Bonus: Love Syndrome, Revisited

<p>Now that "Alone, Together" is over, and before we turn to stories that - gasp - have little to do with the virus, we revisit and update our most popular episode ever - "Love Syndrome."&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>On March 22, 2020, as we were all just starting to fathom the new reality we were about to enter, hundreds of Israel Story fans went <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mishy.harman/videos/10111697060389011" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">online</a> to hear an update from an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chayas-Angels-Spiritual-Journey-Syndrome-ebook/dp/B07LGDVQ2D/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=CHAYA%27S+ANGELS&amp;qid=1601883556&amp;sr=8-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ultra-Orthodox woman</a> from Tzfat. Six years ago, Chaya Ben Baruch’s inspiring story brought listeners around the world to tears. It was the story of a trailblazer who wouldn’t let life, and the many obstacles it presented her, dictate reality.</p><p><br></p><p>Chaya grew up as Enid, in a “Conservadox” Jewish family in Far Rockaway, N.Y. Like many women of her generation and from her background, Chaya’s life seemed to be preordained - she’d go to school, marry a nice Jewish boy, raise a family, and be active in the community. But Enid had different plans: midway through college, she left that structured world behind and ventured off to far-away Fairbanks, Alaska, to study the mothering patterns of sea otters.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>A decade, three children, and one failed marriage later, Enid met Stan - a tall, Catholic salmon fisherman from the Gold Stream Valley. Together they had three more kids, the last of whom - Angkor - was born with Down Syndrome. While many parents - especially at the time - might have viewed this as a devastating misfortune, Enid and Stan saw it as an opportunity. They were determined to find Angkor a partner; a soulmate. That wish of theirs kicked off an incredible journey that led the family from Alaska to Tzfat, in the north of Israel, and - on the way - precipitated a return t