There’s a common stereotype that Orthodox Jews live in a bubble—insular, focused only on their own community, and uninterested in the broader society around them.

However, one member of the Stamford Orthodox Jewish community (who wishes to remain anonymous) breaks that stereotype … he recently worked with others in the broader Stamford community to shovel snow from their neighbors’ sidewalks and encourage others to help out.

A few weeks ago, after a massive snowstorm paralyzed much of the Northeast, he teamed up with another Stamford resident to organize a group of volunteers. Nineteen people showed up with shovels in hand to help clear snow from sidewalks and driveways for neighbors who simply couldn’t do it themselves.

They spent hours digging out walkways and pushing aside towering mounds of snow.

“We rely on the sidewalks,” he explained. “We have kids in strollers. The idea really came from the frustration of walking past houses with these huge sidewalks out front that you just couldn’t get past.”

Stamford actually has a city ordinance requiring property owners and condominium associations to clear snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks within 12 hours after a storm ends. If the snow falls overnight, it’s supposed to be cleared by 10 a.m. the next day.

But, of course, life doesn’t always follow city ordinances.

Some residents simply aren’t physically able to shovel. Others can’t afford to........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)