Footsteps (organization)

Footsteps is a not-for-profit organization based in New York City that provides educational, vocational, and social support to people who have left or want to leave a Haredi or Hasidic Jewish community in the United States.[1]

FormationDecember 2003
FoundersMalkie Schwartz
Legal statusnot-for-profit organization
Purposesupport for people leaving the U.S. Haredi Jewish community
HeadquartersNew York City
Websitehttp://www.footstepsorg.org/

Mission

According to its website, Footsteps provides educational, vocational, professional, social, and legal support to those seeking to enter or explore the world beyond the insular ultra-Orthodox communities in which they were raised. Some people from the Haredi and Hasidic communities who choose to enter mainstream America may feel like "cultural immigrants". They may face cultural disorientation and isolation, coupled with a lack of practical and marketable skills. Founded in December 2003, Footsteps aims to assist individuals who choose to make this difficult transition. Individuals frequently refer to themselves as "off the derech", or OTD, reclaiming the dismissive term given to leavers by members of the ultra-Orthodox communities they have left.[2][3]

History

Footsteps was founded in December 2003, by Malkie Schwartz, a former Chabad Hasid from Crown Heights, while enrolled as a student at Hunter College in New York City. According to Schwartz, 20 people showed up to the first meeting, announced on flyers around the Hunter campus and through word of mouth.[4] Footsteps began as an informal social group, and soon developed an educational study group and a sex education and relationships group, members finding they had been denied access to basic sex education instruction within the Haredi community.

As the organization grew, it became a 501(c) non-profit, with a broad remit of support and education for ex-Haredi Jewish individuals.[3] Footsteps can also provide counseling, and has partnered with New York Legal Assistance Group to provide legal assistance and advice in divorce and custody cases.[5]

As of summer 2015, Footsteps has a permanent staff of 10, a membership of over 1000, and an annual budget in excess of $1 million.[5] Its current director is Lani Santo.[2] The organization's program director is Chani Getter.[6][7]

Activities

Footsteps provides an array of services for its members. The Footsteps offices are known as "The Space", and are situated at an unpublicized location, due to privacy concerns.[8] They contain a computer lab, library, meeting space, kitchenette, and lounge, where members can work and hang out. Members gather for various groups, events, and workshops on topics including dating and sexuality, navigating the college admissions process, career advancement, and painting.[9]

Footsteps also holds several annual events, which are open to members and guests. Events include: Thanksgiving dinner, Passover Potluck, and an annual camping trip. Since 2009, "Footsteps Celebrates" has been held each year in June, to celebrate graduations, accomplishments, and leadership roles.[10] During the summer months of 2012, Footsteps organized a weekly soccer game in Prospect Park. During winter, an indoor game of basketball took place bi-weekly.[11]

Footsteps has also held annual art shows in which it exhibits works by Footsteps members.[12]

Leadership

Board members include author Shulem Deen and businessman Steve Eisman.[13]

Notable members

Media exposure

Footsteps has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, PBS, NBC, and many others. The book Unchosen: The Hidden Lives of Hasidic Rebels by Hella Winston relates the story of the founder of Footsteps and some of those who have gone through the organization as part of their journey to leave the Haredi and Hasidic communities. The National Geographic program, "Inside Hasidism", included a segment about Footsteps and some of its members.[14] The 2017 documentary, One of Us, referenced Footsteps repeatedly.[15]

See also

References
  1. Ari Shapiro. Young Ultra-Orthodox Jews Struggle Against Tradition, All Things Considered, August 8, 2011.
  2. Lavin, Talia. "Off the Path of Orthodoxy". New Yorker. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  3. Brodesser-Akner, Taffy. "The High Price of Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Life". New York Times. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  4. Orli Santo. The Departed Archived 2013-07-24 at the Wayback Machine, Unpious.com, August 17, 2010.
  5. Clark, Amy Sara. "Lani Santo, 35". Jewish Week. Times of Israel. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  6. "When Living Your Truth Can Mean Losing Your Children".
  7. West, Melanie Grayce (12 August 2014). "Formerly Orthodox, and Struggling for Parental Rights" – via www.wsj.com.
  8. Halime, Farah. "Life after conservative faith: the defectors who leave ultra-Orthodox communities". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  9. Libby Copeland. Google vs. God: What’s causing all these Hasidic Jews to flee their community? Smartphones, Slate.com, August 21, 2012.
  10. Josh Nathan-Kazis. The 'Footsteps' of Those Leaving Ultra-Orthodoxy, Forward.com, June 8, 2012.
  11. Josh Nathan-Kazis. For Ex-Orthodox, More Than a Game, Forward.com, June 29, 2012.
  12. Shulem Deen. Ex-Haredi Artists Grapple With Their Pasts, Forward.com, April 27, 2011.
  13. "Board of directors". Footsteps.org. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  14. "Inside Hasidism". Fox International Channels. Retrieved 2015-05-31.
  15. Ben Kenigsberg (October 19, 2017). "Review: 'One of Us', a Portrait of Starting a New Life". The New York Times.
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