Saturday To Shabbos: Recent Episodes
Jeff Cohen
Saturday to Shabbos presents real-life stories of people who’ve made their own journey to Jewish observance, the obstacles they overcame, and how the journey transformed them.
If you’re an avid listener to Saturday to Shabbos, then you’ve heard nearly 200 ways people decide to take a closer look at the role of Judaism in their lives. Leibel Chaim Goldbarb epitomizes the title of this podcast, as his epiphany actually happened on a Saturday. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is […]
For many lawyers, success is often measured by trials won or monetary settlements reached. But Michael Eisenberg’s legal career has generated a platform to bring others closer to Judaism. But, before he could share his love of Yiddishkeit, Michael had to find his own path to Orthodox Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos […]
Professional trumpet player Michael Bogart was a member of Tower of Power and has recorded and performed with many other musical legends. But his story is about more than music. Trying to balance weekend performances with a journey toward Shabbos observance wasn’t easy. But a divine wink at the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s ohel helped him find […]
Rabbi Shimon Kronenberg is the driving force behind the development and mission of Mesivta Yesodei Yisrael of Beit Shemesh, an innovative yeshiva high school dedicated to educating first generation immigrants to Israel. But starting a new school is just one of Rabbi Kronenberg’s accomplishments. He believes the greatest way to support the state of Israel […]
Chana Schoenfeld was brought up in a Lutheran home in Finland. Her experience in an English synagogue with a Jewish friend and hearing the inspirational words of one of the most influential rabbis of modern times set her journey to Orthodox Judaism in motion. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]
Dr. Paul Bermanski knows all about helping people feel healthy on the inside; he served as a gastroenterologist in NY for many years. But it was his desire for spiritual health that ultimately led to Orthodox Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Wil’Liam Hall is a son of a preacher. He’s also a former preacher. But a series of events led him to reject the Christian Bible, spurn Messianic Judaism and embrace the Jewish faith. But he’s not a convert to Judaism. He’s a Ben Noach, or “Son of Noah.” This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos […]
Nachum Schoenfeld is CEO of Cove Hill Consulting, a management consulting firm. But it’s the consulting he did with a key Rabbi in his life that led to him embracing Torah Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
David Ben Moshe is a writer, inspirational speaker and expert fitness coach. He went from a stint in U.S. Federal Prison to an Orthodox Jewish conversion, college degrees and professional success. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Rabbi Aryeh Siegal and his wife once worked full-time for the Transcendental Meditation movement. A meeting with the Lubavitcher Rebbe and a greater understanding of the Rebbe’s views on meditation not only changed the Siegels’ lives, it equipped Aryeh Siegel for a legal battle against a powerful foundation that was forcing TM into public schools. […]
Ezra Zucker has one of the more dramatic stories you’ll ever hear. His near death experience led him to a major shift in perspective on his work as an entrepreneur, his family and, ultimately, on his spiritual life. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Na’amah Segal Karas experienced a powerful moment of clarity, which led her to completely rewrite the script of her life – including her marriage, her relationship with her kids and her thoughts on religion. Today she’s the founder of Betterment Life Coaching. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn […]
Alyssa Zupnick is the Early Childhood Director at Phoenix Hebrew Academy. Judaism has always been central to her life. But it took a trip to Israel to super-charge her progression to Orthodox Torah observance. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
We don’t know many 11 year olds who go out of their way to wake their parents on Shabbos morning to make sure everyone goes to shul. But that’s the passion for Judaism Grant Silverstein felt at a very young age. That same drive ultimately led Grant to continue his growth toward Orthodox Judaism and […]
Sunny Levi knew that she would marry Daniel Levi when they first met. Though they had diverse interests and talents, they’d find over the course of many years that the binding tie was their mutual love of Torah Judaism. How did a martial arts expert and a psychotherapist find a life together? This is their […]
Kayla Kaplan is Director of Outreach at The Shabbos Project. She had exposure to Orthodox Judaism in her younger years, but she wasn’t yet ready to take the leap. Through a series of experiences, she came full circle later in life, truly progressing from Saturday to Shabbos. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is […]
Moshe Gersht may have been on the brink of musical success when he had to face a tough question… was what he was doing actually making him successful? Today Moshe has traded in rock and roll for his true mission in life; to share and unconditional love and the wisdom of Torah. This is his […]
Yehuda Liebenson was a hip hop artist, graffiti artist and breakdancer. He’s also a former IDF soldier, tour guide and fundraiser for a charitable organization. How do all these parts fit together? This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Elisheva Beiles has remained faithful to Torah Judaism through almost unimaginable tragedy and loss. But she and her children have kept their faith and their Jewish observance strong. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Robin Meyerson is the Director of the Shabbat Project, North America. In order to become a leading advocate for Shabbat observance and Jewish education, she had to leave her secular roots behind. With stops in many exotic countries along the way, Robin found her calling and the message she wants to spread to Jews worldwide. […]
Eve Levy has dedicated her life to showing people the beauty of Judaism, just like one Rabbi did for her at the beginning of her Jewish journey. Today, along with her husband, she runs the L’Chaim Center near Chicago, an organization that helps people grow spiritually and connect with their Judaism in meaningful ways. This […]
Jeremy Pressman can jump pretty high. His experiences as a professional basketball player and as an Israeli venture capitalist intertwine with his journey to Torah Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
The decision to study Torah with a friend can change the trajectory of your life. Take it from Andrew Stern, a Leadership Coach whose decision to do that set in motion a series of events that would ultimately lead him to Torah Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. […]
Law, psychology, poetry…. all these have been part of the life of Dr. Michael Milgraum, a licensed psychologist who journeyed to Jewish observance through all three fields. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Elissa and Paul Kaplan grew individually and as a couple. Whether living in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina or learning about pottery in Japan, the Kaplans embraced Judaism in deeper and more meaningful ways. Now, their children are teaching them halacha. This is their story. To receive a copy of Paul’s Shabbas booklet please […]
When he was a child, Aryeh Ho had what he describes as perfectly reasonable career aspirations; to be a professional basketball player, astrophysicist and Jedi master. Those career plans changed a bit as he grew up, as did his perspective on religion and culture. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]
Rabbi Mitchel Jadidi, or Rabbi Mitch, as he’s affectionately known, studied cognitive neuroscience and law before he took on the mission of inspiring others. He now leads Olami Together, one of the largest Jewish outreach programs in the world. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Nate Berman went all-in on Conservative Judaism, only to figure out it wasn’t for him. Nate was destined to teach. He just needed the right environment in which to flourish. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Alex Oppenheimer is a self-described “Excel junkie” by training who enjoys telling stories with numbers to create useful end-user tools. At the middle of his story is the age old question of work/life/study balance, which played out in corporate boardrooms in the U.S., yeshivas in Israel and at Shabbos tables in between. This is his […]
Rabbi Ephraim Simon is Director of Chabad of Teaneck New Jersey, a father of nine children and one of a relatively small group of people ever to have donated two organs. Simon says that his donations were an integral part of his religious growth. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]
Hadassah Kovacs is a Professor of Communication, a PR professional, a theater reviewer and frequent writer on all things Jewish. She epitomizes what it means to work and live immersed in the secular world while holding firm to religious beliefs. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at […]
Devorah Kigel has helped more than 300 women find their soulmate. But she’s not a shadchan. Before she became a Dating Coach, she had to go on her own search to figure out what she believed about Judaism. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Rabbi MZ Dubov is an educator and lecturer at Aish in Jerusalem. But his journey to Jewish observance actually began thousands of miles away in Belarus. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Ilan Smith is an illusionist and mentalist. He’s toured the world and delighted crowds with his magic. Along the way, Ilan desired to make something very important “appear” in his life; Torah Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Gary Morgenstein’s plays and novels have garnered the attention of the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Parade Magazine, the New York Post, Sports Illustrated and NPR. But there’s another story; Gary’s Jewish journey is as compelling as his award-winning writing. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at […]
Rabbi Zev Kahn is a kiruv specialist who’s known as the “Rugby Rabbi.” Khan’s story begins during South African Apartheid, which shaped his early outlook on life. But neither South African politics nor a successful rugby career would limit Kahn in who he’d ultimately become. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis […]
Saturday to Shabbos celebrates its third birthday! Host Jeff Cohen and producer Gary Waleik revisit some of their favorite episodes from the past year and explore the unique story twists and common themes shared in all the stories we’ve presented of Baalei Teshuvah as they make their way to Jewish observance. Saturday to Shabbos is […]
Rabbi Jonny Hughes is the founder and CEO of The Abraham Effect, a non-profit providing support for Jewish students in non-Jewish schools in the United Kingdom. To get to where he is today, his path wound through English public schools, football pitches and the Rabbinate. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis […]
Nadav Slovin is a passionate seeker and educator. His love of the intersection between wilderness exploration and Jewish practice ultimately led him to found Lech Lecha, an organization that provides transformative outdoor adventures. But, before he could inspire others through his organization, Nadav had to find his own meaning and purpose in Judaism. This is […]
Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen teaches at Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem. Before he found his spiritual home, Rabbi Cohen scoured the Far East. After six years immersed in Eastern philosophy and tradition, he returned to his Jewish roots. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Juliana Addi is a public school principal in New Jersey. She also sends her four kids to Yeshiva day schools. Addi’s ability to straddle the secular and observant worlds comes after she adopted a frum lifestyle. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Rabbi Yoni Ganger is Campus Director of MEOR at Harvard University. His path to observant Jewish life wound through medical school, but it ultimately led him to the campus of Harvard University. Ganger has a unique perspective on the recent campus protests there and how Harvard Jews have coped. This is his story. Saturday to […]
Jeff Astrof is a Hollywood writer and producer. Perhaps the most significant story he’s written is about his journey to Jewish observance. Jeff recently shared some tales from the writer’s room and what it’s like to work in Hollywood as an Orthodox Jew. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. […]
Serge Zenin’s parents chose to send him to Yeshiva day school, which almost derailed his interest in Judaism for good. But Serge rediscovered it on his own terms as an adult and found his way to Jewish observance. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Aja Cohen is a fashion designer who has worked for Converse, Aeropostale and Elle Magazine, among others, before starting her own clothing brand. She’s also an Orthodox Jewish mom from New Jersey. She recently wove together for us the narrative threads of her religious and career journeys. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is […]
Gavin Teller faced major life decisions in career and in love. The choices he almost made and the alternatives he found led him on his path to Jewish observance, and to his true name, Rabbi Gavin Mordechai Teller. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Chaya Parkoff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Parkoff endured a family tragedy and personal health challenge, both of which could easily have made her lose her faith. Instead, Chaya grew from her experiences and found a unique path to Judaism. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more […]
The journey to Jewish observance can be spiritual, physical … or both. Yaakov Schy’s journey took him all the way around the world to China and back. You might not think of China as the perfect place to light a Jewish flame. But, for Yaakov, that’s exactly what happened. This is his story. Saturday to […]
Dr. Alan Perlman spent a number of years in the U.S. Air Force. You might not think that’s the ideal setting to grow religiously, but that’s exactly what happened to Perlman. He credits the supportive people, Jewish and non-Jewish, that he met at every stage of his journey for helping him get to where he is […]
Dr. Jonathan Field is a Manhattan-based Allergist-Immunologist. His journey to Jewish observance included some timely geographic moves and positive influence from his sister. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Aron Sandler grew up religious, then made a career choice that strained his ability to lead an observant life. Aron managed to stay on the path despite his challenging environment. It’s an important lesson about what it takes to maintain commitment to Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. […]
Michael Schwartz is an attorney who specializes in defending police officers and other public servants accused of wrongdoing. And he does it while proudly wearing a kippah. His story from minimal Jewish observance to Orthodoxy winds into and out of courtrooms, where some fascinating dramas have played out. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos […]
Dr. Stuart (Simcha) Chesner is a clinical psychologist who specializes treating ADHD patients. Chesner felt like an underdog as a child, which fueled his desire to find his spiritual and professional paths. Chesner’s new book, Kosher ADHD (which he cowrote with Dr. Sara Markowitz), recommends practical approaches to helping people in the frum community with […]
Yaakov Wasilewicz inspires others through his personal story, and through his music. He had to find his own path to Jewish observance, which required tremendous sacrifice by a loved one … in this case, his mother. Through tremendous perseverance and some timely encounters with caring Rabbis to facilitate his journey, Yaakov ultimately found his way. […]
In April 2022, Saturday to Shabbos featured a conversation with Rabbi Greg Wall, known as “The Jazz Rabbi.” Wall spoke about harmonizing his musical career with Orthodox Judaism and life as a rabbi. Greg’s wife, Rona, has her own unique story to share, from early conversations with Hashem to a traumatic accident that changed everything […]
Joe Zimmerman pondered the existence of Hashem at a relatively young age, which led him to a quick transition to an observant life. But it wasn’t always easy for Joe. In fact, a devastating fire had a big impact on his journey. But with the help of mentors and teachers, he found his way. This […]
We know from the story of Avraham Avinu that the circumstances of one’s birth don’t automatically dictate the trajectory of adulthood. That’s certainly the case for Mitio Rothstein, who experienced extremely difficult challenges as a kid. His story is one of the most inspiring we’ve had the privilege to tell. Saturday to Shabbos is a […]
Rivkah Kaplan experienced a tumultuous childhood. The challenges of her early years drove her to seek meaning and fulfillment … which she ultimately found through Orthodox Judaism, in no small part because of a blessing given to her son by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. […]
Jeff Cohen recently met Rabbi Reuven Boshnack at a Shabbaton he organized in Fair Lawn, NJ for more than 50 Yeshiva University students. Watching how he navigated Shabbos with so many students, Jeff was surprised to find out that Boshnack didn’t grow up religious. This is his full circle story. Saturday to Shabbos is a […]
Would you turn down an amazing career opportunity, simply because it conflicted with Shabbos? David Notowitz faced that decision as he adopted a Torah lifestyle. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Matthew Miller is an AI analyst who’s worked in the U.S., Canada and the UK. He specializes in machine learning, natural language processing, ethics, and facial recognition. At the heart of Miller’s story is the way he’s successfully melded his spiritual and intellectual pursuits. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at […]
Leah Aharoni spent her formative years in the Soviet Union, where she lived under the harsh reality of Communism. Her circuitous story includes living in the U.S. and, eventually and permanently, Israel, where she’s helping displaced people from Ukraine and in her own home country. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis […]
Michael Doniger is a voiceover artist. A near-death experience almost derailed his dreams and his Jewish journey. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Ben Avraham was born “Shariff Hassan.” To say that his life’s journey took him away from the circumstances of his birth would be an understatement. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Chava Avner left Illinois as a secular Jew and came back fully observant. Her background helps her connect with Jews of all different backgrounds in her role as teacher. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Heather Dean made a career of interviewing some of the biggest names in Hollywood, Broadway, television and music. Her interview list is a who’s who of A-list celebrities. But she left the glitz and glamor behind for a life of Torah Judaism. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn […]
Avraham Byers began developing his religious beliefs at the age of 6. Raised by a Catholic mom and a Protestant dad, Avraham ultimately found his way to a completely different religious life from the one in which he was raised. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
This episode featuring Sivan Rahav-Meir was originally released in September of 2021. Rahav-Meir is a very well known Israeli lecturer, columnist, radio host, and media personality. Much of her time these days is spent covering the conflict with Hamas. We want to reprise the story of her personal journey in light of the story currently […]
Rabbi Asher Resnick was raised in an entirely secular home, but he ultimately became a Rabbi who spreads Torah through his many classes and writings. He also experienced a family tragedy that had a deep impact on how he connects with Judaism and teaches families how to manage grief when faced with loss and heartbreak. This […]
Amy Muscoplat has an answer for what we need in times of unbelievable stress. She runs JoyFestival Industries, an organization that helps people raise their “joy quotient.” She also found her way to Torah Judaism through a long, winding road. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at […]
Conversion is a major theme woven throughout the story of Yasminah Huberman and her family. Her mother had a Conservative conversion. But, as Yasminah charted her own religious path, that led to her Orthodox conversion and a move to Israel. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at […]
Liane Wakabayashi converted a trip to the other side of the world into a 30 year stay. But her journey to Jewish observance led to one more big move and her embracing Torah Judaism in Israel, the eternal Jewish homeland. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at […]
Orli Katz’s Jewish journey began when she was young and her parents took on more observance. Still, she had to find her own personal path, which led her from Iowa to Miami to Israel and to New England. Her stops along the way to becoming a hypnosis therapist make for a mesmerizing saga. This is […]
Yehoshua Holstein’s path wound through the worlds of astrology, yoga, Islam, Freemasonry and, ultimately, a halachic conversion to Judaism. Yehoshua patiently and methodically found his religious connection. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Getting into and attending medical school are real challenges. Doing that while on the path to religious observance in Israel is even more challenging. But Jonathan Weiss has been up for that. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Linda Kinsberg developed strong feelings about religion in Kindergarten. Many years later, she’s proud to have many grandkids following the path she blazed toward Jewish observance. But how did she get from secular to observant and positively influence future generations? This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at […]
Linda Kinsberg developed strong feelings about religion in Kindergarten. Many years later, she’s proud to have many grandkids following the path she blazed toward Jewish observance. But how did she get from secular to observant and positively influence future generations? This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at […]
Linda Kinsberg developed strong feelings about religion in Kindergarten. Many years later, she’s proud to have many grandchildren following the path she blazed toward Jewish observance. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Linda Kinsberg developed strong feelings about religion when she was in Kindergarten. Years later, she’s proud to have many grandchildren following the path she blazed toward Jewish observance. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Have you ever dreamed of publishing a book? Bracha Goetz has accomplished that feat 42 times … and counting. But she’s more than a prolific writer. On her way to Torah Judaism, her concern for public safety and mental health has helped save lives. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]
Saturday to Shabbos is celebrating its second birthday! Host Jeff Cohen and producer Gary Waleik revisit some of their favorite episodes, including pro basketball player and coach Daniel Tamir, rapper Nissim Black, former Pentecostal cleric Tova Mordechai, IT engineer Brian Silvey, lawyer and podcaster Emmett Gilles, educator Aliza Bulow, Touro University Dean Dr. Henry Abramson […]
When’s the last time you picked up a jump rope? Elementary school? Middle school? Maybe never? But Moshe Moskowitz says it’s always a good time to do that. In fact, he’s built an entire business around the health benefits of jumping rope. He’s also managed to make the “jump” to Torah Judaism. Moshe Moskowitz fought […]
Kelsey Osgood considered herself to be an atheist. But a dangerous health situation changed her view on religion and she converted to Orthodox Judaism. Kelsey is also a well known writer on religion and cultural criticism, with a book in the works about millennial women and religious conversion. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos […]
For Erika Needleman, it wasn’t a far stretch to go from yoga to spiritual growth. What started as Erika’s passion for practicing and teaching yoga eventually turned into a deeper search for meaning and joy, something she now helps others achieve as a life coach. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis […]
Alex Fleksher is an educator, speaker, writer and the social media creative director for Faces of Orthodoxy and co-host of the Deep Meaningful Conversations podcast, a series of conversations with frum women. Alex has her own inspiring story to share about her journey to Jewish observance. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a […]
Jeremy Tibbetts is Director of Student Leadership for Yavneh, an organization that develops Jewish leaders on college campuses. Tibbetts’ goal is to help build Jewish communities and establish campus-wide Jewish student movements at colleges nationwide. But before he could inspire others in their Jewish journey, he had to find his own path to observance. This […]
Not many people can trace the beginning of their Jewish journey to winning a writing contest. Fewer still can trace it to the grand prize they won in that contest. But that’s exactly what happened to Evonne Marzouk on her path to Israel, a writing career, Israel and Torah Judaism. This is her story. Saturday […]
Ed Howe has lived as an observant Jew all over the world, and even on the open seas. But his life started out very differently from where his Jewish and nautical journeys have taken him. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Rivki Silver is a podcaster, musician and mother. When she was younger, she was repeatedly misidentified as Jewish … so much so that she actually started exploring Yiddishkeit. And then she started fully living it. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Before he became a rabbi, Shmuel Lynn was raised in a secular home. He became a writer in Los Angeles, a musician and a filmmaker. So how did Lynn go on to found one of the most successful Jewish learning and outreach organizations in New York City? This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is […]
Kylie Ora Lobell is a convert. Her husband, Danny Lobell, is a baal teshuvah. Somehow, together they’ve leapt over some difficult hurdles – a Catholic upbringing, agnosticism, rejection and a recent break in and robbery – to get to their place of Jewish observance and family life. This is their story. Saturday to Shabbos is […]
John Minster is Associate Director of Ideas at the Tikvah Fund, an institution committed to developing and supporting the intellectual, religious and political leaders of Israel. Minster grew up as a Christian in Michigan. But now he lives as an observant Jew in Jerusalem. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis […]
Dr. Henry Abramson is Academic Dean of Touro University’s Lander College of Arts and Sciences. He’s also a former ski instructor who was raised in a small Canadian town. His unique journey to Judaism wound through ski slopes, college classrooms and a Red Lobster restaurant. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a […]
Pearl Gasner is Co-director at JLIC at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She’s also an Advisor at Hasbara Fellowships Canada, where she advises high schoolers on Israel advocacy. Growing up she was surrounded by all different levels of observance. A trip to Israel cemented her strong interest in a path toward Jewish observance. This is […]
It’s not often you meet someone whose journey to Jewish observance kicked into high gear after interacting with Christian missionaries. But that’s exactly what happened to Rabbi Bryan Borenstein. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Tova Mordechai grew up in a home imbued with evangelical Christianity. Her father was a Pentecostal minister, her mother was an Egyptian Jew … although Tova didn’t know that at the outset. Tova Mordechai’s herself became an evangelical minister, but a Mezuzah and a trip to a synagogue inspired her to embark on a long […]
There aren’t too many Rabbis who can also say they’ve worked as a park ranger and a restaurant manager. But Rabbi Jonathan Shulman can. Those jobs laid the groundwork for a career that was part of a plan … but not necessarily his plan. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]
Lauren Steinberg excelled in her studies, and she became an expert in Islamic extremism and radicalization. Steinberg also found her way to Jewish observance and, eventually, to Jewish outreach on the campus of one of the most renowned institutions of higher learning in the U.S. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis […]
Joel Kastner received a Jewish day school education, but it wasn’t consistent with the traditions his family practiced at home. In fact, it was a much more complete mode of observance. This disconnect between school and home practice led to Joel’s long and winding road of exploration into Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to […]
Sarah London dabbled in acting, matchmaking, and tech sales on her journey to Jewish observance. She also had to overcome some extremely challenging family upheavals along the way. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Healthcare professional Cory Kleinman spent time in Reform, Conservative and Orthodox shuls when he was young. Later, he dabbled in atheism and agnosticism. But he says he became frum … twice. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Yehudis Golshevsky has been a well-known Torah educator in Jerusalem and abroad for the last 30 years. She’s also the founder of Shiviti, an organization that offers classes and experiences to Torah-observant women of all ages and backgrounds. All along her path to Torah Judaism, she’s lifted up the people around her. This is her […]
Rabbi Mikey Albala is the Chief Development Officer for the New York Chapter of the National Council of Synagogue Youth, or NCSY, helping raise money to support teens on their Jewish journeys. But his own path to observance stemmed from his family overcoming financial hardship and wanting to say thank you to Hashem for guiding […]
Jenna Maio is the host of the Modern Jewish Girl podcast. She regularly shares insights with her listeners on how to live as an observant Jew. But, before she could share her wisdom, she had to go on her own journey to Jewish observance. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]
Oriel Chen’s first introduction to Judaism came through Bible study at church. But he began exploring and developed a new perspective on Judaism that led him away from the church to the synagogue. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Lori Palatnik is the founding director of Momentum, an organization that inspires and empowers women to connect to Jewish values, engage with Israel and ultimately transform themselves, their families, and their communities. She’s also an educator, speaker, writer, media personality, and Baal Teshuva. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]
Jason Blau calls himself a mindset coach. Along his journey, he could have used some of the advice he now offers. Because he experienced stress and anxiety so deeply that it ultimately destroyed his career, his marriage, and even his relationship with his closest relatives. Today he’s in a much better place, finding a path […]
As a young child, Barbara Irwin was raised in a family that didn’t keep Shabbos and didn’t know much about other Jewish practices. In fact, her earliest exposure to Jewish observance almost pushed her off the path. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
In part one of Jeff Cohen’s conversation with Aliza Bulow, she told the story of how she grew up in a non-Jewish home but converted to Judaism at the age of 16. And how, in no time at all, she was studying Torah, doing Mitzvahs, living in Israel, joining the army, and finding a marriage […]
Aliza Bulow’s Jewish journey weaves an intricate path through conversion to Judaism at a very young age and, much later, tragedy. That journey, which included stops in New York, Israel, Russia and Denver, required tremendous faith along the way. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more […]
Harvey Herbert grew up Jewish, but so secular that he has memories of opening presents under an Xmas tree. A traumatic incident in a hospital was but one of the divine bread crumbs from Hashem that completely altered the path of Herbert’s Jewish journey. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis […]
Thomas Sablosky, a secular Jew, became Tuvia Sablosky, an observant Jew, through an amazing journey that he believes was guided by Hashem. He’s here today to share that saga, including the obstacles he overcame to make sure his father received a proper Jewish burial. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]
Aaron London had a dream to serve in the US military. Little did he know that he’d be serving Hashem as a nurse and educator while making the transition from agnostic to fully observant Jew. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Nissim Black’s journey to Judaism is one of the most unlikely stories you’ll ever hear. He was born to two rappers, and lived in a home where drugs and violence were the norms. He also practised Islam and Christianity before he found what he was looking for – Torah Judaism. His spiritual journey is intertwined […]
Aurus Sanchez underwent one of the most remarkable journeys to Jewish observance you’ll ever hear about. He was a Christian missionary with plans to convert Jews until he uncovered some crucial information about his ancestry – and the Torah – that completely changed his life’s path. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is […]
Peter Himmelman’s musical career has spanned more than four decades. His accomplishments are numerous and diverse; he’s a Grammy and Emmy-nominated solo artist, children’s songwriter, film and television soundtrack composer. His discography includes more than 40 albums. He’s also a visual artist and a baal teshuvah who’s balanced his busy musical career with Jewish observance. […]
Brian Silvey has engineered an impressive career in Information Technology. But he’s also engineered quite a journey to Jewish observance. That involved some pretty interesting twists and turns, including his witnessing an ugly incident involving vandalism that would help turn him to the Torah. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]
Jackie Danicki is a business consultant and freelance journalist. Her writing has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, Advertising Age, and the New York Observer. Danicki’s path to success has been intertwined with her unusual and fascinating path to Torah Judaism. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more […]
Daniel Tamir knows a lot about Judaism … and about basketball. 6’ 10” inch Daniel played professional basketball for seven years in Israel and Hungary. But there’s more to his story than just dunks, rebounds and three pointers. Sports played a major role in his Jewish journey. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is […]
David and Shira Schwarz went on a double journey to Jewish observance. They grew up in Conservative shuls, but they found their way to Orthodox Judaism, thanks in no small part to where they went to school and a kiruv trip that completely changed their Jewish destinies. This is their story. Saturday to Shabbos is […]
Mindy Rubenstein is a prolific writer. She’s published hundreds of articles in print and online, including for Chabad.org, Aish.com, Atlanta Jewish Times, and the Jerusalem Post. She’s also the founding publisher and editor of Nishei Ora, a magazine that includes personal writing and art from Jewish women around the world. Her personal and professional journey […]
Rabbi Meir Goldberg has spent nearly 20 years working with Jewish students at Rutgers University, with the goal of maximizing every Jewish student’s spiritual potential. The organization he founded, Meor Jewish Xperience, helps students connect with their roots and ignite their Jewish souls. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]
Elyssa Nicole Trust is an actor, writer, podcaster, and voice-over artist based in New York City. Elyssa wrote a play called Observance that explores how a hard-partying college student who initially clashes with her Orthodox roommate ultimately transitions full-throttle into a Ba’alat Teshuvah. Throughout her life and career, Judaism has always found its way into […]
Binyomin Abrams is a Research Associate Professor, Master Lecturer and Director of General Chemistry at Boston University. And if you think that’s a mouthful, you can add Doctor of Theoretical Chemistry and Rabbi to that mixture. Abrams’ impressive resume reflects a rich and diverse background that was a catalyst to his finding his path to […]
Emmett Gilles worked two stints as a judicial law clerk for Federal judges. His long academic career, intertwined with a return to Torah Judaism, has led him to New Haven, Connecticut, where he’s raising a family, and where he’ll pursue law, and where he hopes to create a very special sort of spiritual center. This […]
Sal Litvak is a film director. But he’s also known as “The Accidental Talmudist.” Sal and his wife Nina share Jewish wisdom, humor, and music online with over one million followers. His weekly live show reaches viewers in over 70 countries. And, despite the title of his website and podcast, it’s no accident that his […]
Describing Jill Moray Reichman as “multi-talented” might be an understatement. She’s a voice actor, stand-up comedian, stage, film, and television actor, singer, healer, and writer. She’s had a lot of gigs over the years. But adding Torah Judaism to that broad mix is a major accomplishment on her resume. This is her story. Saturday to […]
In August of 2021, in partnership with the OU, Saturday to Shabbos was launched. The goal was, and is, to present real-life stories of people from diverse backgrounds, people who’ve transcended the circumstances of their birth to embrace Torah Judaism. On this week’s special episode, host Jeff Cohen and producer Gary Waleik revisit some of […]
For years, Rachel Moore has led Moore Connected Communications, her own public relations, social media and communications firm that helps Israeli and North American clients share their voices with the world. But that’s just one piece of her story. She’s worked for over 20 years in the PR world, including with Aish and many other […]
Rabbi Mark Wildes and his wife Jill co-founded Manhattan Jewish Experience, or MJE, more than 20 years ago. What started as a beginner’s Hebrew class with 18 attendees has blossomed into an organization that today draws in over 20,000 annual attendees to classes, events, Shabbos meals, and more. Rabbi Wildes was a lawyer and pulpit […]
Liat Mayerfeld co-founded Kii, an organization committed to promoting Jewish life for young professionals living in New York, with her husband Rabbi Moshe Mayerfeld, who we featured last March. But there’s even more to their story than he told us back in March. This is her continuation of the story. Saturday to Shabbos is […]
The name “Gary Waleik” might ring a bell for Saturday to Shabbos listeners; he’s mentioned every week in the credits. That’s because he produces Saturday to Shabbos. His life path has led him through rock and roll venues throughout North America and Europe, one of the country’s biggest NPR stations and to Torah observance. He […]
Sari Koptinikoff spent years teaching kids of all ages in the classroom. Now, through ThatJewishMoment.com, Sari devotes her time to creating new and interesting ways to educate and inspire kids, teens, and grownups on the joys and richness of Judaism. She’s helping countless people live as proud Jews. This is her story. Saturday […]
Mark Schiff is a comedian, actor, writer and the host of his own podcast, You Don’t Know Schiff. He’s spent years headlining all the major comedy clubs and casinos around the U.S. and all around the world. He’s also toured extensively with his close friend Jerry Seinfeld. He was raised in a somewhat observant Jewish […]
Lisa Aiken is a clinical psychologist who’s worked for nearly 40 years in New York City and Jerusalem. She’s also a licensed Israeli tour guide, a sought after speaker on Jewish topics and the author of 13 books, including the Baal Teshuva Survival Guide. She’s spoken in more than 200 cities worldwide. This is […]
Jeff Pavel grew up in Ukraine before moving to the United States. There, he experienced anti-Semitism from a very young age. But he has a fascinating perspective on the country, which he says has changed over the last 50 years. He also became Jewishly observant along the way. This is his story. Saturday to […]
When she was young, Rachel Hulen never knew the power of asking Hashem directly for help through prayer. She also didn’t know her path to Jewish observance would involve marrying her husband, who first converted according to Reform guidelines. But after stops in Detroit, Miami, and Houston, Rachel and her husband made their way to […]
Yedidyah and Leah Schiermeyer used to be known as Robert and Marcella. That’s because both of them converted to Judaism. How did a physician in the United States Air Force and a self-described Baptist, country girl raised in the Bible belt find their way to observant Judaism? This is their story. Saturday to Shabbos is […]
Lenny Fuld grew up with parents who practiced what he believed to be Orthodox Judaism, only to find out later on it was actually somewhere between Conservative and Orthodox. He ultimately charted his own religious path. Today, he’s an uber-popular professor at the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University. This is his story. […]
Sam Glaser has toured the world sharing words of inspiration through song. He’s released 25 albums of music. Along the way, he also found his path to Jewish observance. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Chani Seff had a religious upbringing in Crown Heights. Baruch, or “Barry,” Seff comes from a secular background. But their journeys crossed, and they built a Jewish life together. This is their story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com
Stacey Nechama Goldman got her first pair of tefillin when she was 12 years old. She thought she was going to be a Conservative Rabbi when she grew up. But intensive Torah study about Orthodox Judaism set her on a very different path. This is her story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. […]
Rabbi Greg Wall is a world-class musician and a congregational Rabbi. Wall has flourished in both endeavors. Known affectionately as “The Jazz Rabbi,” in part because he discovered Judaism through music, Rabbi Wall’s unique journey to Jewish observance makes him one of the most unorthodox Orthodox Rabbis you’ll ever meet. This is his story. Saturday […]
When Karen Schaeffer began her journey to Jewish observance, she struggled to find tips and guidance from other people who had gone through similar journeys. After she became observant, she decided to start her own blog. It’s called “Frum with a Twist.” She hopes it will help people who are beginning their own journeys. […]
Attorney Cyrus Abbe has had brushes with KGB, testified before Congress, done lots of charity work and had personal relationships with Rabbi Pesach Krohn and comedian Jackie Mason. He even had a day named after him in New York City. His journey to Jewish observance is a fascinating patchwork. This is his story. Saturday […]
Karen Sorkin knew she wanted to be a registered nurse from a very young age. In fact, she used to cover her stuffed animals with Band-Aids! She grew up Catholic, but never quite felt a strong connection to religion until she learnt about Judaism. Her journey to observance included stops at Reform and Conservative synagogues […]
Rabbi Moshe Mayerfeld is the co-founder and co-director of Kii, an organization that helps young Jews in New York City connect with their heritage. Two decades of Jewish outreach experience have enabled Mayerfeld and his wife to found their own organization, and they have a vision of expanding well beyond New York. This is his […]
Dafna Boyle is the writer behind Frum and Fashionable, a site where, in its own words, “modest meets modern.” Dafna also has her own story to share about her journey to Jewish observance. It involves a school shooting at the Colorado high school she attended, seminary and some serious health challenges. This is her story. […]
Rabbi Simcha Tolwin is a native of Detroit, Michigan. His journey took him through Cleveland, Israel, New York, and back to Michigan where he now leads Aish Detroit. A lifetime in kiruv gives him a unique perspective on the challenges and the joys of Jewish outreach. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a […]
Eve Harow is a veteran podcaster, experienced Israeli tour guide, well-known public speaker and educator and the Director of Tourism and Community Development for the One Israel Fund. She even served for a decade as a councilwoman in Efrat. Along the journey, she also found her way to Jewish observance. This is her story. Saturday […]
Chana Liptiz is an author and lecturer. She runs the Geulavision website, which is dedicated to promoting the idea, based on Chabad Chassidus, that the world is preparing for the imminent Redemption. Her path to Jewish observance was an unusual one – it included a Catholic upbringing and a providential meeting with the man she […]
Mark Rosen is a consultant for Jewish non-profit organizations. He spent two decades at Brandeis University, where he was a researcher and professor at that school’s professional leadership program. His road to Torah Judasim wound through what he calls “the worst Hebrew school in Chicago,” Eastern Mysticism, academia, and the Kotel where, Rosen says, he […]
Judy Gruen is an award-winning journalist, book editor, and author of five books. Her work has appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, and the Chicago Tribune, as well as the Jewish publications Aish.com and Jewish Action. She always knew she wanted to be a writer. Her path to Torah observance […]
Mois Navon is an engineer by profession. As one of the founding engineers at Mobileye, he helped design the chip that powers autonomous vehicles, among other innovations. But he also lectures and writes extensively on Jewish law and thought. He’s known by many as “the Rabbi of Mobileye.” This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos […]
Ari Shabat is the Chief Executive Officer of Reside Admissions, a company that offers a long term care admissions application. He’s also an avid Spartan racer, having completed many obstacle races of varying distances and difficulty. Ari took his own journey from Saturday to Shabbos, one that led him through obstacles races, family life and […]
Sasha Silber is an acclaimed concert pianist with a double life in music. As a soloist, she’s performed at some of the most prestigious venues around the world. She’s also a collaborative pianist and vocal coach working in the film industry. During her musical journey, Sasha took a deep dive into Judaism. She now lives […]
Bruce Leon is the founder and President of TandemHR, a Chicago-based Human Resources firm. His path to Jewish observance has wound through the changing landscape of Chicago’s Jewish neighborhoods and his family’s involvement in Orthodox, then Reform, then Orthodox life. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at […]