Gabi: Former Yeshivish Jewish

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.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.Connect with GabiYouTube - https://youtube.com/@gabikoyenovSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2SoydqNskaV9wOra0Yh6Z3?ssssid1891df9a822414cInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/journey_with_gabi/Therapy Site - https://themenstherapystudio.com/Chapters00:00 — Coming Out as Nonreligious08:14 — Growing Up Bukharian Jewish17:47 — Racism in the Yeshiva World25:47 — Rabbis, Meaning, and Purpose30:11 — Purity Culture and Romantic Obsession39:10 — Leaving Yeshiva and Losing a Dream48:00 — Dating and the Beginning of Deconstruction53:44 — Ayahuasca and a New Spiritual Worldview01:07:41 — Racism and Rejection in Shidduchim01:20:07 — Family Conflict, Trauma, and Life Beyond Religion