Leah Vincent, 32, became the new face of the burgeoning ex-Orthodox community this year with the publication of her feted memoir, “Cut Me Loose: Sin and Salvation After My Ultra-Orthodox Girlhood.” Vincent is just one of several formerly Orthodox authors to tell their stories in recent books. But in addition to describing her own experiences, she has also become an activist for those undergoing similar life changes.

Born in Pittsburgh to a prominent Orthodox family, Vincent became estranged from Orthodoxy while studying in England and Israel, and later while living by herself in New York. In her memoir, she describes the painful journey away from religion, and her efforts to come to terms with her sexuality. Although her story had a happy ending — in 2007 she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and earned her master’s degree in public policy in 2009 from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government — she also survived rape, prostitution and abusive relationships.

Like many ex-Orthodox Jews, Vincent is a critic of her former community, but also an advocate for increased collaboration and dialogue between the ex-Orthodox world and the larger Jewish community. Through her work with organizations like Footsteps, her writing and media appearances, and the “It Gets Besser” video project, Vincent has helped make the ex-Orthodox experience a part of mainstream Jewish life.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis of the crisis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount