Yaakov Wolff

Shtark Tank

Religion EN ↓ 132 episodes

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

Author

Yaakov Wolff

Category

Religion

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 6, 2026

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Episodes

Dr. Jonathan Donath on the Joy and Pain of building Daily Giving 30.06.2025

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 f...

Rav Shalom Rosner on the Legacy of Dr. Fred Rosner z"l 23.06.2025

This week on Shtark Tank , we welcome Rabbi Shalom Rosner—Rav of Kehillat Nofei HaShemesh, Rosh Beit Midrash at Machon Lev, beloved Daf Yomi maggid shiur, and my uncle—for a deeply personal conversation about his father, Dr. Fred Rosner z”l . Check out the newly released Shalom Rav Birkon (bentcher) here. Born in Berlin in 1935 and rescued via Kindertransport, Dr. Rosner began life with no formal...

Israel at War ft. Tuvia Eisenman (Emergency Update+Regular Interview) 16.06.2025

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...

From Stress to Serenity ft. Simon Baum 09.06.2025

Simon Baum is a seasoned lawyer, a Daf Yomi maggid shiur (twice daily!), and a thoughtful voice on what it means to live an integrated Torah life while fully immersed in the workforce. But his real story begins not with success, but with a breakdown. In this moving and practical conversation, Simon opens up about: Hitting rock bottom after closing a billion-dollar deal Reframing his relationship w...

To Be Holy—But Human, The Legacy of Rav Amital (Pre Shavuos Episode) ft. Rav Moshe Taragin 26.05.2025

As we prepare for Shavuos, Rav Moshe Taragin joins Shtark Tank to discuss his powerful new book on Rav Yehuda Amital zt”l, a towering educator who fused unwavering Emunah with deep compassion and realism. The conversation moves from personal to national—from the rehab ward of an IDF hospital to the historical arc of Jewish destiny—and touches on some of the most urgent questions facing Bnei Torah...

Your Personal Connection to Torah ft. Rav Tzvi Goldstein 19.05.2025

What does it take to go from learning Torah to owning your unique chelek in Torah —and maybe even publishing it? In this powerful return to Shtark Tank , Rav Tzvi Goldstein joins us for a deep and practical conversation about writing, editing, publishing, and most of all— developing a personal connection to Torah that lasts beyond Yeshiva . Why your unique Torah insight matters —and why you might...

Taking Torah Everywhere: How Rav Moshe Schwed Built the Beis Medrash in Your Pocket 12.05.2025

As we prepare for Shavuos, Rav Moshe Shwed, Director of All Torah, joins Shtark Tank to discuss the intersection of Torah, technology, and responsibility. A Brisk alum turned digital visionary, Rav Moshe shares how he helped launch some of the most popular Torah apps in the world — including All Daf, All Parsha, All Mishnah, and more. This conversation goes beyond product design. We dive into how...

Learning a Half Seder with a Whole Heart (Episode 75!!) ft. Yaakov (Bryant) Oberg 05.05.2025

What happens when the dream job just doesn’t feel like your dream? In this episode, we sit down with Yaakov (Bryant) Oberg , who left a successful banking career in LA in search of something deeper. What started as spiritual curiosity led to yeshiva in Yerushalayim, and later to a new challenge—integrating Torah learning into the reality of full-time work. He started out by learning a full morning...

Yom HaZikaron & Yom HaAtzmaut Megapod 28.04.2025

This week on Shtark Tank, we bring you a special megapod in honor of Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut — a deep, emotional journey through stories of sacrifice, strength, and national pride. In this episode: Yakir and Josh Hexter's Story: Why one bereaved father turned down a public interview — and the lesson we all need to hear. Avraham and Daniel Colthuf: Two brothers, lawyers and reserve sol...

Sports Exec. and Son of a Survivor, Lawrence Burian (Yom HaShoah Special Episode) 21.04.2025

With Yom HaShoah coming up this week, I sat down with Lawrence Burian , the COO of LIV Golf and the son of a Holocaust survivor. Before joining LIV Golf, Lawrence held a number of senior positions at the Madison Square Garden Company , the group behind the MSG Arena, the Knicks, the Rangers, MSG Network, and more. We spoke about his career , his father’s story , and how the two deeply interact . W...

BONUS: Exodus or 'Exit'? 09.04.2025

What the Pesach Story Teaches About Justice, Dignity, and Purpose in the Workplace This special bonus episode is for all the busy bnei Torah out there — whether you're scrubbing your kitchen, running errands, or on the road for Yom Tov. We know how hectic things get before Pesach, and sitting down to read a dvar Torah isn’t always realistic. That’s why we’re bringing you the audio version of a...

Are Employees Really Free? LIVE in Tel Aviv with Rav David Lapin 07.04.2025

This special episode of Shtark Tank is a live recording from our third community event—and the first ever live podcast-style conversation. Recorded at the beautiful DLA Piper offices in Tel Aviv, the room was full of professionals, Bnei Torah, and thoughtful seekers, all gathered to explore a question at the heart of both our Jewish identity and our working lives: What does it mean to be free? We...

Groovin' to the Torah ft. Reuven Kirshner 31.03.2025

From our very first episode, writing has been a steady theme here at Shtark Tank . Over the past two episodes, we got amazing feedback about the banker who wrote world-famous sefarim and Abie Rotenberg, who not only composed legendary music but also published sefarim—on top of his day job. This week, we’re continuing that thread and talking about writing divrei Torah. But before we get into it, we...

Abie Rotenberg's Passion is NOT his Parnasah 24.03.2025

This week, we sit down with Abie Rotenberg. Abie is a legend in Jewish music, known for songs like Acheinu , Kol Berama Nishma , and Lakol Zman V’Eis —and that’s just his Hebrew work. His Journeys albums feature powerful English ballads, and his Marvelous Middos Machine series shaped generations of kids through music. But what many people don’t know is that music was never his parnassah. Abie spen...

The Bahlabus who Shocked the Netziv 17.03.2025

Today, we’re doing something a little different. Most of our episodes feature incredible role models—people who are navigating the balance between Torah and work with strength and clarity. But today, we’re going back in time to talk about someone who is no longer with us. Someone who lived over a century ago, yet whose story feels just as relevant today as it did then. This is the story of the baa...

How to Struggle with Decisions, Transitions and Ambitions ft. Moishe Bane 10.03.2025

How do you make big decisions in life? What are the roles of emotions and excitement in Avodas Hashem? And why is schmoozing underrated? In this thought-provoking episode of Shtark Tank , Yaakov Wolff sits down with Moishe Bane to discuss the frameworks that guide a Ben Torah through the complexities of career, Avodas Hashem, and family life. What We Covered: 🔥 The Art of Decision-Making: Moishe...

The Power of Positivity ft. Rabbi Dr. Yosef Lynn 03.03.2025

In this episode of Shtark Tank , Rabbi Dr. Yosef Lynn joins us for a deep dive into the intersection of Mussar and Positive Psychology, and how these ideas can transform both personal and professional growth. As the Mashgiach of Machon Yaakov, Rabbi Lynn has dedicated his career to helping Bnei Torah integrate their learning into the workforce while maintaining their spiritual aspirations. He shar...

Real Talk on Real Estate & Real Life with Aleksey Chernobelskiy 24.02.2025

In this episode of Shtark Tank , we sit down with Aleksey Chernobelskiy to discuss his fascinating journey—from his childhood in Moscow, his path to Torah observance, and his transition into the world of real estate investing. Aleksey shares insights into balancing idealism with reality, navigating the workforce as a Ben Torah, and his unconventional decision to turn down a spot at Cambridge in fa...

This Rabbi Built a Startup That Rewards You for Living Healthy ft. Rav Sam Fromson 17.02.2025

Is it possible to build a profitable company that is focused on doing good in the world? Is it possible for a busy professional to live a healthy lifestyle? Is it possible for a startup co-founder to also serve as an assistant rabbi of a shul? For Sam Fromson, the answer isn’t just yes—it’s his reality. As the co-founder and COO of YULife and community rabbi of Golders Green Synagogue, Sam has sha...

Pulpit Pivot ft. Bini Maryles 10.02.2025

What happens when your dream job isn’t the right fit? This week, we sit down with Bini Maryles, who went from being a shul rabbi in the Five Towns to a leader in Jewish communal organizations and nonprofit fundraising. Bini shares the hard truths about realizing a career isn’t working, making a pivot without losing your core values, and how he found his true calling in coaching and leadership deve...

BONUS: Stadiums, Spirituality and Sneakers- Ari Solomon’s Journey 05.02.2025

With the big game coming up, we take a deeper look at the role of sports in the life of a Ben Torah. To check out more of Ari's work: Linkedin Websites: www.stadiumcustomkicks.com www.aishtamidhats.com Join Our Whatsapp Group! If you enjoy Shtark Tank, you don't want to miss our Quiet Whatsapp group, which includes updates, exclusive bonus content and more. You will also get the chance to submit q...

Surprising Advice for Living with Kedusha (for men) ft. Rav David Lapin 03.02.2025

There’s a struggle that almost every Ben Torah faces—but few talk about openly. Today, we’re breaking that silence. Rabbi David Lapin joins Shtark Tank to explore the delicate balance of Shemiras HaEinayim in today’s hyper-visual world. From the Torah’s foundational perspective on attraction and discipline to practical strategies for strengthening ourselves from within, this episode tackles the re...

Rings, Rockets, and Rabbanus, with Rav Daniel Hershkowitz 27.01.2025

In this conversation, Rav Daniel Hershkowitz shares his unique journey as a Rabbi who also held leaderships positions in govenment, academia, and politics. We discuss the balance and integration between his various roles. The conversation touches on: How his grandmother inspired him to pursue smicha, adding rabbinic ordination to his academic and professional achievements. His philosophy on balanc...

Managing Director, Professor and Lamdan- Allen Pfeiffer 20.01.2025

In this episode of Shtark Tank, host Yaakov Wolff interviews Allen Pfeiffer, a managing director at Kroll and part-time professor at Sy Syms School of Business. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of balancing a professional career with Torah values, the importance of authenticity in the workplace, and the dilemmas faced by professionals in maintaining their Jewish identity. Alan shares...

From Buyout to Burnout to the Beis, with Steve Glanz 13.01.2025

In this episode we sit down with Steve Glanz, whose journey from the fast-paced world of tech to the thoughtful halls of the Beis Medrash is nothing short of a roller coaster. Steve shares his unique story of taking risks in the Israeli tech scene, founding a startup, and achieving a successful buyout that many entrepreneurs only dream of. But his path wasn't all smooth sailing—Steve opens up abou...

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