Boychiks in the Hood: Travels in the Hasidic Underground

The Hasidic world has always seemed somewhat impenatrable, even to other Jews; Eisenberg does a wonderful job at introducing the secular and the non-Jew to this world and the people in it. He is always sympathetic, and never critical. Most importantly, he presents the Hasidm as individuals, not a faceless monolith.I was raised conservatiove- sort of on the edge of Orthodoxy- and have lived for the last 14 years in close proximity to a large Hasidic community. And yet, until reading this book, I never really had a good understanding of that community or the people in it.Others note that this is by no means an encyclopedic or authoritative work on the Hasidic world and the people in it. But it is an exceptionally affectionate and humorus one, and well worth reading, and rereading.

This book seems to be written FOR the secular world, yet written TO other non-religious Jews. This is a wonderful approach because it allows one to enter the underground as "a Jew." The writer seems to want to express his findings with his other lost brothers, thereby giving the reader an indepth and close look inside the Jewish culture, un-edited for the world. (Hope that makes sense.) In addition, the writer is extremely honest and non-judgemental, providing the reader only with "facts" about his experiences which allows the reader to draw their own conclusions...I have read SEVERAL books about Judaism, as I am converting soon, and although this was not on my "reading list," I believe this book has been the most insightful and helpful in painting a vivid picture of my new family and that without bias.This is NOT a theological book... it is a book of heritage in today's modern world.PSCaptivating and an easy read... I finished this book over two days... Worth this short amount of time!

I am a reform Jew with little background knowledge of chasidism, although I've read The Chosen and always read the Chabad periodic supplements in The Forward. When I read this book, however, I found myself quite fascinated by it, and a week or two after finishing it, I took the unprecedented (for me) step of reading it again. There is a great sense of authenticity in the descriptions, and also of affection for the many different types of chasidim the author met. It made me wish that I also spoke Yiddish, so that I might have similar experiences. I highly recommend the book to Jewish readers. There is something in it that tugs at the soul.

Boychicks In The Hood is an enjoyable book, no matter your level of knowledge within the field of Hassidim. The author's style of writing not only provokes thought and interest, but makes you want to keep on reading. I recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the sociological inticacies of Traditional Judaism or someone who simply wants to enjoy agood book.

Sometimes books about Chassidism written by "outsiders" have that outsider feel to them. This excellent book is different. I couldn't put it down. The author travels to many different Chassidic and Orthodox Jewish communities and gives his honest impressions and experiences, in a kind and vastly entertaining way. You come away with an understanding and a "feel" of what these guys in the black coats (a generalization, I know) are all about, and can't help but share the author's respect for the wholesomeness of the Chassidic lifestyle. He predicts, in the end of the book, that in 50 years, the only Jewish life that will be viable will be Chassidic. In other words, "he has seen the future and it is Chassidic". This despite his admission that he is not an "observant" Jew. Since Moshiach (the righteous redeemer who will be spiritual leader and teacher for the whole world) is about to be revealed to us all, the author's prediction may take place sooner than he thinks.......