It will be difficult for me to find the right words to express my anger and dismay at Grady & Ewing and the message they sent with this film. While everything in the film is 100% truth, the lens through which these facts are presented was so narrow that it completely skews the realities of life and relationships in the many and varied Ultra Orthodox communities.
For starters, what exactly does "ultra" Orthodox mean? There are so many unique and different movements within the general category of Hasidim, yet none of that is explained in the film. Satmar, Bostoner, Haredi, Chabad...the list goes on. Some ostracize members who leave or stop leading a halachic life, but most do not and to use so few examples, like the story of Etty, whose husband was undoubtedly mentally ill, as an implied baseline of "this is what to expect" is just irresponsible.
I was shocked to find that almost 100% of the court paperwork and appearances were not here. The decision from the judge (as presented in the film) flies in the face of almost all New York State Court decisions. Something weird that was not in the film must have occurred for her to not get custody. This was completely cut.
I personally have at least a dozen friends who have abandoned their Hasidic upbringing with none of the issues brought up in the film and most still quite close to their families. As a Jew that was brought up Reform, has lived in Israel and New York and now aligns with the "ultra-orthodox" Chabad movement, (the largest of all the Hasidic groups,) I can tell you quite matter of factly that the ostracization and evil behaviors portrayed in this film are not anything you will find in 95% of orthodox communities. I am not saying it does not happen, but compared to lets say Catholics or Mormons, there are a much greater percentage of happy families.
I've made my point. Thanks.
For starters, what exactly does "ultra" Orthodox mean? There are so many unique and different movements within the general category of Hasidim, yet none of that is explained in the film. Satmar, Bostoner, Haredi, Chabad...the list goes on. Some ostracize members who leave or stop leading a halachic life, but most do not and to use so few examples, like the story of Etty, whose husband was undoubtedly mentally ill, as an implied baseline of "this is what to expect" is just irresponsible.
I was shocked to find that almost 100% of the court paperwork and appearances were not here. The decision from the judge (as presented in the film) flies in the face of almost all New York State Court decisions. Something weird that was not in the film must have occurred for her to not get custody. This was completely cut.
I personally have at least a dozen friends who have abandoned their Hasidic upbringing with none of the issues brought up in the film and most still quite close to their families. As a Jew that was brought up Reform, has lived in Israel and New York and now aligns with the "ultra-orthodox" Chabad movement, (the largest of all the Hasidic groups,) I can tell you quite matter of factly that the ostracization and evil behaviors portrayed in this film are not anything you will find in 95% of orthodox communities. I am not saying it does not happen, but compared to lets say Catholics or Mormons, there are a much greater percentage of happy families.
I've made my point. Thanks.