Ex-Hasidic Man Sues Quebec Gov for Failing to Ensure Proper Education

Рет қаралды 41,182

Күн бұрын

A father fights the Quebec government after realizing the secular education both he and his children had gotten in their Hasidic Yeshivas, were intentionally not up to the legal state requirements. Struggling with ostracization, dishonor and a battle to keep their own children after leaving the sect, Yohanan Lowen continues to fight for the children who don’t know any better.
Chapter Markers:
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:29 No functional education for its members, do you agree?
00:03:39 Disclaimer: Orthodox community split into main 3 sections
00:06:25 Why different Jewish Sects wash each others hands
00:07:35 Last disclaimer
00:08:23 Growing up in a Hasidic ghetto
00:09:27 The differences in the community from London to New York (CONTROL)
00:10:58 What does Hasidic control look like?
00:11:39 Responding to the Chavie video commenters claiming her story was biased
00:12:59 Are Rabbi's allowed to get married or have sex?
00:15:58 How old was Yohanan when he got married?
00:16:47 Masturbation was considered WORSE than murder
00:18:02 No birth control- families with 18 children!
00:21:40 Is anyone happy in the group?
00:24:26 Required duties of a Hasidic man in Yohanan's sect
00:28:13 His elite line of family
00:32:19 What started the domino effect for Yohanan's family to leave
00:35:25 Why put his son in a non-hasidic school to begin with?
00:37:00 Differences in Hasidic yeshivas and secular schools
00:41:26 Why are governments siding with these high control groups over the parents of children who have left?
00:44:41 Advice for anyone who is trying to leave their Hasidic community
00:47:50 Linda, listen
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Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara
*Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.*

Пікірлер: 396

@barbsilvey3276 Жыл бұрын

How does this wonderful man think he has trouble with English? He is an inspiring speaker!!!

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Very inspiring!

@lorigarry6098 Жыл бұрын

How can someone help?

@punk2pasture Жыл бұрын

Right? I only speak English and have been for 43 years and he's better than I am 😂

@aviendha1154 Жыл бұрын

Presumably because he’s much more fluent in his other languages.

@devadii24 Жыл бұрын

In Quebec, Canada, the official language is French, not English

@vanessam3195 Жыл бұрын

This man has a broader English vocabulary than some of us! I'm thrilled with his passion for freedom, education, and wanting the best for his (and all) children. Thank you for sharing!

@zippymacadoo6336 Жыл бұрын

He speaks 5 languages. No apology needed! You sir, are very articulate. Thank you for sharing your story. Please accept a bashert from me. I may not be Jewish, but I grew up in New Rochelle, NY and have always found Judaism very interesting.

@offairhead 5 ай бұрын

The Yiddish word “bashert” means “destiny” and is traditionally used to describe ones soulmate.

@nedsanders Жыл бұрын

What a wonderful gentleman making a difference for children to have proper education. Education will be the demise of these groups because knowledge is power. I appreciate and love what this channel is doing.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Yes, it’s very noble of him to fight for the kids even after leaving

@joanne916 5 ай бұрын

Yochanon has become like a brother to me. He is a wonderful and smarter than he’ll ever admit. His family is so brave, and I admire them all.

@anjavonpfeil4312 Жыл бұрын

I am so happy that you are branching out and interviewing people from a wide variety of high demand groups and religions. People who leave their particular group can easily fall into another group, because they can't see the parallels and tactics all of these groups use to recruit new people. Keep shining the light on the abuses. It's not what they believe that causes harm, it's what they do within the groups and how they force people to stay. Yohanan is right - it is slavery.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Yes, it’s what they do that causes harm. Thanks so much! We are trying to diversify while also giving people what they initially came here for. Thanks for your support!

@NancyCronk Жыл бұрын

I have watched so many of these videos that talk about people trying to leave their faith community and the courts require them to leave their children in the community. We need to all stand up and demand that children need both parents, and that parents who leave as much right, if not more, to take their kids out of cults. The Freedom of Religion was never designed to protect cult organizations, only individuals.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree

@bizdiva9552 Жыл бұрын

I’m from Quebec and lived my whole childhood with hasidic neighbours, I remember hearing his story on the news and always wanted to know more about it! Thank you for sharing

@ForgottenWalrus0 Жыл бұрын

As an ex-orthodox women who left at 16, though it was never this extream for me, but yes the education really is abhorent. I have a family friend who left as an adult with kids from a similar community he is from and he could not multiply double didget numbers as an adult. That man is now a flight nurse, flight paramedic, and police officer. He is still religious, has a beautiful wife and kids, owns a home, and makes more than enough to support his family. To anyone reading this, I know we are told that if we leave we will never be happy, that everyone on the outside is misrable and hates their lives, THAT ISNT TRUE! Happieness does exist in the outside, religious or not, and it can be done. There is community on the outside

@ForgottenWalrus0 Жыл бұрын

@chantalle7340 There's a program in the local community College that specializes in helping those leaving the extream part of the religion. They taught him math, english, history, science. Stuff the rest if the US learned in 3rd grade that he never learned. From what he's told me it was very difficult but very worth it

@tamarak.8800 Жыл бұрын

His kids can be glad their parents loved them more than their community.

@shawneevee7490 Жыл бұрын

I agree, the Quebecquois government is responsible to ensure education is standardized but at the same time they want to ensure the Jewish community doesn’t feel persecuted.

@ethanstump Жыл бұрын

while discrimination is definitely an issue, freedom of religion is just as important, and if you can't say no to your faith group, you aren't saying yes. organized faith has to reject informed consent in order to stay sustainable, which makes me believe that it shouldn't be sustainable in today's day and age. this grandfathering in of past feudal institutions....... is actually limiting the growth of capitalistic society, let alone socialism. and as both survivors pointed out... "the community" is almost never the member's, but the rabbi's that actually have a financial interest in their continued hierarchical power over members, especially at the expense of us.

@juliee593 Жыл бұрын

If they feel persecuted when the government wants them to provide an education to their children, then they should check themselves... It's like when people in "christian science" feel persecuted because the government forces them to provide medical care for their children instead of letting them die slowly and painfully...

@CaroAbebe Жыл бұрын

I wish Yohanan every success. I agree that the secular authorities have the duty to guarantee that every single child receives adequate education and opportunities. In Austria, we have private schools, among them many faith schools. Every single school has to comply with state regulations: either the schools stick to the curriculum prescribed by the state, or the students have to take - and pass - exams set by the state. In order to be allowed to be homeschooled, children have to pass an exam at the end of every semester.

@melm.c.8562 Жыл бұрын

How wild. Same in my iny tiny Latin American country. Many schools, mostly public ones, but everyone has to pass the national tests and conform with the curriculum set in the Education Ministry for every grade, even in high school.

@teemarie5478 Жыл бұрын

That’s amazing every single country should do this regardless of the different family religions. To me there should be no children that don’t have a basic education, when these communities are able to run their own schools/ communities I believe they’re able to hide way too much. I’ve always heard people speak badly about the public school in the US but both my girls are in advance classes and one has went off to college and is on the Deans list. I’m beyond proud of them. They are the first to have a college education. We all graduated but didn’t go any further. I always taught my girls the importance of having a education. I never want them to have to depend on anyone. I want them to be able to go into a relationship and. It be stuck because they can’t support themselves. I truly don’t think many parents think about that. The kids that weren’t in advance classes seemed like they didn’t care if they failed. It’s like they were almost certain to fail, that broke my heart the ones in advance classes seem to feed off one another and compete with one another which is not a bad thing. A bit of competition is healthy.

@amandacamposrodriguez9971 Жыл бұрын

@@melm.c.8562 Dont know where are you from, but same in Costa Rica, also tiny Latin American country.

@melm.c.8562 Жыл бұрын

@@amandacamposrodriguez9971 casualidad, hablamos del mismo país 😅

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Yes! This makes perfect sense to me. Thanks for sharing.

@legzandherpiano Жыл бұрын

Fuck everyone invalidating Chavi's experience. It's possible to share your experience without invalidating another survivor's experience. She gave the disclaimer multiple times that it was her experience and didn't represent the entire community.

@smilingjacks83 Жыл бұрын

Exactly. Put me off watching the interview since the interviewee was discrediting her too.

@gnommg Жыл бұрын

Please Listen up until around Minute 40 to realize that he is not invalidating her story. He is stressing how horrible her experience was. Earlier he is just pointing out that the language and Ghetto issue make it more difficult to leave. Chavi mentioned that the fact she was the breadwinner and lived in the city made it "easier" for her to leave. Both acknowledge that the decade long harrassment by secular courts of Chavi was a disgusting crime and he also speaks out against the horrible forced marriage culture.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Absolutely!!! Thanks, Lisa! 🙌🙌

@Banana04218 Жыл бұрын

He's definitely not, there's a lot of nuance and complexity, Orthodoxy isn't a monolith and he's attempting to articulate the nuance & actual politics of the situation.

@stephenfisher3721 Жыл бұрын

First of all, please don't use that kind of language; I find it offensive and I have to keep myself from thinking less of you. Secondly, Yochonon Lowen was in no way invalidating or even making less of Chavie Weisberger's experience.

@andricheli Жыл бұрын

Such a fascinating discussion. The guest makes an excellent point about the role of government in supporting this cult, to the detriment of the people stuck in the cult and the larger public. In NY this has caused so many children to grow up completely uneducated but it’s also impacted larger public health issues. We saw this during COVID, but it’s also occurred around vaccine-preventable illness and other communicable diseases. These cults vote as a group at the direction of their leaders. (Also, thanks for featuring my comment! Keep up the good work on shining a light on these closed communities.)

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Hi Drea! Thoughtful comments as always ❤️ thanks for sharing your thoughts

@nickywal Жыл бұрын

Exactly I was in NYC in January 2019, in the middle of a measles outbreak because not only were they dealing with the woo woo plague rats, but they had gotten into the Somali community, mostly recent immigrants with good reason to distrust "western" medicine

@audradoak4709 Жыл бұрын

@communistsharks6889 Жыл бұрын

absolutely wild that this is happening in Québec, with its history of severe secularism. just goes to show how deep the roots of fundamentalism run in Western societies. Yohanan is so brave and I'm glad he managed to protect his family -- he's clearly such a proud dad!

@Constantin9va Жыл бұрын

The more severe and enforced the secularism is, the more severe and enforced the insular religious communities.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

A proud dad for sure! 😁

@markusaurelius83 Жыл бұрын

In every culture & religion control is established by brainwashing. Even if it is not religious, your opinions and feelings are still greatly controlled by the various intelligence agencies manipulating the Mainstream Media and the algorithms of the search engines of the internet. Unfortunately human culture as a whole is an onion of systems of control and even the most powerful people live in fear, since they live in a world above the law. Their world is a jungle and all who reached the top are hunter and prey at the same time - so they always "wear a mask" to conceil their intentions.

@maryscott9430 Жыл бұрын

You dont need to apologise!!! 3:25 You speak 5 languages. FIVE!! Most people dont even speak 2. Good for you! Even IF your vocabulary isnt perfect, i have no doubt we will still understand you and your story just fine. This is a safe place! Im glad you got out and have a better more free life.❤

@harjad9546 9 ай бұрын

I'm nitpicking but that's not correct. Only around 40% of people globally are monolingual. Most people do speak two or more languages.

@TeejayTheAussie 9 ай бұрын

Agreed. English is a horrid language to learn, learning four prior is an amazing feat. Period.

@nusbacher Жыл бұрын

Yochanan's point at the beginning about Chabad is important: consider having someone with a Chabad missionary background as a guest.

@lonedinosaur13 Жыл бұрын

I’m so glad he brought up Chabad and offered clarification and explanation. They are extremely active in my community and he clarified things I’ve been confused about in that regard

@chantalle7340 Жыл бұрын

We don’t have a synagogue in my very small city. I’ve never seen any Orthodox Jewish residents but a new Chabad center just opened up. I went to their website but still couldn’t figure out who they were (other than a Jewish community. center/new school/new camp). They’re hiring teachers but were very specific about the desired qualifications. Yohannes helped me understand more about Chabad.

@chantalle7340 Жыл бұрын

@alexandrarouthier6469 Жыл бұрын

As a French Canadian from Montreal, it breaks my heart when I hear stories like these and I know that they happen around me. We live parallel lives, the cults making sure we never cross paths. Is there something we can do or say to help reach people who are stuck within these cults?

@ethanstump Жыл бұрын

while not as orthodox as the Hasidic community, as an ex-Mormon, I remember some people protesting outside a temple as I was going in. best thing I can tell people is to practice street epistemology. getting people to think for themselves is magnitudes better than to tell them they are wrong. I got to where I am today, by people helping me to think for myself, and understanding my individuality was more important than what my community was telling me it was.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

That’s a great question! I know that Chavie (previous ex-Hasidic guest) works for a non profit who helps people leave these groups. Maybe consider donating? Or reaching out to them? Footstepsorg.org

@revertinthemaking Жыл бұрын

Living in Montreal for five years, and even though I appreciated what the religion was all about, I could n't help feeling offended and put off by the lack of interaction, whether while on the bus, or in a shop, or sharing the same space in any way. The insistence on no contact, whcih means not acknowledging even my presence in your line of sight, was offputting. Horrible actually, Even with the more modern among them. The french culture is so interactive and social, they are two opposite poles and two opposite experiences for an outsider (I was an Anglo).

@scotiadunlop 9 ай бұрын

Dudddeee have you heard of “Antkids” cult?!? They started in Quebec and moved to Ontario near the small town I grew up in as a kid… another Quebec case…

@donnacarlin236 Жыл бұрын

This is true about judges in New York City. The Hasidic community in New York City has a lot of political power because they engage in block voting. The whole community votes for whoever the Rebbe tells them to vote for. It causes problems both in custody cases and it also causes problems with the education system, because the city and state governments have not been willing to enforce the laws. There are currently a significant number of people acting to try to change the situation. There is a group called YAFFED, which stands for young advocates for fair education which was created by someone named Naftuli Moster. He is no longer in charge of the group, but the group still continues and engages in ongoing efforts to reform the Hasidic education system, and make sure that the education laws are enforced in New York State.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing, Donna! I’m glad there are more efforts out there to help the children and education

@stephenfisher3721 Жыл бұрын

One important point to clarify what Yochanan Lowen talked about. To someone not familiar with Orthodox Judaism, many of the practices of the Hasidim seem very weird but are actually normative Orthodox Judaism. The biggest difference is that modern (not Hasidic, not yeshivish) Orthodoxy is more engaged with the secular world around them. When a modern Orthodox Jew stops being Orthodox, it is not the same crisis. The former modern Orthodox Jew speaks the language of the country and has a college education. He knows know to navigate in the secular world.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that!

@beverleylocke4207 Жыл бұрын

Very courageous. So nice to hear that the children are flourishing and enjoying their education. It gives you choices.

@simopen Жыл бұрын

A lot of this story is so horrible, but him being so proud of his children warms my heart

@shalvahmbmacdonald8487 Жыл бұрын

Yohanan & Shifra, we are all behind you & support you. You have come so far to give yourselves & your children a better life. I admire everything you both are & have done - challenged control others wanted to keep over you, listened to your senses & neshamot to search for a better way to live, left a community that didn't prepare you for a life "off the derech", found your way in the outside, learned so many new skills & information, committed to questioning everything you had been taught & had lived which you continue to do beautifully, thoughtfully, meaningfully. You are true heros & such fine, fine people. B'hatzlachah!

@shifralowen Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! your kind words mean so much to me

@mariapark2374 Жыл бұрын

Shelis, forgive me if I spelled your name wrong. 🙂 You are an awesome interviewer, empathetic and clear, able to bring your guest back around to topic with grace and you are adept at tying in previous guests comments and questions into the current interview. And your questions are presented in such a non-threatening way. I love your style and appreciate all of the time you put into your work. Yay for you! 🎉🎉🎉

@CyraEm Жыл бұрын

Agreed, and I came to comment this exact same thing. Shelise is an excellent interviewer!

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Maria! That really means a lot. I always do my best to treat the guest with respect, while also getting the most information for our viewers. These types of compliments help motivate me to keep going ❤️

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, CyraEm! 🥰🙏 I appreciate you!

@oritreuter5578 Жыл бұрын

What an absolutely informative interview. I have so much respect for Yohannan and his wife and their work.

@Lesterfaye81 Жыл бұрын

Yohanan, I don't know you or your kids, but I'm proud of you. Good job. Keep going and keep fighting for those kids.

@Lady_Biblical-Iran Жыл бұрын

This man and his family are heroes !!!

@NapaCat Жыл бұрын

14:08: please note that Reform and some Conservative rabbis can be any gender. Most sects also don't do the marriage thing, it doesn't matter. The ultra Orthodox/Haredim are known to be much more stringent and have many more rules than even the orthodox.

@dollsNcats Жыл бұрын

Ok 🥺🥺he should NEVER have to apologize for HIS 5Th language!!!! I didn’t even think twice 😭he’s great ! I wish I knew 5 languages lol .

@_Julie_Bee Жыл бұрын

Amazing interview. Im from montreal. Lived all my life in Quebec. I know of his story. And all i can say about the outrage that we need to express to help and save kids and parents, is that its hard. We don't want to feed a still existant antisemitic feeling in some parts of the population. So many of us, ill informed ppl, chose to give them their right to chose religion and lifestyle. Respecting that ,we probably closed our eyes to abuse and its really upsetting.

@franciebelcher4594 11 ай бұрын

I absolutely love that we get hear a male's POV from one of these sects. So often it's abused women and girls, and we know it's also happening to men and boys, but unfortunately their stories are often heard. I hope he continues to do well. Love your channel

@SonyAGarza Жыл бұрын

I’ve being working for so many years at Kyrias Tosh Community and I have nothing by respect and love for these people. Certainly there are things can be improve. Still these people are amazing human beings.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

And absolutely no one is saying otherwise. Systems not people.

@clarawasserstein99 Жыл бұрын

Exactly! My husband was one of those good hearted ppl there! That’s exactly his point: his fight IS for these kind ppl. As you so well said its the SYSTEM that is the problem. Thank you for confirming this whole interview

@leticiavasquez8566 9 ай бұрын

I agree that governments that deem themselves secular should absolutely ensure that people in religious cults and by this i mean religions period follow the general laws of the land so to speak. Religious law should only be allowed IF AND WHEN AND AS LONG AS it adheres to human rights and the secular laws of the land. Yohanan, I am so sorry that the government did not protect you all. Peace and healing be upon you and yours.

@ForgottenWalrus0 Жыл бұрын

Keep posting leaving the orthodox community content! As someone who left I never see stories. Much love and respect

@dougmurphy1777 Жыл бұрын

Love how Yohanan's son beat out every other kid in the country studying the Hebrew bible - it really puts the lie to the absurd notion that boys from Jewish families need to study the scriptures all day every day. Shelise, you are a great interviewer and a real sweetheart - please keep doing what you're doing!

@stephenfisher3721 Жыл бұрын

Congratulations to Chayim Lowen, who came in first at Chidon HaTanach (International Bible Contest) finals in Toronto and then competed in Israel.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Doug! I agree it’s pretty amazing that his son did so well. Makes me want to draw the conclusion that more secular education actually assists in spiritual study, not hinders it.

@shifralowen Жыл бұрын

@@CultstoConsciousness that is actually what one of the great Jewish sages the Gaon of Vilna said: that everyone who studies Torah(bible) and has no worldly knowledge loses out a lot. In his words: the measure that one lacks in worldly wisdom is multiplied by ten for how much they are missing out in understanding the Torah (bible)

@vanessagiles8533 Жыл бұрын

Such a brave and intelligent man. God Bless you and your family Sir 🙏🏼

@olgamartha5727 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this…shockingly amazing

@roseannegagliardi7546 11 ай бұрын

Much respect for this man and his wife for never giving up and fighting for their children’s future as well as their own.

@Cowboysfan40 Жыл бұрын

That was a wonderful interview! Enjoyed every minute of it. I hope you will have him on again.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Sarah!

@debariyah4980 8 ай бұрын

My word, i went through something similar. My youngest son ran away from Yeshivah the first week. The main teacher was a yeller and his father is not. Both my boys got hit by the teachers with metal rulers. So i took them out and homeschooled them myself. They are bilingual, learned a trade and own their own businesses now. They are 24 and 21. I am not in a Jewish community but we call the boys' school Yeshivah. However, those teachers were eventually expelled, because of what was done to my boys.

@helenavioleta Жыл бұрын

Looking forward to this video 🎉 thank you shelise and guest!

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Helena!

@jtedandlindasimpson7044 9 ай бұрын

I am totally blown away in shock after listening to this gentleman. I am a Christian in a strongly Christian community. At 70 yrs old I never realized how totally clueless I was about the Jewish community. I knew of the different sects but had no idea how oppressive they could be. When you think of how this lifestyle stifles any options of choice from them from baby on., it truly grieves my heart. What they share with the Christian community is when ever people at the top gain too much power their control becomes tainted with evil. A man’s heart turn’s to evil all the while deceiving him self & others at the top that he is doing it to keep everyone close to God. When you think that everyone you know & love is completely caught up in this , you realize it must take a miracle for anyone to ever get out. God bless this man for speaking out.

@lizhumble9953 Жыл бұрын

Such an informative interview! Thanks for this video.

@toonezon4836 Жыл бұрын

point of order: the point he makes about the Talit (prayer shawl), where it is not worne till marriage, is not true of all orthadox/observant jewdaism, its mostly an ashkanazi custom. observant/religious sephardic and mizrahi jews for example, wear the talit from the age of barmitzva, they wear it regardless of weather they are single or married. just wanted to make that clarification

@NapaCat Жыл бұрын

Reform and Conservative people have their own traditions, too fyi

@jodishapiro9257 Жыл бұрын

Also German ashkenazi (yekkes) wear tallit from the age of bar mitzvah

@Constantin9va Жыл бұрын

I really think Shelise needs a Secular/Reform Jewish correspondent to help her to have these conversations responsibly. Also so they can be good! Judaism is so complex, there is so much here that went right over her head.

@lezbyanke777 Жыл бұрын

I thought that was Sephardic Jewish custom to only wear tallit after marriage

@daniellamcgee4251 Жыл бұрын

@@Constantin9va know next to nothing about the Jewish religions, communities or cultures, but even I was frustrated at how much was going over the interviewer's head. 'Wow! Beautiful!' Beautiful??? Did you hear that was all about indoctrination??? However, I am greatful for the service of this channel being a public platform for a religion/ cult we don't hear much about.

@revertinthemaking Жыл бұрын

If there is such a thing, you should win awards for your effective interviewing, as well as editing. I always feel that way after one of your episodes. This was a great one!

@antp1125 Жыл бұрын

He is 100% right about how the government needs to step in. This should be the case with most home schooled children and other religious communities too. It is so unfair that communities, cults and parents are forcing children not to be properly educated and to follow a religion that has been forced on them.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Yeah, it’s sad that the children have to suffer for their parents’ choices, but I guess that’s how it is across the board in general. But the kids don’t know what they don’t know.

@HeiwaTori Жыл бұрын

so true, like the only reason scientology is tax exempt is because they harassed & threatened people & their families

@catherineroberts5239 Жыл бұрын

I appreciate how he was able to funnel all this anger he has into doing good for others. It is clear that he’s had to keep up an emotional wall to keep himself and his family going and enact change in the world. But I don’t like how he minimized the suffering of your other guest. It seems like trauma has closed him off from softness 😔

@maryscott9430 Жыл бұрын

Wow. You are an inspirational man. You speak VERY well. You have mentioned reading and things you have read a few times now. Wich lets me know you want to grow and learn, and that its important to you… that knowledge is important to you. I also appreciate having a mans insights on this topic. Wonderful job!

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Mary! I agree with you!

@Nail.geek.kiki7 Жыл бұрын

I love how passionate he is!!!

@sallyostling Жыл бұрын

It's so interesting that the differences between the 2 interviews!

@redraven_the 9 ай бұрын

What an inspiring human being. Thank you for this interview.

@sharkofjoy Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this interview, and the two with Chavie (and one w Ruby). I had a deeply negative experience working under a Hasidic boss, but I have never been able to understand it or talk about it because of how quickly such questions and conversations become anti-Semitic, which is not what I am talking about and I reject at all costs. My problems were with a dehumanizing cult that bore no resemblance to my Jewish neighbors and friends and exes, but I didn't have the language or vocabulary to get any context. I am still haunted by these experiences and I am grateful to have some way of placing those memories in a proper history and context. I wonder if my old boss had any real education: he tried to micromanage so many things that he had absolutely no knowledge about and it was, in addition to insulting and demoralizing to be around him, infuriating to try and get anything done. This man was very rich and powerful, and I hated him with my entire soul. He had millions of dollars, but perhaps I can begin a search for some empathy for what he didn't have.

@atherisGAY Жыл бұрын

Thank you Yohanan for giving an interview in your fifth language, even if you don't feel fully confident in it. I thought you were super well spoken. I wish you and your family all the best!

@josie5000 Жыл бұрын

Just wanted to say that your interviews are really interesting and high quality … new listener here !

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Josie! Welcome to C2C!

@diaryofanotdgirl89 11 ай бұрын

When Yochanan mentioned a Grand Rabbi who came to London to “save the souls of FIVE children whose parents had left the cult” my heart broke. I’m the mother of 3 of those children.

@teemarie5478 Жыл бұрын

New subscriber here. I truly enjoy your videos. I love that this man is doing what he can to ensure that people are being better educated.

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Hi Tee! Welcome to C2C! I agree, he’s great!

@injinii4336 Жыл бұрын

Keep fighting! You're making progress! Small victories over time add up!

@aceshigh5157 Жыл бұрын

yohanan's mannerisms and speech patterns remind me of my late grandfather, who was born and raised in a jewish village in belarus. my grandfather moved to leningrad (now st. petersburg, russia) before ww2. anyway, the resemblance is uncanny.

@jannetee4861 Жыл бұрын

I love watching your interviews (just binge watching atm 😆)! I felt like commenting, as I am German and I did a huge growing-journey: I grew up in the 80s and 90s in a loving family environment. My grandma and great-grandma told me their war-time experiences (hiding bread(1/2 saw dust) in tree stumps for Polish slave labourers, stumbling over dead bodies etc.) and I always wondered growing up how and why humans (in this case the Nazis) could, or would behave in such ways, creating havoc and suffering for nothing. I married in Australia and found myself in an abusive relationship, unpacking and reading about pathological narcissism 11 years later (trying to get myself and the kids out and through the court system...). I started to understand human programming, the part trauma plays in people’s dynamics and I am just fascinated by the small group- big group ‘mass psychosis’ that people can be part of without understanding. And how difficult it can be to stop or intervene in systems (e.g. cults, political movements, harmful traditions, human trafficking rings etc.) once they have been going for a while and how new ones keep forming!!!! Human brains can be dangerous and we underestimate (and some are incapable of understanding) how important moral self-navigation is. Sorry this got a bit longer. I wish Yohanan and his family all the best and the rest they deserve! Keep up the beautiful work Shelise! 👍🍀🎈

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing! I agree, humans are interesting creatures. The wars and suffering for the benefit of other humans is so backwards. Thank you for the compliments! Welcome to C2C!

@delphinedelphinedelphine Жыл бұрын

I teach a unit in my high school English class about the BITE model identified by Steven Hasan about cults. I then have the kids pick a cult or a relevant topic to give a presentation on. Most recently, a group talked about how the N*zi party used all of the same elements of the BITE model to control the populace. It was so interesting and they barely scratched the surface in their 30 minute presentation.

@jannetee4861 Жыл бұрын

@@chantalle7340 Thanks for your reply! It gave me goosebumps. Isn't it amazing how people/their stories find each other and circles close through life stories - and cult awareness! I wish I could tell my grandma and great-grandma. It was somewhere in Niedersachsen, Germany, my grandma was a small child, maybe 7 or 8, and living near a train station and camp she witnessed the way the slave laborers where herded out of trains - so much trauma, unbelievable... My great-grandma was a very brave woman, not sure how she did it, she just went with her own moral compass, she was even hiding a Jewish man in a big dolls- (or cubby-) house in her garden for a while, until her uncle said he would denounce her (again, an interesting topic - families and their moral stands/level of blindness when coerced in a cult, or party). Anyway, she asked my grandma if they should help the laborers and my grandma said she wanted to, so like little red-riding hood she would go and hide bread. When the allies came and the war was over, two Polish slave laborers knocked on their door to tell them it was them who they saved. All the best to you and your family!

@fozziebean 5 ай бұрын

Good luck fighting through the court system, if you're still going through that. Your kids will learn about your hard work and sacrifice one day. They'll be so grateful.

@SandraSoll 4 ай бұрын

What a great interview

@TOBDNCNG-Marygrace Жыл бұрын

Great interview!

@rebeccatalotta9628 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for this-what a great guy!-also I kept waiting for the evidence of some impairment to show up from his stroke-never showed up-and his English is excellent!!!

@bellsthesultana Жыл бұрын

Amazing interview!!

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@user-fn3kz1ng8t 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing

@misterdiffiCULT1 Жыл бұрын

This was awesome. I honestly don't have an answer except for "informed consent." So if people want to leave, they should be able. If they want to stay, then the same. No one should ever feel trapped. That being said, implementing that is another story. And those up top absolutely don't want that to happen. It seems almost insurmountable, but so did this man's own departure from the community. I'm so happy to hear how his family is doing now. I feel his pain and determination to help others in his words. I hope we don't shut our ears to this.

@flutterbybird13 6 күн бұрын

Sending loves and appreciation 🦋🦋🦋

@elizabethwarman9028 Жыл бұрын

This is so fascinating.

@chantalle7340 Жыл бұрын

Great interview and guest. His story is inspiring & I appreciate his willingness to educate others. It’s great to hear that his children are thriving & other children will have some opportunity for a standard education. Of course much improvement is needed but at least it’s movement in a positive direction . I’ve always wanted to learn more about Judaism but couldn’t find detailed information on the different branches & sects (Wikipedia is not always reliable). Yohannes asked about our feelings regarding supporting a family leaving an extremely restrictive environment. IMO, he & his family are similar to refugees receiving political asylum. They should be provided with the same financial, housing, medical & legal support as others. I will continue to follow him as I’m eager to learn more about his religious faith & culture.

@Bondgirlhopeful Жыл бұрын

What a hero! Fight for the children! ❤

@MissTippiLu Жыл бұрын

Another fascinating interview. I grew up in Cleveland during the 70’s near a large Jewish community but never realized how isolated they are. This is heartbreaking😢

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Happy you liked it! I’m sure there are variations between groups but it feels like there are certainly some through lines that feel off

@jdr9419 Жыл бұрын

Amazing. I never knew things were like this.

@xefirah8753 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for clarifying about the Lubavitch- Chabad

@AmyInBoston Жыл бұрын

You are a brave man!! I grew up around a large population of Hasidic people. I admire you!

@jdr9419 Жыл бұрын

This is amazing. I have seen members of this group on tv and documentaries. I have been to Quebec a number of times and have never even seen an Hasidic Jew in public.

@elizabethslayton3534 Жыл бұрын

Thank You

@geedee2682 Жыл бұрын

This channel is about to blow up and I loooooove it!!!

@CultstoConsciousness Жыл бұрын

Giiiiiiirl thank you! I appreciate the support!!

@offairhead 5 ай бұрын

This breaks my heart to know these things but I am very grateful to learn these things. My spiritual beliefs fall somewhere between Messianic Judaism and Christianity but my beliefs really don’t align with those of anyone I know and I fully believe in personal autonomy and while I have studied a lot about Judaic beliefs I haven’t studied their modern day culture and communities and I have learned a lot about the modern Judaic communities through these last two videos. You are doing good work here!!

@TeejayTheAussie 9 ай бұрын

As an outsider, the way your guests & you yourself share your stories are awesome. Nil hate, most would have been happy to continue had they had access to education and rights- females and kiddos. The honesty from this guest is amazing!!! I take my hat off to him, the respect he expresses to his culture while choosing to leave for his family and while not feeling rejected by is god more than the community. Many blessings to all that find their own way 🖤

@barbarawilliams3200 10 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@missyihunt Жыл бұрын

I hope he and his family continue to have success. I hope they are a model for those wanting to leave.

@twentieth-centuryamyfox 8 ай бұрын

This man speaks in his 6th language more eloquently than I do in English... my only language

@LomaLIndagal 23 күн бұрын

Fascinating story!

@glory5110 Жыл бұрын

What an amazing and intelligent man. 5 languages too!

@FccFvf-ew6yi 7 ай бұрын

Thank you

@anti-theist Жыл бұрын

So happy for him and his family. Way to go!

@-fiona-583 Ай бұрын

Very inspiring! A freedom fighter indeed.

@tonyaraeschmidt1983 Жыл бұрын

I can’t believe how he thinks his English is lacking. He is incredibly well spoken❤️

@elizabethsanmiguel 22 күн бұрын

Great work to ensure that families have normal lives and freedom to live their life as they wish ❤

@dmalka336 11 ай бұрын

Wowwww Chidon Hatanach is a huuuge things. Congratulations to your son on this amazing accomplishment!!!

@alandeakin3533 5 ай бұрын

This guy is a giant among men, he has put everything including his soul into fighting what is obviously unjustifiably harmful and wrong and a shameful way to bring up children. I feel joy for him coming out on top against all the odds and efforts to spend unlimited funds hiring lawyers to defeat him...well done that man.

@malloryknox1637 Жыл бұрын

Hun you English is amazing 5 languages like holy crap you've forgotten more about language than ive ever learned very impressive.

@marisolgarciapacheco5171 Жыл бұрын

Saludos y admiración desde México

@AyakoTachi Жыл бұрын

These sects are so good at operating outside of secular law in NYC

@jaclynrichmond1049 Жыл бұрын

Very well spoken man. Brave to take this stance, good for him.

@user-ty9dt6rr1q Ай бұрын

Only we can tell our story. We see through our own eyes not through others. Everyone has a different perspective. Let each person tell their story. So fascinating and incredible to be able to speak their truth.

@sashamanus1715 Жыл бұрын

As a secular Jew, who studies Talmud, most secular communities think the heredim (Hebrew for “tremblers”) are insane. However, I will admit that the even secularJewish communities are isolated - and with the uptick of antisemitism from the non-Jewish community, I fear that our cults will take advantage of that and grow their numbers. I’d love to speak about the similarities and differences here!

@dmalka336 11 ай бұрын

Wow. Very interested to hear more about that secret letter of Rebbe’s uncle. Never heard that before. My aunt and uncle were close with that sect.

@SuzetteSam79 Жыл бұрын

I think the best way to help is to send a message to elected officials who are receptive to votes. So I would definitely participate in protest and advocacy… to answer his question. Thanks for sharing your story.