Episoder
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In this powerful episode, marketing expert, comedian, and mother of two, Joan Wiener, takes us on a deeply personal journey through her life. She shares her experiences of growing up in a conservative Jewish home on Long Island, facing the profound loss of her mother at just six years old, grappling with her religious identity, losing her roommate in a bus bombing, navigating a broken engagement, and battling infertility.
Joan’s wit and resilience shine through it all, demonstrating how humor can be a source of strength even in the darkest moments.
If you’d like to continue the conversation with Joan, you can connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, or her website.
00:00 - Meet Joan Wiener Levin
01:37 Joan's Childhood and Family Background
02:53 - The Loss of Joan's Mother
10:09 - Joan's Path to Becoming a Comedian
16:02 - Joan's Religious Journey
24:07 - Finding Love and Marriage
27:48 - A Traumatic Experience in Israel
29:18 - Graduate School and the Pull to Israel
31:17 - Navigating Personal Tragedy and Relationships
36:31 - Life in San Francisco During the Dot-Com Boom
39:09 - Challenges and Joys of Parenthood
42:48 - The Journey of Aliyah
48:00 - Struggles with Judaism and Personal Beliefs
*For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar on Instagram.
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries, and/or check out my website tales-of.com to learn more about who I am and what I do.
** Please note that from November 11th until December 31st, Anything But Traditional is having a sale on podcast ads - $25 for a 30-second ad. Be in touch if interested!
Thank you for listening!
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From surviving the horrors of 9/11 to the heartbreak of losing a spouse at a young age, Elia Weixelbaum’s journey has been quite the definition of anything but traditional.
Hear as we dive deep into his experiences as a single father, the challenges and triumphs of blending two families, and the profound role his faith has played throughout his life.
Now living in Rechovot, Israel, with his wife (my mom) — he is living his dream life.
Listen to this story and be inspired by Elia's faith, resilience, determination, and positive attitude.
It's truly an episode not to be missed!
00:00 - Meet Elia Weixelbaum
01:28 - Elia's Early Life and Family Dynamics
06:54 - Education and Career Beginnings
13:27 - Life in Greenwich Village and First Wife
21:18 - Family Life, Moving to East Brunswick, Career Switch
30:45 - 9/11 Experience and Aftermath
47:36 - Stephanie's Passing and Its Aftermath
58:48 - The Challenges of Single Parenthood
01:02:04 - Dating and Blending Families
01:12:41 - Facing More Losses and Life Challenges
01:17:02 - Making Aliyah and Starting Anew
01:24:17 - Reflections on Life's Journey and Future Expectations
*For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar on Instagram.
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries, and/or check out my website tales-of.com to learn more about who I am and what I do.
** Please note that from November 11th until December 31st, Anything But Traditional is having a sale on podcast ads - $25 for a 30-second ad. Be in touch if interested!
Thank you for listening!
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David Beiss is an attorney and partner at Hunter Herman PLLC. His practice areas include complex commercial litigation and post-judgment enforcement.
David was born with an extremely rare and painful skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).
As a child and young adult, David mainly used a wheelchair for mobility but never let EB define his life or ambitions.
As an advocate, David is dedicated to raising awareness and fundraising for rare diseases and helping those with disabilities achieve their goals.
Thank you for listening!
00:00 - Introduction to David Beiss
02:00 - David's Early Life and Family Background
05:14 - Understanding Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)
31:37 - Yachad, Camp Simcha, and Kids of Courage
43:14 - Navigating Yeshiva with a Disability
47:40 - Impact of EB on Relationships
55:14 - Fundraising and Advocacy Efforts
57:52 - Career Path and Legal Profession
01:07:03 - Involvement in Disability and Israel Advocacy
01:10:47 - Final Thoughts and Messages
*For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar on Instagram.
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries, and/or check out my website tales-of.com to learn more about who I am and what I do.
** Please note that from November 11th until December 31st, Anything But Traditional is having a sale on podcast ads - $25 for a 30-second ad. Be in touch if interested!
Thank you for listening!
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Originally from Rockville, Maryland, Giddy Ben Tzvi, is a lot more than Anything But Traditional's host, Tamar Ben Tzvi's husband.
He currently lives in Neve Shamir in Ramat Bet Shemesh, is an avid lover of Torah, a massive religious Zionist, dedicated member of his shul Avnei Shamir, runner, and pick up ball player.
Over the past 9 years, Giddy has held various positions in hi-tech and hi-tech adjacent companies.
In this episode, we explore Giddy's life, various challenges, his relationship with God especially in dealing with infertility, the importance of living a more nuanced Jewish life and so much more.
This is an episode you don't want to miss!
Thank you for listening!
00:00 - Introduction
02:35 - Giddy's Early Life
14:50 - Yeshiva and Israel Experience
33:18 - Post-Yeshiva Reflections
37:07 - Aliyah
39:31 - Meeting Tamar and Early Marriage
41:56 - Navigating Life's Challenges
43:13 - Coping with Anxiety
56:06 - Fertility Journey and Faith
01:08:22 - Tamar and Giddy Fun
*For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar on Instagram.
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries, and/or check out my website tales-of.com to learn more about who I am and what I do.
Thank you for listening!
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Dr, David Leitner, better known as Dr. D., is a strategy and leadership consultant and a university lecturer. He specializes in using strategy to create team alignment and engaged followership. He is married and has three amazing kids. He is a disabled IDF veteran who suffers from CRPS. And is the only IPSC wheelchair competitor in Israel.
In this episode of Anything But Traditional, Dr. David Leitner reflects on his upbringing as the son of a conservative rabbi, his life-changing experience in Israel, and his severe injury during military service that led to his struggle with CRPS.
Dr. D discusses making aliyah on his own, building Bar Ilan into a more accessible university, and building a family and career despite chronic pain.
Thank you for listening!
00:00 Introduction
01:22 Growing Up as a Rabbi's Kid
05:06 Journey to Israel and Religious Transformation
08:39 College Life and Struggles with Identity
16:16 Military Service and Injury
26:48 Living with CRPS
31:26 Adapting to a New Reality
41:44 Expanding Accessibility Efforts
42:47 Handing Over the Role and Creating a Board
43:43 Pursuing a PhD and Major Life Events
46:00 Challenges and Triumphs in the Army
51:11 Building A Family
01:01:26 Daily Life and Assistance
01:10:12 Leadership and Followership
01:14:57 Final Thoughts and Advice
**For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar on Instagram.
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries, and/or check out my website tales-of.com to learn more about who I am and what I do.
Thank you for listening!
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Shabbos Kestenbaum graduated from Harvard’s divinity school this past May, and is now suing Harvard University for failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitism.
This past Wednesday night, Shabbos addressed the Republican National Convention.
Today, we hear the story of his past, present, and future.
From Yeshivat Noam to Harvard Divinity School, he shares his evolving political ideologies, and emphasizes the importance of fighting for Jewish and American values, both domestically and abroad with his goal of greater unity and support for Jewish causes.
Listen now.
00:00 - Introduction
01:57 - Early Life and Family
04:26 - Educational Journey and Harvard Experience
07:36 - Political Views and Ideologies
08:16 - Experiences in Poland and Jewish Education
19:30 - Reflections on American and Israeli Jewish Communities
24:11 - Future Plans and Final Thoughts
**For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar on Instagram.
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries, and/or check out my website tales-of.com to learn more about who I am and what I do.
Thank you for listening!
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Chari Pere, creator of Miscarried: An Unspoken Cartoonmentary, worked as a creative director and illustrator/storyboard artist on projects for Red Bull, Jockey, Disney, Comedy Central, and Bud Light.
She has created content for The Washington Post's The Lily and Mad Magazine and has collaborated with NYT bestselling author Gretchen Rubin and actress Mayim Bialik.
Chari launched the "Unspoken" Cartoon series as part of the 2024 Jewish Writers' Initiative Digital Storytellers Lab Fellowship.
Breaking Stigmas through Cartoons: An Interview with Shari Pair
In this episode of Anything But Traditional, Chari shares her journey from childhood aspirations to her experiences working with major brands like Red Bull and Disney, and her profound personal journey through miscarriage and postpartum depression.
The conversation delves into her efforts to break the silence around very important, yet often untalked about topics, through her comics and animated shorts, and is a powerful testament to using art to foster empathy and support others facing similar challenges.
Website: https://www.charipere.com/
Miscarried: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI7kEAYkUJI
Michael's Miscarriage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E-9Nc66L2k&t=2s
Subscribe to the "Unspoken" YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UnspokenCartoonmentary
Instagram/Facebook: @charipereart
**For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar on Instagram.
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries, and/or check out my website tales-of.com to learn more about who I am and what I do.
Thank you for listening!
00:00 Introduction
01:29 Chari's Journey into Cartooning
02:32 The Impact of Miscarriage on Chari's Work
03:48 Creating Comics for Social Change
08:58 Chari's Background and Early Influences
16:24 Navigating Career and Motherhood
20:16 Challenges and Resilience in Chari's Career
27:26 Struggles and Miscarriages
31:48 Postpartum Depression and Health Challenges
34:19 Balancing Career and Family
38:31 Finding Support and Breaking Stigmas
49:50 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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Kylie Ora Lobell is the president of KOL Digital Marketing, a marketing, PR, and ghostwriting firm for Jewish organizations, authors, and business owners. She is also an award-winning writer who has been published in the Jewish Journal of LA, Washington Post, LA Times, New York Magazine, Aish, Chabad, and Tablet. You can follow her on X, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
In this episode, Kylie shares her extraordinary journey from a secular Christian upbringing to converting to Orthodox Judaism. She discusses her tumultuous childhood, questioning faith, and eventual embrace of Jewish practices after experiencing the warmth of the Jewish community.
Kylie delves into her struggles with depression, postpartum depression, the challenges she faced in her conversion process, and how Judaism is misrepresented in the media.
This episode is packed with inspiring anecdotes, offering a deep dive into the complexities and rewards of Kylie's faith and personal growth.
**For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar on Instagram.
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries, and/or check out my website tales-of.com to learn more about who I am and what I do.
Thank you for listening!
00:00 Introducing Kylie Ora Lobel
01:55 Kylie's Childhood and Family Background
03:42 Questioning Faith and Early Doubts
14:52 Meeting Daniel and Exploring Judaism
17:29 Discovering Chabad and Connecting with Faith
21:41 Conversion Journey and Challenges
33:28 Challenges and Reflections on Jewish Practices
46:51 Postpartum Depression and Community Support
01:01:09 Final Thoughts and Inspirational Messages
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Today, Raphy Sassieni works at UserWay and plays a pivotal role in the vibrant Neve Shamir community of Ramat Beit Shemesh, loves mountain biking and has three beautiful children.
However, his journey to this fulfilling life wasn't always smooth.
At the young age of four, Raphy was diagnosed with cancer.
Now, in remission for many years, the journey undoubtedly shaped both him and the course of his life.
In this episode, we explore Raphy's transformative journey, his diverse upbringing, his dedication to the nonprofit sector, his love for Israel & Judaism, and his commitment to his community.
Furthermore, Raphy imparts invaluable insights on parenting, emphasizing the importance of fostering each child's distinct individuality, a principle instilled in him by his parents multiple times during his own upbringing.
So whether you're seeking inspiration, practical wisdom, or simply a heartwarming tale, tune in to this episode. It's certainly worth a listen!
**For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar on Instagram.
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries, and/or check out my website tales-of.com to learn more about who I am and what I do.
Thank you for listening!
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From public school kid to chossid, Sean (Zeesha) Littman shares his story of determination and perseverance in this week's episode of Anything But Traditional.
Hear as he shares his religious journey, the epic story of how he met his wife Ilana, their journey to aliyah, having 5 daughters, his path to Ramat Beit Shemesh, and his awesome career in nonprofit marketing.
Lastly, make sure to listen until the end as he shares more about his incredible new business, GiveSuite.com, a marketing solution for the nonprofit sector.
To be in touch with Zeesha, you can email him at [email protected].
**For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar on Instagram.
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries, and/or check out my website tales-of.com to learn more about who I am and what I do.
Thank you for listening!
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Rabbi David Schlusselberg received his Bachelor's degree in psychology and Rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University.
He has a master's degree in Jewish education from the Azrieli School of Jewish Education and currently works at the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, and serves as the Mashgiach Ruchani.
Last summer, he started his Instagram page, which now has over 12,000 followers, where he provides Jewish inspiration and education about Israel and antisemitism.
He has lectured at Columbia, Princeton, NYU, Maryland, Rutgers, and a few other colleges.
While his career is certainly fascinating, in this episode, we talk more about who Rabbi Schlusselberg is, his family, upbringing, dating experience, and immense struggle with anxiety.
There's a lot in this episode - so listen and be inspired!
Also, make sure to follow him on Instagram, check out his series Lessons From A Decade of Dating on YU Torah, and feel free to be in touch with him if you have any questions via email or phone 201-543-9308
**For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries.
Thank you for listening!
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Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Marna Becker is a natural networker, a social media enthusiast, an SDR leader, an activist, an educator, and a ball of energy. She was the youngest member of the board of the Jerusalem Business Networking Forum (JBNF), the predecessor of Made in Jerusalem, where she served for 5 years. In addition, she has worked successfully in both the B2B and B2C marketing and sales universe, where her passion for making processes more efficient and effective has shined through. She has worked with numerous startups, both here in Israel and abroad. She currently is the SDR Team Lead at UserWay.org
Marna is the founder of the Anglo Israel Job Network Facebook group that has over 15K members. The group helps more than 100 people find jobs in Israel each year.
She has spoken on the topics of networking effectively and the power of networking in Raanana at N4ES (Networking for English Speakers), in Gush Etzion at Hub Etzion, in Bet Shemesh at SUBS, and has taught a class on social media for the Temech Hub. She most recently spoke at an event sponsored by SDRs of Israel in Tel Aviv and virtually for the Innovate Summit.
In this episode, we delve into the many opportunities she tapped into over the years and how she created magic wherever she went, always learning from everyone she met.
**For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries.
Thank you for listening!
Please make your donations to:
Yad Yehuda to help students afford their gap year in Israel and make sure to include in the special instruction box that you heard of this cause from Anything But Traditional!
Thank you and Tizku L'Mitzvot!
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While today Jordana Lobell is a mother to a precious son, her journey to him was not without pain.
In this episode, she shares her lengthy, devastating, and resilient journey through infertility, miscarriages, and stillbirth.
Let this episode inspire you.
**For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries.
Thank you for listening!
Please make your donations to:
Yad Yehuda to help students afford their gap year in Israel
Make sure to include in the special instruction box that you heard of this cause from Anything But Traditional!And Puah to help couples struggling with infertility.
Thank you and Tizku L'Mitzvot!
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Reena Bloom is an audiologist and mom of 3, who is lives in New Jersey with her husband Jason. Reena is a cancer survivor and survived a rare type of sarcoma in the uterus. Unfortunately, to survive, Reena had to have a hysterectomy. This led to Reena and Jason finding a new way to bring their children into the world.
Today, Reena is very passionate about spreading awareness about her experience with surrogacy.
In this episode, Reena dives deep into this subject and shares how they found her surrogates, how they navigated the halachic challenges, the emotional toll of it all, and more.
If you've ever wanted to know more about surrogacy, especially in the Orthodox Jewish world, this episode is for you.
Enjoy the episode!
**For updates and conversations about these episodes, follow me at @talesoftamar
You can also reach out to [email protected] with questions, comments, or inquiries.
Thank you for listening!
Donate now to Yad Yehuda of Greater Washington.
Make sure to include in the special instruction box that you heard of this cause from Anything But Traditional!Tizku L'Mitzvot!
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In today's episode, we hear from Dov Carpe.
Today, Dov works in hi-tech and lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel with his five children, but Dov never thought life would be this way.
Growing up, all Dov wanted to do was be a rockstar.
But one fateful day, his life was forever changed as he had a near-death giving him a new chance at life.
Hear his story, his insights, and how his life was forever changed in this episode.
Thank you for tuning in!
**For updates and conversations about these episodes follow me at @talesoftamar
You can also reach out to [email protected] with any other questions, comments, or inquiries.
Thank you for listening!
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In today's episode, we hear from Shlomo Lipman AKA the 'singing chayal,' a name that has been coined for him since October 2023 when videos of him singing in uniform went viral.
Here, Shlomo opens up about his experiences, from making aliyah to Israel with his family, to having his father become a member of the Israeli Knesset.
He shares his many passions of Torah, baseball, and learning, and how he balances it all while also being a husband and father.
A special shout-out goes to our generous sponsors this week—Kayla Haber Goldstein, LEV, and ORA. If you're a Rabbi, make sure to register here. If not, make sure to tell your Rabbi to do so.
Thank you for tuning in!
**For updates and conversations about these episodes follow me at @talesoftamar
You can also reach out to [email protected] with any other questions, comments, or inquiries.
Thank you for listening!
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The agunah crisis poses a significant challenge within Orthodox Judaism, and Adina Sash, also known as FlatbushGirl, has taken it upon herself to combat it with unwavering determination.
In this episode of Anything But Traditional, we delve into Adina's relentless advocacy against the agunah crisis, her broader efforts to secure representation for women within Orthodox Judaism, her upbringing, her fertility journey, and the development of her influential personality and Instagram persona.
Tune in to this impactful episode and consider how you can stand in solidarity with your fellow Jewish sisters today.
Thank you for listening!
**For updates and conversations about these episodes follow me at @talesoftamar
You can also reach out to [email protected] with any other questions, comments, or inquiries.
Thank you for listening!
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In this enlightening episode of Anything But Traditional, Hollywood Producer and Animator Saul Blinkoff invites us into the intricacies of his and his family's lives, shedding light on the harmonious integration of religious practices within the bustling entertainment industry.
Listen as Saul recounts his journey, working with prestigious clients such as DISNEY, DREAMWORKS, and NETFLIX, offering a unique perspective on navigating the entertainment industry while staying true to his Jewish values.
To hear more from Saul, listen to his podcast Life of Awesome, check out his website, or even invite him to speak in your community!
Thank you Saul for coming on to this week's episode.
Enjoy the show!
**For updates and conversations about these episodes follow me at @talesoftamar
You can also reach out to [email protected] with any other questions, comments, or inquiries.
Thank you for listening!
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Zahava Grodman (formerly Moskowitz) recently moved to Israel with her husband, whom she met at the age of 27 after 7 years in the dating-world.
She is a graduate of the Master's program at Azrieli and the Matan Bellows Eshkolot Institute for Tanakh and Jewish Studies in Israel.
Before making aliyah, Zahava taught Tanach for six years in New York. Today, she is currently teaching English at an Israeli girls' high school.
Alongside her passion for teaching, she is the founder of the Singled Out Podcast, where she engages in open discussions about the challenges of being single within the Jewish community and explores ways to make the most of this period.
Here, we delve into some of these various dating challenges, exploring the blessings found in the waiting game while yearning for a deep connection.
Our conversation touches on dating stigmas, the notion of being selective, and the valuable lessons Zahava gained from her dating experiences.
Tune in to this episode for insightful discussions. I'm confident you'll gain some valuable insights—I certainly did!
**For updates and conversations about these episodes follow me at @talesoftamar
You can also reach out at [email protected] with any other questions, comments, or inquiries.
Thank you for listening!
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As Israel's elections unfold this Tuesday, we are honored to feature Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll, the esteemed Director and Founder of Chochmat Nashim, on this episode of Anything But Traditional.
During our conversation, Shoshanna graciously shares profound insights on the future of Beit Shemesh, home for both her and our host, Tamar Ben Tzvi, and offers thoughts on the broader landscape of Israel.
Throughout the episode, Shoshanna openly addresses the formidable challenges of erasure and marginalization faced by women in Orthodox Judaism, her passionate advocacy for justice and equality in representation, and why she dedicates herself to this important cause.
Learn more about Shoshanna's impactful work and the mission of Chochmat Nashim by visiting her website, exploring the dedicated platform of Chochmat Nashim, or tuning in to the Chochmat Nashim podcast.
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