

Naftuli Moster: Leaving Haredi Education Activism [Teshuva 5/5]
Sep 21, 2025
01:36:58
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Naftuli Moster, a former activist for major changes in Hasidic education, about how and why he changed his understanding of the values imparted by Judaism.
In this episode we discuss:
Interview begins at 25:09.
Naftuli Moster is the founder and CEO of Shtetl, a non-profit media outlet serving as a free press for the Haredi community. He formerly worked with YAFFED, an organization that pushes for reform in Haredi and Hasidic education.
References:
“‘Why I left Hasidic education activism’ | Naftuli Moster”
Tosafot on Pesachim
“The Words of the Master and the Life of the Student” by Shalom Carmy
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
Night by Elie Wiesel
For more 18Forty:
NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/join
CALL: (212) 582-1840
EMAIL: info@18forty.org
WEBSITE: 18forty.org
IG: @18forty
X: @18_forty
WhatsApp: join here
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Naftuli Moster, a former activist for major changes in Hasidic education, about how and why he changed his understanding of the values imparted by Judaism.
In this episode we discuss:
- Why did Naftuli stop campaigning for fundamental reform in Hasidic education?
- Why are Jews often drawn to movements that can be counterproductive to their interests?
- How did October 7 make Naftuli rethink his relationship with the Jewish world?
Interview begins at 25:09.
Naftuli Moster is the founder and CEO of Shtetl, a non-profit media outlet serving as a free press for the Haredi community. He formerly worked with YAFFED, an organization that pushes for reform in Haredi and Hasidic education.
References:
“‘Why I left Hasidic education activism’ | Naftuli Moster”
Tosafot on Pesachim
“The Words of the Master and the Life of the Student” by Shalom Carmy
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
Night by Elie Wiesel
For more 18Forty:
NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/join
CALL: (212) 582-1840
EMAIL: info@18forty.org
WEBSITE: 18forty.org
IG: @18forty
X: @18_forty
WhatsApp: join here
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.