Lakewood NJ , Jewish community (houses, buy, school)

[luciusFlorio]

I am very familiar with the community and I would like to discuss some of the problems plaguing it.

It is no secret that there is a bit of resentment and ill feelings toward those erronoeously reffered to as "hassidic" Jews (they are in fact-for the most part not Hassidim but ultra-Orthodox Jews). There is also probably some jealousy from the lesser fortunate minorities in the area who look askance at the Jews' success.

I personally experienced something very disturbing and anti-semitic when on a recent Jewish holiday someone threw a bunch of coins at me from a passing car near clifton and main street.

I have long wanted to create some kind of group and/or forum where we can come all together Jew and gentile, and discuss our differences, plights, concerns and also what we have in common. I know there are many nice Christian gentiles who sincerely love the Jewish people but it pains to see the hatred exhibited by some.

I am putting this out there, how about a meet at the Lakewood Public Library some time in the near future? ; I am sure they would be gracious enough to provide us a private room.

Ciao

[berryjuice4life]

Ok here is the prospective of jewish person however they dont consdier me jewish and I dont do their customs..If you are looking for them to accept you FORGET IT, Unless you practice the way they do they dont care...they are nasty human beings, and for lakewood your just better off not bothering to even try and figure it out, they dont want you there so to speak, why do You think they bought Lakewood Hs????? well it will eventually be shut down as there isnt enough population to fill the school, so then what???? Until u live there culture you just wont understand....That is all I can say without being umm thrown off the board, and I love these boards so I will behave but YOu should get my drift....I am a reformed jew and celebrate my holiday but u know what it is what it is...I have my own issues with that since I was turned away and cant Bar Mitzva my son in these towns but either way it doesnt matter we are moving, but take my advice and just do what you need to do and dont look for them to make peace....

[luciusFlorio]

Originally Posted by NJmomof2

Ok here is the prospective of jewish person however they dont consdier me jewish and I dont do their customs..If you are looking for them to accept you FORGET IT, Unless you practice the way they do they dont care...they are nasty human beings, and for lakewood your just better off not bothering to even try and figure it out, they dont want you there so to speak, why do You think they bought Lakewood Hs????? well it will eventually be shut down as there isnt enough population to fill the school, so then what???? Until u live there culture you just wont understand....That is all I can say without being umm thrown off the board, and I love these boards so I will behave but YOu should get my drift....I am a reformed jew and celebrate my holiday but u know what it is what it is...I have my own issues with that since I was turned away and cant Bar Mitzva my son in these towns but either way it doesnt matter we are moving, but take my advice and just do what you need to do and dont look for them to make peace....

I understand where you're coming from in a way. I am intimately familiar with all kinds of Jews from Orthodox to assimilated and everything in between. Yes there are major problems stemming from ignorance and intolerance, very unfortunate but all is not lost.

Look at me, I grew up very religious, I currently study at a university in South Jersey and return to Lakewood occasionally. I don't exactly like the community and many of its values (even though I do recognize some of the good aspects of it) I still care about Jews, I have dedicated a better part of my life to the Jewish people (I don't mean to brag but I didn't go to Israel and volunteer an entire year as a security guard during the height of the Intifada for nothing). I may not agree with these "hassidim" but will I stand idly by as a girl is abducted and raped? will i stand idly by as Jewish people are harrased by anti-semitic hoodlums? the answer is a resounding no!

Let us try to salvage what is left to be salvage and if I can bring a little bit of understanding and tolerance to either side then my efforts will not have been in vain.

[berryjuice4life]

I dont disagree but it isnt going to happen good luck to you...

[Older&Wiser]

Deleted; what's the sense, those folks do not want to assimilate anyway.

[LawrencevilleGA]

Originally Posted by Older&Wiser

Deleted; what's the sense, those folks do not want to assimilate anyway.

They want nothing to do with us except buy our houses for 3x's their value.
They have lot's and lot's of money. They don't necc. look like they do, but it comes from somewhere.

[bluemaddy]

Originally Posted by luciusFlorio

I am very familiar with the community and I would like to discuss some of the problems plaguing it.

It is no secret that there is a bit of resentment and ill feelings toward those erronoeously reffered to as "hassidic" Jews (they are in fact-for the most part not Hassidim but ultra-Orthodox Jews). There is also probably some jealousy from the lesser fortunate minorities in the area who look askance at the Jews' success.

I personally experienced something very disturbing and anti-semitic when on a recent Jewish holiday someone threw a bunch of coins at me from a passing car near clifton and main street.

I have long wanted to create some kind of group and/or forum where we can come all together Jew and gentile, and discuss our differences, plights, concerns and also what we have in common. I know there are many nice Christian gentiles who sincerely love the Jewish people but it pains to see the hatred exhibited by some.

I am putting this out there, how about a meet at the Lakewood Public Library some time in the near future? ; I am sure they would be gracious enough to provide us a private room.

Ciao

Wow, do I live in a bubble. I am always shocked when I hear people struggling with these issues. I am very lucky...or sheltered, not sure, probably sheltered and in denial. Anyhow, the only thing I can think of since it sounds so 'Doom and Gloom' is find something that each religion enjoys doing. You will think of something. Perhaps then you will all spend time together....and the rest will get easier, I certainly do not believe it will "work out". Good Luck and hang in there. Remember to focus on what you want, not what you don't want.

[luciusFlorio]

Rest assured that most Jews are not like that and we are very careful to respect our fellow man regardless of religion. I condemn this disgusting situation in the strongest possible terms.

[luciusFlorio]

An extraordinary collaboration between the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Lakewood Police Department and the Orthodox Jewish Community of Lakewood, New Jersey took place at Lake Terrace in Lakewood, New Jersey on Tuesday, March 13, 2007.

The day long event entitled Bagels, Lox and Cops: Getting to Know the Orthodox Jewish Community provided an opportunity for representatives of the Orthodox Jewish Community to share cultural concerns with law enforcement personnel from throughout Ocean County. Every agency in the county was represented by its chief or designated officer. Additional law enforcement agency representation included:

New Jersey State Police
Ocean County Department of Corrections
County of Ocean Sheriff’s Office
State of New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness

The day long conference included presentations, a panel discussion and a question and answer session.

The first part of the program included opening remarks from Ocean County Prosecutor Thomas F. Kelaher and his assistants, Chief Daniel T. Mahony and Deputy Chief Robert J. Peck as well as Chief Robert C. Lawson of the Lakewood Police Department.

This was followed by presentations from various Jewish Orthodox Rabbis:

Rabbi Aron Kotler - Beth Medrash Govoha and the growth of the Lakewood Orthodox Community.

Rabbi Abe Muller - Interaction Between Sexes EMS / Customs / Hatzolah

Rabbi Menashe Miller - Sabbath and the Jewish Holidays

Rabbi Ben Heinemann - Kosher Dietary Laws

Rabbi Yisroel Schenkolewski - Accidents, Deaths and Autopsies

As well as:

Deputy Mayor Meir Lichenstein - Chair: Panel Discussion

Anti-Defamation League - Hate on Display, Extremist Groups, Symbols and Venues

Deputy Chief Charles Smith - Police Response to the Orthodox Community

Rabbi Aron Kotler of the Beth Medrash Govoha (the largest Talmudical Academy in the United States) stated that “Ocean County is the fastest growing county in New Jersey and a prime location for Orthodox Jews to live.” He explained core values of the Jewish life as including a sensitivity to others especially through acts of charity and the importance of understanding different cultures.

Rabbi Menashe P. Miller spoke about understanding the Sabbath as a day of rest and explained the various Jewish holidays:

This event begins to develop an appreciation and understanding of the Orthodox Jewish community and customs within the law enforcement ranks of Ocean County and is a concrete application of all that is great in our nation as stated in the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 15th, 2007

[JerZ]

I could be wrong, but this is just something I heard. Anyone can feel free to correct me. It was my understanding that the Orthodox Jews don't want to assimilate. I thought that in order to be pure, they have to stay out of the common world as much as possible and not associate with others besides themselves.

If that's true, then it won't do much good to try to make them be friends with you. They can't be. They're not being snobs or anything and it's not a case of being misunderstood but secretly just wishing people would reach out to them. Their solitude is part of their practice.

Therefore, I personally wouldn't make the effort. It just doesn't make sense to. However, by the same token I would never try to diss anyone of any other faith. The throwing-coins thing, for instance. I hate hearing stuff like that.

But trying to have meetings, groups, etc. between the Orthodox and non-Orthodox or the Orthodox and Christians...well, it just doesn't make sense.

Don't get me wrong--I wish it did. I'm kind of a hippie. But you can't force yourself on someone.