Kiryas Joel/Ezras Choilim Health Center (New York, Monroe: fit in, school district, living in)

[dentist]

Can anyone give me any information on the Kiryas Joel and the Ezras Choilim Health Center? May be relocating to Monroe for new job. Thank you.

[Jason_Els]

In what context is your question? Would you be working there? Are you asking if they serve the Monroe community at large? Are you considering moving to KJ?

[Jason_Els]

If that is the case, be aware that KJ is currently doing battle with the surrounding communities for water. KJ desperately wants water from the surrounding townships so that they can build higher and larger buildings to accomodate the adult children of current residents and the Hasidim moving to KJ. In case you didn't know, Kiryas Joel is a Satmar Hasidic community and if you are not of the Satmar Hasidim then you're usually not welcome. Gentiles, or even other Jews, who wander or otherwise go into the community have met with refusals of service, name-calling, or, as happened to me, forced off the road while being shouted at. Otherwise there are issues of voter and welfare fraud and even a Supreme Court case to force the village to accept school district gender desegregation of school bus drivers (solved by KJ creating its own school district).

If you're not of the Satmar Hasidim living in KJ, expect your hospital care to come from Arden Hill Hospital in Goshen, St. Anthony's in Warwick, or Cornwall Hospital in Cornwall.

My guess is you're applying for the open dental position there.

Here's the deal.

The Hasidim are a group unto themselves, with a very unusual culture that doesn't take into account the culture of everyone else. This is a problem when it comes to relations outside the community. While some people, and as I've said, myself, have had problems going into Kiryas Joel, there are other issues too. The primary issue is that unless they need to interact with you, they won't. You won't exist. On a plane full of Hasidim we were grounded for 2 hours because they would not sit down and fasten their seatbelts. The captain had to call for police and have them standing in the doorway and threaten to remove anyone who stood-up. When we landed a little girl got out of her seat and started running up and down the aisle while nobody tried to stop her. The plane touched the runway and she was thrown up in the air like a bean bag and then slammed down the aisle, hitting the back wall. Then the Hasidim tried to blame the stewardess who now had to call an ambulance. I left the plane with the stewardess in tears. In stores they'll walk down 2 or 3 abreast in the aisle and then yell at you to move your cart so they can go by. At the local hospitals they won't stay in waiting areas. Security has to be called to keep family outside treatment areas, even surgical suites. In driving they tend to grab the left lane and honk and swerve expecting you to get out of the way. It's like anyone who isn't one of them is treated as either a means to an end or a nuisance. The outside world exists to be exploited and taken advantage of.

This may be a hold-over from the years in Europe and I must state straight out that my interaction with the younger Hasidic men and women has been generally very different in that it has been usually very positive. There is not the automatic feeling of animosity and superiority. Some are still distant, but many are not and I hope this attitude will prevail as time goes on.

Kiryas Joel comes-up in converstation from time to time and of all the people I know, the Jews who live outside the Hasidim and are of other denominations are the most bitter. Time and again I've heard how the Hasidim have damaged the image of Jews in the community. I live in what is now an upscale, well-educated community with many professional Jewish families and every time KJ arises in conversation there's a lot of head-shaking and sadness. Most people in Orange county know by now that KJ doesn't represent all Jews but the anti-Semites use KJ time and again as an example for their pathetic propaganda and not all people in Orange county are educated enough to distinguish between the JK community and other Jewish denominations.

If you're not a member of the Satmar Hasidim I don't know how well you will be able to interact with the culture. Nearly all speak Yiddish amongst each other though they speak English too. You'll need a lot of patience and an open mind. I suspect, however, that if you're accepted by the community you'll have insight into a fascinating world very different from the world we live in. My plane trip may have been awful but what I did notice was constant interaction and I've seen this in other places too. The amount of conversation and talking among the Hasidim is incredible. It's nearly constant and to me that indicates a very tight-knit group that looks out for each other and cares about its members to a great degree. The group dynamic is intense but also reassuring and comforting I think.

Anyway, that's my take on the Kiryas Joel situation. If anything, it will be a fascinating job and you may gain some insight into a unique culture.

Good luck!

[Nancy-NJ-NY-ME?]

Well written, Jason!

[dentist]

Wow. That was a great answer. I can't thank you enough. You confirmed all of what I was thinking. Now, here's why I asked. I am an African American female who is very open minded. Yes, I am a dentist and was wondering how I'd fit in at the health center. I have worked at health centers rendering care to various cultures and races of people, so I am very comfortable with people. I was also wondering if Ezras Choilim Health Center serves others in the surrounding counties. Funny thing, I am just really trying to picture what it will be like when I go for my interview within the next week and what it will be like when I arrive. Again, I am very open minded, but I certainly don't want to go where I am not wanted. I have a heart for serving the underserved, but I don't want to have to go to battle with anyone who may not want my services. Funny thing, the recruiter for the center just told me to look up the health center online but he did not let on to anything specific regarding the health center and who they serve. Any more information would be greatly appreciated.

[Jason_Els]

Ezras Choilim does not, to my knowledge, serve anyone outside Kiryas Joel.

Best I can answer is to go in and see for yourself. Do the interview and see what's what.

Let us know how it goes.

[Nancy-NJ-NY-ME?]

I concur with Jason - go on the interview and see for yourself. You may also want to do some research, if you haven't already done so, on the local newspaper's website. Go to: recordonline.com - The Times Herald-Record, serving New York's Hudson Valley and the Catskills -> Community -> Orange South -> Kiryas Joel.

If you decide to take the job, I can say that Orange County is a nice place to live. Convenient services, good highway network, national retailers, and yet we're still pretty rural with many farms in the area.

[dentist]

I will certainly post something after Thursday. I am sure it will be an interesting experience. Thanks so much for the information offered.

[dentist]

Thank you Jason for such a well written description before my interview. I thought about you today and you sound like someone who needs to write books or something (smile). Had an interesting day and my interview went well. Got the offer at the health center and was ABSOLUTELY amazed at the warmth of the people. I am going to post a full decription of my day at KJ as I believe it will be something good for those who come to this forum to see. Thank you for the insight before my arrival. Everything you mentioned was true, but it helped me to have an open mind, an open heart and to just be ready and willing to serve. I believe this will be an interesting journey as a Black woman to share with many. Thanks again.

[Jason_Els]

Glad to be of help!

Will you be taking the position? Let us know what you decide and I look forward to reading of your experiences.