The Rebbitzen reveals her identity | Danielle Jacobs

The Rebbitzen reveals her identity | Danielle Jacobs

Frieda Vizel - Hasidic Brooklyn and Beyond · 2025-06-22

Video version of this interview: https://youtu.be/UZTQRkr-rIs

Long before social media became what it is today, the internet met Rebbetzin Rivka Leah Zelwig—a charmingly extreme ultra-Orthodox rebbetzin who covered her mouth when she laughed and dispensed earnest advice with impeccable comedic timing. But who was behind this early viral sensation?

In this deeply personal interview, I sit down with Danielle Jacobs, the brilliant performer behind the character, for a conversation that moved me to tears more than once. Danielle opens up about her traumatic and unstable childhood in a home steeped in religious extremism, her lifelong connection to faith and spirituality, her natural gifts for dance and performance, and the painful limitations placed on talented women in the Orthodox world.

This is a raw, beautiful conversation with a woman whose story is as powerful as her presence.

👉 Follow Danielle:
YouTube: @sodanielleicious
Instagram: @sodanielleicious

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Frieda Vizel - Hasidic Brooklyn and Beyond

Welcome to in-depth conversations on Hasidism, Judaism, NYC, culture, education, religion and more!

This podcast is hosted by popular Youtuber Frieda Vizel, who has been studying the Hasidic community for more than ten years.

This is the podcast version of the video conversations which are also published on Youtube. Please reach out with feedback.

Here's the youtube channel if you prefer to see the host and guests! :)

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