essay

Boundaries and self-presentation among the Hasidim: a study in identity maintenance

new world hasidim : ethnographic studies of hasidic jews in america • Albany, N.Y. • Published In 1995 • Pages: 31-68

By: Shaffir, William.

Abstract

In this paper Shaffir presents a brief description of the Hasidic community living in or near Montreal, Canada, (e.g., the Outremont and Boisbriand areas), highlighting in the process his own personal experiences in dealing with the Hasidim. He then discusses the various ways in which the Hasidim attempt to distinguish and insulate themselves from the surrounding non-Hasidic culture. According to Shaffir some of the major ways in which this cultural 'isolation' may be achieved is through 'boundary-maintaining mechanisms' such as institutional control, particularly in reference to the organization of secular education, by proselytization, as in the case of the Lubavitch Hasidim, and the negotiation of public controversies. Each of these mechanisms is discussed in detail in the text.

HRAF PubDate

1996

Region

North America

Sub Region

Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Sociologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle ; 1995

Field Date

1968- ? (based in part on author's earlier fieldwork)

Coverage Date

variable

Coverage Place

Montreal, Québec, Canada

Notes

William Shaffir

Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-68)

LCCN

94000300

LCSH

Jews