My Cousin Jonathan Blog

Although Hella Winston's book has been on the market for quite a few months I just got around to reading it now. And of course, I feel the need to offer my opinion of it.
The description of the Hasidic community in this book so closely matches everything that Jonathan ever said to me about the community. In many ways, the story of "Yossi" - the Hasid trying to get out - and Jonathan - the Hasid trying to get in - are parallel. I saw so many similarities between these to characters. From personality traits to situations they found themselves in. But most striking is the way in which they describe the community.

I only hope Jonathan knows this book has been written. H would appreciate it so much. In agreement with Hella Winston, he strongly felt that the tactics used by the Hasidim to keep their community insular have lead to problems within the community. I often thought Jonathan was paranoid. He would describe to me how people would watch his every move. He feared that they being caught doing the "wrong thing" would hurt his chances for a Shidduch. The "wrong thing" often consisted of being seen with me. The time he broke his leg and I came to Boro Park to bring him to the doctor he asked me to pick him up on the outskirts of town. He hobbled to some corner so that no one would see us. Turns out, they were looking. I had no idea.

By the time I helped him move he was a little less concerned with prying eyes. I was pregnant and come to help him after work. I was sooooo hungry. We went together to a kosher hamburger joint in Boro Park. I took my hat off only for a moment to adjust it. Later he told me that everyone was staring at us. I thought he was crazy. Why would anyone care? Oh, but they do. Turns out, he was right.

I'm so happy this book was written. It almost feels as if my story was put into a book, and Jonathan's viewpoint gets to be heard. Thank you Hella.