

Shtark Tank
Yaakov Wolff
If you are a Ben Torah in the workforce, this is the podcast for you!
Make sure to check out ShtarkTank.org for more meaningful content.
You can access bonus content and community events through our quiet Whatsapp Group https://chat.whatsapp.com/B5jEcBP5umZAHWk2ILBWTS
Feel free to reach out with feedback, or just to say hi: yaakovwolff@gmail.com
Make sure to check out ShtarkTank.org for more meaningful content.
You can access bonus content and community events through our quiet Whatsapp Group https://chat.whatsapp.com/B5jEcBP5umZAHWk2ILBWTS
Feel free to reach out with feedback, or just to say hi: yaakovwolff@gmail.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 18, 2024 • 36min
Career Advice from Rabbi Sacks ZT"L [Part 1/2]
For a limited time, you can enjoy 20% off Rabbi Sacks Koren publications
What would Rabbi Sacks say?
In this two-part series, Career Advice from Rabbi Sacks, we explore timeless wisdom from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l and how his teachings can inspire and guide Bnei Torah navigating the modern workforce.
Rabbi Sacks was a towering intellectual with a global following, addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time—religious violence, morality, God and science, and more. As his yahrtzeit approaches, we delve into his profound insights, uncovering how they directly relate to the challenges and opportunities of balancing a Torah-centered life with career ambitions.
In this episode:
Discover how Rabbi Sacks’s wisdom on this very topic is at the heart of one of his most popular books.
Hear personal reflections from Rabbi Sacks's talmidim—those influenced from afar and those privileged to gain access to his inner world.
Listen to Rabbi Sacks in his own words, thanks to the incredible resources provided by the Rabbi Sacks Legacy website.
Whether you're looking for practical career guidance or inspiration for integrating Torah values into your professional life, this series offers a unique perspective from one of the greatest thinkers of our time.
Resources Mentioned:
Rabbi Sacks Legacy Website – A treasure trove of content, including writings, audio, and video, carefully curated for easy access.
Kiddush Hashem in a Complicated World | Video | The Rabbi Sacks Legacy
Power or Influence? | Beha’alotecha | Covenant & Conversation | The Rabbi Sacks Legacy
The Legacy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe | Video
Guest Bios
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ZT"LRenowned Jewish thinker, writer, and speaker, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l served as Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. His legacy includes profound insights on faith, leadership, and morality that resonate far beyond the Jewish world.
Gilles GadeFounder, Chairman, and CEO of Cross River Bank, Gilles Gade is a visionary in the fintech industry, blending innovation with traditional banking to create cutting-edge financial solutions.
Alan Sacks
Alan Sacks is a partner at Herzog Fox & Naaman.
Dr. Erica BrownDr. Erica Brown is a scholar, educator, and author, known for her thought-provoking works on Jewish leadership and education. She is the Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University, and the Director of the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership at YU. You can check out her upcoming book Morning Has Broken: Faith After October 7th
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Nov 11, 2024 • 56min
Dr. Edo Lavi Makes Braces Fun
Dr. Edo Lavi is an orthodontist based in Baltimore (for now). He is also the host of the Dafsplaining podcast.
We spoke about the perks of being an orthodontist, finding meaning at work, and his plans for coming back to Israel.
If you enjoy Shtark Tank, make sure to check out or Quiet Whatsapp group, which includes updates, bonus content and more. Click Here to join.
Guest Bio
Dr. Edo Lavi joins this episode of "Shtark Tank" to share his remarkable journey, blending professional expertise with a deep dedication to Torah values. A graduate of HANC, KBY, and Yeshiva University, Dr. Lavi went on to complete dental school in New Jersey in 1999 and specialized in orthodontics at NYU by 2003. He and his family made aliyah on one of the early Nefesh B'Nefesh flights and established a successful private orthodontic practice in Israel, serving the community until 2019.
Dr. Lavi’s roots in NCSY and experience as one of the first madrichim in NCSY Kollel reflect his commitment to community and growth. Now based in Baltimore, he shares insights on balancing Torah ideals with professional success, and his aspirations to return to Israel in the future.

Nov 4, 2024 • 40min
Josh Herzberg Built the Largest Torah App in the World (in his Spare Time)
Josh Herzberg is a Tech Lead & Sr. Software Engineer at Google. He is also the founder of The Torah App.
You can download The Torah App at https://thetorahapp.org/download
If you enjoy Shtark Tank, make sure to check out or Quiet Whatsapp group, which includes updates, bonus content and more. Click Here to join.
Chapters
(00:00) Intro
(00:55) Background and Going in to Software
(07:41) Working at Google
(13:13) Torah and Tech
(15:50) The Torah App
(27:29) Convenience vs. Ameilus
(33:33) Closing Thoughts

Oct 28, 2024 • 48min
Nobel Prize Winner Prof. Yisrael (Robert) Aumann
Yisrael (Robert) Aumann is an Israeli-American mathematician and Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences. Renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to game theory, Aumann's work has influenced fields ranging from economics to political science. His research on repeated games and conflict resolution offers deep insights into cooperation and strategic decision-making. A dedicated professor emeritus at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Aumann remains active in the academic community, sharing his wisdom on mathematics, philosophy, and human behavior.
Chapters:
• Childhood and early influences
• Making Aliyah and losing his son Shlomo HY"D
• Career Joureny
• Winning the Nobel prize
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Has Shtark Tank made even a small impact on your life? Email me at yaakovwolff@gmail.com with feedback, questions, comments.
Click Here to check out Sichot on the Parsha from Rav Moshe Stav

Oct 14, 2024 • 31min
Rav Hirsch's Message of Versatility with Moshe Rapps
Moshe Rapps is the Assistant Vice President at Bernstein Private Wealth Management, and the host of the Rav Hirsch on the Parsha podcast.
We discussed Rav Hirsch's commentary on the Etrog, which expands on three qualities of the Etrog tree and fruit. Rav Hirsch also throws in an amazing nugget from the world of scientific botany. And finally, we discuss some important lessons that we can take to our lives as Bnei Torah in the workforce.
Don't miss out on exclusive bonus content, as well as special offers and initiatives. Join the Shtark Tank Quiet Whatsapp Group today, click here.
Has Shtark Tank made even a small impact on your life? Email me at yaakovwolff@gmail.com with feedback, questions, comments.

Oct 7, 2024 • 59min
Yizkor 10.7 with Simmy Zimbalist, Hillel Fuld and Avraham Rosner
In this special episode, we honor 4 fallen heroes, Eli Moshe Zimbalist, Ari Fuld, Yosef Guedalia and Binyamin Airley.
Chapters
- (00:00) Intro
- (01:46) Simmy Zimbalist remembers his son, Eli Moshe Zimbalist
- (25:56) Hillel Fuld remembers his brother, Ari Fuld
- (44:25) Avraham Rosner remembers his friends, Yosef Guedalia and Binyamin Airley
Don't miss out on exclusive bonus content, as well as special offers and initiatives. Join the Shtark Tank Quiet Whatsapp Group today, click here.
Has Shtark Tank made even a small impact on your life? Email me at yaakovwolff@gmail.com with feedback, questions, comments.

Sep 29, 2024 • 56min
Teshuva With Rav Moshe Taragin
To order Rabbi Taragin's latest books, click on the links below:
Reclaiming Redemption
Dark Clouds Above, Faith Below
Don't miss out on exclusive bonus content, as well as special offers and initiatives. Join the Shtark Tank Quiet Whatsapp Group today, click here.
Has Shtark Tank made even a small impact on your life? Email me at yaakovwolff@gmail.com with feedback, questions, comments.

Sep 23, 2024 • 1h
Rav Shaya Klyne, Will-Power
Rav Shaya Klyne is the director of WW Estate Planning, a legal and halachic estate planning practise. He is also the associate Rov in Ohr Yeruhalayim, Manchester and a Magid Shiur in the local schools. Rav Shaya can be contacted at shaya@willsways.co.uk or via his LinkedIn account.
Don't miss out on exclusive bonus content, as well as special offers and initiatives. Join the Shtark Tank Quiet Whatsapp Group today, click here.
Has Shtark Tank made even a small impact on your life? Email me at yaakovwolff@gmail.com with feedback, questions, comments.

Sep 16, 2024 • 42min
Rav Yehoshua AND Rebbetzin Tamar Pfeffer: Responsibility, Rewards, and Reading
In this episode we sat down with Rav Yehoshua and Rebbetzin Tamar Pfeffer, to talk about building a Torah home home alongside work, Torah and other responsibilities.
To listen to the profile of Rav Yehoshua Pfeffer click here
To listen to the conversation with Chaim Meir and Aliza Mermelstein, click here
Don't miss out on exclusive bonus content, as well as special offers and initiatives. Join the Shtark Tank Quiet Whatsapp Group today, click here.
Has Shtark Tank made even a small impact on your life? Email me at yaakovwolff@gmail.com with feedback, questions, comments.

Sep 9, 2024 • 53min
Ari Yablok Inspires in Kiruv AND Branding
In this conversation, Ari Yablok discusses his transition from being a rabbi to pursuing a career in tech and marketing. He shares his early rabbinic aspirations and how he started working in informal education. Ari explains the three-stage approach he took to build his tech and marketing career, which includes finding a learning job, discovering what he was passionate about and good at, and then taking ownership in a senior-level role. He also emphasizes the importance of constantly pivoting and expanding one's skills in today's fast-paced world. In this conversation, Ari Yablok shares his experiences of navigating the challenges of balancing work and family life, finding meaning in his new career, and the importance of personal branding. Ari also explores the concept of brands and how they connect with individuals on a deeper level.
Don't miss out on exclusive bonus content, as well as special offers and initiatives. Join the Shtark Tank Quiet Whatsapp Group today, click here.
Has Shtark Tank made even a small impact on your life? Email me at yaakovwolff@gmail.com with feedback, questions, comments.
Bio
Ari Yablok is the Head of Brand at Island. Before joining Island in 2021, Ari was the Head of Brand Messaging at Atreo, a B2B tech branding and marketing agency, where he helped shaped the brand of over 50 leading tech companies worldwide. Before entering the world of tech marketing, Ari served as campus rabbi and head of student programming for the English speaking student body of Bar Ilan university. Originally from Teaneck, New Jersey, Ari made aliyah in 2009 with his wife Ayelet who currently live in Givat Shmuel with his wife and six children.
You can follow him on Linkedin, and check out his podcast, Believe in Brand on Spotify and Apple Podcasts


