Unrest in the Orthodox Community: Pandemic Dissent and Political Polarization
Amidst the fervor of pandemic dissent, a gathering storm brews within the Orthodox Jewish community, drawing inspiration from the divisive rhetoric of Trump and fueled by resentment towards imposed health regulations.
Under the cloak of night, a cohort of youthful Orthodox men descended upon the residence of Jacob Kornbluh, a Hasidic journalist, their voices echoing accusations of betrayal and treachery. They labeled Kornbluh a ‘snitch,’ attributing to him the divulgence of their community’s flouting of COVID guidelines.
Their clamor pierced the Brooklyn streets, only to be met by a line of stern police officers, guarding Kornbluh’s threshold from their vehement protestations.
This tense standoff epitomized a broader trend observed by Orthodox leaders – a growing faction of disenchanted young men, disillusioned by pandemic mandates and resentful of secular authority. They draw their resolve from the currents of right-wing ideology sweeping through society, with President Trump as their lodestar.
Fueling this dissent are the echoes of misinformation, propagated through channels like WhatsApp, which resonate deeply within ultra-Orthodox enclaves. Such misinformation, often aligned with Trump’s rhetoric, has sown seeds of doubt and defiance, challenging the legitimacy of governmental interventions.
Governor Cuomo’s recent decree, imposing stringent measures on Orthodox neighborhoods, has only fanned the flames of discontent. Restrictions on businesses, schools, and religious gatherings have been met with fervent opposition, construed by some as a targeted assault on their religious freedoms.
Within this cauldron of dissent, figures like Heshy Tischler emerge as champions of resistance, rallying against what they perceive as government overreach. Tischler, a Trump devotee and erstwhile convict, has garnered a following for his outspoken defiance of authority.
Yet, amidst the chaos, a schism emerges within ultra-Orthodox ranks. While some condemn Tischler’s tactics as reckless and counterproductive, others hail him as a beacon of defiance against perceived oppression.
The clash of ideologies reverberates through the streets, as Orthodox New York grapples with the delicate balance between religious autonomy and public health imperatives. In the crucible of this debate, the voices of reason are often drowned out by the cacophony of dissent and division.