“Judy-isms” is a new YWN feature, by Judith Lederman] A horrible video is circulating this week featuring semi-inebriated American youth in Israel cursing out our president. The video was horrible on SO many different levels – so distressing that I know Jews who refused to comment on it, fearful of bringing more publicity to an already overexposed disaster.
But as an orthodox Jewish woman, I believe that I cannot remain silent. I will not link to the video or name it in any way. Those who have seen it know, and those who haven’t can take my word for it. It’s horrible.
You see, as orthodox Jews, we know that we are scrutinized–not just by the public that waits for us to slip. As people of “the book”–“chosen people”–we are always on trial in the public court, but any truly spiritual, orthodox soul knows that we are under constant scrutiny–by G-d. The cosmic video camera is recording us every minute of every day–from the second we awaken, until we say our bedtime prayers. And the recording is locked in a hard drive that will outlast the most durable data storage system on the planet. It will follow us from one lifetime to the next and every action will beg the question, “Did you sanctify my name? Did you use the physical tools I gave you to bring light to the world? Let’s roll that videotape!”
What a miraculous age we live in. Information flows like water. Every word we utter shoots across the cosmos at the speed of light. And now, the world looks on in disgust at drunk and unthinking children making uneducated and random “so-called” political statements. Because these children are Jewish–and orthodox–the statements are given credence as public statements. Indeed, as Jews, we should already know that every word we utter in public or in private is a public statement. We are all PR representatives for the Client of all Clients. So when I see our youth behaving in complete disregard, not just of a camera pointed at them in a bar and the capacity that video has to be broadcast over endless social networks ad nauseum, but of a Higher Power that watches and judges–and has great expectations of them–as a PR person and a Jew, I find it disappointing, deplorable, and horrible.
Does the awareness of our underlying and constant scrutiny come about with age? Not necessarily. How many middle-aged folks are caught doing horrible things–Ponzi schemes, adultery, murder…So, how does one “tune in” to the awareness that we are forever being recorded for life. That every moment will bring a complete accounting–not on YouTube but beyond. And how do we bring this into perspective for our kids? This video put us on trial with the general public. And the results are horrible. We are ALL being condemned.
It was a rude awakening. Our children need to sharpen their awareness of the G-d who watches over them. Their parents need to figure out why, in spite of a Yeshiva education that brought these kids to Israel, that message seems to have missed its mark. Every Jewish person on the planet has to introspect and emerge “Al Kiddush Hashem” – with the realization that one must SANCTIFY G-d’s name – not desecrate it. Every moment. Of every day. In public. In private. Because we were put here to be examples. Of everything that is holy and good. Every minute of every day that we spend in this lifetime. On facebook, on youtube, on twitter, in life.
(Judith Lederman – YWN / Judith Lederman is an author and marketing consultant from Scarsdale, NY. [email protected])
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22 Responses
People should complain to YouTube that it is offensive & then they may remove it.
Mrs. Lederman – I must argue with you on one point. The vast majority or these kids in that video are either not religious at all or lean towards Modern Orthodoxy. I did not view one kid on that video that is an obvious black hat Yeshiva student. It is misleading to imply that this video showed frum kids at their worst. It did not. Rather, it showed inebriated Non-frum Jewish Youths at their worst. Those of them that are totally secular are more affected by American society than they are by Judaism. They are Tinokei B’mishpat. The others that are slightly religious came here subconsciously to throw off the shackles of their tainted upbringings and begin living a life of pure Torah and Yirat Shamiyim. That takes time and patience. Unfortunately, many Chilul Hashems can be created in the process. I’m sure however, that their Rabbanim and Rebbetzins will get wind of this video and give stern Tochacha.
With that said, I must agree with you that we must be very careful to create Kiddish Hashem in all our actions and not Chillul Hashems, G-d Forbid.
Thanks for your comments, folks. In response to Softwords – I do not make distinctions between various factions of Orthodoxy. Modern, yeshivishe, black hat, chassidishe–no matter – the Boreh is the same and we all face mizrach when we daven. Dah lifnei mi she’atah Omed – Before we learn to daven, we have to learn before Whom we stand. The boys were wearing Yarmulkas – indicating to me, that they were supposed to have a notion of accountability. And if that lesson isn’t being taught BEFORE our children go to Eretz Yisroel, WE — meaning collectively WE – Klal Yisroel – are not doing enough to educate our youth. If THEY are creating Chillul, even if they are of another label or faction – YOU and I are not doing OUR jobs. Kol Yisroel ereyvim zeh b’zeh. So, what are YOU going to do to change it? Judy Lederman
#2 I must take issue with your “label” of
“The vast majority or these kids in that video are either not religious at all or lean towards Modern Orthodoxy”
Not a fair or partial assesment. You sound like a reasonable person but your “Brooklyn Black hat” has clouded tis thought.
Most modern Orthodox Yidin are Frum and Torah abiding Jews just like you and me. Yes their Hashkofa’s are different than mine and we differ in many areas but to group
“not religious kids” and Modern Orthodoxy in the same sentance is a grave insult to the many thousands of Shomrai torah u’ mitzvos who consider themselves Modern Orthodox and should be retracted by you.
Mrs. Ledermans article is well written and I applaud YWN for branching in new directions.
#5 please don’t be naive – I am from a modern orthodox background and myself and almost all of my chevra would have no qualms becoming semi-inebriated and using the foul language we picked up at the movies and tv shows our parents so freely allowed us to watch. Yes, there are those “b’shita MO’s” who keep the shulchan oruch as explained by their poskim, but where I was “mechunach” these were much harder to find
Who cares if they were MO or chasidish or litvish or yeshivish or lakewoodish or sefardi or ashkenazi or tzioni or NY-y or out of towny or blue with purple polka dots!
who cares about names and labels? in the eyes of the world- jews are jews. so when someone makes a chillul hashem, it does not matter if they were from a different sect, it still is a chillul hashem! plenty of people across the spectrum make a chillul hashem- dont go finger pointing. stop with the labeling and start with achdus! we all need to work on stopping chillul hashem and stop shifting the blame to other groups!
#6- I think you’re bringing out a good point. There’s a difference between what I call MO and “MO wannabe’s,” i.e. people who want the label Orthodox, but don’t want to work for it. MO in-of-itself is, as was mentioned, totally Frum, albeit a different hashkafa, which is fine, but the second group teeters so much on Conservatism, made worse by the fact that they think they’re Frum.
I feel another Judy-ism coming on…The inyan of labels is deplorable. How will we EVER bring Moshiach if we don’t focus on achdus?
Calling out the Modern Orthodox for blame here is grossly reprehensible. I have witnessed plenty of so-called frum, Yeshivish, mega-frum, uber-frum. frummer than thou types who have acted in ways that are gross and reprehensible. And I have seen plenty of racism from the same. If I am Modern Orthodox, does that mean that I am less likely to raise my children with a sense of derech eretz? If you are going to single out groups, Softwords, maybe you need to re-read Ms Lederman’s article and think about its implications!
Clarification – A couple of points so as to clarify my previous statement.
1) My point wasn’t to place blame over here, but rather to clarify that these kids were not from main stream Yeshivas. I don’t expect from them the same as I do from students of the Mir, Brisk, and the like. If these kids were from the Mir or Brisk the fact is that their luggage would be waiting outside the building for them. Not so by most of the Yeshivas that cater to these type of kids and rightfully so! If you expected the same level from Neveh guys as those of the Mir then your unrealistic. I’m not condoning their behavior, but rather approaching it from where they stand. I have never met a Mirrer, Brisker, or the like in a drunken stupor other than on Purim.
2) Mrs. Lederman is implying that these kids are all from religious backgrounds. I’m not convinced that this is true. Most of them may not even be religious at all. The fact that several are wearing kippas is no proof of anything. For those that don’t live here in Israel you should understand that wearing a kippa in Israel doesn’t necessarily represent one’s devotion to Torah, but rather for many it is a symbol of Jewish (or Israeli) identity with NO connection to religion at all. As far as the girls, it is obvious from their lack of modest attire that these girls are either not religious, are “at risk kids”, or are from the weaker factions of MO.
3) Even if these kids may have been raised in an Orthodox home it is appearent that most of them have just about thrown off the shackles of Torah observance. I recognize the area they were in and that is a major hang out for non-religious and “at risk kids” (a liberal word for kids that have thrown the Yoke of Torah off their shoulders). Isn’t it painful enough for the parents of such kids to have to suffer a loss like that (hopefully only a temporary loss)? Do we have to now come and berate these parents for their children’s insubordination as well?
4) As far as Modern Orthodoxy, my personal involvement in this circle has shown me that there are 3 types: 1) those that are devoted followers of MO “B’shita”, 2) those that are devoted Jews that happened to be raised or returned to Judaism threw MO, and 3) those that were raised MO and follow it purely out of habit. Personally, it is the second type whom I deeply respect and have close ties with.
With that said and done, I’d like to commend Mrs. Lederman for bringing out the point that we must educate our children of the need to make ALL our actions a Kiddush Hashem and must remember that we are ALL under the camera.
I’d like to end with a point that no one has yet brought out:
I find it UTTERLY disgusting of the videographers to deliberately seek out the weakest link amongst us at a time that they were at their weakest and make a mockery of them! Not one of those kids was sober! That means that they were deliberately seeking out drunk people so as to make all Jews look racist! This was EXTREMELY wicked! May Hashem not hold back his wrath from such wickedness.
What noone mentions is the disrespectful climate, created and encouraged by many writers on this site, wherein it is perfectly normal and acceptable:
1. To label the President in the vilest of terms. A headline over a news article here two weeks ago cried out that Obama had raised “anti-Israel” rhetoric to “new heights;” he is regularly accused here of being an anti-Semetic Muslim;
2. To angrily and loudly label as anti-Semetic all matter of mundane issues, such as bike lanes through Williamsburgh;
3. To label Yidden who disagree with the prevalent, politically right wing “party line” as a self-hating Jew; and
4. To talk in disrespectful terms of any hoshkofa alien to the inner Brooklyn mainstream.
There is too much disrespectful, in the gutter commentary expressed by too many on this site. How can any of you be surprised by what was caught on the You Tube video?
Wofffman,
You are obviously coming from a very specific place. So do we all. However, if your position blinds you to the horrific rhetoric that is tossed about regarding “right wingers”, you lose all moral authority to “give mussar”.
Perhaps rewrite your comment with an additional four items directed at those who continually denigrate Charedim, and your comment will somewhat credible.
I totally disagree. The American President is NOT the President of the Jew3s. He is a non jew in charge of a NON JEWISH country. In case you have not noticed christmas is a legal holiday yet Yom Kippor is a personnal day even in New York with its Jew mayor
So, halachically, since we are in a strange land (and I mean that in SO many ways), are we obligated to respect the Nasee of the land in which we reside?
13 – Anonymous: I am “Chareidi” myself, though I admit to having degrees from secular institutions which sets me apart to an extent. And in other venues I rail against anti-Chareidi shtuss. That said, I am often stunned by the intellectual intolerance I find here – hateful, foul statements that cannot be sanctioned under any understanding of the Mesorah. Finally, your statement trhat I am “…obviously coming from a specific place…” is a silly nonsequitor.
#14 – Tzahalandtorah, are you an American citizen? If so, count your blessings. You can be completely a Yid and still acknowledge an American identity (a New york identity, a Brooklyn identity), and have an appreciation for what being an American, and being in America does for you as a Yid.
While some of the thoughts and feelings described in this article are altruistic and correct, I believe, that in regard to this specific video they are misplaced.
As someone who has been working with the teen population featured in this video for the last five years, I would like to share my perspective, and possibly put the occurrence that was videotaped in a different context.
Firstly, from a political or even moralistic point of view, I am not sure this video was that bad. In academia across Europe, Canada, and some universities in the US, similar animosity has been expressed as part of the academic worlds anti-Israel rhetoric, perhaps without the profanity, however, they are drunk teenagers, yet such talk is accepted as a universal right to freedom of speech. These teenagers condemnation of President Obama’s Middle East politics is their immature counter to to the anti-Israel rhetoric. Their style is not more vile than the rhetoric of the leading academics. Racism is horrible, but free expression is their legal right. Additionally, to think that a group of unruly, drunk teenagers at a bar, represents Orthodox Jewish thinking is pathetic, and those who draw such conclusions do not need to be answered.
Secondly and most importantly, the insinuation from some of the comments that the Yeshivos that work with these teens are somewhat at fault is disturbing and incorrect.
Before these kids came to Israel and began their slow growth process they did not care about anything, not themselves, not their families and definitely not about the Jewish people. Today, they at least have feelings. In psychology or education, I believe they would approve of this as a first step in a very long process.
The Yeshivos definitely aspire to help their students recognize that they represent the Ribono Shel Olam at all times, yet we must be patient and appreciate the slow but monumental achievements. Instead of being on the streets of their hometown, in prisons or rehab centers, these teens are in the streets of Yerushalayim caring about the Jewish people and Israel (however misguided).
I think that those Yeshivos that do this unglorified Avodas Hakodesh should be lauded and not criticized so they can continue to help these teens become model Jews (which includes being model citizens).
Judy Lederman let’s us know that in light of Rabbi Beryl Weins corollary – “Never confuse Jews with Judaism” , we must neverthelesss strive to teach our people, epsecially our children that our communal and individual goal should always be to serve as a light unto the nations and a practitioner of Kiddush Hashem. Her heart is in the right place. We fail in this effort if we resort to labeling and name-calling.
Thank you SHF. And thank you all for your comments. Keep them coming please. I learn from all of you.
From Yerushalayim – that is an interesting POV, but I do think this video could have been received differently had the youth been engaged in a passionate and fact-driven debate on the topic of Obama and Israel, as opposed to drunken, obscenity-ridden rants. Our Holy land deserves our utmost respect–the certain reverence that comes along with the recognition that this land can and will spit us out if we don’t recognize its holiness. The passion and love that the kids displayed for the land, was not expressed in a respectful manner and played poorly in the world amphitheatre. Keep teaching them and I pray for all of them to understand the responsibility that comes along with being zocheh to be in E”Y – even for that one fleeting precious post H.S. year or birthright trip.
The racism on the video is no worse than remarks made by many commenters here. Go back and look at the election threads. It’s ironic and disturbing how quickly you all condemn these teens when so many people have made the same comments.
mandy – perhaps I’m wrong, but I believe that is what Mrs. Lederman is trying to point out in her article when she says,
“Every Jewish person on the planet has to introspect and emerge “Al Kiddush Hashem” – with the realization that one must SANCTIFY G-d’s name – not desecrate it. Every moment. Of every day. In public. In private. Because we were put here to be examples. Of everything that is holy and good. Every minute of every day that we spend in this lifetime. On facebook, on youtube, on twitter, in life.”
In other words, teach by example.
In this she is certainly correct.
from yerushalayim – You bring out a good point when it comes to how we should view those kids. However, people like you who are in a position to influence these kids have an Achrious to drive in to them the point that their actions and statements can cause serious repercussions to the whole nation. If I was black and heard such racist statements I would certainly be offended. I’m not sure how many black individuals will rationalize this to be an isolated case and not an example of Jewish opinion as a whole.
As far as Tochacha, I’m quite sure that those that actually go to Yeshiva or Seminar have already been chastised and the others may have regrets already after seeing the public’s negative reaction to their rude comments.