Gothamist: Orthodox Jews Outraged at Changes to Kosher Gym

NannyState

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:26:11 -0500

I recognize that guy. We threw him out of Minyan's Gym because he grunted loudly in the abductor machine and stared intently at our largely Lubavitcher clientele.

bsjunk

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:58:07 -0500

HAHA. Time to assimilate.

ANGRYGOD11

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:46:55 -0500

Leave Pippin Longstockenstein alone!

abzme

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:43:42 -0500

What I find most unsettling is that picture. Give that man his own gym for goodness sake!

iceberg

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:02:47 -0500

Here is the twist; the word "Kosher" in Hebrew when pronounced Kau'sher means "exercise". When pronounced "Kah-sher" in Hebrew, it means something which is Halachically fit for consumption or use-- in English, the spelling follows the Ashkenaz pronunciation, thus "Ko'sher". Thus the "Kosher Gym" is a clever double entendre.

CR

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:47:59 -0500

#13 - In what way is it changing? Because when I visit after having lived there for a couple of years I see very few changes.

UnrepentantFenian

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:42:20 -0500

@CR: I was referring to Flatbush, where the gym is located. Lighten up, Francis.

bktv

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:41:03 -0500

They can be working out just to be healthy, not because they are "concerned with their appearance." I live in Williamsburg and I see Orthodox at my gym; the Met Pool on Bedford has special women-only hours to accommodate them. According to the Jewish Press story, this gym had separate facilities for men and women, and the new owners plan to continue that practice. Sounds like what people are most pissed about is the newly enforced billing practices, and really, who doesn't feel kind of ripped off by their gym?

CR

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:33:06 -0500

#10 - "The neighborhood is changing." - Uh, which neighborhood? Boro Park? Midwood? Flatbush? Crown Heights? And the Jews are mass exodusing to where exactly in this wonderful housing market? The neighborhoods out there are not changing that much.

UnrepentantFenian

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:17:09 -0500

It would never occur to me that the hasidim would be concerned with their appearance. The neighborhood is changing. I don't think that there is enough of a demand left. I can't imagine a business would work that hard to alienate the jews if they were a good customer base to serve. Of course the new chain could just be a bunch of rubes in Nebraska who don't understand the neighborhood. SP is right, this is how capitalism works - if demand is there someone will enter the breach to be the supplier.

eyekantspel

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:31:58 -0500

Given that the name of the place is Kosher Gym, it seems reasonable for members to expect the gym would adhere to practices in keeping with their restricted lifestyle. I expect they should have the unused portion of their membership fees returned. Seems like a pretty dumb move on the part of the new owners to estrange themselves from their customer base.

handsomedevil

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:24:40 -0500

Exactly, just start a new gym. Bonus points if the name can have an Exodus theme.

SP

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:13:20 -0500

Ed, who do you mean by "they?" The owners or the patrons? Seems to me like the owners don't give a fuck, they just want their $2mm. The patrons have a right to be unhappy about it, but them's the breaks. If there is a market for kosher gyms, someone will fill the void.

CR

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:05:41 -0500

Separate workout times for men and women.

edEx

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:04:56 -0500

I guess I can be considered secular, and no, I respect their practices, but if they want a kosher gym then why did they allow it to be purchased by non orthodox Jews?

Kojak

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:03:24 -0500

Exactly how do you make a Gym Kosher?

famdoc

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:56:24 -0500

Oy vey is mir.

CR

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:50:22 -0500

Identify with them in what way?

thenamesdave

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:47:20 -0500

Do any secular Jews out there identify with these people? Just curious.