Neshamos.org Podcast: Stories of Hope and Healing

This episode contains discussions of bullying, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, and loss.⚠️Listener discretion is advised.In this powerful episode of the Neshamos Podcast, Azriel Boymelgreen shares his raw and unfiltered journey through antisemitic bullying, isolation, substance abuse, and the lasting scars of loss. What begins as a story of deep pain and alienation transforms into one of resilience, spiritual growth, and a commitment to help others.Azriel opens up about the pivotal moments that led him from despair to healing, from life-changing therapy to rediscovering meaning through faith and community. He also discusses the creation of The Bereishis Foundation, a nonprofit organization that empowers child wellness by helping families afford therapy for children struggling with mental health challenges.The foundation provides direct financial assistance for therapy costs, allowing parents to choose their preferred licensed therapist.This episode is longer and more intense than most. A deeply personal conversation about struggle, recovery, and the courage to speak the unspeakable.

In this poignant episode of the Neshamos Podcast, Chana Leah Bleznick shares her transformative journey from a turbulent childhood to becoming a beacon of hope and advocacy for women in Crown Heights.Having emerged from the shadows of multi-generational addiction and rage, Chana Leah found healing and direction through 12-step recovery.She reflects candidly on her college years, early struggles in marriage, and the pivotal moments that shaped her resilience and stability.Through themes of self-responsibility, female mentorship, and the courage to speak openly, she highlights the power of story to dismantle shame and secrecy. Her testimony is a moving reminder of the strength that can be found in community and spirituality.

In this powerful episode of the Neshamos podcast, Hindy Rechaval shares her personal experience of navigating postpartum psychosis. Raised in a Chaseedish home and later joins the Chabad community in Crown Heights, Hindy opens up about the cultural pressures that shaped her sense of self-worth, and how everything unraveled after the birth of her first child.What began as sleepless nights and racing thoughts spiraled into full-blown psychosis, hospitalization, and a long, painful period of overmedication. Finally, with the support of her husband, family, and mental health professionals, Hindy began to rebuild.Now, she’s using her experience to break the silence around maternal mental health. She speaks about the power of gratitude, the strength of community, and her mission to support other women facing similar struggles, all while learning to hold space for both her dreams and her reality.

In this honest and emotional episode, Shlomo Wolf shares his journey through anxiety, addiction, and self-discovery. Raised across different countries, always the “new kid,” Shlomo learned early on to survive by reading people and fitting in—often at the cost of his own needs.When weed entered his life, it felt like relief—a break from constant alertness and self-judgment. But beneath the addiction was something deeper: a belief that he only mattered if he was useful, helpful, or liked.Shlomo reflects on what it means to finally stop performing and begin healing—not just from substance use, but from years of codependency and self-erasure.

Bruyah’s journey through trauma has completely changed the way she sees life, resilience, and healing. After her devastating accident, when she was told she was partially paralyzed, she faced an incredibly long road to recovery—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In this episode, Bruyah opens up about the raw emotions she felt, from the fear and uncertainty to the moments of inner strength that helped her keep going.She talks about how, even after overcoming huge obstacles, the smaller struggles of daily life can still feel overwhelming. Bruyah reflects on the importance of community, being kind to yourself, and the constant effort it takes to hold onto hope—even when there are no guarantees.Her story is one of perseverance, acceptance, and learning to find strength even in the face of the unknown. It’s a conversation that reminds us that healing isn’t just about surviving—it’s about truly learning how to live.

In this uplifting episode of the Neshamos podcast, Yosef Halevy, an accomplished entrepreneur and sports coach, shares his profound journey from a challenging upbringing marked by bullying and instability to building resilience and helping others. Yosef's story highlights how he found solace and strength in basketball, transforming his adversities into life lessons and meaningful projects. The conversation delves into Yosef's move to Israel for personal growth, the importance of being present, and practical advice on journaling and meditation for mental well-being. Join us for an inspiring discussion on the power of self-acceptance, community, and the ongoing journey of healing.

In this deeply moving podcast episode, Miriam Raquel Feldman shares her family's emotional journey navigating her son's struggle with Pandas, a debilitating autoimmune disorder. With vulnerability and honesty, Miriam Raquel shares the heart-wrenching challenges they faced, from anxiety and depression to intrusive thoughts and paranoia. Within the darkness of their ordeal, Miriam Raquel and her husband exemplify unwavering love and dedication as they navigate uncharted territory. Through their son's pain and despair, they find strength in each other and in their commitment to a healing solution that aligns with their deepest values, even when conventional methods fall short. Miriam Raquel's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the boundless capacity of a parent's love. Join her as she offers a glimpse into their journey, filled with hope, faith, and the transformative power of a parents unconditional acceptance. To learn more about Miriam Racquel's work or to get in touch visit https://www.miriamracquel.com/

Mendy's story starts as a chaotic storm, replete with neglect, shock, sexual abuse & addiction. Hear how life's challenges took him to the depths of addiction and despair, on the brink of losing everything and what ultimately led Mendy to learn to seek the help he needed. Mendy is sober now for over two years and lives a happy life in Israel together with his wife and four children. The Neshamos project is a charitable endeavor and relies solely on our generous donors for support. To sponsor this (or any) episode or for dedications please reach out to us via podcast@neshamos.org.

Meet Estee, a Montreal native who's now a young wife and mother of four in Brooklyn, NY. In this episode, Estee opens up about her journey living with her husband's debilitating anxiety. From being the “can-do” problem solver since childhood, she soon realized that she couldn’t “make it better” for everyone else around her anymore. The depths of her husbands emotional distress compelled her to seek out the help she deserved. Today, Estee prioritizes her well-being and develops compassionate empathy- no longer shouldering the responsibility of others’ emotional states. ” I didn't only have to be on the receiving end, but I also had to tell people exactly how I wanted them to support me.” Estee's transformation even led her to become a certified life coach, supporting women dealing with addiction and mental health challenges.

Join us in this powerful episode of the Neshamos Podcast as we dive into Mendy Schusterman's remarkable journey. Raised in Peabody, Massachusetts, Mendy, at just 22 years old, has already experienced the depths of hopelessness and suffering that comes with alcohol addiction. With raw honesty, he shares the turning point that ignited his desire for change and led him on a path to recovery. As a full-time social work student at TUW University, and a senior student at Bais Menachem Wilkes Barre Yeshiva- Mendy now uses his personal experience to provide support and mentorship to younger students. In this episode, he shares his gripping story of overcoming alcoholism and finding a new path filled with hope and alignment. Don't miss this inspiring account of transformation and resilience.

Leah shares her experience of feeling lost, sad, and disassociated in her younger years, and struggling to just accept and be herself.  She learned how to be okay with her feelings and open up to hope, connection, and life's blessings. She openly shares a part of herself on her Instagram page called Mastering Me, where she shares openly about her mental health, spirituality, struggles, and triumphs.  Growing up she felt like every day was a fight, like the world was out to get her. She struggled with feelings of insecurity, self-doubt, and being less-than.  By going to retreats and therapy, she has been able to heal and accept herself, be proud of herself, and motivate herself.

Today, let’s voyage into the world of emotions. Meet Sarah Bennaroch - born in Los Angeles, she currently lives in Crown Heights, and is the founder and owner behind Gymies Gym. In this episode, Sarah divulges her history of combating an intense inner critic and facing disempowering narratives within herself; and these voices would invite feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt into her consciousness. Today, Sarah asserts herself to address what's going on within her, and has created a support system around her, because she knows that asking for help is courageous. This episode is a gift to us all, we hope you enjoy.

“When it would happen, I would just see red.” Meet Dovid Zane Braslawsce. Born in “trucker-stop “ Beaver, Pennsylvania, Dovid was that child with unending energy. He was an explosive kid, expressive, untamed, and at times violent. In fact, at the ripe age of seven, he was sent to anger management classes that attempted to teach him how to regulate himself. “I would go blind” is how Dovid depicts these moments. “ I would feel a lot of shame after; but at the same time, I wasn't even so sure what had just happened!” Why did Dovid feel out of control? How did he learn to channel his boundless energy? And what about the shame and guilt that each outburst would torment him with? Fast forward to Dovid now. Dovid now resides in Crown Heights, New York, and devotes his time to his passion projects- G-d and martial arts! Currently, he runs a self defense and fitness training program for men and boys in Crown Heights, in which he is fortunate to practice and teach his healing on the daily. Be sure to check out @magenhamelekh to see him in action! Tune in below to hear Dovid’s journey of healing, awareness, faith, and growth. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Meet Yitzy Rabinowitz. Yitzy was raised in Borough Park, and currently resides in Crown Heights, NY. In this episode, hear Yitzy’s heartfelt recount of his journey of healing from sex addiction and codependency. He demonstrates immense courage and bravery in speaking about the various factors that played into life story, and brought him to where he stands today.

Hear Breina's story of her struggle with addiction and her eating disorder from a first-person view. This episode will leave you with a deeper sense of compassion and understanding, and a very sobering view of recovery and the real-life challenges it presents.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Leah Groner shares with us her journey at discovering clarity. With the support of her family and her general practitioner, Leah received her diagnosis of ADHD in her twenties. She eloquently illustrates for us her journey in navigating the various challenges that would come up with her, along with the gifts of support and clarity that she found along the way.

Meet Rachel Cohen. Rachel is Long Island homegrown, and continues to live there now with her family. She works as a Special Ed Teacher, and uses her talents to inspire and advocate for others on their road to recovery. She shares with us her history of childhood sexual abuse and medical trauma, which set forth her journey in learning to cope with her pain. After experiencing anorexia, an opioid addiction, and many intense emotions, Rachel is here with us today to share her story of acceptance. Acceptance of herself, of her emotions, and of her history. You can visit Rochel on her blog- https://midnight-musings.wixsite.com/midnight-musings

Rivka Tauber is a writer, Torah educator, and public speaker who grew up in Crown Heights and recently made aliyah to Jerusalem. In this episode, Rivka shares her journey from the challenges of depression and the struggle of finding reasons to live to the wholeness she discovered in her connection with others, her relationship with G-d, in therapy, and so much more along the way. Thank G-d, today, she is free from the obsession over the future and is able to live in the present. Today, she helps others who are struggling and works to show up as her whole self. You can follow Rivka on instagram at instagram.com/rivkamakesaliyah.

Yankel Maislin is a sofer (Torah scribe), author, public speaker and mentor who lives in Crown Heights, Brooklyn with his wife and five children. To the casual observer, he looks like your typical Chabad rabbi, spending his day in prayer, holy work, and raising a family. While that may be true now, there was a time when Yankel’s identity couldn’t be more of a contradiction to what it is today. Yankel grew up in a small town in Long Island, NY. As a physically small child with a unique personality and ideas, he was the target of school bullies for many years. Deeply unhappy and anxious, he turned to weed, alcohol, and other drugs as a way to self-medicate and soothe his battered sense of self. Eventually, his drug habit grew to be too expensive to cover with his high school allowance money. That’s when Yankel turned first to stealing, which soon became unsustainable, and eventually to dealing drugs, which came along with handling weapons, associating with mafia members, and engaging in dangerous behaviors. It wasn’t until Yankel was forced to flee from threats to his life that he truly committed to rehab and AA gatherings, where he discovered religion, spirituality, and a new direction in life. Now, Yankel joins us on the Neshamos Podcast to share his story of leaving his personal exile, which included addiction, bullying, drug dealing, violence, and constant running, to find his redemption in sobriety, accountability, happiness, fulfillment, and peace. Today, Yankel has been sober for 14 years. “I firmly believe that everything that I went through from the day I was born until today is in the service of helping someone else,” Yankel reflects. “Otherwise, why would I have gone through such crazy things? And since that's the way I view it, I must pass it on in order to help someone else.” Yankel can be reached via Whatsapp at 718-714-8201 or at btbh770@gmail.com.

Meet Tzipora Zelmanowitz, a recovering Love Addict. Tzipora, a practicing attorney who lives in Queens, New York, has been in recovery from her love addiction for 5.5 years. Her journey into the world of recovery began after years of unsuccessful dating, when she eventually began to wonder… why weren’t things working? Why was she dating the kind of men she didn’t actually want to marry? Were things supposed to be this hard? As she started looking within, she began to understand that she struggled with addiction—specially, an addiction to love. “The turning point was me realizing that there’s something wrong with me needing to be different with every person I'm encountering,” Tziporah reflects. “I didn't know what I liked or how I was going to show up as a spouse in a relationship…. I was going to be whoever my husband wanted me to be.” Now, years later, after attending therapy and a 12-step program,Tziporah joins us to discuss the pain of carrying a constant, insatiable need for love, validation, and acceptance, the fear of rejection that came along with that, and her recovery from love addiction and codependency. Today, she's building self-love and acceptance, and inspiring and educating others to do the same.