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I had a dream that I spoke to God.

“God,” I said, “I need you to answer me.”

Now talking to God isn’t new for me. I’ve been doing it since I was a young child. When you’re…

At first all we did was hang out with our own. Fellow Chasidim on the fringe, men only. We didn’t know many women, and those we did know weren’t like us at all. With time we progressed. We met friends,…

These days, I cruise the streets of Williamsburg—Marcy Avenue, Wythe Avenue, Bedford—camera dangling from my neck, protected by my flannel jacket, pillowed against my chest. I pedal slowly, on the lookout for my mark. I never know in advance what…

As a teenager I read an article in Cosmo about how guys with stubble like the red they can bring to a woman’s cheeks during kissing: It’s a she’s-so-tender-I’m-so-tough type of thing. The first time I saw a Chasid, his beard looked vaguely terrifying. I’ve always hated beards, macho like my Dad’s, like Hulk...
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I Love You, Brother. You’re a part of me, and I can’t let go. My heart hurts that yours is broken. I watch you twist and turn and I feel knotted up inside. I see you blink back tears, and my own eyes sting. I smile when you smile, brother. Because I do care and I...
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Chaya nervously navigates the traffic to the Brooklyn Bridge on the rush back to Monsey from our few hours in Borough Park and Crown Heights. Her periodic glances at the GPS should be unnecessary since she’s probably driven…

Last week He had pinched her butt as He said it.  It was supposed to be sort of playful.  The mood was light and she said it too.  She still wondered if she meant it, but it didn’t…

He reminded me of myself, back when I’d never been inside a bar, hardly even to a restaurant. It was a spontaneous meetup. He’d been a fan for years, and we corresponded on and off. My identity was…

It’s a winter Friday night, freezing cold outside but inside the small shul it is warm. All adults and children are on their feet facing the opposite side of the holy ark, singing ecstatically along with the chazzan…

He came to her house, and they played with her little daughter. She was a little hyper, and seemed excited at the sight of the stranger. When the little girl fell asleep, the man came to her bed, and kissed…