Black Woman Reveals Why She Joined Hasidic Jewish Sect

Sara Braun is in the unusual situation of being both black and ultra orthodox Jewish. How did this come about? Who in her family was Jewish? And how does she fit her extravagant, curious and outlandish personality with the insular, secretive and traditional sect?

Andrew Links:

#thatblackhasidiclady
#judaism #yiddish

Frieda's words: In this long-form conversation, I talk to Sara about her life journey, from secular Holland to NYC, where she became deeply involved in religious life. She was drawn to the insular Hasidic sects like Satmar, became close friends with families in Kiryas Joel, and her wedding was attended by, among others dignitaries, the Satmar Grand Rabbi's wife Sosha Teitelbaum. Sara was extremely forthcoming in sharing what drew her to the community, the challenges and joys, and how her family reacted to her journey.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:00 How Sara is Jewish
15:00 Would you like to hug a man hello
18:00 What Sara's Husband Said About Her Wig (Sheitel)
21:00 Kanye West: Black vs Jewish
25:00 What it's like being black in Hasidic Jewish community
28:00 Sara's view on the strict rules
31:00 Competing for MODESTY!
35:00 Sara's matchmaking experiences
40:00 Submissive Women & Hasidic Weddings
43:00 Problems with the community
45:00 Is gay ok? Controversial
47:00 Unexpected views on Israel

Filmed in the brilliant PRL Studios.

[AndrewGold]

Have you been watching my recent videos about Hasidism? Hope you enjoy this one!

[christines]

I am so disappointed to hear that most of the criticism has come from other black people, especially as a black person myself. I just dont why people cant just allow someone to live their life and be happy that they are living it in the way that gives them most fulfilment.

[edwinpillay]

As a South African of Indian indentured communities I was brought up in the apartheid system, I being dark skinned was even discriminated by my own family and my community! I got very political and started to hang out with anyone who was friendly, African, Irishman, even Afrikaners and the Jewish community for the most part who was against the apartheid system, it was a mind blowing experience, now I look at people individually and respected their position and became a Born again Animist. Respect to me is Truly a key to Freedom.

[ElizaYYah]

Great interview. I am black and a Christian. I really appreciate your story and journey. I found it really enlightening, we should each try to learn more about each other, religious and non religious.

[christines]

Lovely refreshing conversation. Sara is embracing her life head on, and has such an interesting story.

[WhosaidIrene]

Amazing interview. Sara Braun is a treasure and I’m grateful to her for sharing her experience 🙏🏼

[pammy]

I was fascinated by this interview. As a Black woman, I applaud her for finding and embracing what felt right to her, regardless of what others thought about it. But I note, that based on much of what I have seen, she may not have felt the pressure to fully conform because she was not doing things to please her family, but rather to please herself. The stories I have heard about abuse, and the feeling of helplessness that those who are born into the community suffer when they try to get out, or try to break with convention, create a very different picture. My sense of it is that this woman is strong, independent, confident and self-assured, precisely because she was not raised in that community. She speaks of reigning back and controlling an energy, passion, talent, form of expression to meet the demands of her faith. It is a very different thing to not have those characteristics because your religion stopped you from developing them in the first place. I don't personally know enough Hassidic women to be an expert, but I doubt many are trained to sing opera and choose to hold it back. This woman still has the gift and joy of music within her. That strikes me as very different. I sense that she derives joy from BOTH her Black and Jewish traditions, and that exudes from her. I wish her and her family well.

[tomaseire]

What’s the issue with all the criticism. Her grandmother was Jewish, she wasn’t raised to be observant and now she practices her faith in Hasidim Judaism.

[erica_d]

Sara is a beautiful representation of the Jewish people. Great interview! ❤

[marymorgan]

Thanks to you and Sara for such a fascinating discussion. I feel calling your videos interviews diminishes them because they truly are more like a conversation where we get to learn a little about the different ways we express our humanity, rather than something with a set list of questions to get through. Learning about other beliefs and cultures I believe teaches tolerance and an understanding that there are many ways of living a good life not just the one our own upbringing has taught us.

[taureanbelle]

I was captivated from the start of the conversation between Sara and Andrew. What a beautiful place to nestle in when you seek what fulfills your mind, body, heart and soul and feel you are either on the right track or have arrived 💕

[hanagloriaedelblum]

My husband was a driver for Shlomo Carlbach. Once a big black truck driver with swinging peyot and a kippa stopped on the road and ran toward the car. Shlomo got out and they embraced. Shlomo explained later he had been mugged by this young man some years back. Shlomo had no money on him so he asked the mugger to let him go and he would bring 100$ to that place on the morrow. Shlomo did. That made such an impression on this big strapping guy, who had come from who-knows-what brokenness, that he started following Carlbach and eventually made orthodox conversion.

[judithbogner]

Yes, I definitely like the face to face interviews! I like the way that you connected with Sara on certain levels. Mainly, the way that you are both willing to accept change. 🥰

[elizap.]

Sara seems like a wonderful person, very strong and confident. It's really pleasure listening to your discussion with her.

[recorderforeveryone]

I enjoyed this immensely. Sara cannot be compared to the children growing up in this community and don't know how to say no to an arranged marriage. She is a remarkable woman who knows how to think and reason. Most 18 year olds probably feel compelled to go along with the arranged marriages.

[ChienaAvtzon]

Sara seems like such a lovely woman. I love how she casually throws in Yiddish slang. The Hasidic community (Chabad-Lubavitch) I am from does not allow women to shave their heads, due to how dehumanizing it is. Married women just wear the sheitel. Everyone assumes my hair is a wig, because of how beautiful it is. There are quite a few Black Jewish families where I live, and they are all wonderful people.

[belindabeurrier]

Andrew, I love your questions and the fact that you are so respectful of your guests. Sara, you are awesome !

[as_creates]

Loved this interview! Thank you for the different perspectives in your Hasidic series. Well done, Andrew!👏🏻👏🏻

[happydillpickle]

Hey Andrew,
It's good to hear a positive side. You are so good at empathising with the people you interview, regardless of their perspective. I like how you don't bring judgement into it, no matter the content, no matter their experiences. Just empathy and understanding.

[kathyevans]

What a great interview this was with Sarah who is such an intelligent, interesting lady! I like how you have opened my eyes and mind to other religions or topics I don’t know much about, was interested in finding more out about, or thought I knew about but not enough!