'Vort' Star Moshe Menashe Opens Up About Ultra-Orthodox Loneliness
Lawyer Moshe Menashe opens up about his split from Avigail, the "taboo" of Haredi bachelorhood, and his struggle to clear his name in a new podcast interview.
Moshe Menashe, the 35-year-old attorney and MDA volunteer who rose to fame on the Haredi matchmaking reality show Vort, sat down for a candid interview on the Srugim podcast. The reality star addressed the "pain points" of the sector, including the spiritual toll of prolonged bachelorhood and the reality of life after the cameras stop rolling.
Despite a promising start on the show with his match, Avigail, Menashe revealed that the relationship did not survive the transition to real life. "For [real] life, it wasn't right for us," he explained. Menashe, who entered the show as a divorcee ("Chapter B"), noted that his demanding lifestyle, balancing courtrooms, ambulance shifts, and entrepreneurship, clashed with Avigail's desire for a more conservative and relaxed partnership.
In a rare moment of transparency regarding the Ultra-Orthodox community, Menashe touched on the hidden struggles of older singles and divorcees. "This loneliness breaks people," he shared.
Menashe claimed that without the "natural framework" of a family, some singles find themselves failing to observe Shabbat laws. "People fall in Shabbat observance because they are alone within four walls for 25 hours. When you're married, it's easier to keep."
Addressing the irony of being a Haredi reality star, Menashe noted that while many in the sector claim not to watch television, he is recognized everywhere. "Everyone stops me in the street and knows every nuance," he remarked. He attributed the show's success to its "purity," maintaining modesty and avoiding physical touch, unlike secular reality formats.
Menashe also addressed recent reports regarding legal proceedings against him, clarifying that they stem from a misunderstanding surrounding a construction project. He noted that three judges have already indicated the process was flawed. "I am sure that on the day I am cleared, the truth will come out just as loudly as the accusations did," he stated.
Despite the challenges, Menashe remains optimistic about finding a long-term partner, stating that the exposure has opened new doors for a "liberal, working, and modern" Haredi perspective on screen.