ABOUT THIS EPISODE

As a student at UCSB in the 1990's, David Cygielman would never have dreamed he would one day be running one of the most active young Jewish organizations in the world. But a "chance" encounter with then-80-year-old psychiatrist, inventor and philanthropist Morris Squire (OBM) altered his trajectory and set in motion a revolution in young adult Jewish programming.

Moishe House currently operates at over 100 locations in more than 20 countries, and growing. In this wide-ranging conversation, learn how it all started, about the young man who dared to dream and the iconoclastic older man who supported him in the process. Learn also about the existential challenges Moishe House faced in 2008, and the vexing process of transformation from a feel-good "mom-and-pop" to an international force with broad organizational needs.

This is a story that is both charming and inspiring, and its central character, David Cygielman, continues to write his next chapters in a quest to enhance the Jewish landscape.

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ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Jews You Should Know introduces the broader community to interesting and inspiring Jewish men and women making a difference in our world. Some are already famous, some not yet so. But each is a Jew You Should Know.

The host, Rabbi Ari Koretzky, is Executive Director of MEOR Maryland (www.meormd.org), a premier Jewish outreach and educational organization. MEOR operates nationally on twenty campuses and in Manhattan; visit the national website at www.meor.org.

Please visit www.JewsYouShouldKnow.com, follow us on Twitter @JewsUShouldKnow or on Facebook.

Have feedback for the show, or suggestions for future guests? E-mail us at [email protected].

Want to support this podcast? Visit Patreon.com/JewsYouShouldKnow. A small monthly contribution goes a long way!!

A special thank you to Jacob Rupp of the Lift Your Legacy podcast for his invaluable production assistance.