Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus22 Juli

Gabi: Former Yeshivish Jewish

Gabi shares his experience growing up in New York’s Bukharian Jewish community, becoming deeply committed to Orthodox Judaism, and eventually building a life outside religious observance. He discusses racism within Jewish institutions, the intellectual rewards of yeshiva study, purity culture, the Orthodox dating system, mental health, psychedelics, spirituality, and his evolving relationship with God.

Rather than presenting religion as wholly harmful or wholly beneficial, Gabi reflects on the teachers, practices, and communities that gave him purpose while examining the pressures and unmet needs that eventually made religious life unsustainable.

Connect with Gabi

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@gabikoyenovSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2SoydqNskaV9wOra0Yh6Z3?ssssid1891df9a822414cInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/journey_with_gabi/Therapy Site - https://themenstherapystudio.com/

Chapters

00:00 — Coming Out as Nonreligious

08:14 — Growing Up Bukharian Jewish

17:47 — Racism in the Yeshiva World

25:47 — Rabbis, Meaning, and Purpose

30:11 — Purity Culture and Romantic Obsession

39:10 — Leaving Yeshiva and Losing a Dream

48:00 — Dating and the Beginning of Deconstruction

53:44 — Ayahuasca and a New Spiritual Worldview

01:07:41 — Racism and Rejection in Shidduchim

01:20:07 — Family Conflict, Trauma, and Life Beyond Religion

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Avsnitt(43)

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