Gabi: Former Yeshivish Jewish

<p>Gabi shares his experience growing up in New York’s Bukharian Jewish community, becoming deeply committed to Orthodox Judaism, and eventually building a life outside religious observance. He discusses racism within Jewish institutions, the intellectual rewards of yeshiva study, purity culture, the Orthodox dating system, mental health, psychedelics, spirituality, and his evolving relationship with God.</p><p>Rather than presenting religion as wholly harmful or wholly beneficial, Gabi reflects on the teachers, practices, and communities that gave him purpose while examining the pressures and unmet needs that eventually made religious life unsustainable.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Gabi</strong></p><p>YouTube - <a href="https://youtube.com/@gabikoyenov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://youtube.com/@gabikoyenov</a>Spotify - <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2SoydqNskaV9wOra0Yh6Z3?ssssid1891df9a822414c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://open.spotify.com/show/2SoydqNskaV9wOra0Yh6Z3?ssssid1891df9a822414c</a>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/journey_with_gabi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.instagram.com/journey_with_gabi/</a>Therapy Site - <a href="https://themenstherapystudio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://themenstherapystudio.com/</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 — Coming Out as Nonreligious</p><p>08:14 — Growing Up Bukharian Jewish</p><p>17:47 — Racism in the Yeshiva World</p><p>25:47 — Rabbis, Meaning, and Purpose</p><p>30:11 — Purity Culture and Romantic Obsession</p><p>39:10 — Leaving Yeshiva and Losing a Dream</p><p>48:00 — Dating and the Beginning of Deconstruction</p><p>53:44 — Ayahuasca and a New Spiritual Worldview</p><p>01:07:41 — Racism and Rejection in Shidduchim</p><p>01:20:07 — Family Conflict, Trauma, and Life Beyond Religion</p>