essay

Home in exile: Hasidim in the new world

new world hasidim : ethnographic studies of hasidic jews in america • Albany, N.Y. • Published In 1995 • Pages: 205-236

By: Belcove-Shalin, Janet S..

Abstract

This article explores the Jewish quest for home, illustrated here by the transplantation of a Hasidic community from the Old World to the New. The focus of Belcove-Shalin's discussion is the Hasidic community of Boro Park, Brooklyn, N.Y., '…with special attention to Bobov, a Hasidic dynasty that originated in the western Galician town of Bobov but eventually sunk roots in Boro Park and became the third-largest Hasidic group in the United States' (p. 206). As an introduction to this paper Belcove-Shalin discusses the general overview of the meaning of the terms 'home' and 'exile' in Jewish tradition. The author then shows how the Hasidim have molded their neighborhood into a community that allows its members to maintain their distinct lifestyle. Following this Belcove- Shalin demonstrates how Hasidic leaders have reasserted their charismatic authority in exile with particular emphasis on the role of the Bobover Rebbe. The paper concludes with some of Belcove-Shalin's thoughts on the meaning of 'home' and 'exile' in the late twentieth century (p. 207).

HRAF PubDate

1996

Region

North America

Sub Region

Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Anthropologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle ; 1995

Field Date

no date

Coverage Date

variable

Coverage Place

Bobover; Boro Park, Brooklyn, N.Y., United States

Notes

Janet S. Belcove-Shalin

Includes bibliographical references (p. 233-236)

LCCN

94000300

LCSH

Jews