Leaving the Chasidish World: Beatrice Weber's Journey of Self-Discovery In this episode, Beatrice Weber shares her compelling journey from her upbringing in a Chasidish Jewish community to her eventual exit after facing an abusive marriage and fighting for better education for Chasidish children. A mother of 10 and a grandmother of 13, Beatrice discusses her struggles with the patriarchal structure of her community, her fight in family court, and her role as the executive director of YAFED, an organization advocating for improved education in Chasidish schools. She highlights the challenges faced by women in the community, the marginalization and silencing of voices of dissent, and her personal path to healing and self-discovery. 00:00 Introduction and Event Recap 01:15 Welcoming Beatrice Weber 01:23 Beatrice's Background and Family 03:11 Growing Up Chasidish in Toronto 07:12 Marriage and Early Adulthood 14:05 Life in Israel and Challenges 25:36 Realizations and Seeking Therapy 31:21 Struggles and Support Systems 34:16 Leaving the Community 36:40 Double Lifers and Final Thoughts 38:04 Navigating Community Expectations 38:15 Discovering the Underworld 40:17 Struggles with Custody and Family Court 41:42 Challenges of Leaving a Marriage 44:22 Children's Perception and Family Dynamics 47:56 The Wedding Experience 53:42 Patriarchy in Chasidish Life 01:04:05 Advocating for Education 01:11:32 Addressing Criticism and Community Dynamics 01:15:24 Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts https://beatriceweber.com/about/ www.JewishCoffeeHouse.com