R' Mendy Chitric | Living as a Rabbi in a Place Most Jews Wouldn’t Dare Go
Release Date: 05/24/2025
Mendel Mintz | "We Just Wanted To Build a Family"
Meaningful People
In this deeply personal conversation, Mendel Mintz shares his journey of growing up in Crown Heights with a lifelong physical disability, building a life of community impact, and finding unexpected love with his wife, Miriam, a beloved special educator from Baltimore born with dwarfism. He opens up about their dream of building a family through IVF, the joy of being on the brink of shlichus together, and the unimaginable tragedy of losing Miriam to an extremely rare complication at the very height of their lives. Mendel reflects with searing honesty on grief, walking out of the hospital alone,...
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Glenn Cohen | The Former Mossad Psychologist in the Room When the Hostages Returned
Meaningful People
In this extraordinary episode, Nachi Gordon sits down with Glenn Cohen — former chief psychologist of the Mossad, helicopter pilot, and trauma expert — for one of the most riveting conversations ever featured on Meaningful People. From rescuing soldiers in Lebanon to counseling hostages freed after October 7th, Glenn has witnessed the darkest sides of humanity — and the boundless strength of the human spirit. He shares powerful firsthand accounts from meeting newly released hostages, insights into Mossad’s secret world, and the psychology of resilience that enables ordinary people to...
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Michal Weinstein: Her Father Vanished. 19 Years Later, the Truth Finally Came Out.
Meaningful People
The Miracle After the Darkness – Michal Weinstein’s Unbelievable Story When Michal Weinstein was just ten years old, her father — a respected diamond dealer and Israeli diplomat — vanished without a trace. For nearly two decades, her family lived in painful uncertainty, surrounded by rumors, fear, and unanswered questions. In this gripping episode, Michal opens up to Nachi Gordon about the shocking twists that followed: corruption at the highest levels, a decades-long mystery, and an unimaginable discovery that finally brought truth and closure 19 years later. From her childhood in Far...
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Why the Frum World Is Becoming Financially Unsustainable
Meaningful People
In this Meaningful People episode, financial advisor Moshe Alpert and community advocate Shmuly Hartstein unpack why many frum “middle‑class” families earning $200–300K still feel underwater—tuition that rivals a salary, yom tov and camp costs, seminary and simcha expectations, and the quiet creep of credit‑card debt. They debate income‑based tuition and communal funding versus personal responsibility, and share practical moves: make a real plan, build a budget, ask for a raise or start a side hustle, prioritize local schools in tzedakah, consider lower‑cost simchas or...
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The Shidduch System May Be Broken. Adina Reich Has a Solution.
Meaningful People
In this heartfelt and eye-opening conversation, veteran shadchan Adina Reich traces the evolution of the shidduch system — from handwritten index cards to WhatsApp chats — and reflects on the hopes, heartbreak, and faith that define it. She opens up about the challenges singles and parents face, the emotional toll on shadchanim, and her groundbreaking new initiative, The Shidduch Lounge, designed to bring back organic, Torah-centered connections. With humor, honesty, and compassion, Adina offers both an insider’s view of the shidduch world and a vision for how it can heal. This episode...
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Our Most REPLAYED Moments Ever (You’ll See Why)
Meaningful People
The Meaningful People Podcast had hundreds of incredible moments but some stood out above the rest. In this special episode, we’re looking back at the most rewatched clips that YOU couldn’t stop sharing. From miraculous stories at sea, to raw debates about Aliyah, to powerful street interviews after October 7, these were the conversations that went viral, sparked emotion, and left people talking long after the episode ended. 🎥 Featuring unforgettable moments with Danielle Renov, Flynn Goldstein, Shulem Lemmer, and more. These clips are just a taste of the many deep, funny, raw, and...
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Rachel Tuchman: Ozempic, Weight Loss, and Our Community’s Obsession
Meaningful People
In this eye-opening conversation, therapist Rachel Tuchman dives deep into the way we talk about food, body image, and health in the frum community — and why it matters more than we think. From Yom Tov tables filled with diet talk to the surge of GLP-1 weight-loss injections, Rachel explores how these messages shape our children’s self-image, strain our relationships, and fuel anxiety. She challenges the obsession with quick fixes and encourages a shift toward true health — meaningful connection, joy around food, and emotional well-being. A must-listen for anyone who wants to build a...
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R’ Shoff Q&A on the Campus Where Charlie Kirk Was Killed
Meaningful People
Rabbi Elchanan Shoff visits the campus where Charlie Kirk was tragically shot to host an open Ask Me Anything with students. In this powerful and candid conversation, he answers tough questions about Judaism, Israel, antisemitism, faith, and the meaning of life after tragedy. Students raise concerns about controversial Talmud passages, AIPAC and politics, interfaith differences, and what happens after death — and Rabbi Shoff responds with clarity, warmth, and respect. This unique exchange captures raw, honest dialogue at a moment of national shock, bridging gaps between communities and...
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Gila’s Story: A Father’s Mission to Save Lives
Meaningful People
In this deeply moving conversation, Rabbi Hammer opens up about his daughter Gila—her vibrant spirit, her struggles following a traumatic assault, and the painful journey that led to her tragic passing. He shares stories of Gila’s infectious joy, her kindness, and her larger-than-life presence, as well as the challenges she faced when navigating pain and despair. Through this heartfelt interview, Rabbi Hammer reflects on the importance of open dialogue about mental health and suicide prevention. He speaks about the founding of Gila’s Way, an organization dedicated to raising awareness,...
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From Puerto Rico to Satmar: Malkie Wiener's Improbable Journey
Meaningful People
In this inspiring episode, Malkie Weiner shares her extraordinary life story: from her Catholic upbringing in Puerto Rico, to her family’s unexpected spiritual search, their conversion to Judaism, and their eventual integration into the Hasidic community of Williamsburg. Malkie opens up about: 🌍 Growing up between two worlds: Puerto Rican roots & New York life 🙏 Her father’s spiritual quest that led the family to Judaism ✡️ The challenges and beauty of converting and becoming part of Klal Yisroel 💔 Facing antisemitism as a child and finding strength in her...
info_outlineThis 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
🕊️ The importance of Jewish-Muslim coexistence
📖 The power of Torah in maintaining identity
🌍 How Jewish traditions are celebrated from Turkey to Qatar
🕯️ A moving metaphor of candles and torches — spreading light together
He shares personal stories of interfaith relationships, the role of rabbis in Muslim countries, and the importance of mutual respect and faith in building a better world.
This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:
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► Uri Kaufman: American Intifada: American Intifada:
From acclaimed historian Uri Kaufman—whose analysis of the Yom Kippur War was hailed as a "masterpiece" by the CIA's Center for Intelligence—comes the urgent new book: "American Intifada: Israel, The Gaza War and the New Antisemitism."
- Why are so many smart people so hostile to Israel?
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Editor: Sruly Saftlas