WATCH: Former Charedi Lives in Mea Shearim For a Year, Writes Book About the Experience

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Portrait of Tuvia Tenenbom, at the Jerusalem First Station, on january 19, 2020. Tenenbom is a theater director, playwright, author, journalist, essayist and the founding artistic director of the Jewish Theater of New York, the only English-speaking Jewish theater in New York City. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90 *** Local Caption *** טוביה טננבום טננבאום במאי סופר עיתונאי תיאטרון יהודי ניו יורק פורטרט

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A former Charedi who left his community at a young age and gave up his religion, has written a book about a year he spent living in Mea Shearim.

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Tuvia Tenenbom is the son and grandson of Charedi rabbis. He says that before moving into perhaps the most Charedi neighborhood in the world, he was warned by many that the locals would treat him harshly and even “throw stones”.

His new book, “Careful, Beauties Ahead! My Year with the Ultra-Orthodox”, is the story of life in Mea Shearim. It offers a captivating look into the life, traditions, and humanity of the Charedi community.

The acclaimed author is the son and grandson of multiple Rebbes of a large Hasidic dynasty back in Poland. Tuvia and his wife immersed themselves in the community, and what they discovered was surprising and enlightening, challenging many of their preconceptions.

Watch the amazing interview below, in which Tuvia says that contrary to what many warned him would happen, the Charedi community warmly embraced him and gave him an extremely positive experience.

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Confused
Confused
6 months ago

I read an article about the book on a non frum website. The message of that article was that although he finds the community charming, he mocked halacha after halacha and is a big time kofer. I’m confused why a yarei shamayim website would endorse him or his book.

Satmar Refugee
Satmar Refugee
6 months ago

The Badatz should enlist him as their objective spokesman. I come from a similar background, having learned in Satmar in my youth, and I totally agree with his conclusions. Certainly, I have criticism, but they are Gomlei Chasadim and great people in their own way

lazy-boy
lazy-boy
6 months ago

If he wasn’t Chozer B’tshva, the year was a waste. ONly to make money writing a book.

Yitz
Yitz
6 months ago

I’ve read his books before he a decent guy

Chamas hemelech
Chamas hemelech
6 months ago

Mocks the torah .just freeloaded off fine people for a year.who really cares what the perah Adam has to say.

ShmuelG
ShmuelG
6 months ago

He probably realized that he p—-d his life away but too stubborn to admit it.

Alta Bubby
Alta Bubby
6 months ago

Sad he didn’t return to Yiddiskeit!
Missing the boat

Yoelish
Yoelish
6 months ago

He keeps on saying, “These people care very much for each other”, “These people explained to me that when we are nice to you, it is because we feel that we are dealing with your Yiddishe grandparents”.
This kind of behavior is certainly lacking. We strive to show HKB”H, the Creator of everyone, that we have caring and Sincere empathy to every decent Human Being, whether its a Yid or Goy.
Then HKB”H will never again insert into the minds of the young college kids the notion that, “Jews only care about their own kind”.
Thing about the Posuk in Yermia, “If a person will hide and have wicked thoughts, will I not publicize those bad things to everyone?”.

Fried
Fried
6 months ago

Ummmm… Hello… WHy in the big world did Vin post this?!?! No toeles at all.

HeshyEmes
HeshyEmes
6 months ago

I’ve read most of Tuvia’s books. He lived next door to Rabbi Kanievsky Zatzal as a child, then moved to Germany where he became very Frei. Although he is a Koifer, he has become very conservative politically, and skewers the left for their naïveté & hypocrisy. Even if it’s probably too late for him, he is definitely a force for good for Klal Yisroel.

Alta Bubby
Alta Bubby
6 months ago

I’ve got a gut feeling, that even though the article doesn’t state that this is a paid for advertisement; I bet you it was!
This conniving man PAID VIN to print his article, thereby making it appear as an endorsement!
Very clever!
But I’m not buying it!!!

The_Truth
Famed Member
The_Truth
6 months ago

Did he pretend to be frum for a year? Or did he live as a kofer in chareidi neighborhood?