Shtark Tank

This is the third and final week of our Summer Listening Series, where I share some of the podcasts I enjoy on my commute. Next week, we’ll be back with a brand new episode—stay tuned.This week’s pick is from Shu"t First, Ask Questions Later, hosted by Rabbi Moshe Kurtz. This podcast truly takes advantage of the medium—bringing together voices from across the Jewish world to learn Torah in conversation.The featured episode is especially relevant to Shtark Tank listeners, as Rabbi Kurtz is joined by Mr. Gedalia Wielgus, a lawyer and talmid chacham, for a thought-provoking discussion about a wild case of Yibum.Check out Shtarktank.org for exclusive written articles!

While we’re on our bein hazmanim break and gearing up for some exciting episodes in Elul, I wanted to share a podcast I’ve been enjoying on my commute.This week’s recommendation is a thought-provoking episode of the Iyun Podcast, hosted by Rabbi Ari Koretsky — in my opinion, one of the best podcast hosts out there. Each episode takes a deep, nuanced look at issues like the Charedi draft and other pressing topics.In this episode, Does the Torah Protect?, Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Lifshitz offers a fresh and engaging perspective. The conversation ties closely to themes we explore on Shtark Tank, especially the relationship between the Beis Midrash and the outside world.Give it a listen — I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.Sign up for our newsletter at ShtarkTank.org

Over this Bein Hazmanim, I will be sharing some of the the podcasts which I have been listening to lately. This is from the Shtark Tank archives, one of our very early episodes, with Marc Lesnick.

In 2004, Rav Ari Katz moved with his family to Gush Katif, to serve as Rosh Yeshiva of a local high school. Just over a year later, soldiers knocked on his door and told him to leave. In this 9 Days special episode, Rav Katz shares:What drew him to Gush Katif despite knowing the threatsThe beauty, unity, and spiritual strength of the communityHis firsthand account of the expulsion—including “the longest day of his life”How he and his community coped with the trauma, picked themselves up, and started againWhy he believes October 7th began in the summer of 2005Modern Day Churban?As we approach Tisha B’Av, the day we mourn our exiles and national losses, this story feels especially relevant. Because Gush Katif was not ancient history—its a kind of modern Churban, including the destruction of entire communities, shuls and schools.And yet, its a very complicated story. The 'disengagement' was the product of a Jewish government, and a Jewish army comprised of Jewish soldiers. The residents were not sent in to actual exile, they moved in to other parts of a flourishing and successful State of Israel. Rav Katz doesn't shy away from these complexities.Pain and HopeWe spoke about pain and trauma, but we also spoke about resilience. After the final Mincha minyan, David Chatuel addressed the community. A year earlier, his preganant wife and all four of his children were murdered by terrorists. He got up and said "When tragedy strikes, you can crawl under your blanket—or you can get up and live."Guest BioRav Ari Katz is the Director of Sderot Hesder YeshivaFor MoreMake sure to sign up for exclusive written content at ShtarkTank.orgFor more on the Gush Katif Heritage Center click hereFor more on Sderot Hesder Yeshiva click here

Yaakov Ehrenkranz grew up in Memphis, learned in KBY and the Mir, got smicha from YU—and today helps dozens of families navigate the financial realities of life in Israel. In this wide-ranging conversation, we cover his personal journey from the American South to Ramot Beit Shemesh, and his professional journey from options trading to financial advising.Check out ShtarkTank.org and subscribe for exclucive written content! This week will feature one listeners Aliyah journey.We talk about:Why real estate is the #1 financial challenge facing OlimWhat Americans get wrong about “affording Aliyah”How Israeli society creates more meaning—and more happinessThe role of values in long-term financial planningBalancing money and shalom bayisAnd much more—including lessons from Rabbi Dr. Aaron Levine zt"l, the economics professor and Talmid Chacham who shaped his thinking early on.

Rav Boruch Clinton spent two decades as a high school Rebbe before pivoting to a second career in IT. Along the way, he wrote prolifically about Torah, technology, and the challenges of working life — including a practical guide for Bnei Torah entering the workforce.In this episode, we explore:Why Rav Hirsch remains his intellectual and spiritual anchorHow writing became his tool for learning, clarity, and impactWhat Torah actually says about choosing a careerThe dangers of romanticizing our generation’s nisayonosWhy being a mentch is a core Torah value — especially at workPlus: the forgotten career that now pays $92K/year as an apprentice, the Hirschian take on Kabbalah, and how to push back respectfully when Torah values are at stake.“If you’re a Ben Torah in the Beis Medrash, you should be a Ben Torah in the boardroom. No barriers. No masks.” – Rav Boruch ClintonResourcesRav Boruch Clinton’s Substack: Bechol Drachecha“A Career Guide for Bnei Torah” by Rav Clinton (available via Amazon)

“Life is like a train. You might get derailed, but you know where the train needs to go. You get back on the track.”Rav Reuven Berman didn’t plan to leave chinuch. He made Aliyah with a dream job teaching Torah in Yerushalayim—but it quickly became clear that the math didn’t work. With five kids and growing responsibilities, he transitioned into the business world while trying to hold on to his identity as a ben Torah.In this honest and moving conversation, we cover:✅ Being grouned in business while also connecting to yeshiva✅ What he learned from a personal tragedy✅ Why teaching—even part-time—can protect your neshama✅ The power of a strong minyan✅ How to stop dreaming of the “perfect community” and live in the one you’ve got✅ And why every year in yeshiva still counts—even if you go to work laterReuven shares what helped him stay grounded through transitions, success, and grief—and why he still dreams of being back in the beit midrash full time.—Check out ShtarkTank.org for exclusice written content!

What happens when a full-time chiropractor with a busy practice, a big heart, and zero spare time decides to launch a global tzedakah revolution—one dollar at a time?This week on Shtark Tank, we sit down with Dr. Jonathan Donath, founder of Daily Giving, a platform that’s quietly transformed the world of tzedakah. What started as a flash of inspiration in a shul lobby has turned into a global force for chesed, distributing over $24 million to 100+ vetted nonprofits (including ADI Negev) and empowering over 21,000 daily givers around the world.But the road wasn’t smooth. In this raw and inspiring conversation, Dr. Donath shares:🧠 His powerful “epiphany moment” that sparked Daily Giving💵 The emotional struggle of transitioning from volunteer founder to salaried CEO🧘 How self-compassion and meditation saved him from burnout📉 The surprising downside of professional success—and why he gave up Tuesdays📚 The books, seforim, and mentors that changed how he thinks about purpose🛠️ His evolving views on balance, ambition, fatherhood, and the cost of impactResources Mentioned:💸 Become a daily giver: DailyGiving.org📘 Books: It's All the Same to Me and The Three Conditions by Moshe Gersht📘 Radical Compassion by Tara Brach🎥 Rabbi Alon Anava – “My Life After Death Experience”: Watch on YouTube📗 Living Emunah series by Rabbi David Ashear📙 Living Legend – Biography of Rav David GrossmanFor More Shtark Tank go to ShtarkTank.org

Rabbi Shalom Rosner, Rav of Kehillat Nofei HaShemesh and longtime Daf Yomi maggid shiur, reflects on his father Dr. Fred Rosner z

We recorded a regular Shtark Tank conversation with Tuvia Eisenman—about sales, chessed, and life in Israel.Then the war broke out.Tuvia was called back to reserve duty, and he joins us now from his IDF base with an emergency update. He walks us through the past few days, shares what it’s like on the ground in the Jordan Valley, and offers powerful reflections on what soldiers and their families are facing right now.After the update, we return to the original conversation, recorded just days earlier. Tuvia shares how a yeshivish kid from Passaic ended up serving in the IDF, building a sales career in Israel, and using those skills to raise millions for nonprofits around the world. We talk about the art of listening—how it drives both sales and parenting—and how he balances intense frontline experiences with raising a family and living a life of purpose.We also dive into the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising. Tuvia offers a frank take on why most campaigns fall flat, how organizations can do better, and why peer-to-peer giving—though messy and personal—is actually one of the frum community’s greatest strengths.