Leaving my Chassidic life
Very open and honest, my personal views are that Frieda is not in any way disrespectful. When leaving the Hasidic community, there will always be this part of you as a Hasidic man or woman, which is embedded so deep inside of you, which will remain with your entire life. When going into the Hasidic community dressed like a Hasidic women is indeed like Frieda says, turning into your old - self. A part from the pants, Frieda is dressing tznius.
Leaving the fold is not easy, its not done lightly and there are good reasons. You cannot always speak you mind, or do what you want without being put back in your place, this is putting it mildly, and often not why someone leaves the community.
Frieda is doing an amazing job in representing the Satmar Hasidic community with her Hasidic Tours in a very respectful way, wearing pants is Frieda who is no longer part of the Hasidic community, but deep down inside is a different story.
You can take a person out of Hasidic community, but you cannot take the Hasidic community out of that person. The loyality and respect remains.
Watch the video here
The Get.
This is a reading of a very personal essay that I wrote in 2010, shortly leaving after the Hasidic community. It does not reflect my life today, and how I feel now. Many years has gone by, and many old wounds have healed. But the essay remains a time capsule of those hard time as I transitioned onto a different path. I read it for the camera when we had a camera set up in our home for a different project, and I found the experience of reading out loud those raw, heartbroken moments to be deeply moving.
Please be gentle. I've been agonizing over whether I should publish this as it's extremely personal and I would appreciate your kindness.
Watch the video here
Frieda Vizel
Part one and two are about Pearl, she is a lovely and warmhearted Satmar- Chassidic women from Williamsburg and a true Yiddish mame. What inspires me the most, is her warmth towards OTD and all she want to do is help. The more I listen to Pearl, the more I felt that HaShem guided me to watch, listen and learn from Pearl and be inspired by her.
My reason why a topic about OTD - off the Derech- is simple: A Yid is a Yid, but apart from this I do like to create awareness about Chassidic Jews leaving their community and what we as a community can do to help. Struggling with problems or trauma can be the reason for leaving, however, this could be avoided by being aware and giving that helping hand. Find out what keeps this person busy and how we can get the right help.
Pearl's reaction went viral and more video's followed and apart from being inspirational, Pearl serves as a positive role model ❣
Watch more inpirational video's with Pearl on Frieda Vizel Brooklyn tour Youtube Channel.
Gita Katz a larger than life caracter.