September 2, 2025 Sad update on this blog
Hello friends. I have a bit of a sad update on this blog.
I got sued by the Israeli company Flash90, which buys images and then sues anyone who uses them.
For those of you who have been around for the journey of this blog, you know that this blog was never financially lucrative. I ran it through times when I had no work and couldn’t even pay rent, covering the overhead of maintenance despite having no money. I’m not exaggerating when I say I wrote this blog during times when my child and I couldn’t afford to eat properly. During COVID I had no tours for years but continued to publish here.
I wrote this blog because I always believed I was contributing to a body of knowledge. I made a lot of sacrifices because I deeply believed in this premise. I felt really good knowing that this knowledge lived online, free for anyone to use.
I used images to illustrate my points. For instance, in an image Flash90 sued me over, I had collaged the two Satmar Rabbis into one photo with captions to show who the two brothers are. One of the two photos was what they owned the rights to. I would have reasonably assumed that this falls entirely within the realm of Fair Use, But according to Flash90, my blog is just an arm of my for-profit tours, and so it’s as if I’m using their photos to promote my tours (this is not the case — if I relied on my blog for promotion I’d be without customers… it always had a tiny audience. Most of my customers are word of mouth from previous tourists).
I am not sure if I made the right decision, but upon the urging of friends, I involved lawyers. After many months of negotations, with Flash90 asking for $10,000 we finally settled for $800. Plus a LOT MORE in lawyer’s fees. This brings the sum total this blog has ever earned to negative thousands.
What really hurts me is that in order to avoid another fiasco like this, I just deleted all questionable images from the blog. Many of the images were there to illustrate a point, for instance, to show a specific Hasidic garment, or an example of a photographer’s work, and so on. The photos were educational, necessary for the post. (I first tried to go through photos and add credit, but it wasn’t always possible, and I just didn’t want to risk it) I ended up deleting a lot of my archive and years of hard work. My heart really aches over this. I can’t forgive Flash90 for it, because ultimately this project was never about money; it was always a labor of love to make knowledge accessible to all, and they stole that.
So if you are reading my blog and come across deleted images that are referenced in my posts, I’m really sorry about that. I hope this post explains why.
This is not a fundraising post, but if you’re able to support the cost of this litigation and want to contribute towards it, I’d not say no! 🙂 My PayPal is https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/friedavizel
Marie King
Posted at 13:58h, 01 OctoberSo sorry you are in this troubling situation. Are you being targeted for leaving the community .
You do not have to answer that, I’m your Catholic fan who follows you. Doing a great job, beautiful
Son Seth, keep fighting…
Frieda Vizel
Posted at 18:49h, 01 OctoberDear Marie, thanks so much for your kindness! I don’t think it’s related. I think it’s just a brutal, greedy company (:-( Thanks for your support!
Sharon Gullikson
Posted at 16:05h, 02 OctoberI’m wondering how you are supposed to know which photos are owned? It seems that some people sue others hoping for them to settle. I don’t know if this is the case, but it’s a shame that it went this route. I’m trying not to type anything that will cause them to come after me….Jeez Louise!
Karl Schwartz
Posted at 15:26h, 05 OctoberI was thinking the same thing as Marie above. Flash90 must have lost money by the time they paid the legal fees if all they got was $800. You, deservedly so, have gotten more popular. Sounds to me like the Hasidic community wanted to teach you a lesson. Do you know if the owners of Flash90 are Orthodox or Hasidic? This sounds personal and unfair to you. Sadly, nothing surprises me anymore.
There’s more I want to say but it’s better that it is told verbally.
Wishing you and your family the best.
Gail Parchen
Posted at 11:39h, 27 OctoberFrieda,
Thank you for all your work. I came across your channel a few weeks ago and have been hooked.
As a Christian living near Orange County, where here is a building explosion, I wanted to get a better understanding of Hasidic life.
You are providing a useful insight into the history of the religion, their customs, traditions and commandments. I love your interviews with Pearl, the Hasidic garments for men and women and talks with shopkeepers. In my opinion, it would be helpful for ALL people in this area to see your videos and educate themselves on their customs to erase the fear of the unknown.
I have to say that as a 70+ woman, many of the stories remind me of growing up in NYC with family all around, life centered “Sunday dinner”. Our world is so busy now, with work, school and sports, it is easy to forget the basics. In my neighborhood, there were Catholics, Jews and Protestants of all nationalities and we all respected each other.
Thank you Frieda, for your insight and gentle way of storytelling. I am so very sorry for the issues you are currently encountering. May God bless you, Frieda, with strength to endure and keep your followers up to date.
I am glad that you posted the link to your PayPal account.
Frieda Vizel
Posted at 17:16h, 27 OctoberThank you so very much Gail for this comment, it really made my day. Thank you also for the thoughtful gift. I wish the world was full of more open minded, curious people like you — we’d all be better off!
lEA
Posted at 11:22h, 12 NovemberI ADORE you and watch all your “utube” interviews, LOVE PEARL and thoroughly enjoyed TOVA . 82 years and all my life a “conservative” YID…My momma made SHABBAS, as do I …My very best Wishes to you and your son .ZEIN GA ZINT!!
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