Music Doesn't Make The People Come Together

From the NY Post comes another story about youth culture versus religion in the Hasidic community in Williamsburg, but oddly enough, the word "hipster" doesn't appear explictly in the story. The conservative Satmar Jews oppose a music store that opened on Lee Avenue, mainly because its Hebrew name, GalPaz, is offensive.

"It's an Israeli word," said one young person, outside the store called GalPaz. "And we don't believe in [Israel]."
The Satmars, who speak Yiddish, don't believe a Jewish state can be formed until the Messiah comes.

The other concern is that the store will be a magnet for the dregs of society. You know, the people who like music.

Gothamist on the Hasids vs. hipsters (1, 2) and what hip is in B-Burg. Plus, our PSA for hipsters and proof the MTA hates them. And for more info on gentrification in Brooklyn to make your eyes bleed, Curbed's Brooklyn section.

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By Jen Chung in News on September 23, 2004 8:13 AM

Comments [rss]

NY'er

Now, they're not being very neighborly are they!

Jen W

You could also link to Chaim Potok's The Chosen--one of my favorite YA books. It takes place in Williamsburg in the 1940s and explores the friendship, the father/son relationships, and the cultural differences between a Hasidic boy and an Orthodox boy. Lots of good description of the old Williamsburg and an excellent exposition of the origins of Hasidism.