Shtetl

04/11/2024

Eight Shtetl-relevant races to watch this election day

With the rapid growth of the Haredi community and its outsize political influence in local and statewide races with national implications, more eyes are on this community than ever.

With the rapid growth of the Haredi community and its outsize political influence in local and statewide races with national implications, more eyes are on this community than ever.

01/11/2024

The Dems dilemma: Get Haredi votes or ensure secular education in yeshivas

Haredi leaders have all but assured themselves a win-win situation for the 2024 election.

Haredi leaders have all but assured themselves a win-win situation for the 2024 election.

01/11/2024

East Ramapo school bus system audit reveals systemic safety problems

The state ordered an audit after school buses killed two young Haredi children and seriously injured another between January and March.

The state ordered an audit after school buses killed two young Haredi children and seriously injured another between January and March.

30/10/2024

Has Satmar Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum endorsed Donald Trump?

Some reports claim he has.

TL;DR: he has not, but the elections committee, which he oversees, did.

Media reports suggest he has, but the truth is more complicated.

14/10/2024

Twelve Yeshiva students behind Chabad tunnel mayhem turn down plea deals

‘Being banned from 770 for three years is worse than jail,’ Yaakov Rothchild told the Post.

‘Being banned from 770 for three years is worse than jail,’ Yaakov Rothchild told the Post.

08/10/2024

Special ed executive who defrauded Haredi children’s programs sentenced to over 4 years in prison

Martin Handler, who stole millions in federal funds meant for low-income Haredi children’s education, was sentenced to 58 months and ordered to repay over $1 million.

Martin Handler, who stole millions in federal funds meant for low-income Haredi children’s education, was sentenced to 58 months and ordered to repay over $1 million.

07/10/2024

Agudath Israel scored a victory in court as a judge issued a temporary restraining order against the implementation of a new rule that limits how much New York City reimburses for special education services provided in non-public schools.

New York State's bid to curb spiraling special education costs stalls as Agudath Israel of America wins a temporary court order, citing harm to students.

06/10/2024

Fake Chaplains, Faithless Scam

‘Park like an animal, but kosher’ reads a recent ad for chaplaincy training and placards for ‘graduates.’

‘Park like an animal, but kosher’ reads a recent ad for chaplaincy training and placards for ‘graduates’

02/10/2024

“Hasidopedia”: an insider’s guide to the secrets of Hasidic life in Brooklyn

Have you ever wondered about the differences between Hasidic sects? How Hasidim came specifically to live in the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Boro Park? How far back Hasidic political activity, for which they are now famous, dates? Have you ever wondered how centralized Hasidic communi...

01/10/2024

Candidates for state senate vie for Haredi votes in Rockland

Both Republican Bill Weber and Democrat Elijah Reichlin-Melnick are spending more to court Haredim.

Both Republican Bill Weber and Democrat Elijah Reichlin-Melnick are spending more to court Haredim.

30/09/2024

Shtetl is hiring a new reporter!

Share with friends and colleagues.

Join Shtetl's team as Junior Reporter

25/09/2024

Haredi tourism to Lancaster, Pennsylvania has increased in recent years.

18/09/2024

Donald Trump expected to visit Hasidic restaurant in Williamsburg

Here’s what you should know about the Trump-Hasidic relationship.

Here’s what you should know about the Trump-Hasidic relationship.

17/09/2024

An OTD conference bestowed the "Righteous Frum Person Award" to longtime Chulent leader, Isaac Schonfeld.

“Thank you very much for this honor given to me by a bunch of bona-fide apikorsim” Schoenfeld said in his acceptance speech.

13/09/2024

Hasidic woman whose ordeal inspired Orthodox ‘sex strike’ finally gets her Jewish divorce
After years of waiting, Malky Berkowitz, 29, is free to remarry.

After years of waiting, Malky Berkowitz, 29, is free to remarry.

12/09/2024

A new rabbinic-led fire department threatened Monsey's secular fire department's ability to serve the local community. The fire department instituted some changes to appease their hardline critics. That appears to include an unofficial ban on new female firefighters.

Under threat from rival organization, fire commissioners make sweeping changes.

09/09/2024

Survey: Haredim proud of their hospitality, less proud of their gossip
Respondents also rated the community high on chesed and tzedakah.

Respondents also rated the community high on chesed and tzedakah.

06/09/2024

Candace Owens faces backlash for calling the Lubavitcher Rebbe a “Jewish Supremacist”

Experts and Jewish leaders called the far-right pundit’s words ignorant.

Experts and Jewish leaders called the far-right pundit’s words ignorant.

05/09/2024

Bill aims to make family court judges consider secular education requirements

It's the newest front in the battle to compel Haredi Yeshivas to comply with New York State's "substantial equivalency" laws.

It's the newest front in the battle to compel Haredi Yeshivas to comply with New York State's "substantial equivalency" laws.

29/08/2024

Touro University: No, an accused sexual abuser will not be teaching an ethics course

Menachem Kiwak was charged in May with sexually abusing a patient, and the school announced he was placed on leave.

28/08/2024

Yossi Gestetner's OJPAC has ceased operations. In a podcast interview he griped about the difficulty of raising funds for it and dealing with feedback from some of his supporters.

Yossi Gestetner, once called “one of the smartest public relations guys in New York City,” is pivoting to business consulting.

23/08/2024

Why this AI consultant wants you to send him pictures of your Hasidic son
Businessman Chezky Kohn is creating a Hasidic AI image generator.

Businessman Chezky Kohn is creating a Hasidic AI image generator.

22/08/2024

Book, whose author discussion was canceled because of “Zionism,” includes analysis of Haredi community

Joshua Leifer claims wealth has weakened Lakewood’s resistance to secular values.

Joshua Leifer claims wealth has weakened Lakewood’s resistance to secular values.

21/08/2024

With all eyes on the , it is the local congressional races that will determine if a president Kamala Harris can deliver on her agenda, and Haredim play a key role in some of the most competitive races.

Hudson Valley Reps. Pat Ryan, Mike Lawler, and Marc Molinaro have all courted Haredi voters.

15/08/2024

Yeshiva teacher accused of grabbing a 10-year-old student by the neck and dragging him up stairs mulls deal

Prosecutor: Lakewood yeshiva abuse case must be free from “undue pressure or threats” from rabbis.

Prosecutor: Lakewood yeshiva abuse case must be free from “undue pressure or threats” from rabbis.