Entering America’s Most Religious Community

As someone who grew up Jewish in Arizona, I’ve always been fascinated by the Hasidic Jews of Brooklyn, New York. They are widely considered to be America’s most religious and closed-off community, even more than the Amish of Pennsylvania. In this 47-minute documentary, I embark on a journey to uncover the secrets of the Hasidics behind closed doors, and discover what makes their lifestyles so incredibly unique.

Guided in the beginning by my friend Abby Stein, a former Hasidic rabbi who is now a transgender author, I gain a fascinating insight into Hasidic life and customs from her perspective - both the good and the bad.

In our climax scene, I meet with @ShloimeZionce, a fellow traveler and YouTuber, who opens the doors to his home so I could document a traditional Shabbat dinner with his family. With the permission of a rabbi, we capture the essence of this essential weekly ritual and the warmth and hospitality of the Hasidic people. You can follow Shloime's adventures on his channel:

/ shloimezionce

This story is really fascinating and I'm really proud of how it came out. From the traditional clothing, music, and food to the strict gender roles and controversies surrounding the community, this documentary dives deep into every aspect of Hasidic life with a balanced portrayal of the good and the bad.