I’m Toby Alice, born in 1989. I live in Ramat Gan, but am originally from Beitar Illit, and I was raised in the Lithuanian Charedi community. About 15 years ago, I disaffiliated from ultra-Orthodoxy, after hearing about Hillel from a relative. Some good people along the way helped me, but it was mostly me and my desire to move forward in life that kept me going. I benefited from Hillel’s social support and got a scholarship, and today I’m a Sports Physical Therapist.

I want to say to anyone still undecided about leaving Orthodoxy: Believe in yourself! Listen to yourself! No one can take anything from you. It all depends on you.