Neshamos.org
Neshamos.org
I Experienced Sexual Assault (feat. Rochel Spangenthal)
I Experienced Sexual Assault (feat. Rochel Spangenthal)
I Experienced Sexual Assault (feat. Rochel Spangenthal)
Sunday 27th December 2020
Rochel Spangenthal shares her journey of healing after sexual assault, exploring resilience, religious challenges, and the power of community support.
54 minutes
hopeful
challenging
empowering
reflective
supportive
About this podcast
Author:
Neshamos.org
Overview:
Categories:
Recovery from Trauma
Healing from Sexual Trauma
Sobriety Toolkit
Healing Relationships
Creative Recovery Journeys
Links:
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Episodes:
38 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Healing After Trauma: Rochel's Journey
Episode Overview
- Rochel's transition to a religious lifestyle.
- Impact of sexual assault on her life and beliefs.
- Importance of community support in healing.
- Reframing trauma into empowerment.
- Challenges in maintaining religious identity.
My sexual assault did not make me dirty; it ultimately made me recognize that I am pure beyond anything that happens to me.
In this powerful episode of the Neshamas Podcast, hosted by Moshe Hanen, listeners are introduced to Rochel Spangenthal, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and writer from North Carolina. Rochel shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming trauma, specifically the sexual assault she experienced as an adult, and the subsequent challenges it posed to her religious beliefs and identity. Growing up, Rochel's family made a significant transition to a religious lifestyle, becoming part of the Chabad community.
Rochel embraced her religious responsibilities wholeheartedly, aspiring to be the perfect daughter and student while seeking a relationship befitting her religious status. Her dedication to religious observance was marked by a conscious decision to reserve physical touch for marital relationships, embodying the principles of Shomar Nagiya. However, the traumatic experience of sexual assault led Rochel to question everything she had built her life upon, including her relationship with God and her religious identity.
Despite the initial turmoil, Rochel's resilience shone through. She did not let the assault define her negatively but instead used it as a platform for growth and empowerment. Rochel's story highlights the importance of community support systems, such as those provided by organizations like Neshamos and Amuddin, in facilitating healing and recovery. She emphasizes that bad experiences can be reframed into lessons of strength and self-discovery, asserting that her sexual assault did not tarnish her purity.
With support from friends and established networks, Rochel found ways to process her trauma and emerge stronger. Her narrative serves as an inspiration to others who may be facing similar challenges, reminding them that healing is possible and that reaching out for help is a vital step. This episode is a testament to the power of vulnerability, hope, and the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity.
Rochel Spangenthal's journey is a beacon of light for anyone navigating the complexities of trauma and searching for a path to healing.