Satmar and Lubavitch

Drawing on sociological studies such as Kranzler, “Williamsburg: A Community in Transition,” primary archival documents such as real-time interviews and a vast treasury of personal experience, this excellent book in part explores the similarities and differences and specific characteristics of the Hasidic Chabad-Lubavitch and Satmar communities so that the readers come to admire the distinctiveness, uniqueness and ennobling aspects of each religious group; not just pointing to their fascinating demographics, political, social, economic and cultural aspects, Rabbi Dalfin also gives the reader “the tam” (taste) for what makes these groups tick, their mission, raison d’etre and special visions for the Jewish people and its unfolding on the stage of eschatological history.