Unorthodox: Deborah Feldman's escape from Brooklyn to Berlin | DW Interview 

She is so fiercely intelligent, what an impressive human being who can communicate all these difficult concepts into something the outside world can understand.

It's now 6 year since this interview. I've just finished the Netflix series "Unorthodox". It touched me so deeply. I instantly wanted to know more about Deborah. I love this interview, and the history she shared in such a short conversation. I absolutely want to buy her book, and hopefully learn from her. She seems like the type of person we could all learn from. 💜

I found it amazing how she not only explained what it was like for her in her community, but WHY - which can so often be neglected in conversations like this. So glad for the empathy and understanding that it allows for conversations like these.

I want to listen to her talk nonstop. She’s so wise!

The person who interviews her is very sensitive and very intelligent. Thank you so much!

The way she describes how they set up the community makes me quite sad, like the founders blamed themselves for being victims of genocide. Yikes.

I used to hate her cause I was told to and now I see her as a role model I'm so happy she is spreading awareness about this community and what goes in it

Extremism in any field is dangerous.

How could anyone "hate" this woman? She is an international treasure! And should be treated as such by whatever community she chooses to be part of. After reading her story, I have the utmost respect for Deborah, what a special person she is!

I just finished the Netflix show based on this! So worth watching!

Religion extremism sucks in any religion. Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

What a thoughtful, well paced and reflective interviewee.

Crazy thinking that if she had never left the Hasidic community, it's possible no one would ever find out how brilliant she really is! Glad she got out for herself, her child, and for all of us to benefit from hearing her experience.

Her story is so ironic, she fled to Germany to escape from her community in USA. Unorthodox is worth watching!

I watched all the episodes of Unorthodox last night in one sitting. I couldn't pull myself away. Ended up going to bed at 5am on a work night. It was that good.

Most of the comments here are self serving and misguided. If you haven't read her book you shouldn't be commenting on her point of view. I've read her book This was her experience. She didn't have the best family life. She was not set up for success in the many others are. Her book is not a profile on the Satmar way of life. It was just her life. Its interesting that so many orthodox Jews vilify Deborah for telling her story. As in any community there are many that are abused or unhappy for a number of reasons. She decided to do something about it. I think she is a brave woman.

Her story and the series was extemly relatable❤️ I left Christianity 3 years ago because of similar feelings and experiences, and watching Unorthodox literally made me cry like a baby😭❤️

Very well spoken. I am Orthodox, but extremism is dangerous for all people.

I came straight from Unorthodox on Netflix, made me so curious. I'll definitely read the book

Extremism in any religion is not good. Anything that you can’t free,y leave is a cult.

As an American of Korean Christian evangelical background, I really resonate with the experiences she went through as a Hasidic Jew and as someone leaving the faith. Insular religious communities are very difficult to break away from, especially when they have such great grips on your family. I myself also had the additional struggle of coming out as a lesbian. What also spoke out to me was her journey through Germany and how it allowed her to actually heal and move on. The Hasidic view on Germans - how evil they are, yet how much of the Nazi propaganda actually became part of the Hasidic propaganda itself - sounds just like how the Japanese imperial occupation of Korea between 1910 and 1945 functioned. Especially considering that Korean Christians built their reputation on resisting the forced Shinto shrine visits that Japan required. Some of South Korea's leadership also had been officers of the Imperial Japanese Army and absolutely adored their former masters' work ethic and blabbered about how God punished Korea and its wayward ways by strengthening Japan and sending it conquering. I finally made my own journey to Japan in 2017 and was able to put all of that garbage to rest; to me, Japan is now just another amazing and lovely country, one with its own set of strengths and weaknesses, one with things to be proud of and ashamed of, like Korea, the US, Germany, Israel, or any other.

It’s amazing how she found the inner strength to leave. At 23 and into a world that she knew nothing about. She is a role model for women who are living under the heavy yoke of religious fanaticism!

“There’s good and bad everywhere, and it’s hard to generalise. “ Absolutely true - for the religious and non religious.

"It's about people wanting power" - A good takeaway

She ought to be a role model for people seeking their own path. And she's so insightful about it.

She is brilliant...articulate, smart, compassionate...insightful..would love if she did a speaking tour!

I just finished watching Unorthodox. What an amazing story. Deborah, you are so driven, it is truly inspiring. The process of deconstruction or “reprogramming” as you mentioned is incredibly difficult, and somewhat impossible. Our journey will always be tainted by our memories, but the best part that we can hold on to is that we are in our own power to reinterpret each of these memories. Congratulations for your journey and for being brave to share your story. Hope you have a wonderful life!

She's very eloquent in describing her upbringing and the challenges she survived.

10 and 20 children. TWENTY children. That alone is horrifying.

Am I the only one who thinks she looks like Amy Sheldon's girlfriend ? :P

I love her, especially her intelligence and bravery. I’m so glad she has told her story!!

Dear Deborah, Thank you so much for speaking your truth so articulately. You open doors of understanding for all of us. Be richly blessed and loved.

Deborah is very intelligent and expresses herself so well. 🌺🦋

The community is collectively suffering from ptsd from the holocaust. It’s not an excuse for oppressing females....

This is the first time I’ve heard the connection to the Holocaust and Hasidic Judaism. This is a huge turning point for me! Helped me understand the community a little more!

She looks like Blossoms older sister.

Love this woman; she has gone through a lot in her young life.

i stumbled upon the trailer, and i'm yet to watch the series. But watching this interview, the refreshing honesty, intelligence, and self-awareness of the author, is amazing. The next challenge in my life- is to learn how to let people in again. WOW!

Great interview. The interviewer lets her talk, and she answers the questions so intelligently.

I read this book when it was released and I couldn't put it down. I'm so pleased to know that it has been made into a film.

Sounds like an entire group of people with PTSD.

Human beings are very good at hurting each other ... that is what the problem is .. not to mention the way women are treated

She went thru everything, wrote the book, the series got picked up, produced, shot, marketed, etc., it came out and she is STILL in the process of learning how to let people in again!? Oooof how they damaged this poor woman...

I love how you speak, so articulate. Beautiful and confident.

Deborah Feldman is a bright well spoken and courageous young woman. Everything in the interview has been well thought of and she treats the subject of her interview with dignity and respect. She truly has my admiration and deference.

She look so similar to Mayiam Bialik (I might edit this comment after checking the spelling) EDIT: Yup, I was wrong, her name is Mayim Bialik

What an intelligent woman. Good luck.

So brave of her standing up for the rights of women against such medieval religious fanatics

This may be the best video I've seen on RU-vid in years.

Her story is so much deeper than what is shown in the series. I would love a continued series where her character is written to have these much more deeper nuanced and real feelings in her journey of self discovery.

The production is remarkable and Shira Haas, the lead, blew my socks off.

I cannot stop myself commenting about this movie. I am touched.....the way that girl act, I actually feel the pain from within. Her acting was outstanding.... The pain was bust out from her face and whole physical apperence.... Outstanding acting and direction as well Great team work well done...... 👍👌

I have nothing but admiration for this very courageous and well spoken woman

I could listen to her in interview all day

It’s interesting how many of us come from communities created out of trauma, oppression and genocide. I wish more people from such communities were supported in telling their stories and those stories were acknowledged.

I watched Unorthodox a few months ago. As a woman I am aware of how we are perceived in many religions, the more strict the more we are demonized. I think Ms. Feldman is very bright and very brave. And as such she took the only way out that she could. I held my breath with her during her flight. Such a story. Watch the film, it is very well done. Bravo Ms.Feldman, you have the strength of the survivors in your blood.

The Netflix show was superb-highly recommended

Dear Deborah, , do not feel any guilt.. God gave you 2 gifts in particular: Intelligence and discernment , What you did is what true freedom all about. You wanted a better life for you and your child. my view on the holocaust is this " I am heartbroken as to what happened, and although i was not yet born.. here is my way of having empathy for all who died and suffered . Every day I do acts of kindness to anyone I meet. This is the best way to remember those who died and suffered so much . By being kind to others and loving others with a pure heart is what we are here for. A hundred years or so is such a short time for living . we must make the best of it and not keep people from having this basic right . To live free and make their own decisions. I send all my love to you and you're child.

What a wonderfully heartwarming interview. 💕

I cannot stop talking about Unorthodox , Incredible .....such an amazing brave Lady thank you for sharing your story , I admire you 🇨🇦

I respect this women so hard! Her story needs to be told to the world! So courageous!

She's so intelligent and insightful. Amazing woman.

You need to be extraordinarily intelligent to realise there is something wrong in what you have known for your whole life, and extraordinarily brave to leave it behind and chase something better. This woman is amazing ❤️

I couldn't put the book down. Sharing it and recommending it to all my friends.

You can see how such a beautiful person she is just from hearing her speak and seeing her smile.

“Unorthodox”...great show. Very informative...I’d love to see more seasons of it because it left me wanting more. Shira Haas was amazing!

What an extraordinafy woman ! Just make me proud to know what a woman can overcome and be able after some years to analyse so clearly what happened in her life and how It can happened the same in all religious extremism. A lesson for all of us.

I watched unorthodox and was very impressed at the courage of someone leaving such a community. Now that I hear Deborah I am even more impressed! the woman is not only brave but incredibly bright

I saw the movie and then had to read the book. Both were fascinating and led me to research more of my German heritage. (It was somewhat similar for a girl with 4 brothers growing up in a US/German family). I definitely can relate to Deborah's story. Thank you!

I admire her, intelligence, experiences and bravery. Truly amazing.

Deborah is so intelligent and articulate! ♥️ Such a fresh breath of air amidst all the shallowness on social media.

Loved the Netflix series!!! We need a follow-up series!

This interview gave me the goosebumps especially her answer to the last questions. Wow

Wow, what a great soul, unique and difficult journey... and she’s making it happen. Letting people in again. 💞

I thought being raised strict Catholic was bad. Always going to confession as a young child. Ridiculous! I feel for Deborah. Movie was amazing. Looking forward to next Season.

Deborah looks like Jo Frost, super nanny

Any kind of extremist is wrong and scary, it shows a lack of open mindness that is very unhealthy and is always really just about power, control and fear. She is very brave, I'm happy she was smart and strong enough to see it and get away from it. Good job Deborah for sharing your story. 👍🏼 ✌🏼

Deborah Feldman is amazing! very moved by this interview

Would love to reach out and talk with you. .I grew up orthodox but not Satmar and I didn't have the womanly shame you express growing up in new York. I live in Jerusalem and enjoy a beautiful life.. I appreciate your wonderful openness & hope you still have connection to your family who gave you so much

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HER !!! WHEN SHE ENDS HER BRILLIANT INTERVIEW BY ANSWERING HE LAST QUES " HER BIGGEST CHALLENGE NOW " IS LET PEOPLE IN !!! OMD!!!

What a brave brave soul. The show on Netflix was amazing!!!! I wish there were more episodes.

Saw Unorthodox on Netflix and enjoyed it greatly. Recommend it to my friends....very interesting.

What an amazing and insightful interview. I particularly found the discussion on the manifestation of extreme expressions of religiosity across the spectrum of faith practices very timely.

I appreciate Mr. Craven for conducting such a calm and informative interview. No judgement, just clear questions and comments designed to inform. Thank you to DW News and Deborah Feldman.

I loved Unorthodox on Netflix and watched Stisel afterwards because of it twice.

A courageous woman- “religion taken to the extreme is always associated with mayhem”

I am converting to Judaism and this was very interesting. She is very intelligent and Unorthodox was done really well. Any religion in extremism is damaging.

Religion always seems to make things harder for the women. It doesn't matter which religion. It just always goes that direction..

This is a most wonderful and unique interview and human testimony!

Deborah is an amazingly honest and direct woman...I applaud her heroism.

This is a really thoughtful interview! I’ll have to read her book.

I watch this story on Netflix- it was so good!! Hats off to this lady!

This is a good interviewer!

Damn! I feel her so much when she talks about Berlin as a place of being free and yourself!

So well spoken of her experience and so self aware. Great interview and what a lady.

Yes, I like the conclusion from the interview

A little religion is able to enrich your life, a lot religion destroys it.

U r a very Smart woman, so proud of you, strong, we need more people like you

I really enjoyed "Unortodox" on Netflix 👍

What a great interview! I truly admire Deborah for her intelligence, wisdom, sensitivity... We need women like her. Unorthodox is the best Netflix movie I've seen.