Chai on Life

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another episode of The Chai on Life Podcast. I’m Alex Segal and today, we are speaking with Yaffa Moskowitz, the Director of Education at Midreshet Rachel V’Chaya, a seminary in Jerusalem. Here’s a little more about Yaffa: She is a native member the Far Rockaway community and was active in that community and the Five Towns for many years. Yaffa, her husband Danny, and seven children made aliya in the summer of 2013 and now live in Mitzpe Yericho. Yaffa served as teacher and Director of Ateres Seminary for women on the Queens College Campus for 13 years and she was also involved in the Neshei Shor Yoshuv community where she gave chaburas for married women.I met Yaffa when I was a student exactly seven years ago at Midreshet Rachel and have continued to learn from her and with her since. She has such a wealth of knowledge and this conversation really turned into the perfect thing to listen to right in the middle of Elul preparing for the chagim.During this time at Midreshet Rachel, the students learn from the sefer, Tomer Devorah, which teaches us about Hashem’s 13 Attributes of Mercy. As we learn about Hashem and understand who He is more, so to speak, we learn how we can emulate Him more in our own lives, and we used that text as the jumping off point for our conversation. As we spoke, we explored:-What a “sin” actually is in Judaism (it may not be what you think) and how we can always get back on track-How to separate ourselves from the sin and retain our confidence and closeness to G-d through the process-How we can get to the core of what emunah really is on the most basic level and use these foundational concepts to connect to Hashem more deeply-The restraint Hashem has with us every day and how we can apply that concept to our own lives and actions-How to work on letting go of control-Why we should speak to ourselves with more compassion from a Torah perspective-When fear is appropriate in Judaism and what kind of fear that actually is talking about-How we can continue to grow and elevate ourselves year after year…and SO MUCH MORE!To learn more about Midreshet Rachel V'Chaya, click here.Special thank you to Tania Friedlander, our first podcast partner! Tania is so helpful for professionals in any area — budding entrepreneurs, business owners, seasoned employees, leaders looking to take their companies to the next level, and more.Maybe you need clarity and direction, you’re trying to achieve better work/life balance, not sure what next steps to take in your career, you’re motivated but also burnt out, you’re realizing leading people isn’t simple or are fearful that you don’t have what it takes to succeed.So, if you are at all interested in working with Tania, you can book a complimentary call with her at TaniaFriedlander.com/contact.

Hi everyone, welcome back to another episode of The Chai on Life podcast. I’m Alex Segal, and today we are so blessed to have Aleeza Ben Shalom here.If you have a Netflix account or have heard her speak in the Jewish world, then you’re already familiar with how personable and wonderful she is. But if not, we are going to introduce you. She was featured as the matchmaker on the Netflix show, “Jewish Matchmaking,” which reached millions of viewers across 130 countries and has been translated into 37 languages.Outside of that, she continues to work as a matchmaker, dating coach, speaker and published author. She is the host of her own podcast, “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and is coming out with a book of the same name in early December, although it’s available for pre-order now.She has helped more than 200 people get married and has trained over 350 matchmakers and coaches. She and her own husband just celebrated 21 years of marriage together.We talk about everything from dating advice, ways to keep your marriage fresh and vibrant, how to judge others more favorably and nurture your ahavas chinam, or baseless love for other Jews, how to handle negativity and live in the moment and so much more.Resources she mentions:Preorder her book, "Matchmaker Matchmaker."Listen to her podcast.Join her Elul Course, "40 Days of Connection."Special thank you to Tania Friedlander, our first podcast partner! Tania is so helpful for professionals in any area — budding entrepreneurs, business owners, seasoned employees, leaders looking to take their companies to the next level, and more.Maybe you need clarity and direction, you’re trying to achieve better work/life balance, not sure what next steps to take in your career, you’re motivated but also burnt out, you’re realizing leading people isn’t simple or are fearful that you don’t have what it takes to succeed.So, if you are at all interested in working with Tania, you can book a complimentary call with her at TaniaFriedlander.com/contact.

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another episode of The Chai on Life Podcast. I’m Alex Segal, and today, we are kicking off our Elul Energy series with the ever-inspiring Aliza Bulow.In the episode, we speak about:-Where she comes from and what guides her mission in life-Her genuine relationship to Torah and why she calls it a “transformational treasure trove”-Why she started an organization revolving around women and what we can all take from that-Why we are lonelier than ever now when it comes to real friendships and connections and what to do about it-How you can actually achieve the dreams and goals you have for yourself-How she nourishes her emunah, or faith and how she finds comfort in Hashem, without fear-Her advice and experience building a healthy and strong marriage despite many differences-How to keep your mind on the bigger picture…and honestly SO much more.More about Aliza:Aliza Bulow is the Founding Director of Core, an organization that connects, develops and supports Orthodox women who engage in Jewish communal work. She is also an author, educator and mentor to Jewish communal leaders and lay people around the world. Before founding Core, she directed Ner LeElef’s North American Women’s Program for 11 years where she coached rebbitzens and provided strategic development for outreach organizations in Canada, the US and Mexico.Her love of Jewish texts and philosophy was developed at Michlelet Bruria, Hebrew University and Hunter College where she graduated with honors in Hebrew and Jewish Studies. In her early career, she worked for Partners in Torah and The Jewish Experience. Even before entering college, Aliza’s passion for strengthening Jews and the Jewish community led her to campaign on behalf of Soviet Jewry and build settlements in Israel while serving in Nachal. That early passion has only grown with time. Over the past four decades, Aliza has worked with hundreds of women in over 50 cities and 5 continents, strengthening the social fabric of the Jewish People. More information is available on her website: ABiteOfTorah.com or about Core at CoreTorah.org.To learn more about Aliza, you can listen to her here:18Forty — Aliza and Ephraim Bulow: When a Spouse Loses FaithEmpowered Jewish Living: Women's Empowerment, Grief and a Never-Ending Quest for GreatnessDeep Meaningful Conversations: The Power of SisterhoodInspiration for the Nation: A Mother's Will to Build After SuicideSpecial thank you to Tania Friedlander, our first podcast partner! Tania is so helpful for professionals in any area — budding entrepreneurs, business owners, seasoned employees, leaders looking to take their companies to the next level, and more.Maybe you need clarity and direction, you’re trying to achieve better work/life balance, not sure what next steps to take in your career, you’re motivated but also burnt out, you’re realizing leading people isn’t simple or are fearful that you don’t have what it takes to succeed.So, if you are at all interested in working with Tania, you can book a complimentary call with her at TaniaFriedlander.com/contact.

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another episode of The Chai on Life Podcast. I’m Alex Segal, and today I am so excited to be speaking with Alyssa Goldwater, a self-proclaimed plus-size advocate who also refers to herself as “your Orthodox Jewish friend.” She creates content for social media that gives followers an inside look into an Orthodox Jewish lifestyle and is open about her journey with eating disorder recovery and how she has grown and continues to grow to love and accept her body as it is.This conversation is a powerful one. As I said in an episode on eating before this, if you are a woman in this world you have most likely experienced some sort of thoughts on your body and the food you’re putting into it. It’s something we can’t avoid. Even if you had parents who spoke about everything in the healthiest way, there is diet culture messaging that is pervasive elsewhere and it seeps into our brains, often at an early age.I’m so passionate about this topic because often, it’s something we still need to work on in our day-to-day lives and Alyssa really helps with that and also, if you are a parent and raising the next generation it’s something that we’re thinking about in terms of how to teach it and we can do that so much more effectively when we feel good about it ourselves.In the episode, we speak about:-How she got to this place in her social media career where she shares so openly about her struggles-Why and how she’s reclaiming the word “fat”-Why dressing for her body is so important to show online AND how it’s so much more than just clothing-The difference between accepting your body and loving your body and why you don’t have to love every single thing about it-How she deals with mean comments on her social media posts-How she practices self-care and maintains her mental health on a day to day basis-How she speaks to her kids about food so they can develop a healthy relationship with it — I loved her messaging here-How her relationship with Hashem has helped her throughout her eating and health journey…and SO MUCH MOREThis conversation was so meaningful, so profound in a lot of ways and honestly, very cathartic for me. I hope you get a lot out of it and can’t wait to hear your thoughts. More about Alyssa:Alyssa Goldwater is a wife, mom and the Digital Influencer behind the lifestyle brand, A Glass of Goldwater (@alyssagoldwater). Merging motherhood with humor, A Glass of Goldwater has become a community and support network of more than 200,000 women across the world. By having hard conversations about difficult topics such as mental health, the dangers of diet culture, and the unspoken struggles of motherhood, Alyssa not only keeps people laughing with her sarcastic take on life, but also helps women feel part of something bigger - that they aren’t alone in this crazy world.Alyssa has made it her life’s mission to “take back the word fat.” Society has turned, what is a regular descriptor word, into an insult that incites feelings of ugly, bad, unhealthy, unlovable, unworthy, etc. Diet culture and the anti-fat bias have demonized every body that doesn’t fit the perfect, “thin is best” mold. It has turned unrealistic beauty standards, and unscientific health standards, into a multi-billion dollar industry that preys on the insecurities and vulnerabilities of people who believe their bodies aren’t acceptable.For as long as someone cannot accept, and learn to respect, the body they live in, they will never be able to live a truly fulfilling life. Alyssa is breaking down the walls of diet culture by helping women live confidently in their bodies, as they learn to love themselves again.If there is someone you want to see on The Chai on Life Podcast, email me at alex@chaionlifemag.com or send me a DM @chaionlifemag. Thanks again, see you next week!

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another episode of The Chai on Life Podcast. I’m Alex Segal, and today we are speaking with Miriam Pineles, a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine practicing in Cedarhurst, NY.Miriam is someone who really heals from the inside out. I met Miriam almost five years ago now when I was pregnant with my first son and experiencing really horrible back pain in my third trimester. Miriam healed me in one week. I couldn’t believe it. Honestly, before going to her, I was skeptical about acupuncture and had no interest in it but afterward I was completely sold and talking about it to everyone I knew.Throughout the last few years though, I’ve learned that it wasn’t just the acupuncture or the healing techniques she used, it was Miriam herself. She is meant to be a healer. She is someone that holds space for so many individuals and when you’re with her, she makes you feel like you are the only person that matters. In addition to her clinical practice, Miriam teaches “Living With The Elements,” a course she created to help women gain deeper self-awareness and foster harmony in their relationships and homes. If you want to learn more and sign up (it starts September 9!) you can do so at livingwiththeelements.com.In this interview, we speak more about the course she created and what you will get out of it as well as:-How she got into Chinese medicine and how it’s deeply connected to Torah and Kabbalah-What is going on under the surface when you’re getting acupuncture or Chinese medicine treatments and why they work-Where a lot of unhappiness and disease stem from-How we may be passing unresolved trauma and issues onto our kids — and how you can stop that-What the five elements of Chinese medicine are and how they connect to Judaism-We go through each element and learn a little bit more about what each one means-What the framework of seeing yourself and child through the elements can do for your parenting-Practical parenting takeaways you can start today…and SO MUCH MORE!More about Miriam:Miriam Pineles, DACM, is the founder of Conscious Health and Wellness, Inc., a premier Chinese medicine clinic located in Cedarhurst, NY. With a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (DACM) and certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), Miriam is also licensed in Acupuncture by the State of New York.Her extensive training includes mentorship under some of the most revered practitioners both in the United States and internationally. Miriam has mastered unique techniques in acupuncture, pulse analysis, and herbal prescription, specializing in women’s perinatal health and addressing syndromes arising from emotional trauma.She also founded *Ayin Healing*, a non-profit organization dedicated to running holistic healing retreats that support Jewish women recovering from childhood sexual abuse.Explore more about Miriam’s work at:•⁠ ⁠[Conscious Health and Wellness](http://www.Conscioushealthandwellness.com)•⁠ ⁠[Living With The Elements](http://www.livingwiththeelements.com)•⁠ ⁠[Ayin Healing](http://www.ayinhealing.com)You can also learn more about Miriam on the Chai on Life website here.If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating and review so more people can gain from Miriam’s wisdom. Consider sharing it with a friend, family member or coworker who you think might enjoy the episode as well. If there is someone you want to see on The Chai on Life Podcast, email me at alex@chaionlifemag.com or send me a DM @chaionlifemag. Thanks again, see you next week!

Hi everyone, welcome to another episode of The Chai on Life Podcast. I’m Alex Segal and today, we are speaking with Dr. Hilla Aboody, an amazing teacher, mother, wife and mentor currently living in Eretz Yisrael who I invited to come on to speak about this heavy time on the Jewish calendar.Hilla has such a beautiful way of explaining things — it’s so deep and profound yet easy to comprehend at the same time.A little background on her:She is a wife and mother of five, living in Eretz Yisrael after making Aliyah 7 years ago from Brooklyn, NY. She is a teacher and Em Bayit (house mother) at Midreshet Eshel, a Sephardic seminary for post High school students from around the world. Her educational background includes studying at Michlalah and receiving her bachelor’s degree from Bar-Ilan University and a Master’s and PhD in Jewish History from New York University. She has published her study on Eliyahu the Prophet in Talmudic literature and midrashim in her book, “Through the Prism of Wisdom”. As an educator and kallah teacher, Hilla dedicates her time in guiding students to creating a relationship with Hashem and tips and tools to thrive in their marriages and in life.In our conversation, we speak about:-What the Jewish perspective is on sadness and pain-How we can connect to Hashem during this time and in this unique way, especially if it feels daunting for you right now-Why this particular time period brings about more heaviness and actually the reason why we take more precautions-The rich energy that lies in the months of Tammuz and Av — what the letters associated with each month mean, why the sense of each month is important and what we can individually and collectively take from all of that-Why crying is actually a sign of bravery-Practical things you can do now to get through this time with more faith, in a more connected way to yourself, Hashem and those around you-How to deal with difficult emotions with your kids…and SO MUCH MOREThis podcast with Hilla is basically an hour long shiur. I got chills like 17 times as I was listening to her and it’s definitely one of the most important ones I’ve done so far in terms of our spirituality.If there is someone you want to see on The Chai on Life Podcast, email me at alex@chaionlifemag.com or send me a DM @chaionlifemag. Thanks again, see you next week!

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another episode of The Chai on Life Podcast. I’m Alex Segal and today, we are speaking with Rena Cohen, a registered dietitian and behavior change coach.Food is a big topic. For me, learning more about food and the way the items that I choose impact my body is something I’ve gotten really into in the last year. I actually worked with Rena last summer, a year after I had my second child and was just really confused about the best way to feed myself after my body had changed a lot and I was readjusting after birth. In the last year, I’ve only expanded my palette, introducing new and exciting foods that I hadn’t really had regularly before. I’ve added more movement, more sleep, more time to de-stress and I feel like I’m honestly the healthiest I’ve been maybe ever because of it — and I still eat dessert and french fries!In the episode, Rena and I talk about:-How she got into nutrition and its importance in our lives-Why our psychology is so messed up when it comes to food and how we can start to fix that-One thing you can add in today to make a huge difference in your health-Getting more in touch with mindful eating-Helping our kids create a better relationship with food and not pass down negative mentalities or patterns-How to actually start doing the positive habit you have been dreaming to add to your life like meditation, a morning walk, exercise, or anything else.…and SO MUCH MORE!Food is supposed to be our fuel. When we are fueled and feeling good, we’re able to do all the other things we need to do with such a greater state of simcha, or joy.If you want to learn more from Rena, visit her on Instagram @thesanctuaryrd, Facebook or on her website sanctuarycoaching.ca.If there is someone you want to see on The Chai on Life Podcast, email me at alex@chaionlifemag.com or send me a DM @chaionlifemag.

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another episode of The Chai on Life Podcast. I’m Alex Segal and today I’m so excited to be speaking with home management and organization expert, Leora Blumenthal. Leora is one of those women who has her life together. Not that the marker of a good life is how well you run your home by any means but it just feels so good when your life is running efficiently.Speaking with Leora made the whole process of managing a home feel way less daunting. She has a way of breaking things down that really simplifies everything and once you take that time to focus, everything can change.In our conversation, we speak about:-How Leora got into teaching others about home management, which by the way is her side profession — she has a completely other full time job-Why home organization is so important and how it can impact our lives in other ways-Why good home management and organization is the truest form of self care-Why having good systems in place can actually allow you to accept more help-Her grocery shopping routine-Her Shabbos and weekday meal planning hacks-Ways to tackle the neverending piles of laundry so you don’t lose your mind-How to get kids more involved with home maintenance…and SO MUCH MORE.If you would like to get in touch with Leora for private coaching or to stay up to date on her next course, you can email her at leorablum@gmail.com or contact her by phone at 718-705-8662. (Please note, she is on an Israel time zone!)If there is someone you want to see on The Chai on Life Podcast, email me at alex@chaionlifemag.com or send me a DM @chaionlifemag. Thanks again, see you next week!

Hi everyone! Welcome to another episode of The Chai on Life Podcast. I’m Alex Segal and today, I am so excited to be speaking with leadership and high-performance coach, athlete and all around amazing human, Tania Friedlander.Tania is an ICF and Gallup Certified Global Strengths Coach who specializes in leadership & high-performance coaching. She has worked with more than 350 executives and emerging leaders from Google, Facebook, Salesforce, Neiman Marcus, Morgan Stanley, and The Federal Reserve among other leading companies.A former champion athlete and attorney by training, Tania is driven by her passion for helping individuals break through their professional or personal challenges to find clarity and direction, leverage their strengths, achieve their goals, and become the best leaders and professionals they can be.Full disclosure — I am actually working with Tania as a coach and she has been so instrumental in the launch of this podcast and honestly my mindset around the whole experience.So this episode is here to now help you. In our conversation, we speak about:-How she got into coaching and why she made the switch from a law career-How she helps people understand their yearning for more and actually do the thing they’ve been dreaming about-Why you may be experiencing overwhelm and how to work through it so you feel more in control of your own life-How your limiting beliefs may be holding you back and what to do about it-What to do if you’re experiencing imposter syndrome-What so many people regret at the end of their lives and how you can make sure not to get to that place-The biggest lesson she took away from her years as competitive athlete…and SO MUCH MORE.You can learn more about Tania's work on her LinkedIn page and website. If you'd like to get in touch, you can email her directly at tania@higherworkcoaching.com.If there is someone you want to see on The Chai on Life Podcast, email me at alex@chaionlifemag.com or send me a DM on Instagram @chaionlifemag. Thanks again, see you next week!

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another episode of The Chai on Life Podcast. I’m Alex Segal and today we have a big topic to dive into: Motherhood.For this conversation, I got connected with Yael Sunshine who is a parenting coach, special educator, speaker and yoga therapist with more than 15 years of experience. She helps parents through many different challenges that come with raising kids like behavior issues, addiction, learning disabilities, relationship challenges and more.She is the creator of Soulful Mothering, a holistic parenting framework that supports mothers so they can manage overwhelm, trust their parenting and develop thriving support networks.We really got into it in this conversation and covered so many different topics related to parenting including:-Strategies to manage tantrums with a young child-How to model the behavior we want to see in our kids-How to avoid perfectionism as mothers-How to make sure your needs are being taken care of-How to help kids through a personal or family trauma they may be experiencing-How to bring more joy into parenting…and so much more!For more from Yael, check out these resources:InstagramFacebook groupFacebook business PageFacebook Digital Creator PageIf there's someone you want to see on The Chai on Life Podcast, send me a DM on Instagram at @chaionlifemag or an email at alex@chaionlifemag.com.Thanks so much for listening!