Schneps Connects

Maury Litwack, founder and CEO of Teach Coalition talks about his organization’s mission and impact. Teach Coalition advocates for funding and policy changes to support non-public schools, such as Jewish, Catholic, and Islamic schools. Litwack emphasizes the significant non-public school population and their need for resources like healthy lunches, STEM education, and school safety measures. He highlights three main areas of focus: advocating for laws that reimburse non-public schools for STEM teacher salaries, securing funding for security measures to ensure student safety, and providing essential services, such as nurses, that schools might otherwise not afford.

Litwack also addresses misconceptions about non-public schools, noting their cost-saving benefits for taxpayers and significant economic contributions. He stresses the importance of voter engagement, particularly in local elections, to ensure proper representation and policy support for non-public schools. The interview concludes with a discussion on the impact of Teach Coalition’s efforts, especially in securing STEM funding, which benefits students and supports economic development by creating a skilled workforce for tech jobs. Schneps appreciates Teach Coalition’s grassroots advocacy and efforts to increase voter turnout and support education policies.

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Produced by Jill Carvajal and Josh Schneps

We are joined by Amy Freitag, President of The New York Community Trust, discussing the Trust’s century-long legacy of fostering equitable communities across eight counties and serving 12.4 million New Yorkers. Amy brings extensive experience, previously leading initiatives at the J.M. Kaplan Fund and contributing significantly to environmental and historical preservation projects. From pioneering the first donor-advised fund to catalyzing pivotal projects, The Trust remains at the forefront of innovative, effective, and essential philanthropy, shaping the next generation of donors and engaging diverse New Yorkers. Join us as Amy shares insights on collaborations with nonprofits and government partners, tackling complex issues facing NYC, and plans for celebrating The Trust’s centennial anniversary, offering a vision for The Trust and NYC for the next 100 years.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Schneps Connects Podcast for more engaging conversations.

Produced by Jill Carvajal and Josh Schneps

In this episode of Schneps Connects, we delve into the captivating history and enduring legacy of Katz’s Delicatessen, a cherished institution in New York City since 1888. Jake Dell, the fifth-generation custodian of Katz’s, joins us to recount the deli’s evolution amidst the ever-changing landscape of NYC. From its iconic “Send a Salami to Your Boy in the Army” campaign to the traditional ticket system, Jake shares insights into the family business and invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs, especially in the demanding restaurant industry of NYC. He unveils some of Katz’s secrets, including the meticulous pastrami-making process that sets them apart, and discusses the enduring allure that keeps customers lining up daily. From expanding catering services to international shipping, Jake reflects on the milestones and challenges of running Katz’s, highlighting his proudest achievements and future aspirations. With a nod to its celebrity following and film appearances, Jake offers a glimpse into the deli’s cultural impact and what lies ahead for this beloved New York institution.

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Produced by Jill Carvajal and Josh Schneps

With its 70th anniversary upon us, Veselka remains a beloved fixture in New York City, dishing out Ukrainian Soul food right from the heart of the East Village.  Jason Birchard, third-generation owner of the renowned restaurant is a proud Ukrainian American and staunch advocate for a free and democratic Ukraine.

Jason talks about the history of Veselka, its new documentary about the restaurant’s history and legacy, and how the war in the Ukraine has impacted business in New York.

To listen to our podcasts visit podcasts.schnepsmedia.com or stream them on all major podcast networks.

Produced by Jill Carvajal and Josh Schneps

Amanda Berman,  Founder of Zioness, a coalition of progressive Jewish activists and Zionists, is a grassroots organization with more than 30 chapters across the country.  They are fighting for the advancement of social, racial, economic, environmental and gender justice in America. They are also committed to fighting for Zionism and the inclusion of Zionists in social justice spaces, because Zionism is itself a progressive value: the movement for liberation and national self-determination of the Jewish people in our indigenous homeland. Zioness is rooted in Jewish values, stands for justice and equality, and fights against all forms of oppression.

Amanda talks about her work to empower and activate Zionists on the progressive left, the Jewish Vote in the 2024 elections, the rise of anti-semitism and the splits among the progressive Jewish community.

To listen to our podcasts visit podcasts.schnepsmedia.com or stream them on all major podcast networks.

Produced by Jill Carvajal and Josh Schneps

The Travel Agency,  a cannabis company known for attracting celebrities like Amy Sedaris and Sarah Silverman among others, with a location in Union Square and another to come in Downtown Brooklyn believes that the cannabis industry holds the responsibility to aid in rectifying the harms inflicted by the War on Drugs. Their ethos includes supporting BIPOC and woman-owned brands, as well as providing opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals and legacy operators through collaboration with their community partners.

Jesse Tolz, VP of Marketing at The Travel Agency has over a decade of experience in agriculture and cannabis, scaling both vertically integrated and multichannel businesses. 

Jesse talks about the name of the dispensaries, The Travel Agency; his learnings about consumer habits and what their stores stand out from not only the other legal stores, but also, the countless illegal stores

To listen to our podcasts visit podcasts.schnepsmedia.com or stream them on all major podcast networks.

Produced by Jill Carvajal and Josh Schneps

The Italian American Museum, is set for a grand reopening of a brand new facility this spring in its new home in where else… Little Italy.  The Museum is dedicated to telling the history of Italian Americans in New York City, as well as celebrating Italian and Italian American culture in the modern world.

Professor Joseph V. Scelsa founded the Italian American Museum in New York’s Little Italy and talks about what visitors can expect for the new museum, what kinds of exhibits, performances, and lectures there will be and the importance of  building the new museum in Little Italy.

To listen to our podcasts visit podcasts.schnepsmedia.com or stream them on all major podcast networks.

Produced by Jill Carvajal and Josh Schneps

The Chickasaw Nation has joined in a venture that has proposed development of not just a casino but a major entertainment venue that proponents say would be transformative. 

The Coney is a 3-billion-dollar private investment that when built will transform the entertainment district in Coney Island and assist in the economic revitalization of the surrounding neighborhoods.  The entertainment district that currently exists was established by New York City by the Rezoning Act of 2009.  The mixed-use project is about 1.5 million square feet and includes a casino, 500 room hotel, two convention areas, about 15 restaurants, new open parks and public space and retail.  

Paul Pippin, Sr. VP of Operations for  Global Gaming Solutions LLC (fully owned subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation) talks about the history of the Chickasaw Nation and GGS and their expertise in the casino area and how he views community involvement in their various projects

 To listen to our podcasts visit podcasts.schnepsmedia.com or stream them on all major podcast networks.

Produced by Jill Carvajal and Josh Schneps

From the streets of Uptown Manhattan, Vladimir Bautista, the Co-Founder of The Happy Munkey and his friend Ramon Reyes for 20+ years together in the legacy business, started a lifestyle brand, called Happy Munkey, a force revolutionizing the perception of cannabis culture through various media outlets, including the Happy Munkey Podcast, Munkey Magazine, and Happy Munkey TV.   Their commitment extends to advocacy, championing diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring communities once marginalized by the War On Drugs can now benefit from its legalization.

Vlad talks about his speakeasy years ago in Times Square called “The Studio 54 of Weed” by Forbes magazine for its VIP clientele; the 2 CAURD licenses he and his partner were awarded, and how they will make the Happy Munkey dispensary a different consumer experience than the other legal stores.

To listen to our podcasts visit podcasts.schnepsmedia.com or stream them on all major podcast networks.

Produced by Jill Carvajal and Josh Schneps

Runway Green Education Collective  is a nonprofit—in partnership with the National Park Service—developing a 7-acre experiential education campus at Floyd Bennett Field. 

Floyd Bennett Field, more than twice the combined size of Brooklyn Navy Yard, Governor’s Island, and Industry City, was the site of NYC’s first municipal airport along the shores of Jamaica Bay. For the last 50 years, these 1,300 acres of ecologically rich National Park Service land have gone mostly unused. 

Geoffrey Roehm, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Runway Green talks about how the project will support 50,000 K-12 NYC public school students each year with world-class resources and opportunities to develop experiential learning centers with pathways to jobs in the green economy.

To find out more about Runway Green visit; www.runwaygreen.org

This is the Schneps Connects Podcast. To listen to our podcasts visit podcasts.schnepsmedia.com or stream them on all major podcast networks.

Produced by Jill Carvajal and Josh Schneps