Cults to Consciousness

4 Former ULTRA ORTHODOX Women from 4 Sects Compare Notes

We celebrate our 300th episode with a panel of 4 incredible women bravely coming forward to share their thoughts and experiences growing up in various strict Orthodox communities. They compare notes while illustrating similarities and differences between the sects and how they left to find a better, more autonomous life for themselves, and in some cases, for their children as well. Deep dives can be found on each of the women below in their own full length episodes. Listen with caution, this episode is as heavy as it is inspirational and incredible. Click here to watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/z57-ezTPwU8] Resource for people who need help leaving Orthodox Jewish communities Footsteps https://www.footstepsorg.org/ [https://www.footstepsorg.org/] Rights and Religion Forum  https://rarforum.org/ [https://rarforum.org/] Chavie Weisberger Watch our initial interview with Chavie [https://youtu.be/8BGL_i27XRw] Find and support Chavie! Website: https://www.chavieweisberger.com/ [https://www.chavieweisberger.com/] https://www.footstepsorg.org/ [https://www.footstepsorg.org/] https://bac.bard.edu/ [https://bac.bard.edu/] Beatrice Weber Watch our initial interview with Beatrice [https://youtu.be/LGXNrG7kIec] Watch pt 2 here [https://youtu.be/6MXpJm_aRoU?si=L67psW-uh-nOcwJX] Find and support Beatrice! Substack: https://beatriceweber.substack.com  [https://beatriceweber.substack.com] Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bweber [https://linktr.ee/bweber] Website: https://beatriceweber.com/about/ [https://beatriceweber.com/about/] Tee Murrin Watch our initial interview with Tee [https://youtu.be/DZvYhkVJf6Y] Watch pt 2 [https://youtu.be/qsGqQ_pO1EE?si=XJNIv936Fqk42kgL] Find and support Tee! IG: https://www.instagram.com/tzivyateemurrin/ [https://www.instagram.com/tzivyateemurrin/] FB: https://www.facebook.com/tzivya.murrin.medicaid.planner [http://www.facebook.com/tzivya.murrin.medicaid.planner] https://www.facebook.com/SensibleSeniorPlanning [https://www.facebook.com/SensibleSeniorPlanning] Rachel Watch our initial interview with Rachel [https://youtu.be/Pktx_YUuZf4] Watch our follow up live stream with Rachel [https://www.youtube.com/live/X4Y-Wnr5UtM?si=huI9eDePpuYw-7U_] Find and support Rachel! IG: @permissiontobeyourself  [https://www.instagram.com/permissiontobeyourself] Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! [https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClip] Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! [https://cults-to-consciousness-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd] Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness [https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness] Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness [https://www.instagram.com/cultstoconsciousness]  Host Instagram @sheliseann  [https://www.instagram.com/sheliseann/] Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  [https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.rosales_] TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  [http://cults.to.consciousness] Twitter @cultstocon [https://twitter.com/cultstocon]  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Confessions of a Top Recruiting Rabbi’s Wife

Rachel was raised in Israel by Canadian parents who converted to strict Orthodox Judaism as adults. Girls were taught from a very young age that their primary purpose was to become wives and mothers, and the culture emphasized conformity, modesty, and obedience. At 18, after only a few weeks of dating, she became engaged to a man who was in training to become a Rabbi. Not only did she deal with typical hardships that come with that role, but she would become a top recruiter for a separate organization that she now sees as harmful.  Click here to watch on YouTube Watch our initial interview with Rachel Watch our recent panel with 4 Former Ultra Orthodox women Find and support Rachel! IG: @permissiontobeyourself  Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness  Host Instagram @sheliseann  Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  Twitter @cultstocon  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

ULTRA ORTHODOX: The Strict Reality of Being a Rabbi’s Wife

Rachel was raised in Israel by Canadian parents who converted to strict Orthodox Judaism as adults. Girls were taught from a very young age that their primary purpose was to become wives and mothers, and the culture emphasized conformity, modesty, and obedience. Rachel explains how these systems created strong psychological pressure, particularly around purity culture, body image, and social behavior, while also framing outsiders and even other Jewish groups as morally inferior. At 18, after only a few weeks of dating, she became engaged to a man who fit the religious and cultural criteria expected of her, despite lingering doubts and emotional attachment to someone else. Click to watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/Pktx_YUuZf4] Watch our follow up live stream with Rachel [https://www.youtube.com/live/X4Y-Wnr5UtM?si=huI9eDePpuYw-7U_] Watch our recent panel with 4 Former Ultra Orthodox women [https://youtu.be/z57-ezTPwU8?si=RpDJsQlWCG4ct-pL] Find and support Rachel! IG: @permissiontobeyourself  [https://www.instagram.com/permissiontobeyourself] Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! [https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClip] Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! [https://cults-to-consciousness-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd] Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness [https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness] Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness [https://www.instagram.com/cultstoconsciousness]  Host Instagram @sheliseann  [https://www.instagram.com/sheliseann/] Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  [https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.rosales_] TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  [http://cults.to.consciousness] Twitter @cultstocon [https://twitter.com/cultstocon]  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Confessions of a Former ULTRA ORTHODOX Rabbi

Shalom’s childhood and education were dominated by intense religious indoctrination. He attended a strict ultra-Orthodox school 365 days a year, where boys studied religious texts from early morning until late at night, with little secular education and frequent physical punishment from teachers. The rigid environment, lack of emotional support, and strict moral expectations led to anxiety, obsessive religious guilt, and deep internal conflict, particularly around sexuality and personal identity. The community’s teachings pushed him toward early marriage as a supposed solution to normal sexual urges and loneliness. He then became a Rabbi and eventually left it all behind. We discuss all the ways rigid patriarchy harms the men too and the consequences of strict gender roles void of choice.  Click here to watch on YouTube [https://youtube.com/live/qUcrg7WUZ-0] Watch our initial interview with Shalom [https://youtu.be/qrN61lz0yS8] Watch our recent panel with 4 Former Ultra Orthodox women [https://youtu.be/z57-ezTPwU8?si=RpDJsQlWCG4ct-pL] Find and support Shalom! Shalom’s podcast, Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus [https://open.spotify.com/show/7yWbv1wSD5FwQuSBhbPksF] Instagram: @shalomshore [https://www.instagram.com/shalomshore/] Personal website: shalomshore.com [http://shalomshore.com] Religion site: freidomfighter.com [http://freidomfighter.com] Hypnosis site: navyahypnosis.com [http://navyahypnosis.com] Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! [https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClip] Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! [https://cults-to-consciousness-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd] Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness [https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness] Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness [https://www.instagram.com/cultstoconsciousness]  Host Instagram @sheliseann  [https://www.instagram.com/sheliseann/] Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  [https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.rosales_] TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  [http://cults.to.consciousness] Twitter @cultstocon [https://twitter.com/cultstocon]  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

The Dark side of My ULTRA ORTHODOX Childhood in Jerusalem

Shalom Shore grew up in a strict ultra-Orthodox Jewish environment in Jerusalem connected to the organization Aish HaTorah, dedicated to its mission of bringing secular Jews back to strict religious observance. As the oldest of nine children, Shalom grew up in a household that appeared ideal, but was marked by emotional neglect, financial stress, and a constant focus on religious outreach. Shalom’s childhood and education were dominated by intense religious indoctrination. He attended a strict ultra-Orthodox school 365 days a year, where boys studied religious texts from early morning until late at night, with little secular education and frequent physical punishment from teachers. The rigid environment, lack of emotional support, and strict moral expectations led to anxiety, obsessive religious guilt, and deep internal conflict, particularly around sexuality and personal identity. The community’s teachings pushed him toward early marriage as a supposed solution to normal sexual urges and loneliness. He then became a Rabbi and eventually left it all behind.  Click here to watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/qrN61lz0yS8] Watch our follow up LIVE with Shalom [https://www.youtube.com/live/qUcrg7WUZ-0?si=ePfFt9yZH6i63eVg] Watch our recent panel with 4 Former Ultra Orthodox women [https://youtu.be/z57-ezTPwU8?si=RpDJsQlWCG4ct-pL] Find and support Shalom! Shalom’s podcast, Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus [https://open.spotify.com/show/7yWbv1wSD5FwQuSBhbPksF] Instagram: @shalomshore [https://www.instagram.com/shalomshore/] Personal website: shalomshore.com [http://shalomshore.com] Religion site: freidomfighter.com [http://freidomfighter.com] Hypnosis site: navyahypnosis.com [http://navyahypnosis.com] Subscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel! [https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousnessClip] Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast. Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here! [https://cults-to-consciousness-shop.fourthwall.com/en-usd] Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness [https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness] Venmo @sheliseann Find us on Social media! Instagram @cultstoconsciousness [https://www.instagram.com/cultstoconsciousness]  Host Instagram @sheliseann  [https://www.instagram.com/sheliseann/] Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_  [https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.rosales_] TikTok @cults.to.consciousness  [http://cults.to.consciousness] Twitter @cultstocon [https://twitter.com/cultstocon]  **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].