Hasidic Backlash Grows Over Virus Rules

In the wake of Trump’s influence, there’s a mounting backlash within the Hasidic community against virus regulations.

A rowdy group of young men, part of the Orthodox Jewish faction, converged on the Brooklyn residence of Jacob Kornbluh, a Hasidic journalist, just before midnight on Sunday.

Their chants branded Kornbluh as a traitor, accusing him of exposing their community’s noncompliance with COVID guidelines through his reports.

Their tumultuous presence reached Kornbluh’s doorstep, where a line of police officers stood guard.

This tense encounter highlights a growing dissent among young Orthodox men, fatigued by pandemic protocols and harboring resentment towards secular authorities, influenced by the broader right-wing discourse, including Trump’s rhetoric.

Misinformation and rumors, some echoing Trump’s stance, have proliferated among ultra-Orthodox New Yorkers through platforms like WhatsApp, according to interviews with community leaders.

The recent shutdown in Orthodox neighborhoods by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has further fueled discontent. The restrictions, including closures of nonessential businesses and schools, and limits on worship attendance, were imposed due to rising COVID cases in these areas.

While Cuomo cited public health concerns, some Orthodox voices see it as targeting their religious practices.

The Orthodox Jewish community in New York, comprising Hasidic and other ultra-Orthodox groups, has a conservative leaning, with strong support for Trump evident in past elections.

However, the pandemic has also emboldened extremist elements, complicating efforts to control the virus and alarming normally vocal Hasidic activists.

“There’s a distrust in media and government, and people fail to fact-check,” says Kornbluh. “Since Trump’s emergence, there’s been heightened political engagement and a propagation of conspiracy theories.”

After initial devastation from the virus, some residents believed in herd immunity, disregarding safety measures—a belief unsupported by health officials and contributing to a recent surge in cases.

Protests erupted in Borough Park following the governor’s restrictions, led by Heshy Tischler, a local radio host and Trump supporter, who gained prominence for defending the Hasidic community.

The insular nature of ultra-Orthodox communities complicates public discourse on issues like education and public health, with few willing to speak out.

Kornbluh, who has been documenting the community’s noncompliance with COVID measures, faced violence during protests, reflecting the community’s polarization.

Tischler’s arrest following the attacks underscores the tension over governmental intrusion into religious life amid the pandemic.

While local leaders have condemned the violence, Tischler’s actions have found some support, highlighting divisions within the community.

Tischler’s confrontational tactics, although garnering attention, often carry underlying threats and have been criticized for their racist undertones.

The criminal charges against him stem from his actions during the protests, which resulted in attacks on several individuals, including Kornbluh.

The turmoil reflects a broader debate within ultra-Orthodox New York on the balance between religious freedom and public health measures.