Longmeadow, MA – It’s easy to spot Rabbi Shmuel Simenowitz at a Jewish food conference, an environmentalist gathering or any of the other progressive-minded confabs he frequents.
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Just look for the Chasid in the room.
Simenowitz is an anomaly: a haredi Orthodox Jew, black hat and all, who is equally at home — and equally uneasy — in a roomful of dreadlocked 20-something eco-hipsters as at a Chasidic celebration. He takes flak from the Orthodox for “wasting time” with the foodies and is chided by progressive activists for his commitment to ritual observance.
“I see myself as a post-denominational Torah Jew with Chasidic sensibilities,” he tells JTA, with more than a trace of self-mockery. “I’m an equal-opportunity offender.”
More seriously, he says, not only is there no contradiction between living a Torah-true life and reducing one’s carbon footprint, the two are intertwined.
“I grow my own food, I grow organically, I am a good steward of the earth,” he says. “That’s Torah. I’m a Torah Jew, and my world values are seamlessly integrated into that.”
RABBI STEVE!! how are you ?!?! Shabbos at your vermont place 10 years was and still is one of the most memorable ones in my life!! I miss the big dogs, wood chopping, pancakes! shooting in the woods… how does one get a hold of you ?
“Post – denominational,” is that like Obama’s “post-racial?” Because if it is, we see how that’s turning out.
Touring a maple farm is a nice chol hamoed activity. Even better if you can sample the maple syrup afterward, if it is kosher!!! Does this Rabbi/Farmer do tours?
People forget that the vast majority of Jews were farmers for centuries until the destruction of the first Bais Hamikdosh. Once Jews were exiled to foreign lands and forbidden to own land, they turned to business and the professions to earn their bread