Show Notes
video link to this interview: https://youtu.be/NtFI3NL4dFE?si=zOhqSNq6aijFxcc4
In September 2026, the Satmar community experienced a major historic event. After decades of the community being split into two rival factions, the two brothers who led the rival factions met again. But not just anywhere, but at the White House. After so much time of hurt and estrangement, the rabbis wished each other a sweet year before heading into the White House to meet with the president, Trump, and advocate on behalf of their Jewish community.
This is a great time to look back at how this split happened and record some oral history. Yumi Lowy grew up Satmar and paid a lot of attention to the battles. These are his memories. As is the case with oral histories, other people will have other stories. I so look forward to more perspectives in the comments.
Follow Yumi Lowy on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/yumilowy/
For more on the early battles in Kiryas Joel, watch my interview with lawyer Michael Sussman: https://youtu.be/jcz0xmkm10s My interview with Hasidic reporter Joseph Kornbluh: https://youtu.be/4MPf67ftXME My reflections before the Trump visit: https://youtu.be/_UjXlnOVdug Reb Aaron Teitelbaum and AI: https://youtu.be/vUhamjWR_vA
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-frieda-vizel-podcast--5824414/support.
More from The Frieda Vizel Podcast
Twenty years ago today, I created a pseudonym for myself: Shpitzle Shtrimpkind. A 21-year-old Hasidic mother of a little baby boy, hiding furiously behind my alias. My first post was an attempt to defend my community. Within a month or two, I experienced a profound internal shift I couldn't stop or undo. It led me on a road of so much heartache, discovery, curiosity, friendship, loss, love, joy, and sorrow. If I had known then what I know now, I don't know that I would have ever created Shpitzel Shtrimpkind. But it happened. Life happens, whether we have courage for it or not. And I'm grateful for the chance to live life. Living life means getting hurt, falling low, and rebuilding. And it's been all that plus hell, but I'm grateful every day for the light, the hope, the kindness and of course - the audience that made me. Thanks for being here.
video link to this episode: https://youtu.be/9BwmSQ0Vwsk
Video link to this episode: https://youtu.be/Bt0V4N9lGfc
Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/guXQwZ9h_5U
Video link to this episode: https://youtu.be/LK2b0mAYKqA