1/n
Thread: contemporary chassidic culture online.
In this thread I'll list some of my favourite personalities in contemporary chassidic culture, that you can follow online. This is not an exhasutive list, just some of my favourites.
First some myth-busting:
Thread: contemporary chassidic culture online.
In this thread I'll list some of my favourite personalities in contemporary chassidic culture, that you can follow online. This is not an exhasutive list, just some of my favourites.
First some myth-busting:
2/n
Myth: chassidic culture is primitive and stuck in pre-modern times.
Fact: actually chassidic culture forms a highly sophisticated and advanced civilisation, rich in literature and musical expression, adept in technology and business.
Myth: chassidic culture is primitive and stuck in pre-modern times.
Fact: actually chassidic culture forms a highly sophisticated and advanced civilisation, rich in literature and musical expression, adept in technology and business.
3/n
Chassidic cultural expression is constrained by religio-cultural norms, such as strict sexual puritanism, gender segregation, anxiety and discomfort with the open internet. But within these constrains, human creativity has found novel ways of cultural expression.
Chassidic cultural expression is constrained by religio-cultural norms, such as strict sexual puritanism, gender segregation, anxiety and discomfort with the open internet. But within these constrains, human creativity has found novel ways of cultural expression.
4/n
Large WhatsApp and Telegram groups, where videos are sent around within the norms of the group, serve as a substitute for the open YouTube. There are even chassidic parallels to TikTok dance crazes, such as the recent "Imayniach Bikdishu" dance:
Large WhatsApp and Telegram groups, where videos are sent around within the norms of the group, serve as a substitute for the open YouTube. There are even chassidic parallels to TikTok dance crazes, such as the recent "Imayniach Bikdishu" dance:
5/n
Commercials using sophisticated cinematography and videography are produced with a unique, idiosyncratic, chassidic subject-matter, exhibiting the fascinating interactions between capitalism and culture. Check out this gem for example:
Commercials using sophisticated cinematography and videography are produced with a unique, idiosyncratic, chassidic subject-matter, exhibiting the fascinating interactions between capitalism and culture. Check out this gem for example:
6/n
Beautiful culturally idiosyncratic music videos accompany the latest chassidic compositions. Cultural critique is subtle and euphemistic, to evade rabbinic bans and a culture that is not yet ready for mature self-critique.
Beautiful culturally idiosyncratic music videos accompany the latest chassidic compositions. Cultural critique is subtle and euphemistic, to evade rabbinic bans and a culture that is not yet ready for mature self-critique.
7/n
E.g. this song critiques and satirises materialistic desires that are cloaked in religious piety. It gets away with this by contrasing these base-tendencies with those of the gentile, which are surely even worse! Note how well made the music video is.
E.g. this song critiques and satirises materialistic desires that are cloaked in religious piety. It gets away with this by contrasing these base-tendencies with those of the gentile, which are surely even worse! Note how well made the music video is.
8/n
Don't expect to see women in this cultural scene. This is not an egalitarian, liberal culture. Chassidic women and girls have plenty of culturual expression, but it is by and for women and would not be put up online where a male audience can stumble upon it.
Don't expect to see women in this cultural scene. This is not an egalitarian, liberal culture. Chassidic women and girls have plenty of culturual expression, but it is by and for women and would not be put up online where a male audience can stumble upon it.
9/n
But I have included in this list lots of chassidic cultural expression from former chassidim. I regard the art and culture of ex-chassidim (now often referred to as OTD, or Yotzim), as continuous with chassidic culture to a certain extent - certainly an offshoot of it.
But I have included in this list lots of chassidic cultural expression from former chassidim. I regard the art and culture of ex-chassidim (now often referred to as OTD, or Yotzim), as continuous with chassidic culture to a certain extent - certainly an offshoot of it.
10/n
In fact ex-chassidim are heavily contributing to chassidic cultural critique, as they have the liberty of doing so, having left the confines of the culture. I expect that in coming decades, ex-chassidic art will increasingly influence a more enlightened chassidic culture.
In fact ex-chassidim are heavily contributing to chassidic cultural critique, as they have the liberty of doing so, having left the confines of the culture. I expect that in coming decades, ex-chassidic art will increasingly influence a more enlightened chassidic culture.
11/n
Note on "enlightened". Chassidic art and culture is in the early stages of a renaissance period. The scene is brimming with newfound creativity and exploration. In the last year the first ever chassidic art gallery opened. What a historical moment! theatlantic.com/culture/archiv…
Note on "enlightened". Chassidic art and culture is in the early stages of a renaissance period. The scene is brimming with newfound creativity and exploration. In the last year the first ever chassidic art gallery opened. What a historical moment! theatlantic.com/culture/archiv…
12/n
OK, now on to the list! Please feel free to add to it. I will certainly add to this, as I discover more.
1. This list must start with @LipaSchmeltzer. There's so much to say about him, but I'll try and be brief. For more check out: bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3c…
OK, now on to the list! Please feel free to add to it. I will certainly add to this, as I discover more.
1. This list must start with @LipaSchmeltzer. There's so much to say about him, but I'll try and be brief. For more check out: bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3c…
@LipaSchmeltzer 13/n
Lipa is the most boundary-pushing artist to work within the mainstream chassidic community. He is one of the earliest cultural critics of this community, such as with his song critiquing corporal punishment ().
Lipa is the most boundary-pushing artist to work within the mainstream chassidic community. He is one of the earliest cultural critics of this community, such as with his song critiquing corporal punishment ().
14/n
His songs were so honest and brutal that the chassidic establishment kept on banning him and his concerts. He drifted in an out of the margins of the chassidic community, although it looks like he has recently found a happy middle ground.
His songs were so honest and brutal that the chassidic establishment kept on banning him and his concerts. He drifted in an out of the margins of the chassidic community, although it looks like he has recently found a happy middle ground.
15/n
He has toned down his critique and now focuses on spreading art and culture on the margins of the community. He is also a brilliant visiual artist, having studied it at Columbia - another amazing achievement for a chassidic boy! Lipa is active online. Do follow him!
He has toned down his critique and now focuses on spreading art and culture on the margins of the community. He is also a brilliant visiual artist, having studied it at Columbia - another amazing achievement for a chassidic boy! Lipa is active online. Do follow him!
16/n
2. Michuel Schnitzler is next on this list. He's also a singer-songwriter, who pushes boundaries with his music. He's also had his run-in with the establishment, especially for his song "Der Bochur's Tzavueh" (The Boy's Final Will) critiquing elitism in yeshivas.
2. Michuel Schnitzler is next on this list. He's also a singer-songwriter, who pushes boundaries with his music. He's also had his run-in with the establishment, especially for his song "Der Bochur's Tzavueh" (The Boy's Final Will) critiquing elitism in yeshivas.
17/n
3. Mendl Roth facebook.com/1MendelRoth
This scion of chassidic royalty (his father is the Shoymer Eminim rebbe) is bursting with passion, love and expression. He shares his tumultuous, soul-filled journey on his Facebook. You get the image of a chassidic boy...
3. Mendl Roth facebook.com/1MendelRoth
This scion of chassidic royalty (his father is the Shoymer Eminim rebbe) is bursting with passion, love and expression. He shares his tumultuous, soul-filled journey on his Facebook. You get the image of a chassidic boy...
18/n
...whose soul is too big to be constrained within the confines of traditional chassidic culture. Mendl doesn't abandon his roots. Instead he grapples, explores, redefines, expands - creating a new type of chassid, one whose fingers strum the guitar to the rythm of his soul.
...whose soul is too big to be constrained within the confines of traditional chassidic culture. Mendl doesn't abandon his roots. Instead he grapples, explores, redefines, expands - creating a new type of chassid, one whose fingers strum the guitar to the rythm of his soul.
19/n
4. @BombachMenachem has opened the first mainstream chassidic high school for boys. Yes, not a yeshiva, but a high school: Hamidrasha HaChassidit. There chassidic boys cover the national Israeli curriculum, alongside their yeshiva studies. What a revolution!
4. @BombachMenachem has opened the first mainstream chassidic high school for boys. Yes, not a yeshiva, but a high school: Hamidrasha HaChassidit. There chassidic boys cover the national Israeli curriculum, alongside their yeshiva studies. What a revolution!
20/n
Menachem is also an educationalist who is working on many exciting educational projects within the chassidic community. I'm genuinely excited for what he has in store for us over the next couple of decades. I know he will carry on doing great things.
Menachem is also an educationalist who is working on many exciting educational projects within the chassidic community. I'm genuinely excited for what he has in store for us over the next couple of decades. I know he will carry on doing great things.
21/n
5. @DerVeker is the first, and for now only, chassidic enlightenment magazine. It is the only chassidic journal in which you will see serious culural critique and even subtle religious satire.
5. @DerVeker is the first, and for now only, chassidic enlightenment magazine. It is the only chassidic journal in which you will see serious culural critique and even subtle religious satire.
22/n
I see in it serious parallels to HaMeasef - the late 18th century journal of early Jewish Enlightenment. This is another revolution on the chassidic cultural scene. As I keep on saying, these are revolutionary times in chassidic culture, the early stages of something big!
I see in it serious parallels to HaMeasef - the late 18th century journal of early Jewish Enlightenment. This is another revolution on the chassidic cultural scene. As I keep on saying, these are revolutionary times in chassidic culture, the early stages of something big!
23/n
At the height of Covid Der Veker did a rigorous analysis of Covid in the chassidic community, which was a wake-up call to many. Read about it here: theatlantic.com/politics/archi…
At the height of Covid Der Veker did a rigorous analysis of Covid in the chassidic community, which was a wake-up call to many. Read about it here: theatlantic.com/politics/archi…
24/n
It's fair to say that Der Veker is a man's magazine, exploring the male side of chassidic culture. Chassidic culture is so segregated by gender that in a seriuos sense they form two parallel, gendered cultures. Difficult to expect the same publication to cater for both.
It's fair to say that Der Veker is a man's magazine, exploring the male side of chassidic culture. Chassidic culture is so segregated by gender that in a seriuos sense they form two parallel, gendered cultures. Difficult to expect the same publication to cater for both.
25/n
This shouldn't defelct from how genuinely revolutionary this magzine is. I read it like a thirstyman drinking water. Their serial Der Griner Yaytzer Tov, for example, is a masterpiece of biting satirical literature, on par with the creations of Mendele Mocher Seforim...
This shouldn't defelct from how genuinely revolutionary this magzine is. I read it like a thirstyman drinking water. Their serial Der Griner Yaytzer Tov, for example, is a masterpiece of biting satirical literature, on par with the creations of Mendele Mocher Seforim...
26/n
... a century and a half earlier. The pseudonymous writer (Yoynu Motzuh) unpacks, critiques and deconstructs chassidic boyhood, with such erudition, eloquence and brilliance that he can easily stand in the company of the best satirists of wider society.
... a century and a half earlier. The pseudonymous writer (Yoynu Motzuh) unpacks, critiques and deconstructs chassidic boyhood, with such erudition, eloquence and brilliance that he can easily stand in the company of the best satirists of wider society.
27/n
We live in a highly analysied and critiqued culture in the Western, post-enlightenement world. But I always longed for a critique and literary analysis of my own teenage experiences and felt like I am missing out on that. Der Veker fills that void. Keep it up!
We live in a highly analysied and critiqued culture in the Western, post-enlightenement world. But I always longed for a critique and literary analysis of my own teenage experiences and felt like I am missing out on that. Der Veker fills that void. Keep it up!
28/n
Der Veker issues are available for purchase on Amazon (I receive no commission): amazon.co.uk/s?i=stripbooks…
Der Veker issues are available for purchase on Amazon (I receive no commission): amazon.co.uk/s?i=stripbooks…
29/n
6. Shauli Grossman is a singer-songwriter, whose work is solidly based in chassidic culture, although he is no longer a part of mainstream chassidic community, due to how boundary-pushing his work is. He shot to fame with his song Ich Vil Zayn A Rebbe - a parody of...
6. Shauli Grossman is a singer-songwriter, whose work is solidly based in chassidic culture, although he is no longer a part of mainstream chassidic community, due to how boundary-pushing his work is. He shot to fame with his song Ich Vil Zayn A Rebbe - a parody of...
30/n
...Nickelback's Rockstar:
This song has caused him a lot of trouble, given how sacriligious it is, satirising the saints of charedi society.
...Nickelback's Rockstar:
This song has caused him a lot of trouble, given how sacriligious it is, satirising the saints of charedi society.
31/n
Shauli has recently fully embraced his critical voice and has really upped his game. In the last few months he has released 4 hits, each of them really well produced and home-hitting. His songs cover themes of chassidic teenagehood, trauma, theological grappling,...
Shauli has recently fully embraced his critical voice and has really upped his game. In the last few months he has released 4 hits, each of them really well produced and home-hitting. His songs cover themes of chassidic teenagehood, trauma, theological grappling,...
32/n
...hypocricy in chassidic society, and... getting high. I believe that this song is the first ever song in Yiddish about recreational drugs!
And it's music to the ears! I must confess I have listened to this many times over a joint. It works!
...hypocricy in chassidic society, and... getting high. I believe that this song is the first ever song in Yiddish about recreational drugs!
And it's music to the ears! I must confess I have listened to this many times over a joint. It works!
33/n
Do check out Shauli's other stuff on his channel: youtube.com/channel/UCDjiq…
He's been really prolific recently and I expect much more to come. He's a massive talent. I can't wait to see what he produces next.
Do check out Shauli's other stuff on his channel: youtube.com/channel/UCDjiq…
He's been really prolific recently and I expect much more to come. He's a massive talent. I can't wait to see what he produces next.
34/n
Shauli is an example of ex-chassidic art trickling in to the chassidic community on the margins. I don't expect the mainstream to embrace his work any time soon, but it is making an impact on the boundaries. It is refreshing and people want to hear this stuff.
Shauli is an example of ex-chassidic art trickling in to the chassidic community on the margins. I don't expect the mainstream to embrace his work any time soon, but it is making an impact on the boundaries. It is refreshing and people want to hear this stuff.
35/n
7. @AbbyChavaStein deserves a serious mention. She is a transgender ex-chassidic activist, writer and public speaker. She has gifted the world with access to her remarkable and beautiful life, a unique blend and synthesis of secularism, with chassidic cultural expression.
7. @AbbyChavaStein deserves a serious mention. She is a transgender ex-chassidic activist, writer and public speaker. She has gifted the world with access to her remarkable and beautiful life, a unique blend and synthesis of secularism, with chassidic cultural expression.
@AbbyChavaStein 36/n
She is active on the merainstream social media platforms. Her sharings of her personal life and celebrations are a real treat. Don't we love to see traditional chassidic cuisine at a Queer Rosh HaShanah meal? facebook.com/AbbyChavaStein…
She is active on the merainstream social media platforms. Her sharings of her personal life and celebrations are a real treat. Don't we love to see traditional chassidic cuisine at a Queer Rosh HaShanah meal? facebook.com/AbbyChavaStein…
37/n
Abby even brings elements of the chassidic sermons into her activism. Who doesn't want to hear a story from her grandfather the Ba'al Shem Tov at a Progressive New York march?
Abby even brings elements of the chassidic sermons into her activism. Who doesn't want to hear a story from her grandfather the Ba'al Shem Tov at a Progressive New York march?
38/n
8. @akivaweingarten also grew up in the isolationist Satmar community. He is no longer part of that community, nor has he seen the need to abandon the unique cultural expressions from his native community. A reform rabbi in shtrayml-bekitche anyone?
8. @akivaweingarten also grew up in the isolationist Satmar community. He is no longer part of that community, nor has he seen the need to abandon the unique cultural expressions from his native community. A reform rabbi in shtrayml-bekitche anyone?
Akiva now heads the reform community in Drezden, Germany and even has a neo-chassidic yeshiva there for ex-chassidic youth! We are lucky that he shares with us his fascinating chassidic-progressive synthesis. Give him a follow! facebook.com/RabbiAkivaWein…
40/n
9. Riki Rose is a Satmar girl, who is very talented. She is a comedian and musician, and the closest we have to a chassidic Instagram influencer. Her art is full of Yiddish, chassidic references and childhood expressions. It's a pleasure to watch her: instagram.com/riki_rose/?hl=…
9. Riki Rose is a Satmar girl, who is very talented. She is a comedian and musician, and the closest we have to a chassidic Instagram influencer. Her art is full of Yiddish, chassidic references and childhood expressions. It's a pleasure to watch her: instagram.com/riki_rose/?hl=…
41/n
10. Leah Forster is a chassidic-inspired comedian. Her most popular charater is Beily, a chassidic woman who goes on weekly rants called "Tichl Tuesdays". Some are funnier than others, but it's nice to see chassidic creativity. Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/leahforster/?h…
10. Leah Forster is a chassidic-inspired comedian. Her most popular charater is Beily, a chassidic woman who goes on weekly rants called "Tichl Tuesdays". Some are funnier than others, but it's nice to see chassidic creativity. Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/leahforster/?h…
42/n
11. @bardak613 is a comedy group, producing high quality comedy sketches of charedi and chassidic daily life. They are not chassidic themselves, but their sketches explore chassidic characters, such as their most popular Eizenbach character:
11. @bardak613 is a comedy group, producing high quality comedy sketches of charedi and chassidic daily life. They are not chassidic themselves, but their sketches explore chassidic characters, such as their most popular Eizenbach character:
@bardak613 43/n
Their sketches are incredibly popular in Israeli charedi society, putting up a mirror to the hypocricies and absurdities of daily charedi life. Their recent output has been more commercial in the form of ads and that has had an obvious detrimental impact on their creativity.
Their sketches are incredibly popular in Israeli charedi society, putting up a mirror to the hypocricies and absurdities of daily charedi life. Their recent output has been more commercial in the form of ads and that has had an obvious detrimental impact on their creativity.
44/n
They were more boundary-pushing in their first season. Perhaps they have discovered the sweet-spot of commercial success and have learnt to tone down their critique in the hopes of being more palletable to a mainstream charedi audience.
They were more boundary-pushing in their first season. Perhaps they have discovered the sweet-spot of commercial success and have learnt to tone down their critique in the hopes of being more palletable to a mainstream charedi audience.
45/n
12. @MenasheLustig deserves a mention. He is a charedi actor and comdedian, the star of Menashe - a movie based on his own life. I must confess I did not find that movie a great watch, but it must still be celebrated for being a movie in Yiddish, starring a chassidic actor.
12. @MenasheLustig deserves a mention. He is a charedi actor and comdedian, the star of Menashe - a movie based on his own life. I must confess I did not find that movie a great watch, but it must still be celebrated for being a movie in Yiddish, starring a chassidic actor.
Menashe also stars in chassidic comedy and commercials. But I must say that the chassidic comedy sketch has a long way to go and has not reached mature form yet.
47/n
13. @tamar_zeitlin is an ex-chassidic artist based in Israel. She produces beautiful art, often based on her own journey. She shares her art and pictures of her beautiful family on Facebook: facebook.com/tamarzeitlin
13. @tamar_zeitlin is an ex-chassidic artist based in Israel. She produces beautiful art, often based on her own journey. She shares her art and pictures of her beautiful family on Facebook: facebook.com/tamarzeitlin
@tamar_zeitlin 48/n
There are many more to add. Feel free to let me know whom I have left out who you think should be on this list. This list does at least in part reflect my own interests and knowledge. Omissions shouldn't be read as a statement of judgment, but of reflecting my own ignorance.
There are many more to add. Feel free to let me know whom I have left out who you think should be on this list. This list does at least in part reflect my own interests and knowledge. Omissions shouldn't be read as a statement of judgment, but of reflecting my own ignorance.
49/n
14. How could I forget @ze_lama, a bona fide chassidic celebrity and influencer? Maylech is an Israeli chassidic boy who is a journalist and internet personality. He has recently starred in the hit show Yes Man, in which he explores his complex family dynamic around dating.
14. How could I forget @ze_lama, a bona fide chassidic celebrity and influencer? Maylech is an Israeli chassidic boy who is a journalist and internet personality. He has recently starred in the hit show Yes Man, in which he explores his complex family dynamic around dating.
50/n
Maylech is a ground-breaker, exhibiting an alternative chassidic lifestyle, where one lives beyond the confines of the community's conservative norms, whilst holding on to what is rightfully theirs: their garb, language and cultural identity.
Maylech is a ground-breaker, exhibiting an alternative chassidic lifestyle, where one lives beyond the confines of the community's conservative norms, whilst holding on to what is rightfully theirs: their garb, language and cultural identity.
51/n
My favourite quote from Maylech is, "I am fully secular and I am fully charedi."
My favourite quote from Maylech is, "I am fully secular and I am fully charedi."
52/n
15. @FriedaVizel is a chassidic-born writer, researcher and tour-guide. She researches her native Williamsburg community. She's recently become even more active on YouTube, putting out great educational content. Excited for what she has in store! youtube.com/c/Frieda857
15. @FriedaVizel is a chassidic-born writer, researcher and tour-guide. She researches her native Williamsburg community. She's recently become even more active on YouTube, putting out great educational content. Excited for what she has in store! youtube.com/c/Frieda857
53/n
16. @katlekanye is a pseudonymous cultural critic and writer. I would describe him as a 'chassidic maskil' - yes, that's now a thing. Let's do a slight deviation about that: the term 'maskil' (enlightened) has terriblly pejorative and accusative connotations in chassidism.➡️
16. @katlekanye is a pseudonymous cultural critic and writer. I would describe him as a 'chassidic maskil' - yes, that's now a thing. Let's do a slight deviation about that: the term 'maskil' (enlightened) has terriblly pejorative and accusative connotations in chassidism.➡️
54/n
It hearkens back to the 18th and 19th centuries when the maskilim were secularisers and the enemies of the pious and isolationist chassidim. Yet the human spirit of creativity and curiosity cannot be extinguished. In every generation Jews with a questioning mind explored. ➡️
It hearkens back to the 18th and 19th centuries when the maskilim were secularisers and the enemies of the pious and isolationist chassidim. Yet the human spirit of creativity and curiosity cannot be extinguished. In every generation Jews with a questioning mind explored. ➡️
55/n
Thus we have 18th century figures like Solomon Maimon, or the 19th century's Moshe Leib Lilienblum, Chayim Bialik etc.
Today is no different. I myself made that journey, from a culture that restricted my thinking and reading to a place where I can do so w/ relative freedom.
Thus we have 18th century figures like Solomon Maimon, or the 19th century's Moshe Leib Lilienblum, Chayim Bialik etc.
Today is no different. I myself made that journey, from a culture that restricted my thinking and reading to a place where I can do so w/ relative freedom.
56/n
I say 'relative freedom' because thinking and reading freely is becoming more difficult in western educated society. Speaking freely is already completely out of the window. I wouldn't dare speak my mind freely these days, on pain of risking my livelihood and social stand.
I say 'relative freedom' because thinking and reading freely is becoming more difficult in western educated society. Speaking freely is already completely out of the window. I wouldn't dare speak my mind freely these days, on pain of risking my livelihood and social stand.
57/n
And yet I now live in s society where I can find whatever books I want to read and I can meet up with tolerant and open minded people to discuss all sorts of ideas. The chassidic community is in this regard in the dark ages. No free thinking allowed.
And yet I now live in s society where I can find whatever books I want to read and I can meet up with tolerant and open minded people to discuss all sorts of ideas. The chassidic community is in this regard in the dark ages. No free thinking allowed.
58/n
In this environment maskilim like @katlekanye are forced to produce pseudonymously. He does not critique the fundamentals of religion itself and we don't know his views on the matter. But like his 18th century predecessors he critiques and satirises the extra layers...
In this environment maskilim like @katlekanye are forced to produce pseudonymously. He does not critique the fundamentals of religion itself and we don't know his views on the matter. But like his 18th century predecessors he critiques and satirises the extra layers...
59/n
...of cultural superstition and of rabbinical authoritarianism and tyranny. In particular he cares about boys' education, which minimises secular knowledge. In his book v'Tinoyk l'Lamdoy Sayfer (amazon.co.uk/Vetinok-Lelamd…) he forcefully argues for educational reform.
...of cultural superstition and of rabbinical authoritarianism and tyranny. In particular he cares about boys' education, which minimises secular knowledge. In his book v'Tinoyk l'Lamdoy Sayfer (amazon.co.uk/Vetinok-Lelamd…) he forcefully argues for educational reform.
60/n
I see in that book striking parallels to the 18th century's Divrei Shalom v'Emet by Herz Wessely. It caused a rabbinical backlash at its time. Today such a book won't even reach the closed-minded, due to the tight censorship. So explicit bans have been unnecessary.
I see in that book striking parallels to the 18th century's Divrei Shalom v'Emet by Herz Wessely. It caused a rabbinical backlash at its time. Today such a book won't even reach the closed-minded, due to the tight censorship. So explicit bans have been unnecessary.
61/n
17. @nissimblack is a full on legend and trail-blazer. He is a black-chassidic rapper and songwriter who beautifully synthasises chassidic and African-American heritage in his music. I don't need to tell you how radical this is, although radicalism is not what he is after.
17. @nissimblack is a full on legend and trail-blazer. He is a black-chassidic rapper and songwriter who beautifully synthasises chassidic and African-American heritage in his music. I don't need to tell you how radical this is, although radicalism is not what he is after.
62/n
Check out this gem of his for example:
Besides for being a really skilful and catchy song, the lyrics and accompanying video are incredibly powerful as artifacts of multiculturalism and cross-cultural influence. What a treat Nissim has created for us!
Check out this gem of his for example:
Besides for being a really skilful and catchy song, the lyrics and accompanying video are incredibly powerful as artifacts of multiculturalism and cross-cultural influence. What a treat Nissim has created for us!
63/n
Nissim encountered prejudice & racism in the chassidic community. He also discovered that rap is considered a more base and animalistic form of musical expression by many chassidim. One hopes that his religiously devout and spirituality-packed music dispels some prejudice.
Nissim encountered prejudice & racism in the chassidic community. He also discovered that rap is considered a more base and animalistic form of musical expression by many chassidim. One hopes that his religiously devout and spirituality-packed music dispels some prejudice.
64/n
18. @Chusidel is a chassidic vlogger and traveller, the first, and certainly most successful, of his kind. He caters to a wide audience, showcasing to the world an image of a different kind of chossid: worldly, open and unafraid: youtube.com/c/ShloimeZionce
18. @Chusidel is a chassidic vlogger and traveller, the first, and certainly most successful, of his kind. He caters to a wide audience, showcasing to the world an image of a different kind of chossid: worldly, open and unafraid: youtube.com/c/ShloimeZionce
65/n
Shloimy shot to fame last year when he collaborated with popular vlogger @PeterSantenello on a series taking an intimate look at the chassidic community: youtube.com/playlist?list=….
Shloimy shot to fame last year when he collaborated with popular vlogger @PeterSantenello on a series taking an intimate look at the chassidic community: youtube.com/playlist?list=….
66/n
I cannot overstate the significance of this series. It seriously needs to win some prestigious award. Besides for showcasing to the world the inside of an otherwise secretive community, Peter and Shloymi held up a mirror to chassidim to have a look at their own culture.
I cannot overstate the significance of this series. It seriously needs to win some prestigious award. Besides for showcasing to the world the inside of an otherwise secretive community, Peter and Shloymi held up a mirror to chassidim to have a look at their own culture.
67/n
Chassidim don't have reality shows or dramas about their community and people like them. This series allowed chassidim to get an outsider's impression of their own culture and way of life. It illustrated that not all outsider's are hostile and acting in bad faith.
Chassidim don't have reality shows or dramas about their community and people like them. This series allowed chassidim to get an outsider's impression of their own culture and way of life. It illustrated that not all outsider's are hostile and acting in bad faith.
68/n
I think that this series went a long way towards building bridges between the insular chassidic community and the outside world, dispelling prejudices on both sides of the divide. I personally want to thank them both for the pleasure and education that it was to watch it.
I think that this series went a long way towards building bridges between the insular chassidic community and the outside world, dispelling prejudices on both sides of the divide. I personally want to thank them both for the pleasure and education that it was to watch it.
69/n
Despite being natively chassidic, I learnt a lot too - about different kinds of chassidim, with different degrees of insularity and openness; that the way I was brought up to be chassidic is not the only way. Who knew that a non-Jew would teach me about my own community?
Despite being natively chassidic, I learnt a lot too - about different kinds of chassidim, with different degrees of insularity and openness; that the way I was brought up to be chassidic is not the only way. Who knew that a non-Jew would teach me about my own community?
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