A Life Apart: Hasidism in America

Not being a New York City native, I can't recall ever having had any interactions with Hasidic Jews. Sure, on trips to the Big Apple, I've seen them on the streets here and there but like most in my country, I know very little about them--especially since this sect of Judaism is one that generally avoids the media and lives in small tight-knit enclaves in New York and a few other places in the world--not here where I live in Florida. So, because of my ignorance, I really liked being able to have a rare glimpse into their community and families. Despite wanting to be very separate culturally, these people seemed generally open to explaining to others their customs and lifestyle. For that, I felt like I'd been granted a rare privilege and it would be nice to see more films like this. I've heard that there are similar films about the Amish and Muslims--these would be a nice complement to this film.

The part I appreciated the most were interviews with non-Jews. Listening to their suspicions and trepidation about these people and then seeing that there really isn't anything to fear about Hasidism was a nice opportunity.

As far as the film goes technically, it was well-constructed--with nice music, appropriate interviews and a nice gentle pacing. All this left me with an admiration, of sorts, for these gentle people.

As might be suspected from its title, this documentary was filmed largely - but not exclusively - in New York. There is a perennial question who's Jew? but this is one that never arises for the Hasidim, especially the men, who are immediately and always identifiable as such by their distinctive black garb.

Unlike most immigrants, the Hasidim have not become part of the American (so-called) melting pot, retaining not only their dress and their religion but their culture including the distinctive Yiddish language. Because of this they have to live in close proximity with each other, and their large families, sometimes with upwards of ten children, can also be a financial strain.

There have though been some minor concessions to assimilation, at least as far as working in the outside world is concerned. Criticism of Hasidism comes from a black New Yorker who interprets their distance as spiritual arrogance, but this belief is clearly misplaced; what is so terrible about a man who tells you he prays for "you people" too?

Other criticism comes from secular or at least less orthodox Jews, including one woman who quit the tribe to make her own way in the world. Horses for courses, just as debauchery is not for everyone, neither is spirituality. There is no reason today's woman whatever her background should not be independent, but beyond the arranged marriages is a culture that venerates the position of especially the mother, which is probably the reason one of the mothers interviewed here laughed at what she rightly considers the ludicrous concept of women's liberation.

This movie was an amazing look at Hasidism, the extreme Jewish group that behave and dress in a rather bizarre manner. The movie reminded me of Jesus Camp, a horror documentary about the indoctrination of Christian children. A Life Apart is similar in the respect that it involves indoctrination of vulnerable Jewish children. This branch of Judaism can only be considered an anachronism and projects an exclusivity that is rather frightening. The manner in which they lived, particularly in Eastern Europe, invited persecution.

Like most religions, Hasidism is patriarchal and women are relegated to a role of being essentially baby machines. The average family has ten children which results in an economic burden for most families. They have their own schools, and like all church schools, library books are rigidly censored. Members of this cult, and it is a cult, don't interact with other members of society and believe that they are superior to any other. The clothing worn by the men is dreadful as is the strange head-ware and they appear to have a fetish about beards and hair. Most of the men wear thick coke-bottle glasses.

I found the movie fascinating but these people are from another era. I find their society very similar to that of Islam a religion with which they are in constant conflict. I came away from this film feeling very sorry for the members trapped within it and particularly for the children. Very sad but an eye opener.