What the Pesach Story Teaches About Justice, Dignity, and Purpose in the Workplace

This special bonus episode is for all the busy bnei Torah out there — whether you're scrubbing your kitchen, running errands, or on the road for Yom Tov.

We know how hectic things get before Pesach, and sitting down to read a dvar Torah isn’t always realistic. That’s why we’re bringing you the audio version of a new essay posted on shtarktank.org — so you can prepare for the chag while on the move.

In this episode, we explore:

• What Yetzias Mitzrayim teaches us about navigating the workplace

• How to carry values like justice, dignity, and purpose into our careers

• Why this story isn’t just ancient history — it’s a blueprint for how we show up today

Read the original, and more, at: shtarktank.org

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Part of our new series of written divrei Torah from working bnei Torah — listeners and past guests of the show — The Write Way.

This special episode of Shtark Tank is a live recording from our third community event—and the first ever live podcast-style conversation. Recorded at the beautiful DLA Piper offices in Tel Aviv, the room was full of professionals, Bnei Torah, and thoughtful seekers, all gathered to explore a question at the heart of both our Jewish identity and our working lives: What does it mean to be free?

We were honored to host Rabbi David Lapin, whose Torah, business experience, and wisdom challenged our assumptions about freedom, slavery, technology, work, and what really defines success.

Together, we unpack:

• Why "freedom from" isn’t enough—and how Torah gives us freedom to rise above instinct

• The hidden cost of entertainment and escapism

• How Kiddush Hashem shows up at work—and why restraint is more powerful than reaction

• What Viktor Frankl teaches us about agency in the workplace

• How Shabbos might be our last line of defense in a distracted world

Whether you were there in person or are tuning in from your commute, we invite you to join this deep, practical conversation about the kind of inner freedom that can transform your life—from the boardroom to the beis medrash.

Stay In Touch

There's more to Shtark Tank than just a podcast. Check out ShtarkTank.org and subscrive for meaningful blog posts. You can also check out our Quiet Whatsapp group, which includes updates, exclusive bonus content and more. You will also get the chance to submit questions for the show itself. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here to join.

Special thanks to DLA Piper for graciously hosting. This event was sponsored in memory of Shlomo David Ben Reuven Stanley Cohen z”l, by his son Simon Cohen. Also dedicated to the memory of Yehudit Shlomit bat Breina a”h

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Please rate, review, and share Shtark Tank with a friend. It helps us reach more Bnei Torah in the workplace—and beyond.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:18 Understanding Slavery and Freedom for professionals

09:49 Finding Spirituality in a Busy Life

14:52 Engaging with Torah: Quality Over Quantity

17:43 Freedom and Entertainment: A Double-Edged Sword

25:03 Mastering Impulses: The Power of Restraint

26:30 Audience Questions

31:50 The Importance of Responsibility and Boundaries

32:32 Shabbos: A Sanctuary in a Busy World

38:16 The Interplay of Restrictions and Freedom in Judaism

From our very first episode, writing has been a steady theme here at Shtark Tank. Over the past two episodes, we got amazing feedback about the banker who wrote world-famous sefarim and Abie Rotenberg, who not only composed legendary music but also published sefarim—on top of his day job.

This week, we’re continuing that thread and talking about writing divrei Torah. But before we get into it, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new website: shtarktank.org! It features writing by Bnei Torah in the workforce—real, thoughtful Torah from people balancing work and avodas Hashem. Head over there and drop your email so you don’t miss a post.

This week we’re joined by Reuven Kirschner—a systems implementor at a tech company with a ton going on beyond his 9-to-5. He recently published a sefer called Groovin’ to the Torah, and he’s one of the founding members of the growing community in Karmei Gat. We talk about motivation, time management and more.

You can check Reuven out on LinkedIn, and don't forget to check out his podcast, Career Canvas.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction, Personal Background, Career Development

08:48 The Writing Journey

19:50 Carmei Gat: A New Chapter in Life

41:56 Time Management Strategies and Lightning Round

This week, we sit down with Abie Rotenberg. Abie is a legend in Jewish music, known for songs like Acheinu, Kol Berama Nishma, and Lakol Zman V’Eis—and that’s just his Hebrew work. His Journeys albums feature powerful English ballads, and his Marvelous Middos Machine series shaped generations of kids through music.

But what many people don’t know is that music was never his parnassah.

Abie spent decades working in his family’s business, only recently retiring. Along the way, he also taught in yeshiva, published two sefarim, and wrote a novel about baseball and Judaism.

In this conversation, we spoke about:

• Having a passion that isn’t your job

• How music can be a form of chinuch

• Finding creative ways to bring Jews closer to Torah

Check Out Abie's Books

• The Season of Pepsi Myers
• Eliyahu HaNavi
• Rabbi Akiva

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Today, we’re doing something a little different.

Most of our episodes feature incredible role models—people who are navigating the balance between Torah and work with strength and clarity. But today, we’re going back in time to talk about someone who is no longer with us. Someone who lived over a century ago, yet whose story feels just as relevant today as it did then.

This is the story of the baal habayis who shocked the Netziv.

Now, focusing on a historical figure isn’t a new concept for Shtark Tank. In fact, if you haven’t yet listened to ourincredible series on the legacy of Rabbi Sacks, I highly recommend it. But today’s episode is unique for another reason.

For the first time, this is not an interview. There’s no back-and-forth discussion. It’s just me, sharing a story that had adeep impact on my own life.

This story comes from the fourth volume of Makor Baruch, the historical memoir written by Rav Baruch Epstein, the esteemed author of Torah Temimah, Tosefes Bracha, Baruch She’amar, and many other sefarim.

Makor Baruch was written toward the end of his life, and the fourth volume, in particular, is devoted to his illustrious uncle—the Netziv, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin.Through its pages, we get a rare, intimate look at the Netziv’s wisdom, his middos, and his unwavering commitment toTorah and his talmidim.

Some sections of this work were later translated into English under the title My Uncle, the Netziv, a book that generated its fair share of controversy. Discussions about secular studies in Volozhin, women learning Gemara, evenreading newspapers on Shabbos—these topics sparked plenty of debate. But that’s not what we’re here to talk abouttoday.

Today, we’re telling the story of one of the Netziv’s top talmidim—a young man who, left Yeshiva to become a baal habayis.

You will hear about the Netzivs advice for staying shtark in the workforce, how this talmid followed that advice, and ameleve malka that turned wild.

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How do you make big decisions in life? What are the roles of emotions and excitement in Avodas Hashem? And why is schmoozing underrated? In this thought-provoking episode of Shtark Tank, Yaakov Wolff sits down with Moishe Bane to discuss the frameworks that guide a Ben Torah through the complexities of career, Avodas Hashem, and family life.

What We Covered:
🔥 The Art of Decision-Making: Moishe shares a four-step framework for making major life choices, from career moves to personal growth.
🛤️ Stages of Life: Why every phase—yeshiva, work, marriage, parenting—requires a recalibration of priorities.
💼 Choosing a Career with Purpose: How to balance financial stability with impact, and the trade-offs between a career in Torah vs. the secular workforce.
🗣️ The Power of Schmoozing: How a strong chevra helps keep your values intact in the corporate world.
🏡 Building a Strong Jewish Home: Why your Shabbos table—not school—is the real classroom for your children’s Yiddishkeit.
🎭 Purim & Parenting: How to create a Purim Seudah that’s both uplifting and family-friendly.

Relevant Articles from Moishe Bane

• Recalibration (from Klal Perspectives, Winter 2015, page 15)
• Revisiting the Attainability of Greatness

Guest Bio

​Moishe (Mark) Bane is a retired senior partner and chairman of the Business Restructuring department at the international law firm Ropes & Gray. In January 2017, he became president of the Orthodox Union (OU), a position which he held for 7 years

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In this episode of Shtark Tank, Rabbi Dr. Yosef Lynn joins us for a deep dive into the intersection of Mussar and Positive Psychology, and how these ideas can transform both personal and professional growth. As the Mashgiach of Machon Yaakov, Rabbi Lynn has dedicated his career to helping Bnei Torah integrate their learning into the workforce while maintaining their spiritual aspirations. He shares how understanding personal strengths, structuring learning effectively, and taking a proactive approach to marriage and career can unlock success and fulfillment.

We also explore how organizations can foster healthier environments, the role of exercise in personal well-being, and practical strategies for overcoming digital distractions in today's workplace.

You can check out his website, and connect with Rabbi Dr. Yosef Lynn on LinkedIn

You can also check out his books:

• Nurture Their Nature: The Torah’s Essential Guidance for Parents and Teachers
• Not A Partnership: Why We Keep Getting Marriage Wrong & How We Can Get It Right

Key Topics Discussed:

• Machon Yaakov’s Mission: How the yeshiva is designed to prepare students for success in both Torah and the workforce.
• Strength-Based Growth: Why identifying and leveraging your natural strengths is the key to thriving in all areas of life.
• Torah Learning That Works for You: Customizing your learning style and subject matter to maximize engagement and connection.
• Marriage & Family: The real definition of a healthy marriage (hint: it’s not a partnership) and practical strategies for nurturing relationships amidst a busy life.
• Career Development: The importance of finding the right role rather than just focusing on job titles.
• Physical & Mental Well-Being: Why exercise isn’t just a luxury but a necessity for high performance.
• Managing Technology: Strategies for staying present and minimizing distractions in an always-on world.
• Organizational Health: How company culture and team dynamics impact long-term success.

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In this episode of Shtark Tank, we sit down with Aleksey Chernobelskiy to discuss his fascinating journey—from his childhood in Moscow, his path to Torah observance, and his transition into the world of real estate investing. Aleksey shares insights into balancing idealism with reality, navigating the workforce as a Ben Torah, and his unconventional decision to turn down a spot at Cambridge in favor of Yeshiva.

Beyond his personal journey, Aleksey delves into the world of real estate investing, offering valuable perspectives on renting vs. buying, investment strategies, and the ethical challenges that come with managing other people’s money. He also talks about his growing online presence, the role of content creation in his career, and the ups and downs of being a public-facing figure in the digital age.

Some of the topics we covered:

• Growing up Jewish in Moscow – The challenges of Jewish life in the Soviet Union and why his family moved to the U.S.
• The journey to Torah observance – How a college campus organization introduced him to Yiddishkeit and led him to Yeshiva.
• Turning down Cambridge for Yeshiva – The difficult decision to forego a prestigious degree in favor of a life of Torah.
• Finding a balance between Torah and career – How he continues to navigate the tension between work and learning.
• The real estate industry – His transition into real estate investing, the advantages of the industry, and the risks involved.
• Rent vs. Buy debate – A detailed breakdown of the financial and emotional considerations of homeownership.
• Content creation and social media – How he built a following on LinkedIn and Twitter, the benefits of online branding, and the challenges of public visibility.
• Challenges of being a Baal Teshuva in the workforce – Adjusting from the Yeshiva environment back to the secular world while maintaining religious growth.
• Lightning Round: His favorite sefer for hashkafa, what he does on long Friday nights, and the dream career he never pursued.

💬 “If you’re proud to be Jewish, and you carry yourself with dignity, Hashem will take care of the rest.”

Biography: 

Aleksey Chernobelskiy advises limited partners (“LPs”) on existing and future investments. He’s also the founder of GP-LP Match, a platform which allows LPs to see deals that match their specific investment criteria right in their inbox immediately after a GP submission. Aleksey writes weekly to 7,000 investors at www.LPlessons.co to explain how to properly vet and think about LP investments in the grand scheme of their portfolios. Aleksey also helps General Partners on matters relating to LPs, such as capital calls or feedback on investment decks.

Prior to advising LPs, Aleksey ran STORE Capital’s $10 billion commercial real estate portfolio and oversaw the firm’s underwriting team. Aleksey graduated from University of Arizona with a quadruple major – Finance, Mathematics, Economics, and Accounting.

Popular Articles

• Top 15 syndicationmistakes
• 26 questions to askyour GP
• Do sunk costs matterin capital calls?

Find Aleksey:

• LinkedIn
• X (Twitter)
• Weekly newsletter (LP Investing Lessons)

• Register for GP-LP Match

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Is it possible to build a profitable company that is focused on doing good in the world?
Is it possible for a busy professional to live a healthy lifestyle?
Is it possible for a startup co-founder to also serve as an assistant rabbi of a shul?

For Sam Fromson, the answer isn’t just yes—it’s his reality.

As the co-founder and COO of YULife and community rabbi of Golders Green Synagogue, Sam has shattered common misconceptions about work, health, and Torah leadership. In this episode, we dive into his journey and explore what it means to integrate success, meaning, and personal well-being.

Sam shares how startup life taught him lessons in emuna, how his venture-backed company is revolutionizing insurance with a focus on well-being, and how his role as a rabbi deepens his impact both in business and in the community.

We also cover:

• The surprising parallels between emuna and entrepreneurship
• Building a healthy lifestyle as a busy professional
• Mindfulness, reframing stress, and the power of “I get to”
• Creating meaningful work in a for-profit world

🔥 Plus, don’t miss the lightning round where Sam reveals his favorite sefer, his ideal Friday night, and his dream career if he ever left the startup world.

🎧 Tune in now for an inspiring conversation packed with wisdom, strategy, and the practical realities of balancing Torah, career, and family life.

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What happens when your dream job isn’t the right fit? This week, we sit down with Bini Maryles, who went from being a shul rabbi in the Five Towns to a leader in Jewish communal organizations and nonprofit fundraising. Bini shares the hard truths about realizing a career isn’t working, making a pivot without losing your core values, and how he found his true calling in coaching and leadership development.

Partial list of topics:

🔹 The struggles of transitioning out of the rabbinate
🔹 The identity shift that comes with leaving a public-facing role
🔹 Lessons from working in Jewish organizational leadership
🔹 How coaching and business skills can empower impact-driven work
🔹 The balance between Torah, career, and personal fulfillment

You can get in touch with Bini and listen to his podcasts here:

• Linkedin
• Coaching the Bible
• The Raimy and Bini Podcast

Join Our Whatsapp Group!If you enjoy Shtark Tank, you don't want to miss our Quiet Whatsapp group, which includes updates, exclusive bonus content and more. You will also get the chance to submit questions for the show itself.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here to join.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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