In this episode of Wisdom from the Field, I sit down with Rabbi Mendy Levertov, shliach of Chabad Young Professionals (CYP) in Austin, Texas.

We explore what it really takes to build a YJP community from scratch — from early uncertainty and financial pressure, to steady growth, to purchasing a permanent building.

Mendy shares openly about:

But at the center of our conversation is one core idea:

We dive into the deeper reality of fundraising as “mon” — the daily dependence on Hashem’s bracha.

This conversation touches on:

• The bitul of asking without ego

If you’re building, fundraising, stretching, doubting, or growing — this episode will speak directly to you.

Because sometimes the biggest growth doesn’t come from better strategy.

It comes from building the muscle.

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If this episode was meaningful, please share it with someone who might benefit.

For ongoing insights on fundraising, leadership, and the inner work of shlichus, join my email list here:

https://mailchi.mp/c0f254880cc4/new-subscribers 

To learn more about my work with shluchim, visit:

www.coachingbytzviki.com

Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook 

In this episode of Wisdom from the Field, Tzviki sits down with Rabbi Alex Kaller, founder of the Chabad Russian Center of South Florida, for a rare, open conversation about building—both externally and internally.

Rabbi Kaller shares his journey from growing up Jewish but secular in Moscow, to discovering Yiddishkeit, choosing shlichus, and arriving in Florida with no contacts, no infrastructure, and a simple mandate: learn how to swim.

The heart of this episode is the story of building a permanent home for Jewish life—a six-story center with a shul, mikvah, and growing school—and the inner resilience that made it possible.

Along the way, Rabbi Kaller speaks candidly about setbacks, lost supporters, long delays, and moments of real uncertainty. He also shares how, during some of the hardest stretches, he found himself repeatedly going to the Ohel—davening, knocking on Heaven’s door, and drawing strength to keep taking the next step even when clarity was missing.

But this is not a story of despair. It’s a story of showing up, of trusting in Hashem even when you can’t yet see the outcome, and of discovering that strength often appears after you think you’ve reached your limit.

With humility, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, he reflects on what sustained him, and why—looking back—the greatest miracle wasn’t the building itself, but the decision to keep going.

This episode is for shluchim and leaders who are carrying big visions, navigating real pressure, and trying to build something that will outlast them.

This is an episode about struggle—but even more, about bitachon, perseverance, and the quiet power of not giving up.

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If this episode was meaningful, please share it with someone who might benefit.

For ongoing insights on fundraising, leadership, and the inner work of shlichus, join my email list here:

https://mailchi.mp/c0f254880cc4/new-subscribers 

To learn more about my work with shluchim, visit:

www.coachingbytzviki.com

Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook 

In this episode of Wisdom from the Field, I sit down with Rabbi Peretz Chein and Chanie Chein for a wide-ranging and deeply reflective conversation on Avodah Pnimis—inner work—and what it means to truly live with presence, vitality, and personal geulah on shlichus.

We explore their work through M54 Institute for Insourcing - עבודה פנימית. a learning model built around insourcing—shifting from externally driven doing to internally grounded growth. Together, we unpack why passion and idealism alone don’t sustain a lifetime of shlichus, and why many shluchim and shluchos find themselves highly functional on the outside while feeling heavy, rushed, or disconnected on the inside.

This conversation goes beyond tactics and systems. We talk about:

If you’ve ever felt that things are “working” but something essential feels missing—this episode opens a powerful doorway.

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If you’d like to learn more about Rabbi Peretz and Chanie Chein’s upcoming programs and their work, you’ll find the links below.

Group for shluchim: https://form.jotform.com/251868965643272 

Group for shluchos: https://form.jotform.com/260145533197154 

M54 website: www.m54.org/ 

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If you’d like to receive short reflections, insights, and practical notes from my work with shluchim, you can subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/c0f254880cc4/new-subscribers 

To learn more about my work with shluchim, check out my website: www.coachingbytzviki.com

What if fundraising isn’t a necessary evil — but a sacred part of shlichus?

In this second conversation with Rabbi Zalman Teichtel, we explore the spiritual inner world behind fundraising: the mindset, the meaning, and the avodah that transforms asking for money into an act of leadership and connection.

Rabbi Teichtel reflects on the response to his first appearance on the podcast and why validating the hard years of shlichus matters — not to dwell there, but to move forward with strength. He also shares how a shift in mindset changed everything: from survival mode and self-doubt to clarity, and building from a place of strength.

This episode touches on:

How reframing fundraising as giving others a zechus removes much of the hesitation around asking

Why giving transforms the giver as much as it helps the moised

Balancing systems and strategy with deep bitachon and emunah in l’maalah min ha’teva

Turning fundraising conversations into genuine ruchniyusdik encounters

This isn’t an episode about tactics or scripts.

If fundraising has ever felt uncomfortable, draining, or separate from your shlichus — this conversation reframes it entirely.

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To see more about my work with shluchim, check out my website: coachingbytzviki.com

If you’d like to receive short reflections, insights, and practical notes from my work with shluchim, you can subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/c0f254880cc4/new-subscribers

In this episode of Wisdom from the Field, I sit down with legendary fundraising coach Mendel Duchman, whose message can be summed up in one word: Padyom — pick yourself up and go.

Mendel has spent decades on the front lines of shlichus, working directly with shluchim in their communities, meeting balabatim face-to-face, and helping moisdos regain stability and momentum. Drawing from real-world experience, he makes a powerful case for why showing up — especially when it’s uncomfortable — is the greatest fundraising superpower a shliach can develop.

In this candid and energetic conversation, we explore:

Why fundraising doesn’t start when you need money — but when you take responsibility

How fear shows up right before the ask, and how to move through it

The discipline of getting out of the office and into real conversations

A simple, practical framework for fundraising: prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

Real stories where one bold moment of Padyom changed the trajectory of a moisad

This episode is a reminder that confidence doesn’t come before action — it’s built through action.

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For more on the work I do with Shluchim, see my website: CoachingByTzviki.com

In this unforgettable episode of Wisdom from the Field, Tzviki Krasnjansky sits down with Rabbi Aryeh Kaltman, shliach of Chabad of Columbus for over 34 years.

Rabbi Kaltman shares story after story from the front lines of shlichus — raw, unfiltered, and deeply empowering. From being thrown out of donor offices to building lifelong partnerships, from losing major donors to witnessing open miracles, this conversation reframes fundraising not as “asking for money,” but as selling a concept, solving people’s problems, and letting brachos flow.

A guiding theme throughout the episode is Rabbi Kaltman’s core principle: don’t be nispoel — don’t let rejection, pressure, or emotion knock you off your mission.

This episode is packed with:

Fearless fundraising mindset

Real donor psychology

Deep bitachon without passivity

Strategy rooted in chassidus and lived experience

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by fundraising, discouraged by rejection, or overwhelmed by financial pressure — this episode is required listening.

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For more on the work I do with shluchim, check my website: coachingbytzviki.com

This first Field Note explores a question that comes up again and again when someone considers making a bold fundraising ask: Am I asking for too much?

Starting from the practical and moving deeper, Tzviki reflects on knowing your numbers, reframing the ask as an invitation rather than pressure, and reconnecting to the true value of the work we do.

A short reflection for shluchim navigating fundraising, leadership, and the inner world behind the work.

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To learn more about my work with shluchim, visit coachingbytzviki.com.

Baruch Hashem, Wisdom from the Field has been running for a number of months, and the feedback has been deeply encouraging — hearing how these conversations have been helpful, practical, and meaningful in real ways.

As the podcast has grown, and inspired by the Rebbe’s teaching of ילכו מחיל אל חיל and the Chanukah message of continually adding light, I felt there was an opportunity to add something new that could be especially helpful.

Across my coaching work with shluchim and the interviews on this podcast, the same themes, challenges, and insights come up again and again. And often, what’s most helpful isn’t a full, long-form conversation, but a short, clear insight you can sit with or apply right away.

That’s why I’m introducing a new segment called Field Notes.

Field Notes are short, practical reflections drawn from real conversations and work in the field — offering grounded insights around fundraising, leadership, and growth.

Bez”H, you’ll start seeing Field Notes appear regularly alongside the interviews. I hope you find them helpful, relevant, and insightful.

Stay tuned for the first Field Notes episode, coming soon.

This week on Wisdom from the Field, I sit with my uncle, Rabbi Moshe Krasnanski, whose life story is anything but typical.

As a young bochur, he helped pioneer Chabad activities across the country. Later, he entered the business world — intentionally — because he “never wanted to fundraise.” But in the middle of financial success, something shifted. The call to shlichus returned. And with a family of five children, he stepped away from business and began building Chabad of the Town, one person, one class, one relationship at a time.

We talk about the emotional and practical realities of that transition, how Torah learning became his most powerful tool for connection, why he embraces trying things even if they fail, and how he grew a team and a community that now includes over 1,100 grassroots supporters.

His message throughout: when you show up with humility, positivity, and a real belief in every Yid, the Rebbe sends the brachos.

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For more about the work I do with Shluchim, check out my website: www.coachingbytzviki.com

Subscribe to my email: https://mailchi.mp/c0f254880cc4/new-subscribers

In this farbrengen-style conversation, Shmuly Rothman returns to explore a healthier, happier, and far more effective approach to year-end fundraising.

We discuss how a shliach can show up b’simcha u’betuv leivav, drop the pressure of “I need this guy,” and enter each conversation with the intention of uftzuhoiben — uplifting the donor, regardless of the outcome.

Inside the episode:

Why simcha is a core fundraising tool

How to let go of anxiety and approach donors with clarity and respect

The mistake of “saying no for the donor”

Who to reach out to at year-end and how to think about matchers, anchors, and amcha

How to set smart but ambitious campaign goals

Year-end as part of a 12-month fundraising strategy

If you’re stepping into a year-end campaign — or want fundraising to feel calmer, clearer, and more aligned — this conversation will lift you up.

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Anchor doc: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P1kMgKedIDTgebQEfnX3IP7JiZVaS_Pm/view?usp=drivesdk

If you would like to customize this for your moised, email Shmuly - with your logo, the goal of your campain, and the matching and anchor levels you would like displayed on your document- at: [email protected]

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For more about the work I do with Shluchim, check out my website: www.coachingbytzviki.com

Subscribe to my email: https://mailchi.mp/c0f254880cc4/new-subscribers