hmTv at HMTC Podcasts Ep 515: The Israeli Bond with Gal Swisa Cohen and guest Michael Schlank P1 on hmTv
Ep 515 | The Israeli Bond with Gal Swisa Cohen featuring Michael Schlank (Part 1)
In this compelling first part of the conversation, Gal Swisa Cohen sits down with Michael Schlank, Executive Director of the Sid Jacobson JCC, for a deeply personal and insightful journey through leadership, purpose, and unexpected career pivots.
Michael shares how his early ambitions of becoming a professional athlete or doctor gave way to a path shaped by public policy, firsthand experiences during 9/11, and a meaningful transition into education. From teaching middle school in the same classroom as his father to rising through the ranks of youth programming and nonprofit leadership, his story reflects a consistent thread of service, adaptability, and impact.
The conversation builds toward one of the most defining moments of his career, stepping into leadership at NJY Camps during the height of COVID-19, when uncertainty was everywhere and the stakes could not have been higher.
This episode explores what it means to lead in times of crisis, how values guide life-changing decisions, and why sometimes the most unconventional paths lead exactly where you are meant to be.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where the conversation continues with a deeper dive into leadership, resilience, and rebuilding in the face of adversity.