Bereishit - Genesis - Chapter 38 Verse 15 to 18 *Can you explain this?* 15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she covered her face. טווַיִּרְאֶ֣הָ יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיַּחְשְׁבֶ֖הָ לְזוֹנָ֑ה כִּ֥י כִסְּתָ֖ה פָּנֶֽיהָ:16So he turned aside toward her to the road, and he said, "Get ready now, I will come to you," for he did not know that she was his daughter in law, and she said, "What will you give me that you should come to me?" טזוַיֵּ֨ט אֵלֶ֜יהָ אֶל־הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הָֽבָה־נָּא֙ אָב֣וֹא אֵלַ֔יִךְ כִּ֚י לֹ֣א יָדַ֔ע כִּ֥י כַלָּת֖וֹ הִ֑וא וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ מַה־תִּתֶּן־לִ֔י כִּ֥י תָב֖וֹא אֵלָֽי:17And he said, "I will send a kid from the herd," and she said, "[Only] if you give me a pledge until you send [it]." יזוַיֹּ֕אמֶר אָֽנֹכִ֛י אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח גְּדִֽי־עִזִּ֖ים מִן־הַצֹּ֑אן וַתֹּ֕אמֶר אִם־תִּתֵּ֥ן עֵֽרָב֖וֹן עַ֥ד שָׁלְחֶֽךָ:18So he said, "What is the pledge that I should give you?" And she said, "Your signet, your cloak, and the staff that is in your hand." So he gave them to her, and he came to her, and she conceived his likeness. יחוַיֹּ֗אמֶר מָ֣ה הָעֵֽרָבוֹן֘ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶתֶּן־לָךְ֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר חֹתָֽמְךָ֙ וּפְתִילֶ֔ךָ וּמַטְּךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וַיִּֽתֶּן־לָ֛הּ וַיָּבֹ֥א אֵלֶ֖יהָ וַתַּ֥הַר לֽוֹ
Dear Frieda, i've not yet finished to see the entire video ( actually i've watched almost 50 %) but from what i've seen i feel to say to you: even if you grow up in a very religious enviroment even now that you're an independent woman don't forget that you're still a jew and you have to be proud of this. I'm not jewish but i deep admire your people, the history and the culture of your people. I've been an " antizionist" ( but never, i want to be clear on this point, antisemitic!) For a great part of my life because of my political activism in the far left. I'm still a socialist but now I don't hate the State of Israel because i've understood that the situation is more complicated than being like " the zionist stole the palestinian land". Yes it's true: Israel is the state of jewish people but it's a secular democratic republi; like your USA or my Italy, but it's ok so. Personally i'm a secular person and not particularly religious even if i grew up as a christian catholic, or maybe exactly for this reason. The religion to witch technically i belong to persecuted your people for centuries and i am ashamed because of this. So I think Satmar, like all hasidic-haredim-ultra orthodox jewish are a bit too much radical and... yeah even a bit sexist because women are second class people in such communities while jewish women in the State of Israel are predominantly secular and they don't wear tichel or a wig after wedding nor even less they shave their head. But at the end of the day the yiddish language the Hasidics theu still keep it alive and this is good because it's a beautifull language. There was a time when it was spoken even by secular jews and a lot of socialist songs had been written in yiddish. I would like to write more but i think now i've been too much lengthy for a youtube comment😂 thanks for the videos you upload on your channel and for teaching me a bit of jewish culture. I hope one day to come NY and visit the places you show in your videos. An hug from Italy שלום עליכם ❤
You reminded me of when I was at my satmar friends house reading the parsha and her daughter came out and asked what I was doing. I said im reading the parsha and she said Torah was given to men and tznius to women... that to me was shocking. There is just such a huge focus of the community on externals on tznius and not enough on how to have the mitzvos change us internally. Though I loved the emphasis on helping girls who don't have friends.
Sorry dear but woman ARE NOT SECOND CLASS CITIZENS AT ALL. THEY are cherished, honored , respected...we are not of the opinion that the sexes are EQUAL. We are of the opinion that the sexes are "different"..created to fulfill different roles in society. If that means we are subjugated people ..then so be it. Then we proudly are! But we're not!
I was raised as an evangelical Christian at the same time you were in school. It’s fascinating to see the overlap of certain tenets, similar efforts of censorship against those things deemed “worldly.” I appreciate the adults going to such lengths to provide us with a solid foundation, even though we both left those particular corners as adults. Thanks so much for sharing this- it really made me think. Looking forward to more.
I agree. I only learned or better yet became aware of the overlap when I was in my late twenties. I was not raised chassidic but I was raised in an Orthodox household and went to yeshiva. 4 hours in the morning for Hebrew studies. 4 hours after lunch for secular. I will say at 63, I am still fluent in Hebrew. Very concentrated learning.
@@Pureimagination200her beliefs weren’t strong. She had a hard time accepting their laws about how to dress, shaving the head when married, not allowing birth control, and having arranged marriages. And Shabbos which she found long and boring and difficult and not enjoyable. She has said this in other videos.
One hundred years from now, a museum might be displaying your binders as an excellent example of a late 20th century Hasidic girl’s curriculum. Hopefully your heirs realize the importance of your collection as a snapshot of history for the future members of the community.
I can't believe what an organized young woman you were to save all your papers in such a neat way! Very fun to see your scrapbooks and learn about what you learned in school. Your cheeky cat walking around photo bombing your video made me smile. Your home is so neat and tidy. It looks like a lovely place to live and work. Loved the video. Thank you for sharing your world with us. ❤❤❤
What a fascinating collection of documents! Keep ahold of these, I imagine in 100 years - or even less - they'd be invaluable as a piece of Jewish history.
Thank you for being our teacher today. Your ability to tell a story, even with Mona trying to steal the show, is outstanding. Several days ago I told a friend, who converted to Judaism before her marriage, about your channel. She was surprised by my interest as someone who is not Jewish. I told her being interested in people from other cultures, religions, and beliefs helps to remind us of our shared humanity. Sometimes, we learn about differences that are troubling. Other times, we learn we are more similar. Respect for others opens dialogues where we can learn even when we disagree. Thank you for finding your voice through your channel and being such an outstanding educator. And, congratulations on your increased number of subscribers! Well done. ❤❤
I really enjoyed this video. I love how you objectively tell the story, without bashing Orthodox Judaism but also pointing out issues at the same time. I am saying this as an Orthodox Jew! ❤❤❤❤
Frieda, It is said that God has a purpose for each person's life and the soul recognizes when it comes upon it. My gosh if a closet filled with maroon notebooks isn't an early glimpse of your path, I don't know what is. Your meticulous collection reflects the thoughtful and nuanced way you teach us about the Hasidic culture. This was absolutely fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing. Elizabeth
I love that you saved everything! I regret throwing away everything! Everything!! So sad 😢!! No pictures, essays, poems, awards … So sad!! My biggest regret is that this reflects the low esteem I held myself in during my childhood!! So sad!! 😢 Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us! Adore you ❤️❤️❤️
This was so fascinating. I often wonder what my great-grandmother would have learned in this community in the early teens-1920s. She left the community to run off with a Catholic and the rest was history; she had no further education. I remember she had terrible handwriting in English, but it may have been her third language.
Thank you for sharing. I went to an all girl highschool (mostly catholic) and remember in home economics class we learned to sew, cook, take care of babies and manage the household. Your education was different and yet brings back memories of my own. 🙂
@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn good evening! I remember learning to hold a baby at an angle to feed him his bottle, burp him, change the diapers (cotton one we had to fold - very old school lol). Basic stuff but not everybody had brothers and sisters so we had to learn in school. We surely learned more but that's what I remember. It's been almost 35 years. If I remember anything else, I'll let you know. 🙂
Frieda, your channel is wonderful. I also admire your fashion style - subdued colors, tailoring, classic lines. That’s part of the pleasure I get from your videos. 🙂
Oh my I'm so bad at clothing that your words are so kind. I am not one with a natural fashion sense and I feel self-conscious about being judged for what I wear so your words are appreciated!
I really enjoyed this video. You are so organized 😊 It was very interesting to hear that you were taught to make sure to be mindful of those that didn’t make friends so easily. With what my daughter went through this year, being severely bullied and eating lunch alone each day it makes me wish more children were taught that lesson. Thank you for sharing with us 💕
I am so sorry about your lovely daughter. I know it’s so hard to see children suffer. I hope and pray for a wonderful summer and next year for her. Sending much love.
Hello from London! 👋 Frieda, thank you so much for sharing this…and for all of your videos. I’m new to your channel but I’m rapidly working my way through your videos as they’re so interesting. I’ve spent a fair amount of time, through work, with families in Stamford Hill here in London and have a real affection and respect for the Hasidic community there. Really love your videos. ❤
@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn The bakeries are perfection, of course. I was 21 when I visited NYC and I’m now nearly 38, so I think I need to visit again!! And WHEN I do, I’ll be sure to book onto one of your tours. Number 1 on my NYC list 😉.
The censor of Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech was fascinating. How did you feel when you first saw/heard the actual speech? Thanks so much for sharing! 😊💜🇨🇦
FASCINATING. I spent grades 1 through 8 in a very small classical private school, so some of this wasn't surprising to me. I do love that there was so much focus on character, especially the part about reaching out to those without many friends. That just really stuck out to me. I'd love to hear more. (Also, I love your cats. Please give them some pets from this internet stranger!)
Frieda, I grew up in an all Jewish neighborhood. We did not go to school on any Jewish holidays but we learned about and celebrated them. Our next door neighbors were Jewish and they spoke Yiddish at home. My father grew up in an Orthodox neighborhood in Detroit and was the Shabbos goy. He spoke Yiddish and our meals were similar to Kosher cooking. We ate no pork, cleaned the house for Passover and lit candles on Shabbot. I was surprised to find out we were NOT Jewish! But I can say I am happy I use Yiddish phrases and words, still light Shabbos candles and make a mean brisket!
I just ❤ this! It’s one of my favorite segments that you have done to date. Thanks so much. One reason I am happy that you did this is because it is commonly reported that Hasidic education is sadly lacking in every way, except to promote home economics. This is particularly interesting to me because I did not find out that my mother & grandmother were Jewish until later in life. As having taught school for a number of years: I have always wondered what went on in private Jewish education. It’s amazing to me that you kept all of this! Wow!
As a Jew it is both sad and fascinating that someone does not know her mother was Jewish. Most of the stories I have heard are about Jews in Poland or Hungary who hid their identity during WW2 and continued to hide it, either because they had married non-Jews or were traumatized and fearful. As to the United States, it usually goes back one hundred years. That is, the ancestor who was Jewish but concealed it goes back much further in time and was not someone alive during their own lifetime. I presume you were close to your mother. Why did she hide her Jewish origin from you? Had she married a Christian? Did she actively and enthusiastically practice Christianity? Did she make anti-Semitic comments? How did you find out? Are you living as a Jew today?
@@stephenfisher3721 So many deep questions, so I will give you the short answers and if you want me to elaborate later on: it is a wonderful story about my search for God. - Let me start out by saying YES, I have embraced my Jewish roots with pride and with joy. It makes me feel closer to my family now that they have all passed on. I was lucky to have my grandmother around for so long. She lived to be 103 and actually died on her feet as she was helping someone. My mother lived to be 90, but I understand your reasoning about the stories that you have heard about concealing identities having to do with time. There was always a great family secret that my family told me I would discover later on, and I did, but not because they told me. I knew it would be a good secret because they were morally upright, kind and loving people who strove towards excellence in every way. My mother’s side came out of Lithuania before WW2. As a little child, I remember them talking about “The Iron Fist” in hushed tones. I knew there was great fear surrounding this and much concern over what happened in Europe during the war, but the room fell silent every time I walked in. At about kindergarten age I asked Nana why she had Hanukkah candles. I remember my mother telling her not to speak Yiddish in front of me, so they would lapse off in any one of the other five languages they spoke. I could write pages now about all of the indications that they were Jewish including Immigration Papers. Yet, I was raised Catholic and did not think a whole lot of it during my formative years. They either concealed their identities to protect me or truly accepted Jesus as their Messiah. I was aware of some name changes. My grandmother (Nana) was a very godly woman, and we were very close. My mother was basically an atheist. The rest of my family were solid very moral people. My uncles all fought in WW2 and went on to make meaningful contributions to America afterward. My grandmother married a Catholic, and my mother married a German. My mother would never think of making an anti-Semitic comment, but I can remember jokes about the matchmaker - getting one for me - presumably when I was still very little. Anyway, the way I came to find out about my ancestry began around 2015. I started having re-occurring nightmares in which I had died and woke up in Sheol. I’d bolt upright in bed gasping and wondering why I was sent to the Jewish place of the dead instead of waking up in Purgatory or heaven. These nightmares began to happen all of the time, always in technicolor. They were disturbing. I loved God with all of my heart and should have been waking up in heaven instead of Sheol. There was nothing I could do about it. Finally, I decided to speak to a Rabbi for the first time in my life. I selected an Orthodox one, made an appointment, and explained the problem I was having. The first question Rabbi asked me was: “Did you have matzos in your home when you were growing up?” I said, “matzos, of course.” We had them all of the time when I was growing up. I liked mine the best with butter for a snack. And, so my search for the truth began.
@@stephenfisher3721 unfortunately I have heard similar stories of people who didn't know. Usually they grew up in antisemitic areas and parents wanted to protect their kids from even knowing.
My dad’s mom was first generation American. Her parents had immigrated from Germany in the mid 1800’s. When she and her siblings were born German was the only language spoken in the household and when she started school she could not speak English. The family spoke German until the start of WWI. People were afraid to be associated with the German government because they were an enemy of the US. After that German was never spoken again. I was listening to TH-cam Videos of interviews with holocaust survivors. Some mentioned that some family members hid the fact that they were in concentration camp because it brought back horrible memories. I don’t know what I would have done in their position cause I have not been in that predicament.
@@Didleeios88 No one should ever blame or righteously look down on Jewish survivors or immigrants for any reason. Instead of saying, “unfortunately,” say: FORTUNATELY they were able to get out before WW2 or that they managed to survive at all. Baruch Hashem that they were able to live, settle down & raise families to the best of their abilities. At first I blamed my family for depriving me from such rich and wonderful roots, but now I understand why they did what they did. The fear of The Iron Fist after WW2 is simply incomprehensible to us.
Thank you so much for this insight! I can’t imagine a better way to convey the atmosphere of your school experience than with this album. As a child psychiatrist I was so interested to learn about your experience of Yiddish and English history as two different stories, not in conflict but just on independent tracks.
Frieda, I was not raise Jewish, have since converted to Judaica. In the late 60s and 70s I lived in a community of Mormons, Quakers, and Catholics who were not super religious, but we had so many similar customs in our schools and neighborhood. Many rules that your school implemented were normal over 50 years ago. I am so happy I found your channel, where I have learned so much. Thank you for sharing your world. G-d Bless
Those English songs are EVERYTHING!!! You need to record them in a studio!!!!!! I'd buy it for sure!!!! You have lived such an interesting life. Thanks for sharing with us!
I went to Jewish day school from preschool through 8th grade - "nondenominational" but it practice very linked to the Conservative/Masorti movement in its policies and beliefs. It was definitely interesting how your school compared to mine - we had Hebrew as a second language, Judaic studies (basically Jewish history, books of the Tanach, and some Talmud), Chumash (focusing on a particular book more in depth, usually two a year), Dinim (Jewish law), and morning prayers everyday. We didn't have separate holiday classes but we learned about them in other Jewish classes and had services at school usually. We also had all the "regular" subjects - math, science (including evolution and the big bang), history (world history, American history, etc.), gym class/health, Language Arts (English), art, music (although music tended to lean heavily Hebrew & Jewish), and Spanish once we got to middle school. It's long-standing pet peeve of mine when people assume that because I went to a Jewish school I didn't get the "normal" subjects as well and I imagine that's an even more prevalent assumption about Hasidic schools. Major differences from you've described: We had coed classes, no censorship in books, very different modesty standards, not anti-Zionist, no home economics, nothing in Yiddish. I'm also sure the implementation of our shared subjects was very different as well!
Hello Frieda Oh! My gosh! Thank u so very much for sharing with us here about your Hasidic education back then when u were in school. I really learn alot about Jewish cultures and religion from your channel. I love u
Thank you SO much for sharing this! For some reason, I am completely fascinated by the Hasidic sects, especially Satmar and am reading/watching everything I can get my hands on, but as an outsider, there’s a limit to what I can find myself. I so appreciate you giving me the inside scoop!
I really love how you discuss your childhood here. This is the perspective I wish some of the trendy platforms would treat their past. You are secure enough in your present to discuss where you come from in a matter of fact fashion which is refreshing and unique. Thank you.
This was so fascinating. As a younger person who fears I am not documenting my own history well-enough for my future self/children, this inspired me to start printing out the photos I have! And forming a scrapbook!
Your conversational grammar is excellent. I much appreciate being able to follow your thoughts and questions when you interview others. Your schooling did you well on that front.
I love your videos and watched almost all of them. As a German speaker, it's always funny, when I understand a yiddish word. You're videos are really ausgezeichnet :D
Mona is a lovely guest star in your video. 🐈⬛💕so cute! Thank you for sharing this treasured time capsule, if I may say that. For a time, I once attended a Catholic school, and my favorite colors included maroon. I’d forgotten a bit of details, and listening to you reminded me of many things that crossed my mind while learning in school. I remember, two Jewish siblings who were my classmates. It’s interesting to reflect on that now. As a child, I thought nothing of it. Our class was very diverse and everyone enjoyed learning together, as far as I recall. I didn’t consider that they may have attended extra school or after school to learn more, but perhaps they must have done so. 🤔 I’m mostly surprised at how much I relate to your education, in general. I also kept many papers and keepsakes from that time. lol This video was so delightful. Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day ✌🏽😊
This is fascinating. The secular educational system could benefit a great deal from the instilling of compassion and kindness taught in schools such as yours. Thanks for sharing .
Thank you for sharing Frieda. I was thinking this morning while preparing breakfast, “I need to hear some Frieda.” And here you are. Nothing is hy accident. B’H’ 😊❤
I think your notebooks reflect your innocence and kindness. These must be sweet memories. I also think that you were reared in a very genuine spiritual community of people that loved their heritage. It seems such a wholesome beginning of your life.
I had been thinking of you and had wondered what your education had been like. You made such a difficult choice when you left. I appreciate you taking so much care with what you share. Also, I have been critical of what I am seeing and you are open to hearing. You are an exceptional communicator.
How awesome that you kept all of these! What a wonderful resource it is to compare your religious education vs a secular education but more importantly how much joy they obviously give you.
I loved this. It was an excellent presentation.I would really like to hear more about your education. The more we learn about each other, the better we will be able to live together and accept the differences.
Thank you once again. I think you had a very good education and it’s marvellous that you have kept your work highly organised organised. Administration/ Organisation is a Gift from HaShem. I thought about how He said to Jeremiah that He knew him before the creation of the world so I believe that He knew what you would be doing at this point in time and that you have actually been prepared years ago by you community’s teaching which seems to me highly organised! I believe that HaShem is often in so called ‘worldly’ or secular things! Think of all the jobs and careers that need doing. Every boy can’t become a rabbi. You might not think of yourself as a teacher but you are! Shabbos finished here sometime ago. So when yours do please have some of that wonderful Jewish food you’ve shown us in Williamsburg. - Bill. - UK
This was very neat to see, Freida! Thanks for showing this to us. I work in administration in a large public school district and I have to say this is definitely not a curriculum I would select for our students! :)
I love this part of your documentation. You are meticulous in preserving your history from your early years. This is definitely a segment I would want to see more of.
What I love about your delivery of your former religion. I see those who leave my church and then go off the rails talking badly about it online. Sharing things they should not share. Those who leave my church and talk badly online about it, tells me that they left for selfish reasons. You show respect for your own upbringing and never talk badly about it.
I would love to see more videos on the Hasidic education system. As an outsider, we just have these stereotypical Hasidic, that essentially we know nothing about your educational system. Unfortunately. so to get a first-hand account of how you actually went to school would be really interesting, plus I love your contact you bring so much joy and so much humour to everything you do. Thank you
Your cat is adorable. I’d like to hear how and why you got out of the community. Also, what kind of education you had and how you ended up supporting yourself.
I live that you still have your school records! It's such a piece of nostalgia to look back on what was being taught and what our responses were... all with no current memories of it! And I would definitely love to see more of your sweet kitty, Mona!!! 😻
As a teacher, your education was more extensive than I would have thought. You were taught in many different subjects. I’m also pleased to see you learned how to write in cursive. Most of my students now cannot write in cursive, nor can they read cursive writing.
Freida, you are a lovely human being! Your videos are fascinating and really enjoyable! I love how the respect and warm feelings permeate the information you impart about life in the community you were raised in, despite the fact that you have chosen a different path My journey is the opposite of yours. I didn't learn much about Judaism as a child and began practicing it by choice in my late teens. When I got married and tried to "make it" in the orthodox Jewish community, it wasn't easy because we were somewhat different. This was hard on the kids, especially the girls who cared deeply about fitting in socially. Their notebooks and binders were similar to yours, with some nuanced differences because they didn't go through the Chassidish system,. I have eight children and some have chosen not to practice orthodox Jewish Law. It was disappointing at first, but I have learned to respect their choices, just like my family of origin eventually respected mine. I am not sure if this is your intention, but I feel that, perhaps paradoxically (perhaps not) your work is a Kiddush Hashem. Whatever it is, you have corned a niche and seem to be fulfilling a special mission. Keep those videos coming!
Absolutely fascinating! Your education sounds fantastic. I would have loved all the Yiddish sections. As a youngster here in the UK, I went to a non-Jewish school and had to sit in the library during morning school assembly as they sang hymns and taught New Testament beliefs. I was actually happy to be in the library as I loved reading. I was one of only 4 Jewish children in the school. I guess the other parents were not as strict as mine.
Also, I love this because it validates my compulsion to save all my kids’ school and art binders. I also saved all their little notes and doodles in the binders because they’re little windows into what my kid was thinking that day and I hope they can enjoy the memories as an adult like you did for this video. 🖤
Sounds pretty good honestly. I wish we'd leaned sewing and home ec. I'm having to learn it myself using TH-cam at 2am while I'm working and raising a kid. 😂 But everyone should learn these basic life skills. Not just girls. But hey, just the girls is better than nobody at all.
I have no idea why your channel popped up as a recommendation but this is the 4th video I have watched. I find it very fascinating and would love to hear more of your story if you felt comfortable to speak about it. I will look through your videos in case you have already made one about it. I imagine your decision to leave was very hard and I pray you have found your peace and are thriving. You seem like a very nice person and I look forward to watching more of your videos. Peace and many blessings to you xoxo
Hi Frieda. Your Hasidic education was very interesting to me, but I'm left wanting more. What were you taught about keeping house? About morality? About holiday customs and rules? As a non-jew, I'm very curious & can't help but believe we'd have a more peaceful world if we understood each other better. I love your videos!!
I loved this video! Mona is adorable! I’m amazed how you’ve kept your neat, scribble free binders all these years. It must be nice to be able to reminisce every once in awhile. You had Home Ec to maps! No math or you prefer not to remember? I hated it! Your apartment is adorable, I love kitchen windows, I don’t have one. How’s, Pearl doing? Thanks, Frieda. Be well.🌸
Thank you so much for posting this! All of your videos are very fascinating and very insightful. Thank you so much for creating your channel. I really appreciate it!
Dear Frieda, thank you so much for sharing your story! Very interesting. I am touched by the love and respect you show to your past. I love your channel! ❤❤❤
So interesting . I went to a private boarding school in England UK . Was an international school . Morals, what you wore and modesty . There was a mix of religions and the school all about the Old Testament and that Moses was the prophet. I never did a science (girls didn't do that ) we do art and our drama was acting out passages from the Torah/Old Testament. It was boring , the teachers all looked like ancient relics and the whole place smelt of cabbage. I love your school focused on making sure nobody was lonely or alone. I rather love your school days xx
Hi Frieda, your channel brings back a lot of memories. I worked as a photographer for the community for about 12 years. The majority of my work was in Williamsburg, Boro Park, Monroe and of course the Catskills in the summer. I may have very well taken photos of you when you were a child as I was quite popular because I made house calls. The community always treated me well and I loved Fridays when the ladies would send me home with fresh bread and kugel!
I’m a teacher and I currently work for an Orthodox Jewish school. Your school sounds so similar to my own. We have a boy and girl side (I teach boy side), and they spend the first half of the day learning Hebrew (the boys) and the last half is general studies. I love working at the school I’m at and I’ve learned so much about Orthodox Judaism. I myself came from a tiny Christian school. My small I mean my graduating class was was 3…including me. I had to sit in a cubicle for six hours working on paces (workbooks) and it was not fun. Lol
I genuinely did not think there would be so much secular stuff, not for girls! of course there's the censorship issue, but honestly I expected it to be a lot worse. growing up in a country with a Christian state church it also felt like two separate versions of the world. I am however grateful for having that general knowledge and it's helped shape my own identity.
I just stumbled across your channel today so I know I'm going to eventually stumble across a reason why you went OTD. Lol. Great content thanks for sharing.
Fascinating Frieda. Such a well documented collection of your school work, and no surprise that you don’t remember it all, as i don’t remember mine neither! I have some report cards and exercise books from my secondary school (11/16yrs). Although i am a few years older than you (i am 51). I enjoyed the video as always x
Frieda, I really love your videos. This one was so sweet, and it was very interesting to hear about your schooling within the orthodox community! I’m curious about something, and not sure if you’ve ever discussed this yet; if you have please let me know. How do your parents feel about you leaving the community? Do you have a relationship with them today? I’m hoping that everything is peaceful and that they are understanding. Thank you!
My parents were very heartbroken, upset, angry. It was a horrible time when I left. Thankfully things have been better and they are very sweet to me. I’m always invited but they forgive me for not coming as much as they’d like.
@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I’m so happy to hear that things are good between you and your parents, and that they are very sweet! I’m sure this was an adjustment for them, but it sounds like they now understand you and your needs. I’m sure that you make them very proud, though you’re on a bit of a different path than they’d have liked!
I found this very interesting! I grew up under apartheid and was oblivious to what was happening with other communities in our country. As children we were shielded by our parents and innocently trusted!
This is fascinating! Can you talk more about what books you read? Also if you're willing I'd love to hear sort of... Like what you knew about what the boys were learning? And like stuff you weren't supposed to study and what you knew about that and why you weren't etc?
Wow what a cool account you have! I watch a lot of Orthodox Jewish content as well as many other cultural groups content (particularly those more insular to outsiders). I love love love for you that your family still supported you and is close to you after the initial shock, and that you were able to live your authentic life while not losing quite every connection with a cultural that you obviously feel a lot of warmth and respect for. It shows that while people might have religious trauma from some of these groups, it really is a matter of them having encountered individual people (or parents) who did the wrong thing and not a hard and fast rule that just because the culture is strict and unusual to us, it offers nothing of value and no love to it's children and the community.
What was your impression of my Hasidic, all-girls education? How was it surprising to you?
Bereishit - Genesis - Chapter 38
Verse 15 to 18
*Can you explain this?*
15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she covered her face. טווַיִּרְאֶ֣הָ יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיַּחְשְׁבֶ֖הָ לְזוֹנָ֑ה כִּ֥י כִסְּתָ֖ה פָּנֶֽיהָ:16So he turned aside toward her to the road, and he said, "Get ready now, I will come to you," for he did not know that she was his daughter in law, and she said, "What will you give me that you should come to me?" טזוַיֵּ֨ט אֵלֶ֜יהָ אֶל־הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הָֽבָה־נָּא֙ אָב֣וֹא אֵלַ֔יִךְ כִּ֚י לֹ֣א יָדַ֔ע כִּ֥י כַלָּת֖וֹ הִ֑וא וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ מַה־תִּתֶּן־לִ֔י כִּ֥י תָב֖וֹא אֵלָֽי:17And he said, "I will send a kid from the herd," and she said, "[Only] if you give me a pledge until you send [it]." יזוַיֹּ֕אמֶר אָֽנֹכִ֛י אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח גְּדִֽי־עִזִּ֖ים מִן־הַצֹּ֑אן וַתֹּ֕אמֶר אִם־תִּתֵּ֥ן עֵֽרָב֖וֹן עַ֥ד שָׁלְחֶֽךָ:18So he said, "What is the pledge that I should give you?" And she said, "Your signet, your cloak, and the staff that is in your hand." So he gave them to her, and he came to her, and she conceived his likeness. יחוַיֹּ֗אמֶר מָ֣ה הָעֵֽרָבוֹן֘ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶתֶּן־לָךְ֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר חֹתָֽמְךָ֙ וּפְתִילֶ֔ךָ וּמַטְּךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וַיִּֽתֶּן־לָ֛הּ וַיָּבֹ֥א אֵלֶ֖יהָ וַתַּ֥הַר לֽוֹ
You have a very nice Hebrew handwriting!
Dear Frieda, i've not yet finished to see the entire video ( actually i've watched almost 50 %) but from what i've seen i feel to say to you: even if you grow up in a very religious enviroment even now that you're an independent woman don't forget that you're still a jew and you have to be proud of this. I'm not jewish but i deep admire your people, the history and the culture of your people. I've been an " antizionist" ( but never, i want to be clear on this point, antisemitic!) For a great part of my life because of my political activism in the far left. I'm still a socialist but now I don't hate the State of Israel because i've understood that the situation is more complicated than being like " the zionist stole the palestinian land". Yes it's true: Israel is the state of jewish people but it's a secular democratic republi; like your USA or my Italy, but it's ok so. Personally i'm a secular person and not particularly religious even if i grew up as a christian catholic, or maybe exactly for this reason. The religion to witch technically i belong to persecuted your people for centuries and i am ashamed because of this. So I think Satmar, like all hasidic-haredim-ultra orthodox jewish are a bit too much radical and... yeah even a bit sexist because women are second class people in such communities while jewish women in the State of Israel are predominantly secular and they don't wear tichel or a wig after wedding nor even less they shave their head. But at the end of the day the yiddish language the Hasidics theu still keep it alive and this is good because it's a beautifull language. There was a time when it was spoken even by secular jews and a lot of socialist songs had been written in yiddish. I would like to write more but i think now i've been too much lengthy for a youtube comment😂 thanks for the videos you upload on your channel and for teaching me a bit of jewish culture.
I hope one day to come NY and visit the places you show in your videos.
An hug from Italy
שלום עליכם
❤
You reminded me of when I was at my satmar friends house reading the parsha and her daughter came out and asked what I was doing. I said im reading the parsha and she said Torah was given to men and tznius to women... that to me was shocking. There is just such a huge focus of the community on externals on tznius and not enough on how to have the mitzvos change us internally.
Though I loved the emphasis on helping girls who don't have friends.
Sorry dear but woman ARE NOT SECOND CLASS CITIZENS AT ALL. THEY are cherished, honored , respected...we are not of the opinion that the sexes are EQUAL. We are of the opinion that the sexes are "different"..created to fulfill different roles in society. If that means we are subjugated people ..then so be it. Then we proudly are! But we're not!
I was raised as an evangelical Christian at the same time you were in school. It’s fascinating to see the overlap of certain tenets, similar efforts of censorship against those things deemed “worldly.” I appreciate the adults going to such lengths to provide us with a solid foundation, even though we both left those particular corners as adults. Thanks so much for sharing this- it really made me think. Looking forward to more.
I agree. I only learned or better yet became aware of the overlap when I was in my late twenties. I was not raised chassidic but I was raised in an Orthodox household and went to yeshiva. 4 hours in the morning for Hebrew studies. 4 hours after lunch for secular. I will say at 63, I am still fluent in Hebrew. Very concentrated learning.
Frieda: although you are no longer in the chasidic world you treat it with dignity, respect and love. I really love your channel. ישר כוח
Did she say why she left?
@@Pureimagination200I think she’s touched on it in videos. Not sure if she has gone into depth.
Me too!
@@Pureimagination200her beliefs weren’t strong. She had a hard time accepting their laws about how to dress, shaving the head when married, not allowing birth control, and having arranged marriages. And Shabbos which she found long and boring and difficult and not enjoyable. She has said this in other videos.
One hundred years from now, a museum might be displaying your binders as an excellent example of a late 20th century Hasidic girl’s curriculum. Hopefully your heirs realize the importance of your collection as a snapshot of history for the future members of the community.
I can't believe what an organized young woman you were to save all your papers in such a neat way! Very fun to see your scrapbooks and learn about what you learned in school. Your cheeky cat walking around photo bombing your video made me smile. Your home is so neat and tidy. It looks like a lovely place to live and work. Loved the video. Thank you for sharing your world with us. ❤❤❤
Never leaving someone out, nor refusing them kindness is a beautiful thing I take from this video.
Kitty needs her own video series ❤
What a fascinating collection of documents! Keep ahold of these, I imagine in 100 years - or even less - they'd be invaluable as a piece of Jewish history.
Thank you for being our teacher today. Your ability to tell a story, even with Mona trying to steal the show, is outstanding. Several days ago I told a friend, who converted to Judaism before her marriage, about your channel. She was surprised by my interest as someone who is not Jewish. I told her being interested in people from other cultures, religions, and beliefs helps to remind us of our shared humanity. Sometimes, we learn about differences that are troubling. Other times, we learn we are more similar. Respect for others opens dialogues where we can learn even when we disagree. Thank you for finding your voice through your channel and being such an outstanding educator. And, congratulations on your increased number of subscribers! Well done. ❤❤
I really enjoyed this video. I love how you objectively tell the story, without bashing Orthodox Judaism but also pointing out issues at the same time. I am saying this as an Orthodox Jew! ❤❤❤❤
Beautiful job Frieda, love your ways. Keep up the videos, you are terrific and this is very much appreciated. OTD Jewish woman.
Frieda, It is said that God has a purpose for each person's life and the soul recognizes when it comes upon it. My gosh if a closet filled with maroon notebooks isn't an early glimpse of your path, I don't know what is. Your meticulous collection reflects the thoughtful and nuanced way you teach us about the Hasidic culture. This was absolutely fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing. Elizabeth
I feel like this comment really gets me. Appreciate it much. It's strange the way from when we are young, something inside us drives our journeys.
I love that you saved everything! I regret throwing away everything! Everything!! So sad 😢!! No pictures, essays, poems, awards … So sad!! My biggest regret is that this reflects the low esteem I held myself in during my childhood!! So sad!! 😢 Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us! Adore you ❤️❤️❤️
Oh no that's so sad! It's never too late to start hoarding a little bit!
This was so fascinating. I often wonder what my great-grandmother would have learned in this community in the early teens-1920s. She left the community to run off with a Catholic and the rest was history; she had no further education. I remember she had terrible handwriting in English, but it may have been her third language.
Thank you for sharing. I went to an all girl highschool (mostly catholic) and remember in home economics class we learned to sew, cook, take care of babies and manage the household. Your education was different and yet brings back memories of my own. 🙂
We didn't learn to take care of babies (I think) although we did learn first aid. I'm very curious what you learned about taking care of babies.
@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn good evening! I remember learning to hold a baby at an angle to feed him his bottle, burp him, change the diapers (cotton one we had to fold - very old school lol). Basic stuff but not everybody had brothers and sisters so we had to learn in school. We surely learned more but that's what I remember. It's been almost 35 years. If I remember anything else, I'll let you know. 🙂
@@martinelanglois3158 Ha ha, that's so great! I can totally see that in the Hasidic community almost all kids learn these kids at home.
Wow, when was that? We didn't even have home ec in my all girls Catholic school. (We were a "prep" school, so they said)
@@GreatDayEveryoneI attended a public school in Canada a looong time ago
Frieda, your channel is wonderful. I also admire your fashion style - subdued colors, tailoring, classic lines. That’s part of the pleasure I get from your videos. 🙂
Oh my I'm so bad at clothing that your words are so kind. I am not one with a natural fashion sense and I feel self-conscious about being judged for what I wear so your words are appreciated!
@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn Believe me, you are low-key chic. 🙂
I really enjoyed this video. You are so organized 😊
It was very interesting to hear that you were taught to make sure to be mindful of those that didn’t make friends so easily.
With what my daughter went through this year, being severely bullied and eating lunch alone each day it makes me wish more children were taught that lesson. Thank you for sharing with us 💕
I am so sorry about your lovely daughter. I know it’s so hard to see children suffer. I hope and pray for a wonderful summer and next year for her. Sending much love.
@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn thank you very much that means a lot
Hello from London! 👋
Frieda, thank you so much for sharing this…and for all of your videos.
I’m new to your channel but I’m rapidly working my way through your videos as they’re so interesting.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time, through work, with families in Stamford Hill here in London and have a real affection and respect for the Hasidic community there.
Really love your videos. ❤
Aww welcome and thanks so much for leaving a comment! I’ve always wanted to visit Stamford Hill and I bet I’ll feel right at home there.
@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn The bakeries are perfection, of course.
I was 21 when I visited NYC and I’m now nearly 38, so I think I need to visit again!! And WHEN I do, I’ll be sure to book onto one of your tours. Number 1 on my NYC list 😉.
The censor of Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech was fascinating. How did you feel when you first saw/heard the actual speech? Thanks so much for sharing! 😊💜🇨🇦
It feels to me like desecration to tamper with such an important speech; that's my reaction.
FASCINATING. I spent grades 1 through 8 in a very small classical private school, so some of this wasn't surprising to me. I do love that there was so much focus on character, especially the part about reaching out to those without many friends. That just really stuck out to me. I'd love to hear more. (Also, I love your cats. Please give them some pets from this internet stranger!)
Thank you for noticing there were two cats! The grey one (Chloe) is feeling a bit overlooked.
@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn She's gorgeous though!
@@ashextraordinaire I think so too!
Frieda, I grew up in an all Jewish neighborhood. We did not go to school on any Jewish holidays but we learned about and celebrated them. Our next door neighbors were Jewish and they spoke Yiddish at home. My father grew up in an Orthodox neighborhood in Detroit and was the Shabbos goy. He spoke Yiddish and our meals were similar to Kosher cooking. We ate no pork, cleaned the house for Passover and lit candles on Shabbot. I was surprised to find out we were NOT Jewish! But I can say I am happy I use Yiddish phrases and words, still light Shabbos candles and make a mean brisket!
Wow!! What a story! To me you’re a sister in brisket!
I just ❤ this! It’s one of my favorite segments that you have done to date. Thanks so much. One reason I am happy that you did this is because it is commonly reported that Hasidic education is sadly lacking in every way, except to promote home economics. This is particularly interesting to me because I did not find out that my mother & grandmother were Jewish until later in life. As having taught school for a number of years: I have always wondered what went on in private Jewish education. It’s amazing to me that you kept all of this! Wow!
As a Jew it is both sad and fascinating that someone does not know her mother was Jewish. Most of the stories I have heard are about Jews in Poland or Hungary who hid their identity during WW2 and continued to hide it, either because they had married non-Jews or were traumatized and fearful. As to the United States, it usually goes back one hundred years. That is, the ancestor who was Jewish but concealed it goes back much further in time and was not someone alive during their own lifetime. I presume you were close to your mother. Why did she hide her Jewish origin from you? Had she married a Christian? Did she actively and enthusiastically practice Christianity? Did she make anti-Semitic comments? How did you find out? Are you living as a Jew today?
@@stephenfisher3721 So many deep questions, so I will give you the short answers and if you want me to elaborate later on: it is a wonderful story about my search for God. - Let me start out by saying YES, I have embraced my Jewish roots with pride and with joy. It makes me feel closer to my family now that they have all passed on. I was lucky to have my grandmother around for so long. She lived to be 103 and actually died on her feet as she was helping someone. My mother lived to be 90, but I understand your reasoning about the stories that you have heard about concealing identities having to do with time. There was always a great family secret that my family told me I would discover later on, and I did, but not because they told me. I knew it would be a good secret because they were morally upright, kind and loving people who strove towards excellence in every way. My mother’s side came out of Lithuania before WW2. As a little child, I remember them talking about “The Iron Fist” in hushed tones. I knew there was great fear surrounding this and much concern over what happened in Europe during the war, but the room fell silent every time I walked in. At about kindergarten age I asked Nana why she had Hanukkah candles. I remember my mother telling her not to speak Yiddish in front of me, so they would lapse off in any one of the other five languages they spoke. I could write pages now about all of the indications that they were Jewish including Immigration Papers. Yet, I was raised Catholic and did not think a whole lot of it during my formative years. They either concealed their identities to protect me or truly accepted Jesus as their Messiah. I was aware of some name changes. My grandmother (Nana) was a very godly woman, and we were very close. My mother was basically an atheist. The rest of my family were solid very moral people. My uncles all fought in WW2 and went on to make meaningful contributions to America afterward. My grandmother married a Catholic, and my mother married a German. My mother would never think of making an anti-Semitic comment, but I can remember jokes about the matchmaker - getting one for me - presumably when I was still very little. Anyway, the way I came to find out about my ancestry began around 2015. I started having re-occurring nightmares in which I had died and woke up in Sheol. I’d bolt upright in bed gasping and wondering why I was sent to the Jewish place of the dead instead of waking up in Purgatory or heaven. These nightmares began to happen all of the time, always in technicolor. They were disturbing. I loved God with all of my heart and should have been waking up in heaven instead of Sheol. There was nothing I could do about it. Finally, I decided to speak to a Rabbi for the first time in my life. I selected an Orthodox one, made an appointment, and explained the problem I was having. The first question Rabbi asked me was: “Did you have matzos in your home when you were growing up?” I said, “matzos, of course.” We had them all of the time when I was growing up. I liked mine the best with butter for a snack. And, so my search for the truth began.
@@stephenfisher3721 unfortunately I have heard similar stories of people who didn't know. Usually they grew up in antisemitic areas and parents wanted to protect their kids from even knowing.
My dad’s mom was first generation American. Her parents had immigrated from Germany in the mid 1800’s. When she and her siblings were born German was the only language spoken in the household and when she started school she could not speak English. The family spoke German until the start of WWI. People were afraid to be associated with the German government because they were an enemy of the US. After that German was never spoken again. I was listening to TH-cam Videos of interviews with holocaust survivors. Some mentioned that some family members hid the fact that they were in concentration camp because it brought back horrible memories. I don’t know what I would have done in their position cause I have not been in that predicament.
@@Didleeios88 No one should ever blame or righteously look down on Jewish survivors or immigrants for any reason. Instead of saying, “unfortunately,” say: FORTUNATELY they were able to get out before WW2 or that they managed to survive at all. Baruch Hashem that they were able to live, settle down & raise families to the best of their abilities. At first I blamed my family for depriving me from such rich and wonderful roots, but now I understand why they did what they did. The fear of The Iron Fist after WW2 is simply incomprehensible to us.
Thank you so much for this insight! I can’t imagine a better way to convey the atmosphere of your school experience than with this album. As a child psychiatrist I was so interested to learn about your experience of Yiddish and English history as two different stories, not in conflict but just on independent tracks.
Frieda, I was not raise Jewish, have since converted to Judaica. In the late 60s and 70s I lived in a community of Mormons, Quakers, and Catholics who were not super religious, but we had so many similar customs in our schools and neighborhood. Many rules that your school implemented were normal over 50 years ago. I am so happy I found your channel, where I have learned so much. Thank you for sharing your world. G-d Bless
Thank you friend and have a great shabbes.
Those English songs are EVERYTHING!!! You need to record them in a studio!!!!!! I'd buy it for sure!!!! You have lived such an interesting life. Thanks for sharing with us!
I went to Jewish day school from preschool through 8th grade - "nondenominational" but it practice very linked to the Conservative/Masorti movement in its policies and beliefs. It was definitely interesting how your school compared to mine - we had Hebrew as a second language, Judaic studies (basically Jewish history, books of the Tanach, and some Talmud), Chumash (focusing on a particular book more in depth, usually two a year), Dinim (Jewish law), and morning prayers everyday. We didn't have separate holiday classes but we learned about them in other Jewish classes and had services at school usually. We also had all the "regular" subjects - math, science (including evolution and the big bang), history (world history, American history, etc.), gym class/health, Language Arts (English), art, music (although music tended to lean heavily Hebrew & Jewish), and Spanish once we got to middle school. It's long-standing pet peeve of mine when people assume that because I went to a Jewish school I didn't get the "normal" subjects as well and I imagine that's an even more prevalent assumption about Hasidic schools.
Major differences from you've described: We had coed classes, no censorship in books, very different modesty standards, not anti-Zionist, no home economics, nothing in Yiddish. I'm also sure the implementation of our shared subjects was very different as well!
Hello Frieda Oh! My gosh! Thank u so very much for sharing with us here about your Hasidic education back then when u were in school. I really learn alot about Jewish cultures and religion from your channel. I love u
Thank you SO much for sharing this! For some reason, I am completely fascinated by the Hasidic sects, especially Satmar and am reading/watching everything I can get my hands on, but as an outsider, there’s a limit to what I can find myself. I so appreciate you giving me the inside scoop!
Means the world to me when I can share my passion with other curious souls.
I really love how you discuss your childhood here. This is the perspective I wish some of the trendy platforms would treat their past. You are secure enough in your present to discuss where you come from in a matter of fact fashion which is refreshing and unique. Thank you.
Thanks! Enjoy your work so much.
oh my god thanks so much!
Really appreciate you Lisa. Your generosity means so much.
This was so fascinating. As a younger person who fears I am not documenting my own history well-enough for my future self/children, this inspired me to start printing out the photos I have! And forming a scrapbook!
Your conversational grammar is excellent. I much appreciate being able to follow your thoughts and questions when you interview others. Your schooling did you well on that front.
I love your videos and watched almost all of them. As a German speaker, it's always funny, when I understand a yiddish word. You're videos are really ausgezeichnet :D
Zeyer gut!!
Great video.
Just one thing : stop saying Old Testament
Mona is a lovely guest star in your video. 🐈⬛💕so cute!
Thank you for sharing this treasured time capsule, if I may say that.
For a time, I once attended a Catholic school, and my favorite colors included maroon. I’d forgotten a bit of details, and listening to you reminded me of many things that crossed my mind while learning in school.
I remember, two Jewish siblings who were my classmates. It’s interesting to reflect on that now. As a child, I thought nothing of it. Our class was very diverse and everyone enjoyed learning together, as far as I recall. I didn’t consider that they may have attended extra school or after school to learn more, but perhaps they must have done so. 🤔
I’m mostly surprised at how much I relate to your education, in general. I also kept many papers and keepsakes from that time. lol
This video was so delightful. Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day ✌🏽😊
This is fascinating. The secular educational system could benefit a great deal from the instilling of compassion and kindness taught in schools such as yours. Thanks for sharing .
Your binders are such a wonderful keepsake! I wish I had been so organized:) Fascinating about the curriculum!!!
I truly respect how neat, clean and organize you are and your love and respect for your schooling .
Thank you for sharing Frieda. I was thinking this morning while preparing breakfast, “I need to hear some Frieda.” And here you are. Nothing is hy accident. B’H’ 😊❤
I think your notebooks reflect your innocence and kindness. These must be sweet memories. I also think that you were reared in a very genuine spiritual community of people that loved their heritage. It seems such a wholesome beginning of your life.
Your videos are interesting and insightful. I just found them and can’t stop watching. Ps. I ❤❤❤❤ your kitty cat!
I had been thinking of you and had wondered what your education had been like. You made such a difficult choice when you left. I appreciate you taking so much care with what you share. Also, I have been critical of what I am seeing and you are open to hearing. You are an exceptional communicator.
How awesome that you kept all of these! What a wonderful resource it is to compare your religious education vs a secular education but more importantly how much joy they obviously give you.
Sounds like you had a good education. I am surprised. Thanks for your wonderful channel. 💐
I just love your personality Frida, thank you for sharing!
I loved this. It was an excellent presentation.I would really like to hear more about your education. The more we learn about each other, the better we will be able to live together and accept the differences.
How wonderful you saved these to go back and reflect on! Love your candle, flowers and wine in the background!
Thank you once again. I think you had a very good education and it’s marvellous that you have kept your work highly organised organised. Administration/ Organisation is a Gift from HaShem. I thought about how He said to Jeremiah that He knew him before the creation of the world so I believe that He knew what you would be doing at this point in time and that you have actually been prepared years ago by you community’s teaching which seems to me highly organised! I believe that HaShem is often in so called ‘worldly’ or secular things! Think of all the jobs and careers that need doing. Every boy can’t become a rabbi. You might not think of yourself as a teacher but you are! Shabbos finished here sometime ago. So when yours do please have some of that wonderful Jewish food you’ve shown us in Williamsburg. - Bill. - UK
This was very neat to see, Freida! Thanks for showing this to us. I work in administration in a large public school district and I have to say this is definitely not a curriculum I would select for our students! :)
ha ha, it is quirky isn't it.
I love this part of your documentation. You are meticulous in preserving your history from your early years. This is definitely a segment I would want to see more of.
What I love about your delivery of your former religion. I see those who leave my church and then go off the rails talking badly about it online. Sharing things they should not share. Those who leave my church and talk badly online about it, tells me that they left for selfish reasons. You show respect for your own upbringing and never talk badly about it.
I would love to see more videos on the Hasidic education system. As an outsider, we just have these stereotypical Hasidic, that essentially we know nothing about your educational system. Unfortunately. so to get a first-hand account of how you actually went to school would be really interesting, plus I love your contact you bring so much joy and so much humour to everything you do. Thank you
Fascinating window into Satmar education! LOVED LOVED LOVED learning about your education through your maroon notebooks!
Your cat is adorable. I’d like to hear how and why you got out of the community. Also, what kind of education you had and how you ended up supporting yourself.
I live that you still have your school records! It's such a piece of nostalgia to look back on what was being taught and what our responses were... all with no current memories of it! And I would definitely love to see more of your sweet kitty, Mona!!! 😻
As a teacher, your education was more extensive than I would have thought. You were taught in many different subjects. I’m also pleased to see you learned how to write in cursive. Most of my students now cannot write in cursive, nor can they read cursive writing.
Freida, you are a lovely human being! Your videos are fascinating and really enjoyable! I love how the respect and warm feelings permeate the information you impart about life in the community you were raised in, despite the fact that you have chosen a different path My journey is the opposite of yours. I didn't learn much about Judaism as a child and began practicing it by choice in my late teens. When I got married and tried to "make it" in the orthodox Jewish community, it wasn't easy because we were somewhat different. This was hard on the kids, especially the girls who cared deeply about fitting in socially. Their notebooks and binders were similar to yours, with some nuanced differences because they didn't go through the Chassidish system,. I have eight children and some have chosen not to practice orthodox Jewish Law. It was disappointing at first, but I have learned to respect their choices, just like my family of origin eventually respected mine. I am not sure if this is your intention, but I feel that, perhaps paradoxically (perhaps not) your work is a Kiddush Hashem. Whatever it is, you have corned a niche and seem to be fulfilling a special mission. Keep those videos coming!
Another great video! You have the some of the most unique and nuanced content about the Hasidic community on TH-cam. Shkoyach!
Absolutely fascinating! Your education sounds fantastic. I would have loved all the Yiddish sections. As a youngster here in the UK, I went to a non-Jewish school and had to sit in the library during morning school assembly as they sang hymns and taught New Testament beliefs. I was actually happy to be in the library as I loved reading. I was one of only 4 Jewish children in the school. I guess the other parents were not as strict as mine.
Fascinating! And so interesting. More please. Also your cat is hilarious 😀
Also, I love this because it validates my compulsion to save all my kids’ school and art binders. I also saved all their little notes and doodles in the binders because they’re little windows into what my kid was thinking that day and I hope they can enjoy the memories as an adult like you did for this video. 🖤
Keep doing it.
I love your kitchen. Next time I’m in nyc I’m going to take your tour. I grew up in a Hasidic neighborhood in Los Angeles. We were catholic.
Sounds pretty good honestly. I wish we'd leaned sewing and home ec. I'm having to learn it myself using TH-cam at 2am while I'm working and raising a kid. 😂 But everyone should learn these basic life skills. Not just girls. But hey, just the girls is better than nobody at all.
Good luck with the 2am education and the baby 😂
I have no idea why your channel popped up as a recommendation but this is the 4th video I have watched. I find it very fascinating and would love to hear more of your story if you felt comfortable to speak about it. I will look through your videos in case you have already made one about it. I imagine your decision to leave was very hard and I pray you have found your peace and are thriving. You seem like a very nice person and I look forward to watching more of your videos. Peace and many blessings to you xoxo
Hi Frieda. Your Hasidic education was very interesting to me, but I'm left wanting more. What were you taught about keeping house? About morality? About holiday customs and rules? As a non-jew, I'm very curious & can't help but believe we'd have a more peaceful world if we understood each other better. I love your videos!!
I did a live and answered some questions, but I think it's going to make sense to do a follow up on this to answer some of your questions.
So interesting!
I love the cat 🐈⬛, he clearly wanted attention 😻.
I loved this video! Mona is adorable! I’m amazed how you’ve kept your neat, scribble free binders all these years. It must be nice to be able to reminisce every once in awhile. You had Home Ec to maps! No math or you prefer not to remember? I hated it! Your apartment is adorable, I love kitchen windows, I don’t have one. How’s, Pearl doing? Thanks, Frieda. Be well.🌸
Thank you so much for posting this! All of your videos are very fascinating and very insightful. Thank you so much for creating your channel. I really appreciate it!
Dear Frieda, thank you so much for sharing your story! Very interesting. I am touched by the love and respect you show to your past. I love your channel! ❤❤❤
I can’t get enough of your videos ❤
Beautiful video Frieda. Much love from South Africa ❤❤❤
So interesting . I went to a private boarding school in England UK . Was an international school . Morals, what you wore and modesty . There was a mix of religions and the school all about the Old Testament and that Moses was the prophet. I never did a science (girls didn't do that ) we do art and our drama was acting out passages from the Torah/Old Testament. It was boring , the teachers all looked like ancient relics and the whole place smelt of cabbage. I love your school focused on making sure nobody was lonely or alone. I rather love your school days xx
Absolutely fantastic video. Enjoyed learning about the Hasidic education first hand.
Thank you so much for sharing these insights. I find all of your videos fascinating.
Hi Frieda, your channel brings back a lot of memories. I worked as a photographer for the community for about 12 years. The majority of my work was in Williamsburg, Boro Park, Monroe and of course the Catskills in the summer. I may have very well taken photos of you when you were a child as I was quite popular because I made house calls. The community always treated me well and I loved Fridays when the ladies would send me home with fresh bread and kugel!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful insight of you school learning. Shame much of the caring for others is not taught to many in school.
Fascinating! Education is so varied in every part of the world.
I’m a teacher and I currently work for an Orthodox Jewish school. Your school sounds so similar to my own. We have a boy and girl side (I teach boy side), and they spend the first half of the day learning Hebrew (the boys) and the last half is general studies. I love working at the school I’m at and I’ve learned so much about Orthodox Judaism.
I myself came from a tiny Christian school. My small I mean my graduating class was was 3…including me. I had to sit in a cubicle for six hours working on paces (workbooks) and it was not fun. Lol
I genuinely did not think there would be so much secular stuff, not for girls! of course there's the censorship issue, but honestly I expected it to be a lot worse. growing up in a country with a Christian state church it also felt like two separate versions of the world. I am however grateful for having that general knowledge and it's helped shape my own identity.
Thanks!
Thank you so very much!
Your maroon collection ,all arranged by you is very detailed, organized. It is amazing, truly.
I just stumbled across your channel today so I know I'm going to eventually stumble across a reason why you went OTD. Lol. Great content thanks for sharing.
I am fascinated by these videos. Please keep going Frieda. I am impressed by how much you learned compared to todays kids. Amazing.
Thank you! I hope to do another video on my education. Hoping there's interest!
Interesting to hear all of this. You are so sweet telling about your school time.
🙏❤️thank you
Your organizational skills are impressive!!
Thank you so much for sharing and teaching. I found the whole video incredibly fascinating! Please consider sharing more.
I will try to work on it!
So interesting! And Mona was such an adorable interloper in the whole thing!!
Thank you, Frieda. This was very enjoyable. I was surprised by how quickly it went by!
I love this! Thank you so much for sharing! :-)
Fascinating Frieda. Such a well documented collection of your school work, and no surprise that you don’t remember it all, as i don’t remember mine neither! I have some report cards and exercise books from my secondary school (11/16yrs). Although i am a few years older than you (i am 51). I enjoyed the video as always x
impressive you kept all the binders from your school days! Thank you for sharing the journey.
your cat 😻 looks just like mine!! the "private investigator" she also likes to do whatever I do....aw!
@@mgb5170 There were actually two cats in the video!
Frieda, I really love your videos. This one was so sweet, and it was very interesting to hear about your schooling within the orthodox community! I’m curious about something, and not sure if you’ve ever discussed this yet; if you have please let me know. How do your parents feel about you leaving the community? Do you have a relationship with them today? I’m hoping that everything is peaceful and that they are understanding. Thank you!
My parents were very heartbroken, upset, angry. It was a horrible time when I left. Thankfully things have been better and they are very sweet to me. I’m always invited but they forgive me for not coming as much as they’d like.
@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I’m so happy to hear that things are good between you and your parents, and that they are very sweet! I’m sure this was an adjustment for them, but it sounds like they now understand you and your needs. I’m sure that you make them very proud, though you’re on a bit of a different path than they’d have liked!
Brilliant! Thank you Freida for sharing this info.
That was “A LOT” to try to learn and retain and then such a contrast between two different worlds. WOW! ❤
I found this very interesting! I grew up under apartheid and was oblivious to what was happening with other communities in our country. As children we were shielded by our parents and innocently trusted!
Love your channel. So informative and fun.
This is so incredibly interesting, please do more videos like this!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I find your interviews, tours and explanation of the culture fascinating. Thank you!
Great video! I can tell that you worked very hard to put the story together. Thank you for inviting us into your childhood :)
This is fascinating! Can you talk more about what books you read? Also if you're willing I'd love to hear sort of... Like what you knew about what the boys were learning? And like stuff you weren't supposed to study and what you knew about that and why you weren't etc?
Wow what a cool account you have! I watch a lot of Orthodox Jewish content as well as many other cultural groups content (particularly those more insular to outsiders). I love love love for you that your family still supported you and is close to you after the initial shock, and that you were able to live your authentic life while not losing quite every connection with a cultural that you obviously feel a lot of warmth and respect for.
It shows that while people might have religious trauma from some of these groups, it really is a matter of them having encountered individual people (or parents) who did the wrong thing and not a hard and fast rule that just because the culture is strict and unusual to us, it offers nothing of value and no love to it's children and the community.
Thank you for sharing. I grew up completely secular (Hebrew school 3x a week until I was 13) - very different from the education I received.