Meaningful People
Rabbi Elchanan Shoff took to the streets of downtown Chicago to answer the raw, unfiltered questions of everyday people—from devout Christians and curious Muslims to military moms and tourists from Poland. As an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, Rabbi Shoff opens up honest, thoughtful conversations about religion, identity, Israel, morality, gender, and what it truly means to coexist. This powerful episode of Ask Me Anything showcases the value of deep dialogue, mutual respect, and the pursuit of truth across ideological lines. This episode was brought to you by: ►Skive Customized Software Without...
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This is the extraordinary journey of Rabbi Mendy Chitric, a Chabad rabbi based in Turkey. Born in Tzfat and part of an 11th-generation Chabad family, Rabbi Chitric has spent the last 25 years serving the Jewish community in Istanbul — a city where Jewish life dates back 2,700 years. Originally planning to stay for just one year, Rabbi Chitric remained to answer the needs of a community facing significant challenges: assimilation, declining population, and a need for strong Jewish infrastructure. This video dives deep into Rabbi Chitric’s insights on:🕍 The rich Jewish history of Istanbul...
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On Lag BaOmer, Mirlana Morris opens up about the life and legacy of her son Donny, who tragically passed away in the Meron disaster of 2021. In a deeply moving conversation, Mirlana shares intimate memories of Donny’s character — a vibrant, kind, and meticulous young man who touched countless lives with his quiet acts of kindness and sincerity. From his early years in Teaneck, NJ, to his transformative time at Yeshivat Sha’alvim in Israel, Donny stood out for his warmth, discipline, and inclusivity. Mirlana recounts the events of that painful night, the confusion and heartbreak that...
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In this powerful and deeply insightful conversation, Rahel Bayar sits down with Nachi Gordon to discuss her journey from being a sex crimes and child abuse prosecutor in the Bronx to founding The Bayar Group, an organization dedicated to abuse and harassment prevention across North America. Rahel shares how her early aspirations in psychology shifted to law, leading her to work on some of the most difficult cases imaginable—domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. With years of courtroom experience and firsthand exposure to trauma, she eventually asked herself: Can this be...
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Rabbi Kalish and Nachi Gordon sit down for the first ever live audience podcast at the Pesach at Bordeaux program. In this dynamic conversation, Nachi pressed R’ Kalish on every point: Why no tests in Yeshiva? Why no expulsions from Yeshiva? Why only show love to your students? This conversation is the clearest, most powerful window into Rabbi Kalish’s vision for Jewish education (chinuch) — and his answers will challenge how we all think about education. This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ►Blooms Kosher Bring...
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In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Meaningful People, we sit down with Adriana, the woman behind the viral “Non-Jewish Nanny” persona, to hear her remarkable story of transformation. What began as a nanny job for Orthodox Jewish families in Boca Raton led to a deep, personal journey that ultimately brought her to an Orthodox Jewish conversion. Adriana shares what it was like growing up Christian in Florida, how she was first introduced to Jewish customs through the families she worked for, and how the innocent questions and pure love of the children she cared for opened her eyes to...
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What happens when an Orthodox rabbi takes to the streets of Times Square and invites people to ask him anything? In this riveting episode, Rabbi Shoff answers real, unfiltered questions from strangers on the street — from the Jewish perspective on marrying out of the faith, to whether Jews worship Trump, if they were behind 9/11 (yes, someone actually asked that), Jewish teachings on the afterlife, and so much more. This is one of the most eye-opening conversations we’ve ever had — raw, honest, and thought-provoking. Got a question you’ve always wanted to ask a...
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In this episode, we speak with Michal Lobanov, the wife of Alexander (Alex) Lobanov HY’D, who was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, while working as the head bartender at the Nova Music Festival near Kibbutz Re’im. Alex was a devoted father from Ashkelon, caring for his physically disabled parents and supporting his wife Michal, who was five months pregnant at the time of his abduction. Tragically, after enduring months of captivity, Alex was murdered by Hamas, and his body was recovered from a tunnel in Rafah on August 31, 2024. In this heartfelt conversation, Michal shares her...
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In this powerful interview, we sit down with Rabbi Yehoshua Soudakoff, a trailblazing deaf rabbi, to discuss his journey, the challenges he has faced, and the impact he is making in the Jewish Deaf community worldwide. He shares his experiences growing up deaf in a hearing world, his path to becoming a rabbi, and the work he is doing to make Torah and Judaism more accessible. There are an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Deaf and hard-of-hearing Jews in Israel and around 40,000 to 50,000 worldwide, with communities in the U.S., Europe, and Russia. Many face limited access to Jewish education, Torah...
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Lipa Schmeltzer is more than just a singer—he’s a storyteller, a trailblazer, and a man who has walked a deeply personal journey of growth and healing. In this powerful episode of the Meaningful People Podcast, Lipa opens up like never before about his childhood, struggles with anxiety, the role of therapy in his life, and his evolving perspective on faith, music, and personal transformation. From the highs of his music career to the challenges he faced within the community, Lipa shares raw and honest reflections on finding balance, overcoming pain, and embracing his true self. He...
info_outlineIn this episode, we speak with Michal Lobanov, the wife of Alexander (Alex) Lobanov HY’D, who was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, while working as the head bartender at the Nova Music Festival near Kibbutz Re’im.
Alex was a devoted father from Ashkelon, caring for his physically disabled parents and supporting his wife Michal, who was five months pregnant at the time of his abduction. Tragically, after enduring months of captivity, Alex was murdered by Hamas, and his body was recovered from a tunnel in Rafah on August 31, 2024.
In this heartfelt conversation, Michal shares her journey of grief, resilience, and the challenges of raising their two children, including the child born during Alex’s captivity. She reflects on the profound impact of the October 7 attacks, the enduring pain of losing Alex, and her determination to honor his memory.
This episode sheds light on the human cost of terrorism and the strength required to navigate unimaginable loss. Join us as we listen to Michal’s story—a testament to love, courage, and remembrance.
You can support the Loubanov family by making a donation here: https://thechesedfund.com/hopeinaction/help-family-of-murdered-hostage-alex-lobanov
You can follow Michal’s journey on https://www.instagram.com/michalobanov and follow the page in memory of her late husband Alex Lobanov
https://www.instagram.com/remember.alex.lobanov i
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