A Jewish mother has shared her harrowing account of antisemitism at Broadway Barber Shop in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, where her 11-year-old son’s peyos were forcibly shaved off against explicit instructions.
The mother, who initially selected the barber shop based on its stellar online reviews, described the incident in a heartfelt and deeply disturbing Facebook post that has since gone viral.
According to the mother, she carefully explained to the barber how she wanted her son’s haircut, stressing that his peyos should not be trimmed or touched. She even provided a picture for clarity. However, moments after the haircut began, the barber reportedly ignored her instructions, cutting off one peyah entirely while her son began to cry.
Horrified, the mother shouted for the barber to stop, but her pleas were ignored. Desperate, she turned to the shop owner for help. Speaking in Arabic to the barber, the owner did nothing to stop the actions. Instead, the barber reportedly proceeded to shave off the other peyah, leaving the boy in tears and his mother devastated.
“They were smiling at each other,” the mother wrote. “My son was crying and feeling violated. I yelled at the barber to just stop, but he kept going.”
The mother and her son left the barber shop in tears, with his haircut unfinished and his peyos completely removed.
The mother likened the incident to the humiliation tactics used by Nazis during the Holocaust, when Jewish men were forced to shave their peyos as a means of dehumanization.
“I never dreamed I’d be in this situation in a safe NJ town in the USA,” she wrote. “FOR GOD’S SAKE, MY SON IS 11 YEARS OLD, A CHILD!”
The emotional toll on her son has been profound. He was too embarrassed to attend school the next day, grappling with the shame of having his peyos shaved off for the first time in his life.
“This is antisemitism,” the mother wrote. “Antisemitism is still happening. It cannot be tolerated, not even in the smallest acts of hate.”
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20 Responses
Did she call the police??
This is “harrowing?” Look, I feel bad for the kid. But this has also happened to my kids with Jewish barbers. Sometimes they’re not thinking, and they just do things mechanically.
I’m not looking to be melamed zechus for lowlifes, but then again, when I think of “harrowing,” I think of car rammings and stabbings.
It is truly upsetting. I certainly understand 100%. But what I don’t understand is why go to a non-Jewish barber shop? Any idea how often these things happen? The thing is that usually the people who go to these places aren’t even aware whatsoever that there are issues with cutting peyos or where they should be! There are so many halochos to be cognizant of. You’re not innocent because you’re sitting in someone else’s barber shop.
This should be a lesson to everybody, not to go to goyishe or non frum barbers. If you don’t have an option, find an option!
Everyone can flood the store with calls complaining. (201) 300- 6199. Everyone can post negative reviews and help to take this down
Seems like a hate crime (which is a federal crime) and a lawsuit as well.
She should sue them out of business. But also, what the heck is she doing going to a non-Jewish barber? Cut your own kid’s hair, it’s not that hard.
This shouldn’t happen but what do you expect from Arab?! Don’t go to any Arab business they hate Jews. Do not be naive.
Never use an unknown barber.
Don’t you think it would be prudent to hear from the other side before publishing stories?
This whole story is a sad indictment of American Jews. I’m not happy that this 13 year old boy had his payes cut off but a 12 year old boy in Israel experienced actual anti semitism yesterday. Grow up.
Arab racism & Islamic bigotry. A Tunisian human rights activist once called it ‘the twin fascisms.’
Chuchim Fin Ma Nishtanu: yes, harrowing. It’s one thing to do something while not paying attention. It’s completely different to disregard instructions and to cut off the second side while the boy is crying and mother protesting. Obviously the mother felt it was done intentionally and not “mechanically”. Dehumanizing a child is quite harrowing.
I hope this serves as a very positive and meaningful step toward raising awareness about the halacha regarding peyos (sideburns). In some circles, it’s common that observant man shave their heads completely including the peyos area, and then the mushroom-style / bowl-cut haircuts seems to be very in style.
It is puzzling why some Jews choose to go entirely devoid of sideburns – resembling the style of Catholic priests.
Please, stop the “you shouldn’t have gone to a non-Jewish barber” comments. Keep those thoughts to yourselves. They are the victims of a hate crime.
Chuchim Fin Ma Nishtanu being forced to violate a mitzva deorayso is harrowing. Why would you write otherwise?
In response to one of the ma nishtana children, the term “harrowing” is entirely appropriate in this antisemetic assault. Comparing it in its entire context to a Jewish barbers slip is not just wrong, but displays a simplistic view personified by another of the four sons.
Sick…
Look at the website under their Google profile
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MKSUDXv3mqpT5wkA7
Been to this barber in the past year, and had no problem. I have brisker payis and just told the guy not to touch from the corner, down to the side of my cheek. I always make sure to remind the guy when he gets near where my payis start.
Seems really tough for the kid, but very hard to establish malicious intent.
I know plenty of yidden who have been there and no one had any complaints. If you look in the google reviews you can see many 5-star reviews from other Jews.
Not going to a Non-Jewish/Non-Frum Barber is ridiculous. I’ve had 2 Non-Jewish barbers over the past few DECADES. The 1st was frequented by the Rebbeim of a major Charedi Yeshiva (the barber, an Italian Catholic, refused to charge Rabbis so the Rebbeim would leave a large tip to make up for not being charged).
The 2nd Non-Jewish barber was very well liked & used by a lot of the Heimish community.
We don’t like when people say “The Jews” as if one Jew represents “All Jews” (especially when negative) so let’s not do the same to All Non-Jews. Plenty of Non-Jewish barbers are honest businesses that just want to make their customers happy so they come back.
Well, they went to an Arab barber, what did the mother expect besides harrasement?
Everybody look at their google maps page there is a tagged website on their page thisishamas.com
Sickening!