Face to Face with America: Rabbi Shoff in Downtown Chicago
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...
info_outline
R' Mendy Chitric | Living as a Rabbi in a Place Most Jews Wouldn’t Dare Go
Meaningful People
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...
info_outline
Mirlana Morris | My Son Died in a Stampede, BUT what Came Out After Changed Everything
Meaningful People
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...
info_outline
Rahel Bayar: 7 Years As A Child Abuse Prosecutor, What She Found Is Beyond SHOCKING!
Meaningful People
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...
info_outline
R’ Daniel Kalish | No Tests, No Expulsions - Rethinking Chinuch (Live at Bordeaux)
Meaningful People
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...
info_outline
Now-Jewish Nanny: “It’s Finally TIME to tell you Everything…”
Meaningful People
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...
info_outline
Rabbi Shoff Faces SHOCKING Questions in Times Square
Meaningful People
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...
info_outline
Michal Lobanov | Widow of Murdered Hostage Speaks Out
Meaningful People
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...
info_outline
R' Yehoshua Soudakoff | The Deaf Rabbi
Meaningful People
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...
info_outline
Lipa Reveals It All — His Story, His Pain, and His Path Forward.
Meaningful People
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
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support these important conversations.
This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:
►Blooms Kosher
Bring you the best Kosher products worldwide.
https://bloomskosher.com
____________________________________________________
► PZ Deals - Download the app and never pay full price again!
https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp
__________________________________________________
►Kupath Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes: Support Families In Need
Currently numerous families in Israel are being presented with unprecedented financial pressure and hardships Amidst these difficulties, Kupath Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Kolel Polin remains a steadfast source of direct care and support for those in need. Together, let’s help these families land on their feet and restore a glimmer of hope to their lives.
https://kupathrabbimeir.org/donate.aspx?utm_source=meaningfulminute&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=04.03.25
__________________________________________________
► Lalechet
We're a team of kosher travel experts, here to carry you off to your dream destination swiftly, safely, and seamlessly in an experience you will forever cherish.
https://www.lalechet.com/website
__________________________________________________
► Colel Chabad Pushka App - The easiest way to give Tzedaka
https://pushka.cc/meaningful
__________________________________________________
► Eretz Hakodesh - Vote to Keep Israel Holy!
Over the years, liberal movements have gained significant influence as the primary representatives of the Jewish Diaspora. From this position, they have pushed agendas that impact crucial issues related to religion and state in Israel.
Eretz HaKodesh seeks to balance this influence by accurately reflecting the power dynamics of Jewish communities in the Diaspora and amplifying the voices of Orthodox communities dedicated to preserving the timeless values of the Torah and authentic Jewish tradition.
Click here to vote in the upcoming World Zionist Organization elections: https://bit.ly/41D1Ag0
__________________________________________________
► Town Appliance - Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp
https://www.townappliance.com
https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp
____________________________________________________
Order the brand new Meaningful People Game!
https://meaningfulminute.org/thegame
____________________________________________________
► Subscribe to our Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
https://apple.co/2WALuE2
https://spoti.fi/39bNGnO