From WOODBERRY DOWN towards STAMFORD HILL, CLAPTON COMMON and SPRINGFIELD PARK.
Then route East to WALTHAMSTOW or South towards HACKNEY
Welcome to the RIVER LEA VALLEY
CONTENT
STAMFORD HILL UPPER CLAPTON SPRINGFIELD PARK RIVER LEA: LEA VALLEY REGIONAL PARK LOWER CLAPTON WALTHAMSTOW MARSHES, Site of Special Scientific Interest. MIDDLESEX FILTER BEDS, Nature Reserve CLAPTON PARK (district) The JEWISH COMMUNITY in the wider area
BETHUNE RD. A surname that comes from name of a town in PAS DE CALAIS. Victorian houses
Schools
Synagogues
DUNSMORE RD. A surname from a Scottish place name.
Shops and eateries
GRODZINSKI. Kosher food
STAMFORD HILL RD (A10)
PORTLAND AVE.
I suggest you to divert Northwards to see the commercial centre of *STAMFORD HILL, at the crossroads of STAMFORD HILL (ROADJ and AMHURST PARK.
ROSS BAKERIES
MOSES SUPERMARKET
Cazenove Rd. THE HEBREW BOOK AND GIFT CENTRE
CLAPTON COMMON (RD A107)
CLAPTON COMMON
5’5 m. from CHARING CROSS
At the feet of the Roman ERMIN STREET
On a hill: 33 m. AOD (above ordnance datum, or mean sea level in NEWLYN, CORNWALL).
The site of the FORD is where the A10 crosses the original course of the HACKNEY BROOK (due South, then the hill rises gently, towards the site where the ROMAN ROAD meets CLAPTON RD.).
SANFORD, or SAUNDFORD, from circa 1200. From “sand”. In ROQUE’s map of 1745, the bridge had replaced the ford, thence STANFORD BRIDGE.
To the North the slope is steeper, which provided a natural boundary for the parish and later the borough.
After a petition made to Parliament, in 1713, a TURNPIKE TRUST was set up. Traffic was already heavy back then, with goods wagons pulled by six or more horses, which had caused the surface to deteriorate.
To pay for repairs and maintenance, TOLLS were installed at KINGSLAND and STAMFORD HILL. Around, a handful of buildings in 1745. By the end of the century, the A10 was lined with huge homes and extensive gardens, of wealthy financiers and merchants.
Behind CEDAR HOUSE, GIBBET FIELD: aGIBBET was used to display the remains of executed criminals.
With the arrival of the railways, in 1872, the area started to loose a rural character. A TRAM system from the CITY and from HACKNEY was set up, electrified from 1902. A depot opened in 1873. In 1924 commenced a service to CAMDEN TOWN.
S.H. has never been an administrative area in its own right, always being part of the parish of HACKNEY, which was part of the OSSULSTONE HUNDRED, within the COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. “OSWULF STONE” refers to TYBURN, the execution site.
The hundred was split in divisions in the 1600s. As HACKNEY was part of the TOWER DIVISION, the men of the area owned military service to the TOWER, a tradition dating back from even before the division was formed.
Ancient parishes provided the framework both for ecclesiastical (religious, church) functions and civil, administrative ones. In the 19th. C.they started to diverge, and CIVIL PARISH continued to be based on the same areas.
Parish powers were transferred to METROPOLITAN BOROUGHS, by the Local Government Act 1899.
The Residents
SAMUEL MORLEY MP, philanthropist and abolitionist
MARGERY FISH (née TOWNSHENDJ, influential gardener, creator of the EAST LAMBROOK MANOR, SOMERSET
ALFRED HITCHCOCK and CARDINAL HEENAN (Arch.of Westminster) studied at ST.IGNATIOUS’S COLLEGE, sited then in two houses near TOTTENHAM HIGH ROAD
CLAPTON
A MANOR and ancient parish of HACKNEY. CLOPTON (that was the name up to the 18th c: a farm on the hill) grew as a linear hamlet, alongside the road. With ill defined boundaries, it has never been an administrative unity. That ROAD is split in the UPPER CLAPTON one and the LOWER CLAPTON, being the LEA BRIDGE ROAD-KENNINHALL ROAD the ones that define the boundary of the two parts, distinguished since the beginning of the 19th by the Manorial Courts.
CLAPTON COMMON.
The only fragment of BROAD COMMON that survives, surrounded by buildings of some architectural and historical significance.
UPPER CLAPTON ROAD was the traditional pilgrims route to WALTHAM ABBEY. To the East views of the LEA VALLEY and WALTHAM FOREST.
Cattle (Mr. SNEWIN’s cows, from OLD HILL STREET) used to graze here, at the beginning of the 20th c. Allotments were created during the 2 WWs. Very rural.
18/19th cs. smart villas were built here by CITY bankers and merchants. As usual, with the arrival (1872] of the railways, development accelerated. Unfortunately, many historical houses, became neglected, derelict and demolished.
After PORTLAND AVE. and once in CRAVEN WALK, I suggest you to explore walking this area: below you have all the important places in a circular route. I did it starting at num. 7, and then in decreasing order, but you can start at num. 1.
7
At 96 & 98 CLAPTON COMMON
STAINFORTH HOUSE and THE WOOLDANDS are the only surviving examples of the detached villas developed by the TYSSEN family from the 1820s on.
In STAINFORTH HOUSE lived WILLIAM WALSHAM HOW (d.1897]. He was “the Poor Man’s Bishop” or, as well, “The Omnibus Bishop”. He founded THE WAIFS AND STRAYS SOCIETY, later the CHILDREN SOCIETY. The first boy’s home was established at WOODLANDS.
Now, a school run by the BELZ FOUNDATION, who intended to demolish STAINFORTH to build a modern extension. The HACKNEY SICIETY considers the building neglected and altered insensitively altered.
6 CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
At 155 ft, the spire is the most significant local landmark. It is a magnificent church.
Arch. JOSEPH MORRIS & SONS. Built 1892-95. With a seating for 400 people
Ii was known, back then as THE ARK OF THE COVENANT or THE ABODE OF LOVE, and belonged to the AGAPEMONITES, or COMMUNITY OF THE SON OF THE MAN, a sect in existence between 1846 and 1956.
A sect cult in CLAPTON!
It cost £20.000. A riot of symbolism, with extraordinary statues of nature.
In the main doorways: angels and MAN, EAGLE, BULL and LION. The same figures in bronze are looking out from the base of the steeple: the SINGED BEASTS are characters of the REVELATIONS.
The steeple is surmounted by a spear.
The flanking WEATHERVANES represent a fiery chariot and a sheaf of arrows. A throwback to BLAKE’s JERUSALEM?.
A complete set of beautifully intense stained glass, was designed by WALTER CRANE, in 1896. He was better known for his children’s books illustrations.
THE TRUE STATION OF WOMANKIND deserves some attention.
The founder of the AGAPEMONITES was HENRY J PRICE (the womanising local vicar of SPAXTON -SOMERSET). JOHN SMYTH-PIGOTT succeeded him as an acknowledged head of the sect. In 1902 he proclaimed to be the MESSIAH and he proclaimed: “God is no longer there (pointing upwards)but here (pointing to himself)”. A mob of 6.000 had gathered here, outside, throwing him rotten tomatoes, while he was protected by police.
He left CLAPTON after failing to provide proof that he could walk across the POND, and went back to SOMERSET (origin of this “spiritual” community), where he was said to enjoy the favours of as many as 7 spiritual brides.
The AGAPEMONITES held, decidedly, inconvenient views on marriage and the role of women
The cult was surrounded by scandal, but here it degenerated into a sheer farce.
The sect declined in the 1920s. SMYTH-PIGGOT, even having claimed immortality, died in 1927.
In 1956 the building was acquired by the ANCIENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, a splinter group of the CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC CHURCH.
In 2005 it was purchased by the GEORGIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH.
5 THE NEW SYNAGOGUE
As many members of the congregation were moving to the suburbs of North and North-East London, the synagogue was transferred here in 1915.
Arch. ERNEST M JOSEPH. Almost a replica of the GREAT ST.HELEN’S SYNAGOGUE.
A main elevation in EDWARDIAN Barroque, a DORIC portico and 2 domed towers flanking a central pediment.
Opulent interior: stained glass, ornate plasterwork, many of the old building fittings, like the BIMAH ARK.
Recently restored. However, for years, became redundant and neglected, and had to be included in the EH Buildings at risk Register.
As the MODERN Orthodox Jews of UNITED SYNAGOGUE moved further West (GOLDERS GREEN, EDGWARE) now is a HASIDIC temple, belonging to the BOBOV community. Curiously enough this community traditionally favours a SHTIBBLACH, a house, for a place of worship, rather than an ornate synagogue.
.
4 20th c. HOUSING ESTATES.
Early 19th c. this was considered a very genteel area.
Then, in the 1930s the FAWCETT ESTATE (from NATHAN JOSEPH architectural practice, especialised in social housing) and the WIGAN ESTATE.
TOWER COURT (1950s) replaced grand semi detached villas (by HARRY MONCRIEF, acquaintance of FREDERICK GIBBERT). Those two towers paved the way for a new trend, much criticised, but defended by the BOROUGH engineers, as providing a focal point. In 1955-57 the SUMMIT ESTATE
3 Site of the WHITE SWAN PH. Originally 18th c., in the 1960s it was refaced and a storey removed. Stagecoaches to the FLOWERPOT (BISHOPSGATE) ran up 7 times a day. It had an important livery yard and “baiting” stables, where horses would be fed on route to WALTHAM ABBEY.
Later on, horse omnibuses and trans would stop here.
Some outbuildings survive at the rear.
The BOBOV ORTHODOX COMMUNITY purchased it in order to turn it into a religious and cultural centre. HACKNEY COUNCIL gave permission against the background of a popular campaign against it.
2 CLAPTON TERRACE
A range of Georgian houses, c.1800, setback behind a rectangular green space, a COMMON extension. Revamped road: safer, people friendly. By SUSTRANS DIY streets project
1 ST.THOMAS’S Church.
It began as a PROPRIETARY chapel, c.1774.
A local landmark, square sturdy classical tower, with channelled stucco. 1829, by JOHN GWILT.
The body, faced in plain brick, was rebuilt in 1960, by NF CACHEMAILLE-DAY.
Site of CEDAR LODGE. ANCIENT. EDAR OF LEBANON.
Residence of Reverend SMYTH-PIGOTT. JOHN BETJEMAN was a visitor here, with the reverend’s son.
10 THE COMMON.
Detached and semi-detached houses. Many families flocked to this area in the 1870s and 80s.
WILLIAM and CATHERINE BOOTH bought one for £1260.
Cows grazing, children playing, tram cars passing, dogs swimming… quite a lively outlook
The LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL took responsibility of the Common , preserving for the public the surviving 180 acres from the encroachment of the developers. Public amenities were added, as drinking fountain, a keeper’s box and a small Tudor pavilion (as a toilet).
A new play area is being created thanks to money raised by CC USER GROUP.
The Hasidic community has established a KOSHER CAFE, North of the pond
9. No. 26
A WRENAISSANCE structure by arch. A.RUBENS COLE, with a trong façade with Baroque features, as the dormers to the roof.
It housed, between 1933 and 1986, the BRITISH ASYLUM FOR DEAF AND DUMB FEMALES (an institution founded in STAMFORD HILL, in 1851, by 2 women).
Now, it is a place of learning for the KOLLEL CONGREGATION SYNAGOGUE.
It conserves some original features but has suffered insensitive alterations
8. BUCCLEUCH HOUSE.
Bed sitting rooms intended for single women.
A replica, built in 1951, of the c .1825 Georgian terrace, designed by Mars’s JOSEPH.
After this exploration of CLAPTON COMMON, the route could continuo towards the riverside of thecLEA.
You choose which road to go along: WATERMINT QUAY, SPRING HILL, or SPRINGFIELD followed by BIG HILL. The last two routes will allow you to access SPRINGFIELD PARK.
SPRINGFIELD PARK
Created in 1905 with the grounds of three 19th c. mansions
One of the houses, THE MANSION is now a café
There are some fine specimen trees , including cedar, beech and mulberry
Designated as a Local Nature Reserve because of its springs, trees, and acid grassland which is unique in HACKNEY.
ROMAN coffins and a tenth- century oak LONGBOAT (now in HACKNEY MUSEUM) were found near the RIVER LEA.
From the top of the hill, created from deposits of the ICE AGE, there are great views East over the flood plain: the river, WALTHAMSTOW MARSHES and the RESERVOIRS.
After the park, by the banks of the RIVER LEA, here the STANSTED MILL STREAM, you can see the LEA ROWING CLUB members practicing, while enjoying a tea from THE BOATING HOUSE ON THE LEA.
Why not heading North towards the MARKFIELD BEAN ENGINE?
Or you can cross over and see the SPRINGFIELD MARINA.
Then you have two alternatives:
EASTWARDS
Walking or cycling, you cross over the COPPERMILL BRIDGE, and continue along COPPERMILL LANE, you will reach WALTHAMSTOW in a few minutes.
Enjoy the ART IN THE PARK, from Millenium Project, created by schoolchildren: by the entrance to WATERWORKS, artwork inspired in the Copper Mill. By the car park, depiction of reservoirs and bird life.
Opposite Rensburg Rd. depiction of marshes and wildlife by Asian Family Group.
THE COPPER MILL TOWER
Built c.1806. The water power was used to roll out sheets from where copper tokens were pressed out. In fact, it is likely that a mill of one sort or another has been here for 1.000 years.
Divert alongside LEUCHA ROAD.
This are was developed by SIR THOMAS COURTENAY TEYDON WARNER, founder of the WARNER ESTATES. He was Mayor of WALTHAMSTOW.
Houses are often decorated in a flamboyantly ornate estate.
The streets are named after family members. He LADY LEUCHA, his wife.
Continue along the HIGH STREET.
THE “W” is everywhere above the shops.
In MISSION GROVE, a tiled picture of a bullock BUTCHER’S ADVERT. The shop, established in 1890, indicates the high status of the area.
More about WALTHAMSTOW later
SOUTHWARDS TOWARDS HACKNEY
Walking or cycling alongside the CAPITAL RING (East bank)
—if you cross over the HORSE SHOE BRIDGE (wait, before you cross) if you continue a little further beyond the bridge you can assuage your thirst in THE ANCHOR AND HOPE), you will enter the WALTHAMSTOW MARSHES NATURE RESERVE, a Site of SSI, home to Water Voles and Moths.
This is a rare remnant of ancient marshland that has never been ploughed or planted.
See the plaque on the RAILWAY (London Overground) ARCH commemorating the inventor A.V.ROE, the first British person to fly over British soil in a British-designed triplane, in 1909.
You will encounter now a stretch of the BLACK PATH, towards WALTHAMSTOW, then a foot bridge, and to the NE the LEA VALLEY RIDING CENTRE
The following sight, after crossing LEA BRIDGE ROAD, are the MIDDLESEX FILTER BEDS, built in 1852 to supply clean drinking water to London. Now you are finding here a walled nature reserve, home to more than 200 different plants, 60 species of bird, and 14 different types of butterfly.
And, after the FRIENDS BRIDGE, included as well in the lot, is NATURE’S THRONE a piece of artwork by local sculptor PAULA HAUGHNEY. Another artwork, MAGIC FISH, by potter KATE MALONE.
After that, another footbridge takes you to MILLFIELDS PARK.
The district you are about to enter is CLAPHAM PARK.
Enjoy CHATSWORH ROAD and finally head towards HACKNEY.
Clifden Road > Median Road > Lower Clapton Road >
> CLAPTON PASSAGE > CLAPTON SQUARE
ST.JOHN AT HACKNEY Church Is a stone throw from the top of this square, and the rest of the attractions of the old village:
SUTTON HOUSE
HACKNEY OUTLETS
MARE STREET. Shops and eateries
HACKNEY EMPIRE THEATRE
More about HACKNEY later
LOWER CLAPTON
BROOKE HOUSE (the KING’S HOUSE) ESTATE
Now the COLLEGE is on the site, which was described in the 17/18th cs. as the MANOR OF HACKNEY.
Sir RICHARD NEVILLE sold to the DUKE OF NORTHUMBRRLAND (PERCY family). HENRY VIII took it in settlement of a debt and granted it to THOMAS CROMWELL, who enjoyed it until his execution and the estate reverted to the KING. This was the place where MARY was brought by RALPH SADLER to swear the oath of supremacy before her father.
EDWARD DE VERE, 17th EARL OF OXFORD died here.
In 1621, it was purchased by FULKE GREVILLE, 1rst BARÓN BROOKE, and his family owned it for 200 years. After that the estate became tenanted, the leasee modified it and it was converted into a LUNATIC ASYLUM.
Destroyed during WW2, it was demolished and archeological investigations have unearthed the TUDOR PALACE.
The JEWISH COMMUNITY in the wider area
ASHKENAZI JEWS, ultra-orthodox, predominantly la HASIDIC, conform the 20% of the population, with a birth rate OF 5% a year! that doubles the UK average. The largest community in Europe.
Welcome to the ”The square mile of piety”.
You will see men walking in their distinctive clothes on their way to or from their place of worship.
You will see, in a wider area up to 50 synagogues. However this is a very private, secretive community… You will find very difficult speaking to someone.
By the 18th c. eminent Jewish were living here.
MOSES MONTEFIORE. Son JOSEPH married RACHEL MOCATTA. Grandson married HENRIETTA, daughter of NM ROTHSCHILD, who lived near modern COLBERG PLACE.
CLAUDE MONTEFIORE (Abraham grandson transformed his property into MONTEFIORE HOUSE SCHOOL.
These families moved away, and only a few wealthy Jews remained, mid 19th c.
In the 1880s, an influx of Jews from STEPNEY. The NEW SYNAGOGUE moved here. In 1926 the UNION OF ORTHODOX HEBREW CONGREGATION was established here.
Before WW2, strictly observant Jews, many fleeing Nazi persecution. And, after WW2, due to bomb destruction and slum clearance, homeless from other areas moved here.
An early Hasidic leader was the SHOTZER REBBE -RABBY SHULEM MOSKOVITZ, descendant of the famed clasificó REBBE YECHIEL MIKHLOF ZLOTSHOV. He established a BEIS MEDRASH. Burien in 1958, he is buried in ENFIELD.
The HUNGARIAN UPRISING led to an influx of HAREDI Jews, fleeing hardship under Soviet occupation.
A notable resident (1955- d.2000) was the spiritual head of UOHC, RABBI CHANOCH DOV PADWA.
HASIDIM has its origin in 18th c. Poland. BA’AL SHEM TOV, leader charismatic, led a mistical and ecstatic movement, emphasising closeness to God. That non intellectual approach, and the adherence to strict life rules, attracted rich and poor.
It was a reaction to the CHMIELNICKY MASSACRES (UKRAINE, 1648~1657, by the COSSACKS).
They put forward an interpretation of the KABBALAH, that taught that God Is to be found in all aspects of life. The world exists within him, who can be served through everyday activities (panentheism).
Un-educated people were appealed by their experiencing God, through song and dance, and even tobacco and alcohol.
TZADDIK is the leader charismatic, works miracles and is channel for divine energy.
Originally , the SHTIBLE or synagogues were autonomous, liturgy and ritual s changed, set times for prayers neglected, as prayer is a matter of inner feeling.
And they adopted specific modes of dress.
Now, it has become an institutionalised form of Orthodoxy, and a major conservative force, opposing the encroaching of modern life on traditional Jewish life.
During the POLISH-LITHUANIAN COMMONWEALTH (16-18 th. cs) he Jewish managed many estates on behalf of absentee landlords (avendators).
The KLMELNYTSKY (from Commander HELMAN BOHDAN ~)UPRISING involved violence against the Jews. Was it because they were seen as oppressors, downplaying the religious motivation?.
Polish nobles, priests and officials were driven out of present Ukraine. 1 million of its population was lost, the Jewish side being the most numerous and access represent of the SZLACHTA regime.
During this period -the DELUGE- Ukraine became subjected to the RUSSIAN domination. And the KOSSACKS progressively lost autonomy and influence.
The Jews at the COUNCIL OF VILNA, decreed the banning of merrymaking, limiting wedding celebrations, public drinking, fire dances, masquerades, comic entertainment…
And HASIDISM and the ideas of ISAAC LURIA (ETHER of contemporary kabbalah, identified as the Messiah by SABBATAI LEVI
The community here is an intensely private world, where strict rules (613 of them govern life here) have to be adhered to. Faith is taken very seriously. “Nobody can become a 10m Jew” (GABY LUCK, scholar and resident here. “It is so vastly away from your way of life that you would have no understanding of it whatsoever “
Technology is seen as a potential danger, putting at risk the spirit of purity and holiness, threatening the innocent minds of children. TV is the evil temptation machine, the YETZER HARA BOX. Owning one is likened as having an open sewer in the lounge.
Getting married
The community is worried about their children they have to marry off. The command to marry for them is strong. Marriage age is 18-19. Sometimes future couples they meet at work… but normally a SHADCHAN is hired by parents, as they have little chance of meeting people of different gender (in public events men and women are kept separated, and are not even supposed to look one another on the eye).
In previous generations the future couple had not even met for 1 h. before agreeing. Only hellos, yeses or nots. Now, the normally meet for up to a couple of hours before engaging.
AVI’s son is an example. As AVI had been in prison and was separated, matchmakers had it difficult. Finally a match was found and a modest ceremony took place.
A white curtain is put up at the venue, to divide male and female guests (400 altogether). A photographer can use a ladder to film the other side though.
A solemn service is celebrated under a CHUPPAH, a canopy. The bride circles the groom 7 times and they recite 7 blessings.
After the meal a blessing, tables and chairs are moved from the centre. Men dance. BRESLER hands out tumblers of whisky, and fills and refills them. The groom is hoisted in his chair and throws money in the direction of his bride
The HASIDIM use YIDDISH as their first language, being the only Jewish community in Britain to have retained their ancestral language. All of the community are also fluent in Hebrew but no in English
The community has a voluntary emergency rescue and first aid service called HATZOLA, and a community watch group, SHOMRIM.
Frock coats and black hats… Beards and ringlets…
This is the type of clothing worn by the 18th c.Polish nobility, which became their tradition dress, and their headwear distinguishes one sect from the other.
And women are less conspicuous, dressing modestly, with white stockings, navy blue and white clothing, and wearing wigs as only their husbands should see their real hair.
The schools are mostly private and single sex.
YESUDAY HATORAH SENIOR GIRLS’ SCHOOL achieved state-funded status in 2005. Some pupils refused to study Shakespeare alleging anti-Semitic views in his works. Rabbi Pinter praised them. Investigations were conducted by the OCR Exam board due to malpractices, like deleting questions related to evolution.
Allegation of avoiding English as a vehicular language. Allegations of up to 1000 boys missing from the school system, and attending illegal schools.
The sects, born in Poland, Russia or Hungary, take their names from their birthplaces: BELZ, SADIGOR, SATMAR, LUBAVITCH… and the congregations still have links with those places
The HASIDIM run their own community and the appointed authorities give legal judgements in all inter-community matters, being considered unforgivable to bring into them the flaws of England, such as disputes between 2 different parties
The NAHALAT YOSEF synagogue serves a congregation- of YEMENITE JEWS, who fue intercommunal violence after the end of the ADEN PROTECTORATE
Life here is conservative and traditional. Large families (5.8 children), close knit, divorce is rare, men and women only mixing together unless they are married or are relatives.
They rarely leave the community and have little contact with non-Jews, even with other less orthodox Jews. According to Wikipedia their flats are dirty and overcrowded.
There is a conflict with the local council . Family housing is underdeveloped. Prohibited?
AGUDAS ISRAEL is a housing association
Complaints were raised when a sign was spotted that read that women should (please) walk alongside the side of the road. According to a report it was put up for a procession parade and was meant to provide directions for members who wished to avoid contact with the opposite sex.
A group of SHUMRIN patrolling the area had contacted the organisation to tell them that the posters lacked explanation. They removed them and agreed to take them down more quickly in the future.
Some 100 Jewish families have moved to ESSEX, especially to CANVEY ISLAND.
Soaring house prices in Greater London, exacerbated by having large families, is the main reason.
They moved as a self contained community, in order to live together and share services, and not too far a play, in order to keep contact with the STAMFORD HILL community.
Precisely Convey Island, where a family homogeneous white make-up existed till then, pro-BREXIT and UKIP voters?.
Community relations appear to be good. The islanders, even admitting the different lifestyles, they recognise that the new neighbours are good and law abiding, with no drugs used and no drunken parties…
The future?. The Jewish community will expand and become self-sufficient , and will not interact. Two communities living side by side, on the basis of mutual respect, but, can this lead to resentment or friction?
House prices will go up, equity will improve for current residents but purchasing will become harder.(The Independent).
Violent clashes, in the street, near the NEW between rival groups (from the EVENING STANDARD)
Tax evasion?. Benefit fraud?: why not buying a property putting it on the name of another family member, in order to claim housing benefit?. And, what if this property was bought with money which purportedly came from charity donations? There are allegations of community leaders and rabbis advising on “fraud”…
Men are usually unemployed as they are devoted to TALMUDIC studies. The main breadwinners are the wifes.
Off the Derech
MAVAR is a registered charity that supports people who leave the HAREDI community. Financial, educational, legal, emotional… to enable people to find a new community and support network.
Online resources, referrals to agencies or organisations, lawyers, therapists, etc, personal mentors…
All in confidentiality, and always supporting the person’s choice. And including LGTB+ support.
Meeting take place in quiet public places, away from the HAREDI community. The typical MAVAR begins helping to access English lessons, and to housing and benefits, as well as linking with a host family.
MAVAR was modelled in New York’s FOOTSTEPS. It is run y volunteers, and is free, relying in private donations. The director is a non-practicing Jew who prefers anonymity.
When someone leaves the Orthodox community (or sometimes when one move to more lenient form, to another forms of Judaism, or even to no religion at all)is called an OFF THE DERECH, originally a derogatory term to qualify someone who has left the one true path. Now, reclaimed by individuals or groups as being of a narrow path, and in a wider one.
Some say ON THE DERECH, others XO, ex-Orthodox.
There are three broad groups:
kids at risk: behaving badly, on drugs, involved in criminal activities and not keeping HALACHA
well adjusted ones but who stopped keeping Halacha
those who keep Halacha but do not share the beliefs of their previous form of orthodoxy
OTD is a contemporary phenomenon, similar to HASKALAH, a movement of disaffection with traditional modes of religion and inclined to secularism in education and culture. Both are religious “decentralised”
REASONS FOR LEAVING
TA’AVOS or temptations
Experiencing Judaism as a source of pain or oppression:the pressure from family or teachers to gain acceptance and love. A community based on faith and too regimented
The difficulty of reconciling a strict interpretation of TORAH and TALMUD with the knowledge of natural sciences
Being marginalised, ignored, silenced
TRAUMATIC+
ADJUSTMENT and CONNECTING +
The response of the Orthodox community+
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