Thursday, April 08, 2010
New York's Chasidic rebels learn to be secular
Right in the heart of Manhattan is an unusual refuge - a place where New York's 'Chasidic rebels' gather to socialise, meet and learn.
Footsteps, which runs the centre, is the only organisation that exists outside Israel to provide defectors from the Chasidic community with the practical and emotional support they need to make it in mainstream society.
"People don't come to Footsteps for sex, drugs and rock'n'roll," says executive director Paula Winnig. "They're with us because they want to learn."
Footsteps was set up in 2003 by Malkie Schwartz, a young woman from the Lubavitch community who, in the process of becoming secular, realised how much support others in her position needed. It provides career and college guidance and training in basic computer skills. It also provides peer support meetings, social events, and a library and computer lab.
Critics from the Chasidic community allege that the group tries to turn Chasidim approaching it away from religion. Ms Winnig denies this, saying, "we're not trying to lure anyone away from their communities. We make participants see the real pluses and minuses they'll face with leaving.
"We get fairly frequent calls from the UK and other countries," she adds.
They are considering creating an online chat group to reach out to these Chasidic defectors overseas.
At least 550 people have used Footsteps's services since it was set up in 2003, but there is no way of knowing how many Chasids are struggling to leave their communities.
However, it is clear that male "rebels" vastly outnumber their female counterparts. Ms Winnig says there are three men to every woman at Footsteps, and suggests this may be partly connected to the fact that Charedi men tend to be less educated in secular subjects than women. She adds that women may also be less able to access the organisation's services which are open only to those over 18 - an age at which many Chasidic women are already married.
http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/30208/new-yorks-chasidic-rebels-learn-be-secular
Footsteps, which runs the centre, is the only organisation that exists outside Israel to provide defectors from the Chasidic community with the practical and emotional support they need to make it in mainstream society.
"People don't come to Footsteps for sex, drugs and rock'n'roll," says executive director Paula Winnig. "They're with us because they want to learn."
Footsteps was set up in 2003 by Malkie Schwartz, a young woman from the Lubavitch community who, in the process of becoming secular, realised how much support others in her position needed. It provides career and college guidance and training in basic computer skills. It also provides peer support meetings, social events, and a library and computer lab.
Critics from the Chasidic community allege that the group tries to turn Chasidim approaching it away from religion. Ms Winnig denies this, saying, "we're not trying to lure anyone away from their communities. We make participants see the real pluses and minuses they'll face with leaving.
"We get fairly frequent calls from the UK and other countries," she adds.
They are considering creating an online chat group to reach out to these Chasidic defectors overseas.
At least 550 people have used Footsteps's services since it was set up in 2003, but there is no way of knowing how many Chasids are struggling to leave their communities.
However, it is clear that male "rebels" vastly outnumber their female counterparts. Ms Winnig says there are three men to every woman at Footsteps, and suggests this may be partly connected to the fact that Charedi men tend to be less educated in secular subjects than women. She adds that women may also be less able to access the organisation's services which are open only to those over 18 - an age at which many Chasidic women are already married.
http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/30208/new-yorks-chasidic-rebels-learn-be-secular
Comments:
On the Zev Brenner show they were forced to admit that they serve non-kosher food at their events, sometimes without a "kosher table" for those not wanting to abandon their heritage completely.
A close relative of mine who was searching for a derech to suit him was lured into Footseps where he says they definately do promote anti Hashem thought & behavior. They are a dangerous group out to destroy our holy heritage. They have one agenda- to cause our confused youth to rebel.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by 
: April 12, 2010 12:14 PM
: April 12, 2010 12:14 PM
I'm sorry. As far as I am concerned, people leave there heritage because they want to. These groups and organization are not destroying those who are not already destroyed.....
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Comment Credit ---This article posted by : April 15, 2010 9:44 PM
: April 15, 2010 9:44 PM
