Hi! I'm Lauren Hakimi, a journalist from New York now living in Provincetown, Mass. Before I became a reporter at the Provincetown Independent on Cape Cod, I covered ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities as a reporter at Shtetl. I've also written and reported for Hell Gate, WNYC/Gothamist, the Forward and more. Check out some of my favorite stories below.

"In Truro, the Sixth Grade Has Just Two Students" Provincetown Independent, March 12, 2026

“Despite the State’s Push, ADUs Are Still Rare Here” Provincetown Independent, Feb. 4, 2026

"On the border between hipster and Hasidic, a Brooklyn barbershop specializes in Orthodox haircuts" The Forward, July 18, 2025

"At this Brooklyn cafe, you can practice your Hebrew, aid Palestinians and imagine you’re in Mauritania" The Forward, May 30, 2025

"At a ‘Sinners’ Shabbat’ in Brooklyn, the faithful gather for fire massages and human sushi platters" The Forward, March 7, 2025

"A new Hasidic community grows in Brownsville, Brooklyn" New York Jewish Week, March 6, 2025

"Mr. Marathon Is a 26-Mile Tribute to Cheap Produce" Hell Gate, Feb. 10, 2025

"Monsey Fire Department’s concessions to religious hardliners spark concerns of sexism" Shtetl, Sept. 12, 2024

"He captured rare images of Jewish life in Iran. Then he fled, fearing for his safety." JTA, Aug. 31, 2022

"NY Budget Will Freeze CUNY & SUNY Tuition For Three Years" WNYC Radio, April 7, 2021