On Thursday April 20th, The Columbus Community Kollel held it's annual raffle drawing and KOLOT LIVE featuring Archie Griffin. 

Archie Griffin is a former running back for Ohio State and the Cincinnati Bengals. He is the only player to be awarded the Heisman Trophy twice. Archie joins KOLOT to discuss his journey while playing and the leadership lessons he learned as President of the Alumni Association. 

In this episode, we speak to Rabbi Beren, Co-Founder of REYUS, an organization dedicated to stop bullying. Rabbi Beren shares how they train schools with different techniques to best prepare teachers how to respond when an issue rises. We also learn about Rabbi Beren's camp, Camp Chaverim, where they implement these very ideas and values into the camp setting. Lastly, Rabbi Beren shares how he got into this field and how personal this issue is for him. 

This episode is sponsored by [re]start, a career development platform. [re]start offers complimentary access to login and work with live career advisors who will help you find meaningful employment opportunities that match what you are looking for. For more information, visit www.joinrestart.com 

KOLOT is a project of the Columbus Community Kollel, a full time learning center in Bexley. Ever since 1995, boys, girls, men and women have found learning opportunities at the Kollel. Whether it's a study partner or an engaging class, the Kollel is your one stop shop for all your Jewish learning. To learn more about the Kollel, visit www.thekollel.org and forever be inspired.

In this episode, we speak with Rabbi Binyomin Babad, CEO of Relief Resources, a mental health referral agency for the Jewish community. Since joining in 2002, Rabbi Babad has grown the organization to an international, multi-service agency, with 11 offices globally. Specializing in connecting each individual with the mental health professional or service best suited for their needs, Relief Resources is today, one of the most prominent mental health organizations in the Jewish community.

In this episode, we learn how lives are changed with proper mental health treatment, how one can be supportive if a loved one is in need of mental health services and how to get the necessary relief to live a great life.

Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier is the founder of TheShmuz.com, a life-changing mussar shiur that is available on TorahAnytime, The Shmuz Podcast and The Shmuz App. His newest book release, The Ten Really Dumb Mistakes That Very Smart Couples Make, has already sold over 20,000 copies and has taken the Jewish world by storm. Rabbi Shafier joins KOLOT to discuss the key lessons of his bestselling book as well as practical advice to help couples live a fulfilling life. Check out the video-book at https://www.10reallydumbmistakes.com/rabbi_shafier

Shimon Kolyakov is the Co-Founder of TorahAnytime, an online platform and app which spreads Torah to the entire world. Once a kid in public school, Shimon was brought close to Judaism by a special rabbi. From there, Shimon would attend Torah lectures and bring a simple camera which then turned into something that spreads Torah to the masses. Shimon joins KOLOT to share this amazing story.

We also pay tribute to Rabbi Zecharya Wallerstein, noted author, lecturer and a dear friend of TorahAnytime. We talk about their partnership and how they helped each other in their holy mission to help and inspire every Jew.  

KOLOT is a project of the Columbus Community Kollel, a full time learning center in Bexley staffed with a dedicated group of rabbis who will learn and teach Torah to men, women, boys and girls of all backgrounds and affiliations. Columbus Jewish News is a Media Sponsor for KOLOT.

'Living with REALigion' may very will be the deepest episode KOLOT has ever done. This is not to be taken lightly. Rabbi Feldheim, who likes to be known as a philosopher, joins KOLOT and shares what he speaks about on college campuses. He speaks to all Jews of all walks of life at every age and inspires everyone and helps people understand why Judaism is exciting and not limiting. Rabbi Feldheim also shares a couple stories which will make you laugh and cry and bring one's appreciation of our sacred religion to the next level. All of this and more, on 'Living with REALigion.

KOLOT is a project of the Columbus Community Kollel, a full time learning center in Bexley staffed with a dedicated group of rabbis who will learn and teach Torah to men, women, boys and girls of all backgrounds and affiliations. Columbus Jewish News is a Media Sponsor for KOLOT.    

Chavie Bruk is the Co-CEO of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana and wife of last episode's guest, Rabbi Chaim Bruk. Chavie grew up in San Antonio, TX where her parents ran a Chabad house with Chavie playing a key role in the outreach they did.

Chavie thinks of herself as a juggler: leading a Jewish community with her sushi loving husband, focusing on my five rambunctious kids (who are adopted), living in the Wild West where it’s winter ALWAYS (or so it feels), seeking a bit of inner peace (ha, what’s that?) and doing it all while embracing the chaos and enjoying life. All of this and more on 'A Journey Like No Other.'

KOLOT is a project of the Columbus Community Kollel, a fulltime learning center in Bexley staffed with a dedicated group of rabbis who will learn and teach Torah to men, women, boys and girls of all backgrounds and affiliations. Columbus Jewish News is a Media Sponsor for KOLOT.

Rabbi Chaim Bruk is the Co-CEO of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana. Growing up as a Brooklyn boy in Crown Hights, little Chaim had the unique opportunity to sit at the feet at the Lubavitcher Rebbe. We discuss his family's special relationship with the Rebbe, how his rebbiem reacted to the Rebbe's passing and how he continues the Rebbe's legacy.

Once married, Rabbi Bruk waited no more than a day after his first wedding anniversary to set foot to 'Big Sky Country' along with his beloved wife, Chavie. They started from scratch and now have multiple Chabad houses throughout the state which they helped build. 

We also discuss their very difficult journey in infertility and the change of course they took when biological children seemed out of sight. We learn about the process of adoption and the many challenges, and yes, blessings, which come along with adoption. All of this and more on 'The Rabbi Goes West' with Rabbi Chaim Bruk.

KOLOT is a project of the Columbus Community Kollel, a fulltime learning center in Bexley staffed with a dedicated group of rabbis who will learn and teach Torah to men, women, boys and girls of all backgrounds and affiliations. Columbus Jewish News is a Media Sponsor for KOLOT.

In this episode, we take a look behind Rabbi Efrem's Bima and learn how one of the most dynamic rabbis manages a diverse shul like the Boca Raton Synagogue. We discuss the need for diversity through a Torah lens, how the benefit of seeking guidance and how to manage when dealing with controversy.

Then discuss the origins of his podcast, 'Behind the Bima' and how that kept his shul together through the pandemic. From there we discuss his latest initiative, 'Out of the Shadows', a monthly episode featuring people sharing their past struggles with mental illness in an effort to encourage those in need to seek help. Lastly, we discuss Rabbi Goldberg's online presence on social media and how he shares his Torah on various platforms in a safe and responsible way.

KOLOT is a project of the Columbus Community Kollel, a fulltime learning center in Bexley staffed with a dedicated group of rabbis who will learn and teach Torah to men, women, boys and girls of all backgrounds and affiliations. Columbus Jewish News is a Media Sponsor for KOLOT.

Dr. Luan Phan is the Chair and Professor of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University. 

In this episode, we discuss his background having been born in Vietnam to parents and grandparents who faught in the Vietnam War. Dr. Phan shares his personal story how interacting with veterans suffering with PTSD shaped the trajectory of his career.

Dr. Phan also gives an inside look at the research he is embarking upon. It begins with The Jeffrey Schottenstein Program for Resilience, and Dr. Phan seeks to share how one can survive and then thrive in the face of mental health challenges.

KOLOT is a project of the Columbus Community Kollel, a fulltime learning center in Bexley staffed with a dedicated group of rabbis who will learn and teach Torah to men, women, boys and girls of all backgrounds and affiliations. Columbus Jewish News is a Media Sponsor for KOLOT.