All Who Go Do Not Return: A Memoir

Shulem Deen

Mar 2015 · Sold by Graywolf Press

About this ebook

A moving and revealing exploration of ultra-Orthodox Judaism and one man's loss of faith
Shulem Deen was raised to believe that questions are dangerous. As a member of the Skverers, one of the most insular Hasidic sects in the US, he knows little about the outside world—only that it is to be shunned. His marriage at eighteen is arranged and several children soon follow. Deen's first transgression—turning on the radio—is small, but his curiosity leads him to the library, and later the Internet. Soon he begins a feverish inquiry into the tenets of his religious beliefs, until, several years later, his faith unravels entirely. Now a heretic, he fears being discovered and ostracized from the only world he knows. His relationship with his family at stake, he is forced into a life of deception, and begins a long struggle to hold on to those he loves most: his five children. In All Who Go Do Not Return, Deen bravely traces his harrowing loss of faith, while offering an illuminating look at a highly secretive world.

Ratings and reviews

Shulem's work will not only intrigue those who have limited exposure to the chassidic culture, but will also invoke intense feelings from those of us who no longer walk the path. It honestly and accurately portrays how different chassidic culture is and appropriately details the difficult and complex nature of migrating to modern secular culture. Hotzlocha Rabbah, Shulem.

It is an enormously difficult decision to leave any religion but just much more intense when it is a Hassid group. It is a very honest and moving story.

Beautifully written. Moved me to tears. Extremely authentic! As I know most people mentioned in the book. I grew up there. Wow!!

About the author

Shulem Deen is a former Skverer Hasid, and the founding editor of Unpious. His work has appeared in the The Jewish Daily Forward, Tablet, and Salon. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.