From Hasidic to Homeless on Drugs

Description

Meilech Kohn grew up Jewish, raised in a deeply Hasidic orthodox world. After years of bullying and pressure, he walked away from Judaism — and his life completely collapsed. Meilech became homeless. He struggled with drugs. He lost everything he once had. And then… he came back. In this raw and honest episode, Meilech shares the shocking reality of what happened after leaving a religious Jewish life — including encounters with police, time spent in jail cells, surviving homelessness, and the toll it took on his mental health. We talk openly about addiction, trauma, identity, and what it feels like to completely lose yourself. After everything fell apart, Meilech rebuilt his life and eventually became a popular Jewish singer, performing and recording music while living a very different life. In this episode, he shares the full story of how he found his way back — to his family, his Jewish roots, and his sense of self — after hitting rock bottom. This is a powerful Jewish story of collapse, survival, and return. Thank you to our sponsors: ►BJX Helpline: If you or a family member is going through a spiritual crisis schedule a consolation with Rabbi Fingerer today. Call 646-397-1544 or email ⁠[email protected]⁠ __________________________________ ►Iyun Halacha: Join the incredible online Halacha learning program! visit ⁠www.iyunhalacha.org⁠ or email ⁠[email protected]⁠ __________________________________ ►Ohr Olam: The Revolutionary Hebrew-English Mishnah Berurah Get a copy at your local Jewish bookstore or visit: ⁠https://zbermanbooks.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=ohr+olam⁠ For more info and a free download, visit: ⁠https://www.ohr-olam.org⁠ __________________________________ ►Colel Chabad: Pushka App Download Colel Chabad’s Pushka app and help support over 47,000 families in need in Israel! ⁠ Download the app here: https://pushkapp.cc/joyful⁠ __________________________________ ►Join the weekly Parsha Inspiration Email ⁠[email protected]⁠ or visit ⁠parshaknowledge.com⁠ __________________________________ Join our WhatsApp group: ⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/BbfFPZDu1ldBlANISpy0Oj⁠ or message 646-397-2320 Time Stamps: 00:00 – Trailer: Meilech’s Early Life: Bullying, Sadness, and a Distant Father 06:53 – Leaving Judasim: From England to America 13:55 – Becoming Homeless: From New York to California - Life on the Streets 23:30 – Surviving the Streets: Friends, Work, and Close Calls 36:21 – Arrests and Jail Cell's - Hitting Rock Bottom 49:00 – Returning to Judaism and Family 1:01:07 – Jewish Music and Uman 1:16:10 – Spiritual Awakening and Tattoo Removal 1:27:05 – Addiction, Divorce, and Rebuilding Life 1:35:01 – Music, Identity, and the Viral Song “V’ahavta” 1:43:13 – The Rebbe's Song, Divine Blessings, and Remembering Miracles Listen to the podcast by phone: USA: 605-562-3522 Israel: 972-79-579-5099  Reach out to us: WhatsApp: 646-397-2320 Email: [email protected] Thank you for listening and remember to stay Jewish n’ Joyful :) #jewishpodcast #homeless #hasidic #drugs #mentalhealth #meilechkohn #jewishmusic