Shtark Tank

During Elul last year, we had one of our most powerful episodes. We spoke with Rav Moshe Taragin about Teshuva, spiritual growth and the Yamim Noraim experience. Whether or not you listened the first time around, its worthwhile to revisit as we prepare for the Yamim Noraim.

How do we define success as Bnei Torah in the workforce? I asked Rav Dovid Lichtenstein, who is a talmid chochom and real estate executive. We spoke about defining success in learning, at work, and in our relationship with technology. Rav Dovid's ideas are firmly grounded in Torah sources, but are also extremely practical.

Moshe Chaim started out as a successful Kollel yungerman. But soon after he transitioned to the workforce, he found himself in a therapists office, as his professional struggles had already started to spill over in to his marriage, emotional health, and other areas. This true story (with names changed) is the case study that Rabbi Dr. Yosef Sokol uses to introduce his book ' Becoming Godly &#3...

It’s Elul, a time to prepare for the Yamim Noraim with the theme of Defining Success . When we take stock of our lives with a cheshbon hanefesh , we’re really asking: Where am I now—and where should I be? That’s the core question of this series: how to define success as a Ben Torah in the workplace . Many of our rabbeim push us toward ambitious goals in learning, but how do we balance those ideals...

It’s Elul, and we’re focusing on Defining Success as Bnei Torah in the workplace. What does real success look like? Is it possible to set goals that are both ambitious and compassionate? This week, we sit down with Rav Shimon Isaacson , Rosh Yeshiva of Mevaseret. Before entering the world of Torah and chinuch, Rav Isaacson worked in Big Law in New York City. Many assume he left that life to escape...

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...

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 othe...

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 threats The beauty, unity, and spiritual strength of the community His firsthand account of the expulsion—including “th...

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...

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 anchor How writing became his tool for learning,...

“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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...