In this episode of Beyond Belief, Chana shares their unique journey of leaving the Chabad community. Born to Ba'al Teshuva parents who embraced Chabad in their twenties, Hannah's story provides an inside perspective on growing up in a fundamentalist religious setting in Morristown, New Jersey.

Chana navigates through the key milestones of losing faith at age 11, rejecting religious doctrine at 14, and leaving home at 19 to pursue higher education. Throughout the episode, themes of questioning, rebellion, and the impacts of an ultra-orthodox upbringing are explored, including the prevalence of childhood sexual trauma in religious communities.

Chana 's transition from religious oppression to academia and a creative career as an artist highlights the resilience and support they found outside the confines of Chabad. This episode serves as a beacon of hope and resource for others considering their own journey out of fundamentalist religious settings. 00:00 Introduction to Beyond Belief 00:20 Hannah's Unique Perspective on Chabad 01:19 Growing Up in Morristown 03:18 Losing Faith on Gimel Tamuz 06:33 Questioning and Rebellion 09:18 Leaving Chabad and Pursuing Education 10:43 Challenges and Reflections on Religious Upbringing 19:01 Transition to Academia 26:17 Finding Support and Healing 27:38 Settling in Minnesota 28:07 Neurodivergence and Family 28:36 Ba'al Teshuva Perspectives 32:19 Artistic Journey 33:29 Name and Identity 35:37 Family Dynamics and Religion 38:29 Advice for Leaving Religion 42:17 Host's Background 47:53 Concluding Thoughts