Deborah Feldman

Deborah Feldman was born on August 17, 1986, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in the strictly observant Satmar sect of Hasidic Judaism, she grew up speaking Yiddish as her first language and adhering to the rigorous lifestyle and customs prescribed by her community. Her experiences within this insular environment laid the groundwork for her future writings.

In 2012, Feldman published 'Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots,' a memoir that recounts her escape from an arranged, oppressive marriage and her break with her ultra-Orthodox community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The book became a New York Times bestseller and was later adapted into a successful Netflix series, bringing her story to a global audience.

Beyond 'Unorthodox,' Feldman has continued to write and speak about issues of religion, freedom, and women's rights. Her subsequent works include 'Exodus,' a memoir detailing her journey after leaving the Hasidic community, exploring her new identity and freedom. Feldman's writings often focus on themes of self-discovery and the challenge of forging a personal identity against the backdrop of strict religious traditions.

Books

Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots