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Jewish Week

Not since Melanie Griffith donned a sheitel to play an undercover cop in the 1992 film “A Stranger Among Us,” has an A-list celebrity (not counting Matisyahu) brought an entourage film crew into chasidic Brooklyn.

Oprah Goes Orthodox (Sort Of)

Jewish Week

Not since Melanie Griffith donned a sheitel to play an undercover cop in the 1992 film “A Stranger Among Us,” has an A-list celebrity (not counting Matisyahu) brought an entourage film crew into chasidic Brooklyn.

But in a two-part series beginning Feb. 12, talk show diva Oprah Winfrey’s new TV program brings viewers to Crown Heights and Borough Park, where chasidic families she interviews, according to the “Oprah’s Next Chapter” website, “lift the veil, revealing the secrets to their usually private and mysterious way of life.”

“For the first time, cameras are allowed inside this hidden culture,” says the breathless voiceover in a “sneak peek” video.

In the show, a modestly attired Oprah has a meal with a Chabad family of 12, interviews a black chasidic family, has a roundtable discussion with a group of chasidic women (not all of them Chabad) and checks out a Chabad mikveh in Brooklyn Heights.

Among the questions she poses (according to the “sneak peek”): “Why did you all agree to talk to me?” “What does chasidic mean?” and “Are women valued in this relationship?”

And, perhaps most to the point for the queen of daytime TV: “Nobody at this table has ever watched television?!”

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24 Comments

  • The best example

    This was the best family for her to interview.

    The Ginsberg’s are the real thing!

    They are a true example and role modal of how to lead and Chassidisher lifestyle with joy and happiness!

    They exemplify the beauty and happiness of living a life and raising a family of Chassidum in a positive way.

  • RG

    SARAH A!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO INCREDIBLY AMAZING!! i will definitely be finding this episode when this comes out!!

  • Andrea Schonberger

    I might see it though I usually don’t watch reality type television shows–I tend to stick to news, historical documentaries, and old black and white films. Reality television is dumb but this might be OK.

  • Hey !!!!

    Quote “Not since Melanie Griffith donned a sheitel to play an undercover cop in the 1992 film “A Stranger Among Us,” has an A-list celebrity (not counting Matisyahu) brought an entourage film crew into chasidic Brooklyn.”

    what about Natalie Portman in “New York I Love You !!!!

    that was one freaky movie

  • hmm

    wonder how much money they got paid to do this. Or did oprah just donate a few million to the organizer’s shuls

  • info

    They are NOT getting paid. They are actually a Chabad family. Shterna Ginsberg (nee Schwei) does NOT let her kids watch television and had never heard of Oprah til she was contacted. This was done to be a kiddish H-shem only!!! Rabbi Ginsberg does NOT advocate watching television.

  • Annie

    Please post when this program will air….both on the east coast AND on the west coast. Thanks.

  • on the own channel this sunday

    feb 12 on the own channnel 9:00PM
    (60 minutes)
    Remind Me
    Oprah’s Next Chapter
    Hasidic Jews of Brooklyn (Part 1)
    For the first time ever, Oprah travels to Brooklyn, New York to meet two Hasidic Jewish families who lift the veil, revealing the secrets to their usually private and mysterious way of life.

  • chanchi

    #17 dont label people!!!!!!!!!!!
    its better they do this than go make trouble in the streets!!!!

  • to 17 18 19

    shternie and chanchi people are entitled to have their own opinion since you 2
    are uh.. bord dont stick your nose in other business you dont like what they say
    dony read it.

    P.S.people do not “make trouble in the streets!!!!”

  • to #20

    you are just trying to make a fight ”dont stick your nose in other business”
    let them have fun is it YOUR business ………………NO!!!!!!

  • mendy hendel

    since rabbi ginsburg is on the vaad of cheder ohr menachem. did they get money to open an oprah winfry school for acting?

  • Need Clarification Please

    Don’t particularly like to comment, but can someone PLEASE explain to me, in LAYMAN”S TERMS, the part of the family dancing TOGETHER??????????? I know I will be getting quite a few comments about it, (from not frum people) once the show airs, so I’d like to be prepared with a positive answer.
    Thanks.