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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Award-winning current affairs documentary series

Award-winning current affairs documentary series investigating major issues at home and abroad

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File on 4: The Unorthodox Life of Miriam

The Unorthodox Life of Miriam

BBC Radio 4 - File on 4, The Unorthodox Life of Miriam

The shocking story of one woman's attempt to escape an Orthodox Jewish community.

Miriam left the Hasidic Jewish community and said goodbye to her siblings and children. NB This is an edited version to avoid confusion between two people of the same name.

When Miriam left the Hasidic Jewish community she had to say goodbye to her parents, siblings and children. The night she fled she knew she would be ostracised. But didn’t realise that six years on she would still be untangling herself from a series of complex financial arrangements which risk her going to prison. File on Four tells the story of this extraordinary woman which puts the financial affairs of one of the most guarded and insular religious communities under the spotlight. A judge has ruled Miriam acted under undue influence from religious and community leaders. How widespread are these practices? And why have they gone unchecked for so long? 

NB This edition has been edited to eliminate any confusion between two people of the same name.

Presenter: Melanie Abbott
Producer: Anna Meisel
Editor: Andrew Smith

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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