Locations

Events Per Year – NY Metro

Many who are raised in ultra-Orthodox communities feel stifled and seek to experience a more open world. Attempting to leave an insular religious environment takes courage and can be extremely overwhelming. These brave individuals are often shunned and ostracized by their former communities, friends and even families. As a result they lose the only life they’ve ever known and are faced with the challenge of navigating a foreign world, language and culture. 

Based in New York, with a presence across a dozen cities in the US and Canada, Freidom supports formerly Orthodox Jews who wish to live life aligned with their personal values. Freidom provides social and emotional support and hands-on education on societal norms through social and cultural events. At Freidom members find a warm and welcoming community where they develop friendships, a sense of belonging and acceptance helping them rebuild what was lost due to ostracization by their community of origin. Additionally, Freidom events provide a platform for members to explore new cultural experiences of which they may have been deprived due to their sheltered upbringing.

Freidom fosters a judgement-free atmosphere where members support each other and feel comfortable to ask questions, take risks, and gain confidence in navigating mainstream society. Visiting a museum, interacting with the opposite sex, or even ordering a meal off a menu at a sit-down restaurant are new experiences to many. Freidom’s members try new experiences with other likeminded individuals who understand how momentous some of these small experiences can be, to explore new interests and build an identity based on their individuality.

Since our launch in 2012, we have hosted over 650 events and our membership has grown to over 1,100 members.  Our membership is a mix of those who are newly on their personal journey and in need of social support and those who have already forged their own path but choose to remain part of Freidom to give back to the Frei community by supporting others on their journey.

Events include, but are not limited to: dining out, pot-luck dinners, watching movies, attending musical performances, museums, live theater, hiking, camping, other cultural events, or anything else our members are interested in experiencing.

Freidom is proud to serve a vibrant community of brave and inspiring individuals and supports their choice of living their self-determined lives.

Freidom was founded in loving memory of a beloved friend 
Rachel Nove
6/13/1980 – 1/28/2010