STEPHEN BLOOM (Interview #16) His investigation into the Chabad Lubavitcher group in Postville, Iowa

Stephen Bloom recounts the backlash he received after publishing his book on the Lubavitch community in Postville. He was accused of antisemitism and faced a campaign to ban him from synagogues, highlighting the fervent opposition from ultra-orthodox Jews who felt betrayed by his truthful portrayal.

Bloom explains why mainstream Jewish publications initially boycotted his book. He uses the 'Aunt Tilly' analogy to describe how mainstream Judaism was hesitant to criticize the Lubavitchers, viewing them as a part of the family, despite their increasingly outrageous behavior until incidents like those in Postville made it impossible to ignore the dysfunction.

Bloom asserts that the Lubavitchers in Postville demonstrated behavior antithetical to American democracy, including bribing officials and dismissing criticism as antisemitism. He shares accounts from non-Lubavitcher Jews across the US who report similar issues in communities where Lubavitcher colonies have established themselves, often involving tax evasion and creating civil conflict.

The discussion turns to the Postville slaughterhouse, which Bloom believes was a turning point for mainstream Judaism. He notes various issues, including PETA's exposé of animal abuse and unsanitary conditions, and argues that the actions of the Postville Jews spurred antisemitism, making it necessary for mainstream Jews to speak out.

Bloom explains the Yiddish term 'Shanda for the Goyim,' which means being a pawn for non-Jews. He illustrates the Lubavitchers' isolationist mindset with an anecdote where a Lubavitcher tells him that acknowledging non-Jewish neighbors is 'welcoming a Holocaust,' highlighting their extreme view of maintaining separation to preserve their faith.

Bloom recounts his move from San Francisco to Iowa in 1993 and how, as a journalist, he sought stories to understand his new surroundings. He was drawn to a news squib about ultra-orthodox Jews from Brooklyn establishing a kosher slaughterhouse in Postville, driven by curiosity to tell a story and understand their cultural transition.

Bloom describes his initial interactions in Postville, noting the difficulty in connecting with the Hasidim compared to the locals. He shares Shalom Rabashkin's immediate categorization of him as 'Jewish,' emphasizing the Lubavitcher worldview that divides people strictly into 'Jew' or 'non-Jew' (goyim).

Bloom discusses the Lubavitcher emphasis on procreation ('mitzvah') and proselytizing 'fallen away' Jews, viewing it as a defense against another Holocaust. He expresses his discomfort with their expectation that his wife should abandon law school for child-rearing, and their apparent disregard for 'tikkun olam' (repairing the world) in favor of their own insular community.

Bloom addresses the question of potential antisemitism in his book and his commitment to truth over concerns about how his work might be perceived. He distinguishes between accuracy (facts) and truth (a broader, more evidenced understanding), explaining his extensive interview process with 350 residents of Postville to gain a truthful portrayal.

Bloom describes Postville as a social laboratory, a small town free of typical urban distractions, where the dynamics of a strident, insular religious group (Chabad) interacting with a welcoming but ultimately exploited local community played out clearly. He highlights the irony that despite many similarities, the two communities largely refused to communicate directly.

Bloom emphasizes the role of the reporter as an outside observer who can detect significant events that those within a fast-moving situation might miss. He discusses how his book became a 'lightning rod' for discussions on religious freedom, multiculturalism, and the rights of distinct religious minorities versus community control.

Addressing the question 'What is a Jew?', Bloom defines it as embodying obligations of intellectual pursuit, integrity, and 'tikkun olam' (repairing the world), acting as an example for good. He clarifies that for him, Jewish identity is not primarily defined by the Holocaust or Israel, but by personal experience and ethical conduct.

Bloom asserts that objective journalism does not exist, as every story is filtered through a point of view. He illustrates this with an anecdote about an editor's insertion of 'controversial' to describe Louis Farrakhan, reflecting how establishment media inadvertently perpetuates narratives. He also expresses excitement about blogging and independent journalism for providing diverse perspectives.

Bloom discusses how newspaper revenue and advertising influence media content, leading to 'boosterism' and a lack of in-depth, critical reporting. He notes that the 'civil war' in Postville was largely ignored by the mainstream press initially because it wasn't a 'feel-good' story, despite his detailed reporting of misconduct years before the federal raids.

Bloom reiterates that any criticism of the Lubavitchers, regardless of its accuracy, was met with the 'anti-Semite' label, calling it a 'textbook' tactic. He explains the irony of a Jew being accused of antisemitism and a 'self-hating Jew' by those who oppose truthful reporting.

Bloom details how Sholom Rubashkin, despite his convictions, has achieved 'Messiah' or 'martyr' status within the Lubavitch community, with extensive fundraising and prayer campaigns for his defense. He connects this to the broader ultra-orthodox belief in the obligation to release any Jew from incarceration, exemplified by the case of two Jewish men who committed a crime spree against non-Jewish locals in Postville, showcasing the Lubavitchers' contempt for outsiders.

Bloom clarifies his journalistic methodology, emphasizing his commitment to accurate quoting, even without using tape recorders. He explains that listening carefully and selective note-taking during conversations, though not capturing every word, ensures that the recorded quotes are as close as possible to what was actually said, preserving the essence and context.