Mystics, Mavericks, and Merrymakers: An Intimate Journey among Hasidic Girls

270 Pages·2004·1.51 MB·English

by  Stephanie Levine

Mystics,Mavericks,and Merrymakers

STEPHANIE WELLEN LEVINE
MYSTICS, MAVERICKS,
AND MERRYMAKERS
An Intimate Journey among Hasidic Girls
Foreword by Carol Gilligan
a
New York University Press • New York and London
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS
New York and London
www.nyupress.org
© 2003 by Stephanie Wellen Levine
All rights reserved
First published in paperback in 2004.
Please note that all names and many details
have been changed to protect confidentiality.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Levine, Stephanie Wellen.
Mystics, mavericks, and merrymakers :
an intimate journey among hasidic girls / Stephanie Wellen Levine.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0–8147–5192–X (cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN 0–8147–5197–0 (paper : alk. paper)
1. Teenage girls—New York (State)—New York—Religious life.
2. Jewish teenagers—New York (State)—New York—Religious life.
3. Habad—New York (State)—New York—Religious life.
4. Crown Heights—(New York, N.Y.)—Religious life.
5. Teenage girls—New York (State)—New York—Social life and customs.
6. Jewish teenagers—New York (State)—New York—Social life and customs.
7. Habad—New York (State)—New York—Social life and customs.
8. Crown Heights—(New York, N.Y.)—Social life and customs. I. Title.
HQ798.L49 2003
305.235'2'09747—dc22 2003014983
New York University Press books are printed on acid-free paper,
and their binding materials are chosen for strength and durability.
Manufactured in the United States of America
c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
p 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For my parents
and in memory of my grandparents

Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Foreword by Carol Gilligan xi
Introduction: What I Sought, What I Found 1
1 The Community: ACultural and Psychological Tour 27
2 The Cast 67
3 Esther (Estie) Gutman: Wild Times and Holy Designs 73
4 Rochel Lehrer: Evolving, Not Rebelling 87
5 Nechama Dina (Dini) Rockoff: Chutzpah and Holiness 107
6 Chaya Jacobson: Strip Clubs and Soul-Searching 124
7 Gittel Kassin: Medicine and Marriage 139
8 Malka (Malkie) Belfer: Miniskirts and the Messiah 158
9 Leah Ratner: Mystic and Maverick 175
10 Into the Future: Adulthood and Insights from the Hasidim 191
Notes 231
Selected Bibliography 235
Index 241
About the Author 255
vii

Acknowledgments
I am deeply grateful to many people who have nurtured and guided me
throughout this project. My parents, Carol and Arthur Levine, offered
emotional support during this book’s countless challenges. I could
never sufficiently thank them for everything they have done. When
thorny issues arose, I counted on Sheila Tarabour’s expertise. My
cousin Louise Guy is the best listener around. And my brother, Larry—
my first pal—has championed this project from the beginning.
This book never would have materialized without the support of
my graduate school advisers. Carol Gilligan’s interviewing technique
strongly influenced my own methods; I owe much of my project’s suc-
cess to her example. Her suggestions and encouragement have pro-
foundly enriched my work. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s rigorous, insight-
ful input has led me to crucial improvements, and I deeply appreciate
her encouragement as well.
Jennifer Hammer has been a superb editor: enthusiastic, thorough,
patient, and always friendly. Her support and insights have been in-
valuable. Special thanks to Heather McMaster, Melissa Scheld, and De-
spina Gimbel for their hard work.
Several other people read parts of this manuscript or offered criti-
cal advice, including Elena Paolini (who helped me in countless ways
as I worked on this project), Sherrie Inness, Lis Harris, Emily Levine
(the book’s subtitle reflects her wise advice), Sharon Lamb, Meryl Ze-
garek, Susan Zeckendorf, Bill Madden, Rabbi Shmuel Posner, and Sam
Brown. Sherrie deserves particular mention; she read nearly every
chapter of this manuscript with a careful, discerning eye. Though they
hadn’t yet read the book, my incredible students at Tufts showed gen-
uine enthusiasm for this project.
ix