Off the derech

Off the derech (OTD), literally, "off the path", is a term used by Orthodox Jews to describe someone who has intentionally stopped practicing the accepted tenets of his/her branch of orthodoxy frumkeit. The phrase is often applied to rebellious teenagers. Teenagers who are not yet off the derech but who display signs of rebelliousness from Orthodox norms, such as changes in dress or associating with off the derech friends, are often referred to as "teens at risk". An example of term used in everyday language, "Ofer has gone off the derech."

There is perceived be an increasing trend of young people going OTD, although since there are few reliable statistics, it may be just that more community focus is being addressed to this issue. It is generally becoming much easier for youngsters from very sheltered backgrounds such as yeshivish or Hasidic communities to go OTD since they can get information, contacts and helpful resources via the internet to help them reestablish themselves in the general community.

Reasons

One reason identified as to why teens go OTD is not being able to ask questions about intellectual issues, or not receiving satisfactory answers when such questions are asked.

Further reading

• Faranak Margolese, Off the Derech: Why Observant Jews Leave Judaism; How to Respond to the Challenge, Devora Publishing, 2005.
• Hella Winston, Unchosen: The Hidden Lives of Hasidic Rebels, Beacon Press, 2006.

External links

• Drop Outs Can Repair the Rifts