New York – Report: Author’s Claim Of Murder Cover Up In Kiryas Joel Fabricated

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    New York – With allegations of communal cover-ups involving child sexual abuse dogging the haredi community over the past several years, it may not be much of a stretch for some readers to believe a gruesome story that appears in a new memoir about growing up in, and leaving, the Satmar community.

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    The story, recounted by Deborah Feldman in “Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots” (Simon and Schuster), involves the alleged mutilation and murder of a boy by his own father — and the subsequent cover-up of the crime by Hatzolah, the community’s volunteer ambulance service.

    The only problem, however, is that based on information obtained by The Jewish Week, the seems not be true.

    Full story at The Jewish Week


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    160 Comments
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    AuthenticSatmar
    AuthenticSatmar
    12 years ago

    Most of her book contains made up stories. Her 20 min if fame are almost over.

    cholent
    cholent
    12 years ago

    This and the rest of the book is sensasional journalism – at best.
    And for this to she will have to do teshuva.
    Those who support her for coming out, should hope for her views and opinions not mud slinging lies and smear campaining. That is NOT feminism or progress. She has unfortunately undermined any credibility she might have had.
    Also, it seems that a lot of what she writes about has a sexual slant to it. Anyone else pick up on that?
    Vehaishiv lev avos al banim velev banim al avosam.

    ALTERG
    ALTERG
    12 years ago

    This lady is just an attantion seeker pls just ignore her, its a book full of lies, we sould file a claim in court against her if possible & put it in jail, she probebly has a misreble life

    proud-mo-israeli
    proud-mo-israeli
    12 years ago

    fascinating & a common story nowadays, unfortunately.

    amommy
    amommy
    12 years ago

    I read her book !! A low level book full of lies !!! I actually wrote a letter to the newpapers and TV shows promoting her book . What a disgrace

    PowerUp
    PowerUp
    12 years ago

    The whole book is a fabrication, full of distortion and lies.

    curious
    curious
    12 years ago

    This feldman is hoping for notariety but she is unfortunately just another wounded soul going after her heart’s desires. She is not an enlightened thinker. She is just a person that went after her desires.

    12 years ago

    The book needs to be renamed “The Untrue”. The abuse issues did exist and still do. Much has improved, and I am not about to read the junk spewed by this ingrate who rejected Yiddishkeit to convince me that the frum and Chassidishe lifestyles are less than moral. Sensationalism sells, and this goes for news media, magazines, as for books. It is not a surprise to anyone that this blasphemous author is in cahoots with the Jewish Week, another rag whose ideal is to baschmutz the frum community in every way possible, true or otherwise. We are again shocked at how low some people will stoop for publicity.

    yitzgood
    yitzgood
    12 years ago

    Somebody shouold find a way to SUE HER until she is poverty stricken

    My2Cents
    My2Cents
    12 years ago

    I read the book and dont think most of it is lies, I believe she may have been told this story by whoever, but that does not mean its true and I dont think she should have written something she didnt witness with her own eyes.
    For all you who bash her, the book mostly talks about her direct and extended family and not the community as a whole. Ive been around the extreme part of the chasidish community long enough to know that most of the stuff she wrote about is most likely true. If you dont believe me, read the book. There are extremists in every community and religion and no extremists do any good (you can use the new square fire story as an example).
    When you give someone a choice of all or nothing with no breathing room you end up with people like Deborah who want totally out and you can’t blame her for that.

    To comment #3, you say she probably has a miserable life, I say she probably had a miserable life and this is the result. I assume if I had to hang around someone like you all my life I would end up like her as well.

    SandraM
    SandraM
    12 years ago

    Frankly, this woman should be sued by Hatzolah, leaders of the Satmar community, etc.

    I am no fan of Satmar, but this borders on a serious blood libel. She should lose every penny she made with her book.

    Sue her. Sue her. Sue her.

    12 years ago

    I know her personally. I have not read the book but I do know that she had a difficult childhood. She is a very, very intelligent girl who ran away from home at an early age. Her father is mentally deficient and her mother is a very smart woman but was not accepted by the community in Williamsburg. She also left and looks much like her daughter today. I hope they both find their place. Lookig back,I would ave never thought that these things were going on with her at the time, because she was very adament about staying in Satmar and not going to college, which her mother wanted her to do all the years.

    MochinRechavim
    MochinRechavim
    12 years ago

    Torah says לא תטה משפט אבינךבריבו says it all. Today’s Aliyah (Chamishi) opens “You must not pervert the judgement of your destitute fellow in his dispute”
    May Hashem give her an opportunity to do teshuva and at least be Modern Orthodox.

    12 years ago

    I wonder what would happen to her if she would grew up in a orphan home or a shelter, instead of her grand father’s home.

    Babishka
    Member
    Babishka
    12 years ago

    Is this book published as fiction or non-fiction? If it is published as non-fiction, Simon & Shuster should sue the author for fraud and misrepresentation and demand return of the advance and all royalties.

    ShatzMatz
    ShatzMatz
    12 years ago

    I gotta say that I am impressed by this Feldman broad. If you listen to her you can see that she has successfuly transformed herself into a full-fledged shiksa. This is unusual, most of the time this girls turn out messed up unclassy uneducated tramps. She has even totally eradicated her satmar accent.

    What she writes in the book is mostly true. Her family is was quite messed up (I knew them). And you must admit that to the average outsider, a lot of what we do is weird as heck.

    We can all remember a case when a suspicious death takes place in our community and the rumors start flying. This is especially true when it comes to suicides. It is quite plausable that in this particular case one of the rumors was that the father killed his son. She never claimed that she saw the murder, just what she heard about the death at the time. Perhaps it is a fair reflection of the tremendous gossip that goes on in our community.

    For your information, her book is flying off the shelves and I’m going to guess that her royalties will reach into the high 5 figures. Be stirring up this controversy it is just giving her free publicity and the book will just sell better.

    Unasked_Question
    Unasked_Question
    12 years ago

    I can identify with her pain.
    Yes, growing up in our community leaves many ppl wounded mentally emotionally…

    However, I cannot identify with her making up stuff. “Some of the things” she said and wrote is so not true…

    I do not understand why she had to make up stuff.
    Undortunatly The truth is more then enough, no need to add.

    God help us!

    12 years ago

    G-d help us! She is only 24, true, but she should still be aware of the ramifications her slanderous tales will have, let alone the massive chilul Hashem she has created by denigrating the Torah and all of the Jewish people. Yes, all. The Jewish laws she ridicules are not Chassidic fanaticism as she would have the reader believe. They pertain to every Jew across the spectrum of Orthodox Jewry. She’s blinded and being swept away by the ritz and glitz of a superficial world and is too immature to absorb the enormity of her blunder. Intelligent, book smart, perhaps, but infantile nevertheless. What a tragedy!

    davida
    davida
    12 years ago

    Sounds like a bitter lonely women looking for attention
    go get some pills and everythink will be fine

    DavidCohen
    DavidCohen
    12 years ago

    Much of her anger and resentment is based on living among highly judgmental and critical people. She is deeply hurt by the constant scrutiny and judgmental behavior, the same judgmental behavior demonstrated by critics who slam the author and bash her writings without ever actually having read the book. Ironically, whether her stories were exaggerated or fabricated or not, the judgmental reactions seen here and elsewhere actually help make her case and prove her right.

    FirshtRadzivil
    FirshtRadzivil
    12 years ago

    She is a crazy girl that thinks the name Feldman will do her better then her maiden name ,she divorced 4 weeks ago she thinks her book will bring millions and she doesn’t want to share it with her EX husband

    sechelhayusher
    sechelhayusher
    12 years ago

    one thing for sure, how un-orthodox she sells herself to be, she still has the orthodox path in life, like bibels and bashmutzing others, and blaming the surrounding, by making up stpries, to cover her guilt of unproper action.
    a difficult childhood brings rebelious behavior. period. no matter what sect or what religion.
    think of it, and don’t get guilty concious n our yiddishe lifestyle by her story

    Extremewx
    Extremewx
    12 years ago

    To those advocating suing her, pray tell how you intend on doing that? I have a better case suing the yeshiva I went to than y’all would have against her. Unless she libeled a specific person by name, I doubt she can be sued by the chassidic community at large (and despite the many falsifications in her book, there is a lot that is true regarding the chassidic community)

    speakup
    speakup
    12 years ago

    I saw Ms. Feldman on “The View” this week being interviewed about her book. She came across as extremely credible, as sincere and not “out for attention.” She has a story to tell, and she told it, with grace and dignity. It is HER story. It is what SHE experienced. I was considerably impressed with her intelligence, eloquence, composure, courage and unassuming manner. She does NOT come across as angry, just very thoughtful and reflective. She knows that in stepping forward, she has put herself in the direct line of fire of many angry people. She realizes that there is an awful lot of hatred that is now being directed at her, as represented by many of the commenters above. Yet she bravely speaks her truth, even if it means exposing the underbelly of Chareidi society. And she does so despite the bullying and intimidation and outrageous threats. As far as the story in K.J. – I don’t know if it happened that way or not, but after the tragedy of little Leiby, a”h, I don’t doubt for a minute that this story (and all of its sordid details) COULD have occurred. Little Leiby, a”h, the little tzadik that he was, taught us a lot. Are we ready to learn his lessons?

    Lawrencemiami
    Lawrencemiami
    12 years ago

    Even if her personal stories have merit ,this dysfunctional pathetic woman has no right to slander an entire community with lies & deceit as well as ridiculous comments such as Chassidim do not wear seat belts.Her family possibly, however most human beings do.I have written a rebuttal on her blatant lies to the NY Times & have received positive response mostly from unaffiliated Jews .They all agree that you cannot condemn an entire community for the acts of a few misguided individuals.As I pointed out that the Satmar community is known for all the charitable work that they do as well as being a warm &welcoming; community,with a majority being business owners & besides being deeply religious understand life to the fullest including the finest & latest fashion for women as well as young & older couples vacationing in South Florida ,Palm Beach & the Catskill mountains.

    ISAAC11
    ISAAC11
    12 years ago

    I know her father personally, and yes he is learning disabled, but he is not the monster she writes about.

    Shaul in Monsey
    Shaul in Monsey
    12 years ago

    The story told by Deborah may be what she heard or is stupid enough to believe. But it is a lie. That she perpetuated it, and in the process threw salt on the open wounds of a grieving family, is something she will have to answer for whether she believes that or not.

    shredready
    shredready
    12 years ago

    I think people need to step back for a minute

    how many of the people who criticize her or support her read the book? How do you know for sure what people tell is in the book. , is in the book

    Sol-Sol
    Sol-Sol
    12 years ago

    Deborah.. You are more mentally troubled than you may think. I travel the Willi Streets and Cafe’s a few times a week and I confirm that are a dishonest lieing piece of work. But I have a question for you.. If you felt that the ultra Chasidisha Wlmsbg lifestyle is not for you, why didn’t you pack your bags and move to Bp Flatbush, 5 towns, Teaneck Monsey etc etc.????? Just like Lipa Shmeltzer did. He moved from New Square (doesn’t get more extreme than that) to Monsey only 3 or 4 miles down the road and he’s leading a very nice Yiddisha life and almost finished building a nice shul (which he couldn NEVER build in New Square.. lol) besides for lots of chesed and Mitzvos that he does as well. Why did you feel there was no middle way between extreme Willi and eating crab cakes and pork!! I just don’t get it!! Its obvious that you had a rough upbringing and hard life (and btw YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE!!) Looking forward for your reply!

    Sol-Sol
    Sol-Sol
    12 years ago

    Its sad to see what a person has to do to get some attention. I watched The View interview. Its disgusting to see how they made fun of how a Yiddisha Kalleh goes covered under the Chuppa or Huppa as our cool Deborah would call it. They should only try to make fun of a Moslim lady’s head/face cover!! All hell would break loose!! But once again Jewish blood is cheap!!

    speakup
    speakup
    12 years ago

    (Reply to #39 ): Sorry, but I don’t see it that way. You can coach someone from here to tomorrow, but the sincerity, openness, and self-respect demonstrated by Deborah Feldman in that interview were quite remarkable. And if you are able to watch it, you just might be charmed and bowled over by her edelkeit – yes, edelkeit! – as the hosts and many viewers clearly were. I do not believe, after watching her, that she came forward to berate the community. She simply shared her story – frankly and honestly – which is all any one of us can do. Our stories, our lives, our truths yearn for expression, for validation. And in the process of publishing HER REALITY, she has unveiled some UGLY realities about our community. Do you think, Rachel W., that we are above criticism? That there are not others like her, both men and women, who are similarly trapped and scared to deviate in any direction for fear of judgments like yours and other commenters? One of Feldman’s main gripes was the pitiful lack of secular education she was afforded as a child. You have only to look at the poverty endured by generations of Charedim in Eretz Yisrael and in Chutz La’aretz to understand the cruel ramifications of depriving children of the ability to read, to write, and of the skills to interact competently and confidently in business and industry. If Feldman’s memoir serves to highlight this injustice endured by innocent children, she will be doing the Chareidi world a huge favor. Sue her?!? We should thank her!!

    Queenbee
    Queenbee
    12 years ago

    I also left Williamsburg behind to find a different path in yiddishkeit. But I must say that she has blown everything way out of proportion.
    There are things she writes that have some truth in it but it is way over the top exaggerated and totally blown out of proportion.
    For example: The extreme focus on women’s tznius is an issue and it’s true but her examples she brings to prove it, are not.
    It is NOT true that women don’t eat out.
    It is NOT true that women have a curfew
    It is NOT true that girls graduate at a 4’th grade level
    It is NOT true whatever she said about our intimate lives, but actually the opposite is, we are commanded to have pleasure as commanded by the mitzvah of Onah.

    Many of the things she writes are not exclusive to Chassidim but to all sects, like Taharas Hamishpacha.

    She had a very hard childhood and is in a lot of pain. I don’t blame her for leaving.
    But I am upset why she had to drag an entire community through the mud, especially with her distorted facts and some very untrue slanderous comments.

    Benjey
    Benjey
    12 years ago

    what a shame in that one picture of her and her husband when she was frum she looks much more happier then she looks now. one day she will so regret what she did

    12 years ago

    On amazon the book is currently listed as number 6 of the most sold books out of the 10 million books amazon sells. In short, she is a millionaire many times over and has already sold several million copies of her book. Watch for her next book.

    vinmaven
    vinmaven
    12 years ago

    Kudos to Hella Winston for uncovering the truth. If Ms. Feldman (isn’t it curious that she chooses to use her ex’s last name?) lied about this story, one must question all the other stories in her book. As the old saying goes “the truth always wins” and if there are other untruths such as this one in her book, they will be exposed as well. I just hope that the revelation of truths will get as much airtime as the untruths she has put forth.

    CHUCEM
    CHUCEM
    12 years ago

    I think kim kardashian should sue her for the comparison she made

    12 years ago

    A murky death here to say the least. Many of us are not convinced that this was a suicide.

    12 years ago

    She is just a pathetic desperate rebel trying to revenge a community that didn’t do much to help her but instead is smearing all of Orthodox Jewry with lies and hoaxes that she naively bought back in the days when a huppa was still a chuppah… Yet one question remains unanswered, if her problem was the ultra extremists, then why didn’t she just become a mainstream or modern orthodox? Why does she need a Christian boyfriend from Texas? The answer is simple, she is still in that ultra satmar narrow mindset, and is just desperately trying to kill her haunting guilt feelings. One self destructive psychopath poor soul.

    reder
    reder
    12 years ago

    There is nothing wrong with Deborah writing an autobiography, but she has discredited herself with some of these fallacious stories she repeats – ones like this one, which can be so easily discounted.
    She is definitely intelligent, as per her interview. Her unfortunate childhood experience, though, colored her relationship with Hashem and Yiddishkeit, and since she grew up with a grandmother who is of an older generation she missed out on the close mother-daughter ties enjoyed by other girls her age.
    Deborah knows well that an arranged marriage does not mean a forced one. It’s just one in which the parents pre-approve. In the “goyishe” world Match.com e.g. plays the modern role of shadchan.
    How many Chasidishe girls are achieving – with accolades – degrees in Special Ed, PT, OT, and social work, nursing, etc?
    Just this week Oprah followed the lives of a Chasidish family and celebrated their commitment to their values.
    Based on our own personal life stories, we each take out of them either the beauty and sanctity of the Yiddidshe Derech or, c”v the exact reverse.
    I wish her well and hope she finds inner peace.
    It is just sad that she portrays us all as Deborah Feldman!

    Unasked_Question
    Unasked_Question
    12 years ago

    I can identify with her pain.
    Yes, growing up in our community leaves many ppl wounded mentally emotionally…

    However, I cannot identify with her making up stuff. “Some of the things” she said and wrote is so not true…

    I do not understand why she had to make up stuff.
    Undortunatly The truth is more then enough, no need to add.

    God help us!

    MaidofCH
    MaidofCH
    12 years ago

    I read the article about her in both the NY POST & JEWISH WEEK. She comes across as deeply and pathetically confused. I haven’t read her book, but if it’s anything like HUSH, I am guessing it’ll be another misfit pushing a feminist agenda.

    Many years ago, I met another drop-out from Satmar. Very sad, dumpy girl — stunted, dull-witted & mediocre. By the way she walked around in baggy pants, I sensed she had problems with femininity. Seeing a photo of her on a motorcyle confirmed my belief: she was basically a kid who never got the attention she needed & just wanted to have fun.

    Likewise, I thought this Feldman looked equally ridiculous in her party dress, tznius aside. She just looked like a Jewish girl desperately trying to be “cool” yet not fitting in either world.

    A number of drop-out types I met were equally stunted or weird. Which leaves me to believe that a good percentage have social or psychiatric issues. This Feldman apparently does — she got a raw deal as far as family. In that respect I would credit her book for bringing to light the treatment of mental illness in these communities. How sad these people aren’t getting the help they need

    missyid
    missyid
    12 years ago

    After reading 83 comments, not one of you has noticed a crucial point. While VIN is the one who calls her story “fabricated” based on the story in the Jewish week, the Jewish week itself does not say anywhere that she made up any story. She was given certain information by her husband followed by the “calculation” that it was covered up. The Jewish week found out a man did in fact die in KJ at the time and was killed by a circular saw – so that part is corroborated. But the Medical examiner determined it was suicide. Well maybe it was, or maybe that is in fact part of the cover up that her husband mentioned to her. I do not know the real story but I can tell you that Debra did not fabricate anything as that was the information she was given. In addition, as a nurse who minored in psychology I know that any expert on suicide will tell you how majorly unusual and terribly uncommon it would be for someone to commit suicide with a jig saw. I would more readily believe someone out of anger and passion used such a device for murder, not someone in despair for suicide. I would not dismiss cover up so readily.

    12 years ago

    As you all said well, She nebach had a hard and painful upbringing (I don’t wish that for none of us) But this is not the answer or revenge, Now don’t get me wrong there are a lot of crazy extremist out there ruining people’s lives But to write a book against a beautiful community with lies and most other stories blown out of proportion is no good at all, And unfortunately at the end it will back fire at her , And most of all it will be the satmar guys that will bail her out!

    12 years ago

    As you all said well, She nebach had a hard and painful upbringing (I don’t wish that for none of us) But this is not the answer or revenge, Now don’t get me wrong there are a lot of crazy extremist out there ruining people’s lives But to write a book against a beautiful community with lies and most other stories blown out of proportion is no good at all, And unfortunately at the end it will back fire at her , And most of all it will be the satmar guys that will bail her out!

    BuckyinWisconsin
    BuckyinWisconsin
    12 years ago

    Okay, I just read the NY Post article. The gist of it seems to be pretty credible. These practices to outsiders do seem very bizarre, but nothing she described seemed particularly out of the ordinary. I ask you to compare the Oprah interview, which touched on almost the exact same subjects, and how stable and emotionally healthy women fielded those exact same issues. They made these exact same practices seem beautiful. Now, the difference is that these were Chabad ladies, I am sure carefully picked to represent the Chassishe community. But, we all know that Lubavitch are very unusual as Chassidim regarding their knowledge and ability to function in the outside world. And the seat belt isseu, true. We have Chassidim here who have married their first cousins, going to another state as it was illegal to do so in Wisconsin. I know that many women in the (non lubavitch Chasid) community do not drive, the whole package. With that said, the girls school that is under Chasidishe/Bes Yaakov auspices (strange but true) educated their girls tremendously in both limudie kodesh and chol. So, the issue is, you have an angry resentful person spinning normative Jewish practices negative

    SpecialMom
    SpecialMom
    12 years ago

    While I haven’t read all the comments above, I wish to add my personal observations to this ever-growing scandal.
    I’ve known Sara’la Berkowitz since she was a young child. She used to be my daughter’s classmate, before she switched into Satmar school. I would like to refute some of the ‘facts’ she claims to be true. Sara’la got lots of help, both psychologically and otherwise in Satmar school. Her aunt was/is the principal there and took her under her wing. Sara’la was given plenty of moments and hours to shine and shine she did. In addition, her grandparents raised a large family of children, none of whom you can accuse of being extremists or fanatic, so she certainly was surrounded by family members who didn’t push an agenda of radicalism.
    To say that it is ‘her pain of the past’ that has pushed her to write this book, is poppycock. It is more likely her confusion of the present that has given her this bold chutzpah. Writing such a book is not a knee-jerk reaction to pain; it is a pre-meditated move to slander an entire community who has done nothing to wrong her, but tried everything to make her happy. Not all attempts end with happy results. Unfortunately, hers didn’t. That doe

    SpecialMom
    SpecialMom
    12 years ago

    doesn’t justify her coming out against a wonderful community, shortcomings and all, and reducing it to the lowest of low. A difficult childhood should not, and can not be an excuse for any and all abhorrent behavior.
    Oh, and by the way, I attended Satmar Girls School. I’ve been raised in Williamsburg and still live here with my beautiful family. I never continued academic growth past my high school education, but I am a writer and I have founded a school. I can continue listing accomplishments that I have achieved both on a personal level and on a communal level, but I am not here to sing my praises. I just want to point out that bashing Wmsbg. as a whole, for being a community seeped in ignorance, is one of the most ignorant things I can think of.
    Sara’la Berkowitz/Feldman had better think of some ‘good’ answers that she will have to provide when she meets with her Maker.

    12 years ago

    What Deborah Feldman doesn’t understand is, that the bigger the chilul hashem is the bigger the kiddush hashem and the Jewish revenge will be! There is no doubt that hashem will not let his nation get stepped on like fertilize and he will let the word know who he is, its not a different if her comments is right or wrong true or false it was directly against hashem, this attack wasn’t on Satmar or Chasidim this was an attack on hashems torah and all jewish people including her self. It will come a day she will regret her actions sooner or later but it will come!! Hashem is patient and with his 13 traits of mercy he is waiting maybe she is going to do teshuvah (tshuvah dosnt mean wearing a shpitzel) Lets hope and pray she should wake up b4 time is up b4 the charon af will come, and start a new page forget the past and become a model lesson of a daughter of hashem I can’t wait to see her giving shiurim about Judaism and teaching the wold what the purpose of this world it will be such a Kiddush hashem !!!!!!!
    TO YOU DEBORAH !!! hashems 13 traits of mercy is for every jew in every matzav, he is willing to take back each and every jew no different where they are up to,

    12 years ago

    CONT. now you have the opportunity to get closer to him even more then the righteous person in the world and with your powerfull soul you could break the skys! You should know there is a big jewish orthodox wold out there with open hearts, warm souls ready to help you!!!! Waiting for you! just tell them that you are ready !!!!!!
    LETS ALL BE ZOCHE TO “HAREINU HASHEM CHASDECHU”

    missyid
    missyid
    12 years ago

    The point being….you don’t put things in a book based on “suspicion”…or slander

    It was not suspicion or slander to her. To her it was a gruesome story that she believed because she is from an insular world. Women are raised to believe the words that come out of your fellow Jew’s mouth especially if that person is a father or husband (as it was in this case). If you find any girl in Meah Shearim, New Square, KJ and tell them that the sun revolves around earth they would probably believe it (unless they are actually getting a proper education). This is a very insular environment. She was not stupid. She was naive and uneducated. In terms of the rest of your rant … that has nothing to do with this specific article. You are generalizing about how you feel about her and her actions via her book. I am only commenting on this one article and one story. Her life story is her own and it is her perception. She is not looking for your support. She is releasing what is eating her up.