The Hasidic Rebel has one of the most interesting blogs out there. If you haven't checked it out, please do.

The Rebel gives us a glimpse inside a community, his community, that many of us would never have had. It is a sensitive look, it is a loving look, it is not hateful, but he is a man who, one senses, is straining at the bonds of a traditional community that is the very definition of formal.

Not only do we learn more about a closed community than we might ever have otherwise, The Rebel's writing is superb. He spins a tale as well as any pro.

The Rebel's readership took a big upswing with the publication of a profile article in The Village Voice. The comments are pouring in, pro...and con.

Which is a little scary, since the slightest criticism of such a community by one of their own, where many have almost no contact with the outside whatsoever, may be taken as the gravest, irredeemable error. You can almost feel the community grapevine The Rebel is entwined with getting ready to sqeeze Rebel and family to death at any moment.

As far as I can see, the annonymous Hasidic blogger tells no lies, yet many amongst the Hasidim are concerned - understandably I'd say, but reading the blog should put one's concerns to rest. What is there to fear in the truth? So The Rebel isn't happy with everything, and chooses to talk about it with outsiders, along with the griping, I think an outsider may gain an appreciation for the Hasidic community one may not have had before, even if one isn't about to go and join.

So, good luck HR, and don't let a few nay-sayers get you down. It's said that that which is given away free is not valued. You're product, which you give away free of charge, is appreciated by many, and not just those looking for bad in your community - quite the opposite.