(17) Starting a Conversation: A Pioneering Survey of Those Who Have Left the Orthodox Community
Release Date: 07/04/2023
(41) Diet and Fitness in the Orthodox Community … With Rocky (Yerachmiel) Bochner
The Orthonomics Podcast
Rocky Bochner is a data analyst and behavioral neuroscientist … and also both a certified personal trainer and a certified nutrition coach in the New York City Orthodox community. It is the latter – exercise and diet – that bring him to this program, in connection with our upcoming health survey. While his practice – RockFitnessNYC.com – provides personal training and classes for men, the issues we discuss apply to all adults in the Orthodox community. Additionally, he trains couples, prepares workouts for women, and can offers recommendations for female one-on-one trainers.
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(40) Divorce and the Law … With Attorney Deborah S. Chames
The Orthonomics Podcast
This episode continues our series on divorce, with our guest Deborah Chames, a highly respected partner at a Miami law firm. Deborah represents family law clients at Kluger, Kaplan, a Southeast Florida firm with clients nationwide. She handles high-net-worth divorces and high-conflict divorces. Guided by 42 years of experience, Chames crafts a strategy that advocates for clients while remaining sensitive. She is the first and only woman on the board of Yeshiva Toras Chaim, the largest Orthodox day school in the South. Her daughter, Melissa, also practices family law at Kluger, Kaplan. Chames...
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(39) The Broad Role and Value of the Beth Din … With Rabbi Shlomo Weissmann
The Orthonomics Podcast
We did a recent and discussed the findings in episode 37. This episode is the first of several follow-ups on that topic. The Beth Din of America serves as a national rabbinical court, affiliated with the Rabbinical Council of America and the Orthodox Union. It addresses a broad spectrum of issues and is likely the busiest beth din in the country. (This here are many in the US and experiences vary among them.) Rabbi Shlomo Weissmann is both a rabbi and a lawyer, having received rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University and graduated from Columbia Law School. He oversees BDA operations and...
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(38) Emunah and Physics: A Jewish Resolve …with Dr. Berel (Zachary) Epstein
The Orthonomics Podcast
Dr. Berel Leib (Zachary) Epstein lives in Baltimore with his wife and children. He learns at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel. He also is a theoretical physicist and a Senior Staff Scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where he engages in advanced research aimed at supporting the United States' technological edge in defense applications. He came to my attention when I received an email from Mosaica Press about his new book “Emunah and Physics: A Jewish Resolve.” Mosaica Press writes: “The age of the earth. Archaeological evidence. The nature of miracles. These...
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(37) Marriage & Divorce … What Works and What Doesn’t
The Orthonomics Podcast
In this episode, we interview Esther Eisner and David Sheril, two of the members of our Community Advisory Group that helped to develop this study. We discuss a wide range of findings among Modern Orthodox and Haredi Jews, including the causes of divorce and the factors that help to create a lasting marriage. The full report (“A Survey of Orthodox Jewish Family Life, Marriage & Divorce”) may be found . Esther’s Divorce Support Group – AfterForever.org – may be found . Finally, our next study will cover Orthodox Jews and health. At this time, we would love to give you, our...
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(36) From the Right – With Rabbi Dov Fischer
The Orthonomics Podcast
Rabbi Dov Fischer was ordained at Yeshiva University, has held leadership roles in numerous Jewish organizations, and is the founding rabbi of Young Israel of Orange County, California. He is also an accomplished trial attorney, writer, and prominent leader in advocacy relating to Orthodox Jewish issues. A UCLA Law school graduate, he has worked at major law firms, and has been an adjunct law professor for over 15 years. He is a public commentator, has written for The American Spectator, Israel National News, Forward, the Jewish Press, the Times of Israel, Arutz Sheva, and others, and has a...
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(35) Yoetzet Halacha and Community Scholar – Ruthie Braffman Shulman
The Orthonomics Podcast
Ruthie Braffman Shulman is passionate about the importance of women’s roles in Torah Leadership positions, and she currently serves as the Director of Women's Torah Leadership at Micah Philanthropies, where she develops and supports women in Torah leadership positions at shuls. Simultaneously, she is the Yoetzet Halacha and community scholar at Young Israel of West Hartford CT. Ruthie studied at Sha’alvim for Women and Yeshiva University’s Stern College and earned an M.A. in Talmud at Yeshiva University’s Graduate Program for Advanced Talmudic Studies for Women (GPATS). She is...
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(34) “In-Town” vs. “Out-of-Town” Living … with Rabbi Dr. Noam Weinberg
The Orthonomics Podcast
Rabbi Weinberg is a distinguished Jewish educator, relationship coach, and speaker, renowned for his expertise in fostering healthy relationships and guiding personal development. He received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University, he holds a master's degrees in marriage and family therapy, secondary education, and school administration; and a doctorate in education with a focus on adolescent religious development. He has over 25 years of experience as a teacher and school administrator, including serving as the principal at North Shore Hebrew Academy High School in Great...
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(33) The Evolution of Orthodoxy… With Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff
The Orthonomics Podcast
In this episode, our wide-ranging discussion covers the size of the Orthodox and Modern Orthodox community, how and why the Orthodox have become a minority, the cost and standards of living of Orthodoxy, some under-valued benefits, and even some sport trivia! Our guest, Rabbi Zev Eleff received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University and M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University. At Yeshiva University, Eleff graduated from Yeshiva College and received ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He is a past Wexner Graduate Fellow/Davidson Scholar, a prestigious...
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(32) A Peek Into the Hasidic World … with Frieda Vizel
The Orthonomics Podcast
Frieda Vizel was raised in the Satmar Hasidic community. At age 25, she left that community and pursued higher education, culminating in a master’s degree at Sarah Lawrence College. Since 2013, she has been offering walking tours of Hasidic Williamsburg. Her tours provide insights into the community's traditions and daily life, and are noted for their educational, respectful and balanced approach. And they are lots of fun. Her work offers a unique perspective, bridging her deep-rooted background in the Hasidic community with her academic pursuits and personal journey. She continues to foster...
info_outlineThis episode is an exploration of a pioneering study of people who have left the Orthodox community, as we examing journeys, practices, beliefs, identity, community and relationships, across Chasidic, Yeshivish and Modern Orthodox segments of the population.
In this episode, we review many highlights of this study, including:
1. Why People Leave Orthodoxy
2. How Do They Now Identify Jewishly? What Have They Held Onto?
3. What About “Double-Lifers”?
4. How Are Their Family Relationships? What are their Levels of Acceptance?
5. How Widespread Is This Phenomenon?
6. Final Thoughts and Reflections … In Their Own Words:
– a) Many people don’t well understand those who have left, or may leave, their Orthodox community of origin. What do you want to tell people about this group?
– b) Looking back at your experiences, what if anything would you have done differently?
– c) In conclusion, what advice would you give to others who are considering leaving their Orthodox community, for a more modern lifestyle?
The full report and many of its contents are available at http://nishmaresearch.com/social-research.html. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the section of files dealing with “Survey of Those Who Have Left Orthodoxy.”