I was educated in the Satmar Hasidic girls’ school

Join me as I look through some old childhood documents and show you a little bit what my education was like. I grew up in the Satmar Hasidic village of Kiryas Joel where we spoke Yiddish at home and went to an all-girls school. Our schooling was very different from the boys' education, but also quite different from regular public or private schools. I still have my 6th and 7th-grade binder, so I paged through it to show you what we learned.
I had the idea to do this segment with fresh eyes, without "spoiling it" by looking at anything in advance. This turned out not to be the best idea. It meant that I wasn't able to cover everything as well as I would have if I had scripted this segment. But it also means that you see my primal, first reaction to looking through this material so many many years since I last laid eyes on it.
If you like this kind of content, be sure to subscribe, like and comment!
If you'd like to learn more about Hasidic education, check out these other videos:
With a former boys' English teacher: • A Gentile Teacher and ...
With Eli Spitzer on the education controversy: • Hasidic Boys' Educatio...
With Naomi Seidman, looking at a Bais Yaakov yearbook: • What these Old Yearboo...
#Jewish #education #hasidiceducation

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

What was your impression of my Hasidic, all-girls education? How was it surprising to you?

[@winsome156]

Bereishit - Genesis - Chapter 38 Verse 15 to 18 *Can you explain this?* 15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she covered her face. טווַיִּרְאֶ֣הָ יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיַּחְשְׁבֶ֖הָ לְזוֹנָ֑ה כִּ֥י כִסְּתָ֖ה פָּנֶֽיהָ:16So he turned aside toward her to the road, and he said, "Get ready now, I will come to you," for he did not know that she was his daughter in law, and she said, "What will you give me that you should come to me?" טזוַיֵּ֨ט אֵלֶ֜יהָ אֶל־הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הָֽבָה־נָּא֙ אָב֣וֹא אֵלַ֔יִךְ כִּ֚י לֹ֣א יָדַ֔ע כִּ֥י כַלָּת֖וֹ הִ֑וא וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ מַה־תִּתֶּן־לִ֔י כִּ֥י תָב֖וֹא אֵלָֽי:17And he said, "I will send a kid from the herd," and she said, "[Only] if you give me a pledge until you send [it]." יזוַיֹּ֕אמֶר אָֽנֹכִ֛י אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח גְּדִֽי־עִזִּ֖ים מִן־הַצֹּ֑אן וַתֹּ֕אמֶר אִם־תִּתֵּ֥ן עֵֽרָב֖וֹן עַ֥ד שָׁלְחֶֽךָ:18So he said, "What is the pledge that I should give you?" And she said, "Your signet, your cloak, and the staff that is in your hand." So he gave them to her, and he came to her, and she conceived his likeness. יחוַיֹּ֗אמֶר מָ֣ה הָעֵֽרָבוֹן֘ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶתֶּן־לָךְ֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר חֹתָֽמְךָ֙ וּפְתִילֶ֔ךָ וּמַטְּךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וַיִּֽתֶּן־לָ֛הּ וַיָּבֹ֥א אֵלֶ֖יהָ וַתַּ֥הַר לֽוֹ

[@yitzchakkatz5362]

You have a very nice Hebrew handwriting!

[@micheleventuroni2080]

Dear Frieda, i've not yet finished to see the entire video ( actually i've watched almost 50 %) but from what i've seen i feel to say to you: even if you grow up in a very religious enviroment even now that you're an independent woman don't forget that you're still a jew and you have to be proud of this. I'm not jewish but i deep admire your people, the history and the culture of your people. I've been an " antizionist" ( but never, i want to be clear on this point, antisemitic!) For a great part of my life because of my political activism in the far left. I'm still a socialist but now I don't hate the State of Israel because i've understood that the situation is more complicated than being like " the zionist stole the palestinian land". Yes it's true: Israel is the state of jewish people but it's a secular democratic republi; like your USA or my Italy, but it's ok so. Personally i'm a secular person and not particularly religious even if i grew up as a christian catholic, or maybe exactly for this reason. The religion to witch technically i belong to persecuted your people for centuries and i am ashamed because of this. So I think Satmar, like all hasidic-haredim-ultra orthodox jewish are a bit too much radical and... yeah even a bit sexist because women are second class people in such communities while jewish women in the State of Israel are predominantly secular and they don't wear tichel or a wig after wedding nor even less they shave their head. But at the end of the day the yiddish language the Hasidics theu still keep it alive and this is good because it's a beautifull language. There was a time when it was spoken even by secular jews and a lot of socialist songs had been written in yiddish. I would like to write more but i think now i've been too much lengthy for a youtube comment😂 thanks for the videos you upload on your channel and for teaching me a bit of jewish culture. I hope one day to come NY and visit the places you show in your videos. An hug from Italy שלום עליכם ❤

[@rivkah5219]

You reminded me of when I was at my satmar friends house reading the parsha and her daughter came out and asked what I was doing. I said im reading the parsha and she said Torah was given to men and tznius to women... that to me was shocking. There is just such a huge focus of the community on externals on tznius and not enough on how to have the mitzvos change us internally. Though I loved the emphasis on helping girls who don't have friends.

[@anonymousanonymous-qx7mv]

Sorry dear but woman ARE NOT SECOND CLASS CITIZENS AT ALL. THEY are cherished, honored , respected...we are not of the opinion that the sexes are EQUAL. We are of the opinion that the sexes are "different"..created to fulfill different roles in society. If that means we are subjugated people ..then so be it. Then we proudly are! But we're not!

[@marcroth3059]

Frieda: although you are no longer in the chasidic world you treat it with dignity, respect and love. I really love your channel. ישר כוח

[@Pureimagination200]

Did she say why she left?

[@AgathaBluestockings]

@@Pureimagination200I think she’s touched on it in videos. Not sure if she has gone into depth.

[@SandraNunez-lq6sr]

Me too!

[@lindaversil1121]

@@Pureimagination200her beliefs weren’t strong. She had a hard time accepting their laws about how to dress, shaving the head when married, not allowing birth control, and having arranged marriages. And Shabbos which she found long and boring and difficult and not enjoyable. She has said this in other videos.

[@Familylawgroup]

One hundred years from now, a museum might be displaying your binders as an excellent example of a late 20th century Hasidic girl’s curriculum. Hopefully your heirs realize the importance of your collection as a snapshot of history for the future members of the community.

[@jillclark6076]

I can't believe what an organized young woman you were to save all your papers in such a neat way! Very fun to see your scrapbooks and learn about what you learned in school. Your cheeky cat walking around photo bombing your video made me smile. Your home is so neat and tidy. It looks like a lovely place to live and work. Loved the video. Thank you for sharing your world with us. ❤❤❤

[@Constantin9va]

Never leaving someone out, nor refusing them kindness is a beautiful thing I take from this video.

[@cookiessprite]

What a fascinating collection of documents! Keep ahold of these, I imagine in 100 years - or even less - they'd be invaluable as a piece of Jewish history.

[@BrokeTheInterweb]

I was raised as an evangelical Christian at the same time you were in school. It’s fascinating to see the overlap of certain tenets, similar efforts of censorship against those things deemed “worldly.” I appreciate the adults going to such lengths to provide us with a solid foundation, even though we both left those particular corners as adults. Thanks so much for sharing this- it really made me think. Looking forward to more.

[@ninagerulski8832]

I agree. I only learned or better yet became aware of the overlap when I was in my late twenties. I was not raised chassidic but I was raised in an Orthodox household and went to yeshiva. 4 hours in the morning for Hebrew studies. 4 hours after lunch for secular. I will say at 63, I am still fluent in Hebrew. Very concentrated learning.

[@sll3537]

Kitty needs her own video series ❤

[@llllllllll9495]

I really enjoyed this video. I love how you objectively tell the story, without bashing Orthodox Judaism but also pointing out issues at the same time. I am saying this as an Orthodox Jew! ❤❤❤❤

[@loisbeyer5336]

Beautiful job Frieda, love your ways. Keep up the videos, you are terrific and this is very much appreciated. OTD Jewish woman.

[@electric_spacecats]

This was so fascinating. I often wonder what my great-grandmother would have learned in this community in the early teens-1920s. She left the community to run off with a Catholic and the rest was history; she had no further education. I remember she had terrible handwriting in English, but it may have been her third language.

[@andreaf7886]

Thank you for being our teacher today. Your ability to tell a story, even with Mona trying to steal the show, is outstanding. Several days ago I told a friend, who converted to Judaism before her marriage, about your channel. She was surprised by my interest as someone who is not Jewish. I told her being interested in people from other cultures, religions, and beliefs helps to remind us of our shared humanity. Sometimes, we learn about differences that are troubling. Other times, we learn we are more similar. Respect for others opens dialogues where we can learn even when we disagree. Thank you for finding your voice through your channel and being such an outstanding educator. And, congratulations on your increased number of subscribers! Well done. ❤❤

[@laurenl5843]

The censor of Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech was fascinating. How did you feel when you first saw/heard the actual speech? Thanks so much for sharing! 😊💜🇨🇦

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

It feels to me like desecration to tamper with such an important speech; that's my reaction.

[@davidm587]

This is fascinating. The secular educational system could benefit a great deal from the instilling of compassion and kindness taught in schools such as yours. Thanks for sharing .

[@susanjaneleitner7670]

I love that you saved everything! I regret throwing away everything! Everything!! So sad 😢!! No pictures, essays, poems, awards … So sad!! My biggest regret is that this reflects the low esteem I held myself in during my childhood!! So sad!! 😢 Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us! Adore you ❤️❤️❤️

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Oh no that's so sad! It's never too late to start hoarding a little bit!

[@martinelanglois3158]

Thank you for sharing. I went to an all girl highschool (mostly catholic) and remember in home economics class we learned to sew, cook, take care of babies and manage the household. Your education was different and yet brings back memories of my own. 🙂

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

We didn't learn to take care of babies (I think) although we did learn first aid. I'm very curious what you learned about taking care of babies.

[@martinelanglois3158]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn good evening! I remember learning to hold a baby at an angle to feed him his bottle, burp him, change the diapers (cotton one we had to fold - very old school lol). Basic stuff but not everybody had brothers and sisters so we had to learn in school. We surely learned more but that's what I remember. It's been almost 35 years. If I remember anything else, I'll let you know. 🙂

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@martinelanglois3158 Ha ha, that's so great! I can totally see that in the Hasidic community almost all kids learn these kids at home.

[@GreatDayEveryone]

Wow, when was that? We didn't even have home ec in my all girls Catholic school. (We were a "prep" school, so they said)

[@martinelanglois3158]

@@GreatDayEveryoneI attended a public school in Canada a looong time ago

[@elizabethandrus3848]

Frieda, It is said that God has a purpose for each person's life and the soul recognizes when it comes upon it. My gosh if a closet filled with maroon notebooks isn't an early glimpse of your path, I don't know what is. Your meticulous collection reflects the thoughtful and nuanced way you teach us about the Hasidic culture. This was absolutely fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing. Elizabeth

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I feel like this comment really gets me. Appreciate it much. It's strange the way from when we are young, something inside us drives our journeys.

[@smallbeginning2]

Sounds pretty good honestly. I wish we'd leaned sewing and home ec. I'm having to learn it myself using KZbin at 2am while I'm working and raising a kid. 😂 But everyone should learn these basic life skills. Not just girls. But hey, just the girls is better than nobody at all.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Good luck with the 2am education and the baby 😂

[@akillateef1012]

Thank you so much for posting this! All of your videos are very fascinating and very insightful. Thank you so much for creating your channel. I really appreciate it!

[@PhilomenaSK]

This is so incredibly interesting, please do more videos like this!

[@stevendavidoff5737]

I love this part of your documentation. You are meticulous in preserving your history from your early years. This is definitely a segment I would want to see more of.

[@valcourisland1776]

It’s amazing you kept all those binders. It must be so much fun going through them!

[@oliviagraham9798]

Great video! I can tell that you worked very hard to put the story together. Thank you for inviting us into your childhood :)

[@LizbetPCB]

Thank you, Frieda. This was very enjoyable. I was surprised by how quickly it went by!

[@dinastevenson7745]

Hi Frieda. Your Hasidic education was very interesting to me, but I'm left wanting more. What were you taught about keeping house? About morality? About holiday customs and rules? As a non-jew, I'm very curious & can't help but believe we'd have a more peaceful world if we understood each other better. I love your videos!!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I did a live and answered some questions, but I think it's going to make sense to do a follow up on this to answer some of your questions.

[@kxttenxteeth]

I’m so grateful for you. Thank you for taking the time for putting these videos together, I learn so much from you

[@persnicketypotato]

I went to Jewish day school from preschool through 8th grade - "nondenominational" but it practice very linked to the Conservative/Masorti movement in its policies and beliefs. It was definitely interesting how your school compared to mine - we had Hebrew as a second language, Judaic studies (basically Jewish history, books of the Tanach, and some Talmud), Chumash (focusing on a particular book more in depth, usually two a year), Dinim (Jewish law), and morning prayers everyday. We didn't have separate holiday classes but we learned about them in other Jewish classes and had services at school usually. We also had all the "regular" subjects - math, science (including evolution and the big bang), history (world history, American history, etc.), gym class/health, Language Arts (English), art, music (although music tended to lean heavily Hebrew & Jewish), and Spanish once we got to middle school. It's long-standing pet peeve of mine when people assume that because I went to a Jewish school I didn't get the "normal" subjects as well and I imagine that's an even more prevalent assumption about Hasidic schools. Major differences from you've described: We had coed classes, no censorship in books, very different modesty standards, not anti-Zionist, no home economics, nothing in Yiddish. I'm also sure the implementation of our shared subjects was very different as well!

[@deborahblackwood3629]

Love your channel. So informative and fun.

[@Ani1boo]

Thank you for sharing your life with us ❤

[@barbaraketchum8287]

I live that you still have your school records! It's such a piece of nostalgia to look back on what was being taught and what our responses were... all with no current memories of it! And I would definitely love to see more of your sweet kitty, Mona!!! 😻

[@cdewey5115]

How wonderful you saved these to go back and reflect on! Love your candle, flowers and wine in the background!

[@Ms-RAZ]

Fantastic video! More please! Thank you for sharing!

[@bvmay11]

Fascinating window into Satmar education! LOVED LOVED LOVED learning about your education through your maroon notebooks!

[@carolyncarmosino3364]

I can’t get enough of your videos ❤

[@FionaKumariCampbell]

I love your storytelling !

[@juliamcgrath4479]

I just love your personality Frida, thank you for sharing!

[@nycalgal]

Loved this video. Thank you for sharing.

[@PKScoop]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I find your interviews, tours and explanation of the culture fascinating. Thank you!

[@emilybernstein6152]

I love this! Thank you so much for sharing! :-)

[@solidstart9042]

Thank you so much for sharing these insights. I find all of your videos fascinating.

[@marisellepr]

Wow! I really enjoyed your story as always. Shalom

[@sandymac99]

Brilliant! Thank you Freida for sharing this info.

[@mommas2470]

Thank you so very much for sharing this with us all. 💗

[@Ingi132]

Fascinating Frieda. Such a well documented collection of your school work, and no surprise that you don’t remember it all, as i don’t remember mine neither! I have some report cards and exercise books from my secondary school (11/16yrs). Although i am a few years older than you (i am 51). I enjoyed the video as always x

[@jenniferroxy5956]

Thank you for the videos! The way you present the info with out coloring it good or bad is just so appreciated! I feel I've learned a lot about the coulture and lifestyle, more than others who often paint these communities in a bad light. I'll reserve my opinions about the these communities as that did not really change but feel I have a better understanding! I enjoy these so much, thank you!

[@brittanydeane9826]

I really enjoyed this video. You are so organized 😊 It was very interesting to hear that you were taught to make sure to be mindful of those that didn’t make friends so easily. With what my daughter went through this year, being severely bullied and eating lunch alone each day it makes me wish more children were taught that lesson. Thank you for sharing with us 💕

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I am so sorry about your lovely daughter. I know it’s so hard to see children suffer. I hope and pray for a wonderful summer and next year for her. Sending much love.

[@brittanydeane9826]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn thank you very much that means a lot

[@bonnieschechner9476]

Absolutely fantastic video. Enjoyed learning about the Hasidic education first hand.

[@T_WC123]

Your binders are such a wonderful keepsake! I wish I had been so organized:) Fascinating about the curriculum!!!

[@floweringplumb4678]

Very interesting. Looking forward to the next video.

[@fartemisfartmallow8647]

Your videos are interesting and insightful. I just found them and can’t stop watching. Ps. I ❤❤❤❤ your kitty cat!

[@elletaylor9985]

Fascinating! And so interesting. More please. Also your cat is hilarious 😀

[@terrywood4228]

I loved this. It was an excellent presentation.I would really like to hear more about your education. The more we learn about each other, the better we will be able to live together and accept the differences.

[@lilianramcharan7433]

I truly respect how neat, clean and organize you are and your love and respect for your schooling .

[@sara35ish]

I really love how you discuss your childhood here. This is the perspective I wish some of the trendy platforms would treat their past. You are secure enough in your present to discuss where you come from in a matter of fact fashion which is refreshing and unique. Thank you.

[@cmiller415]

Your organizational skills are impressive!!

[@mr.g1683]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful insight of you school learning. Shame much of the caring for others is not taught to many in school.

[@Flobbyoiboyz]

This has been a fun and interesting video, learning how your education was similar to and different from my own. :)

[@YoshiMcLeod]

Another great video! You have the some of the most unique and nuanced content about the Hasidic community on KZbin. Shkoyach!

[@SuzyQ89]

I have no idea why your channel popped up as a recommendation but this is the 4th video I have watched. I find it very fascinating and would love to hear more of your story if you felt comfortable to speak about it. I will look through your videos in case you have already made one about it. I imagine your decision to leave was very hard and I pray you have found your peace and are thriving. You seem like a very nice person and I look forward to watching more of your videos. Peace and many blessings to you xoxo

[@raeperonneau4941]

How awesome that you kept all of these! What a wonderful resource it is to compare your religious education vs a secular education but more importantly how much joy they obviously give you.

[@eliseleonard3477]

Thank you so much for this insight! I can’t imagine a better way to convey the atmosphere of your school experience than with this album. As a child psychiatrist I was so interested to learn about your experience of Yiddish and English history as two different stories, not in conflict but just on independent tracks.

[@karriekledehn7600]

So interesting! And Mona was such an adorable interloper in the whole thing!!

[@noorimeldaelle3403]

Hello Frieda Oh! My gosh! Thank u so very much for sharing with us here about your Hasidic education back then when u were in school. I really learn alot about Jewish cultures and religion from your channel. I love u

[@mikeradice828]

That was very, very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[@lynnfurst811]

Sounds like you had a good education. I am surprised. Thanks for your wonderful channel. 💐

[@joerudnik9290]

Fascinating! Education is so varied in every part of the world.

[@kaynewling3455]

Absolutely riveting video. Thank you so much for the insight into your formal education. It must have been extraordinarily complex for you to try and weave the secular and the kosher views together.

[@judyhorstmann6332]

Thank you so much for sharing and teaching. I found the whole video incredibly fascinating! Please consider sharing more.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I will try to work on it!

[@lauralutz4538]

I loved this video! Mona is adorable! I’m amazed how you’ve kept your neat, scribble free binders all these years. It must be nice to be able to reminisce every once in awhile. You had Home Ec to maps! No math or you prefer not to remember? I hated it! Your apartment is adorable, I love kitchen windows, I don’t have one. How’s, Pearl doing? Thanks, Frieda. Be well.🌸

[@veryhappymondays]

Mona is a lovely guest star in your video. 🐈‍⬛💕so cute! Thank you for sharing this treasured time capsule, if I may say that. For a time, I once attended a Catholic school, and my favorite colors included maroon. I’d forgotten a bit of details, and listening to you reminded me of many things that crossed my mind while learning in school. I remember, two Jewish siblings who were my classmates. It’s interesting to reflect on that now. As a child, I thought nothing of it. Our class was very diverse and everyone enjoyed learning together, as far as I recall. I didn’t consider that they may have attended extra school or after school to learn more, but perhaps they must have done so. 🤔 I’m mostly surprised at how much I relate to your education, in general. I also kept many papers and keepsakes from that time. lol This video was so delightful. Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day ✌🏽😊

[@plentinough7222]

Thank you for sharing Frieda. I was thinking this morning while preparing breakfast, “I need to hear some Frieda.” And here you are. Nothing is hy accident. B’H’ 😊❤

[@phyllishershkowitz3806]

This was very interesting. The censorship I expected, but was still surprised! Thank you Frieda!

[@yvonnetitus8620]

Your conversational grammar is excellent. I much appreciate being able to follow your thoughts and questions when you interview others. Your schooling did you well on that front.

[@shaindystern1038]

Very sweet video looks like you have good memories of your school wishing you a wonderful day

[@PrincessMadeira]

This is fascinating! Can you talk more about what books you read? Also if you're willing I'd love to hear sort of... Like what you knew about what the boys were learning? And like stuff you weren't supposed to study and what you knew about that and why you weren't etc?

[@kryssysmith1486]

I would love to see more videos on the Hasidic education system. As an outsider, we just have these stereotypical Hasidic, that essentially we know nothing about your educational system. Unfortunately. so to get a first-hand account of how you actually went to school would be really interesting, plus I love your contact you bring so much joy and so much humour to everything you do. Thank you

[@4sstg]

Your maroon collection ,all arranged by you is very detailed, organized. It is amazing, truly.

[@mommyhazel2]

Freida, you are a lovely human being! Your videos are fascinating and really enjoyable! I love how the respect and warm feelings permeate the information you impart about life in the community you were raised in, despite the fact that you have chosen a different path My journey is the opposite of yours. I didn't learn much about Judaism as a child and began practicing it by choice in my late teens. When I got married and tried to "make it" in the orthodox Jewish community, it wasn't easy because we were somewhat different. This was hard on the kids, especially the girls who cared deeply about fitting in socially. Their notebooks and binders were similar to yours, with some nuanced differences because they didn't go through the Chassidish system,. I have eight children and some have chosen not to practice orthodox Jewish Law. It was disappointing at first, but I have learned to respect their choices, just like my family of origin eventually respected mine. I am not sure if this is your intention, but I feel that, perhaps paradoxically (perhaps not) your work is a Kiddush Hashem. Whatever it is, you have corned a niche and seem to be fulfilling a special mission. Keep those videos coming!

[@gailgriffith8957]

This was so interesting, thank you!

[@TheLauren1113]

Thank you for sharing. I grew up completely secular (Hebrew school 3x a week until I was 13) - very different from the education I received.

[@8polyglot]

This was very neat to see, Freida! Thanks for showing this to us. I work in administration in a large public school district and I have to say this is definitely not a curriculum I would select for our students! :)

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

ha ha, it is quirky isn't it.

[@sl4983]

This is so neat, I love it!

[@denisearonow4921]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@namesurname8520]

Wow what a cool account you have! I watch a lot of Orthodox Jewish content as well as many other cultural groups content (particularly those more insular to outsiders). I love love love for you that your family still supported you and is close to you after the initial shock, and that you were able to live your authentic life while not losing quite every connection with a cultural that you obviously feel a lot of warmth and respect for. It shows that while people might have religious trauma from some of these groups, it really is a matter of them having encountered individual people (or parents) who did the wrong thing and not a hard and fast rule that just because the culture is strict and unusual to us, it offers nothing of value and no love to it's children and the community.

[@VioletACordy]

😊THANK YOU, Frieda Vizel, for sharing , “HE WHO BELIEVES THAT EVERYTHING COME FROM G-D DOESNT GET ANGRY”🦋🦋 That is beautiful ~ profound and very challenging in this World * * * Frieda, the song ~ poem about the ‘Lonely Boy’ touched my heart❤💕WE LOVE ALL YOUR VIDEO DOCUMENTARIES 🌈💥💥💥Shalom to you and your gorgeous Son and beloved Family🌷🌷🌷Violet (Toronto and Australia) 🌲🌳🦚🎄🌲🌲🌲PS Frieda, the interview with Andrew Gold was BRILLIANT!! 🌸🌺🌸🌸🌸

[@kellyl7688]

I’m a teacher and I currently work for an Orthodox Jewish school. Your school sounds so similar to my own. We have a boy and girl side (I teach boy side), and they spend the first half of the day learning Hebrew (the boys) and the last half is general studies. I love working at the school I’m at and I’ve learned so much about Orthodox Judaism. I myself came from a tiny Christian school. My small I mean my graduating class was was 3…including me. I had to sit in a cubicle for six hours working on paces (workbooks) and it was not fun. Lol

[@jelmcd1]

I very much enjoyed the video. I think that you had an excellent education. Thank you.. Luke in Arizona.

[@viggycat8592]

I love how you still have your school notebooks! ❤

[@lissaolson5866]

Thanks! Enjoy your work so much.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

oh my god thanks so much!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Really appreciate you Lisa. Your generosity means so much.

[@huntingtonthethird]

I loved this. A far more practical education than I received in many ways..

[@elisabethm9655]

As a retired secular studies teacher in the Modern Orthodox/Yeshivish system, It’s interesting that in 6th grade the level of secular subjects you reference was one to two years behind our curriculum. For example, ‘A Cricket in Times Square’ iwas generally at a 4th grade level, as were the math pages you showed. Yes, the issues of censorship and control of the information taught was a big deal especially in science, biology, history and social studies. It was frustrating for many of us teachers, but we bowed to the wishes of the administration. Nowadays, tailor made books and materials designed for Jewish children have been created and are being used in the schools. The general attitude towards girl’s education in the yeshivishe world remains one of practical application with an understanding that preparedness for supporting a learning husband and one’s family is the main focus… yes, the girls are taught to be the breadwinners and practical management of that ‘bread’ has become a recent focus at the High School level. The social emphasis you experienced however, appears to be superior in that it pro actively dealt with things like anger and loneliness - social issues like those were not approached like that in public school settings back in the 90’s - that has changed. The BY system however, always addressed these issues.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Awesome comment, thank you so much for your insight - it makes sense. We were always told that our education was a year behind the Public School, so we'd have textbooks that in PS students used and rumor had it they used it for a grade lower than us, which we found a bit embarrassing.

[@ElisaAvigayil]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn But totally different from that recent NYT article stating that there's virtually no secular education in Haredi schools in NY. Your video is the complete opposite. You were taught fluency in English, math, and secular history.

[@RachG]

Hello from London! 👋 Frieda, thank you so much for sharing this…and for all of your videos. I’m new to your channel but I’m rapidly working my way through your videos as they’re so interesting. I’ve spent a fair amount of time, through work, with families in Stamford Hill here in London and have a real affection and respect for the Hasidic community there. Really love your videos. ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Aww welcome and thanks so much for leaving a comment! I’ve always wanted to visit Stamford Hill and I bet I’ll feel right at home there.

[@RachG]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn The bakeries are perfection, of course. I was 21 when I visited NYC and I’m now nearly 38, so I think I need to visit again!! And WHEN I do, I’ll be sure to book onto one of your tours. Number 1 on my NYC list 😉.

[@peachsangria8704]

I just stumbled across your channel today so I know I'm going to eventually stumble across a reason why you went OTD. Lol. Great content thanks for sharing.

[@clairejohnston2461]

Frieda, your channel is wonderful. I also admire your fashion style - subdued colors, tailoring, classic lines. That’s part of the pleasure I get from your videos. 🙂

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Oh my I'm so bad at clothing that your words are so kind. I am not one with a natural fashion sense and I feel self-conscious about being judged for what I wear so your words are appreciated!

[@clairejohnston2461]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn Believe me, you are low-key chic. 🙂

[@alexigreen]

I love your videos and watched almost all of them. As a German speaker, it's always funny, when I understand a yiddish word. You're videos are really ausgezeichnet :D

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Zeyer gut!!

[@meyon3682]

Frieda you need to do an entire video of you singing haha. this video made me smile.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

ha ha you don't want that. I really can't sing.

[@hannahyoung3533]

I really enjoyed this and am jealous of that sewing class you took! What other subjects were covered as part of Home Ec? I homeschool my son and teach a lot of things that public school no longer covers - cursive, diagramming sentences, "old fashioned" math (no common core math). So it always interests me in the differences between educations systems- public, religious, homeschool, private. Would love to hear more about your education!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

We did cursive, diagramming old sentences, old fashioned math. Yes, we worked with very old, very used textbooks (that often had disgusting gum stuck inside). We didn't have an "updated" curriculum.

[@marycoombe2436]

Very interesting. Helps those of outside understand different views.

[@wendy-annpoorter1799]

I found this very interesting! I grew up under apartheid and was oblivious to what was happening with other communities in our country. As children we were shielded by our parents and innocently trusted!

[@mgb5170]

impressive you kept all the binders from your school days! Thank you for sharing the journey.

[@mgb5170]

your cat 😻 looks just like mine!! the "private investigator" she also likes to do whatever I do....aw!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

@@mgb5170 There were actually two cats in the video!

[@soulfoodsmama2980]

Also, I love this because it validates my compulsion to save all my kids’ school and art binders. I also saved all their little notes and doodles in the binders because they’re little windows into what my kid was thinking that day and I hope they can enjoy the memories as an adult like you did for this video. 🖤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Keep doing it.