The UnEducated Podcast

The 13th episode of the UnEducated Podcast features Malkie Schwartz, the founder of Footsteps and an attorney at Hunter College. She is passionate about issues that affect people who leave--as well as those who choose to stay--in insular religious communities of all faiths. Hear what Malkie has to say about Yaffed, the impact Footsteps has made within and outside of the ultra-Orthodox community, and the correlation between dignity and education.

In the 12th episode of the UnEducated Podcast, you’ll hear Mr. Kolman discuss the most eye-opening moments he experienced while filming in Brooklyn and meeting with individuals willing--yet terrified--to share their stories, his outrage towards mayoral candidates dubbing this a non-issue, and the personal reason why he initially chose to take on this film project. Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests do not necessarily meet those of Yaffed those of Yaffed

Dr. Shalom Klein is a well regarded community activist and entrepreneur. Shalom is a published author who hosts the popular "Get Down to Business" radio show in Chicago and serves as an Officer in the US Army Reserves (Military Police) as well as the Chairman of the Village of Skokie Economic Development Commission. Shalom holds a doctorate in educational leadership and a masters degree in Jewish Professional Studies with a concentration in nonprofit management. He is on the executive committee and active leader for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests do not necessarily meet those of Yaffed those of Yaffed

This week Chaim Wigder comes on the podcast to share his story!  Chaim Wigder is a graduate of the Hasidic Yeshiva system. His first-hand experience of the effects of educational neglect has led him to advocate on behalf of Hasidic children still in the Yeshiva system. Chaim currently works at Community Access, providing services to underprivileged individuals and families in the New York City area. Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests do not necessarily meet those of Yaffed those of Yaffed

In this episode, Adelle Goldenberg, the winner of Yaffed’s 2021 Haredi Changemaker Award, shares the hurdles she has had to overcome to attend Harvard University after her Hasidic girls school upbringing. She also discusses her views about changing the community from within and why she chose to pursue higher education. She asserts, “[Haredi people] shouldn’t have to lose everything to get an education...this is the way that things are right now, but it doesn’t have to be this way.” Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests do not necessarily meet those of Yaffed those of Yaffed

In a special Women’s History Month episode, we interview social and political activist Yehudis Fletcher, the co-founder of Nahamu, an independent sexual violence advisor at Migdal Emunah, and a student of social policy at Salford University. Yehudis discusses her critical work fighting systemic issues harming the Haredi community, inward-facing extremism, and gender-based autonomy. The simple yet powerful message Yehudis sends to the broader community? “Haredi people are people just like you.” For more information or to support her cause click the links below. Check out Nahamu's position on forced marriages - http://nahamu.org/forced-marriage-analysis-of-arranged-marriage-as-practiced-in-jewish-communities/ To donate please click here - http://www.nahamu.org/donate Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests do not necessarily meet those of Yaffed those of Yaffed

Join Yaffed's Board President in a telling of her journey from growing up in the South Bronx to coming to Yaffed Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests do not necessarily meet those of Yaffed those of Yaffed

Education Activist Steven White joins us to discuss how the Ramapo School district has changed over the years and talks about the lawsuit that he hopes will lead  to real chance. He said he didn't realize growing up that "he got his education on the back of children that did not get one". Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests do not necessarily meet those of Yaffed those of Yaffed

Yohanan and Shifra Lowen say when they left high school they could barely add or subtract, could not read and write in English or French, and were unprepared to find work. We explore their upbringing and the lawsuit the launched in Quebec. They are not suing for money but are demanding a declaratory judgment to force Quebec to provide more oversight to ensure that children who attend private religious schools learn the provincial curriculum. Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests do not necessarily meet those of Yaffed those of Yaffed

Abby Stein is a Jewish educator, author, speaker, and activist. She was born and raised in a Hasidic family of rabbinic descent, and is a direct descendant of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidic Judaism. Abby attended Yeshiva, completing a rabbinical degree in 2011. In 2012, she left the Hasidic world to explore a self-determined life. In 2015 Abby came out as a woman of trans experience. Since coming out, she has been working to raise support and awareness for trans rights and those leaving Ultra-Orthodoxy. Her story has been covered in the New York Times, New York Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Jewish Daily Forward, Daily Mail, NBC, Vogue, InStyle, and more, as well as live appearances on CNN, Fox News, HuffPost Live, ShowTime, NowThis, PopSugar and internationally. In 2016, Abby was named by The Jewish Week as one of the “36 Under 36” young Jews who are inspiring change in the world. In 2018 she was awarded the Pride Award by the Brooklyn Borough President. She studied gender studies and political science at Columbia University in New York City. Abby's book Becoming Eve: My Journey from Ultra-Orthodox Rabbi to Transgender Woman, a coming-of-age memoir, will be published by Seal Press in November 2019.