(I’m giving away free copies of Deborah Feldman’s “Unorthodox,” which may be either the bound galley or the final hardcover, to any U.S. CFI forum members. The book will be available in stores on Tuesday next week. PM me your address if you want it.—Josh)

Deborah Feldman’s ‘Unorthodox’ Chronicles Years of Shocking Repression in Hasidic Jewish Life

By Cavan Sieczkowski
February 8, 2012
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/295113/20120208/deborah-feldman-unorthodox-hasidic-jew-book.htm

Deborah Feldman had finally had enough. After 23 years of living in what she describes as an oppressive and insular community, she abandoned her Hasidic Jewish sect for a life of freedom.

Deborah Feldman chronicles a life of strangling repression in a New York Orthodox Jewish household in her new book, “Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots,” out Feb. 14. Her book delves into her past struggles, including sexual assault, an arranged marriage and a divorce. . . .

Now 25-years-old, Feldman turned her back on the Satmars in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood just two years ago, emboldened by classes she took at Sarah Lawrence College where she read enlightening books like “Pride and Prejudice” and “Little Women.” The books opened her eyes to a world that could be.

Some might be surprised to hear that Deborah Feldman grew up in such a progressive city as New York, but the enclave has rules of its own. “They’ve passed more laws from out of nowhere, limiting women-there’s a rule that women can’t be on the street after a certain hour,” Feldman told The New York Post. “We all hear these stories about Muslim extremists; how is this any better? This is just another example of extreme fundamentalism.” . . .

I’d read it…

A letter to Simon & Schuster.

Re: Deborah Feldman and Unorthodox.

Perhaps you people should have looked at the the Twerskys and countless other Chassidim and Orthodox individuals worldwide, who have become huge successes careerwise, through their intellect, hard work and education, who are serving humanity in many arenas, some doctors, some lawyers, psychiatrists, judges, scientists, actuaries, authors, politicians, etc.

There is no field in the US and beyond where Chassidim and Orthodox individuals have not become successful, where the world at large hasn’t benefited from their brainpower and expertise. And this is with their 4th grade education, according to DF- ho ho. At the same time, they have no desire or interest or thought to leave Chassidism or Orthodoxy behind.

Believe it or not, the above didn’t need that 150 or so member organization, that Ms Feldman speaks of fondly, laden with social misfits and shlemazels to straighten out their minds and guide them in life and offer them vocational advice in addition to “everything goes” sex education, etc.

Some do obviously. Once theyre out in the big world all morals die for many. The cancer of immorality and the everything goes in the name of enlightenment mindset, takes over. Not with everyone though.

Simon & Schuster: she’s NOT the first Chassidic individual to have gone to college! You chose HER to tell HER story and thereby represent successful (ex)Chassidim? You people are living in the dark ages! Shame on you!

PS- In the future, check your details and sources before going to print, you and her have been outed (referring to a rumor published as fact in the book, and was revealed to be just that, a rumor)!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.

If anything the book should have been named Un-“Satmar” but even among Chassidic people there are highly educated and very worldly individuals. Are all non- Chassidic people educated and worldly? Orthodox people are mostly VERY highly educated and VERY worldly. Bad choice of title, S&S!

I received a book request PM from someone with the user name nodaybuttoday, but when I tried to reply to the message this morning, I got the error message that that user name didn’t exist. Were they deleted, or do I have a technical problem?

josh_karpf - 23 February 2012 05:38 AM

I received a book request PM from someone with the user name nodaybuttoday, but when I tried to reply to the message this morning, I got the error message that that user name didn’t exist. Were they deleted, or do I have a technical problem?

Not sure. They could have been deleted for spam, hopefully not in error.

She gave a Canadian address so I couldn’t have sent her the book anyway.

Like Abe99 above, who hasn’t posted anywhere else here, she might’ve joined the board solely to address this book’s attack on Orthodox Judaism, as a defender or critic or observer. Check out the comments in the two links below; the religious are definitely up in arms about it:

http://mcbrooklyn.blogspot.com/2012/02/deborah-feldmans-unorthodox-book-ticks.html
http://www.vosizneias.com/101174/2012/02/16/new-york-authors-claim-of-murder-cover-up-in-kiryas-joel-appears-to-be-bogus/

Damn, I don’t expect much from The View but that was a very informative interview. I didn’t know those things. The women are anything but free. Feldman is a well-spoken individual.

Wow.  I tried to login for two days and it said that my account was not recognized.  I just had time now to figure out the website wanted me to reactivate my account for some reason.  I cm actually a little offended you would jump to a conclusion about who or what I am.  I am simply a 40 year old woman who saw Ms. Feldman on a talk show, thought the book sounded like a very interesting read and was trying to find a copy.  You never said anything in your post about refusing to ship to Canada…you were offering copies for reading and I asked.  If I knew I would be vilified in absentia, I would never have even come here.  Thanks for nothing.

Vilified? Really? Where?

Speculating about why I joined.  Regardless…no book, no compassion.  Feel free to talk about me because I am not coming back, I know you will.  Love ya!

nodaybuttoday - 24 February 2012 07:06 PM

Speculating about why I joined.  Regardless…no book, no compassion.  Feel free to talk about me because I am not coming back, I know you will.  Love ya!

It’s natural to speculate about the unknown. Hope you stay, but if you don’t there won’t be any discussion about you.

I copied it from another site,

here is my article that I send to Deborah Feldman Exposed.
After long and hard thinking and concentration I have decided to Expose
this Deborah Feldman , as no one knows her the way I know her ,  being
that I am her uncle & Yes my name is Izzy Berkowitz & yes I am very
proud to say her father is my brother, his name is Eugene & no  I am
not ashamed at all ,contrary I am very proud of him.  & I also have
some of her emails which I will post and make available to the public
which will give you a bit of on  idea who this women is and what she is
about. Yes the emails have her address so she can’t lie about them as
that is what she does lie  again and again over and over a bunch of
pathetic lies.
  
I am not going to comment on her so called writings , yes I call them
writing and not a book , it’s nothing more than a bunch of lies and
trash, and it’s not worth commenting never mind reading ,my only
purpose and goal is to expose this Vicious , Selfish , Self Centered
Deborah, and prove what a liar she is,
  
First and foremost her parents did not abandon her , she got into on
argument and left, her parents are both working class people , have no
mental issue at all.
Her mother is a teacher in the public school system and has a college
degree , her father is doing deliveries all day long at supports
himself independently .
  
At the time my parents took her in , into their home they were both in
the beginning of their Seventies , now they took her in & turned their
house into  her home , she lived like in a hotel , coming and going
freely at her own will. While my mother cooked her meals , washed her
laundry, took her shopping , and the list goes on without on end, My
father took care of her schooling and her financial needs, to make sure
she is happy and continue her life just like any other child.
  
Now let me talk about my aunt & yes I am going to give her  real name
as there is nothing to hide. Shaindy is employed by UTA which is the
Girls School run and owned  by the Satmar community , needless to say
it’s one of the finest schools over the globe, yes let  me repeat the
finest school over the globe ,
Girls are thought Values as that is  first and of utmost importance in
our religion and our society, yes I am very proud to say , no BODY
piercing ( body’s are created in the image of G-D they are not meant to
be destroyed )no Tattoos , no Alcohol , no Sex prior to marriage & no
wild parties getting drunk way into the night , Parents don’t have to
worry were their children are,  as they always know their whereabouts
and  don’t have to  worry what the next phone call is going to be , if
it will be the police calling to report on arrest or a death or a
hospital calling to notify of some horrible incident that happened to
their child,
this is the community at large that we as Jews are proud to brag about .
  
This is the School that Deborah attended , the credit should be given
to my wonderful sister in law Shaindy , she made sure she had  friends
, attends get togethers  and outings with all the other girls , Shaindy
was busy constantly making sure that everything goes over smoothly, 
she should not feel any different than any other child. Mind you it was
not easy as DEBORAH always new better and best.
  
Not let’s move on to her getting married, She was DYING to get married
to this BOY & it was her wish and her wish only & not my parents at
all, that forced her into this marriage, no they did not force her they
only helped her and guided her thru  & all I can say  her former
husband was a doll of a person , she did everything and anything for
her but she never appreciated anything no matter what he did she lacked
happiness, nothing was good enough for her , whether it was going on
vacation or buying her a piece of jewelry nothing mattered to her she 
always moody no matter what .
  
Now let’s talk a bit about MONEY , who paid for this Wedding Myself
and  my brother Walter , together we plunked down 50,000.00 for her
wedding expenses. My father has the checks to this date & the bills to
prove this. She came and went shopping day in and day out without any
hesitation or restriction at all.  That being said I am still waiting
for the thank you card yes DEBORAH I am still  waiting , but I know
better not to expect anything from you at all.
Deborah let me also remind you the very first yr. you were married , I
did invite you to my private Chanukah party with my own kids & yes I
gave you a check just like I gave to my own children so you don’t feel
left out , just try denying this one & my children are witness to you
being present and treated just like they were however by this time I
did not expect a thank you card as I knew exactly who and what you are 
and stand for.
  
Now after a very brief but very  important history, should I wish to
write it all it will take a book, now let’s prove what a  LOW LIFE,
GOOD for  NOTHING you are,
Moses was not allowed to hit the river with his stick when G-D sent the
ten Plagues on the Egyptians. The Reason was that the water was holding
him and saved him while his mother tried to hide him, he was also not
allowed to hit the Earth to bring out the Lice as the Earth saved him
when he killed the Egyptian , by keeping him buried .
  
Our family as a whole did everything and anything we could and gave to
you above and beyond the call of duty, myself & my brother did not have
to pay for your wedding , my parents did not have to sacrifice for you,
they could  have given you out to a foster home or for adoption . You
have the nerve to  get on the view , sitting with the lowest of the low
, Whoopee , Bayhar , Barbara and the rest of those clowns , yes let me
repeat they are a bunch of clowns and of the lowest caliber , who is
watching a daytime show , only those on Welfare, just like yourself as
you are a welfare case ( I have the email asking me for Money & will
post a copy at the end )is there any wisdom coming out of the VIEW any
knowledge , or any value, Sorry you did not choose this show because
you had variety , you choose this show as no one would give you a
platform as they would not stoop  that low and sink to your level , by
attending that show and making fun of my parents who are your
grandparents,  you got exposed and showed your true colors , making fun
of the people who cared for you and paid for your upbringing at their
old age, what a piece of trash you are , shame on you but you have no
common sense to be ashamed of, that is how low you are.  My mother
survived Auschwitz , all alone at the age of 18, after the war she was 
floating between life and death , for three weeks in a hospital , after
that she came to this country all alone raised a beautiful family & was
never on the unemployment line or welfare , to this day she goes each
and every day no matter hot or called Holiday or weekday to a nursing
home in the neighborhood she lives in , in order to help feed a sick
and helpless human being. Shame on you & shame on all those wise cracks
on the VIEW . for helping you making fun of  my elderly parents , You
and those five clowns on the view can’t fit in my parents shoes on any
given day.
  
Let me take it one step further  & point out that you are bereft of any
values , you are Bankrupt monetarily , physically , emotionally, you
have no G-D , no religion no matter which denomination, and above all
no values , you will step over anybody as long as you have yours.  now
let’s talk very briefly about Sex that you were so proud to disseminate
our conduct with regards to sex, By us JEWS and yes by us Jews I am
very proud to say sex is not being used as on outlet to on urge , it’s
a much more higher value than you and your cronies in the Secular world
that has no morals or values think , Take Dominick Strauss Kahn this
men was on the totem pole & landed in the dump, for one  reason as Sex
had the same value to him as on animal , animals have urges but no
feelings , human beings have feelings  when we have relationships with
our spouses, it’s of a pure and holy nature, it’s a feeling of love,
devotion, sharing and caring and above all giving and receiving it’s
not just on urge, You Deborah you are nothing more than on animal
without any feelings as  you have just proved it yourself on that dumb
show and that is why it has no meaning to you, you don’t know how to
share or care for anyone, no wonder you got divorced as you had no
feelings for that lovely man that was unfortunate to get married to
you.
  
Now let me say in closing , thank you for leaving our community by
leaving on  your own  you saved us a lot of aggravation , our community
is thriving by leaps and bounds , our morals date back over three
thousand yrs. ago when Moses gave us the Bible from Sinai, we have
survived the Inquisition of Spain, the Crusaders , and the Holocaust ,
we are for sure going to survive Deborah , however what is interesting
to all of us, maybe you have the answer , you come back day in and day
out , Hum can anyone explain this , it just shows you are sick that we
thrive and no you will not destroy this or any other religious
community as they all know you by now, your writings will long be
forgotten and the orthodox movement will still be going on.
  
Deborah let me just give you a personal message I don’t lose any sleep
over you but for  sure one day our creator is going to take care of you
and you will have to answer for all the lies as a whole and fun making
of my parents  in particular, so when that day comes I am sure you will
pick the phone and call this family first. I can assure they are going
to be there for you and will help you out in any way or  fashion , we
don’t carry hate or retaliate just remember  there is a very famous
saying don’t you bite the hand that feeds you.
  
Below is the email from her to me , I was going with my family and she
was out in California looking for work and we did correspond , so I
asked her when she would be there as we did want to meet her. Yes the
email speaks volumes

[Deleted private email. As per rule 2 (d) publishing private correspondence without author permission is not allowed on this forum. dougsmith—Admin]

As a non-Jew who has no interest in the whole topic, I have to say, sorry, Izzy Berkowitz, but you sound like a nut case.  I read the e-mail from Deborah before it was deleted, and she sounds quite reasonable, well adjusted, and positive.  You, on the other hand, sound like a religious fanatic who is incapable of understanding or even allowing the existence of any view other than your own doctrine.

Occam

Oy vey!

Let me take it one step further & point out that you are bereft of any
values , you are Bankrupt monetarily , physically , emotionally, you
have no G-D , no religion no matter which denomination, and above all
no values , you will step over anybody as long as you have yours.

How strange. I’ve found that this describes a lot of religious folks to a T.

If you honestly think that non-religious people have no values, you haven’t been doing your homework.

Hopefully a one-and-only post from peo…