People who leave ultra-Orthodox Judaism experience challenges of belonging and meaning that can mirror the upheaval of migration, according to new research from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Case Western Reserve University.
Published in The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, the study surveyed 781 former members of ultra-Orthodox communities in Israel, the United States, Canada, and the UK.
The findings reveal that exiting strict, high-demand religious groups is not only a change in belief but a full-scale cultural transition, comparable to moving from one country to another. Former members often lose their networks of community, purpose, and identity, leaving them vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and existential struggles over life’s meaning.
“Exiting ultra-Orthodox Judaism is not just a matter of belief; it is a life-altering process that can feel like migration into a foreign society,” said Dr. Yossi David of BGU.
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“People must learn a new cultural language, navigate unfamiliar social norms, and reconstruct their communities from scratch.”
The study found that time spent away from the community had little effect on this adjustment. Leaving with a partner or close companion provided only mild protection, slightly reducing depression but not offsetting the broader challenges of disaffiliation.
“Belonging is central to healthy adjustment. Just as migrants often need bridges into their new societies, former members of high-cost religions can benefit from structured opportunities to build communities and meaning. Without these, they remain at risk of lasting psychological distress,” said Yehudis Keller, a PhD candidate at Case Western Reserve University.
At the same time, the study noted that some participants demonstrated resilience, creating new networks through education, activism, or alternative communities.
“While the challenges are profound, many also found creative ways to rebuild belonging, much like migrants forging hybrid identities in their new environments,” added David.
The authors suggest that these findings might extend beyond Judaism. Leaving any strict, high-demand religion, from Mormonism to conservative Christianity, can involve similar cultural and psychological adjustments.
They call on mental health professionals, community organizations, and policymakers to treat religious disaffiliation as a major social transition, offering targeted support in education, employment, and community integration, just as is often done for migrants adapting to new societies.