Netflix doco about ex-Chasids cut out woman’s admission that she is lesbian

Published: 8 March 2018

Last updated: 4 March 2024

ETTY AUSCH IS one of three people who tell their stories of leaving the Brooklyn Hasidic community in One of Us, which was released in September. The acclaimed film, directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, shows Ausch’s custody battle over her seven children with her former husband, whom she describes as abusive.

It alleges that the Hasidic community bands together, harassing her and raising money for her former husband’s lawyer.

It also shows Ausch, 33, slowly breaking away from Orthodox Judaism, eschewing long skirts and a wig for pants and her natural hair, which was shaved according to a Hasidic custom.

But there was one significant detail left out of the story, Ausch revealed llast month. Years earlier Ausch had come out as a lesbian, and at the time of filming she was openly dating a woman. The filmmakers were aware of this and shot footage of Ausch with her girlfriend, but that part of the story was left out in the editing process.

Ausch said the filmmakers told her that Netflix made the decision.

FULL STORY Why did Netflix cut ‘I’m gay’ from documentary about ex-Chasids? (Forward)

Photo: Etty Ausch (Forward)