History of the City of New York - Field Trip 21.5

Williamsburg

I went on the Williamsburg trip on Wednesday the 11th and took these pictures with my digital camera. Williamsburg is predominantly settled by Hasidic Jews of the Satmar sect. Their presence is felt heavily in almost every aspect of life in the community. We saw a volunteer ambulance from Hatzolah, literally "rescue," manned 24-7 by members of the community, even on Shabbat (the Sabbath).

We also saw the house of the former Rabbi (he died I think last year). It's a big controversy because he had no sons and his wife wanted to nominate the next Rabbi. They built a new house across the street for the new Rabbi (I don't remember if it's the one she picked or not), slightly taller to show he was more powerful than the old. The old Rabbi's house is now a kollel, a place where men sit and learn the Torah, the talmud, and the commentaries.

The old Rabbi's house
The Satmar community also has their own schools. A yeshivah (religious school) bus is used to bus all the yeshivah boys to class.

We stopped near Sander's bakery, which is across from an apartment with a balcony. Many of the buildings here have balconies which are necessary for Succot, the Feast of Tabernacles, in which Jews eat in booths outside for seven days. The sukkah (booth) must have a clear view of the sky, so the balconies on different floors are usually staggered.

by Deborah Grossman and David Sanders
Photos by Deborah Grossman

A yeshivah school bus		Our guide (he's the one in the cap)		Sander's Bakery and the balconied building

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