“WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR”

As an Orthodox Pratt student, something I have noticed is an extreme disconnect between the Pratt community and the Hasidic community that is right next door. Although I am not Hasidic, I do consider myself to be Ultra-Orthodox. This means that I follow many of the same religious laws and traditions that the Hasidim in Williamsburg do. Due to that, I have had a unique experience of being in both worlds. I attend school in Pratt as a committed student, but I have a rich family and religious life at home. Although I might not look like the Hasidim, I follow most of the same modesty rules and fit in when I walk down Myrtle. Williamsburg is home to the largest and oldest population of Jews in NYC.

I always find it surprising when I explain to a fellow student my need for kosher food and they respond “where do you get that?” because I am just walking about 5 blocks down to get to the largest kosher eatery in Brooklyn, called Ice Cream House. Just a short walk to Bedford, and I have reached a mecca of kosher food and Jewish owned stores. The choices overwhelm me!

A report from the JDL came out this year stating that Anti-Semitism is the highest it has ever been in NY. I believe that a way to lower that is through awareness. I think it’s crazy that so many students don’t know anything about their neighboring community. There is so much to learn from the community on the topic of family, tradition and staying true to your beliefs. It is also extremely unfortunate that if people do know things about the community, it is mainly through a warped view of shows they have seen on Netflix.

My goal for this project is to spread awareness and respect for our neighboring community. Ignorance can no longer be an excuse. My goal is that ignorance should no longer be an excuse. As Pratt grows larger, so does the Hasidic community. It has gotten to the point that a Hasidic building is now directly across from the Pratt parking lot. I believe that I am in an extremely unique position to educate from a point of understanding. At this point in my schooling, I have gotten used to explaining my religion in simple terms to my curious classmates. As Vice President of the JSU in Pratt, I have tried to expand the Jewish community on campus and advocate for my fellow students. Therefore, I think that I am the perfect vessel for this intervention and introduction.

I hope that this guidebook will open a world for you that was next door all along. Together we can create a world of love and inclusion, and learn to research before accepting harmful stereotypes.

With Love, Esther Sonnenschine

Hasidic Williamsburg is a vibrant and unique Ultra Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, known for its rich religious and cultural heritage. It is home to tens of thousands of Hasidic Jews who adhere to strict religious and cultural customs and traditions that have been passed down through the generations.

While the neighborhood can seem intimidating to outsiders at first, with its insular customs and practices, a closer look reveals a warm and welcoming community that is proud of its traditions and eager to share them with others.

Yiddish- A combination of German and Hebrew

SOME HELPFUL + COMMON YIDDISH WORDS

Vos is Nayis

Whats the news; what’s up

Chutzpah

Chutzpah is the quality of audacity, for good or for bad.

Kvetch to complain or grumble

Schlep to carry something heavy or drag something along

Klutz a very clumsy person,someone who is consistently falling.

Cheshbon a detailed list, or accounting to figure something out

Meidel

Young Girl

Yingel

Young Boy

Kinderlach

Group of little kids

Mammeh + Tatteh

Mom and Dad

Bubbeh + Zeydeh

Grandma and Grandpa