To the outside world, Gershon* was doing everything right. At 22 years old, he was learning full-time and enrolled in a semicha program. His dream was clear: to become a rebbe and build a home rooted in Torah values. He was preparing to begin dating for marriage, the next step in his ideal future.
But behind closed doors, Gershon was battling a secret that filled him with shame: he couldn’t stop looking at pornography on his phone. He had tried everything he could think of. He davened. He installed a filter. He spoke to his rebbeim, who reassured him that once he got married, things would get better. But deep down, Gershon feared the opposite-that marriage might only make things worse if the root of the problem wasn’t addressed.
At one fortuitous Shabbos meal, Gershon heard a family friend talk about Amudim and the support we offer in so many areas. And he decided, with hesitation and courage, to reach out and see if there was a better way forward.
From the very first conversation, the case manager made Gershon feel seen, heard, and most importantly, not judged. They talked through his struggles and explored appropriate treatment options that would address the underlying issues, not just the symptoms. We connected Gershon with a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), who worked with him on strategies to help break the cycle. He was also set up with a sponsor and began working the SA 12-step program, giving him structure, accountability, and an awareness that he was not alone.
Throughout the process, Gershon remained in regular contact with his case manager, who provided encouragement and guidance every step of the way.
Recovery wasn’t immediate, but it was real.Through his dedication and the support system Amudim helped him build, Gershon gained control over his impulses and regained trust in himself. In time, he did begin dating. And today, he is married and building the life he dreamed of-now with the tools and insight to do it with integrity.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Amudim is just a phone call away and here to help.
*Names and details have been changed to protect privacy.
Each week, Amudim fields calls covering a wide range of crises and addressing various human concerns, including addiction, depression, abuse, health and domestic emergencies and many others. We track the calls and breakdown of issues for many reasons, foremost of which is to consistently improve and strengthen our knowledge and ability to address community’s needs.
“As Rav Eliyahu Dessler writes in Michtav Me’Eliyahu…”
Powerful words to live by. Sometimes, the deepest lessons come from our mesorah when we pause and listen.
Meet Shaindy: the “superstar” Bais Yaakov girl who looks like she has it all — friends, family, seminary dreams. But even she struggles.
With Darcheinu & Our Path SEL, students gain lifelong skills: emotion regulation, setting boundaries, healthy decision-making.
And the best part? They carry those skills into adulthood — raising healthier families, building stronger communities.
🎥 Watch “Shaindy’s Story” and see how Torah-based Social Emotional Learning changes lives.
🔗 https://darcheinu.org/the-case-for-sel/