
New Books Network Dainy Bernstein, "Artifacts of Orthodox Jewish Childhoods" (Ben Yehuda Press, 2022)
Dec 8, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Dainy Bernstein, a literary scholar and editor, explores the intricate world of Orthodox Jewish childhoods alongside guests Hannah Lebovits and Miriam Moster. They dive into how artifacts like music and modesty diagrams shape identity and community values. Bernstein breaks down the diverse subcultures within Orthodox life, while Lebovits highlights the emotional impact of A.B. Rottenberg's children's music. Moster discusses the role of Hanukkah songs in outreach, examining nostalgia and cultural intersections that define this unique upbringing.
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Childhood Is Culturally Constructed
- Childhood is a social construction that varies by culture, era, and community rather than a fixed biological stage.
- Dainy Bernstein emphasizes that Orthodox childhoods contain multiple, coexisting conceptions of children and childhood.
No Single Orthodox Childhood
- Orthodox Jewish childhoods are not uniform; distinct sects emphasize different meanings and roles for children.
- Bernstein notes Hasidic views sometimes frame children as cultural rebuilding after the Holocaust.
Artifacts Cross Boundaries Unevenly
- Material artifacts cross communal boundaries unevenly, creating both overlap and distinct experiences across sects.
- Bernstein explains Journeys CDs felt universal to some but were absent in stricter Hasidic childhoods due to language and boundaries.

