Malkie Schwartz - From Fundy to Freedom Fighter
Divorced: Ultra-orthodox Judaism

In her early 20s, Malkie Schwartz chose to leave her ultra-orthodox Jewish community. Within 3 years, she founded Footsteps, the first organization in North America to help people who wish to leave the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and live in mainstream society. Footsteps gained notoriety in 2017, with the release of the Netflix documentary “One of Us.” To date, Footsteps has served over 1300 individuals. 

Malkie is also co-founder and board member of the Rights and Religions Forum. In 2023, the Rights and Religions Forum (RARF) launched the Borgenicht Fellowship Program for Community Leaders. This first-of-its-kind program connects a diverse cohort of leaders who are challenging religious oppression and supporting the ability of individuals raised in insular religious groups to make personal choices and lead lives that reflect their personal values and beliefs. 

I met Malkie when a Footsteps representative reached out to me in 2021 interested in sending a Footsteps contingent to the inaugural Conference on Religious Trauma (CORT), and today I am proud to be a Borgenicht Fellow. 

In this episode, Malkie shares about leaving her insular community, why she started Footsteps, and the importance of groups like RARF, who rely on generous donations to provide support for others who are Divorcing Religion.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
https://rarforum.org/
https://www.footstepsorg.org/
Janice's Best-selling book Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook is now available in
USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP78TZZF  and CANADA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DP78TZZF

Early Bird tickets are now available for the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference, happening LIVE in Seattle May 23-25, 2025! Get yours now: https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/

Purity Culture Survivor Support Group is happening on Thursdays at 5pm Pacific. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others for healing and support: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Need help on your journey of healing from Religious Trauma? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Janice here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/services

Support this channel by becoming a Member of the Divorcing Religion YouTube channel! When you support this channel by joining our YouTube membership (starting as low as $3/month) you'll get early access to all of our new content, access to badges and special chat emojis, and more. Every dollar helps, so sign up to be a member today by clicking "Join" under the video.

Subscribe to the audio-only version here: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/religious-trauma-podcast

Follow Janice and Divorcing Religion on Social Media: 
Mastodon: [email protected]
Threads: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/divorcereligion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_counsellor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComeToCORT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DivorcingReligion
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janiceselbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisecounsellor/

The Divorcing Religion Podcast is for entertainment purposes only. If you need help with your mental health, please consult a qualified, secular, mental health clinician.

Podcast by Porthos Media
Copyright 2025
www.porthosmedia.net

Support the show