In this first episode of The Moster Show, Naftuli sits down with his wife, Dr. Miriam Moster, to explore her groundbreaking research on divorce in the Chareidi world. Together, they discuss how divorce affects not only couples but entire communities, why it often pushes people away from religious life, and what it reveals about belonging, stigma, and resilience. A personal and eye-opening conversation about faith, family, and what’s at stake when marriages end.
00:00-06:44 What is The Moster Show?
06:44 – 07:34 Introducing Miriam: Background and upbringing
07:34 – 10:00 Dating, marriage, and stepping away from observance
10:00 – 13:06 Parenting, community, and the first steps back
13:06 – 15:20 Why every community has problems
15:20 – 18:06 Jewish heritage, pride, and rediscovering identity
18:06 – 21:11 Searching for schools: Conservative, public, and Jewish options
21:11 – 24:19 Technology, youth, and mental health concerns
24:19 – 26:37 The decision: Choosing Modern Orthodoxy
26:37 – 29:09 Miriam’s PhD: Divorce and its unexpected consequences
29:09 – 31:19 How divorce rumors and stigma alienate people
31:19 – 35:41 Comparing divorcees who stayed vs. those who left
35:41 – 39:21 Marriage, children, and the community’s message
39:21 – 41:33 The pain after divorce: Happiness vs. children’s well-being
41:33 – 42:49 Cultural critique: What the broader world misses
42:49 – 43:28 Miriam’s work today and closing reflections
43:28 – 44:15 Looking ahead
Link to 's interview of Naftuli Moster:
https://youtu.be/IRTvj1_4_14?si=IJtn5FXQxXCePYV3
Contact the show: info@themostershow.com
For the antisemitism panel: antisemitism@themostershow.com
To reach the guest (Miriam Moster), email: info@miriammoster.com
#Divorce #OrthodoxJewish #JewishCommunity #FaithAndFamily #Belonging #TheMosterShow
