(K)eine von euch: Mein Leben als Rebellin in der orthodoxen Welt | Inspirierende Biografie einer jüdischen Frau zwischen Glaube und Emanzipation

by Yehudis Fletcher, Erica Fischer (translator)

This is not an exit story!

Schon als Kind bekommt Yehudis Fletcher stets den gleichen Satz zu hö »Yehudis, was hast du wieder angestellt?« . In ihrer streng orthodoxen jüdischen Gemeinde fühlt sie sich oft als Außenseiterin: Sie stellt mehr Fragen, sie widersetzt sich öfter und sie wird häufiger getadelt. Als sie sexuelle Gewalt durch einen Rabbi erfährt, wird der Täter gedeckt – und sie kritisch beäugt.

Doch Yehudis verfolgt selbstbestimmt ihren eigenen Weg. Sie wird zur lauten Stimme gegen Missstände und Missbrauch in der jüdisch-orthodoxen Welt und unterstützt andere in schwierigen Situationen. Über zwei Zwangsehen mit Männern hinweg erkennt sie, dass sie Frauen liebt, und steht offen zu ihrer Beziehung.

Obwohl ihre Familie sich von ihr abwendet, ist sie nicht bereit, sich zu verleugnen – weder ihre Liebe noch ihre jüdische Heimat. Sie könnte gehen, aber sie bleibt. Mitreißend erzählt Yehudis Fletcher in ihrem Memoir von ihrem Kampf um Liebe, Selbstbestimmung und den Platz, der ihr zusteht.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Memoir, Judaism

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2025

Reviews

[jinkiswinkis · Rating 4 out of 5]

ate this up, don’t i love a memoir!

really interesting mix of dealing with trauma, sexuality, faith and all of the bruises that come along with it all. i loved the honesty and vulnerability here, and how yehudis describes her younger self, her journey through motherhood and also the (positive) influence of the internet on her story. a really inspiring story, im just glad she is alright

[ChayaM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually rate memoirs - who am I to decide how many stars someone else’s life deserves? But Chutzpah earns every star. Yehudis’s bravery lies not only in living authentically in the face of adversity, but in sharing her story with such courage and eloquence.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating memoir of a childhood felt of to be void of sufficient attention, love and validation.
Horrific exposé of grooming and abuse.
The pain of being lost in a community and just wanting to belong.
Trying to fit in by marrying and having to conduct sexual relations unwillingly.
Achieving educational endorsement, introducing a much-needed service for the Charedi community and finally finding love and acceptance in her own life.

[Marcia Weekes-Spears · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Courage is contagious — and this book proves it.”

📚 Quick Summary (Spoiler-Free)

Chutzpah by Yehudis Fletcher is an unflinching, deeply personal exploration of life inside the Orthodox Jewish community. Blending memoir with social commentary, Fletcher sheds light on gender, power, and tradition, giving readers an intimate look at both the beauty and the challenges of belonging to a tightly knit faith community.

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💖 What I Loved
• Fletcher’s voice is brave, raw, and unapologetically honest — she doesn’t hold back from questioning long-standing practices while still showing deep understanding of her roots.
• The book offers a rare insider perspective that feels both intimate and universal, raising questions about identity, autonomy, and community that resonate far beyond the Orthodox world.
• It’s a fascinating and important read for anyone curious about faith, culture, and the cost of silence versus the power of speaking out.

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🌀 What I Struggled With

There were moments where the sheer intensity of the experiences described felt heavy — but that’s a testament to Fletcher’s candour rather than a flaw. It isn’t always comfortable reading, and nor should it be.

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💫 Favourite Line or Moment

“The greatest act of chutzpah is to believe your voice matters, even when the world insists it does not.”

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🎯 Who Should Read It

Readers fascinated by religion, gender dynamics, and cultural anthropology will find this riveting. It’s especially compelling for those who enjoy memoirs that challenge societal norms — think fans of Deborah Feldman’s Unorthodox.

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🧠 Final Thoughts

Yehudis Fletcher has written a fearless, thought-provoking book that lingers long after you close the pages. Chutzpah isn’t just a story about the Orthodox Jewish community — it’s about power, courage, and reclaiming your truth.

[Fraidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, brave memoir that brings nuance, colour and truth to a hidden world.

This memoir is a rare and powerful window into a world that’s often painted in black and white. Yehudis Fletcher brings it to life with honesty, depth and compassion, showing the complexity and humanity behind the stereotypes.

Her courage in telling her story stands out, as does the fierce integrity with which she’s lived it. She is a woman determined to build a life she can be proud of - for herself, her children and her community - without glossing over the pain or struggle it took to get there. Instead of walking away from the places that hurt her, she stays and does the hard work of change.

This memoir is a powerful call to action. The ripples from her story will inspire others to feel safe enough to use their voices and share their own stories.

It is both a personal journey and a universal one, touching on themes of community, family, relationships, sexuality, faith, feminism, parenting education and so much more. It will stay with you long after the final page.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this down. In her memoir, Yehudis describes her life growing up in Jewish Orthodox family, the restrictions, ignorance, naivety that led to sexual abuse and unsuitable marriages. Her family decided that sticking to the religious rules was more important than supporting her. The book gives insight into how religious beliefs can be misused, how people can hide behind those beliefs from the real world. The author has my utmost respect for her courage in writing this and for using her experience to help other people in similar situations. In Orthodox Judaism, it’s very much a man’s world still.

[Joanne Wadsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to this memoir! It was brave and unapologetic. I found it so inspiring that even after the hand Yehudis gets dealt in her life and with her family, brought up in a culture I didn’t know anything about before listening, she “threatens to stay” instead of fleeing her faith. Instead, she makes room for the things she finds important and is able to share that with so many people in her community, which I’m sure is a beacon of light for many.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very empowering read.

[Jackie Kingsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and enraging - Yehudis survives and thrives despite appalling husbands and possibly even more appalling family

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliantly written and interesting memoir. At times a horror story but full of hope.