Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, 2001, Tzivi Itzkowitz lost her sister Nancy.

But this episode isn’t about how Nancy died. It’s about how she lived.

Nancy was a beloved daughter, sister and friend. She was young, vibrant, building her career, and had so much life still ahead of her. And while the world remembers 9/11 as a day that changed history, for Tzivi and her family, it was the day they lost someone they loved.

Twenty-five years later, Tzivi sits down with me to share Nancy with all of us.

We talk about who Nancy really was, the memories that still make Tzivi smile, the bond between sisters, and what it means to carry someone you love with you through every stage of life they didn’t get to be here for.

There is grief in this conversation, but there is also so much love.

Because maybe one of the most beautiful ways we can honor the people we’ve lost is to keep saying their names, telling their stories, laughing at the memories, and allowing the world to know a little bit of the person we were lucky enough to love.

On the 25th anniversary of September 11th, this is our small way of remembering one beautiful life.

This is Nancy’s story.

Welcome to Tribe & Tribulations with Julia Makowsky.

you can support the Nancy memorial fund here: https://www.nancymorgensternmemorial.org/

or you can shop topaz and ruby: https://topazandruby.com/

Episode produced by Short Form Media

What happens when you realize that the most important work you're meant to do isn't in a classroom, a shul, or a Shabbaton—but in the quiet moments of your everyday life?

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Julia sits down with Faigy Blumstein, one of the voices behind the Thank You Hashem movement, for an honest exploration of faith, purpose, gratitude, and what it really means to live a Hashem-centered life.

Together, Julia and Faigy discuss the origins of the Thank You Hashem movement, how a Shabbos in Tzfat turned into a global revolution of gratitude and music, and why accessible Judaism matters more than ever.

Whether you're deeply connected to Chassidus or have never opened a Tanya, whether you're thriving or just surviving, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to be perfect to be close to Hashem. You just have to show up.

episode produced by short form media

What happens when the life you thought you were going to have disappears overnight?
In this deeply personal conversation, Abbey Wolin—founder of AW Media and creator of The Foundry—shares the story behind the woman she’s become. After losing her father at a young age, Abbey watched her family, identity, and sense of stability change in ways she never expected. Instead of letting that loss define her, she rebuilt her life one chapter at a time.
From teaching elementary school to building a thriving marketing agency, and now launching The Foundry to help young adults discover their passions and become entrepreneurs, Abbey has continually reinvented herself. More importantly, she’s become the adult she wishes she’d had when she was growing up.
This episode isn’t just about business. It’s about grief, resilience, identity, purpose, and the courage to create a life that honors where you’ve been without being limited by it.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your hardest chapter could become the foundation for your greatest work, this conversation is for you.

How do you build one of the biggest media brands in the Chasidish world without ever relying on traditional social media?
In this episode, Julia sits down with Eli Weber, founder of Weber Media, to talk about the power of storytelling, why WhatsApp became the secret weapon that changed content creation in his community, and how he built a business by understanding people—not algorithms.
But this conversation goes far beyond media. Julia also talks about Eli’s recent marriage to a Modern Orthodox woman from the Five Towns and what it looks like to navigate two different Jewish worlds with curiosity, respect, and love. From culture shock to communication, we explore how relationships can challenge assumptions and create bridges where there were once divides.
This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, community, and the stories that connect us more than they separate us.

Episode produced by Short Form Media.

In this deeply important and rarely discussed episode, Julia sits down with Erica Pelman, founder of Shifra, the only American-based organization dedicated to supporting Jewish women through unplanned pregnancies. From the woman with ten children who discovers she's unexpectedly pregnant again, to the 44-year-old who thought her baby years were behind her, to the teenager facing an impossible decision, Shifra offers counseling, financial assistance, practical resources, and unconditional support through pregnancy and beyond.

Erica shares the personal story that led her to create Shifra 17 years ago, the struggles of building trust in a community where shame and silence often prevail, and the layers of care required to truly support women in crisis.

This episode tackles the vulnerability of pregnancy, the courage it takes to ask for help, and the transformative power of unconditional love. Whether you're navigating an unplanned pregnancy, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand how to show up for women in crisis, this conversation is a reminder that no one has to suffer in silence.

for more information on this amazing organization: https://www.instagram.com/call_shifra/

episode produced by short form media

In this episode of Tribe & Tribulations, Julia sits down with Adina Moss for a thoughtful conversation about growth, identity, and embracing new seasons of life. Adina shares stories from her upbringing, the values that shaped her, and what inspired her recent personal and professional rebrand.
Together, they explore spirituality, self-discovery, and the balance between honoring where you came from while creating a life that feels authentic to who you are today. It’s an honest conversation about purpose, change, and having the courage to evolve without losing yourself.

episode produced by short form media

This week on Tribe & Tribulations, Julia sits down with Max Cohen, better known as Murray Hillboy, for an honest conversation about identity, belonging, comedy, and the courage to be yourself.

Known for his hilarious and painfully accurate portrayals of Jewish life, Max has built a devoted following by turning shared experiences into comedy. From sleepaway camp culture and helicopter parenting to dating, family dynamics, and Jewish nostalgia, his content strikes a chord because it feels so familiar.

But behind the viral videos is a deeper story.

Max opens up about his journey as a gay Jewish man, what it was like coming out, finding acceptance, and navigating the complexities of living at the intersection of multiple identities. Together, Julia and Max discuss the pressures of labels, the importance of visibility, and why authenticity matters more than fitting into someone else's expectations.

They also dive into social media, content creation, dating, community, and the universal desire to find where we belong.

Whether you're Jewish, LGBTQ+, or simply someone trying to live more authentically, this conversation is filled with humor, insight, and a powerful reminder that your identity is yours to define.

🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation.

Podcast edited by Short Form Media.

In this unfiltered, and deeply honest episode, Julia sits down with Zoli Honig and Chava Feigen for a conversation that refuses to play by the rules. From second marriages and second chances to reinventing faith, business, and identity, this couple has lived a thousand lives before 40, and they're not apologizing for any of it.

Zoli and Chava didn't just start over. They blew up the blueprint. Divorced young, remarried each other, and built a life that looks nothing like what their communities expected. He's a serial entrepreneur who's launched more startups than he can count. She went from fashion to real estate to podcasting, peeling back layers of who she thought she was supposed to be until she found who she actually is. Together, they've navigated the chaos of blending lives, setting boundaries with family, and creating a marriage where laughter, autonomy, and brutal honesty are non-negotiable.

This Episode is produced by Short Form Media.

In this deeply personal episode, I'm joined by my sister, Lauren, for an honest conversation about what it means to come from the same home but grow into two very different women.

Our lives don't look the same. Our personalities aren't the same. Our paths have taken us in different directions. And yet, somewhere along the way, we stopped expecting each other to be the same and started choosing each other exactly as we are.

We talk about our childhood, motherhood, faith, family, and the ways our differences have challenged us, shaped us, and ultimately made our relationship stronger. It's a conversation about letting go of comparison, embracing individuality, and discovering that love doesn't require sameness—it requires understanding.

Whether you have a sister, a sibling, or someone in your life who sees the world differently than you do, this episode is a reminder that our greatest connections are often built not in spite of our differences, but because of them.

*podcast edited by Short Form Media

In this essential and deeply needed episode, Julia tackles one of the most talked about yet rarely addressed topics in the Orthodox community: the Jewish day school system. From skyrocketing tuition costs to children who don't fit the mold, to identity crises within schools to the question of accessibility, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a system that is both beautiful and broken, sacred and struggling.

Julia is joined by Rabbi Fein, Head of School at BMA, and Mr. Richard Altabe, a legendary educational consultant who has shaped Jewish education for decades and served as principal to generations of students across the New York area. Together, they navigate the most pressing challenges facing Jewish schools today, offering honest insights, real solutions, and a reminder that while the problems are complex, the mission is clear: every Jewish child deserves access to a meaningful Jewish education.