The Religious Orthodox Offend Social Orthodoxy

But can it be construed as anti-Semitic? A society seeks to be inclusive, a welcoming social atmosphere where people can be relatively relaxed among their various groupings, trustful and accepting that the values and social mores that are found to be fairly universal in that community are reflective of the larger community and held in general esteem.

In comes a group of people hostile to the general values and accepted mores, insensitive to the needs of the larger community and determined to abide by their personal constricted values, to uphold their version of fundamentalist religion, intent on remaining apart from the mainstream in observation, habit, behaviours and through a sequestered physical presence.

A recipe for concern. A normal reaction by the larger community toward a very different smaller community whose choice it is to settle within the larger community, but determined to cultivate its apartness, to completely ignore as though it does not exist - as indeed it does not for them - the presence of others, with their offending lifestyles.

Apart from the normal concern of socialized communities at hostile intruders in their midst, there is the additional affront when the smaller group takes action to ensure they are in no way confused with the members of the larger community. Encircling one's enclave with wire fencing will certainly do it, as an offensive reminder of the intent at exclusivity.

Hasidic Jews are fundamental in their religious belief, and they cleave to a medieval mode of attire, observe religious and social strictures while viewing those not sharing their belief as being beneath their notice. Their presence is sobering to onlookers, spreading a large net of social dampness. Their complete and utter disinterest in the world around them, and other humans who share that world is legendary.

In Quebec, an empty and unused holiday resort located nearby the small town of Saint-Adolphe with its established community in the Laurentians was recently purchased by a Montreal Hasidic group as a summertime vacation property for its members. Their reputation preceded their settling into the area, with local townspeople expressing some discomfiture at their presence.

Anti-Semitism raising its ugly head again? Not so. Once a religious society, Quebec is quite simply no longer so, and the fervent religious flavour of Hasidic Jews with their bizarre clothing and fundamentalist adherence to the most basic of religious tenets at odds with a modern world, simply aren't seen as "quaint", a plus for the neighbours. Normal human reaction.

The president of the Coalition of Outremont Hasidic Organizations has pointed out that the Orthodox Jews of his community are often exposed to ridicule as a result of their peculiar appearance. No doubt stares of disbelief that people would deliberately clothe themselves in such a fashion, but universal ridicule in a fairly tolerant society: one doubts that.

On the other hand, there is history in Saint-Adolphe and a physical presence of a former religious community that might be thought of as equally abhorrent to the incoming Hasidism. The old Catholic church with its blue steeple - hard to miss. The gilded statue of Jesus located in a lakefront park, with outstretched arms and the inscription: "Sacred heart of Jesus, I have confidence in you."

On the other hand, Hasids are not only cold toward Christians, or those of other faiths. They are, in addition, completely disinterested in other Jews, be they secular or moderate observers of Judaism, or those belonging to other Orthodox sects, all of whom mingle well in the larger society in which they live, and are truly integrated into the larger community.

To each his/her own, after all. "I don't judge anyone", said a local owner of a cottage located a few properties away from the Miramont Resort, the newly-sold property. "They have their religion. The way they dress is their business. Respect my rights, and I will respect theirs." The prevailing opinion, I'd venture to say, of most local residents.

On the other hand, it's hard to feel welcoming to a group so profoundly self-involved, so rigorously rejecting of others. One's religion is most often a discreet affair, albeit very often an integral part of many peoples' lives. It somehow goes against the grain to witness such blatant excesses of affiliation; religion as an addiction to exclusivity, in itself a highly intolerant symptom of a theist-obsessed society.

Social obsessions are disquieting to the onlooker. Fundamentalism bordering on the fanatic is troubling. No question that these Hasidism mean no harm to anyone, but a proclivity to simply stare past outsiders, consigning them to the status of invisibility is also highly insulting. These believers pose no menace, offer no physical harm to anyone, wishing only to be permitted to live their lives in full measure of their beliefs.

"We are ready to integrate but not to assimilate. We're going to keep our beliefs and our customs and our kosher butcher and what have you", said Alex Werzberger, one of the leaders of the Hasidic community. No one would suggest otherwise; this is a country that guarantees such freedoms.

The Hasids will eventually settle in to their new vacation property, and enjoy the beauty of the landscape, as is their right. The townspeople will eventually determine that the presence of the Hasidim will offer no injury to the larger population. Each will avoid the other. A truce will result, absent understanding and good relations.

And more's the pity.