Unorthodox (FULL MOVIE) 

Lmao imagine studying neuroscience at MIT and know your parents are still disappointed

I'm a recovering drug addict (cocaine, mushrooms and alcohol). That life only brings temporary happiness. I'm not religious, but I honestly see more positives to living an orthodox life than one of partying and free love

I’m a 55 year old woman living in Canada. I’m not Jewish, not religious in any way , although I talk to God every day and am grateful to Him for my life, my children, grandchildren and husband. I spent my late teens and early 20’s very confused and searching for meaning. I wish I’d had an experience like a year in Israel at that time in my life. It would have helped me find my way. I eventually landed on my feet but it was a struggle. What a wonderful film you’ve made. I enjoyed it very much. Lovely people just living life and finding their way. Inspiring even at my age!

Superb documentary covering the highs and lows of being a young American Orthodox Jew. Beautifully unjudgemental and searingly honest. The documentarian has a major career ahead of her should she choose that path.

For a non-Jew like me, this documentary is fascinating! I'm so glad the girl who only cared about getting drunk cleaned up her act and found her peace in life while still young, without becoming too fanatical. :)

Thank you for making this movie my story is a bit different but I can relate in many ways. I was born to an ultra-orthodox family in Israel, I was raised as an ultra-orthodox kid, went to Yeshiva at the age of 14 but for me it was very different. In ultra-orthodox society Yeshiva is not for partying and the Rabbis take it very seriously I was expected to study Torah and pray from 8 in the morning until 10 at night (no I'm not exaggerating). At the age of 17 I moved to a Yeshiva in Jerusalem and slowly at night with a lot of secrecy we went out to party, drink alcohol and have fun with friends from Yeshiva. This movie brought a lot of memories because I used to hang out a lot in Jaffa square area and Kikar HaHatulot in Jerusalem, I remember seeing a lot of American teens when we went out (that was around 2007). That same year I had a fight with my Rabbi and he kicked me out of Yeshiva and on that day I started to change, I went straight to the IDF recruitment office which was a walk distance from my Yeshiva and I started the recruitment process. Ultra-orthodox in Israel are extremely against going to the IDF and that exactly why I did it. Fast forward 3 years of service in the military and I was a 21 years old with no education at all, I wanted to go to university but I didn't have any background in math, science, English, then I realized how much they wasted my time and I became very angry with them. So many years of a complete waste of time I didn't learn anything useful I was just brainwashed since I was a little kid. It took me 2 years to study for Bagrut (high school diploma), I moved to the US and got into university. Today I'm 2 semester away from becoming an engineer. Also I'm atheist but I don't hate religious people I just think that it's extremely important to prepare kids to the real world and teach them secular studies I think preventing your kid from acquiring proper education is the worst crime one can commit other then murder. Time is precious and it cannot be given back.

Just thinking about all of you lovely people in New York these days. Stay safe. I wish you good health and all the best

Jake was particularly lucky all along because he had music in his heart and in his life. Being able to express himself through music aided his life in Israel. I’m happy that he continued his involvement with music after his return to the USA and marriage.

That grandmother is as cute as a button. Great movie. I'm not Jewish but I learned a lot. Thanks for posting!

I know a woman who married a formerly Orthodox man, a mixed marriage. She was some type of "not religious" Protestant. They took a trip to Israel, and extended it numerous times. When they came back, she had converted, and he had become religious. They live in Brooklyn and have five children. So sad about Avi.

It is so wonderful, when we are kids we take everything for granted as if it is a right and not a divine priveledge, these kids are all extremely priveledged...they have no idea how blessed they are

I love the fact that Grandma is talking about her weigh ins at the nutritionist whilst frying potato latkeys - Happy Chanukah 💜

I'm a Muslim American and sometimes it is hard to to embrace your religion fully but the older I get I do feel like religion is necessary and important bc the crazy loose life that people chase is not going to get u anywhere

I loved this documentary. Thank you very much, mrs Wexler, for educating those who don’t know and are interested in someone elses life in general and in the struggle of young religious people in particular. I think you still are the perfect daughter. Becoming who you are is never easy, for no young person. I congratulate you on your brave attempt. Greetings from the Netherlands.

At least her parents didn’t disown her. That happens to so many people. Thank goodness she didn’t have to go through that.

I’m from Southern L.A and this was motivational and also very informative. The cultural/religious clashes that the millennial Jew has to experience is deep af. Much respect to all people sharing their personal view on what is G-d and what “ happiness “ can be defined as, Thank you all !

And now she has her own lab! This is brilliant. Wtg, Anna.

*Anna Wexler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the Principal Investigator of the Wexler Lab, which studies ethical, legal and social issues surrounding emerging technology, with a particular focus on neurotechnology, and do-it-yourself and direct-to-consumer medicine and science.* *Prior to her Ph.D., Anna worked as a freelance science/travel writer and documentary filmmaker. She co-directed and co-produced the feature documentary film Unorthodox (2013).*

When I first started watching this video I was not impressed with either Anna Wexler, or any of these kids who seemed shallow, spoiled, selfish, and very much like “rich” kids who could do whatever they wanted. Their parents had the money to send them to Israel and indulge their whims, but all these kids did was do drugs, drink, and screw around, or so it seemed to me. So why was I watching this anyway? I thought it stupid waste of time; and yet, I found myself wanting to see more. Well, I watched to the end, and I am SO happy that I did. I love the way these young people grew and gained new, mature, and deep perspectives. Thank you Anna, for your honesty, courage, and persistence in making this great documentary. It has been a real eye opener for me in every way.

This was a beautiful documentary. My initial thought is they were going to get brainwashed but that was definitely not the case. I loved how they embraced the faith at their own will from their own understanding.

I am glad Anna stayed true to herself even though there is constant, but subtle pressure to conform. Her's is the more difficult path. And therefore the heroic.

I watched your film today Anna and was really moved by it. Thank you for sharing this story with us. You have given me a lot to think about and I really appreciate the honesty and conviction of your message. It's no simple feat to tackle a subject like this so candidly and I really appreciate how much of yourself was put into it, you are very brave and a great story teller. I hope you put out more content!

What a beautiful, sad, but ultimately inspiring documentary! I love your Grandparents! What a gift of words your grandma gave you.

this is the problem with strict religion, this turns people from one extreme to another.. sleeping on streets, sex and drugs is not good either!

This is the best and thorough documentation I have ever encountered. Genius!

I just happened across your movie. I am not Jewish. But I must admit that I started watching and found myself sad the end was near. I have enjoyed your look into a world that I would otherwise not know. Thank you for taking the risk in creating this docu. Thank you for sharing your part of the world! Great job, good luck to you and yours. Im certain there will be great things from you in the future!!

I am so glad I decided to watch this movie, it answered many questions that I have had since a child when I met the first classmate who was Jewish. Answers to questions non Jewish might wonder about. You really got a sense of how we all change and the influence of others on our choices. It was heart breaking that Avi did not chose life, he will live on because of this movie, it might stop someone from making that choice. I have a much better understanding about the Jewish faith because of the recent movies depicting Jewish lifestyle.

Yes, I was watching an interview with Deborah Feldman and I ended up on RU-vid Unorthodox by accident. Happy Accident. I found it totally engrossing and though my life was/is so different, I could relate to it. I also spent a year in Israel. My parents bought a ticket for me when I was 17 cause they were sure I'd die if I stayed doing what I was doing but I ended up in jail over there for possession and was deported. Changed my life but not in the way anyone expected. I'm amazed you managed to keep up your enthusiasm to finish such a long project, but Anna and Nadja, I'm really glad you did. Life is a wild and bumpy road...safe travels

I enjoyed this so much! Very enlightening and informative but far from boring. Thanks for doing this. So real and honest.

As an Orthodox Christian I see this and I get it. Would love to go spend a year in say, Russia, or the Holy Land, or at Holy Cross in Boston. Thank you for sharing with everyone.

I knew dukes a long time ago. He was my martial art instructor when I was a teen. I hope he's doing well these days.

I would love to have a 2020 update. Great documentary.

This documentary was very well made, my prayers to the two people that got called home to God, and very nice to see the two new lives that God gave us to enjoy, bless them all.

I so enjoyed this doc. Miss Anna Wexler is a star. Hopefully she'll continue to do these kind of programs.

My wife and I really liked your movie. We are Catholic, but found your presentation of the Orthodox life very interesting. You did a great job showing the lives of your friends and their growth in faith.

This film was incredibly emotional, and even though i didn't agree with some of the messages or trajectory of the characters, i really appreciated how raw and real this was.

Wow, wow, wow! Kol hakovod! You succeeded in creating a documentary on a topic which is sensitive for you, and still avoided any tones of bitterness, judgment, and cynicism. It was professional, and at times genius, in terms of what you chose to include and what you avoided. I'm disappointed that so many talk backers chose to be judgemental of the characters in the film. Again, kudos, on a super documentary.

Absolutely fantastic. Thank you for sharing your "insides" with this fascinating documentary.

I loved this. Just happened upon it and was drawn right in. You did a beautiful job of following real people in real time who I ended up caring deeply about, especially you. I admire your honesty and willingness to ask questions and listen. Look forward to what you will do next.

Thank you for the great insight. Religion when done right lays out a moral compass to be the best human you can be. Sunday mass is like a start over! Next week “I’ll be better!”

Thank you so much for sharing it!

Although I'm not Jewish I grew up in Brooklyn NY & had lots of Jewish friends. I So loved this documentary that you did so loved it can't tell you how much. I have to let you know that I was devastated to hear that Avi had passed just devastated. Hope you do more films, love your Dreadlocks & wish lots of success 💕💕💕💕

I really liked this film and she's so courageous to pursue her PhD after all that struggle.

I wonder how these people are now, 10 years later. If anyone else is on here 'because of Netflix's "unorthodox", there is another documentary on there called "one of us" it is about the dark side of the Hasidic community in Brooklyn

Very honest, and therefore very interesting.

I noticed that many youngsters left their religion because of imposed restrictions by their faith, I left mine years ago because I could not reconcile it with Reason.

I absolutely loved this! Although I’m not Jewish, I found so much of value in this documentary. Example: “G.D is Straight”. Profound! Thank you! What a beautiful and mystical faith! I think we need a sequel.

Teens rebelling against the norms. Universal

Great movie/documentary. Not enough content like this on RU-vid

Thank you for this insight. It's a really brave documentary. I 'm an atheist. I'm surrounded by friends of all faiths. I believe in the human brain., in empathy and protecting the planet. People should be taught empathy and hone their brains towards a positive moral comprehension of this planet. I don't believe in indoctrination.

this was such a great documentary, thank you very much for making it, you should be very proud of yourself. I certainly did not think I would like Israel as much as I did before I went (as a tourist) for the first time, and now I keep coming back.

An excellent documentary about a life experience most of us aren't familiar with. I hope you're still making films.

I had no idea drugs were such a problem for the young Orthodox. Really shocking.

Wow I never comment...but this was such an amazing and connective doc for me. Thank you!!

Who’s here after Netflix

I think you can make your own purpose in life. Working for change to make a better world is a purpose. Becoming a doctor, nurse, teacher, scientist is a purpose. I’m a secular Jew, and I really don’t see a purpose for the orthodoxy other than to pray to a spirit that we don’t even know exists, and command power over women. Interesting documentary, though, and this caught my eye after watching “Unorthodox”.

Brilliant. Im an Atheist as well. Thank you for sharing your experiences through your Jewish upbringing. ✌🏻 I was raised Mormon and am deeply rooted in that. Very cool documentary 💙

Terrific documentary, thank you. I learned a lot. But I am dismayed at so many hateful comments. We will never have world peace.

well done documentary - An honest and transparent sharing of emotions and struggles through the growth and development as it relates to religious observance. I too would like to see a 2020 update? where is everyone today? ps I loved the grandparents talking about how they cancel before their weighin appt if they knew the results would be disappointing - that too was w transparency and fit well into this documentary.

Job well done! My deepest heartfelt condolences for your dear friend Avi...Those Grandparents of yours are gems. Your Gma was right, you chose this topic for a reason, it’s all about learning and growing into the human you were born to be. Best wishes!

Thank you for this film! It’s so accurate and unassuming, lovely how everyone got down to business with the matters at hand. Please accept my condolences on the loss of Tzipi’s mom and Ari, may their memories be a blessing.

Hello Anna. This is a simple message of thanks for you (and your friends) fascinating, frighteningly honest and open documentary. I say this as an atheist of UK Christian heritage. Your endeavours have taught me more about what it means to be Jewish than I have ever absorbed in my long years on the planet. So glad that you shared with such candour something I would never have been privy to without your efforts. You have a brilliant future ahead of you - wherever you pitch your tent. Shalom.

I'm CHinese American......and just loved your movie!!! They had a program for overseas Chinese to go to Taiwan to learn about Chinese culture. I went and it was great!!! I went when I was 20 and later studied Chinese in France of all places and went back to Taiwan for three years and Hong Kong for two to continue my Chinese studies and Tai Chi as well.....I can relate in some ways to the experiences of Jews who go to Israel for a year......anyways I loved your movie...getting to know you and the other special people you profiled in this movie!!!! Thanks so much!!! Xie Xie Ni!!!! I will tell my Jewish girlfriend to watch it and some other friends as well!!!

Anna Wexler ... Now that is 15 years later; can you do a follow up the documentary?

This was absolutely the most amazing educational film I’ve seen in a long time, you are very talented young lady. Thank you sharing.!

I was so confused by Haim (probably spelling that super wrong) and then they talked about his Dominican roots! So cool, fellow Dominican here🇩🇴

The documentary you made so well, very professional, it's not only about religion you was growing up in...it is beautiful message for all people involved in different religions...or just not being in any. Love you BIG!

I am not Jewish but I really enjoyed this documentary I think that lots of people can relate to feeling rebellious in their late teens and its how everyone deal with this breaking away from your family that is important and how after you come back to them.

Well done ❤️. I enjoyed seeing everyone’s journey . Love how you maintained the friendships over the years . Acceptance of each other . A great message . I Am so sorry you lost Avi.

Wow she’s so smart !!!! Her parents should be so proud ..

No reason why one can’t be modern and religious. I’m traditional Catholic and live and work in New York, not exactly a ghetto. I love it.

Whatever religious beliefs you have, or don't have, this is such a great documentary! I learned so much!

Best documentary film I've seen in years. Bravo!!! I'm former Assistance Production Manager from the oldest animation studio in Japan and I endorse this film.

I did not grow up in a religious family -- in fact, my family consciously rejected Judaism because of its patriarchal nature, even at the not-so-orthodox ends (and on my mother's side, we descended from the 15th century Luria family). In spite of that I'm proud of my Jewish heritage and the good things, like food, sense of humour, klezmer music, etc.

Visiting Brooklyn and wanted to learn more about the orthodox community - this was a very interesting film and I enjoyed seeing the transformation and personal journey of each of the subjects. Keep it up Anna!

Great doc Anna. Shows a real journey. I think people of any faith can relate.

Dear Anna, your documentary is amazing. It show the reality of some young people struggling to know their life purpose, their own identity, within the Jewish world. I'm not born jewish, but I was always interested to know about how people live their spirituality/religion, in any religion or religious group. Your documentary help me understand the issues related to the family. I would really be interested to know more about the challenges within the society. Thank you!

I come from the opposite, from a home of alcohol abuse and where the tv only showed half naked women as the future of women. As a Latina I knew the generational trauma it caused in the women of our family. I searched for God to find a reason for my pain, and found Islam after 911. I’ve learned everyone is a different journey. I hope to all for a journey that leads to question our existence and that gives a reason for the difficulty of life.

For me, this was time well spent. I am not Jewish. My interest grew from watching movies such as The Pianist, Schindler's List, and so on. I wanted to know more about the faith in general. I first saw the Netflix series, then found my way here. Film is very well done, informative, and sad at the end. Tremendous job!

Beautiful and precious stories. I am awed. Thank you, Anna and Nadja.

Ya know, I feel like regardless of religion, parents who don’t suffocate their children with unrealistic expectations and allow them to live in the world freely, they’ll be okay! I feel like I was able to go out and wear myself out only to come to my mid 20’s and chilled out. It’s good stuff.

They're all rich. Being able to wander around trying to find oneself for years is a rare privlege.

You go!! Life is never easy and faith should be a struggle. In order to live the dream, you have to tell the truth. This is why I appreciate this woman's journey, her family's beliefs, her circle of friends, and this documentary. Seriously crushing on Jake, too...lol

Thanks for an amazing film! Love the way you didn’t try to change facts and kept it real the entire time! Wish others would be like that too

I just knew Tzipi would make an Aliyah or take an ultra-religious turn. She just seemed so intense.

i enjoyed this documentary so much. i learn a lot. thank you for enriching my mind

Excellent job. I'm grateful that you published this documentary. Was worth while.

Most of these kids are greatly confused and scared. They’re at a time in their lives where it’s normal to question everything and rebel. Freedom to do as you please whenever you please is much more attractive. It’s extremely scary for a young person to commit to such strict rules and traditions and lifestyle for an entire lifetime. Some will bolt and completely disassociate themselves from their religion and community and others will do some deep soul-searching for some time and return when they feel they’re ready. I’m not Jewish but I find this documentary very interesting and informative. I do feel for these young folks and hope they all found their way and are happy with whichever path they ended up choosing.

Rest in Peace Avi Thank you for this great film. I am jealous I wish I had the same opportunity to go to Israel to Jerusalem. To even have the State support you to immigrate is crazy. Shalom Thank you well done...

I really enjoyed that and would love to know whether they have done a follow-up documentary just to see how everybody is doing.

"Strip away the layers to reveal your soul You have to give yourself up before you become whole"

Thank you for doing this documentary Anna. I am not jewish and I didn't know anything about this. I have a lot of thoughts about your experience and all what you show in the documentary. I feel shy to write about that. But, I want to say that I like the respect you show in how you present the different experiences of the people involved. It is an exploration this documentary and I really like.

Awesome documentary. Can't say that it didn't make me cry. Great job

I'm from Ireland 🇮🇪 with no religious beliefs and I really enjoyed it I got a better insight into your community so thank you 😁

This is great work thank you so much for posting this i would love to see a catch up part 2. I hope you all are well ❤

I'm so surprised these parents continue to pay for these kids to party like this.

Thank you for this documentary. It was very enlightening.

Jake has the intellect, reflection, creativity, & warmth to be a fine Rabbi

*She has a Deadlocks again* ♥️ Wonderful wonderful honest documentary. We all have our own journeys in life, our own struggles, meanings, rewards.

Wow! What a great documentary! Wish there was the second part :)