meshiksa hasidic roots: 13th avenue, Boro(ugh) Park

A friend woke me up for an early and spontaneous breakfast around our places. I got up asap from my bed… The world belongs to people who wake up early, right?

I wanted to meet her up because she is a deep believer. She is Christian.
Once her girlfriend left, we talked about my Boro Park wandering scheduled for this day.
She knows my fascination for the Hasidic community, and also my issue with the existence of G-d.
Each time, she talked about her faith, i am stunned.
Once she was in the subway, and she was the witness of a violent scene. Her answer was: "I pray."
Why does she leave this planet, when i stay aware that if i have to do something to help people in danger, i will make a move?
Two years ago, i was the witness of a berserk woman who yelled at 4 Hasidic teenagers in the subway. Her verbal violence gave me cold sweats, but in this kind of case, i remained quiet. They handled the situation very well, and moved in another car finally.

In the same time, the way she expressed 'I pray' is more impressive for me than the words she said.
She does feel G-d!
She is a tomboy, but her voice and compassion for people is very beautiful and soft.
We used to have long conversations in my work place about everything. She corrected my English.
I told her that i had a recent revelation about G-d: i understand who He/She is. She saw G-d as a woman with long hair…
I see Him/her as a huge strength…

She said: "You changed your mind?"
It's not a question of changing my mind, it was a question of meaning.
I never have been against religions: if they exist in this world, that means something, but i always asked why, without having the good answers.
I recommended her the book of Jonathan Sacks, she wants to read it.
I told her: "Now, i want to feel G-d."
Despite all the comments i have received so far, this feeling is totally personal, and that's my road.
I never prayed. I often begged when some sort of things happened to me: "Why me?".

One of my fantasies is to be in the arms of a Hasidic man when he is praying to see if i feel something. :-)

Then, 13th ave.
I already have been there twice: first time to meet my Hasidic female friend for the first time, and second time at night, for a Seder about one year ago.
I only had a sneak peak, nothing particular, but i loved the landscape of little houses full of peyos boys.

Let's streetview on Google Map, to see if i start my stroll from 36th street. I saw some peyos.

First impressions compares to Willy: they are not in a hurry, they are more 'friendly' (i.e. less scared of talking to a non Hasidic person). I thought it will be the contrary because there are less 'tourists' in BP than in Willy.
The ladies didn't really look at me.
Most of the men didn't try to avoid me in the stores or the streets.
Did they feel the beginning of my Orthodoxy? :-)

The choice of a dress, Boro Park, 2014, ©emmarubinstein

Regarding the peyos: they are finer and messed up in BP.
Come on guys, you know how i like them, so please, make an endeavor next week! :-)

The feminine fashion is more modern. I saw a woman in a beautiful red dress with a modern shape.
The skirts are not all under the knees and i could see some fancy skirts, and dresses.

The first store that attracted my attention was the Judaica Corner store: lots of books and Jewish stuffs.
I bought books for children and my new Bed toys: Totty Mentchees Go to Shul.
Watch out! I said Bed toys, not sex toys! :-)
I fell in love with this store and another big one later. There are my GQ.
All these beautiful books that i wanted to touch and smell, but i did nothing.
When i gave the money, they took it from my hand.

Judaica Corner, Boro Park, 2014, ©emmarubinstein

Cutie Bed Toys, Boro Park, 2014, ©emmarubinstein

I forgot many times that they were religious.

On the sidewalk, a woman lost a pair of socks. A man with a stroller and 3 children saw it, and he was embarrassed to call the lady to pick them up. Another woman saw the scene and helped the man to resolve the issue.

It was the first time that i met a Hasidic homeless, and i felt sad. Maybe, he is just a foolish man. I don't know. He was losing his shoes, too big for him.

The other store, i absolutely wanted to go was the music store. A salesman from a Willy bookstore recommended me a long time ago. I already checked on their website, and i bought an album of old Yiddish songs online.
But yesterday i wanted this song, the song that moves me a lot.
It took me time to find the text of a H man with the title on my cellphone. Once i got it, i asked but the salesman told me to come back 50 minutes later, there will be someone else, able to help me better.

An obsession of black hats? YES, Boro Park, 2014, ©emmarubinstein

Ladies you rock, i like them, Boro Park, 2014, ©emmarubinstein

Silverware and flowers, Boro Park, 2014, ©emmarubinstein

I wanted to explore a food place, and tasted something new. I forgot the name of the café.
I chose a Mexican Kosher Italo calzon with mushroom and cheese: it was small in size but rich in oil.
I ate for 3 days. :-)
I had two options: find a hasidic bed to have a nap, or to lay on a bench and dry like una sardina.
I wandered to the café Shalva where i met the Hasidic woman the first time. I killed my stomach with a Smoothies without milk. It was good and unsweetened.
There was a little girl, a new friend of mine of 2 years old. She was into me and called me ladybug and poppy. Her mother was very kind and smiling. I explained her that she probably called me like that because i was dressed up in black and red.

Boro Park, 2014, ©emmarubinstein

Mexican Kosher Italo calzon, Boro Park, 2014, ©emmarubinstein

Ladies lunch, Boro Park, 2014, ©emmarubinstein

Wash your hands! Boro Park, 2014, ©emmarubinstein

On my way back to the music store, i spent time in the other Judaica store.
They have a good selection of books. They are the Jewish Barnes & Noble. I saw the book of Jonathan Sacks. I was not lost.
They have a big selection, in English, of books about the Holocaust.
I deeply dislike the silverware that i have seen here and around. It's too over-ornate. :-)
I like simple and tiny things.

Back in the music store, i asked the new salesman if his name was ***.
A few minutes before coming back to the store, my phone died, no more battery.
But there is a reason for everything and, i had a graceful moment with this man.
He is in his fifties, and he is the specialist of Yiddish music.
I told him a vague title, and the only word whose i remembered for sure, was Hashem.
He sang something. I didn't recognize the song, and i was laughing as hell.
He said: "Sing it".
"Me, no, i can't sing. Do you have Internet? We can find videos on Youtube. It's the song the Satmar sing when the rabbi arrives in the room. It's in November when they celebrate Yoel Teitelbaum in Williamsburg."
He asked me for waiting, helping other clients.
Then, back to the countertop, banging on his keyboard: "How do you spell Youtube?"
Kidding? :-)
I had to spell it twice, and finally he asked me to bang on his keyboard. My dyslexia didn't help me with the name of the place where they celebrate this event. He asked a woman: "Brooklyn Armory".
I could not find the video on Youtube.
He asked me for waiting and came back with another salesman. He tried to sing different songs.
"Wishing they are some Satmar who will come by!".
Two young men came in.
"Are you Satmar?"
"Nien"
This salesman was awesome. He had sparkling eyes, and if we had been alone, he would have been more troublemaker.
I never have been the last one to make trouble. Ask my mom! :-)
I have been punished many times in the schools by not following the crowd.
I asked him for his email to send him the title and also the link of the video. His first thought was that i was asking for his personal email. Why not? I will be pleased to have a drink with him!
If we are alone, i will ask him! Not even scared! :-)

meshiksa hasidic roots

Friday, June 27, 2014

13th avenue, Boro(ugh) Park

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