Shtark Tank

Is it possible to grow in Torah and business at the same time?Last week, I sat down with Moe Mernick, Ben Lang, and Michael Bloch to talk it through — live, in front of an energetic crowd of 50+ growth-oriented leaders, at the offices of DLA Piper Israel in Tel Aviv.The “excuse” for the gathering was Moe’s new book, Conversations with Jewish Business Leaders — and the conversation went way beyond the book.We discussed:What success really means (and why it can’t be one-size-fits-all)Why success isn’t about money — and how to build a life that actually feels alignedMeaning at work, mid-career “what am I doing with my life?” moments, and the idea of learn / earn / returnHow side projects can turn into real impact Staying strong in the lows: imposter syndrome, mentors, community, and keeping perspectiveSpiritual growth in the busy years: fixed learning times, realistic goals, balancing “heart” and “mind,” and accountabilityOrder Conversations with Jewish Business Leaders here.Big thank you to the event hosts and sponsors: DLA Piper Israel and Yeshiva University Israel.

In this Shovavim special, I sat down with marriage coach Aaron Zakowski for a direct and practical conversation about what it really means to be a Jewish husband and father in today’s world.We talk about:Why emotional safety matters as much as financial stabilityThe mistake many men make when they try to “fix” instead of listenHow long work hours affect marriage—and what actually helpsWhy your value as a Jewish man does not come from your paycheckWhat most chassan classes don’t prepare you forHow marriage changes at different stages of lifeStress, self-esteem, and why men need support tooCreating closeness at home without needing more time in the dayResourcesAaron on InstagramBeyond The Chassan Class (Webinar)Shalom Bayis Daily (Whatsapp Group)You can reach Aaron at Aaron.zakowski@gmail.com

What does real success look like when you’re trying to stay grounded as a Ben Torah?In this episode of Shtark Tank, I sat down with Laizer Kornwasser — CEO of DrFirst, professor at Yeshiva University, and Chairman of NCSY — for a wide-ranging conversation about ambition, pressure, leadership, and the Torah ideas that shape how we show up at work and in life.Laizer shares stories from investment banking and the C-suite, including how he learned to earn his “seat at the table” through facts, results, and humility. We talk about drawing clear lines when work clashes with Shabbos, why most people aren’t cut out for investment banking, and how to define success in a way that protects your priorities.Then we shift into a deep dive on the Altar of Slabodka: Gadlus HaAdam, EQ vs IQ, gratitude, and the power of seeing each person as an individual with real potential.And yes — we get into the now-famous practice: why Laizer handwrites 1,000 New Year’s cards and sends personal thank-you messages one-by-one, and what it teaches about hakaras hatov, relationships, and leadership.In this episode, we cover:Why investment banking is “not cut out for most people”What “success” really means when you’re trying to grow in YiddishkeitThe importance of knowing your line in the sand (and not crossing it)A real story: a CEO tried to push Shabbos boundaries — and Laizer’s response“Facts, not emotion”: how to communicate with different personalitiesThe Altar of Slabodka’s approach to building people, not just teaching TorahEQ as a Jewish leadership skill, not just a business buzzwordWhy Laizer sends personal thank-yous instead of mass messagesChesed that actually changes you (not just “check-writing”)If you got value from this episode, please take 10 seconds to subscribe and leave a 5-star rating — it helps more people find the show.

This week on Shtark Tank, we’re opening the mailbag to dive into the conversations, questions, and insights sparked by our recent episodes. We explore what it really means to be an eved Hashem , a professional , and a family man in a fast-paced world.In this episode, we discuss:The "Millstone" of Marriage: Does our Avodas Hashem fundamentally change once we have families? We look at the Gemara in Kiddushin about learning before vs. after marriage.Work as a "Calling": Is the idea of self-fulfillment at work a modern invention? We trace the sources from the Chovas HaLevavos to modern corporate culture.Savoring the Steak: Why we should treat a line of Gemara like a juicy steak and how to handle the stress of "not learning enough" in a vast sea of Torah.Torah as an Antidote: A deep dive into the Netziv on why the Torah critiques Yosef’s beauty and how geshmak learning is the ultimate protection against the yetzer hara.The AI Future: If AI takes over our jobs, will we actually have the focus to "study God" all day?The Aliyah Struggle: Facing the "rational" vs. "emotional" challenges of making the move to Israel.Support the Show:If you enjoyed this episode, please hit Subscribe and leave a 5-star review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

Gratitude is usually talked about after things work out.This episode is about learning it while you’re still in it.In honor of Chanukah, 'days of praise and thanks', Dan Cohen shares what it was like to go from a full, busy professional life to an unexpected spinal surgery and 90 days in a rehab ward — right in the middle of a national crisis.Not a dramatic story.Not a miracle tale.A real look at what gratitude means when:your plans fall apartyour body isn’t cooperatingyour work and identity are put on pauseDan reflects on letting go of expectations, staying present when the future is unclear, and learning that gratitude isn’t about being happy — it’s about recognizing that this moment is where you’re meant to be.A Chanukah episode about small light, honest praise, and finding steadiness in ordinary challenges that many professionals quietly carry.We also talk about how writing Divrei Torah was an anchor for Dan during during his hardest times.More From DanCheck out Dan's firm, FCP Communications here To read Dan's Divrei Torah To learn more about Geerz, click here

It’s Chanukah — the season of miracles.But what about the “miracles” we’re watching unfold in our own lifetime… through technology?In this special Chanukah episode, I’m joined by Mois Navon, also known as the “Mobileye Rabbi.” Mois has spent decades in high-tech and decades learning and teaching Torah — and in this conversation he helps us think clearly about innovation, awe, ethics, and where all of this may be heading.In this episode we discuss:Why Mois is called the “Mobileye Rabbi” (and how it started with lunch table conversations)What Judaism actually says about innovation and building new technologyA powerful Torah framing: technology as a mandate to improve the worldThe other side: limits, guardrails, and ethics (and why it matters more than ever)Noach as the first engineer — and why the plow changed human historyIs new tech really a “miracle,” or just human creativity inside nature?The dangers of modern tools (social media, AI, and more) — and the case for self-controlAre we living in unprecedented times?The “Geulah” question: what do Torah sources suggest about a future of automation and abundance?Practical advice for building the right “muscles” for the world our kids may grow up inLinks & resources:Mois Navon’s website (500+ shiurim + source sheets): link hereMois’s article on Judaism, technology, and ethics: link hereIf you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a rating — it helps more people find Shtark Tank.About Mois NavonMois Navon is one of the founding engineers of Mobileye, where he designed the EyeQ family of SoC (System On a Chip) – the chip powering the autonomous vehicle revolution.  Mois is also an ordained rabbi who has published numerous articles on Jewish law and lore.  Working at the intersection of Torah U’Madda, he received his PhD from the department of Jewish Philosophy at Bar Ilan University wherein his dissertation applies Jewish philosophy to address the ethical questions arising in the field of artificial intelligence.  In this vein, he teaches a course on “Ethics in Artificial Intelligence” at Ben Gurion University.  He is also a National Advisor to the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology on Artificial Intelligence Policy and Regulation in Israel. 

What do you do when your day job feels empty — but you still need to show up, provide, and stay honest?In this episode of Shtark Tank, I sit down with my cousin and friend Yoni Schwartz — Head of Data Science at Exponential and Head Producer of Living L’chaim. Yoni shares how he went from a corporate role that felt like “a complete lack of purpose” to leading 10 shows that have inspired and helped countless people. He is also the host of Spirit of the Song podcast, make sure to check it out!We talk about meaning, ambition, family, and the real-life tradeoffs of building something big on top of a demanding day job.In this conversation we cover:What it feels like when work is steady… but meaninglessHow Yoni first joined Living L’chaim and how the role grew over timeThe ethics of balancing a primary job with major side projectsStartup life vs. corporate life — and what actually changed for himHow he manages two intense roles without a rigid systemThe idea of intentionality as a survival tool for busy peopleSetting boundaries after COVID blurred everythingEarly morning learning as a realistic anchor for fathers with young kidsThe impact Living L’chaim aims for — inspiration, mental health, and financial clarityCultivating a relationship with your RebbiKey takeaway:You don’t need a perfect system to juggle a lot — but you do need honesty, priorities, and intentional choices you can live with.If this episode resonated, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a 5-star rating. It helps more Bnei Torah in the workforce find these conversations.Guest: Yoni SchwartzHost: Yaakov Wolff

Aliyah isn’t just a flight and a moving truck.It’s a total reset of how you think about parnassah, gashmiyus, bitachon, and what “quality of life” actually means.In this episode, I sit down with Eli Freedman, founder of Cork & Cellar Wine Club, to talk about what it really takes to move to Israel and stay – spiritually, emotionally, and financially.Eli shares how he:Went from Boston → Wall Street → Montreal → Beit ShemeshHad zero interest in Aliyah… until COVID, a grandchild in Israel, and a breaking point in CanadaSold his house and business with no Plan B so he couldn’t run backWent through the “Eretz Yisrael car wash” – a painful but powerful reset of his gashmiyus and bitachonRebuilt his career from scratch, launching Cork & Cellar, a boutique Israeli wine club for U.S. customersFound a real rav and kehillah after years of feeling disconnectedBuilt a serious morning learning seder and finished Shas multiple times while running a businessWe also talk about:Why you must come with a realistic parnassah plan – and still expect it to breakThe mindset shift from “keeping up with the Joneses” to “being happy with less but living with more”How living in Eretz Yisrael forces you to actually use your emunah and bitachon, not just talk about themThe balance between enjoying good wine and not turning gashmiyus into your ikarAbout our guest:Eli Freedman is the founder of Cork & Cellar Wine Club, connecting small Israeli wineries with wine lovers in the U.S., and helping boutique winemakers who would never make it to American shelves. He lives in Beit Shemesh with his family.Check out https://www.corkandcellar.net/clubIf this episode gave you chizuk or clarity about Aliyah and mindset,please follow Shtark Tank, leave a rating, and share it with a friend who’s thinking about moving to Israel.

Is work a curse, a burden… or a gift from Hashem?In this solo episode, we go into the Netziv on Parshas Bereishis and pull out five big career ideas for Bnei Torah in the workforce.Is Work a Curse?Did God Plan on Creating Bahlabatim?How do I handle Relationships with Secular Collagues?Is it Possible to be Spiritual at Work?Can I Live a Life of Luxury?If this kind of Torah-first career talk speaks to you, share the episode, leave a comment on Spotify or Apple, or join the Shtark Tank WhatsApp chevra and keep the conversation going.

100th episode. World-class Torah educator. All your burning questions.To mark our 100th episode, Rav Aryeh Lebowitz joins Shtark Tank for a wide-ranging Q&A on what it really means to be a Ben Torah in the workforce.We talk about:“You’re never going to be Rav Schachter… and that’s okay” – setting healthy goals in learningGadol biographies, ambition, and why you’re not supposed to be the Chafetz ChaimHow to grow in learning when you’re working full time and raising a familyStress and guilt: when “I’m not learning enough” is healthy – and when it’s toxicWho should go into chinuch and rabbanus… and who should notAliyah, parnassah, and the real math of teaching in Eretz YisraelMinyan, mincha at work, and missing davening for familyPhones, attention spans, and why Rav Aryeh deleted TwitterIt’s a packed, honest conversation with one of the most listened-to Torah teachers in the world – and a fitting way to celebrate 100 episodes of Shtark Tank.If this episode helped you, the best “100th episode gift” you can give is simple: follow the show, leave a 5-star rating, and share it with one friend who’s trying to balance Torah, work, and family.