Anything But Traditional

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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

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!

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!

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!