Jews Shmooze

Naftali Kempeh is one of Jewish music’s most sought-after voices, with eight albums, more than 25 singles, and a presence that electrifies kumzitsen, weddings, and concert stages around the world. From his upbringing in Tifrach and early Carlebach influences to carving out a unique sound embraced across diverse communities, Naftali shares the journey behind the music. He opens up about his first paid gig, his parents’ reaction to his unconventional path, performing in Israel versus the U.S., navigating requests for free shows, and the personal impact of losing his mother. Hear the stories, struggles, and heart behind the voice everyone hopes is holding the mic. ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.com Listen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903 Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Frank Meeink made headlines throughout the years for his jaw dropping journey from being a skinhead and neo-nazi white supremacit to becoming a fully observant and practicing Jew. He has written an autobiography titled Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead and has been the basis for a character on TV, been seen on TV and in many interviews. After a three-year stint in prison, he left the racist skinhead movement and now lectures against it. ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.com Listen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903 Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Rabbi Dan Roth, founder of Torah Live , shares the story behind one of the most innovative Torah education platforms today. From the original spark that led him to merge cutting-edge technology with authentic Torah learning, to the challenges of keeping Torah relevant in a rapidly changing world, Rabbi Roth reflects on vision, growth, impact, and the misconceptions surrounding “Torah tech.” The conversation explores the future of Jewish education, the balance between depth and engagement, and what it takes to inspire today’s generation through new tools while staying rooted in timeless values. To learn more, subscribe, or support their work, visit torahlive.com . Episode Sponsor This week’s episode is brought to you by CH Bookings . Whether you’re planning a simcha, event, or anything in between, CH Bookings connects you with talented singers and instrumental musicians to fit your style and budget. They’re professional, easy to work with, and trusted to make your event memorable. For your next event, contact Chezky Hershkowitz at CH Bookings at 848-326-0718 . ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.com Listen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903 Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Sam Salz made headlines a few years ago as the only Orthodox Jewish NCAA Division I football player, but his story goes far beyond the title. He didn’t grow up playing football, yet found himself training for nine months alongside the Texas A&M practice field and ultimately suiting up for one of the most storied programs in college football. In this episode, Sam shares the journey that led him to the cover of The New York Times , the challenges he faced along the way, and the deeper lessons behind it all. To contact Sam for your next speaking event: samsalzcommunications@gmail.com Episode Sponsor This week’s episode is brought to you by CH Bookings . Whether you’re planning a simcha, event, or anything in between, CH Bookings connects you with talented singers and instrumental musicians to fit your style and budget. They’re professional, easy to work with, and trusted to make your event memorable. For your next event, contact Chezky Hershkowitz at CH Bookings at 848-326-0718 . ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.com Listen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903 Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Mitchell Silk led the 2019 China trade deal, designed the CARES Act, produced the three-volume, 2,000-page ArtScroll Kedushas Levi , and runs the Agudath Israel Legal Support Services — all while volunteering there too. (Yes, this is all the same person.) He’s now out with a new book: A Seat at the Table: An Inside Account of Trump’s Global Economic Revolution. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seat-Table-Account-Economic-Revolution/dp/B0F318DTSH Simon and Schuster: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/A-Seat-at-the-Table/Mitchell-A-Silk/9798895652268 ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.com Listen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903 Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Hear about the groundbreaking, first of its kind initiative called Uniting Torah which unites the 4 Torah worlds. Let’s show Hashem that the divisions of the past no longer define us. Now every Jew can support all Torah worlds equally. This time, we give to each other. www.UnitingTorah.com/js

Mark Wilf is best known as the co-owner and President of the Minnesota Vikings, but his impact extends far beyond the football field. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore how his upbringing as the child of Holocaust survivors shaped his leadership, his deep commitment to Jewish philanthropy, and the lessons he's learned from sports, business, and legacy. If you care about leadership, family, giving back, and the future of Jewish life, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Special thanks to the Danneman family for helping arrange this conversation. ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.com Listen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903 Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Sponsored Message: Support Yeshivas Dover Tzedek , a chashuv yeshiva in Lakewood, and enter their raffle for a $10,000 dining room set . Tickets are $99 and proceeds go to support Torah learning. Enter here: https://thechesedfund.com/yeshivadovertzedek/dining-room-set-raffle Or call/text 917-772-2494 to buy tickets. -----Sivan Rahav Meir, one of Israel’s most popular media personalities and a respected author and columnist, joins for the episode. Sivan shares her unique journey from journalism to becoming a prominent voice in Israeli media, balancing her public career with her private life. We discuss the challenges of being a public figure and so much more! To buy her books, learn more, or invite her to your community, school, or shul (digitally or in person), visit her website: https://sivanrahavmeir.com/home-en/ ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.comListen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Professor Aumann discusses childhood in Germany, influences after moving to America, why he went to Israel, his son who was killed in the Lebanon War, what winning a Noble Prize feels like, how Game Theory can solve the hostage crisis and religious ideas, and much more. Professor Robert Aumann is a mathematician who’s won the Harvey Prize in Science and Technology, the Israel Prize for economics, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, and many others. He has written a lot of papers and has contributed significantly to many academic and religious conversations. ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.comListen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Hear how Joseph Gitler founded and runs Leket Israel. In 2024, they had 160 employees, 95,000 volunteers, 63 dedicated food rescue vehicles, 33,340 tons of food, among other incredible numbers. Leket Israel deals with harvesting surplus agricultural produce and collecting cooked meals then sorting and distributing them to the needy throughout the country. To learn more, reach out, or donate: www.leket.org ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.comListen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Hear President Joel speak about his childhood, the unexpected road to presidency, reflections on the job, and much more! ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.comListen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Find out what brought R' Dembitzer, also known as Dembi, to Camp Simcha, what brings him back, why the summer is so meaningful, how he ended up in Omaha, and so much more. ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.comListen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Arnon Shorr is a comic book author and graphic novelist, as well as a screenwriter, director, film producer, and more. He has been nominated for and has won many awards for his productions. Hear about his journey to and through film as well as reflections on the art itself. Links referenced in episode: Website: www.arnonshorr.com Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YdwevH “The Pirate Captain Toledano” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4itTGvS Web store (where people can buy the individual “floppy” comic books, like the latest, “The Tomb of the Broken Amulet”) http://tinyurl.com/shorrstore ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.comListen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Moishe Bane is the president emeritus of the Orthodox Union and was senior partner for almost 17 years at Ropes & Gray LLP. He’s also been the national chairman for NCSY, started Kayama, and held a variety of other communal roles. Hear about his influences, experiences, and thoughts from decades of helping and advancing all areas of Jewish life. ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.comListen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Matzot Aviv makes 26,000 matzot and sends them to US, Korea, and everywhere in between. Hear from Roy Wolf about the company history, manufacturing process, and more. He is also co-founded a brand for premium keto food products. website: http://www.matzotaviv.com/ They are also in Trader Joe's for the first time this year. ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.com Listen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903 Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Is all content accepted? Are there too many seforim out already? What is Machon Aleh Zayis and how did it start? Hear all this and more from R' Szimonowitz. AlehZayis.com The Legacy Haggadah: https://alehzayis.com/product/legacy-haggadah-%D7%95%D7%94%D7%92%D7%93%D7%AA-%D7%9C%D7%91%D7%A0%D7%9A/ ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.comListen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Zevi Samet is a captain on the YU basketball team and host of the YU Ball: beyond the court podcast. Hear about his journey on the court and his amazing off the court initiatives. To contact Zevi about speaking opportunities or the podcast: zsbeyondthecourt@gmail.com Links mentioned in the episode: GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/5e4e2263 Roy Episode: https://youtu.be/8iC9cp1jDNs Or Episode: https://youtu.be/txrst-dt6iY Find more videos on the Meaningful Minute app and 24Six @zevi.samet. The 501c: TAKE TEN 4 TORAH, 9 BROKAW LANE, GREAT NECK NY 11023 (TAX ID # 83-1308961) MEMO - ZEVI'S PROJECT ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.comListen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Assemblyman Rabbi Avi Schnall represents the 30th legislative district in the New Jersey General Assembly. He also is director of federal education affairs at the Agudah and Co-hosts the Oorahthon broadcast every year. You may have seen him in videos about tuition cuts, speaking in Trenton, or gotten his Whatsapps. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avischnall ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.comListen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Dmitry Salita immigrated from Ukraine to the USA where he became an international champion in the boxing ring and a Shabbos observant Jew. Follow him on Instagram (@dmitriy_salita) Facebook ( Dmitriy Salita) and LinkedIn Dmitriy Salita . ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.com Listen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903 Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543

Hear from Rabbi Genack about his connection with Rabbi Soloveitchik, his experiences in the OU Kashrus world, how he got connected to presidents and other politicians as well as why political advocacy is so important. We also discuss his role as a shul Rabbi, his admiration for Abraham Lincoln, and more. Book: Letters to President Clinton: Biblical Lessons on Faith and Leadership - https://oupress.org/product/letters-clinton/ For the other seforim of Rabbi Genack, check out OUpress.org as well as local stores. ----- To sponsor an episode: JewsShmoozeMarketing@gmail.com Listen on the phone!! UK: 44-333-366-0589 IL: 972-79-579-5005 USA: 712-432-2903 Check out the Jews Shmooze T-shirts and mug: https://rb.gy/qp543