What is it about?

We set out to understand if reporting higher levels of harmful experiences within ultra-Orthodox Judaism relates to poorer experiences of mental health, among those who leave the community. 293 adults who left the ultra-Orthodox communities (mostly Litvish, Hasidic, and Chabad) answered an online survey, and overall most participants reported at least some harmful religious experiences. Some also said that spiritually harmful experiences were primary reasons for leaving the community. People who identified as female, transgender, nonbinary, lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, formerly Hasidic, as having a high school education only, as unemployed, or having low income were the most likely to report higher levels of harmful religious experiences. Those who reported higher levels of these experiences reported worse mental health, but were also more likely to agree that they experienced meaningful personal growth in the aftermath. The most impactful type of harm included practices that uphold the religious community at the expense of individual members.

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Why is it important?

This research has added an understanding that among those who left ultra-Orthodox Judaism, harmful religious experiences are common, are often key reasons for leaving, and are linked with both distress and potential growth. Understanding how these experiences are linked with the process of leaving community can inform what some risks and needs may be among those going through similar processes.

Perspectives

I am grateful to my fellow community members -- those who have pulled away from ultra-Orthodox Judaism like myself -- for allowing me to bring their voice more profoundly into the research on the psychology of religious exit. I hope that this article brings understanding about what some of the pain and needs can be for those hurt by the communities they later leave.

Yehudis Keller
Case Western Reserve University

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Spiritual harm and abuse in religious deidentification from ultra-Orthodox Judaism., Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, November 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/rel0000601.
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