The Daniel Mael Show

On this episode of The Daniel Mael Show, an open-minded, in-depth conversation about how Jewish and Israel-related philanthropy actually works, Daniel Mael sits down with Arnie Draiman of Draiman Consulting. Draiman is a philanthropic consultant who, for the past 30 years, has helped donors, philanthropists, and foundations give to nonprofits, mostly in Israel, doing on-the-ground due diligence as a financial consultant in the nonprofit world.

Draiman walks through a problem many donors never see on a Form 990: if an American Friends group takes 15 percent overhead and the Israeli organization takes another 15 percent, a $100 gift can be only $66 before any program work begins. He argues that about 99 percent of nonprofits do good work, but that is not enough; they also have to be run like a business. He is skeptical of GuideStar/Candid and Charity Navigator star ratings, warns that some Israeli certification schemes are paid for by the groups being rated, and says professional fundraisers are not supposed to work on commission. When a telemarketer calls, he says the first question should be whether you are speaking to a call center, because those operations can keep 50, 60, even 80 percent of the gift.

He grounds that duty of care in Maimonides, who wrote that one must be more careful in giving tzedakah than in any other positive commandment. The conversation also covers galas that lose money, large cash reserves sitting beside "emergency" campaigns, oversized ceremonial boards, and what reasonable overhead really means. Before October 7, Draiman had reviewed nearly 1,000 organizations in Israel and could recommend only about 70 to 80. He closes with Bat Melech, a quiet Israeli shelter network for women, and points people to batmelech.org and draimanconsulting.com.

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Daniel Mael speaks with Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer, a community rabbi and dayan who heads the Iyun Institute and recently helped shape the rabbinic voice of HaTzibur HaHaredi, a new Haredi party in Israel's Knesset elections. Pfeffer explains how Haredi isolation grew as a defense against modernity, and why it can't hold now that Haredim are about 15 percent of Israel and a fast-growing share of its children. He walks through views of the state, from Satmar and Neturei Karta to a mainstream that objects to Zionism redefining Jewish identity but has drawn closer to Israel over the decades.

On the draft, he says full-time Torah scholars should be left to learn and others should serve. He did Haredi army service himself after age 27, and he argues the IDF is far more ready for Haredi soldiers than it was even three years ago. He also calls Israel's general school system abysmal on Jewish knowledge and says living on government subsidies is not dignified and runs against the Torah.

What really decided Israel’s war—not just the battles, but the arguments inside the war room? Elliot Kaufman reveals the inside story behind In the War Room, including the high-stakes decisions and internal rivalries that shaped Israel’s fight against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.Kaufman, a Wall Street Journal editorial board member and co-author with Yonah Jeremy Bob, shares what he learned from conversations with Israel’s top leaders. He explains why Netanyahu hesitated before the Gaza invasion, why Gallant argued for a different path in the north, and how competing views of risk shaped the war.In this conversation with Daniel Mael, they discuss the intelligence failures before October 7, the pressures surrounding hostage negotiations, U.S. policy, and the events that took the conflict with Iran from proxy war to direct confrontation. They also examine what Israel’s leaders got wrong—and what they got right—as decisions made behind closed doors reshaped the war.

On July 7, Shmuley Boteach, under his legal name Jacob Shmuel Botach, sued a ghostwriter named Dan Williams in Bergen County Superior Court. Williams had spent years trying to get a memoir deal with Miriam Adelson. Boteach says he was owed 25 percent of whatever Williams made from it, and he wants a judge to make Williams turn over “every Adelson-related contract, invoice, payment, advance, royalty, consulting fee, writing fee, editing fee, ghostwriting fee, travel reimbursement, expense reimbursement, or other remuneration” so the cut can be calculated.

Jerry Sandusky may be back in the news, but this conversation argues the real story was broken from the start. John Ziegler, host of Death of Journalism, makes the case that the Penn State scandal was driven by a moral panic, bad reporting, and a rush to judgment that turned the public narrative upside down.

Ziegler has spent years digging into the Sandusky case, and he walks through the evidence he says the media missed - starting with the Mike McQueary testimony, the changing timeline, and the details that he believes make the original accusation collapse. If you think you know this case, this episode will challenge almost everything you remember.

You'll discover why the March 1, 2002 date mattered so much, how prosecutors later changed it, and why Ziegler believes that shift breaks the story wide open. He also explains why McQueary's actions, the alleged shower incident, and the famous Joe Paterno chain of events don't add up the way most people were told.We break down the role of Aaron Fisher, the broader Second Mile charity network, and why Ziegler says the case attracted accusations from a pool of deeply troubled former at-risk kids. He also takes on the Chris Cuomo interview, the credibility questions around victim narratives, and the bizarre incentives that can emerge when media attention, therapists, lawyers, and prosecutors all converge on one explosive story.

Then the conversation turns to Joe Paterno - why Penn State folded so fast, why the board fired him in the middle of a panic, and why Ziegler thinks the Paterno family remains trapped by the decision to back McQueary from the beginning. It is a detailed, provocative, and uncompromising defense of Sandusky's innocence that will leave listeners rethinking one of the most infamous scandals in sports history.

Essential listening if you followed the Penn State case, care about media failures, or want to hear the full argument behind one of the most controversial claims of the 21st century.

John Ziegler is the host of Death of Journalism and the creator of With the Benefit of Hindsight, a roughly 100-hour deep-dive podcast on the Penn State case. He is known for his aggressive media criticism and his long-running investigation into the Sandusky scandal.

In this solo episode, Daniel Mael discusses the controversy surrounding online personalities and argues for a more rational approach to difficult conversations about antisemitism, Israel, and internet culture. Using Clavicular as a case study, he examines the difference between condemning harmful ideas and permanently writing off individuals, while exploring how social media amplifies outrage, shapes perceptions of morality, and influences younger audiences. Rather than relying on public shaming or smear campaigns, Daniel makes the case for education, honest dialogue, and the possibility of personal growth, emphasizing that the goal should be to reduce hatred, encourage critical thinking, and foster a more informed understanding of Israel, Jewish issues, and broader societal values.

Eight-year MLB veteran Jeff Frye joins The Daniel Mael Show for a candid conversation about how baseball has changed, and whether those changes have made the game better or worse. From the rise of analytics and the pitch clock to the decline of sportsmanship and the culture of excessive celebration, Frye shares his perspective on what today's players, parents, and coaches are getting right and where the sport may be losing its identity.

We also discuss youth baseball, the dangers of early specialization, the influence of Major League players on young athletes, steroid-era controversies, Hall of Fame debates, and how baseball can preserve the values that made generations fall in love with the game. Whether you're a lifelong fan, a parent of a young ballplayer, or simply interested in the future of America's pastime, this episode offers an honest look at where baseball stands today and where it may be headed.

For decades, Rabbi Yaakov Lazaros and his family dedicated themselves to building Jewish life in Framingham, Massachusetts. What began as a mission to serve a small community has grown into a thriving center of Jewish learning, connection, and identity. In this inspiring conversation, Rabbi Sheva Lazaros and Mendel Lazaros reflect on the challenges of shlichus, the legacy of Rabbi Lazaros, and why they believe the future of Jewish life in Framingham is brighter than ever. This is a story about resilience, faith, leadership, and the power of investing in the next generation.

Jewish divorce is one of the most emotional, misunderstood, and controversial issues in the Orthodox world. In this episode, Rabbi Benyamin Rachmanov joins Daniel Mael for a candid discussion about agunot, get refusal, rabbinical courts, child custody disputes, social media activism, and the growing tensions between halacha and modern society. The conversation examines who holds power in the divorce process, when public pressure helps or harms, the role of Bais Din versus secular courts, and why no two divorce cases are alike. Whether you agree or disagree with his conclusions, Rabbi Rachmanov offers a detailed look inside the halachic framework that governs Jewish divorce and addresses some of the most difficult questions facing Jewish families today.

In this episode, we explore the complex issue of get refusal within the Jewish community, featuring insights from Flatbush Girl. She shares her perspective on the challenges faced by women trapped in prolonged marriages due to halachic disputes and controversially advocates for intermarriage as a potential solution. The discussion highlights the role of community activism and the need for systemic change to protect women's rights.

We examine the realities women face when navigating these disputes, including the tactics used to delay resolutions. While Flatbush Girl presents her views on the scale of the crisis, the conversation also considers various perspectives and potential solutions within the framework of Jewish law.

This episode aims to foster understanding and dialogue around a sensitive topic, encouraging listeners to consider the broader implications for justice and community integrity. It's essential listening for those interested in social justice and reform within religious contexts.