Reading the Yiddish children's book "Why Only Girls?"

[@rlm9093]

A lovely book. It's wonderful how his mother showed respect for his ideas and wrote them all down and together she led him to choose the best choice for himself.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

yes, this reflects how the hasidic community is learning more modern parenting tips and active listening. it’s so sweet.

[@beans4853]

​@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I don't think it's modern at all. This is how the big rabbis/rebbetzins seem to have parented according to the books written about them

[@ellenschattner7421]

A sweet story, with a sweet message, read by a sweet woman.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Ellen ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@k.k.5046]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn Yes - 😻nicely read , usually actors and actresses do that 😻

[@lauramason5667]

The beauty of the story is that he became happy in his studies. His mother was loving and trying to console him to make him feel better with a treat. He became so happy he didn’t need the treat, and he recognized that he did not need consolation. Therefore he felt guilty about eating the treat and gave it back to his mother. That’s such a beautiful message. Then his mother gives him two treats. It’s just a gorgeous gorgeous story. I love it. So much wisdom in Judaism.❤

[@LeahGross-rv5wz]

I'm Orthodox but not Hasidic. When my children were young, I took a parenting course sponsored by a Jewish organization which presented the idea of "active listening." The book you read Frieda, very much reminds me of that invaluable course. It can work for adults too.

[@blumberg1982]

Your translation skills are really impressive! So seamlessly!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I’m of course nitpicking on myself but I think the gist came through!

[@Faigyfeig]

I love how they’re bringing gentle parenting to a sheltered audience. This kind of parenting was so radical when I was growing up it was unheard of.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

exactly!

[@kathleenjordan6875]

The mother was so wise. Her solution was exceptional…I think her life experience was every bit as brilliant as the Torah learning was for the males. Again, you’ve brought another lesson of learning to the rest of us. Thank you.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

yes, and thank you for highlighting how women’s knowledge shines!

[@terrytrammell7388]

I loved the book Frieda and I grew up a Southern Baptist. The mother’s approach to problem solving could be used in any community. It’s a calm and gentle way to solve problems with young children who are struggling with any problem. As an 81 year old grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother I see the wisdom in the lesson. I’m going to share this story with my family. Thank you again for teaching and sharing understanding,

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

lovely! bless you, what an honor to be a great great grandmother! ♥️

[@shellybcrowell416]

What a lovely story! The mom is so invested in her son’s happiness and education and helps him find the perfect solution for his problems. She’s a wonderful listener and that is part of what makes a fabulous mom! Thank you for sharing this story! 💜💜💜

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

yes it’s very sweet!

[@diannamacdonald3716]

All children, regardless of faith or culture, will at some time feel they are being left out. Often it is due to age because the older kids get to experience “fun” things first. In his opinion, the little boy’s sisters are getting to have “fun” because they get to stay home on Sunday. He comes to understand that he is learning things they will not have the opportunity to learn so maybe that’s better than staying home. It’s all a matter of perspective. What I liked about this story is that his mom and older brother helped him see the other side of things. His mom sweetened the deal by giving him a treat which he shared with a new friend. In his own way, and in the time he was allowed to have, he matured a little. That is what we want for all children, to learn and grow.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thank you - this is so true, these feelings are universal.

[@Shevfried]

I liked how the book gave space for everything; the sons experience, the vocabulary for that experience, and the words on one page while the art is on another. We dont find that often in Yiddish young childrens books

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

interesting point!

[@jillclark6076]

I like how the Mom uses the Love and Logic parenting style. We use that technique in school and I tried to use it with my own kids. Everyone needs to be led to find solutions to their own struggles with the help of a parent or someone else who cares for us. Thanks for sharing the story.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thank you Jill ♥️

[@yeppiesheppie]

Beautiful! I’m a teaching artist for around the age this book is targeted to, and I love how this models compassionate and creative problem-solving for both adults and kids, and emphasizes how important it is to feel heard and understood, at any age. As a side note, I am perpetually in awe of your ability to translate on the fly. Your translations convey the emotion and tone of the original text wonderfully. Thank you so much for sharing this with us all! ❤

[@robertcoughlin4961]

Thank you Frieda for such a sweet video. It really encourages me in my learning Yiddish. I could read/translate most of the words. I think I should get some children’s books to read. Awesome!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I’m so proud of you Robert! maybe you can buy some online at Eichlers?

[@robertcoughlin4961]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn great advice. I’ll try!

[@Trish-x6s]

Thank you for including this read-aloud on your channel! It’s such a lovely and tender story. The boy’s honesty and his sense of safety to express his feelings were beautifully portrayed. His mother ensured he felt heard, valued, and understood, while also teaching him a new problem-solving approach. Initially, the boy was motivated by the treat, but over time, his motivation shifted to the learning/experience itself. The story ended on a happy note, but I wonder if it might feel a bit more relatable if the author conveyed that, although the boy eventually came to enjoy going to school on Sundays, there are still times he doesn’t want to go. Could a young reader feel discouraged if he doesn’t come to love school the same way the boy in the story does? Thank you again for including this story. I learn so much from your channel.

[@ariebrons7976]

Happy Succot, It's a shame the boy never got to help out with chores. Keeping a home clean is several full time jobs at once; The greatest mystery we'll never solve is how mum manages all that work.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

happy Sukkos arie!

[@mehtarelingolien]

Exactly my thought! It would have done him a lot of good to have had to help Mom with the chores, so that he would see that not going to Chedar is NOT the 'vacation' that he thinks it is. Although I do applaud his mother's skills, she really should have taken the opportunity to educate him on the female perspective.

[@hannah.1836]

What a heartwarming story with a great overall message that letting a child vent and then guiding them to find solutions can empower them to do so independently in the future. Would love for you to do a series reading different children’s books from the community! Such a treat

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

really? that would be really interesting for me if there was an audience…

[@barbaradaley4175]

Freida, My adult exposure to the modern orthodox Jewish community and my upbringing has always left me bewildered by what men do. I see the women working hard outside of the home and within. After working all day, the women cook, clean, and care for children. I often wonder what the men do and why the women aren't angry after a long day of work, to come home and work more with no actual partnership from the husband. Holiday prep, Shabbot prep...what exacly do men do ? They are not building sukkah all year. Your book was very interesting and serves a purpose, but makes me wonder. Thank you for the great content.

[@lindaversil1121]

The men study Torah and teach Torah and some write holy books Through their merits the wives benefit and they earn a good place in heaven after they die. Both husband and wives for supporting them. Hashem chose our nation because of the virtues of our forefathers, and our people have been loyal to the Torah through thick and thin, for thousands of years. Anything that we did that’s misdeeds, that’s natural, it’s human, we’re not angels, but no nation in the world could ever aspire to equal us in virtue. And even today the Torah observant Jew is a model of virtue, of decency that all mankind could learn could learn from.

[@barbaradaley4175]

@@lindaversil1121 Thank you for taking the time to reply. I still see such a lop-sided division of work in Jewish marriages. I see women working harder and harder yet hoping their husbands' prayer efforts raise the wife up. It was too hard for me to buy into while I was earning the money and doing all of the housework. It was too hard for me to buy into after learning how my mom lived angry daily. I am glad your experience has been better than mine. This video prompted great discouurse.

[@lindaversil1121]

@@barbaradaley4175 I know many wives including the wives of rabbi mizrachi and rabbi anava who are busy raising their seven children each and maintaining the household thus freeing their husbands to learn and teach Torah. These rabbis and many others have said that all their Torah goes to their wives who will have a beautiful place in heaven for promoting their husbands to learn Torah They sacrifice but are happy to do so

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

the men in the community I cover all work. I’ve done a video about it - the hasidic economy explained. the men in this community work incredibly hard because they are the breadwinners. I can’t speak for other communities where men sit and study, I think in those situations they are extremely involved with the children and childcare duties.

[@tessajetta8146]

I grew up poor orthodox and left went the other direction

[@AimeeColeman]

Love these chill little videos. Feels like listening to a friend who's always full of interesting information

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

♥️ thanks so much for watching!

[@CorinnePritchard]

Thank you for your videos! I live in a Hasidic area in the UK, and now I've been here a while there are things I'm starting to observe. The one I find most striking is the seeming absence of elderly women from the bits of public life I see. The wigs make it hard to tell sometimes, but even taking that into account I see many, many more grey haired and stooped old men, usually surrounded by younger men and deep in conversation, than I do similarly supported older women. I'd be interested to know what care for the elderly is like as well. Sorry if this is the wrong place for such questions!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

my grandma may she live to 120 is now turning 100, and is living with my aunt. there are a lot of elderly women with brown wigs. that’s what makes it deceptive. but also the majority of the population is young. additionally, there is a population gap between holocaust survivors and their children. like nothing between 75-95 now. that’s because the nazis killed out the children and the age range that survived was 15-25. so there are like 15 years of no Hasidim, mostly. those people, had they lived, would now be in their high 70s, 80s and up.

[@CorinnePritchard]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn thank you, that's very helpful.

[@ellalella1]

I like the teaching of making a list. Very concrete advice that is actually useful.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

yes, as a very action oriented person this would be very helpful to me.

[@Zelde-M]

Love this. Great reading. Perfect to have the text in Yiddish on the screen. A story very well narrated and teiched out. Excellent, insightful summation!!Shkoyakh!!

[@donnahibbard1774]

I enjoyed this very much. Years ago I was facing many challenges in life…so I made a list and started to change the things I was able to one at a time. This was a good reminder to me to teach my seven grandchildren this method of solving challenges. Thank you, you are a treasure ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

you know I think it’s a lesson we can all take with us!

[@buddypvaz124]

Thoughtful, gentle and effective. This has universal appeal. Any parent can learn from it. Personally my take away was how pleasant was this morning when I was having breakfast with my wolf dog and Frieda was reading to me, a children's book that held a deeper meaning on coping skills. 🍬 That was my Sunday nosh.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

awwww send your wolf dog my love, this comment brought me joy!

[@vitaminanime]

A well-done childrens' book with a very wise mother. She listened, didn't get angry, and helped come the boy come up with solutions and eventually he learned to come up with his own solutions. A very positive message.

[@krmbrule1]

Frieda ♥️, Thank you for sharing. I appreciate everything you do.

[@TheGiacchina]

I loved this! The two things most enjoyable to me were, first, that it focused on the jealousy/envy that the boy felt, and, second, that it presented the interaction between the mother and the boy, with her helping him figure out how to deal with such a situation and his feelings constructively.

[@joemoore9066]

It's a great story. I imagine there are many boys and parents who can relate. I like you reading the story.

[@boretasingleton2830]

I thought it was interesting that the boy's Mom helped him exclusively with his problem and not the Dad who would have had the same experience as his son.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

yes that’s so interesting and reflects how incredibly invested women are in parenting

[@kristinesharp6286]

He isn’t home. He is studying out of the house. Like the sons. Would it not be good if on Sunday fathers and sons could study at home and spend a few hours at a park?

[@ivriyah8456]

@@kristinesharp6286that’s what they do on Saturday (shabbos)!

[@konkon7967]

This story made me cry. Thanks for sharing! And I really like the zoom-style content you have put out! Gite moed from Hungary 🇭🇺

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

git moed to you in lovely Hungary, which I will still one day visit!

[@yelnats61]

These are lessons for all of us. Great book. Relating the story was well done

[@szeevster5767]

I loved this. I only wiish we could hear you read the Yiddish as well.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

oh maybe I’ll do a little bonus video to it reading it in Yiddish, thanks for the idea!

[@Audioobscure]

Yes please do both for weeklly books! 😊​@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn

[@sgibson843]

Loved this story.

[@Audioobscure]

I love these stories, please do more

[@Sharon181818]

Frieda- thank you for once again sharing something that gently helps the understanding of the Hasidic way of life. ‘Shkoyach!!

[@deafbutterfly]

Interesting! Thank you so much for sharing this! I learned so much and I agree how the Mother deal with her son by suggesting for him to think of what these solutions are/should be. Again, I learned so much more from the book as well... made me think more as well...

[@augtuhoucsulbusd6892]

Very good. I don't remember either of my parents taking the time to "reason With me" in any scenario. I wish that there were mechanisms, teachings and parents like that who were around when I was young.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I think so much has changed, at least that’s what I’ve observed.

[@jiltedjohn9294]

Love your channel Frieda, i became interested in all things Jewish initially from following an Israeli travel vlogger, then i discovered Klezmer and wow i'm blown away.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I love klezmer! which travel vlogger?

[@jiltedjohn9294]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn It's CoCo girl, although Insightful Nomad and Travelling Clatt are good too.

[@debrasternhagen6598]

Really enjoyed your reading! What a great idea! Thank you

[@chayastoll1046]

Impressive how Mom is so understanding and caring to find a solution. Thank you for sharing this story. A Gutte Moed dear Frieda❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

a gut moed my dear dear Chaya! hope your sukkahs is lovely

[@chayastoll1046]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn thank you, BH it is and BH beautiful weather and hope yours is too

[@romualdgarcia9108]

What a lovely book ! I'm French and learned English at school: I loved to hear that story ! ❤❤❤

[@rosebud-.-]

I loved this so much

[@lynnwilliams8295]

What a wonderful book! Lessons for both the parents and the kids. I love that the author is presenting the real concerns and problems of children. Sometimes as adults we have so many big problems of our own (bills, jobs, rent) we can tend to dismiss the “smaller” problems on our kids minds.

[@maureenmckenna5220]

Given that all religions have their own ways of interpreting their rules for children, I just love the fact of the book and its message. Very well done and a great example of a calm, measured approach to problem solving. This is not a debate about the rightness or wrongness of a Hasidic education system. Just an example of a book written to open the question a lot of Jewish boys surely have.

[@SignalHillHiker]

Very cute. Disregarding the social goals of the story, I do love how it shows patience and consideration from the mother, and respect for the child's feeling. Interesting there's no mention of the father, and interesting that the story notes mother won't always have the time to consideration solutions with the child. Really nice insight, thanks for sharing!

[@theirmom4723]

If, I am not mistaken, you do not hear of the Father in this story b/c the Mother is the one that cares and passes on knowledge to the children (boys) until they reach a certain age. Women, are the workers in the home and their parental job is to raise the children. It's not only Torah commanded it is Biblically commanded.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

now that you mention it, it is I think really common for hasidic children’s books to almost entirely center the mother because she is so central to the emotional development of the children. the father is central in rituals. this is why leadership in the community dont want mothers to have smartphones.

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

I feel like this is all childhoods, to some degree, children are curious by nature and will point out why their sibling doesn't always get the same treatment as they do. My sibling has food allergies and so as a kid I remember constantly asking why they sometimes couldn't eat what I eat.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

oh that’s so sweet and empathetic of you- I guess the job for parents to work through these feelings between siblings is one of the parts of parenting I don’t get because I have one child.

[@pqlasmdhryeiw8]

Thank you so much for sharing this lovely book with us. I definitely would love you to also read it in Yiddish. The book has super cute illustrations and I love the mother's approach of writing down all sugestions. It was interesting to note the Yiddish font in the book. It looked very formal, like using Times New Roman. I would have expected text in a bigger font size and a more rounder font maybe? Children's books tend to have rounder fonts, vershtays? But what a gem sharing with us, a sheyne dank ❤

[@dyanalayng5507]

A good story, and you read it beautifully, Freida. I like that list idea. ❤️🇨🇦

[@barbaraketchum8287]

I definitely like the kind way the mother helps her child and the story expands on how the decisions play out in other situations. Thank you for sharing this book!! ❤❤❤

[@jeanbellinger9770]

Brilliant book. Thank you for presenting it to us your wide audience. The book has general application to our problem solving challenges. Excellent book for children, parents and children.

[@DavsonArts-NationalGlassMuseum]

Beautiful, you clarify things with such grace and understanding. Cheers, s

[@shirleyjhaney1041]

I thought it was a good story. I’m not Jewish. I read stories about Jewish people as a child and those stories meant a lot to me. I think this story shows universality about families and love and emotions and childhood. It’s not only Jewish. What I liked best was hearing it read although it was translated because the - I don’t know the right words, but the cadence of Yiddish is comforting to me and I associate it very happily with the time I spent in New York and the community in Brooklyn although otherwise they are fairly unknown to me. Yiddish always sounds cozy. Also your hair looks great even though it’s growing out and you have roots. ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

♥️

[@laurafroehler83]

I loved hearing this story. I had to listen to the end to find out what happened. ❤ 😊 I can see how separate educations are part of the social structure. The older I get, the more I appreciate social normals that help keep everything running smoothly.

[@GumriRN]

I could not stop listening. Food for thought Indeed. If only the secular world would take a lesson from this children’s book. Also, it gives me joy to see you reading not just another language but another symbolistic language. That’s why the Orthodox Jewish life style is so wonderful. Thank you. I actually enjoyed the story book.

[@junglesuperstar9270]

Which one ? That the place of women is in the kitchen ?

[@GumriRN]

@@junglesuperstar9270 -yeah, believe me the alternative for women WILL be far worse. Nature will out!

[@shoshanaeri8035]

Great story. Funny, I remember being jealous of my brothers going to "Sunday school" which is what we called it in our Orthodox Jewish (but not Hassidic) community. It was only half a day (until 1pm when 'regular' school days for all of us were until 4 pm) and was focused on Torah study, and they definitely had a lot of raffles with prizes, special treats, etc. 😁And my brothers were woken up early morning on the Sabbath/Saturday as well to attend synagogue with my father while we girls slept in so they were jealous of us 😏In Judaism neither gender is considered "better", we have different roles and each one is integral to the functioning of the whole community. Each one has it's "pros" and "cons". Just like any job/position in a company. They will not have the same responsibilities or the same privileges. I really like how the book emphasizes the Mother's integral role as the boy himself states that "my mother has an even bigger portion than me [in my Torah learning] because she is the one who encourages me to go learn". Funnily enough I now live in Israel and even the most secular schools have all the kids, boys and girls, attending school Sunday through Friday. We are the Nation of the Book. Learning is constant, whether at home or in school. ☺

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

lovely comment with a bunch of sweet nuggets

[@RachG]

Well, this was a lovely watch. 😊 Thank you for sharing ❤

[@debbimeyersbrant5752]

I really did enjoy this thank you I hope you do more reading of the books blessings to you and yours

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

blessings to you my friend!

[@papabreading7294]

This was s blessing! Thank you !

[@b.miller2799]

This is so cute!! Thanks for sharing

[@BetsAnderson]

Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed it. SHALOM from South Africa ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

shalom, thank you! ♥️

[@lynnboulton574]

Such a lovely story, always enjoy your great videos Frieda. ❤ from Lantana TEXAS!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thank you Lynn! I thought this was a sweet change of pace!

[@YourSweetEyes]

I enjoyed the little book. What a wise mother. Thank you, Frieda! ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thank you 🙏

[@professorrosenstock5026]

My speech teacher from high school was orthodox. Her son went to school on Sundays. Granted, I've heard of girls doing the same.

[@MadameEster]

You can say what you want but this book a knowledge the kids feelings, the mother does not laugh, she listens and helps, gives the little boy the tools, asks him for what solution he thinks it’s fit I mean many parents can learn from that including myself!

[@sheliamaynus9869]

This has been a great video! Loved it!

[@lindaversil1121]

Rabbi mizrachi tells a similar story about his son. His ten year old son didn’t want to wake up early and go to shul with him. He wanted to sleep in like his sister. So the rabbi went to shul with his other sons and left that one home. The rabbi rewarded the other sons with treats when they got home but the one that stayed home didn’t get any. After a week that son begged to go to shul with his dad because he wanted a treat. The rabbi said that you have to bribe kids with something that they like and eventually they will want to do it without being rewarded.

[@kathym5307]

Lovely story! Thank you!

[@Dev_KG]

I love the honestly! I think the men would say it’s a “yes, and” issue. They feel they missed out on fun (we couldn’t go to Brooklyn to visit family on Sundays once our son was in 1st grade and learned on Sundays), and “the system” does severely limit the options that young adults can choose from. I’m actually impressed by how the book handles it, and specifically that it’s the mother. My kids are out of the story book years - is there anything with a girl who turns to her father for help with a problem?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

great question, I think not but I will look!

[@Dev_KG]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn thanks! and Gut Moed!

[@beans4853]

Such a cute story! My kids are still little but my daughter is so jealous of my son that he gets to go to school on Sunday 😂😂😂

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

ha ha, I relate beans. I always had a bit of jealousy for the boys! hope your baby מאכטסיך as my mother likes to say about babies coming into their faces and personhood.

[@beans4853]

@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I know, right? I was always bored at school and thought it wouldn't have been so if I'd been a boy. I could've maybe even been an "iluy"!! Jk. Yes keh he's getting so big! Not a tiny little baby anymore by any means

[@professorrosenstock5026]

I heard in some communities like the Chabad community the girls go to school on Sundays too.

[@salampakistan3691]

Usually girls and boys get the same islamic education and timing. But I do remember my little brother getting upset that we the girls got a week off from fasting if on periods in Ramadan. Even though we had to makeup for it after Ramadan. I usually was upset that I could not fast as I enjoyed it. But we still had to observe good behaviour and do allot of good deeds and avoid fighting and other sins. We used go to school. After school in Ramadan usually it would iftar opening of the fast and my mum would lets us go halal friend chicken shop. There used to be this friendly shopkeeper who was always happy to see us. So it was fun for me to fast and always like challenges in general, I was weird child who enjoyed prayer and fasting etc. I liked internally reflecting and growing. So when my little brother moaned, out jealousy I used to think he stupid lol... Allah swt has taken mercy on us on girls and given flexibility in things because we biologically go through allot even though externally it does not look like much. If boys are ill they can have days off as well but have to makeup for it. But mostly we have the same obligations alhamdullah... Friday prayers men have to do in the Mosque but women we can pray at home. When we pray at home its equal in reward as praying in the mosque but can pray in the mosque if want to and nobody islamically allowed to prevent us from attending the mosque.

[@elizabethmartineau-marshal341]

I enjoyed the story! I did not realize that there was a difference in the education of boys & girls in the Hasidic community. I am assuming that since the girls do arithmetic that they are the ones that do the budgeting in the homes as wives!?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

the genders have super different education! the girls learn secular subjects mostly because they have the time and liberty to do so. boys’ time is seen as too precious to spend on secular subjects.

[@kellkatz]

And what are the girls doing on Sundays? Would there be a book from the girls' viewpoint about Sundays?

[@lindaversil1121]

They help the mother around the house and help with the younger siblings.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I don’t think there would be an analogous book for girls because girls see their Sundays as half days and days to clean up after shabbes but also often to go shopping (hence the jealousy of the boys)

[@chatisawasteoftime]

Sunday is usually lazy day, or shopping.

[@123abc-wy6fe]

This is an interesting story thank you. I want to know is that Hebrew writing (alphabet) used for Yiddish? That seems very difficult! Can you read, speak and write in Hebrew as well? ❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

yes, the Hebrew alphabet is used in Yiddish. my Hebrew is very poor, sadly.

[@holybibleresearch]

Interesting that the brother is realizing of her young sister like the one bringing contentment, good day!

[@mrs.brunke443]

A very interesting little book. As to the segregated aspects of Hasidic education, I can only speak as an outsider, so I hope I don't offend. I am not judging, only observing. It seems to me that the end result of both boys' and girls' educational journeys actually leads to the same place though it emerges from differing expectations. The boys are expected to be religious scholars and at the same time to support a family. This means that their opportunities are limited and narrow. The girls are expected to be wives and mothers and to not really use their education outside the home. This means that their opportunities are limited and narrow. Which is all well and good when life goes in a smooth path and the individual is happy and fulfilled. But when it goes another way or this path is not a good one for the individual then life, partially because of lack of education, can become very difficult. And now having said this, while this type of problem may be a bit starker or more noticeable in the Hasidic community, it is not limited to only this community. There are other communities, religious and otherwise, that struggle with this same challenge. Thank you so much, Frieda, for your efforts to enlighten, share, and bring about real and respectful discussion with your videos. You are a little spark of light for me as I enter the internet world because sometimes that world seems to be a real mess.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

very very well said and I very much agree with this.

[@bonnieschechner9476]

I just went to a religious Judaica book store this afternoon and was looking at all the children’s books. I wish I was able to read them to my grandchild. This story was so different than I expected it to be. A definite modern twist to how Ima handled the situation. But it still makes me sad to know that the boys, and even the girls don’t get to participate in a more rigorous secular education and have the opportunity to further it in secular education. Why can you not enjoy the opportunities of both worlds?

[@bonnieschechner9476]

Once again Frieda you have amazed me with your ability to understand both sides of the situation. And your translation I am in awe of

[@bettymaines6305]

Love this video even more the second viewing it.

[@hannahaguirre2972]

I have four boys and my youngest is a girl. She complains to me every Sunday and says she wishes she was a boy . When I ask her why that is, she’ll always answer that they get to go to school on Sundays and she doesn’t 😀. My boys always complained that they had school on Sundays and as teens they have school in the evenings too and it’s not fair that the the girls have so much free time to have fun. I think kids love to compare themselves to other kids regardless of their religion, family dynamics etc . But we hear our children out and validate them. As adults , it evens out and the complaints fade away. At least that’s my experience.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

wow fascinating. thanks for sharing!!! it makes sense, I was often jealous of the boys learning.

[@jonjayfox]

This came at a great time. My son is upset that he has school over chol hamoed and his sister doesn't. Good moed.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

good moed! give him some color cake 😁 I’ve been craving it all Yomtov!

[@chatisawasteoftime]

That's a first. A Jewish school open on chol hamoed?

[@elishevak.8637]

This book is surprising in how it let's children vent about their feelings. Such a book could not have been written decades ago...

[@ChristineBates-ru7op]

Hi Frieda. I enjoy your content. Got a question or maybe you could answer it in a video. My name is Christina Bates. I am a Christian. I have cousins with the surname Mordecai. I am not a Jew, but I believe in Genesis 12 3. I donate to SHIFRA, Lev Lalev, and JDC. Can you recommend other Jewish organizations to donate to? Many thanks!

[@debrasternhagen6598]

You are a gem!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Debra happy Sukkos ♥️

[@booksquid856]

Where can I order this book??? I love this message so much!❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I don’t know! I ordered it in person!

[@booksquid856]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn Would you ever consider creating a subscriber book page where we could order books from you that we wouldn't find elsewhere?

[@lolajl]

What I found interesting about this book is that the father is totally missing from the story. How did he feel when his son was complaining? Did the mother talk this over privately with her husband? Did they agree to let mother deal with this and help her son through this problem? Maybe it is that the mother's approach in resolving this would have gone over better because she guided the boy through with a gentler hand?

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I think the mother is hands on with the children while the father is working, and the mother is the one almost entirely responsible for the emotional wellbeing of the kids.

[@heatherdorsey4770]

I think this was a well written book with good parenting advice.

[@mary-kittybonkers2374]

Happy Sukkot, Frieda x

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

happy Sukkos and fall dear!

[@joyceyaffe1832]

Thank you for reading this book. It gave me new knowledge about this aspect of Judaism.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I’m so happy to hear!

[@5fingerjack]

It's a sweet (and yes, informed ) way to address the issue within the structure of gendered education. As a girl child, I would be disheartened if my brother got an extra treat to attend a school I was not allowed to learn from. Neither of us would have any choice. So it's a happy/not happy story. I have a friend in public health who went to a country where boys and girls attend the same schools. A similar issue presents when the girls get their periods. They don't have period products, so they have to stay home. The boys are not taught about periods so they are upset that the girls get a week vacation every month. The girls would much rather be at school learning and don't see it as a vacation. As a way to avoid getting a period, girls often get pregnant so they won't miss school for 9 months. Of course having a baby makes it even harder to go to school. So there is a public health project to bring washable fabric period products and particularly patterns and absorbent material to the schools so they can make more for others. Maybe the boys moms there give them a nosh to go to school every week, and that would be nice for them. Hopefully there will one day be a way to grow toward educating all children. It's good for families, women and children.

[@erpollock]

Sweet story and teaches good moral lessons.

[@dyanalayng5507]

Second comment to say, I wonder if there is a story exploring from the daughters’ perspective? There’s a start of it in this story, on how boring Sunday can be.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

those of us daughters have indeed often felt left out in our own ways. bored, or left out or the “important learning” envy surely didn’t just go one way:

[@d.avraba889]

I noticed in the video quite a lot of times, showing the page - that the definate article- der, di, dos.. which exists in grammar in Yiddish is often simply reduced to the feminine di, incorrectly. Thus I saw di gute taam.. the good taste.. which I think should be ..der guter taam.. masculine. Does this book have incorrect grammar? Has it been checked? I would appreciate your comments as to Yiddish grammar understanding in modern Satmar circles/ materials...

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

this is how chasidim do grammar. we don’t differentiate between di/der/dos really. my son is learning yivo Yiddish and I was surprised how much emphasis they place on genders, among other grammatical things. To us it’s kind of just not important. these things sort of are collapsed into one and it’s “pick the article you like, it doesn’t matter” kinda thing. nowadays the community’s literature is developing and it’s becoming more ambitious and some are pushing for a more streamlined grammar but… I am not feeling those sentiments personally.

[@ariemhetareads3996]

It's such an interesting perspective to me because I had a lot of the same feelings as the main character going to an all-girls Dati Leumi school. Ii was jealous of non-religious schools for learning five days a week while we learned six but was glad I learned tora, neviim, halakha, and mishna (in elementary, obviously we learned more as we got older) and they barely learned tora. I was also jealous of haredi girls schools for having much shorter days but I was just happy I didn't have towear tights. And I really related to hating waking up early on Sunday in the summer. It's funny to me bc as a child I always felt sorry for haredi boys for having almost no summer vacation and learning almost no non-religious subjects. I still think it's bad that they're non given much a choice in what they wantvto work as they get older so I'm really happy Haredi Leumi schools are getting so popular now. This is too long but I wonder if you had mishnayot contests and, if you did, what you got as prizes. We just got extra points on tests lol.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

the girls definitely don’t have mishnayot contests because they don’t learn mishnayos but the boys I bet do, and prizes rant from small trinkets to awards?

[@SigalAlon]

Beautiful story

[@spelaresnik2646]

Great presentation! Music is unnecessary. For me interesting, how things are presented and interpreted inside the community. Would be nice to hear more. 🤗

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

yes, Spela you give great notes and I agree with you!

[@VioletACordy]

🌴❤😎LOVE THIS BOOK ~ FRIEDA🌷🌷BLESS YOU🌸🌸SHALOM🌴🎄🌳🌴🌴🌴🎄”Reading the Yiddish children's book "Why Only Girls?"”❤💙💙🩵🐕❤💙❤🩵🩵💜💙❤❤🩵🩵💜❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thank you violet dear!

[@salvatoreshiggerino6810]

The problem solving part is almost like a children's version of Eliyahu Goldratt's industrial problem solving techniques.

[@Liisa3139]

I don't know if you have made a video about Jewish literature in general, so I have been thinking if merely entertaining literature exists for Hasidic readers. So many homes seem to have huge bookshelves, but is there detective stories or high quality fiction too? Literature that is aimed to present human issues without any dogma?

[@ariebrons7976]

Not Haredi literature per-se. The joy of learning should be sufficient entertainment. The Talmud does have several romance stories: R'Akive and Rachel Beruryah and El3azar ben Terradion(?) Drama is found in Sanhedrin and Hagiga. Fantasy in Qabalah/Reb Nahman's stories. Besides that we have lives of saints.

[@lindaversil1121]

No secular books. Considered foolishness and a waste of time and corruption of the mind

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

this literary scene is in its infancy. when were kids there were a handful of entertainment books. the big books in the house are not for entertainment. nowadays there are so many books, I saw for Sukkos so many new books came out, including detective books!

[@Liisa3139]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn Thank you, Frieda. It would be interesting to hear more about this.

[@karins2200]

Such a cute story !

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I know, so sweet!

[@bettymaines6305]

What a sweet story.

[@robincook4349]

what a wonderful book