New Books in Sociology Zalman Newfield, "Brooklyn Odyssey: My Journey Out of Hasidism" (Temple UP, 2026)
Feb 23, 2026
Zalman Newfield, Associate Professor of Sociology and Jewish Studies who left Lubavitch Hasidism, tells a personal memoir of growing up in Crown Heights. He recounts messianic fervor, secret learning and worldwide outreach. He describes doubt, the symbolic act of shaving his beard, pursuing secular education, and building a life that bridges tradition and the wider world.
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Lubavitch Uniquely Centers A Charismatic Rebbe
- Newfield explains Lubavitch Hasidism as a pietistic movement with a charismatic Rebbe who functions as a spiritual intermediary rather than a mere rabbinic scholar.
- The Lubavitcher Rebbe's global outreach and messianic aura made the movement unique among Hasidic groups and set the social logic for missionary activity worldwide.
Parents Chose Spiritual Security Over Secular Gains
- Newfield frames his parents' choice to join Lubavitch as driven by spiritual priorities, not neglect; they prioritized protecting the soul over secular success.
- This explains why educated parents enrolled children in schools that avoided teaching English and secular subjects.
Returnee Children Face Social Penalties
- Being the child of baalei teshuva (returnees) created social hierarchy in Lubavitch: newcomers lacked generational roots and faced dating disadvantages despite rhetorical praise.
- Social status (geja) influenced marriage prospects more than ideological claims about spiritual merit.
