Hasidic Woman's personal exodus

[figuring it out]

I read this stroy and thought of all the women we discuss here. It was interesting that she compared herself to women in the conservative christian movement.

 

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/hasidic-je ... z5UbvGPWrk

 

I was totaly disturbed that she was subtly handled during a ritual bath to ensure she was "pure"

[chiccy]

I read this girl's book. It was pretty interesting but didn't really reveal anything new. The ritual bath thing is borderline to me; they're required to be inspected by a mikvah lady prior to immersion. I agree that it should have been done as discreetly as possible, but for them, following the letter of the Law is most important.

[figuring it out]

Is the book worth the read and $?

[chiccy]

Is the book worth the read and $?

Hmm...I guess I'd recommend waiting till it comes out in paperback (unless you can get it from the library). I don't think it's worth buying in hardcover unless you are really interested, or know little about Hasidic/Orthodox Jewish culture. It's a short little book and a super fast read (1 evening for me), and, at least for me, it didn't reveal too many new things about the culture. However, if you're new to these topics, you might find it very interesting.

[CustardTart]

I posted this on the Oprah thread, but in case you didn't see it:

http://forums.somethingawful.com/showth ... genumber=1

A very interesting Q&A thread from a Satmar woman who left at age 16.

"According to 2008 census figures, the village has the highest poverty rate in the nation. More than two-thirds of residents live below the federal poverty line and 40% receive food stamps."

I have to give the Christian fundies credit for not depending on the government for support of their huge families.