35: Deborah Feldman, Unorthodox: the real Esty on Netflix

Have you watched Unorthodox on Netflix yet? It’s a highly moving drama, brilliantly portrayed. It’s the story of a pregnant teenager fleeing her ultra-orthodox Jewish community in New York for a new and uncharted life in Berlin. The series heroine, Esty Shapiro(played by Shira Haas and pictured with Deborah)is fictitious - but the story largely isn't. It's based on the real-life experience of Deborah Feldman, who now lives in the German capital, having grown up as an ultra-religious Brooklyn girl in the Satmar tradition. Deborah's book is the story of her own exodus from Williamsburg. I tracked her down to her Berlin home, easier than normal with everyone in lockdown! It's an intense interview covering many topics: the role of women in orthodox communities, how the current Jewish generation deal with the trauma of the Holocaust, the future of Zionism and just how many Chasidim(religious Jews)have taken Esty and Deborah's route out. It’s “thousands and now it’s become a movement”, says Deborah. LISTEN to this deep and thought-provoking interview with the real Esty Shapiro, Deborah Feldman. Jonny makes these podcasts for free and you can help support him at https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=BW4GZLQCCL29Y&item_name=Podcast+production+¤cy_code=GBP&source=url