Unchosen: The Hidden Lives of Hasidic Rebels

by Hella Winston

book data

61 ratings, 3.90 average rating, 15 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		27%
4		42%
3		21%
2		8%

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published

November 1st 2006 by Beacon Press

binding

Paperback, 190 pages

isbn

0807036277 (isbn13: 9780807036273)

description

A surprising and controversial exploration of Hasidic Jews struggling to live within their restrictive communities-and, in some cases, to carve out a ...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 83)

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Alisha rated it:

04/14/07

Read in April, 2007

I feel very confused. I want to hate this book and yet I don't.

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Cheski rated it:

09/08/08

Read in September, 2008

recommended to Cheski by: Amazon ;)
recommends it for: anyone interested in the subject of kids at risk or the chassidic world.

The book Unchosen is a lucid and interesting read about Hassidic youth on the fringe. A lot is still to be learnt by the parents who obviously are so unaware of the world around them as to have no clue how to deal with this matter.

Intimadation and suppression often ensues, driving the person away even more. The emotional turmoil drips from every page.

Positive points:

- An important book that should be read by all who deal with kids at risk (I can also recommend the book "Off the...more

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Clidston rated it:

07/09/07

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in July, 2007

Riveting. Engrossing. More a collection of anecdotes than an academic, formal sociological study, Winston tells the story of Hasids, ex-Hasids, and soon-to-be-ex-Hasids who for one reason or another could not live within the rules of the Satmar community (usually because they wanted to watch movies, wear different clothes, read secular books and newspapers, etc). In a review of a book called "A Hope in the Unseen" about an affirmative-action student who struggles and then succeeds a...more Riveting. Engrossing. More a collection of anecdotes than an academic, formal sociological study, Winston tells the story of Hasids, ex-Hasids, and soon-to-be-ex-Hasids who for one reason or another could not live within the rules of the Satmar community (usually because they wanted to watch movies, wear different clothes, read secular books and newspapers, etc). In a review of a book called "A Hope in the Unseen" about an affirmative-action student who struggles and then succeeds at Brown University, the writer used the phrase "a suspense novel of the human spirit" to describe it. That phrase fits Unchosen just as well.
Winston's view is complex and nuanced, although unapologetically "modern" and secular. Despite the sometimes blistering criticisms of Hasidism that wind up in the book (mostly coming from disaffected Hasids themselves), Unchosen is not without love and appreciation for their way of life. Compassion and empathy wells up in the text (and, one hopes, in the reader) when Winston begins to talk about the possibility that Hasidic practice and law is, in a sense, a result of the terrible psychological scars left from the Destruction. Some Hasidic rebbes have taught that G-d brought the Holocaust upon the Jews as punishment for neglecting the mitzvot, assimilating, mixing with gentiles, etc. The community's terror of disappointing G-d again is palpable.
Also enlightening to learn just how poorly prepared the average Satmar Hasid is for life outside the community: it's basically impossible. Lacking even a high school education in secular subjects and often uncomfortable with English (Yiddish is spoken in most homes) means few job prospects in the outside world, and even teaching Talmud to Modern Orthodox girls is apparently considered an immodest job for a Satmar man. And there's some rather damning material, which I had previously heard only as rumour, exposing the commonly accepted practice of cheating on welfare and public assistance programs (huge families of 8-11 children and low-paying jobs for the one breadwinner tend to necessitate some creativity in making ends meet). Fascinating look at a hidden world and its discontents....less

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Rebecca is currently reading it

11/22/08

bookshelves: currently-reading

A very good insight into the lives of a group rarely investigated by the outside world, the Satmar Hasids.

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Alli rated it:

09/30/07

bookshelves: hasidic-obsession, non-fiction

Read in September, 2007

recommends it for: jews and chasid obsessors

unlike other books about chasidim that i have read, Unchosen is specifically about a few who struggle with maintaining their faith... some struggle with their faith in god, but all struggle with their faith in the community.

what makes it especially interesting is that several of the characters are Satmar, allowing a rare glimpse into their especially insular community.

i know i sound all national geographic, but i can't help but to be fascinated by their devotion to such a rigid way of ...more

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Jill rated it:

08/30/07

Read in August, 2007

This is an okay read. I did not learn anything particularly eye opening. It is a story about the struggle for those in a close, conservative society who don't fit the mold but struggle fitting into the outside world as well. My most favorite part of the book is the mysterious looking guy on the front in the large fur hat. I would recommend it to someone specifically interested in the subject matter, but as a general read, nah....

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Laura rated it:

01/24/08

Read in February, 2008

recommends it for: people who like to read about religion

Those who know me know I am very interested in reading about various strict religions. This book was o.k. It gave a background and insight into the more closed off Hasidic sects, but I never really got into the story or the exploration of different people and why they leave the hasidim. I would recommed the Merrymakers book instead if you are looking for an interesting look into hasidic life.

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Abby rated it:

10/26/08

Absolutely fascinating look into very closed Hasidic society in Brooklyn. Interesting analysis of close knit communities and influence/pressures of group dynamic on personal thinking/actions. Some very sad stories, but rebels may provoke change or at least inspire others to forge paths to a way to be happy and also have spiritual lives. Eye-opening.

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Laura rated it:

08/16/07

bookshelves: non-fiction

Read in January, 2006

Hella Winston certainly pulls no punches in this book, and it's clear that she has little patience for the Satmars. However, I wasn't bothered by the fact that the author had a point of view. She made no pretense about being even-handed, any more than Eric Schlosser does.

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Tamar rated it:

05/21/07

This book was full of inconsistencies and it seems to me that the author never fully understood the people or the community that she was writing about. She tried, I give her credit for that, but the writing was naive, and not very good either.

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3 comments

Jacqueline rated it:

01/18/08

Read in January, 2007

It opened my eyes up more to a world I'd heard about and seen but never really understood. Not the most creative and inspiring writing, but the content made it worth it and it's easy reading.

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