I personally know many people in lakewood who
Own dogs and pets and fit in the community I think the issue here is too much was put on her. She raises good points unfortunately she made some mistakes cause she was lost in her pain. A Jewish mother shouldn’t have to work full time and have endless amount of children if you can’t handle it you need to be clear and if your Rav doesn’t understand find a Rav who does. Good luck

Such a great podcast. I’m truly happy that she didn’t completely lose herself while trying to please everyone forever. I honestly feel like while there’s so many good things about religion it can be too much as well.

First, I have to say that Suri has such a Yiddishe חן — such a special neshamaleh. Listening to her, I couldn’t help but see a beautiful soul who suffered tremendously under a regime operating in the name of the Jewish religion, but which, in my view, has very little to do with the true beauty and spirit of Yiddishkeit. After hearing what she went through, who can blame her for reaching the conclusions she did?

Unfortunately, I believe there are serious problems within our community’s system. Too often, it seems to work best for those who hold the power — Rebbes, manhigim, wealthy and influential people — while many ordinary families are left feeling trapped by a system they have very little ability to challenge. By the time someone begins questioning it, they may already have a large family, tremendous financial and social responsibilities, and very few realistic options for changing the life they were raised to live.

I am still in the community, i am seeing this, i'm crying like a baby 😢😢😢 i understand you 😢

I lived in Lakewood for 14 years up to five years ago. I highly doubt any Rabbi in Lakewood would prohibit birth control at this day and age.we now live in in Wesley Hills Monsey, New York. We live a modern orthodox lifestyle and yes, we have a dog.

But heck, who am I to judge? I’m not the most religious zealot either. Wish you lots of love and luck. In your new journey.

No system is gonna be perfect. I would rather be in the orthodox system even though it’s imperfect then in any other system.

I am trying to watch this podcast and hear her story but I find it so disconcerting the camera going back and forth between the two of you and her non stop movement of her left hand. What's going on?????

My dear beloved sister 💞 so there are several topics that have been discussed in this podcast first of all I want to say that my heart goes out for you I felt your pain and your tears and my heart was melting just listening to you talk about and express everything you went through you really went through hell and my heart really goes out for you and I'm happy that you did what you needed to do to try to get your life back which is the number one thing that you can do take care of yourself first and your family second❤ you know what they say if the captain of the ship is drunk then the ship is going to sink.1) according to Jewish law there is nothing wrong having a dog you are allowed to have a dog and nobody's allowed to tell you that you cannot have a dog I personally lived in a house that had three German shepherds ❤2) as far as marriage goes like the other gentlemen pointed out don't stay married to someone that you don't love and you're not happy with there is no Jewish law that says that you should stay in a relationship that you're not happy with so please anybody reading this if you're in a relationship and you're not happy actually your religion requires that you get divorced and be with someone that you love and cherish. There is a whole talmudic volume the focus is only on divorce for a reason marriage is a beautiful thing according to Jewish law but sometime a beautiful thing according to Jewish law is getting a divorce and that's what you should have done a long time ago.3) a lot of the stuff that go on in Lakewood New Jersey have nothing to do with Jewish law it has to do with just a craziness called Lakewood New Jersey think about it for one second my dear beloved sister there are Jews that live all around the world is there a beautiful Jewish communities all around the world. Lakewood needs a lot of help what do I mean I mean to say that if someone walks in with a pink shirt or a red shirt or orange shirt or a blue shirt and not a white shirt oh my gosh he or she's not Jewish she's not this ....he's not that... that's a sickness and a disease that exists only in Lakewood New Jersey any other Jewish community in the world that you go to doesn't matter if you're wearing a red shirt or a pink shirt they love you for who you are for being a Jew and that is the love that I feel for you my dear beloved sister 💞 don't throw your religion away all because of a community that needs a lot of help and it's a known fact everybody knows that this community needs a lot of help your father dresses like that your mother dresses like this so therefore your kids can't get into school according to Jewish law any Jewish child that requires a Jewish education should be accepted...... No questions asked and that does not happen in Lakewood New Jersey sadly to say but again my dear beloved sister I want you to understand that has nothing to do with Jewish law that has to do with the craziness of Lakewood New Jersey. As far as having all the children same thing according to Jewish law if you can't do it you cannot do it. the Rabbi I will tell you to take the pill . According to Jewish law it doesn't say anywhere actually it says the opposite and again what I'm trying to tell you my dear beloved sister is that this has nothing to do with Jewish law this has to do simply with Lakewood New Jersey and my heart goes out for you that you were stuck in such an environment and nobody saw your pain and you couldn't talk to no one my heart really goes out for you but I want you to remember and understand there's a difference between Jewish law and the craziness that goes on in Lakewood New Jersey.4) I love you very much everybody loves you very much be strong focus on yourself that's your number one priority right now is your peace and love and may the god of Israel bless you with inner peace serenity peace and health and wealth (just want to wrap this up by saying 90% of the people that live in Lakewood New Jersey are wonderful amazing beautiful people they're happy they have beautiful families and if they need mental health they go and seek the help that they need and if they're not happy with their marriage they get divorced most of the people are happily married supporting each other with love and it is a beautiful community however there are a lot of stuff that need to be fixed in the community and thank God the community is working on it more and more❤ I personally love Lakewood New Jersey I have a lot of friends that have dogs that live in Jackson toms River Lakewood and I feel bad for you my dear beloved sister that you had to deal with the 10% that does not know that when someone needs help you have to give them help. And space they need to recover peace and love be strong think about the future and not yesterday only tomorrow Happy New Year❤❤❤

Your a true worrier

Good for Gabi. She is strong.

It is so clear from listening to this how much of yourself you gave away for years, performing for everyone while suffering in silence. You were always the one taking care of others, even when you felt like a "thing made to give" rather than a person.

While it’s beautiful that you’re building a new community, it is a poignant reminder of how we can sometimes fall back into the same trap of needing to be needed by others who are struggling instead of focusing on our own identity and healing. I hope that in this new life, you find the space to truly work on yourself rather than just filling the emptiness by being the "strong woman" for everyone else again. You have done enough for the world; you deserve to be cared for and seen for who you are, not just for what you can provide for others.

It's too bad she wasn't able to go through this crisis of lifestyle as a teenager or early twenties. I realize it's by design, get married young so you're already enmeshed with kids and family that you won't leave but it's too bad even so. Being able to question doesn't mean you're going to leave necessarily it means you're going to own whatever path you take instead of just falling into something you never really wanted and assessing things when you have a family and the stakes are much higher

I love doggies. They are so cute, loving and sweet. I hug and kiss my doggy every day!!!!

So much pain here

Hit like very interesting -she took care of herself

I'm sorry you struggled so much. However, as  a Chabadnik it wouldnt occur to me to ask a Rav if I wanted a dog. There are so many flavors of frumkeit that would have accommodated you: Chabad, Breslov, modern orthodox.  It sounds like you didnt want to be frum at all, which is your choice, but please don't paint orthodox Jews with a broad brush. Lakewood Litvish would never work for me but I love Chabad  after 3 decades.

just heard judge roy altman make similar complaints about hardships that often would push him to quit.he was the guest speaker at the university of miami graduation (easily accessed on youtube).yet he invoked the memory of generations that preceded him and worked hard to afford him and others the incredible opportunity that we all have. everyone is entitled to make his/her own choices but try to endorse the judge’s advice: remember your past especially as it can help one overcome difficulties

I disagree with the statement she made that just because something is true , therefore parents shouldn’t protect their kids from foreign concepts ….. just because it’s true that if you run in to the street it’s dangerous ,therefore a parent shouldn’t watch their kids ? Like what?

#PART 1#Wow to both of you. ❤️ I’m so glad I found you both. Seeing this podcast reminds me why I’ve been writing my books, pamphlets, blogs, and developing #TruthKollelOfficialTM. I’d genuinely love to connect with you both, personally and professionally, and explore sharing my story with you and the frum communities you reach.

Truth be told! 😅 What if hearing someone else tell a difficult story can open the door to finally asking questions about a story of your own?

A central part of my story goes back to AUB and an experience I remember from around age 10, when my Ema sent me alone across the street. I have memories I experienced as having been repressed or inaccessible for decades that are now beginning to make sense, including memories I associate, in my own understanding, with scars that have begun to unravel. I am describing my memories, experiences, questions, and emerging understanding—not presenting my interpretation as established fact.

Years later, living in Israel under rocket fire overhead became a profound turning point. Memories I experienced as having been inaccessible for decades began resurfacing alongside retraumatization and the realities of survival and rebuilding, including a period when a mattress on the floor of a warehouse was part of my reality. That collision between childhood memories and later-life circumstances is one reason I began writing and documenting so extensively.

My books, pamphlets, blogs, and related creative work are an attempt to preserve what I remember, examine what I am beginning to understand, ask better questions, and turn a complicated personal history into material that can be responsibly explored through storytelling, research, education, and conversation.

There are other communities where things are more accepted. It seems like a mental issue to see things black & white. Lakewood is not the only community to be an Orthodox Jew.... hope you find your way back w the wiggle room you need. There are plenty of ppl in Toms River, Manchester, Brooklyn that have dogs