Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Today I was joined by Dr. Zalman Newfield, who grew up in the ultra-orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic Jewish community in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. Dr. Newfield is the author of the books, "Degrees of Separation: Identity Formation While Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism" and "Brooklyn Odyssey: My Journey out of Hasidism."
We discussed Dr. Newfield's story, starting with his childhood, and then getting glimpses into his youth in the yeshiva, his emissary outreach work as a teenager, his time of learning and questioning religion and reality, and ultimately his exit from the Chabad-Lubavitch worldview and community.
Dr. Newfield's stories, cultural commentary, philosophical insights, openness, humor, and positive nature come through powerfully
_________________________________
Watch our earlier interview:
youtu.be/5ptUxC0hkJ8
_________________________________
Dr. Newfield's website is:
zalmannewfield.com
Buy Dr. Newfield's books:
amazon.com/stores/author/B088M45T8L/allbooks
______________________________________
Your support for my channel, Harmonic Atheist, is very needed and appreciated!
One-time donations:
PayPal: paypal.me/harmonictim
Venmo: @harmonicatheist
CashApp: $HarmonicAtheist
GoFundMe: gofundme.com/f/help-tim-stay-full-time-on-harmonic-atheist
Monthly donations:
patreon.com/harmonicatheist
You can also "Join" the Harmonic Atheist YT channel to get access to perks, which will be coming soon:
youtube.com/channel/UCrPKXNg9PAL6bROvsaUFvAA/join
Thanks!
--Tim
_________________________________________
Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: streamyard.com/pal/d/4917726076600320
(FYI - using that link does help support me )
_________________________________________
If you are facing emotional distress, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
_________________________________________
Ending music by Kazuya / Eyal Raz, "Friends"
artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/friends/2825
youtube.com/watch?v=4qbqNO6DdAQ
_________________________________________
Today I was joined by Dr. Zalman Newfield, who grew up in the ultra-orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic Jewish community in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. Dr. Newfield is the author of the books, "Degrees of Separation: Identity Formation While Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism" and "Brooklyn Odyssey: My Journey out of Hasidism."
We discussed Dr. Newfield's story, starting with his childhood, and then getting glimpses into his youth in the yeshiva, his emissary outreach work as a teenager, his time of learning and questioning religion and reality, and ultimately his exit from the Chabad-Lubavitch worldview and community.
Dr. Newfield's stories, cultural commentary, philosophical insights, openness, humor, and positive nature come through powerfully
_________________________________
Watch our earlier interview:
youtu.be/5ptUxC0hkJ8
_________________________________
Dr. Newfield's website is:
zalmannewfield.com
Buy Dr. Newfield's books:
amazon.com/stores/author/B088M45T8L/allbooks
______________________________________
Your support for my channel, Harmonic Atheist, is very needed and appreciated!
One-time donations:
PayPal: paypal.me/harmonictim
Venmo: @harmonicatheist
CashApp: $HarmonicAtheist
GoFundMe: gofundme.com/f/help-tim-stay-full-time-on-harmonic-atheist
Monthly donations:
patreon.com/harmonicatheist
You can also "Join" the Harmonic Atheist YT channel to get access to perks, which will be coming soon:
youtube.com/channel/UCrPKXNg9PAL6bROvsaUFvAA/join
Thanks!
--Tim
_________________________________________
Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: streamyard.com/pal/d/4917726076600320
(FYI - using that link does help support me )
_________________________________________
If you are facing emotional distress, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
_________________________________________
Ending music by Kazuya / Eyal Raz, "Friends"
artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/friends/2825
youtube.com/watch?v=4qbqNO6DdAQ
_________________________________________
