‘People may stop talking to you’- Woman opens up about leaving Orthodox life in Long Island behind

Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish people are known for their close, tight-knit communities and strong religious belief. But when it comes to a member from within--it can become very difficult because of the challenges that lie in the way.

News 12 Staff

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Dec 16, 2020, 3:43 AM

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Updated 1,457 days ago

Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish people are known for their close, tight-knit communities and strong religious belief. But when it comes to a member from within--it can become very difficult because of the challenges that lie in the way.

Some of those challenges can be a lack of both education and resources.

Naomi Moskowitz grew up with strong religious values in Long Beach, Long Island, in a community known as the Yeshiva-ish--with strict rules in place through community policing.

She says everything was controlled, from the food she ate to the books she read and a strong sense of fear conditioned in her head regarding turning to anything or anyone outside the community.

News 12’s Mary-Lyn Buckley spoke with Moskowitz on how she left behind everything from her Orthodox life in Long Island and now helps others throughout the city choosing to do the same.

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