He spent a year in one of the most unwelcoming neighborhoods | Interview with Tuvia Tenenbom

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Link to Tuvia Tenenbom’s book: amzn.to/3W8Mpsb

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Update - I finally added closed captions! It only took m e about 6 hours of my life 😂😂😭😭I hope it will be helpful to people with auditory issues or who struggle with Tuvia's many Yiddish words. Please leave a comment with feedback on the captions.

[@TalBlue]

I'll to make this short. I was born in Israel to a Holocaust survivor. Although we were secular, My father always spoke Yiddish to me so that I would know the mame-loshn. My father has passed and now after listening to Tovia I understand why speaking and hearing Yiddish brings so much joy. Because not only am I connecting to my father z"l but also to my grandparents. Btw, my grandparents were Satmar.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

When you speak, my grandparents and your grandparents speak to each other ❤️

[@extanegautham8950]

you said it! that humor dissapears amongs yiddim west of the adirondacks though, esp in So Cal...

[@extanegautham8950]

Of course that is why. Esp if they/you speak chassdic yiddish. my american Yivo trained speakers, it sounds like a whole nother academic textbook language, they do not even know the colloqial term for window! but still, i have seen video where the chassidim in williamsburg are so friendly and helpful!

[@estherrubin867]

This is one of my favorite of your interviews. Tuvia has an open mind, sees both sides, speaks the truth, and has a deep understanding of what makes people tick! His journey, humor, manner of speech, and Yiddishkeit reminds me so much of my own family. He is a gem! Congrats on your corporate sponsorship. Your platform give voice to points of view that need to be shared. Thank you!!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you Esther! I do find Tuvia’s humor very heimish and his deep love for his fellow people and fellow Jews very relatable.

[@ellenschattner7421]

Once again, Frieda, you have introduced your viewers to another, knowledgeable, sensitive, witty person, who has a great understanding of people. Tuvia, reminds us not to focus on one's differences, but rather look at the good in what they are doing. Although I was not raised in a Hasidic community, I always thought they were being openly criticized not only from Jewish communities, but society in general. One can criticize that the children are being deprived an education in the Hasidic community, yet the average American is reading at a 7th or 8th grade level. As a society, we need to look at the facts before making a judgment or decision. So happy you are getting sponsors and can't wait to read Tuvia's book.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

You’re so on point Ellen. I feel like we can of course criticize societies, but we need to keep it in perspective and be honest about ourselves and where the criticism is coming from. I’m now dealing with floods of comments on my shorter videos about payos and kosher phones with really terrible comments about the Jews, and I often feel that it comes from a place of no sensitivity, no interest to extend to the other the same empathy we hope would be extended to us. I really appreciate my regular viewers for being such a breath of fresh air!

[@chanaselka]

7th or 8th grade reading level is good… the average American is more of a 3rd 4th grade level

[@angerycamel2]

The part about jewish humor almost brought a tear to my eye in this interview. My grandfather who is on his last legs and has survived now 3 strokes. This humor that the man describes this is his humor, he's not satmar, or bobov, or anything like that. He's a secular jew who grew up speaking yiddish in jamaica queens to galitziner jewish family. Every single conversation is a like this. Filled with jokes, filled with not taking anything so seriously. He served in Korea. He is my favorite person. When I became frum, he would always say to me GUT YOMTIF, and make jokes about my kipa. Its this old world that connects us all.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I feel like I know the exact person.

[@MentalHelathAdvacate1996]

Love this - sounds like my grandfather ❤

[@Goldtrader1968]

Mazel... How blessed you are. He will always be a bright light and a BEAUTIFUL influence in your life.

[@TheNostalgicKitchen]

Thanks so much for asking him to speak a little bit more English or translate a bit more, because before that I didn’t understand half of what he was saying (although enjoying the interview none the less!). And it was so incredibly nice of him to comply immediately and really put an effort into making sure everyone understands him. I saw it was sometimes hard for him (either because of language or because of his enthusiasm!) but he didn’t forget. Loved this interview, thanks again Frieda! ❤ ps. Congratulations on your first sponsorship!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

For this video, I have my first business sponsor! If you love Jewish themed art, visit WanderLandsm.com and make sure to use coupon code Frieda10 to get 10% off. :)

[@AdaraBalabusta]

I am going to take a look. I need a Judaic painting. One of my sons needs some casual shirts. ❤

[@renag9475]

He speaks of the terrible rifts in Israel and i'm happy to be able to inform you and your audience of many grassroots initiatives of various "camps" gathering for regular civil discussion that have arisen over the past few years

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@AdaraBalabusta I don't think they have casual shirts but they have paintings! If anyone who sells casual shirts wants to sponsor me... maybe my son with be my customer too! ETA: Actually just saw they do have shirts!!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@renag9475 I'm very happy to hear this.

[@AsserYarafatso]

1:16:34 The website of new haven ministries had tovias wife "Miriam" speak. Is she xtrian? Do they have kids? Were his wife issi aka Miriam's parents, nazis or hitler youth yimach shemam?

[@mariaa.9952]

I’m a 1st gen Italian Canadian born into Catholic family (more secular even tho received most of the sacraments) but I cannot get enough of your channel, it’s absolutely fascinating!! I’ve learnt so much…Thank youuuu! 🙏🙏🙏

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

❤️

[@articufixrubin3106]

Another amazing interview. You are going from strength to strength. So many programs about the Chareidy community are produced by people who left and reflect anger and condescension. What makes this interview so compelling is the affection and respect. Thank YOU so much

[@carolynstewart7961]

What a great conversation. I could listen to the two of you for hours and hours. Thank you for this video.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thanks for watching!!

[@bettymaines6305]

Congrats on your first corporate sponsor!! You do fabulous videos , I think your corporate sponsor is honored they get to be your sponsor. Hope this is the first of many.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Amen, thanks so much! It's not quite a sponsorship to be honest - I'm getting a commission if someone buys something but not a payment for the ad, but it's been really hard for me to get here so it's a big deal to me!

[@sunangel-rivka]

This is hilarious!!! I never learned Yiddish, but my family was from Germany, so of course I speak fluent German. I was able to understand 95% of the Yiddishism that Tuvia threw in from that and with the little bit of Hebrew I know. What a great positive attitude and sense of humor. Love it!

[@sammishbenseid4385]

I appreciate Tuvia Tenenbom not only as a writer but as jewish personality. I discovered Tuvia's writing wit and humor in his early book, like Catch the Jew and I slept in Hitler's Room. He is an extraordinary jew. He can fit anywhere in any jewish or non jewish social groups. He speaks the truth and in real life moments and experiences. He also has a genuine critical mind and witty way to describe reality as is, without harshness or hubris. I consider him to be a premium ethnologist. Can't wait to read his new book. Thanks for the podcast. An old Moroccan Jew living in Michigan.

[@andreaf7886]

Wonderful video. I plan to watch again to pick up on any content I missed. What a charming, funny, thoughtful, and intelligent man. I hope this video reaches many viewers. He shares so much wisdom and insight.

[@gcolwill]

Great interview (as I've come to expect). I have read several of Mr Tenenbom's books and have enjoyed them all, so I bought this newest on and look forward to reading it this week. Thanks!

[@bonnielester3724]

Great interview as usual. Thank you for interviewing this brilliant spirited man . I look to your channel to water my Jewish roots. Congratulations on securing your first business sponsor 💫

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you so much! Our Jewish roots are very precious.

[@bonnielester3724]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I love your show. I work with people suffering from chronic pain so I am careful to manage my stress so I don’t get burned out. One of my tools is to watch one of your heart filled interviews- you never let me down. ❤️

[@ernazelic5521]

Non Jewish, but love your vlog! Just wanted you to know that I ordered the book by Tuvia Tenenbom. He seems a remarkably warm and funny human being. Looking forward to some wonderful humor, much needed in these awful dark times. Thank you for your contribution in bringing us some fantastic content. G-d Bless!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

yes, we all need more laughter!

[@tamarfischer283]

I am so pleased to.see a man who knows both worlds admit that you can be in university and know gornischt, and be in bne brak and be smart. I have a tzaddik of a brother in law, who wouldn't spend a minute not studying torah. Not only did he learn the multiplication tables in the bathroom when he was a kid, but he understands math as well as any college graduate who isn't a mathematician, if not better (he once explained to my sister and me why when one divides a fraction the number gets bigger). When I landed in the university I was flabbergasted at how the students allowed their professors to brainwash them without saying boo. When I compare that to the way my 12 year old students would argue with me if something didn't make sense to them in kodesh class. So, yes, I love, they give the kids what they have. And what charedim have is thousands of years of deep study. The same was true when I taught in a non Jewish high school. The headmaster had guaranteed me that I would have " a lot more freedom to choose" the curriculum than " you have had up till now" in reality I found everything so regimented I had to stifle my creativity when in my charedi school I do whatever I like (provided I follow the general guidelines). There is so much unfair anti- religious bias.

[@chanieweiss4288]

@TamarFischer283 Such an interesting comparison. Thank you for this information. I'm not a teacher so I wouldn't know.

[@extanegautham8950]

absolutely. my experience too. now, they are all brainwashed in academia by antisemitic leftists and moslems. it begain, in earnest, in the 80s when i was at one of the UCs...really obnoxius...to say the least. now, a real and present danger. i never though i would buy myself a firearm, until now...

[@ViguLiviu]

Well I'm going the other way around, trying to understand the religious texts while being an "acher", one can't deny what he doesn't understand, but also one cannot say that their is no beauty in the Dati world. That's how I see it at least.

[@jimbennett3788]

To think, to question, to rationalize, etc, are among the key elements that separate humans from animals

[@elizabethandrus3848]

Thank you for introducing me to Tuvia Tenenbom. I am going to look for his books, his background is absolutely fascinating. I loved getting a "taste" of the true Tuvia. What a delightful author!!!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

He's a fun person who is not afraid to have a mind of his own!

[@trudetonning8613]

I just finished reading "Catch the jew" in the Norwegian translation and I'm obsessed with this author. He made me think new and different about many things. I want to read all his books now. Thank you so much for another interesting episode, Frieda.

[@Zelde-M]

Another home run episode as our fearless guide Frieda happily travels with Tuvia back in time and in the present world of Charedi in Mea Shearim & Israel in general. Shkoyakh!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you dear Zelde, it was so fun and also to meet him at the screening. Thanks for joining!

[@chanieweiss4288]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn Frieda you meet the most interesting people. How do you find them?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@chanieweiss4288 Sometimes people help me by sending me links to people who might interest me!

[@Faigyfeig]

What a gem of a man!

[@liseklerekoper2441]

Another fabulous interview … was thrilled to see you had a new one as the people you interview are incredibly interesting & beautiful in their own ways. Thank you, Frieda, for taking the time to do these long-form interviews like this one. I learn so much from every one of your interviews & am grateful you’re doing more of them. Tuvia reminds me of Robin Williams when he smiles/laughs. 😊

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I see the Robin Williams comparison now and can't unsee it!

[@liseklerekoper2441]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn - It’s so wild, isn’t it?! So glad I’m not the only one who made the connection. I didn’t think he resembled Williams … didn’t even cross my mind … until he was laughing at something you two were discussing & all the sudden, I was seeing Robin William’s face. Like you, once I saw it I couldn’t unsee Williams either. It was the mouth positioning while he was laughing that did it for me.

[@ehrenburk7055]

Love your channel and videos; we're so fortunate that you are willing to share your conversations with all of these amazing guests. I learn so much from them and from you.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you and thank you so much for supporting my work 🙏

[@jbri1]

i like that he threw in a load of yiddish words haha

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I couldn't rein him in!!

[@lindaspillane103]

I enjoyed this interview. I love audiobooks and immediately went to Audible and put Tuvia Tenenbom’s available books into my wishlist. I’m looking forward to listening to them.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

oh I didn’t realize it was available in audiobook! I read everything in audiobook when possible.

[@carolinospelt2932]

Thabk you Frieda. I even didn‘t watch already your vlog with Tuvia Tenenbom. Reading his book „german title „G-tt spricht jiddisch“ was such a pleasure, humorous, entertaining and one can feel his love for the haredi people. I can also recommand his book „catch the jew“ to everyone who‘s interested to learn more about the conflict in Israel. Educating people in such an entertaining way is a huge gift. ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you so much! I read 'G-tt Spricht Jiddish' in the English version. I have yet to read 'Catch the Jew' and think I'll line it up for next.

[@AdaraBalabusta]

Fabulous interview, Frieda! I started reading one of Tuvia’s books on my Kindle already. ✡️❤️

[@no-ah3185]

I appreciate this interview, and at the same time I am frustrated with how oblivious he is to the tremendous limitations resulting from the denial of education. Perhaps in his time, the pursuit of further education was accessible without the fundamentals of basic literacy and numeracy; it certainly is not the case today. He is clearly incredibly intelligent with a very adaptable acquisition of skills and his journey and accomplishments reflect that.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

You are definitely right. He's intelligent above and beyond and self taught on very high levels of knowledge, so he would never experience educational hampering that "ordinary" people would. Of that you are definitely right.

[@ydubin]

Ye, someone who skipped 5 grades isn’t the norm. I was thinking the same thing.

[@juliaagnes7]

Nice job, as always. Well balanced and a good dialogue!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thanks for watching!

[@sleuththewild]

This was fabulous. I don't know anything about this universe, but I get mesmerized whenever I watch a Frieda video. Even the interspersed Yiddish was fun: it is obliquely intelligible as German, and tickles the brain.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I feel the same way when I listen to German!

[@mirapopper3771]

Fantastic!! I love Tenenbom's books, toda raba for this interview ❤!

[@mirtarubalcava8984]

What a wonderful, deep, funny gentleman this Tuvia. Thank you for interviewing him. Very interesting.

[@nathanrosen]

Another awesome presentation by Frieda! Thanks for helping to educate all of us, in your unique, respectful, informative manner. Kol Hakavod!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thank you so much Nathan for the kind words and the gift, I very much appreciate it!

[@thalesmiletus8204]

Frieda, thanks for trying to help Tuvi, the Jocular Freight Train, become understandable to us newbies.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

'the Jocular Freight Train' 😂😁😂 word of the day!!

[@chanaheszter168]

He is the most straightforward, no holds barred writer on Jewish topics. His books are a breath of truth.

[@thalesmiletus8204]

@@chanaheszter168 NO doubt - or at least I have no reason to question your remark. Personality wise, Tuvi is a Freight Train. My brother in law, Yuval Waldman, was like this. He founded the "Mid Atlantic Chamber Orchestra" and could at a moments notice sit in as first violin at a Broadway play without ever having practiced with them. Just Bang - do it. Remarkable people, but with more internal energy than ANY energizer bunny you could imagine. Tuvi is wonderful, don't you think, just as he is? He IS himself a Jewish topic.

[@stephenfisher3721]

Frieda, thanks for this video. I had wondered if you knew Tuvia Tenenbom and wanted to suggest a video with him but you beat me to it. I am currently reading one of the books by Tuvia Tenenbom. Your video corrected some of the misconceptions I had about his life growing up in Israel. I did not know he grew up in a Litvishe home speaking Hebrew, not Yiddish. I did not know he studied at Merkaz Harav Kook, the main yeshiva for religious Zionists. I did not know he was in a hesder Yeshiva and served in the Israeli army.

[@toy2poos28]

Thank you so much for what you do. I was about to say this was the best yet, but then I realize I think that after each one of your interviews. I really enjoy your channel, so once again, thank you.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I think Tuvia was essentially fun and it’s nice that he speaks his mind even if it means some people will strongly disagree with him. it’s hard to get people to candidly speak like this nowadays!

[@jasminthelemaque]

Such a beautiful interview

[@WalterThorne-h5k]

Frieda, I’ve enjoyed your many beautiful and educational video creations…thank you

[@RKK-RKK]

I noticed your shop has changed a little(positive way) and I will come to it some time later for sopping. This membership is new to me,so I need to learn it first. Besides I am not anymore on my twenties so it takes time to learn all kind things in You Tube as well in internet. Also my native language is not english and sometimes I faint down in my thoughts and in that case my head is working in Finnish,native language of my own. Any way getting to know more about jewish culture is very interesting,I have never heard spoken yiddish until now and also spoken hebrew has been something new as well. Anyhow this is something new for me and interesting to hear,see and learn. ❤ I really like your channel!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

the expression “I faint down in my thoughts” really caught my fancy. I’m guessing it’s some kind of translation? I really like it - I feel like it happens to me all the time!

[@RKK-RKK]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn maybe it is bringing back something important to oneself from past...

[@tuttutteddy8889]

Tenenbom is a great man, I met him some years ago in Mea Shearim at Toldos Aharon Shul on Purim. Incredibly smart and personable. I completely agree with him about Haredi education. Yeshiva teaches us more than just religion, it teaches (and normalises) hard study where you have to think for yourself.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Whatever you think of Haredi education, what’s certainly true is it doesn’t teach its boys NOTHING. It teaches a lot! Learning is central! It’s just a very specific kind of learning. I always see Hasidic men in bookstores browsing books and I think “these are the people the world calls uneducated “ meanwhile the rest of us are scrolling TikTok… 😅 (some of us!)

[@irenerozenek1745]

😊​@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn

[@janewarren4759]

Thank you for another good video Frieda, it was great to listen in. I have never heard of a tankiste driver 😄 Hope you get many more sponsors too! 😊

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

he’s such a crackup. may we never find tankiste drivers on the road!

[@NYVGeVa]

I loved how you talked with each other so free, and happy, with interest and empathy, but full of yiddishkeit and jewish wisdom. I remembered my old life in Meah Shearim, and I tought: I would like to meet my old friends I left there, but so that they are also out, and dare to feel themself and know the outside world, and talk to me without the constant mind-control. I miss them so much!

[@alieb650]

This was such a good discussion. Thank you.

[@cjoneillj]

Hi Frieda, thanks for trying to get him to speak more English. Honestly I couldn't tell if he was speaking English, Yiddish, German or Hebrew most of the time?? 🤷🏼‍♂️ I turned on cc but that was even worse. 😅 it’s interesting how strong accents stay in some people and how others are able to speak in an adopted language like a native. My best buddy came from Serbia when he was 20 and you would never guess he wasn’t American born. My mother-in-law came to the states from Mexico when she was six years old but her accent is so thick you would think she just arrived.. He's seems like an interesting guy so I'll check out his writings.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thanks so much, accents are super hard! I think his English is hard to decipher. I can only imagine how hilarious the closed captions are. I might work on correcting them.

[@mariascheu817]

This mixture is very funny. Luckily I understand English and German and a little Jiddisch.

[@SmartHomeOwnership]

Frieda.... found you a few weeks ago.... love your style and energy .... you have a wonderful interview style! As a New England Irish American learning so much. Thank you....

[@kerryedwards1]

Love your interview fredia with Tuvia...so enjoyable stay till the end. Love from Uk

[@lyndaalterio1027]

Frieda - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this man!!! Thank you for bringing him to us - love this interview! Fantastic!!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

he’s a total character!

[@richardhallaj1907]

Great 'upload'!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thanks for watching!

[@RachG]

I’d sort of forgotten it was Sunday, so this is a nice surprise! I’m sitting outside in the sun to watch it! Great that you have a sponsor for it. ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

It’s not *really* a sponsor, I get a commission if people buy, but it’s my first such partnership and I’m happy it’s better than nothing. Happy Sunday! I plan to publish this for everyone next Sunday and hope the huge amount of Yiddish my guest uses won’t be a problem! Maybe a bit of your German on world peace can help…😅

[@RachG]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I’m doing ok with the Yiddish bits so far. Ich kann alles verstehen 😂

[@RachG]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn …and hopefully people buy things 🤞

[@Dev_KG]

So much fun! I just ordered his book, can't wait to read it. I agree that it's such a different way of being frum there vs here. The ehrlichkeit is on a whole different level, emes like we just don't have here. And even with all that, people know. The world has seeped thru one way or another. Thank you Frieda for a great interview and Mazel Tov again on your brother's Chassuneh!

[@willschneider7252]

wonderful interview!!!!

[@janem3378]

Another amazing interview. Thank you

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thanks for listening!

[@pkbetzer7405]

Wonderful Broadcast❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Have a happy Sunday!

[@jiltedjohn9294]

I'm reading Tuvia's "The Lies They Tell", he's such a good writer and has a great sense of fun.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

You get the sense that being around him is a ball of laughs. And lots of food always!

[@kathym5307]

What a charming man. You can even understand his Yiddish by his expressions!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I think his glasses do some of the talking for him.

[@catsun90805]

I LOVE this interview ! It was soooo funny and fun. Can't wait to read the book.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Yes, I also had fun!

[@truecynic1270]

Great man! Wonderful sense of humour!!! ❤And, he MUST be VERY creative, too - his glasses frame is WOW!!!!😘❤ His accomplishments given his "life" are AMAZING and VERY ADMIRABLE!!! 💯👋 And, yes, his points about "studying" and how Haredi education differs = EVERYONE studies!!!!! YES!YES! I LOVED listening to him describing "all those jobs for which he knew nothing!!!" 🤣😅😂

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

his job as a driver was hilarious!

[@truecynic1270]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn YES!!!! I loved the way he said " well, I didn't know the streets..." Hilarious!!! ❤❤❤❤❤😅🤣😂😅🤣😂😅🤣🤣😂🤣😅

[@nancyjjensen]

Tuvia is very charming as well as informative. I started reading his book, “Taming of the Jew”. His writing has a lot of dry humor and some sarcasm even though he’s writing about an alarming situation. Thanks so much for introducing him to your subscribers.

[@bonifacy987]

brilliant interview

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thanks for watching! Tuvia is a huge character!

[@bonnieschechner9476]

😊such an interesting man. Can’t wait to read his book. Also loved his sprinkling of Yiddish! I don’t often get to hear it in conversations… I only understand a little, always wished I could speak fluently. Once again Frieda, you have outdone yourself with your choice of a guest! Thank you

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Tuvia was a delightful character and I’m so glad people felt this way too!

[@mindyourownbusinessplease1120]

Your channel keeps getting better and better! Love it and love your hair! ❤❤❤

[@wendystephenson407]

Just love your videos!!! As a non Jew I find the videos sooo interesting..thankyou ❤❤❤

[@jonathanwilner6174]

Thank you for this delightful interview. The resentment on the part of some towards the goodwill of others might be a reflection of the concept of nehama dikesufa which translates from the Aramaic as the bread of shame. As human beings we want to earn what we receive and not benefit without a corresponding cost.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Very helpful, thank you, I have never heard of the bread of shame and it makes a lot of sense.

[@lookinandseein]

Thank you for your all posts.

[@janeeisnich3739]

It’s a mekhaye to actually hear Tuvia speaking Yiddish. I wondered about how his Yiddish might sound like since I’ve read the book. Now I crave for a whole oral history-feature with him in Yiddish on the Yiddish Book Center.

[@yossy770]

You and Tuvia are a match made in heaven. I buy all his books.

[@NerfHerder909]

This interview was so fantastic. His point about the totally different character of Haredi anti-Zionism versus leftwing anti-Zionism is very well made: the two things are coming from totally different places, and while I agree, you definitely see some leftwing people trying to make common cause with the Neturei Karta types, the two camps are almost entirely incompatible because they're opposed to the Jewish state for totally divergent reasons. I also agree with what he said about how American Jews seem almost unable to respond to these protests and so on; I think a lot of American Jews are in complete shock, honestly. It's like a trauma response: so many American Jews have spent so long telling Jews in Europe, especially, "Oh, how could you live there? It's so terrible there, I can't imagine," even when stuff like the Tree of Life was happening in the US (which I know because I heard it from American friends when I was living in France and in Germany), and there were signs that antisemitism was getting worse. I think a lot of it was (and is) denial, almost, like we can't assimilate that this is happening enough to start trying to mount some kind of coherent response. Plus the American Jewish community is divided between right and left, so even coming to some agreement on what to say is almost impossible. It really worries me, because if we're not going to stand up for ourselves, it's pretty clear now that no one else will.

[@chanaheszter168]

That is the totally sad truth. I made aliyah years ago, and even with the war going on, it still feels safer here.

[@NerfHerder909]

@@chanaheszter168 Honestly, I don't have any immediate plans for aliyah, but I'm certainly considering it much more seriously now than I ever have before. And I know a lot of people- other socially liberal, heterodox Jews- who are thinking the same way.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

great comment, thank you. I hate that Haredo anti Zionism is lumped together with left wing anti Zionism, it feels so disingenuous from both parties. How can Orthodox Jews who believe Moshiach will come and the land will be all theirs pretend that Palestinian plight is their great concern? I’ve listened to quite a bit of Naturei Karte on KZbin and I find the way they tell the story to appeal to modern sensibilities without honesty of what they fully believe quite depressing. I do think they believe themselves though.

[@NerfHerder909]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn The NK guys have been at this a long time- I remember seeing them palling around with Ahmadinejad a good decade ago. They're very good, in their way, with knowing how to package their whole schtick in order to appeal to a non-Jewish, usually extremely ignorant audience (so far as it comes to the nuances of Orthodox anti-Zionism and how representative NK and similar groups are of both the Orthodox community and the broader Jewish community). I have to assume that all of this public demonstrating they do yields donations. or something, although even if it doesn't, maybe this is what guys in that community who find yeshiva stultifying do with their time, you know? I've always thought that about the people in places like Meah Shearim who throw stones on Shabbos, too- you're a teenager or young man, your options are either to sit in yeshiva and learn full time or get married, have kids, and find some kind of an appropriate job that's probably not going to be terribly exciting. Or you can go out on the weekend and yell at people and break stuff (or, in the case of NK, travel the world being the official token Jews of antisemitic anti-Zionists). Lots of stimulation, you hang out with your friends, and you get to feel good about how machmir you are, or whatever. On the other side, the non-Jews who are holding NK up as some kind of authentic example of how even the Jewish faith doesn't support the existence of Israel typically don't know anything about anything, but they also don't care. It doesn't actually matter to them whether or not those people are representative of the larger Jewish community (just like it doesn't matter to them whether or not the super leftwing, neo-Bundist/anti-Zionist Jews are representative). They serve the function of "proving" that these protests and organizations and people can't possibly be antisemitic, because see? They've got a Jewish Friend™! It's very disingenuous, I completely agree, but it's also a weirdly symbiotic relationship, which I find kind of fascinating.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@NerfHerder909 This comment was really satisfying and interesting to read. Naturei Karta is fascinating. I definitely agree with what you wrote, this is in line with my thinking. There is an added element I think of the NKs being the community's natural anti-authoritarians and contrarians. I see in the Hasidic community I come from that these types of people end up having more OTD and modernizing children because they are more non-conformist people who are deeply steeped in a culture of NOT doing what everyone else is doing. It's an interesting concept that in the Hasidic community there are "Hasidim" that are anti-Hasidim, they have to do things the opposite from the herd and so do things that really antagonize and allow them to have their own voice in the community and mark them for marching to their own beat. They are a kind of OTD in a way, but in the direction of being the so-called "real Jews" instead of the OTD "ex-Jews". Does any of this make sense?

[@divnacvetkovoc1302]

Dear Freda, as a non Jew, I saw some video clips from rabbi Yaakov Shapiro, and think which he explained about divergent philosophy between zionism and real jews learning and believes made me understand what happens in this moment. Are you interested in making an interview with him? ...and thanks for reminding your interesting guest to translate some part of his speech from jidish to english. And yes, you are right, you have so so many non Jew followers on this chanel. 🌹

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thanks for following! it is really difficult to cover the anti Zionist topic. my main main reason for not covering it is that people who don’t understand religious anti Zionism use it to prop up their own agenda. That really bothers me. I know many Zionist and non Zionist Jews but during such a divided time we should understand religious anti Zionism and not pretend it’s in line with the anti Israel movement. But making that distinction is very very hard in a climate of short slogans and clips.

[@divnacvetkovoc1302]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn For me was so mind clearing that one video where rabbi Yaakov Shapiro explains relationship with the God from the side of regular Jewish real believers and how the zionism twisted all the Tora learnings and Jewish culture for unlucky politics... He said so much what all honesty and believing people from all around the world, not only Jewish people, can easily understand...

[@ydubin]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklynI highly suggest you skip that man over.

[@Avagardner2608]

Thank you. All your videos are very interesting, natural and modest as you are too. You are highly talented woman who is wearing your modesty inside in yourself.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

you are so very kind! 🌷

[@maril1379]

Thumbs up ! Interesting interview !

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thanks Maril

[@maril1379]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I think I missed a previous response from you. Like to send you a donation so least amount of money taken out. Can I send you a check to address listed on your you tube site? If not which way best to donate? Live in Manhattan fellow member of the native NYer Marilyn

[@stacysilver5843]

Thank you!

[@rl42382]

So fascinating

[@NonyourBiz]

Another interesting and informative interview. Far better than listening to the news on this subject.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

The news is depressing.

[@gabyfields3235]

As constricting and limiting it may be to live in a Hasidic (or Amish, Hutterite, or any other very traditional religious or ethnic groups) community as a member (especially as a female), but there is a totally fascinating aspect that is really intriguing, and which you no longer can find in the modern secular life: the close-knit large families and sense of community, and the upholding of old traditions and customs. Although constricting, there is something very comforting about it nevertheless. The community has an "old world" feel about it, as if the pre-war Eastern European shtetls were transported to New York or Israel. These communities are unbelievably vibrant, and I am (almost) jealous that I can't be part of such a community.... But it would not be for me...they would kill me for opening my big mouth and not wanting to adhere to their strict rules, lol

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

1000000%. This is everything I feel and think - quite charmed by this world even though it isn't for me; it's rare to find this type of society anymore.

[@Hampdood84]

When he says, they (Israeli coreligionist) are “more Charedi” The term he’s looking for is “materialistic” or “consumerism”. I don’t think one group is or more is less devout.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

that might be a good point. ny Hasidim can be super materialistic

[@stephenfisher3721]

​@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I have heard that eating disorders are epidemic among New York Haredi females. There is too much pressure to look thin to attract a rich husband. This is all materialism (gashmius) and not spirituality (ruchnius). How much of this is true? If true, would you do a video about it?

[@emjaydark2811]

Most people growing up in North America don't know the multiplication tables either.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I dont think I remember it either.

[@sarahm9723]

What a great guest! So interesting! He's done it all !

[@zoharhakadosh5957]

I love this guy!

[@nynex909]

Enjoying your videos very much but I'm not Jewish and I've noticed that even when speaking English Yiddish is always peppered in the conversation and it's difficult to follow along. Is there a Yiddish AI that could translate the Yiddish in closed caption? Or overlay it like in the Pearl video. Anyway, love your channell!!!!

[@mo5ago1]

great interview

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thanks for watching. Happy sunday!

[@chanaheszter168]

Omg, my dad used to say that the Czech/Hungarian bochrim crammed for the regents exams, and went off to university. Because a Gemara head is a Gemara head.

[@paulbehrend8819]

Such a marvelous interview, Frieda. I particularly enjoy how Tuvia weaves seamlessly amidst languages: the multilingual dynamic of his speaking is really wonderful, enticing the listener's focus to the point one finds oneself understanding snippets of what previously was basically an unknown language for the listener. As someone who doesn't speak Yiddish or Hebrew or German, I feel ok not understanding his every word, though it was very kind of you to early on in the interview ask him for a little more translating, and how nice his response: "Kein problem, no problem!" A very insightful interview on many levels that touched on issues I'd not imagined at the onset would be mentioned. I look forward to the opportunity to read his works! Thank you!🙏

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I am so grateful for this comment. I didn't know how this interview will be received by listeners who don't have a background in the languages he loves to lapse into and I appreciate the generosity you extended to us when listening! Your feedback was very helpful!

[@A.Montgomery]

I don't know where you find all these lovable people, Frieda! Tuvia Tenenbom and his wife are adorable! 'Humor is the umbrella of the wise.' - Erich Kästner

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

amen!! ❤️😊 love the quote!

[@A.Montgomery]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn 👋❤

[@imaof4]

Just purchased Tuvia's new book via Amazon.... Why not, I own his previous publications as well... 🥰

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Fantastic! Enjoy :)

[@shanak10]

Very nice interview. Thank you.

[@ruthcohencharif]

Shalom from Jerusalem. Enjoying the interview. Firstly about October 7, I took unique photos on that day, I would like to share them with Tuvia. If he will contact me to hear how the photos came about and the significance of them. They were taken in Mizcarit Moshe on Agrippas street, by the shuk.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Tuvia is on instagram, that’s how I got in touch with him.

[@toptth]

Your little piano is almost as lovely as your smile 🙂

[@1GoodWoman]

So nice. Now a showing in Boston, MA please. And all English please.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

This was his version of all English 😂

[@ferdi5407]

Saw the garbage clearance story with my own eyes in New York when a street was 'sanirised' and prepared for President Carter's motorcade. The streets and sidewalks were clean, and there were no "undesirable" people to be seen. The next morning that New York Street was back to its normal daily self. And full of its own particular character. Have never forgotten it.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

wild, I find it hilarious! What happened to presidential motorcades visiting? doesn’t seem like much of a thing anymore.

[@3roachkidsdhe]

I am only a little into this video and I so agree with him about the American public school system.

[@RKK-RKK]

This is getting even more interesting...🙂

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Tuvia is a total character!

[@RKK-RKK]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn Indeed. Wonderful!

[@maxzip100]

Freida this is wonderful talk

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@maxzip100 Thank you so much for watching! Tuvia is a zaftige (as in, entertaining) man!

[@maxzip100]

I think the original shetramil came from the Polish kings wearing that years ago .

[@stephenfisher3721]

Elsewhere on the Internet, Tuvia Tenenbom is portrayed as a former shtreimel wearing, Yiddish speaking Haredi returning to his home ground to research his latest book. Coming from a Hebrew speaking Litvishe background, his community would be extremely unlikely to be shtreimel wearing. His story of not being able to write Tannenbaum in English letters and explains why his last name is Tenenbom sounds cute and fits in with the Haredi identity but doesn't ring so true for a Zionist who served in the army.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Stephen, I still don't know how you know so much about Israel. Maybe I missed your reply. In KZbin the reply feature is really poor. Either way, very interesting points about Tuvia's story. Could it be that he served in the army after his time in the states? Also, why do you think someone who served in the army would be able to write in English? I didn't get the impression that his family was shtreimel wearing - rather that he comes from Chasidish royalty (shtreimel or not)

[@stephenfisher3721]

​@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn As to the timeline, I am following what Tuvia said in your video. First he is naming Litvish yeshivas. Then after mentioning a disagreement with his rabbis, he then names religious Zionist yeshivas. Then he mentions hesder which is a program combining yeshiva and military service. I lived in Israel for a year. I was at Kibbutz Be'erot Yitzhak and at Machon Meir. Many of the rabbis at Machon Meir had studied at Merkaz Harav. I would think Tuvia would know how to write his name in English (Latin letters); he was already not that sheltered having been in religious Zionist yeshivas and the army. He was not a haredi coming from Meah Shearim. My grandfather's sister in Israel did not know English (she made aliyah from Lithuania) but was able to write the names in Latin letters as required on the Yad Vashem Testimony pages for their brother and his family killed in the Shoah. She also sent letters to my grandfather in Yiddish but she was able to write my grandfather's name and address in English as well her name and address in English on the envelope. I think the shtreimel is being used mostly to sell his book. It iconic and eye-catching.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@stephenfisher3721 Thank you SO much for translating what he said to me a layperson without the knowledge of what these institutions mean! Sometimes when I hear OTD stories they make no sense to me but they make sense to outsiders - mostly because I know the kind of context you mention here, which complicates the narrative substantially. I do think many of us in the OTD world are encouraged to make a sweet little packaged narrative of our stories that make us sound more naive than we were. Some of us were really naive, other people exaggerate a little or a lot. With regards to sweet Tuvia, I don't know if he knew how to write in Latin letters or not. It's not an important detail to me. But it's important to me to learn that he didn't go to the US straight from the Bnei Brak's lumdish yeshiva - I think knowing he served in the army in a Hesder program colors the story and adds a few strong kneitches.

[@beingjewish]

Incredible! Thank you!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Thanks for watching!

[@AA-jh6fm]

😊thank you Frieda lol! I was still hanging in there because he is right, I needed a taste of the language. 😅

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

😂

[@mosytube]

What a delightful person! Reminds me a bit of Robin Williams.

[@Zensci18]

Tuvia’s books are hilarious and slightly frightening. Thanks for this!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Yes, he sees through a lot of nonsense.

[@ryrify]

I relate to the commentary on humor so deeply. My grandfather grew up in a speaking Yiddish speaking family, in Flatbush; he lived about two blocks away from Mel Brooks but they didn’t know each other. I oftentimes think about him and his humor, the way he made everything somehow funny. I read Mel Brooks’ book and I think those couple of blocks and that world, was world unto itself. My great-grandfather was a cantor, and while the old world was never far away, those little Brooklyn boys of that generation got a special mix of Jewish cultural soup. I can’t even think of how to describe my Zayde’s humor but I know it when I hear it. It’s a feeling, a way of expressing oneself without too much gravitas, even though the subject might be serious. And yet, the seriousness is not demeaned. I don’t know, it’s unique and it’s almost impossible to capture. I cannot wait to read this book ❤❤❤❤ Thank you SO much for this wonderful, precious interview ❤❤❤❤

[@elishevaborenson4609]

Best interview with Tuvia I have ever heard. בודכל הכ

[@stephenfisher3721]

Were you trying to say well done in Hebrew כל הכבוד (literally all the honor)?

[@aggieglitter]

I believe Shtisel is filmed in Mea Sharim. They haven't always had the greatest welcoming there bcoz they are secular Jews filming an Orthodox show. Or filming altogether is frowned upon.