In other words, sad though Mr. Bienstock makes it sound, the Blue-Hat Jew has simply gone the way of the electric typewriter and the pushcart. And I think that’s a good thing. Today our infrastructures are different. Yiddishkeit in America is no longer a foundering entity unsure of its status or its future. There are strong niches for everyone. Outreach and kiruv groups abound. Today there are groups and organizations for every stripe or form of religiosity.
So I believe we can actually celebrate the disappearance of the Blue-Hat Jew – because he has finally come home.
Irwin Benjamin teaches Talmud to Bucharian high school students at MTJ on the Lower East Side. His articles have appeared in various Jewish publications. He can be can be contacted at [email protected].