe?
What about male victims- were their tops too low cut or their skirts too high up?
Rape is a crime of power, not passion.
Excellent piece. The revolution will never happen, I believe. Only the isolated fortunate souls who wake up, sense the insanity, and then manage to scrape their way out; whilst somehow retaining some sense of humanity; those are the only ones who might have a chance to experience a personal revolution and to escape the madness.
זאג נאר די יונגאטש, ווי האסטו זיך אנגעליינט מיט די אלע פארדרייטע השקפות? הא? גיב אכט וואס דו רעדסט. דו ווייסט אז אזוי האבן געשריבן די עכטע משכילים? דו סמארק איינער! וואס קלערסטו? ביסט קליגער פונעם רמב”ם, קליגער פונעם אורחות צדיקים, אדער אפשר גאר קליגער פון ר’ ישעי’לע קערעסטירער?????? וויסן זאלסטו (כ’זאג דיר עס ווייל איך האב רחמנות אויף דיר, נישט ווי דיינע פאלשע חבירים וואס ווילן דיך נאר אויסניצן) פון די אלע אויבער חכמים איז נישט געבליבן קיין שריד ופליט. מ’האט זיי אלע געפירט קיין אושוויץ און די פאר וואס זענען געבליבן האבן חתונה געהאט מיט גוי’טעס, רח”ל!
This is so fantastic! Candid views. Beautiful wrtitng. Objective and biased at the same time.
If I had the guts, I’d join you on twitter using my real name.
JPAC- you have your own website to discuss your bigoted ideas- leave this one be -if you’re not getting enough traffic there , take it as a hint buddy .
lissa where is your guts? the truth hurts you’re another liberal orthodox jew hater .
Libby- ignore JPAC aka Yona aka Stave. It is a demented troll in need of help.
Back on topic – it’s a sad state of affairs when two generations of people believe that Abraham and Sarah dressed in shtreimels and snoods respectively, slept in separate beds, and kept niddah and harchakot.
Pitiful. This cult of extremism is destroying the tradition of great Jewish thinkers and innovators, and is making the Stone Age look progressive and enlightened in comparison.
Y — That deserves a “Comment of the Year” nomination.
Shulem,
I am convinced Y’s comment is parodial.
–
Speaking about an upcoming chasidic revolution, what does this recent wildly popular article say?
http://shabbosblettel.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/asifah-shabbos-blettel-8.pdf
Moses — Indeed so.
Re the article — talk about “parodial.” Thanks for the link. Sharp writing.
Very astute analysis. Well said.
“און די פאר וואס זענען געבליבן האבן חתונה געהאט מיט גוי’טעס, רח”ל”
MMMMMMM…. What a great fantasy….
Since JPACNYC and JJ aka Y. etc. started commenting on this site, I’m starting to miss Jacob Stein.
The last paragraph carries as much weight as the entire unpious site.
Farchapt — As far as I can make out, Y’s tongue seems to be planted firmly in cheek…
Whenever I come across such articles, it brings me into a basic philosophical question:
Is there an intrinsic value to freedom and knowledge?
Once upon a time I believed there was. However, I found that I was always judging the newfound knowledge against my barometer of “is this bringing me more happiness and peace?” But I found it’s a mirage. Every bit of knowledge and freedom I acquired just didn’t deliver the “promised land.” Once I got it, I realize “nisht dus hub ich gemeint.”
Eventually I’m reaching a paradigm shift: “Where is happiness?” is truer than “Where is knowledge?”
Freedom doesn’t come from knowledge or from “freedom.”
I wish I could find a culture that offers better “happiness and inner peace” than our screwed-up system. I’ll be the first one to run.
I haven’t found it, and I don’t believe it exists.
Freedom and happiness is not measured by quantities of information, or by the amount of activities, relationships, opportunities available.
Rather freedom is the ability to be in control of emotions, think freely in your mind, and learn how to manipulate the surroundings you were thrust into, to the best of your ability.
Whatever. Just my thoughts on this OccupyRodney shtikle. Tahrir Square is not free, and neither is the former USSR, neither is wall street, broadway, The Arts, or Unpious. They are all bound to their very own norms, rules and habits.
If you’re suffering internally, if you don’t have inner tranquility, then you are a slave; you are enslaved to your version of freedom.
When I meditate I’m free, I’m free in my Shtreimel Bekishe and Peyos. My mind roams free, my soul smiles, and and the world laughs along with me.
The world at large is one miserable place. ‘Secularistin’ are Sad, Religious Zealots are Mad while Wallstreet Greed is Bad. Everyone is ready to sacrifice their inner happiness on the alter of their supposed truths.
Once you find the spaces of goodness that live silently among all that exists, which hat you wear or what amount of ‘freedom awareness’ you possess won’t make much of a difference . You’re internally free! And if you don’t possess that awareness, breaking out of your culture via hurting well-meaning people who created and raised you will just enslave you even more.
When Shmuel Katz will find the kernels of goodness within Muslims, Rastafarian Regge, Shaking Italian Esrogim, Satmere Zalonim on Rodney Zalman Shechter, the Freedom tower and Mother Theresa, all while sticking to the culture the Higher Power evolved him into he will be free too.
Occupy Rodney and Rodney will occupy you. “Occupy Your Soul” and experience your Tahrir in Rodney, at home, and in the deep blue sky above you.
HasidicHipppy — According to you, the 21st century U.S., Stalinist Russia, Pol Pot’s Cambodia, or languishing in Nazi concentration camps are all the same, as long as you’re in control of your emotions. I don’t think I need to point out that that’s sorta kinda bullshit.
If you say this stuff works for you, I’ll take your word for it. But it has a lot to do with one’s temperament. It’s kinda simplistic to think there’s a one-size-fits-all solution to all of life’s problems.
HasidicHipppy
So you’re really free when you’re stuck with 5 kids in a two bedroom apt because you can’t afford anything bigger
You’re free when you look for a job and you’re offered gainful employment packing boxes in a drafty warehouse at one and a half the minimum wage
You’re free when you’re stranded on a rainy dark night on the palisades because all you can afford is a rusty old clunker
You’re free when your wife walks around like the bag lady because she can’t afford decent clothing
You’re free when you can’t see all the beautiful places in this world because you can’t afford a vacation
Of course there are rich people in the hasidic community, same as there are rich people in Haiti or any other impoverished nation. But if you are not the businessman type and you don’t have a profession you are doomed to suffer a life of poverty, being shuffled from one rachmunis job to the next.
In this technologically driven world it is the greatest cruelty to deprive a child of a secular education.
If ignorance is bliss then the happiest creature is the goldfish in your fish tank because it has no idea of the vast ocean out there.
I’m all for religion; spirituality is a necessary part of life. But everything in moderation. When you put too much salt in the chulent it becomes inedible.
Shulem taierer, I never comment, but come on….i read the article, i read the comments, i read the hippy, are you not getting it? or maybe I am not getting it.
You remember the oldie story of the divrai chaim about changing the world until he reached 70 and realized that ultimately its about making a dent in ourselves that counts.
let’s call a spade for a spade lets not justify the folks who CHOOSE to live a f***ed up life like for example guys who live in church basements and down bottles of goose and etc. and let’s not criticize those who think popping babies are like delivering a litter of cats every 12 months.
“If you say this stuff works for you, I’ll take your word for it.” Sorry but you can’t take his word for it because a person who is suffering from any anxiety disorders and blames happiness on temperament cannot even fathom what “regular” people feel or think.
Now with regards to your comparing apples to deodorant, come on you are smarter than this… you are a recognized published blogger, how can u compare the suppression of Maslow’s physiological bottom of the pyramid “languishing in Nazi concentration camps” to a purported ideal of “consciousness” of western ideas in this culture of Rosa Park feminism.
Now Katz may be correct that becoming conscious of our imprisonment in archaic ancient mores is the first step in the right direction towards a revolution, however do not confuse yourself and think of this revolution to be a HAPPINESS revolution.
And I am not going to tire you with all the surveys about happiness and religion, do your homework.
“And I am not going to tire you with all the surveys about happiness and religion, do your homework”.
Hey Interchochem,
Last time I checked, cows they say, are very happy creatures too.
Of course there are happy Chasidic people out there. The Yoelys with their Escalades and hot sidekicks, they for sure are a very happy lot.
אפשר גאר קליגער פון ר’ ישעי’לע קערעסטירער??????
This is the funniest thing I heard in ages. HA HA HA.
All of you are right. On the one hand being poorer, other things being equal, makes you less happy. On the other hand if you’re going to be not so well off anyhow (and lets face it, many people will be no matter what), being religious will probably make you more happy.
Jpac is a troll. I looked at his blog. I mean, it’s possible people could think the way he does, but it seems like a bit of a stretch, he finds women second class citizens, and even far below that. Just ignore him, he just wants attention.
If you are so angry on where you come from and lets face it with what you went through no one can blame you , why don’t you just go away?! You are a smart dude you want to choose your way of life, go ahead (as you did) but this dirt throwing articals and interviews (npr) shows me you feel miserable, empty and sick to your stomach because if you were happy you would be busy with you and your career or maybe you hope to make a career on bashing Chasidim … anyways this article maybe cute but is completely off base .