
A Jewish Divorce Mediator Shares What She Sees Behind Closed Doors
Kosher Money
Money as a Proxy for Personality
Sarah explains how financial behaviors reflect risk tolerance, control issues, and deeper marital dynamics.
Kosher Money is the bi-weekly podcast from Living Lchaim, hosted by Eli Langer.
We explore one of the most sensitive and least discussed topics in Jewish life: money and marriage.
- Why do so many couples avoid talking about money?
- What do fights about money really represent?
- How can couples build financial trust and literacy before and during marriage?
- What role should community education play in preparing young people for real-world financial responsibility?
We sat down with Sarah Nissel, attorney, Pepperdine law professor, and Executive Director of the Jewish Divorce Assistance Center of LA.
After mediating 300+ divorces, she shares what really makes or breaks relationships when it comes to money, how to communicate without shame, handle conflict, and build marriages that actually last.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
01:53 Who Is Sarah Nissel?
02:27 Practicing Law in Los Angeles
04:10 A Decade of Experience in Family Law
04:24 What Lawyers See Behind Closed Doors
05:18 The Lack of Financial Education
05:56 When One First Goes to a Divorce Lawyer
07:23 Men vs. Women Divorce Misconceptions
07:42 Tips for a Healthier Marriage
11:45 Advice for Newlyweds
12:56 Improving Conflict Resolution Skills
18:28 How Frum Couples Manage Money
21:07 Why Wives Should Know the Finances
24:20 Twillory
25:33 The Donors Fund
27:52 Modeling Healthy Money Habits
29:34 Being Honest About Debt With Your Spouse
31:32 Understanding Your Appetite for Risk
34:33 How to Guide an Amicable Divorce
37:24 Prenups in the Orthodox Community
40:00 What Sarah Wants Her Children to Know
41:35 When Parents Stop Financial Support
44:14 Separate Bank Accounts
48:35 Setting Up Newlyweds for Financial Success
51:05 BitBean
51:53 Colel Chabad
52:43 It Is Never Too Late
55:58 Starting Financial Education Earlier
59:03 Moving Forward Toward Peace
1:02:39 Amazing Jewish Resources
1:05:52 How Sarah Helps People
1:06:23 You Do Not Need to Recreate the Wheel
1:08:01 Why Sarah Stays Away From AI
1:09:26 Sarah’s Nonprofit Work
1:09:52 Sarah’s Book Recommendations
1:12:36 The Advantages of the Jewish Community
1:14:04 Sarah’s Remarkable Yichus
1:19:26 Thanking Sarah for Joining Us
1:19:49 Outro
- Learn more about Sarah’s organization: https://www.jdacla.org/
- One of Sarah's favorite books, The Anxious Generation: https://amzn.to/4qnGOv
✬ Helpful Efforts Out in the World ✬
- Living Smarter Jewish brings free financial coaching to families: https://livingsmarterjewish.org/
- Kosher Debt Help – Honest, agenda-free help if you're in debt: https://www.kosherdebthelp.com/
- Kosher ADHD – Practical guidance for families living with ADHD: https://kosher-adhd.com/
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