"It Was the First Time I Felt Hope" (feat Shiri Kornblit)

"It Was the First Time I Felt Hope" (feat Shiri Kornblit)

In this powerful episode of the Neshamos Podcast, Moshe Hanen sits down with Shiri Kornblit to explore her remarkable journey from surviving early childhood trauma to finding hope and healing as an adult. Shiri opens up about the devastating loss of her parent at a young age and the turbulent path that followed. Despite the challenges, she found her way out of addiction with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous and embraced a new life as a baalat teshuva.

Shiri's story is one of resilience and transformation. Growing up in a chaotic environment, she struggled with self-destructive behaviors and addiction to drugs and alcohol. Her journey took her from bartending in Tel Aviv to serving as an Air Force intelligence officer, where she was forced to confront her addictions due to mandatory drug testing. This was a turning point in her life, as she began to seek boundaries and change.

A pivotal moment came when Shiri joined Alcoholics Anonymous and started her path to recovery. Through working the steps and discovering her higher power, she was able to overcome feelings of unworthiness and develop a sense of self-worth. She credits her faith and the support of her community for helping her through the darkest times. Now living in Brooklyn with her husband and two children, Shiri works as an urgent care physician's assistant.

She continues to give back to the community, having been an active volunteer with The Gedalya Society during the height of the COVID pandemic. Her work during this time exemplifies her commitment to helping others find hope and healing. Shiri's story is a testament to the power of community support and the importance of spiritual growth in overcoming life's challenges.

Her journey reminds us that no matter how difficult the path may seem, there is always hope for a brighter future.