Izzy, I commend your bravery and courage by speaking out about the abuse you suffered. I do not believe Hashem ever wants his children to suffer at the hands of adults.
Oh wow, what an amazing interview. Izzy was a victim of both physical and emotional abuse, however his faith and family values helped him to overcome that trauma. His resilience and coping skills are so exemplary! ✡️
Wow. I am blown away. What a wonderful interview. I am a litvishe woman and I'm fascinated by the chassidic way of life. I'm so impressed with Izzy and how he does not show bitterness towards religion after all he's been through. Thank you Frieda!
@@ayalastrauss-resnick4177 thank you for saying it, i felt the same. i will work on forgiving my teachers and parents better than i have done so far...
Felt so nostalgic hearing about reb avrohom gurowitz shlita. He was my fathers chavrusa as a young boy. I also spent hours in his home. What a wonderful man he was. So friendly and kind to everyone, kid, adult, girl or boy. In spite of his learning ALL the time. So sorry about your mother. I remember when it happened. A beautiful woman. A terrible tragedy.
The description of his childhood is so sad. Its very similar to that of my husband's childhood, regarding the hitting and disregard for the wellbeing of the children. While some places still allow some hitting, im thankful that its not tolerated in my sons (very chasidic) school and they are taught with love and acceptance for the fact they are children and not little robots
I think it stems from the holocaust. They were beaten and enslaved basically and in order to teach the next generations to behave they use tactics they learn from their enslavement. It’s the same with African American communities as well. Either you beat in shape by a loving parent versus beat in shape by the master ( police in current day) . I was definitely beat as child but it was a normal experience. As kids we used to trauma bond. Now if child is beat it’s very isolating and not tolerated.
I’m so happy your son is safe from corporal punishment in a place where he is taught with love. I hope the other schools stop using corporal punishment. Children (and adults) don’t learn or grow better through fear and trauma.
Frieda and Izzy . I want to say thank you to you both for a deep and insightful interview . As a non-Jew i am so appreciative of all i have learnt about the history , culture and lives of the Jewish community . It has lead me to question many things that I always took for granted in my secular life , and that is a good thing . Please keep doing this amazing work, Frieda, in the hope that , in a small way , it not only informs , but can bring understanding and peace to our troubled world .
At the end Izzy thanked Frieda for what she does saying she does important work. I, even as a non Jew, agree. I’m not 100% sure why I think it’s important. I think it might be because she’s integral to opening up this “mysterious” culture to all of us. Because she does have a Chasid following as well I hope there is some opening of the world outside to the Chasidism as well.
Agree! She does important work! The more we understand about different ways of thinking and living is such a good thing for us as people and our societies too!
Thank you Frieda and Izzy! Dear Izzy, condolences on the loss of your mother, may her memory be a blessing. Hashem bless you both for your wonderful work. Thank you for opening up the insular world of Hasidim and for sharing your memories and experiences with us!
Wow!!! I loved the interview. Thanks so much Frieda. Izzy, you have a great talent and profound perspective of how to separate the positive and the negative from your childhood. I find, adults that went through an abusive childhood just right off all of it, and are challenge to see some positive aspects within it. You are a blessing and an inspiration. Thanks so much . ❤❤❤❤
I hope Izzy heals from his traumatic experiences what a beautiful soul. I can relate clearly to his childhood life upbringing. And thanks Freida for bringing stories like these to light.
I just discovered you channel, absolutely love the videos you do, Frieda, and been binge watching them over the last few days ☺️ Thank you for offering such a great deep dive into the Hasidic world which seems so unapproachable yet so interesting for outsiders. Thank you also for showing so many different perspectives by inviting so many interesting people!
Heidel, thank you for this comment. I actually haven't published this video yet (it's unlisted; if you go through my playlist it will come up but not otherwise) so I appreciate your comment. I'm always looking for interesting people and I love to do interviews but it's hard to get people to agree. Izzy is wonderful.
I say high school teacher working in a public school I find this very unifying. You know find in the sense that there are good and bad schools in all cultures and even in the same neighborhoods. I like how he did not lump all schools together. This kind of information really breaks stereotypes. God bless
good for you for telling your story on BBC.. my heart goes out to you. It truly does.. you sound very level headed and aware of your reality and surroundings. You are incredible for turning out the way you are. You are amazing. You should be proud of yourself. Keep up the good work. And that child abuse stuff makes me sick!!!!!!!!!!!! they should all be in jail!
What I like is that he does not focus on the bad aspects only and he also talks about what he loved about his childhood!! Btw Frieda and Izzy have almost the same glasses in a different colour lol but Frieda's are just a little bigger and rounder.. Thank you Izzy for sharing your story with us and I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. BDHE
I appreciate your channel Frieda. I am Freda, too(without the i), an AA woman from the South now living in the Mid-Atlantic. I have learned SO much about your culture and about the people and things you care about. Thank You.
Izzy, I love hearing about your worldview, and it means so much to me, as someone who was raised as a charismatic, evangelical Christian in the “Bible Belt” of the US. So much of your experience was similar to mine, although yours was more extreme. I identified with the idea of intensely studying specialized writings and knitting together these spiritual secrets all while not considering the shaky foundation. Also, the experience of being in the yeshiva and working yourself into a spiritually ecstatic experience was so identifiable. I felt the same thing, which we called “the Holy Spirit”. Anyway, I so appreciate your story and thoughtful sharing of it. Thank you.
I noted you used the words "May her/his memory be a blessing". Not being Jewish but growing up Russian Orthodox we would always say "May his /her memory be eternal" or shortened to "eternal memory". Is your verbiage a common refrain or did you use "blessing" as a way to sweeten the harsh blow of the loss of a young life? Your guest overcame extreme difficulties. To wind up with a Master in physics after years of having no secular education is amazing. He was not a smart-ass as a kid but he was never challenged His IQ was too high for the school
This is an ancient Jewish expression, from Hebrew. "may his/her memory be a blessing" "zikhrono livrakha" (m.) / "zikhronah livrakha" (f.) (Hebrew: (f.) "זיכרונה לברכה" \ (m.) "זיכרונו לברכה
Dear Frieda, as You know I just found your channel. Meeting Izzy was so interesting. I try not to binge the rest of your episodes, but the summer here in Gothenburg is so rainfilled, so what could one do but spending them with You. Lisa Johansson, Gothenburg Sweden 🌧🇸🇪
Wow❤ every time you have him he astonishes me more and more!! He is absolutely so brilliant and humble about it. He didn’t make much ado about getting into that prestigious yeshiva. Even with the way he spoke about his mom. Thank you Frida for having him again 😊
Another interesting and informative video. This has helped me clarity some of my issues with learning. Thank you both. This is to quote Izzy,” singular and important work.” I certainly agree.
You asked how we are doing, we are ok. This is such a tough time. I watched about an hour of the rally. It was beautiful. I am.glad that lady stopped and gave y'all a bracelet. I am so proud to be Jewish and so proud of how we all have pulled together. Am Yisroel Chai
Frieda you raised an interesting point about Chasidic boys learning (surreptitiously I suppose) from their sisters’ textbooks. Is this done? Is it common?
This interview was so pleasant & informative. I really enjoyed it. I add my thank to Izzy's to you, Frieda, for your work & serious consideration of all of life. I'm not Hasidic, in fact, I'm not even Jewish, but I've learned a lot from this tradition & appreciate it. ❤
I am sorry to hear about the death of your mother, Izzy. My father who you met when you came with my niece about one or two Christmas's ago passed away in October last year. I hope you are well and thriving wherever you are.
Great interview. Thank you so much! I love listening to Izzy, he is so generous, kind, open and articulate. I got to know Izzy through an interview last year on RUclips and really love listening to him. What he said in answer to the last question rings so true about what the Jewish tradition of learning is and how it can and should incorporate knowledge of our universe. Truly amazing. And to Izzy, I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mom seems to have been a wonderful, kind person.
I am glad the serious issue of physical violence was discussed. I am 62 yrs old, woman, former paralegal, who was beaten black and blue on a weekly basis in my home by my mother a school teacher. This resulted in me having traumatic brain injury, and I started having seizures at school at age 6 in 1968. Santa Rosa, California. I have not outgrown epilepsy. It cost me marriage, children, and so much of a normal life. I am on yr 6 of being homeless in my car. No drugs, no drink, no crimes, no smoking. Violence should never be tolerated. People need to learn other skills.
@@FriedaVizelBrooklynThank you for your thoughtful reply, Frieda, and your kind words to me and your very kind heart. It means a lot. In my family's legacy of violence, it gets worse. I am an identical twin. My twin sister chose NOT to have children because she thought we lost our own. I, an epileptic, was denied marriage and the blessing of children because my anti-seizure medications cause birth defects. I, ethically, had to reveal this to suitors. I got dumped. But having children is on most peoples' wish lists. My twin sister's husband is Jewish, but not practicing,vans from France. He is an attorney for a US federal agency. The two of them are quite abusive, constantly creating drama, lying about others, and holding grudges. They have done this to many people, including me. My twin mocks my medical disability, and what it has cost me. I pray for her in return. I set boundaries. But I know that something is spiritually amiss with anyone who would do this. I was going to sue my mother's multi-million dollar estate for damages, but no death notice was published (I checked every week for 10 yrs in the hometown newspaper). I checked the church. No funerals. The family did not publish anything. My twin sister who got a notice from our mother's attorney and copies of the documents that we twins had been disinherited, chose to sit on that information for 2.5 yrs. She just emailed me recently, and also cost me my statutory right to file a lawsuit against the estate under California law. Now I understand how it's my generation's group of elders' dysfunctional behaviors that carry on bad family patterns. When we were kids, it was the adults in our family. We are now adults. I take no joy in whom my twin sister has become. A talented, educated, gifted, hardworking and heartless, mean woman. Please pray for us, if you would be so kind. -Michaela
Thank you, Frieda, for your kind support. You are a mensch. I so enjoy your interviews of Holocaust survivors and other people who have lived through hard times.
@@FriedaVizelBrooklynMany homeless people feel suicidal. A man in his 50's with terribly infected hands just got hospital ER treatment. After a few days of taking antibiotics, he tossed them in the st. His hands got worse. I explained that we all do stupid stuff when angry, sad, lonely, or sick. But that we must turn to others and to get support. I promised him I would help him bandage and clean his hands on a daily basis. I did that at 7pm last night, on the trunk of my car, with first aid supplies my Lutheran church friends bought for him. I am a Mother Hen of sorts, to a hurting crowd. The encourager and the organizer in the bunch. Much love to you and your son, every prayer for all, Michaela
OMG what a horrible school - I am so very sorry to hear that Izzy had to attend such a school!!! WOW!!! I am really surprised that a school like continues to exist (if in fact it still does and has not been closed down)! Izzy I feel so very sorry for what you went through in that horrible school!!!
There's many like that but as they're private school in the British medieval school system they're above the law and easily lie their way out of responsibility.
As a Hindu American citizen feel sorry of your 💓 beloved mother. My condolences to your family 🙏🙏. Did not see my mother in India God bless her same . God bless your 💓 mother in heaven 🙏. I have only my heart to bless your 💓 mother.
Thank you both … fantastic interview. You have such a wonderful approach, Frieda, where you never come across as judgmental to anyone you interview and are always so respectful even when you disagree or have another perspective. I think you’re very genuine in being interested in what different people have to say from the community. I think a perfect example of that is the series of interviews Pearl granted and how much she opened up/was vulnerable w/ you. You’re well suited to this type of work & I’ve learned a great deal from your videos.
I hope Izzy and his family receive comfort from ha-Makom. And her memory is and will always be a blessing because of the jewels of her crown, her children, especially Izzy here.
From Argentina I love you both dearly as part of my heritage and resonating with your life experience as mine. Thanh you so much for sharing so honestly.
What a wonderful interview. How amazing to have parents that would apologize for going along with something that was not healthy. What a wonderful compliment at the end. You are doing a great job.
Thank you for sharing Izzy. Just hearing about the loving and kind ways of your mother was so inspiring to me. They made me want to be sure that I am always that way to my loved ones. Frieda, thank you for this series. It's so informative and interesting. Elizabeth
Firstly I would like to say what a beautiful tribute to Izzy's beautiful mum may her memory be an eternal blessing - secondly this was a fascinating interview as a British Jew to hear this life story. In the UK especially in light of recent events Jews are being all to commonly discriminated against and judged so to give a personal testimony is truly wonderful and so interesting to understand the Orthodox way of life here in my city in comparison to my liberal Jewish lifestyle 💖 a truly wonderful interview and a lovely man indeed
This is horrific, I blame the parents how could you send your children to such a school and leave them there for years, I always fondly remember George Harrisons father who learning about his son be physically punished went to the school and gave the teacher a beating and this was in the 50s in Liverpool. To enroll a child in a school that doesn't teach you English or give you any secular education is simply crazy
So interesting to see how different communities educate both their boys and girls. There's one boys school here that still does corporal punishment, but it's pointed out because it has become so unusual that the fact of it is notable. Times are changing. I really respect how he still describes learning with such vitality and love and kovod for his Rosh Yeshiva. I'd love to watch more interviews with Izzy!
Today corporal punishment is not accepted by general society but it once was. It is no longer allowed in public schools but has lingered longer in parochial schools. When my grandfather first told me about the physical punishment in cheder in Europe, it was hard to understand. Later I watched a video where it explained that the cheders were influenced by outside society. No one truly lives in a bubble. In its time and place, corporal punishment was part of the accepted way to raise children, it was not abuse. Today we are quick to equate corporal punishment with abuse but they are not identical. Of course, keeping slaves was once accepted in the United States but not today.
@@stephenfisher3721Yet in many communities its still acceptable to employ illegal immigrants and pay them less than the going rate fir the same work....so the slave trade is actually still alive and kicking...
Great video as always. Izzy’s description of stereotypical Jewish masculinity rings true to me on many levels, but I think you were right to push back on the notion that this is the singular form of Jewish masculinity-even if it has been the dominant stream for the past several centuries. I also think you are right that with the creation of the modern state of Israel came a necessary revitalization of an older sense of Jewish masculinity (inspired by e.g. Bar Kokhba or the Maccabees) whereby the masculine ideal was not only a religiously-educated scholar, but also a physically capable defender in times of need. Even so, it’s still a very intellectual, very Jewish sense of the importance of physical strength as it idealizes the principles of defense, solidarity, and tactical precision as opposed to might for might’s sake. Of course, the extent to which these newer (or reinvigorated) ideas of masculinity have been accepted as quintessentially Jewish depends upon the subsection of the Jewish community in question, and this revolution in Jewish self-conception seems to have had significantly less impact on the Haredi community.
What an incredible interview. I felt so much healing during it. So much self understanding and positivity towards his difficult formative years. Thank you Frieda and Izzy!
As a “x chasidish guy” which I’m, it’s really important to know (even if you’re skeptical in religion) that the Talmud is really deep and a lot of knowledge. And btw I love your content in general because it’s a balance of the pro’s and cons of chasidish life so thank you ❤️!
The not eating in restaurants thing may also be a holdover from Eastern Europe. My late M-I-L (of blessed memory) was a Holocaust survivor who stayed in Eastern Europe after the war. When my husband and I were visiting in the early 90s (especially during my first visit) eating out really wasn’t a thing and the only restaurants were in hotels for tourists. This wasn’t some tiny village but a very large city. There has been controversy for a while now over lack of secular education in NYC cheders that receive government funding. My own upbringing was secular although I can clearly see the roots of my values as I hear Izzy, Frieda, and others speak. I have profound respect for Frieda and Izzy; both are brilliant and good and should be an example for us all, secular, ultra-orthodox, and those with different belief and value systems.
I was born on Williamsburgh Brooklyn. I moved away at 5 years old. I recall my first friends were Smeal and Yidel. They were Satmar. We were run-of-the-mill Jews but my dad always davened.
Up until 40 years ago corporal punishment was legal and common in Irish schools. I remember being slapped with a wooden ruler a few times. Some other kids who acted up, like Izzy admits he did, did get it worse. I remember one lad having his head slammed against the desk, if done today the teacher would go to prison. At the same time generally it was mild compared to the previous generation when punishment was much harsher. So it’s not just Jewish education, Catholics had it pretty bad too, especially in religious schools where sēxual abuse was common too.
Frieda and Izzy, this dialogue was so insightful, from both the intellectual and human levels. There are so many parallels between the Amish and Hasidish cultures, in education, particularly. The description of the poor cheder brought to mind a certain school run by an extreme Amish sect, with the exception of a variety of implements of punishment. They had only one, but it was to be greatly feared depending upon the offense, the sex, the application, length of punishment, and the person doling it out. As for the physical facility, just as horrid, toilets maybe worse! It was also illegal according to the very lax, rarely enforced state standards for Amish schools. Fortunately, a church district split and movement of new families into both groups resulted in the Amish themselves shutting the school down.
Love, love, love your channel and content. Now, I work in real estate in Williamsburg, BK (straight gentrification, lol) I am obsessed with editing of video, and how important it is. I try to edit, and I stink! Question, did you learn by doing (baptism by fire) or do you take courses? It's very well done! My family is of Argentine descent and here living in NYC, there's not a lot of us, the majority of people from Argentina are Jewish, and my parent would go to all sorts of events related to temple life with them. We almost converted. And for me, I was raised Catholic, becoming an altar boy, who went to temple quite a bit on Saturdays. Not the most normal thing, but there really is no such thing as normal. Keep up the great work!
I was just talking to my dad the other day about how it would be so interesting for a cultural anthropologist to research/explain where the Jewish cultural tendency for people and families to talk loudly, all at the same time, very opinionated, challenging each other--but with no hard feelings-- came from. And I wondered if it came from studying and arguing in the yeshiva. My family has been secular for several generations now, but they were certainly observant in the old country. That may have nothing to do with it, but it's interesting bc my mom's waspy side of the family would never talk loudly, argue, challenge, etc. with close friends and family unless there was a real grievance and then if that arguing did happen, it would be perceived as very damaging to the relationship, whereas on my dad's Jewish side of the family, it's just dinner conversation.
I think its a bit that in Judaism, truth prevails no matter what. So i can yell at you about that but still be your best friend. We stay family no matter what
When I went to college, I would often eat in the dining hall with my gentile roommate during my freshman year. After a few weeks, he was complaining to me that I ruined his meals and gave him indigestion. I was only discussing current events with him as my family had done at home. He urged me to only talk of pleasant things at meals or better yet, eat in silence.
I watched a Hallmark Hanukkah movie which was much better than earlier ones because it was a Hanukkah story (let's ignore the Hanukkah hunt for chocolate coins) instead of a Christmas story with some Hanukkah added. Yet something was wrong. What? Then I realized it. These supposed Jews were too white bread, too Waspy, too polite, too smiling, too agreeable, too calm. Maybe Hallmark can't handle loud, dramatic, or sarcastic. (How do Hallmark movies portray Italians or Greeks?)
@@stephenfisher3721The politically correct, polite Jews are like...have all their juice squeezed out of them...like dried apricots, compared to the juicy sweet ones in summer.
Oy, what a wonderful young man, esp considering what he describes. God willing his parents compensated, or he is just naturally sweet, or has had good help since. And I feel bitter about the conservative Hebrew high school i had to go to from 7th thru 9th grade. To be fair, i learned a lot, but the bullying, ironically, by the sons of the Rabbi of the shul!, made it horrific....thank god after 9th grade we moved someplace where such a place was unavailable... Great great interview...thanks!
Dear Frieda, a wonderful and very interesting video and such a very special guest! I hope you will have Izzy back again soon. What is the Hebrew/ Yiddish term for judging favorably , that Izzy mentioned when describing his Mom ? May her memory be a blessing. I found his Tashbar Cheyder years so heartbreaking. Unimaginable if anyone would have done that to my children.
It comes from Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avoth). Joshua the son of Perachia and Nitai the Arbeli received from them. Joshua the son of Perachia would say: Make for yourself a master, acquire for yourself a friend, and judge everyone favorably. (A more literal translation is judge every man to the side of merit.)
My husband went to a secular private school in the 1980s and corporal punishment was still a thing, it had been banned by then in state run schools, he was very accepting of it when I first met him in the 1990s, their headteacher was also revealed as a pedophile and committed suicide before standing trial, OffSted was not a thing back then so shows how private schools even official ones were not always safe
As much ptsd as the whole of the world that came before this lily livered snowflake generation in the 2023. It was normal practice in many parts of the world for children to be smacked, caned, even beaten for misbehaviour.Interestingly the children often grew up to be more respectful and more productive adults than the numerous miserable, indulged, selfish young people we see today- too many extremely concerned with their self care and wellness and self protection than empathy and kindness to others🤣🤣if they even notice any 'others'! Spare the rod, spoil the child.Look around you 👁👁
@@Tali5899Your view is appalling and why we have laws to criminalize how you want to treat children. I hope you don’t have any. Did you not hear him and how the abuse impacted him? My own sweet mother was beaten and abused in school and it had a lifelong effect on her that she had to work to overcome. We used to let men beat their wives too - did you like that also? If a beating is so good for a person, how often are you beaten?
I like listening to Izzy. He expresses himself so clearly and eloquently. Please bring him back again on the channel :)
💜❤😃🌲🦚🌳🌲🦚🌲🌲
Agree, he was a great guest, so open and genuine, and with Frieda’s skills as an interviewer, it was a really great video!
Izzy, I commend your bravery and courage by speaking out about the abuse you suffered. I do not believe Hashem ever wants his children to suffer at the hands of adults.
Oh wow, what an amazing interview. Izzy was a victim of both physical and emotional abuse, however his faith and family values helped him to overcome that trauma. His resilience and coping skills are so exemplary! ✡️
Wow. I am blown away. What a wonderful interview. I am a litvishe woman and I'm fascinated by the chassidic way of life. I'm so impressed with Izzy and how he does not show bitterness towards religion after all he's been through. Thank you Frieda!
Why would he? It's wrong to judge the Creator by the created.
@@saraschneider6781 People don't always do the right thing.
@@ayalastrauss-resnick4177 thank you for saying it, i felt the same. i will work on forgiving my teachers and parents better than i have done so far...
I was sorry to hear about the death of Mrs. Posen, Izzy's late mother.
This interview was so fascinating. What an interesting story. I‘m left wanting more.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved mother.
Felt so nostalgic hearing about reb avrohom gurowitz shlita. He was my fathers chavrusa as a young boy. I also spent hours in his home. What a wonderful man he was. So friendly and kind to everyone, kid, adult, girl or boy. In spite of his learning ALL the time.
So sorry about your mother. I remember when it happened. A beautiful woman. A terrible tragedy.
Could be all of this is true, but getting accepted into his yeshiva you had to go through hell, they made you feel like shit by design.
@@David_or_Ye I doubt about the design. But getting into harvard is difficult too- or was, until fairly recently.
Very informative video! May his mother's memory be a blessing. Shalom!
Condolences and prayers for the soul of Mrs. Pozen. May her memory be blessed always.
❤❤
Thank you Izzy , and please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your dear mother ❤
The description of his childhood is so sad. Its very similar to that of my husband's childhood, regarding the hitting and disregard for the wellbeing of the children. While some places still allow some hitting, im thankful that its not tolerated in my sons (very chasidic) school and they are taught with love and acceptance for the fact they are children and not little robots
I think it stems from the holocaust. They were beaten and enslaved basically and in order to teach the next generations to behave they use tactics they learn from their enslavement. It’s the same with African American communities as well. Either you beat in shape by a loving parent versus beat in shape by the master ( police in current day) . I was definitely beat as child but it was a normal experience. As kids we used to trauma bond. Now if child is beat it’s very isolating and not tolerated.
I’m so happy your son is safe from corporal punishment in a place where he is taught with love. I hope the other schools stop using corporal punishment. Children (and adults) don’t learn or grow better through fear and trauma.
Frieda and Izzy . I want to say thank you to you both for a deep and insightful interview . As a non-Jew i am so appreciative of all i have learnt about the history , culture and lives of the Jewish community . It has lead me to question many things that I always took for granted in my secular life , and that is a good thing .
Please keep doing this amazing work, Frieda, in the hope that , in a small way , it not only informs , but can bring understanding and peace to our troubled world .
Thanks for sharing your story, Izzy !
Loved this interview. Thank you Frieda, and thanks for sharing your story Izzy, hope you're doing alright.
Thank you Frieda ... and Thank you Izzy.... what an interesting conversation...
At the end Izzy thanked Frieda for what she does saying she does important work. I, even as a non Jew, agree. I’m not 100% sure why I think it’s important. I think it might be because she’s integral to opening up this “mysterious” culture to all of us. Because she does have a Chasid following as well I hope there is some opening of the world outside to the Chasidism as well.
💜❤😃🌲🦚🌳🌳🌳🌲🌲
Agree! She does important work! The more we understand about different ways of thinking and living is such a good thing for us as people and our societies too!
This is one of the better interviews ever. If you can, invite him again, he's a pleasure to listen to and he's very articulate and engaging.
Thank you Frieda and Izzy! Dear Izzy, condolences on the loss of your mother, may her memory be a blessing. Hashem bless you both for your wonderful work. Thank you for opening up the insular world of Hasidim and for sharing your memories and experiences with us!
Amen. Thanks Rivershines for your thoughtful comment.
Wow!!! I loved the interview. Thanks so much Frieda.
Izzy, you have a great talent and profound perspective of how to separate the positive and the negative from your childhood.
I find, adults that went through an abusive childhood just right off all of it, and are challenge to see some positive aspects within it.
You are a blessing and an inspiration.
Thanks so much .
❤❤❤❤
May her memory be a blessing.
Amen
Very, very interesting interview. Izzy is a very honest person. For a goy like me it's a fascinating insight into an utterly different way of life.
OH NO...So sorry for Izzy. Thank you for sharing.
I hope Izzy heals from his traumatic experiences what a beautiful soul. I can relate clearly to his childhood life upbringing. And thanks Freida for bringing stories like these to light.
I just discovered you channel, absolutely love the videos you do, Frieda, and been binge watching them over the last few days ☺️
Thank you for offering such a great deep dive into the Hasidic world which seems so unapproachable yet so interesting for outsiders.
Thank you also for showing so many different perspectives by inviting so many interesting people!
Heidel, thank you for this comment. I actually haven't published this video yet (it's unlisted; if you go through my playlist it will come up but not otherwise) so I appreciate your comment.
I'm always looking for interesting people and I love to do interviews but it's hard to get people to agree. Izzy is wonderful.
I say high school teacher working in a public school I find this very unifying. You know find in the sense that there are good and bad schools in all cultures and even in the same neighborhoods. I like how he did not lump all schools together. This kind of information really breaks stereotypes. God bless
I love all your interviews with the most interesting guests. I learn so much and it touches a part of my soul that somehow I identify with.
good for you for telling your story on BBC.. my heart goes out to you. It truly does.. you sound very level headed and aware of your reality and surroundings. You are incredible for turning out the way you are. You are amazing. You should be proud of yourself.
Keep up the good work.
And that child abuse stuff makes me sick!!!!!!!!!!!! they should all be in jail!
What I like is that he does not focus on the bad aspects only and he also talks about what he loved about his childhood!! Btw Frieda and Izzy have almost the same glasses in a different colour lol but Frieda's are just a little bigger and rounder.. Thank you Izzy for sharing your story with us and I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. BDHE
Thank you for the education!
So impressive that this man has accomplished what he has from where he started.
I appreciate your channel Frieda. I am Freda, too(without the i), an AA woman from the South now living in the Mid-Atlantic. I have learned SO much about your culture and about the people and things you care about. Thank You.
I think all of us “Frida/Frieda/Fredas” have a bond! It’s not a common name!
What a fascinating, bold & accomplished life. Thank you for sharing Izzy. So sorry about your beloved Mother & hoping you will find peace.
Izzy, I love hearing about your worldview, and it means so much to me, as someone who was raised as a charismatic, evangelical Christian in the “Bible Belt” of the US. So much of your experience was similar to mine, although yours was more extreme. I identified with the idea of intensely studying specialized writings and knitting together these spiritual secrets all while not considering the shaky foundation. Also, the experience of being in the yeshiva and working yourself into a spiritually ecstatic experience was so identifiable. I felt the same thing, which we called “the Holy Spirit”. Anyway, I so appreciate your story and thoughtful sharing of it. Thank you.
I noted you used the words "May her/his memory be a blessing". Not being Jewish but growing up Russian Orthodox we would always say "May his /her memory be eternal" or shortened to "eternal memory". Is your verbiage a common refrain or did you use "blessing" as a way to sweeten the harsh blow of the loss of a young life? Your guest overcame extreme difficulties. To wind up with a Master in physics after years of having no secular education is amazing. He was not a smart-ass as a kid but he was never challenged His IQ was too high for the school
This is an ancient Jewish expression, from Hebrew.
"may his/her memory be a blessing" "zikhrono livrakha" (m.) / "zikhronah livrakha" (f.) (Hebrew: (f.) "זיכרונה לברכה" \ (m.) "זיכרונו לברכה
Dear Frieda,
as You know I just found your channel. Meeting Izzy was so interesting. I try not to binge the rest of your episodes, but the summer here in Gothenburg is so rainfilled, so what could one do but spending them with You.
Lisa Johansson, Gothenburg Sweden 🌧🇸🇪
I love the rain. thanks for sharing your time with me.
❤@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn
Boy did I enjoy watching this interview.
Thank you so much Izzy and Frieda!!
Wow❤ every time you have him he astonishes me more and more!! He is absolutely so brilliant and humble about it. He didn’t make much ado about getting into that prestigious yeshiva. Even with the way he spoke about his mom. Thank you Frida for having him again 😊
Another interesting and informative video. This has helped me clarity some of my issues with learning. Thank you both. This is to quote Izzy,” singular and important work.” I certainly agree.
This was great. Thank you both.
Such a great and honest man. 🌹
You asked how we are doing, we are ok. This is such a tough time. I watched about an hour of the rally. It was beautiful. I am.glad that lady stopped and gave y'all a bracelet. I am so proud to be Jewish and so proud of how we all have pulled together. Am Yisroel Chai
Frieda you raised an interesting point about Chasidic boys learning (surreptitiously I suppose) from their sisters’ textbooks. Is this done? Is it common?
This interview was so pleasant & informative. I really enjoyed it. I add my thank to Izzy's to you, Frieda, for your work & serious consideration of all of life. I'm not Hasidic, in fact, I'm not even Jewish, but I've learned a lot from this tradition & appreciate it. ❤
Thank you. Izzy is a really wonderful soul, I’m so grateful he did this segment
Enlightening. Thank Izzy and Frida. You are such a beautiful persons.
Will be another thought-provoking interview. I will be here - still sick but here😊 x
I am sorry to hear about the death of your mother, Izzy. My father who you met when you came with my niece about one or two Christmas's ago passed away in October last year. I hope you are well and thriving wherever you are.
Beautiful lady, inside & out. I’m so sorry for your loss. May she Rest in Peace.
Very tragic that she’s gone.
Great interview. Thank you so much! I love listening to Izzy, he is so generous, kind, open and articulate. I got to know Izzy through an interview last year on RUclips and really love listening to him. What he said in answer to the last question rings so true about what the Jewish tradition of learning is and how it can and should incorporate knowledge of our universe. Truly amazing. And to Izzy, I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mom seems to have been a wonderful, kind person.
Thank you for such a lovely comment. Izzy is just a wonderful person. I'm so grateful to have this discussion with him here.
Fascinating and very likable guest speaker.
I am glad the serious issue of physical violence was discussed. I am 62 yrs old, woman, former paralegal, who was beaten black and blue on a weekly basis in my home by my mother a school teacher. This resulted in me having traumatic brain injury, and I started having seizures at school at age 6 in 1968. Santa Rosa, California. I have not outgrown epilepsy. It cost me marriage, children, and so much of a normal life. I am on yr 6 of being homeless in my car. No drugs, no drink, no crimes, no smoking.
Violence should never be tolerated. People need to learn other skills.
My dear, dear, dear. I am so sorry to hear. What brutal cruelty and how far reaching the effects. I wish you comfort and the healing you deserve.
@@FriedaVizelBrooklynThank you for your thoughtful reply, Frieda, and your kind words to me and your very kind heart. It means a lot.
In my family's legacy of violence, it gets worse. I am an identical twin. My twin sister chose NOT to have children because she thought we lost our own. I, an epileptic, was denied marriage and the blessing of children because my anti-seizure medications cause birth defects.
I, ethically, had to reveal this to suitors. I got dumped. But having children is on most peoples' wish lists.
My twin sister's husband is Jewish, but not practicing,vans from France. He is an attorney for a US federal agency.
The two of them are quite abusive, constantly creating drama, lying about others, and holding grudges. They have done this to many people, including me.
My twin mocks my medical disability, and what it has cost me. I pray for her in return. I set boundaries. But I know that something is spiritually amiss with anyone who would do this.
I was going to sue my mother's multi-million dollar estate for damages, but no death notice was published (I checked every week for 10 yrs in the hometown newspaper). I checked the church. No funerals.
The family did not publish anything. My twin sister who got a notice from our mother's attorney and copies of the documents that we twins had been disinherited, chose to sit on that information for 2.5 yrs. She just emailed me recently, and also cost me my statutory right to file a lawsuit against the estate under California law.
Now I understand how it's my generation's group of elders' dysfunctional behaviors that carry on bad family patterns. When we were kids, it was the adults in our family. We are now adults.
I take no joy in whom my twin sister has become. A talented, educated, gifted, hardworking and heartless, mean woman.
Please pray for us, if you would be so kind.
-Michaela
@@Mica-e4p Oh my goodness Michaela my heart breaks reading this.
Thank you, Frieda, for your kind support. You are a mensch. I so enjoy your interviews of Holocaust survivors and other people who have lived through hard times.
@@FriedaVizelBrooklynMany homeless people feel suicidal. A man in his 50's with terribly infected hands just got hospital ER treatment. After a few days of taking antibiotics, he tossed them in the st. His hands got worse. I explained that we all do stupid stuff when angry, sad, lonely, or sick. But that we must turn to others and to get support. I promised him I would help him bandage and clean his hands on a daily basis. I did that at 7pm last night, on the trunk of my car, with first aid supplies my Lutheran church friends bought for him. I am a Mother Hen of sorts, to a hurting crowd. The encourager and the organizer in the bunch.
Much love to you and your son, every prayer for all,
Michaela
I love his perspective on intellectual curiosity and epistemology.
OMG what a horrible school - I am so very sorry to hear that Izzy had to attend such a school!!! WOW!!! I am really surprised that a school like continues to exist (if in fact it still does and has not been closed down)! Izzy I feel so very sorry for what you went through in that horrible school!!!
There's many like that but as they're private school in the British medieval school system they're above the law and easily lie their way out of responsibility.
As a Hindu American citizen feel sorry of your 💓 beloved mother. My condolences to your family 🙏🙏. Did not see my mother in India God bless her same . God bless your 💓 mother in heaven 🙏. I have only my heart to bless your 💓 mother.
Thank you both … fantastic interview.
You have such a wonderful approach, Frieda, where you never come across as judgmental to anyone you interview and are always so respectful even when you disagree or have another perspective. I think you’re very genuine in being interested in what different people have to say from the community. I think a perfect example of that is the series of interviews Pearl granted and how much she opened up/was vulnerable w/ you. You’re well suited to this type of work & I’ve learned a great deal from your videos.
Thank you so much.
Great Q & A and an 'easy', informative discussion for the viewer. Keep up the great work you do Frieda.
Thank you Jim!!
Your videos are so interesting. I’m not Jewish and I have learned so much from your channel.
Thank you so much Jennifer for watching!!
I hope Izzy and his family receive comfort from ha-Makom. And her memory is and will always be a blessing because of the jewels of her crown, her children, especially Izzy here.
From Argentina
I love you both dearly as part of my heritage and resonating with your life experience as mine.
Thanh you so much for sharing so honestly.
❤️❤️❤️
Great interview
What a wonderful interview. How amazing to have parents that would apologize for going along with something that was not healthy. What a wonderful compliment at the end. You are doing a great job.
Thank you for sharing Izzy. Just hearing about the loving and kind ways of your mother was so inspiring to me. They made me want to be sure that I am always that way to my loved ones. Frieda, thank you for this series. It's so informative and interesting. Elizabeth
May Mrs. Posen's memory be for a Blessing.
amen
Izzy im so sorry May her memory be a blessing 4ever
Firstly I would like to say what a beautiful tribute to Izzy's beautiful mum may her memory be an eternal blessing - secondly this was a fascinating interview as a British Jew to hear this life story. In the UK especially in light of recent events Jews are being all to commonly discriminated against and judged so to give a personal testimony is truly wonderful and so interesting to understand the Orthodox way of life here in my city in comparison to my liberal Jewish lifestyle 💖 a truly wonderful interview and a lovely man indeed
This is horrific, I blame the parents how could you send your children to such a school and leave them there for years, I always fondly remember George Harrisons father who learning about his son be physically punished went to the school and gave the teacher a beating and this was in the 50s in Liverpool. To enroll a child in a school that doesn't teach you English or give you any secular education is simply crazy
Yes! Thank you for *your* work Frieda!
So interesting to see how different communities educate both their boys and girls. There's one boys school here that still does corporal punishment, but it's pointed out because it has become so unusual that the fact of it is notable. Times are changing. I really respect how he still describes learning with such vitality and love and kovod for his Rosh Yeshiva. I'd love to watch more interviews with Izzy!
Today corporal punishment is not accepted by general society but it once was. It is no longer allowed in public schools but has lingered longer in parochial schools. When my grandfather first told me about the physical punishment in cheder in Europe, it was hard to understand. Later I watched a video where it explained that the cheders were influenced by outside society. No one truly lives in a bubble. In its time and place, corporal punishment was part of the accepted way to raise children, it was not abuse. Today we are quick to equate corporal punishment with abuse but they are not identical. Of course, keeping slaves was once accepted in the United States but not today.
@@stephenfisher3721Yet in many communities its still acceptable to employ illegal immigrants and pay them less than the going rate fir the same work....so the slave trade is actually still alive and kicking...
Excellent program. Thank you.
Thank you to you both. That was very interesting.
Great video as always.
Izzy’s description of stereotypical Jewish masculinity rings true to me on many levels, but I think you were right to push back on the notion that this is the singular form of Jewish masculinity-even if it has been the dominant stream for the past several centuries.
I also think you are right that with the creation of the modern state of Israel came a necessary revitalization of an older sense of Jewish masculinity (inspired by e.g. Bar Kokhba or the Maccabees) whereby the masculine ideal was not only a religiously-educated scholar, but also a physically capable defender in times of need. Even so, it’s still a very intellectual, very Jewish sense of the importance of physical strength as it idealizes the principles of defense, solidarity, and tactical precision as opposed to might for might’s sake.
Of course, the extent to which these newer (or reinvigorated) ideas of masculinity have been accepted as quintessentially Jewish depends upon the subsection of the Jewish community in question, and this revolution in Jewish self-conception seems to have had significantly less impact on the Haredi community.
I so enjoy your interviews, Frieda!
I’d call the paper awards around minute 16 - certificates. What a great video and interesting descriptions. God bless your guest’s mother!
Certificates acknowledge the particular award earned.
What an incredible interview. I felt so much healing during it. So much self understanding and positivity towards his difficult formative years. Thank you Frieda and Izzy!
Very interesting, thank you for sharing Izzy!
Thank you, great interview a lot of wisdom.
As a “x chasidish guy” which I’m, it’s really important to know (even if you’re skeptical in religion) that the Talmud is really deep and a lot of knowledge.
And btw I love your content in general because it’s a balance of the pro’s and cons of chasidish life so thank you ❤️!
I just today published something about the Talmud!
Fascinating story and wonderful interview
The not eating in restaurants thing may also be a holdover from Eastern Europe. My late M-I-L (of blessed memory) was a Holocaust survivor who stayed in Eastern Europe after the war. When my husband and I were visiting in the early 90s (especially during my first visit) eating out really wasn’t a thing and the only restaurants were in hotels for tourists. This wasn’t some tiny village but a very large city.
There has been controversy for a while now over lack of secular education in NYC cheders that receive government funding.
My own upbringing was secular although I can clearly see the roots of my values as I hear Izzy, Frieda, and others speak. I have profound respect for Frieda and Izzy; both are brilliant and good and should be an example for us all, secular, ultra-orthodox, and those with different belief and value systems.
I was born on Williamsburgh Brooklyn. I moved away at 5 years old. I recall my first friends were Smeal and Yidel. They were Satmar. We were run-of-the-mill Jews but my dad always davened.
Very good video . Prayers to Izzys mom
Love this "old" un-edited version of you! 🤗
Hi Spela. Love the very pointed comments :)
Thank you both for an interesting interview.
Sorry to to hear your bad news izzy ,I live in Israel but I remember your family b,d,e, I wish you well and thanks frieda for your amazing videos.
Fascinating. Thank you Izzy and Frieda! 😊✡️
Thank you frida❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you dear!
It's God's providence that I'm merited to learn. Wow and amazing thank you for sharing.
Up until 40 years ago corporal punishment was legal and common in Irish schools. I remember being slapped with a wooden ruler a few times. Some other kids who acted up, like Izzy admits he did, did get it worse. I remember one lad having his head slammed against the desk, if done today the teacher would go to prison. At the same time generally it was mild compared to the previous generation when punishment was much harsher. So it’s not just Jewish education, Catholics had it pretty bad too, especially in religious schools where sēxual abuse was common too.
Hey Freida!!! I saw u in Boro park today 😃. This was so special
Really? Now I can’t remember when you might have seen me.
Thank you for sharing your story
Frieda and Izzy, this dialogue was so insightful, from both the intellectual and human levels. There are so many parallels between the Amish and Hasidish cultures, in education, particularly. The description of the poor cheder brought to mind a certain school run by an extreme Amish sect, with the exception of a variety of implements of punishment. They had only one, but it was to be greatly feared depending upon the offense, the sex, the application, length of punishment, and the person doling it out. As for the physical facility, just as horrid, toilets maybe worse! It was also illegal according to the very lax, rarely enforced state standards for Amish schools. Fortunately, a church district split and movement of new families into both groups resulted in the Amish themselves shutting the school down.
wow, fascinating and shocking but I know that so it goes…
Love, love, love your channel and content. Now, I work in real estate in Williamsburg, BK (straight gentrification, lol) I am obsessed with editing of video, and how important it is. I try to edit, and I stink! Question, did you learn by doing (baptism by fire) or do you take courses? It's very well done! My family is of Argentine descent and here living in NYC, there's not a lot of us, the majority of people from Argentina are Jewish, and my parent would go to all sorts of events related to temple life with them. We almost converted. And for me, I was raised Catholic, becoming an altar boy, who went to temple quite a bit on Saturdays. Not the most normal thing, but there really is no such thing as normal. Keep up the great work!
It’s fight what he said at the end Frieda. “ You’re doing great Things” zMay HaShem greatly bless you. Bill UK
I was just talking to my dad the other day about how it would be so interesting for a cultural anthropologist to research/explain where the Jewish cultural tendency for people and families to talk loudly, all at the same time, very opinionated, challenging each other--but with no hard feelings-- came from. And I wondered if it came from studying and arguing in the yeshiva. My family has been secular for several generations now, but they were certainly observant in the old country. That may have nothing to do with it, but it's interesting bc my mom's waspy side of the family would never talk loudly, argue, challenge, etc. with close friends and family unless there was a real grievance and then if that arguing did happen, it would be perceived as very damaging to the relationship, whereas on my dad's Jewish side of the family, it's just dinner conversation.
I think its a bit that in Judaism, truth prevails no matter what. So i can yell at you about that but still be your best friend. We stay family no matter what
When I went to college, I would often eat in the dining hall with my gentile roommate during my freshman year. After a few weeks, he was complaining to me that I ruined his meals and gave him indigestion. I was only discussing current events with him as my family had done at home. He urged me to only talk of pleasant things at meals or better yet, eat in silence.
Yes, those behaviors get passed down even in new environments (for a few generations at least).
I watched a Hallmark Hanukkah movie which was much better than earlier ones because it was a Hanukkah story (let's ignore the Hanukkah hunt for chocolate coins) instead of a Christmas story with some Hanukkah added. Yet something was wrong. What? Then I realized it. These supposed Jews were too white bread, too Waspy, too polite, too smiling, too agreeable, too calm. Maybe Hallmark can't handle loud, dramatic, or sarcastic. (How do Hallmark movies portray Italians or Greeks?)
@@stephenfisher3721The politically correct, polite Jews are like...have all their juice squeezed out of them...like dried apricots, compared to the juicy sweet ones in summer.
He was lovely.
Oy, what a wonderful young man, esp considering what he describes. God willing his parents compensated, or he is just naturally sweet, or has had good help since.
And I feel bitter about the conservative Hebrew high school i had to go to from 7th thru 9th grade. To be fair, i learned a lot, but the bullying, ironically, by the sons of the Rabbi of the shul!, made it horrific....thank god after 9th grade we moved someplace where such a place was unavailable... Great great interview...thanks!
Id like to know about freida's childhood, and what it was like
she's done a few videos on that
She has earlier videos where she tells all about her story.
Dear Frieda, a wonderful and very interesting video and such a very special guest! I hope you will have Izzy back again soon. What is the Hebrew/ Yiddish term for judging favorably , that Izzy mentioned when describing his Mom ? May her memory be a blessing.
I found his Tashbar Cheyder years so heartbreaking. Unimaginable if anyone would have done that to my children.
It comes from Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avoth).
Joshua the son of Perachia and Nitai the Arbeli received from them. Joshua the son of Perachia would say: Make for yourself a master, acquire for yourself a friend, and judge everyone favorably.
(A more literal translation is judge every man to the side of merit.)
Dan l'kaf zechus
@@stephenfisher3721 thank you so much!
My husband went to a secular private school in the 1980s and corporal punishment was still a thing, it had been banned by then in state run schools, he was very accepting of it when I first met him in the 1990s, their headteacher was also revealed as a pedophile and committed suicide before standing trial, OffSted was not a thing back then so shows how private schools even official ones were not always safe
I wonder how many of these children now adults have PTSD or mental illness as of today by this verbal or physical abuse.
As much ptsd as the whole of the world that came before this lily livered snowflake generation in the 2023. It was normal practice in many parts of the world for children to be smacked, caned, even beaten for misbehaviour.Interestingly the children often grew up to be more respectful and more productive adults than the numerous miserable, indulged, selfish young people we see today- too many extremely concerned with their self care and wellness and self protection than empathy and kindness to others🤣🤣if they even notice any 'others'! Spare the rod, spoil the child.Look around you 👁👁
@@Tali5899Your view is appalling and why we have laws to criminalize how you want to treat children. I hope you don’t have any. Did you not hear him and how the abuse impacted him? My own sweet mother was beaten and abused in school and it had a lifelong effect on her that she had to work to overcome. We used to let men beat their wives too - did you like that also? If a beating is so good for a person, how often are you beaten?
IZZY was tortured@@Tali5899
beatiful
Best wishes Izzy😊
How did Izzy get into Bristol university when he didn’t study any of the subjects that are necessary for the degrees course?
Primary school doesn't sound great. But in my experience female teachers can be far more psychologically damaging with or without the violence.