Not your average Brooklyn hipster: Meet Meir Kalmanson

By Samara Abramson May 2, 2016

  At first glance, you might think Meir Kalmanson is just another 25-year-old hipster filmmaker from Brooklyn. But if you take a closer look, you’ll find that he’s far from typical. Kalmanson was born into the Chabad Lubavitch movement, which is a sect of ultra-Orthodox Hasidism — and the largest and fastest-growing Jewish organization in…

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On The Seventh Day, God Made Fashion

By H. B. Rubin May 14, 2013

Hassid or Hipster? It’s a topic of discussion that never gets old. But what about these bearded men’s female counterparts? While I don’t think we’re going to see any Hasidic women sporting crop-tops and wedged Supergas anytime soon, there may be more stylish overlap than you’ve previously considered. Whether it be the variety of hats lining…

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Chabad Does East Asia

By John Propper December 5, 2012

You may not be familiar with Israel’s new hit “Kathmandu.” If not, check out this feature story by our own Gabe Weinstein to learn more. Though it may be a bit over dramatized, the show’s central premise is definitely true: there are few places in the world that don’t have a Chabad presence. If one of…

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Hey You, With the Beard, Are You a Jew?

By H. B. Rubin November 3, 2012

As a previous summer resident of Trendyville, Brooklyn, the running joke throughout my stay revolved around the aesthetically similar but culturally dichotomous comparisons of the facial hair of secular and religious men. A clearer way to say this? The proliferation of Hasid vs. Hipster hirsute jokes. And let me tell you, they were (and are)…

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Women & the RA; five days with controversial Chasids; a welcoming table; and more. [Required Reading]

By John Propper March 12, 2012

Rabbinical Assembly’s May conference sparks discussion about female speakers [Forward] After information regarding an upcoming conference hosted by the Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative Judaism) was released, debate has been sparked as to whether or not enough women speakers will be present at the event. Since the initial report, the RA has released a statement stating that…

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Chasids do the Dougie; wigless photo controversy; and more. [Required Reading]

By John Propper February 17, 2012

Video mashes up Chasidic celebration with “Teach Me How to Dougie” [Youtube] A hilarious YouTube video featuring a clip from what appears to be a Chasidic wedding dance paired up with Cali Swag District’s meme-tastic song has hit the web. Hey, they’re better than the Black Eyed Peas. Curlier too. Wigless photo of former chief…

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Oprah and Chabad; Jesus for Hanukkah; and more. [Required Reading]

By John Propper February 10, 2012

  Oprah goes Hasid [Chabad] Visiting Hasidic communities in Brooklyn for an upcoming episode in her latest program, Oprah sat down for a special interview with Chabad Rabbi Motti Seligson. Oprah discussed misconceptions about the role of women in Orthodox Judaism, the importance of family, and living a life of meaning. When asked by Seligson…

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