All Who Go Do Not Return: A Memoir - A Gripping True Story of Survival and Courage | Perfect for Book Clubs & Personal Reflection

This is an incredibly powerful book. I received it yesterday and could not put it down. Shulem Deen gives the reader a window into the world of a powerful cult. A cult which seeks absolute power over its congregants - using brainwashing and the rod to keep children in check; marrying them off at a very young age without regard to compatibility where they are commanded to raise large families. They are trapped into loveless marriages by babies that come one after another. The one thing the community and the Rebbe does not equip their members with is an education that will give them the skills to support a wife and multiple children. Instead they are imprisoned into a life there is no escape from - impoverished and sustained only by welfare and food stamps. This is considered an "honorable" way to live - with extreme punishments for any who deviate from the RULES - one never knows when the "Modesty Committee" will catch one in a violation - reading a book like the Hardy Boys - listening to music on a car radio - or when a neighbor will turn one in for turning on a light on Shabbos. Senseless silly acts as these can result in one being reviled, denounced or even excommunicated. It is a life of hell.However, this community of impoverished citizens has tremendous political power as they vote as instructed - in a block. They receive handouts from politicians in return for their votes - and they control the Court System. There is no justice in the Rockland Family Court. The Court which is supposed to insure that children of divorced families have both mother and father - instead metes out rulings based neither on law, facts nor the well-being and welfare of children. They damage the children forever by ripping them away from a parent who has dared to question the system - who does not blindly adhere to the rulings of the Rebbe and his appointed enforcers.The Rebbe knows how to work the system. He knows how to elicit political favors - and he knows that one word from him to a Judge who sits on the bench of the Rockland Family Court - will result in action. It is a gulag. It is what these same Jews fled from Eastern Europe to the United States to escape. They have taken Judaism and twisted it into something unrecognizable and contemptible. And why the commandment to keep creating children - in some cases 20 children in one family. Why? Because each of these children will grow up to be another vote for the Rebbe - and each vote gives him more power. And if these children start having children at 18 - the population and thus the power multiplies very quickly.Shulem Deen escaped but paid a terrible price - just because he refused to drink the "kool-aid." I am sure he is used as an "example" in the Skvever, New Square, Rockland County New York Community as to the hell one will endure should he dare question the rules of the "Modesty Committee" and the Powers who mete out punishment – the abuse and ultimate loss he will endure should he dare try to escape.I hope that the New York Politicians and the Judges of the Rockland County Family Court will read this book. Unfortunately, though, I doubt that they will care. To tear children away from their father is the biggest crime of all - a travesty not only of justice but of Jewish morals and values.This is not the Judaism in which I was raised. In fact, it is not even recognizable. I was raised in a very traditional family with Orthodox roots. We were encouraged to question and we were encouraged to learn in a supportive and nuturing environment. Punishment was never used. So what if a child daydreams? What I loved (and still do) most about true Judaism is the fact that it is ever changing and that it encourages questions and debate. One is even allowed to question the existence of G-d - and still be Jewish. I was taught that we are all equal in G-d’s eyes – no matter how we choose to believe and no matter what our religion. That is the Judaism I was raised in and that I love. We were taught to respect differences. We pass our traditions on to our children with warmth and love and hope that they will choose to pass them on to the next generation. However, there are no punishments for a different path chosen.Shulem Deen was an upright, compassionate and moral member of a corrupt society. He did not commit a crime - and yet he has paid the greatest price – just because he chose to reach out and had a passion to learn. He worked hard to create a better life for his “appointed” wife and hid 5 beloved children.Please read this book and think about it. This is not a book of fiction. This is real life. This is the true story of a life torn apart by fanatics – fanatics empowered by the corrupt Rockland County system.Our system has failed Shulem Deen. This is a travesty of justice. Shulem Deen has brought to light the corruption that prevails in New Square and the Rockland County Justice system. He is only one voice among many that have been treated in the most egregious manner. Anyone who lives in Rockland County knows the power that the Chassidic (not every sect) population wields. A local old-time attorney called Rockland County a “cesspool of corruption.” Google Moses “Mark” Stern, Judge Sherri Eisenpress, or Noramie Jasmin. There is no justice in Rockland County. Hopefully, this powerful book will provoke change.I pray that Shulem will one day be reunited with his children.