Chani getter, lcsw

Raised in an Ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jewish home, Chani was placed in an arranged marriage at age 18 and quickly had three children.

During their second pregnancy, Chani learned what a lesbian was thanks to a secret television, Ellen DeGeneres, and a home dictionary. At last, they had a word for something they always knew themselves to be. Yet was never named or discussed. 

At 23, Chani left their marriage and started living as a single, out, proud, gay parent while staying deeply connected to their faith and Jewish practice. They left with barely a high school diploma and little work experience. Despite limited early education, Chani was determined to advance their education and career. 

Called "boundlessly inspiring," Chani's stories, teachings, and non-judgmental approach create time and space where diverse audiences can reconnect with their authentic selves and find the clarity, inner peace, and inspiration they desire.

Chani's influence is far-reaching and has changed the lives of people from every walk of life. At every event, from one-hour talks to weekend retreats, Chani welcomes, empowers, and inspires every person in the room (or on Zoom).

Drawing on their lived experience, Chani combines personal development, ancient wisdom, and courageous risk-taking to deliver powerful keynote speeches to groups large and small. In many talks, Chani teaches audiences to name what's not working and build upon what is working to realize personal and professional dreams.

In 2013, Chani was recruited by CEO Lani Santo to join the the staff of Footsteps, a social service nonprofit in the NYC metro area. Providing comprehensive services, Footsteps supports people who have left, or are contemplating leaving, ultra-orthodox Jewish communities to lead self-determined lives.

In 2014, Chani was instrumental in launching Footsteps' Family Justice Program to support parents fighting to have access to their children despite leaving or contemplating leaving the community. The program's work includes supporting court custody cases and training attorneys and clinicians. Chani directed the program until 2020.

Now, as Scholar in Residence, Chani teaches, trains, and mentors staff at partner organizations to improve quality of service for individuals living or raised in insular communities and may have limited secular education or English language skills.

Chani is a fierce advocate for parents fighting to maintain relationships with their children. Many parents leaving Ultra-Orthodoxy face an uphill battle in the legal system because priority is given to ultra-Orthodox education, not parental bond or the emotional well-being of the child. This point of view often leads to parents losing custody and even visitation with their children. 

Chani trains family attorneys to provide informed and culturally competent legal support to formerly ultra-Orthodox individuals and families. Chani also provides cultural competence training and continuing education courses to staff at a wide variety of institutions including colleges and universities, social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, and hospitals.

In 2014, Chani created the family justice program at Footsteps. This unique program provides emotional, legal, and practical support to formerly ultra-Orthodox people undergoing divorce and custody proceedings. The program also aims to build a history of legal rulings that support the rights of formerly ultra-Orthodox people to parent according to their own values.

For nearly 20 years, Chani has supported and nurtured a growing community of women, men, trans, gender queer, and non-binary people across North America and Europe. 

From 2007 until 2020, Chani convened and facilitated a monthly support group for LGBTQ+ women in New York City. The support group provided a community of trust and mutual aid for diverse individuals with a wide variety of experiences, ages, and identities. For several years, Chani also directed and lead annual weekend retreats for LGBTQ+ individuals and families with community building programs and workshops.

In 2022, Jewish Queer Youth (JQY) named Chani a "Jewish Queer Trailblazer" and honored their work with LGBTQ+ community with the Pride = Nachas Award. 

The Jewish Women's Archive highlights Chani's pivotal role in supporting the formation and development of organizations and resources for people wanting to stay connected to their Orthodox roots.

Rev. Chani is an ordained interfaith minister and a beloved spiritual leader, teacher, and counselor. Life is filled with extraordinary events, in which we wish we could slow time, even if just for a moment, allowing us to savor the sweetness or grief inherent in what is in the moment. From the beginning of recorded time, these events have had rituals and ceremonies to mark their significance and provide a lasting memory for those who bear witness along with those directly affected.

Rev. Chani is deeply familiar with the Jewish practices and rituals around these moments. They work with individuals and families to create meaningful ceremonies that honor the celebrants, incorporate their various traditions, and welcome all guests.

Rev. Chani is an ordained interfaith minster who is called to explore the many forms of the divine. As a spiritual counselor, Rev. Chani provides ministry to individuals, couples, and families including interfaith couples, merging families, and congregants struggling with grief, trauma, or marginalized identities. 

Rev. Chani's expertise includes working with people raised in insular or fundamental religious communities who are struggling with residual imprint of early childhood dogma.

Rev. Chani has worked extensively with ex-ultra-orthodox Jews, ex-Mormon, ex-Muslim, and ex-fundamental Christians (especially those home-schooled).

Chani is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), grief educator, and trauma therapist with a private practice in New Jersey. They see clients in-person and virtually.

Chani works with people who have experienced trauma, be it religious, sexual abuse, or other. Chani understands the myriad ways in which trauma affects the brain, body, and mind and how it can influence every aspect of daily life, even years or decades later.

Chani's loving, non-judgmental approach provides time and space for patients to reconnect with their authentic selves and find the clarity, inner peace, and inspiration they desire. 

Chani is currently accepting new clients seeking private therapy or counseling.