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Jewish Culture

The New York Times' failing article

Moshe Unger
Posted 11/4/22

This is first part of two columns reacting to recent media reports, critical of Hasidic Yeshiva Education.

As I’ve mentioned in my previous column, I want to address the allegation that …

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Jewish Culture

The New York Times' failing article

Posted

This is first part of two columns reacting to recent media reports, critical of Hasidic Yeshiva Education.

As I’ve mentioned in my previous column, I want to address the allegation that Chasidic Schools don’t provide adequate general education. Although it’s been two months since the article’s publication, since I said I’ll write about it, I’ll do so. First, I’ll give a few references to good responses and discussions for those who are interested.

A day after the article was published, a fellow by the name of Boruch Perlowitz produced a great video with the title, “I’m a Victim of Hasidic Yeshiva Education.” If you look it up on LinkedIn, you’ll see the great responses he received on the video. By the way, I searched now the words “Hasidic education” on LinkedIn and there were many interesting discussions there, some very positive ones.

For the best professional response to the NY Times article, search the words “Dr. Moshe Krakowski Hasidim.” He’s been doing research on this subject on an expert level and has strongly condemned the article’s truthfulness. Also, Heritage Foundation has done an excellent article on how the data the Times relied on is untrue.

As I’ve said in my last column, I testify and know that the entire article is lies and slander and my writing here is evidence to that too. The vast majority of graduates of the Chasidic Yeshiva system lead productive lives with many of them owning businesses or are on successful careers. Between my family and friends, I see all sorts of careers. Some are accountants, financial advisors, E-Commerce experts, social workers, insurance agents, small business owners, store owners, education, and special education.

My rule of thumb is “don’t ever believe someone when they talk negatively about their own brother.” There are always deep emotions and ‘family image’ that is involved. So yes, for the uninitiated, the names of the reporters in this article sounds so juicily Jewish, the truth is, we would have been seen in much better light and with more color had a person of color been writing this article.

Even if we take all the facts within the article at face value, a closer look will be extremely revealing and quite shocking.

Throughout the article they mostly mention one school network in one location. There are over two dozen networks of schools in New York State comprised of over 100 Chasidic schools. Why is it OK in today’s world to generalize so much?? This is an absolute shame for such a distinguished newspaper. The schools vary immensely and specifically on this issue. How smart does one have to be to understand that different communities are different?

Yes, they do the lip service of saying that Hasidic schools are not monolithic, yet the entire article does the exact opposite. It is quite unreal to behold this professional contradiction.

See Part II of this column in November 18’s Democrat, which also touches on the topic of public funding.

Let me know your thoughts…

Email me: moshe@mosheunger.com

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