My true condolences go out to the Helzburgs and their colleagues killed in Mumbai.

However, while the Chabad movement tries to do much good, the brand of Judaism that they attempt to impose on other Jews (converts are never sought in Judaism) is also highly repressive and backwards (I briefly attended a lubavitch school, trust me i know). The role of women is very inferior to men and is similar to that in very religious Muslim households. Girls are expected to cover up completely, and married women must cover their heads. The daughters are often married out early (though some do attend college first), and begin having children on a yearly basis. Many Chabad families have a dozen or more kids. Women and men are kept strictly separate, even at weddings, in schools, and at all social events. Even in synagogues, women are usually put in the back, behind a screen and away from the holy ceremonies.

Many Chabad households (though not all), also keep their families completely in the dark about modern society. They often banish television, magazines and many books. The general attitude is that the outside society is inferior and must be kept away as unclean and unholy. Crown Heights is a ghetto, where Chabad families have a strong internal community, but do not interact much with the outside world, especially the women.

As with any orthodox movement in any other religion, my biggest problem is that children are brainwashed and not given a choice and are often denied the skills needed to join modern society.

Nasochkas:

My true condolences go out to the Helzburgs and their colleagues killed in Mumbai.

However, while the Chabad movement tries to do much good, the brand of Judaism that they attempt to impose on other Jews (converts are never sought in Judaism) is also highly repressive and backwards (I briefly attended a lubavitch school, trust me i know). The role of women is very inferior to men and is similar to that in very religious Muslim households. Girls are expected to cover up completely, and married women must cover their heads. The daughters are often married out early (though some do attend college first), and begin having children on a yearly basis. Many Chabad families have a dozen or more kids. Women and men are kept strictly separate, even at weddings, in schools, and at all social events. Even in synagogues, women are usually put in the back, behind a screen and away from the holy ceremonies.

Many Chabad households (though not all), also keep their families completely in the dark about modern society. They often banish television, magazines and many books. The general attitude is that the outside society is inferior and must be kept away as unclean and unholy. Crown Heights is a ghetto, where Chabad families have a strong internal community, but do not interact much with the outside world, especially the women.

As with any orthodox movement in any other religion, my biggest problem is that children are brainwashed and not given a choice and are often denied the skills needed to join modern society.

Actually, Lubavitchers do quite well at interacting with modern society. Check out their website- chabad.org. Not exactly the stuff of a backwards shtetl community that shuns the modern world.

I was surprised to learn that it was an orthodox sect as conservative as the Chabad that was predominantly providing services to Jewish tourists and other visitors in Mumbai. I didn't read about other Jewish groups doing the same.

From the pictures and descriptions of their activities, though, this family appeared far more open, and less "ultra-orthodox" than the traditional ones you describe. I guess they would have to be in their missionary role there, living in a very different cultural setting in India and providing services (internet even) for Jews (and non-Jews) of different backgrounds. The Rabbi's late wife didn't appear to fit that image of a covered, sheltered woman. Sounds like the movement is very conservative in their traditional settings.