Discussing my childhood village | In conversation with filmmaker Jesse Sweet

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Click here for the City of Joel documentary: amzn.to/4fsl5NS And here is Jesse's latest project, Nature of the Crime: www.docnyc.net/film/nature-of... Please consider supporting my work by making a tax-deductible donation through Fractured Atlas fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/frieda-vizel-brooklyn-youtube-channel or sending a contribution via Paypal: paypal.com/paypalme/friedavizel This helps me to continue to bring to you more Jewish content

[@yosefrapaport5544]

Wow a very interesting conversation. I think I was at that roudy meeting (or a similar one). I came as a member of Agudath Israel staff. As such I was a bit involved, I met Mr. Alegro at Agudah HQ in Manhattan trying to make peace. He subsequently attacked me on his local Radio show.

[@simonewoodwell7354]

@@yosefrapaport5544 The documentary was very painful.

[@yvonnetitus2]

I am never disappointed when I check in on your videos. One thing consistent with my experience I ALWAYS learn something new.

[@robertcoughlin4961]

When I saw “City of Joel” my first thought was I hope Frieda will address this. And you did a fine job.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I’m so happy to hear this Robert!

[@sandragostanian8878]

The conversation about 30:00 - a refrigerator repair man came into our home and we had a lively and nice conversation. He happened to be African American, I Caucasian. He stated this, which I often repeat: We don’t need to “tolerate” other people, beliefs, we need to ACCEPT them. I add to that that we must learn from others and find common ground. There is so much hate in this world today which is so sad. God made us all!

[@kenjh2561]

Thanks for a very interesting discussion. The interaction of different cultures is fascinating, if done without hostility or stereotypes. I appreciated his approach of avoiding good guys vs bad guys, and just seeing everyone as human. I'm thankful for what both of you do.

[@bonnieschechner9476]

Can’t wait to watch this documentary! You have the most amazing guests and ask such interesting questions of your guests. Thank you again for a wonderful podcast.

[@loriloristuff]

This is a big deal for you, dear Frieda! Congrats on a great long-form interview! You put such thought and care into your interviews! ❤

[@loriloristuff]

"City of Joel" is on Amazon/ Freevee, Roku Channel, Plex, AppleTV.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I do! I put many many hours and heart into each but feel especially connected to this story of my childhood community.

[@jerryedelman3581]

Extremely educational and important, especially when our entire country i embroiled in controversy over the expanding immigration debate, whether legal ir not and how America can integrate diverse cultures without destroying what it traditionally means to be an American with traditional American values, whether it impacts religious beliefs or secular beliefs. This was a GREAT DISCUSSION.

[@bertgetner9397]

Thank You to Jesse Sweet for being Frieda's guest and enlightening us a bit about your documentary. This situation hit's very close to home and trying to understand it is a daunting task.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you so much for trying; I know it's hard!

[@reniekittelhinnenberg8593]

WOW, what a great interview. You are both articulate, clear and had a passion for the story. Thank you so much, I am so enjoying your long video's.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I have a big passion for this story! it’s my hometown 🥰

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Thank you for covering this extremely eye opening documentary! I love compassionate and curious film making on topics I don't know much about yet 🙂

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

yes we need more documentaries that bravely tackle hard topics with gentle care!

[@David-my3uu]

I am so glad to have found your channel, especially this video - such a wonderfully presented subject (diversity) with highly engaging and thoughtful discussion. It could form the base for a semester's study of the subject and I'm eager to watch the documentary itself. Thanks!!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

what a lovely comment David. so glad to hear!!

[@gcolwill]

I have watched the movie before, a while back, but reviewed it again to refresh my memory for this discussion. I enjoyed both the documentary and this discussion of it. I thought the subject was covered in a balanced way, representing both sides of the event with the same depth. While tensions ran high, and while I'm sure there were ugly things said by individuals on both sides, I'm happy to see that there were no pogroms or other violence leading to the resolution of the conflict. The issue was resolved as we usually do here in the US: through the legal systems. Even after the events of October 7, 2023, and the following startling upswing in open anti-Semitism, I think this is still true. On an ancillary note, I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the two women highlighted in the film and in this discussion starting at 37:16. The one young woman left the community to expand her choices and, in doing so, left a lot behind. The other stayed and seemed to revel in the lifestyle of Kiryas Joel specifically and Satmar more generally. I think that the difference between participation in religious communities in the US and in other countries is that there IS a choice - sometimes a personally expensive one, for sure, but a choice nonetheless.

[@vicihuizinga8157]

Very very interesting- what great work Frieda- thank you :)

[@ericah6546]

I like Jesse Sweet, he's unbiased and fascinated with different culture and things going on in the world. You can tell he loves to learn. Academia, good journalism and learning should be neutral and seek to understand and then explain. I loved Anthony Bourdain's show and it was tragic to me when he died. It's cool that the two of them worked together on Parts Unknown.

[@debbyschweighardt5810]

I saw this documentary when it first came out. I am going to watch it again. Thank you for doing this wonderful interview!

[@annehersey9895]

Oh Frieda, What a wonderful episode. Thank you so much. I have heard about this fight where the Hasidis have settled and expanded. I love all the different topics you have on your episodes. I would like to have another visit the wise Pearl. She is such a mensch. I remember you asking Pearl about the gender issue and she felt totally appreciated by her husband and felt that women ultimately had the most power in the family because other than the Synagogue, the home was the center of everything Hassidim. This filmmaker really should meet Pearl!But, He is so right about the citizenry living in its own bubble. We used to all get our news from the same places and everyone interpreted what they heard their own way but the message was the same. Now there are many podcasts and cable channels that 9nly feed news and interpretation that feeds the conservatives and the liberals have their own. It is making for a more polarized world. I think it just takes time too. Look around Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Amish and non Amish have lived together for hundreds of years so maybe it’s just going to take time for this to just work it out.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

it looks like I might film with Pearl in December if all goes as planned!

[@agnieszkapl2245]

Hello Frieda. I am a Polish woman and even though I am Catholic I love listening to you and to watch your videos. I live in Monroe, not far from Kiryas Joel. Many of the Jewish rules my self I wouldn't be able to accept but I am still interested in learning more about Jews. Your videos are very educating and I really enjoy watching them. You are great!.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

so happy to hear from a fellow Monroer, a place close to my heart. yes I se get it about the rules…thanks for learning with me!

[@Hadassahs-Holt]

Bill Bishop wrote a good book on this phenomenon of us becoming siloed: “The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America is Tearing Us Apart.” I hesitate to write this, but this was my area during my childhood, and although there definitely was anti-Semitism, for many Orange County residents the problem was their rural, quiet lives becoming urbanized against their will. The families chose and invested in suburban/rural lives rather than staying in the city. This battle is taking place across America as so-called “smart growth” is being forced on communities. Not everyone in Monroe is anti-Semitic; they are anti-urbanization. I think Jesse and Hannah did an excellent job with the documentary, which I’ve watched more than once. Another great interview, Frieda.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I very much agree with this comment. I think it’s completely reasonable for neighbors to be frustrated, and I don’t think they were antisemitic as a movement although I’m sure there were anti-semites… It’s a really difficult dilemma and I can’t see why neighbors wouldn’t be upset.

[@karenballard]

Thank you for this interview! It was so interesting to hear the filmmaker's story. I am amazed at the amount of time and dedication it took to make this story and to keep it as even handed as possible. This is such as gift to us, the general population. I think it is just like the work that you do, shining a light on little understood places.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

yes a very special little known doc that took so much work! thanks so much for watching!

[@cyncyn7481]

I so love your story time videos. I feel like I am learning something new and warm with each video

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I’m so so glad to hear!

[@JohnHarvey_UK]

An excellent watch.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

we talked about Canvey! maybe an interview of Canvey finally next…?

[@JohnHarvey_UK]

​@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I noticed 😅 I hope so! More UK content would be wonderful 😊

[@deejaybutch3r]

Wow. Seeing Lag Ba'Omer in Kiryas Joel reminds me of LB in Meron. KJ is on my list to visit. I really want to see the documentary now. Thanks for this Frieda. Also, love the game at the top of tour shelf in the background. My daughter was playing it on Shabbos today.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Which game, there are a few? The lag baomer in KJ has become massive and breathtaking. Hopefully for the next one I can be there!

[@ehrenburk7055]

Thanks Frieda....ever-interesting videos...

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank YOU! 💗

[@ehrenburk7055]

Did you design the Mentch silhouette tshirt in your store? i bought it and really love it. I want another one in a different color. 😊

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

What color? Isn't it cute?

[@ehrenburk7055]

Banana cream is next 🎉 ☺️

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

ha ha great color, yum!

[@chayastoll1046]

Thank you for another interesting video! I love your story lines. So interesting!

[@peterdalyy3542]

I have watched your videos from the beginning and find wonderful how you always find new content thank you so much

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I know you’ve been around for a long time and soooo appreciate it! ♥️

[@marshadashoff4828]

I felt a bit uneasy with the singing of G-d Bless America. It felt like they were accusing the Chasidim of being Anti American. And as Jews, we must follow the laws of our land and I believe we do love this country.

[@ericah6546]

I felt uneasy too. It's a song that should not be thrown in the face of other Americans like that.

[@rorymosley9356]

@@ericah6546genuine question: do Satmar members consider themselves to be American? I saw an article that discussed Zalman Leib Teitlebaum’s comments that Satmar are not Americans but are Jews in exile. My understanding is that Rebbe Yoel despised American culture. Based on this, I would think that, at least the leadership, does not consider Satmar to be part of American society or indeed to be American at all. Is this accurate or am I missing some other context?

[@yosefweiss54]

@@rorymosley9356the thing is they are Jews but in judaism there is a law “the law of the land you shall follow”. There is an exception, if the law contradicts with the Jewish law then the Jewish law is binding over the law of the land. When a person says that “we are Jews”, in other, words I want the Messiah to come, and we are in America not for permanent. Hope that helps you understand.

[@shiloh3202]

If you dont thank the host nation, why should they even keep you? If you don't wish goodness for the people who offers goodness, you are being wicked.

[@brucelevine6517]

​@@rorymosley9356no no no your feelings are not founded in fact

[@ChanaKay-x1q]

Thanks to both of you for your work! I watched the film a while ago. (I live in KJ). When Max and John met I followed along with anticipation. I waited Max to listen to Johns side and validadte how he must feel. But instead he only talked abt how he's the victim...it bothered me. So abt the urbanization of the region, i have friends that love it and thrive in it. I have other friends who consider moving away bcs they cant take it.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I hear you. I think Mad wanted to be heard, it can be really frustrating to watch your community get portrayed in a way that feels inaccurate over and over again. also maybe something was cut, we don’t know what they took out.

[@Zelde-M]

In Frieda’s latest long-form video we meet Jesse Sweet, director of the marvelous and informative documentary City of Joel. As a native NYer I clearly remember the founding of this Hasidic Village, known to us as Kiryas Joel, named for Rebbe Joel Teitelbaum leader of the Satmar sect in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. What was once a village has continued to expand in large part due to the population birthrate. In this gorgeous film full of breathtaking views of the area we see what happens when the village needs to expand to provide housing/services for the growing Hasidic community creating tension between the varying residents. This doc is fair and balanced imo covering all sides of the issue with nuance and sensitivity. Frieda’s questions and comments which are always thoughtful and discerning are especially poignant as KJ is her birthplace and home of her growing up years. She is an insider which provides an exceptional understanding. Homerun!! Shkoyakh!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

“Frieda’s questions and comments which are always thoughtful and discerning are especially poignant as KJ is her birthplace and home of her growing up years. She is an insider which provides an exceptional understanding. “ thank you for this!

[@gcolwill]

This doc is fair and balanced imo covering all sides of the issue with nuance and sensitivity. - That was my impression, as well.

[@davidnefesh]

Another fantastic and nuanced interview, Frieda - thank you and Jesse! Warm wishes from Metro Detroit, where I've been noticing more and more Shtreimlech around here on Shabbos and holidays - Gerer or Stoliner chassidim I believe (an earlier Stoliner Rebbe is buried here). I think the issue of gender and oppression depends on the specific family dynamic. There are some Chassidic families where the husband may dominate, and some where the woman are alpha, and mixtures in between. I've known many very religious women who see their role with great pride and strength. It's sad to me that many outside the community who peer inside now and then jump to the conclusion that women in the community are submissive or treated as inferior simply because of the obvious and clear division of roles. I believe the greater problem socially and psychologically is when a Chassidic individual - whether wife, husband, child or teen - can't bring their heart and soul in synch with what is expected of them in Chassidic culture and religious life, and they need another type of social experience to live in peace and harmony with how they see themselves authentically. In a Chassidic context, such a person bumps up against a ton of family and community conflict, which often leads to alienation, depression, etc. While I see the matter of early marriage in most Chassidic sects (typically ~18-21, after 2-5 "dates" at both sets of parents' homes) as having a functional purpose that supports the longevity and growth of the community, many young adults that age are still typically facing and coming out of childhood developmental conflicts and challenges and are hardly prepared psychologically for fast-track to marriage and many children before they are 25. For those whose hearts are in line with loving their children and running a household and doing a great job of it, it works out fine and often the couple grows in love in their working together on common goals. But the community doesn't allow for variation in cases where the young person is obviously ill-prepared or doesn't at all want that kind of life so fast, so soon, or at all. Longevity and homogeneity of a culture depends on sameness, and there's a beauty in that - as well as a problem when it comes to those in that culture who can't find contentment submitting blindly to that way of life. It's an unsolvable tension.

[@dyanalayng5507]

Thank you, Frieda. Very interesting.

[@Derf56]

Another informative video - thank you for all of your hard work!

[@judithwood9692]

This interview was very meaningful for me. I had already seen the documentary and was fascinated with it.. I agree with Mr. Sweet that it is more important to show the ambiguity between an among different points of you and not whoever is the good guy in the bad guy in the story. This is not real life when we look at it that way. But especially right now with our divided society people want Everything packaged in these either or terms. In each of us individually, and community, there is truth and falsehood.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

so agree, I think the black and white divided society is so entrenched and it creates so many social ills.

[@fcohen8296]

Compliments to you Frieda! I can't put my finger on what it is exactly but every time I watch one of your videos it makes me stop and think...and to feel the need to comment. I think it is a combination of you being so pleasant and fair and of me identifying so much with the subject matter. Best point I heard in this video is something that would make this world a much better place: that you don't have to put either a white or black hat on entire groups of people; we can just listen and understand or at least try to. Strangest thing...that did bother me a bit: For a film maker (and although I haven't watched his films, I do believe he is really good at what he does), it is surprising that he seemed to find it difficult to stay facing the camera.

[@janetsnyder4368]

One more thing I was reading some of your comments and saw one from a person from Radburn NJ..well this Lutheran lived there for 2 years and love it….very diverse and everyone got along well.

[@coneflower51wf75]

I think it’s worth studying and investigating Lakewood NJ which is center of Orthodox Jewish and Hasidic learning and life. The biggest gripe is that many non Orthodox and Hasidic residents feel that the Orthodox Jewish community has too much influence on where the tax money goes to educating children

[@bonnieschechner9476]

Just finished watching the documentary City of Joel. It was very good and also informative. I would like to know what the more secular, conservative,Jewish people’s involvement was, if any.. except for that one family. Hasidic life seems difficult to me. And I consider myself a proud Jewish woman.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

interesting feedback Bonnie! so glad you shared! I didn’t take away from the doc that hasidic life is difficult because… I already knew this and I also think it’s beautiful

[@Peaces2707]

Congrats dor the video. Excellent information

[@1BestCookie]

I wonder how the annexation actually effected the town of monroe now that it has passed. Even I who grew up in kiryias joal I miss the old town feeling of the place

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I miss the old town feel too. You pose a great question; I wonder if someone who knows can pitch in!

[@judithmagnuson-yq6og]

Freida it would be so interesting to tell us about your life, family & make video tour of Kiryas Joel.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I will try!

[@underdogrescueofflorida2313]

From Amherst MA here Jesse. I'm glad you mentioned the gendered perspective Frieda.

[@vividdreams7072]

This was so interesting, thank you

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thank you for watching!

[@Dev_KG]

Very interested, I'll definitely watch!

[@margauxazoulay6021]

The 2 videos with 2 women's different point of you is amazing. To me KJ look so safe, warm,and in a way easy and protective as a bubble can be but it is interresting to seen person for whom it is a nightmare. For info i am leaving in Jérusalem

[@hannah.1836]

Heads up for any fellow Canadians - the documentary is not on Amazon for us but it’s on tubi!

[@stevenginsberg8471]

Just regarding the reference to the East Ramapo school district. In Ramapo, there is a very large chasidic population - for sure. But there is also a large Orthodox non-chasidic population that also voted (mostly) for the School Board takeover. And politicking to each segment of the Orthodox community is different. Outside of Chassidic sects, other Orthodox Jews often need to be convinced to vote a certain way, as opposed to just receiving a "list" to follow instructions. It is more complicated than KJ.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

good point!

[@FionaKumariCampbell]

The doco is not available via Amazon in the UK

[@oliviugavrilescu]

I really wish someone would do a documentary about the origin of Satmar and go back in time and try to tell the stories around Joel's time in Sighet, Satu-Mare, Carei, Satu-Mare(again), attempted escape via Cluj and then finally escape to Switzerland and then Israel and the US, and bring back to life the atmosphere of that complicated period. There are still a very few survivors(if any) still alive that have witnessed that period and the window is closing. It would be amazing if someone would reconstitute the environment of inter-war East Hungary/Transilvania, as things have changed so much now, that I am afraid the memory will be lost forever. For example, Sighet (which is the origin of the Satmar dynasty), was before the war more than 50% Jewish and the Hasidim there was was very different than in most other places in Europe. People don't know, but there were Hasidic farmers, shepherds besides the typical occupations of shop keepers, timber merchants and so on. Sighet at the time was a centre of excellence for printing religious texts and was well known for the Sighet rabbis of course, with people traveling from long distances to come for advice. I am from the area and I am fascinated by this period from the ethnographical point of view: there are some research papers and 1-2 books in Romanian that touch the Satmar tangentially, but nothing more to preserve this memory. Elie Wiesel's Night covers this period in the initial part, but he is coming from a more moderate background and not from Satmar. Whenever I go back home I visit Sighet and during my trips, I only met one person who remembers the times before 1944. I am not a scholar, so I don't have the academic background for this, but if I get the time, I might try to put something together and publish it somewhere.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

this would be so amazing and like you said, now with the last survivors around is the time to do it. how can we make it happen? should we suggest the project to famous doc filmmakers?

[@michellelansky4490]

It's so interesting. I don't think ANY litvishe/non chassidish people think like this and certainly don't speak like this. Of course we know all about the Holocaust and remember it and have survivors also .....it's not AT ALL what drives our lives. Even those that are grandchildren of survivors. We have a lot of children bec we love raising large families to Torah and mitzvos but the war is not a main focus in any way.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I found it really interesting that she said that as well, to be honest. I also didn't grow up too focused on that; we just knew that it didn't matter how many we were, just so long as there are those continuing the goldene chain.

[@michellelansky4490]

@FriedaVizelBrooklyn Its interesting that I've heard many chassidim say that in interviews and such inc some of the chassidishe celebrities. Either they think non Jews like to hear that or......and this was pointed out to me by a very astute friend. The chassidish community (well not the Polish) had many more survivors to really grow up with and hear that from en masse. While all Jewish communities have survivors, most of NON Hungarian Jewry was wiped out. It's mostly people here from before the war that we descend from or people that escaped during the war but didn't live thru the camps (ie all those in Shanghai). Of course anecdotally there are people but as a community it's not the same generation of survivors as the Hungarians have.

[@oliviugavrilescu]

Such a shame the documentary is not available outside of the US.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

oh what a shame indeed!

[@meaghanpavljuk1491]

Did you try searching on KZbin ? Amazon may only be in the states.... but I found on KZbin for 2.99 to rent .

[@vividdreams7072]

Great, thankyou ,am in England UK and so want to watch ​@meaghanpavljuk1491

[@jeromemckenna7102]

It is nice to have you interview someone who doesn't use Yiddish. Much easier to follow.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

ha ha I hear you!

[@juliaagnes7]

Again, another great job. I think I am going to watch part of your long videos and I end up fascinated each time. I never knew of this issue. Interesting way to present it and understand. Thanks for your work.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I’m sooo happy to hear this! ♥️

[@sharongullikson2121]

I like that he didn't go into the project wanting to make it black and white--tell us what to think. I agree that it is complicated, so much more complicated than I can imagine since I know so little. Knowing so little, I don't understand why the non-Hasidic people would be upset. Maybe they don't want the natural look of the area to be crowded? I can understand that completely! They moved there because it was natural....I am going to try to watch the documentary so maybe I will understand better. Like he said, there are layers....and it's not easy to just say one side is correct and the other is wrong.

[@Audioobscure]

It's so cool that your dad is in the film. I want to hear more about your family. Did the chassidim know jesse sweet is jewish or did it not matter bc he's not jewish enough for them?

[@benyaakov6453]

Any relation to Moishe Yossel Wertheimer?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Yes, he's my uncle. We hear him thanked when the documentary opens, ironically, while we see my son's father. Weird opening of the film for me!

[@hannah.1836]

I was a bit disappointed that the film focused more on the non-Hasidic view because I felt it (albeit maybe unintentionally) came across as favouring the non-Hasidic view, but I think the documentary overall was a great opportunity to exercise one’s critical thinking skills. The issue at hand is so fascinating and almost deliriously complex. I think you are so right, Frieda, when you point out that the population in Kiryas Joel was always bound to grow, because realistically that’s what happens in any community - it grows. I honestly don’t have a fully formed opinion on the matter but I will say that a thought that came to me many times while watching the film was that if the Hasidim can’t expand their land they won’t just stop growing their families, and the village will turn into something of a slum, which I’m sure the other residents of Monroe would complain about because of the overcrowding/noise/pollution/general chaos that would ensue. Also interesting that the non-Hasidim make the point that it’s too expensive to move out of Monroe… I find the irony of that almost funny. If a single guy in a huge house can’t afford to move, I somehow doubt the family of 8 with one income can afford to move to a new town either. Overall I think both sides of the debate make good points and I thank you for the opportunity to learn more!

[@hannah.1836]

Completely unrelated but Frieda I would love for you to consider making a video about the division of Satmar after the founder passed away. Just an idea!! I adore your videos and as someone who is completely disconnected from the topics you cover (I’m not Jewish, no one in my family is Jewish, and I live in a place with a very small Jewish presence) I so appreciate your open-minded, curious, and objective approach to the topics you cover. 😊

[@terrytrammell7388]

I grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. I’m not Jewish but is what 49:45 is commonly known as W. A.S.P. (White, Anglo, Saxon Protestant. Our city over the past few years has become crowded and extremely dangerous and unattractive. It breaks my heart to see what has happened to our town. At 81 I won’t have much longer but it breaks my heart for the members of my family that will be left in this mess. I continue to pray daily for the well being of my family and friends. Forced change is hard and destructive.

[@bethbailey7121]

I live in Ft. Worth and what you are describing is not at all accurate!!! The city is a mostly diverse community of different cultures and beliefs. Maybe it's ugly to you because you would prefer everyone to be white and right wing christian!

[@terrytrammell7388]

@ I’ve lived here for 81 years and Fort Worth is overcrowded and has become a dangerous place to live. Downtown is ugly and unrecognizable and tacky apartment buildings are springing up everywhere. We were once a city of homes, yards and children played outside. In the spring and summer we slept with our houses opened and the screen door latched. Fort Worth has become an over populated dangerous place to live. Our public schools are a dangerous place to send our children. My family came here when Jefferson Davis was the President of Texas. I’ve watched our beautiful small town develop into something unrecognizable. We have become another Chicago.

[@A.Montgomery]

As always, wonderful documentation, Frieda! I also need to check out Jesse Sweet’s documentary. That small part with the Jewish music during the celebration is so powerful and beautiful. Thank you for sharing your world with us!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I’m glad the samples we showed resonated!

[@SwamiMommy]

I grew up Orthodox in Brooklyn. I have never been to Kiryas Joel. Are there any modern Orthodox communities in that area?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Not in Kiryas Joel, no. It's purely Satmar Hasidim.

[@shellybcrowell416]

Hi Frieda! I love your videos and I really enjoyed this one about your hometown! I have one question - I am not Jewish but I have great respect for the Jewish faith and people and I have many friends who are Jewish. All of them are very highly educated and respect for education seems to be a common theme among the Jewish people I know. Why do you think that in this community the people don’t want to pay taxes for public schools? Do they not want their neighbors to benefit from public education? I can’t understand it! Thanks for yet another fascinating video ❤

[@NewTroll-u1k]

lol which educated person would even think of wanting to pay for public education? everyone knows public education is a euphemism for public ignorance.

[@sunshine6522]

In general- people won't be thrilled to pay thousands of dollars for something they don't use, there's always going to be a conflict of interest between those who pay the bill and those who benefit from the service. In Rockland County NY where I live- the situation is much worse, due to a lack of state funding for the school district that results in an enormous tax burden on homeowners, the vast majority of whom are Hasidic Jews like myself who don't use public education. The root cause of the problem is a flawed state funding formula that leaves East Ramapo school district with very little state funding, but why fix the problem when you can just milk the homeowners and then scapegoat them when the enormous amount of taxes they're paying still isn't enough to cover the costs?

[@dsquared1950]

@@sunshine6522All of us who have no children support the public schools through our taxes. We do it because we have no choice or because we value education or both. We also support roads we don’t necessarily use and emergency services we hope not to use and so on… for the common good.

[@sunshine6522]

@@dsquared1950 Paying property taxes by itself isn't the issue, the only question is how much. In East Ramapo we are paying a ridiculous amount of it, due to the state funding formula that falsely classifies East Ramapo as a wealthy district based on property values, and doesn't take into account the 35,000 private school children who are entitled to services such as transportation but don't receive any extra state funding to cover the costs. As a result- we are carrying an enormous tax burden that should be carried by the state, and are being vilified when we're trying to keep taxes from increasing even further.

[@Audioobscure]

I'm all for high density housing. We don't need more suburban sprawl. It's also interesting how the Jews that came over through Ellis Island at the turn of the century before the Holocaust are so different. Like my family, we consider ourselves Americans before anything else. We just happened to be Jews but it's not something we're passionate about.

[@lisakingsley6515]

If the people understand what is happening, why the two sides are worried, what they are concerned about it might actually have some agreement.

[@jillclark6076]

I went to Aldi's for the first time visiting my son and daughter in law in Iowa. We don't have them in Utah. Mu daughter in law likes shopping there. It was fun to see. It was the first time I've ever paid for the shopping cart and then got the coin back when I returned it. You just grab a cart here and return it to a place in the parking lot. No coins needed. 😂

[@Audioobscure]

Cool story bro. Just like some shoprites have coin carts and others don't. Lots of grocery stores do. And some don't.

[@gailmcn]

having to "rent" the cart means it will be returned to where the store want it to be, without using employee time, instead of being left all over the parking lot!

[@bettymaines6305]

Interesting and controversial subject. I assume that the residents , excluding the Satmar community Are single family homes with residents buying the house they live in. Going in with higher density apartments in a single family home area usually drives down the value of the single family residential areas and this gets home owners very upset as so much of their hard earned money goes into buying a home. When this land was purchased I am sure the buyers knew the zoning restrictions. Yet, people need a place a live that is decent and affordable. I can see the conflict and both sides have valid points. Which gets to what you said about being inclusive when there are definite cultural differences. It sounds easy on paper but not so easy in practice even with the best of intentions.

[@sunshine6522]

Property values only go down when there's an increase in housing supply without a zoning change. when the zoning changes to allow high density housing- property values go up significantly because the land becomes very valuable. a single family home that previously went for 700-800K can then be sold to a developer for 1.8- $2 million. But that's not even the situation here. the annexed land was uninhabited and didn't result in lower demand for single-family housing in surrounding neighborhoods, since no outsider wants to live among Hasidic Jews on the annexed land. the surrounding residents are totally unreasonable in my opinion.

[@VioletACordy]

🌴🌴🩵🩵Thank you, Frieda and Jesse Sweet🌴🌴🌳🎄🌳🌳🌳💙💙💙💙💙💙💙V.🌴🌴

[@lisakingsley6515]

Why can't they understand each other? As a Jewish person, not hasidic, I feel that they all needed to understand and talk to one another before the vote

[@stephanienewhouse2056]

That is NOT the National Anthem, Frieda. The National Anthem is the Star Spangle Banner, not God Bless America.

[@janetsides901]

How can you live in a country and not know the national anthem??

[@EDA-f7o]

Didn't the guest research before going to Joel?

[@GaliSinatra]

If the school districts weren't interviewed, I don't feel that it is a full story on that vote.

[@Audioobscure]

I saw this documentary a while ago. Neither side was very likable. They needed better spokesmen for non-community outreach.

[@lawrencemielnicki5643]

Mr. Sweet makes a good point about John and Max. There’s an old saying that “familiarity breeds contempt.” But the sentiment behind this saying is incorrect. The non Hasidic community doesn’t understand Hasidism (and specifically the various sects) and to a large extent they don’t understand us. If there was more understanding (on both sides) this may not have been such an issue. Having lived in Brooklyn for a large part of my life (and through videos like Frieda’s) I feel I have an above average understanding of Hasidim than the typical citizen. I will get a lot of criticism for writing this but I think this falls mostly on the Hasidim. There is a lot of information about the secular world and even the Christian denominations. There is virtually none on the majority of Hasidic sects (perhaps with the exception of the Chabad). With understanding comes trust. I recall having an orthodox Jewish coworker many years ago. We would eat lunch together and I learned about his life and he learned about my religious Catholic life. He commented that my religion was closer to his than orthodoxy was to reformed Judaism. I don’t know if that was true, but he certainly had a better understanding of me (and my life and people like me) and I had a better of his life and people. I believe Frieda, whether she planned it or not, helps to further this understanding.

[@Amandaaa2244]

I grew up about 15 minutes from KJ. Never thought much of them until I started getting involved in congressional elections and would get very frustrated because it felt like the candidates ONLY cared about what people from KJ thought because they voted as a block so whatever they wanted they would get. The candidates knew that if they lost the KJ block, they would never win. I was very relieved to hear that after I moved, there was redistricting, and now my parents are no longer in the same congressional district as KJ so their voices as constituents actually matter, whereas before, they just didn’t.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thank you for this insight!

[@kimc555]

Need to watch the doc. Curious if those from KJ felt anti-semitism from those voting no on annexation or if it was received as ‘we don’t want the community of KJ to grow larger’? In terms of diversity of culture, the challenge comes when individual cultures are very homogenous.

[@makeGODsmile]

😊

[@VioletACordy]

🌴🎄🌳🩵💙💜😎BEAUTIFUL FRIEDA🌸LOV THIS AND ALL YOUR BRILLIANT + AND UTTERLY VITAL AND IMPORTANT INTERVIEAS BEAUTIFUL DOCUMENTARIES🌴🩵💙THANK YOU🌷🌷G-D BLESS YOU🌴🌴🌴🎄🩵💙❤💜💙🩵🌴🎄🌳🎄🌳🌳🌳🩵💙💜❤❤❤💜🌴🎄🌴violet ADA c🩵

[@rachaelnead4629]

I totally agree Frieda that as feminists if we claim to support the rights of women, we have to support their right to choose to live in a different way than what " traditonal" feminism might support. You can't have it both ways.

[@dovlirol]

Wait, what was that advertisement at the beginning? I thought this channel was Jewish friendly? I guess it's not so pareve

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

it’s an excerpt from the documentary

[@Carole-r7c]

Question -- Did Kiryas Joel used to be Monsey??

[@SIR46661]

No, Monsey is about 30 miles south.

[@PatriciaPalmer-o3e]

💥🤣 My childhood village propagated with yentas and bubbies, you sneezed and heard guzuntheit so you had da hankerchif ? 3 miles away.

[@simonewoodwell7354]

If Kiryas Joel takes money from the Federal government how is that sign be legal.

[@sunshine6522]

It's legal as long as it isn't being enforced.,

[@simonewoodwell7354]

@@sunshine6522 Not good. I am old enough to have seen signs in New Jersey- No Jews or Dogs

[@sunshine6522]

@@simonewoodwell7354 That would be the equivalent of a sign at the entrance of Kiryas Joel that says ' no gentiles or dogs allowed'. asking people to voluntarily dress a certain way is not the same as preventing people from accessing private or public spaces due to their religion/ ethnicity.

[@simonewoodwell7354]

@@sunshine6522 I dress in what I believe is in a very modest way but I wear pants. If I weren't a widow, I may walk down a street holding my husband's hand, Are they going to throw stones at me if I happened into their village.

[@sunshine6522]

@@simonewoodwell7354 No, nobody would throw stones at you. most likely nobody would even say anything.

[@maureenmckenna5220]

America is a “melting pot”, which is what has made us who we are. We are a nation who has not treated immigrants in a welcoming way. Every new wave has had to overcome many nasty hurdles, but they have, and that was their goal in coming here. The second generation, and certainly the third generation became “American”. They take up the values and mores of the area where they live. That will never happen in this conservative Jewish community. Their goal is to remain separate, and, indeed, this Jewish community is “not one of us”, because they do not wish to be. It is a growing community, but completely separate, and that is not something that is considered “American”. The same thing happened with the Amish and they moved out of PA into other states. My feeling is that the people of Monroe will continue to fight expansion of this Hasidic sect for all the reasons above, including outsiders simply not understanding them. And, they never will if they continue to be so separate. The Supreme Court case of 1994 found against the Hasidim but New York State made it possible, legally, for them to continue. Yes, he is correct. We live in bubbles but I don’t believe time will help us identify with those who live in other bubbles. We need to mingle, meet each other as people, and that seems impossible with this conservative group of Jews.

[@benyaakov6453]

I had a Satmar friend named Max as a teenager Max (Mordechai) Oberlander his parents owned the bakery.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Yum, Oberlanders is famous!

[@sharongullikson2121]

I'm not sure I will appreciate his Nature of Crime as much as I will City of Joel once I find it on Amazon. My grandpa was murdered by a gang because they decided to kill the first white man they saw....he was the first they saw. A handicapped man, beaten and stabbed to death right in front of his wife. They told my grandma that if she testified, they would kill her, too. She had her friends move all of her things from her little apartment to another little apartment so the gang couldn't find her. And she testified in court. But it did no good. They got off because they were 13-19 years old, and maybe also because nobody wanted to prosecute them in that city........So I might not appreciate a documentary that doesn't necessarily hold criminals accountable.

[@ariebrons7976]

1:01 "Every child that was born was a defeat to Hitler". W.T.F does that even mean?!

[@gailmcn]

It means this: Hitler wanted to destroy all Jews. To bring another Jewish person into the world increases the number of Jews, which helps defeat Hitler's goal to annihilate them completely. And there are many 'Hitlers types' in this world even now.

[@thlsralv]

I assume her grasp of English maybe hindered her from saying that in a way that most people would easily understand... I took it to mean that each child born was like a proverbial middle finger to Hitler, who tried to extinguish the Jews.

[@jimdeane3667]

OK, you have my attention. But I need to call it a day. I will watch the balance tomorrow (bli neder). My immediate sense from the voting clip is sadness. The non-Jewish, well-intentioned citizens did not understand the impact of their action upon the Satmar community. My heart goes out.

[@Ahzpayne]

As a Jew I have to say those of us who chose to run and hide away after the events in Germany really dropped the ball. Insular communities and orthodoxy have only hardened hearts and made monsters where there were none. A community made up entirely of one religion and one ethnicity is anathema to everything America stands for. Why are my people trying to build reservations for themselves? Maybe you wouldn't have to be afraid of your neighbors if you weren't trying to steal their land while telling them you're superior. Wait. That scenario seems awfully familiar...

[@sunshine6522]

America stands for religious freedom and the right of everyone to conduct their lives exactly the way they see fit. your intolerance is anathema to everything America stands for. And since when is buying land called "stealing"?

[@Audioobscure]

It really pisses me off how the non-jews mispronounce the name of the town

[@annedon776]

Tomatoes or tomato . Doesn’t make it wrong.

[@karenavey2183]

His cadence is quite uncomfortable to listen to.

[@LeighPscheidt]

Are the women allowed to vote?

[@dawnps5671]

I’ve lived very near Lakewood NJ. If anyone speaks out against anything the community wants, they are immediately labeled antisemitic. It’s not true. Others are entitled to their desire to live without the absurdly high density. “They paved paradise”. Master plans and zoning should not be changed to benefit any specific group.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

it’s definitely valid to criticize the community and doesn’t mean you’re an antisemite, sometimes people are too quick to silence anyone but sometimes there are real antisemites.

[@sunshine6522]

Be honest, you just want to keep them out. it has nothing to do with zoning. I live in Rockland county NY and there was no zoning changes to any of the neighborhoods that have been inhabited by members of our community during the past 1-2 decades, it's all single family. and yet the original residents waged war against our very presence every single time. People don't like it when a bunch of strangers show up and take over their neighborhood. i totally get it- but my right to have a roof over my head at an affordable price comes before your right to live among your own kind.

[@pernille8071]

? ?Perhaps I am missing something - how can one couple have 30 children?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

who has 30 children? No one has 30 children - I'm not sure where you got that from?

[@pernille8071]

@FriedaVizelBrooklyn The Lady in the intro said her grandparents were Holocaust survivors and had 30 children - from what I understand and I played this part several times.

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

I think she says "thirteen children". Her grandparents were Holocaust survivors and had 13 children. Not 30.

[@pernille8071]

@@jimmyjohnstone5878 Thank you!

[@maureenmckenna5220]

In the case of almost all religious groups who keep themselves apart from the culture of the area, the people outside of the religion group will develop a sense of animosity for the separateness, and fear as an offshoot. This was, and is, an attempt by a religious group to insulate themselves in every way, from the people surrounding them, in order to avoid the lure of a life that is not ultra conservative. Much had to do with how the village was funded and the conflict with people sitting on the board who also benefitted from contracts awarded to the village, funded by federal money. In fact, in the 1990’s this went to the Supreme Court who ruled against the Jewish enclave. New York State then passed laws to protect them from that decision and people gave up the fight. That federal tax money passes to an exclusively religious institution, which excludes outsiders, does not sit right with many who live there, and those who live outside. In separating themselves completely from the people who surround them, they foster the very feelings that lead to antisemitism. This is necessary, in their view, to protect their very strict lifestyle from intrusion by the modern, outside world, and they are probably right, if that is the outcome you want.

[@annedon776]

Why is only the Jewish men in the movie that get to make the decisions? Women can’t speak up is so disrespectful . I thought it hostile when all the Hasidic men walk in.

[@k.k.5046]

If I were Jewish I would choose to live Kiryas Joel instead of Bnei Brak. Why? Cleaner, elegant and modern environment + less Arabs around eating halal burgers . P.S. Did not see halal burgers in the Bible , but saw God of Israel mentioned by Jews ,who will be scattered everywhere around the World like NY and LA ...

[@k.k.5046]

Kamala has won the peace of mind . Now Donald must light 7 branches golden Menorah with the purest olive oil from Israel on Hanukkah 2024 . How the heck is he going to do that by sacking former religious advisers ???