Becoming Eve : my journey from ultra-Orthodox rabbi to transgender woman

The powerful coming-of-age story of an ultra-Orthodox child who was born to become a rabbinic leader and instead became a woman Abby Stein was raised in a Hasidic Jewish community in Brooklyn, isolated in a culture that lives according to the laws and practices of eighteenth-century Eastern Europe, speaking only Yiddish and Hebrew and shunning modern life. Stein was born as the first son in a dynastic rabbinical family, poised to become a leader of the next generation of Hasidic Jews. But Abby felt certain at a young age that she was a girl. She suppressed her desire for a new body while looking for answers wherever she could find them, from forbidden religious texts to smuggled secular examinations of faith. Finally, she orchestrated a personal exodus from ultra-Orthodox manhood to mainstream femininity-a radical choice that forced her to leave her home, her family, her way of life. Powerful in the truths it reveals about biology, culture, faith, and identity, Becoming Eve poses the enduring question: How far will you go to become the person you were meant to be? Abby Stein is the tenth-generation descendant of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Hasidic movement. In 2015, Stein came out as a woman, and she now works as a trans activist. In 2019, she served on the steering committee for the Women's March in Washington, DC, and she was named by the Jewish Week as one of the "36 Under 36" Jews who are affecting change in the world. She lives in New York City. The powerful coming-out story of an ultra-Orthodox child who was born to become a rabbinic leader and instead became a woman and an outspoken voice for gender freedom Abby Chava Stein was raised in a Hasidic Jewish community in Brooklyn, profoundly isolated in a culture that lives according to the laws and practices of an eighteenth-century Eastern European enclave, speaking only Yiddish and Hebrew and shunning modern life. Deeply immersed within one of the world's most gender-segregated societies, Stein was born as the first son in a rabbinical dynastic family, poised to become a leader of the next generation of Hasidic Jews. But Stein felt certain at a young age that she was a girl, even though there was no context for understanding this disconnect. Without access to TV or the internet, and never taught English, she suppressed her desire for a new body while looking for answers wherever she could find them, from forbidden religious texts to smuggled secular examinations of faith. Finally, she orchestrated a personal exodus from ultra-Orthodox manhood into mainstream femininity-a radical choice that forced her to leave her home, her family, and her way of life. Powerful in the truths it reveals about biology, culture, faith, and identity, Becoming Eve poses the ultimate question for a new generation: How far are you willing to go to become the person you are meant to be? Abby Stein Was Raised In A Hasidic Jewish Community In Brooklyn, Profoundly Isolated In A Culture That Lives According To The Laws And Practices Of An Eighteenth-century Eastern European Enclave, Speaking Only Yiddish And Hebrew And Shunning Modern Life. Stein Was Born As The First Son In A Rabbinical Dynastic Family, Poised To Become A Leader Of The Next Generation Of Hasidic Jews. But Stein Felt Certain At A Young Age That She Was A Girl. Without Access To Tv Or The Internet, And Never Taught English, She Suppressed Her Desire For A New Body While Looking For Answers Wherever She Could Find Them, From Forbidden Religious Texts To Smuggled Secular Examinations Of Faith. Finally, She Orchestrated A Personal Exodus From Ultra-orthodox Manhood Into Mainstream Femininity--a Radical Choice That Forced Her To Leave Her Home, Her Family, And Her Way Of Life-- Introduction: Birth Of An Empire -- Birth Of A Child -- A Dollhouse -- A Haircut -- According To His Will -- On The Playground -- At The Edge Of Manhood -- Seeing Demons -- Signs And Signals -- Holy Obligations -- Teachings Of Our Fathers -- A New School -- Heavenly Bodies -- Welcome To The Catskill Mountains -- Matchmaking -- Tingling Feelings -- Audience With The Rebbe -- High On Mysticism -- Engaged -- Graphic Studies -- A Wedding In A Blizzard -- Another Child -- The Done Thing -- Wireless Connections. Abby Stein. "Abby Stein was raised in a Hasidic Jewish community in Brooklyn, profoundly isolated in a culture that lives according to the laws and practices of an eighteenth-century Eastern European enclave, speaking only Yiddish and Hebrew and shunning modern life. Stein was born as the first son in a rabbinical dynastic family, poised to become a leader of the next generation of Hasidic Jews. But Stein felt certain at a young age that she was a girl. Without access to TV or the internet, and never taught English, she suppressed her desire for a new body while looking for answers wherever she could find them, from forbidden religious texts to smuggled secular examinations of faith. Finally, she orchestrated a personal exodus from ultra-Orthodox manhood into mainstream femininity--a radical choice that forced her to leave her home, her family, and her way of life"-- Provided by publisher