Rabbi Daniel Hartstein of Yeshivat Lev HaTorah and Five Star Caterers on JM in the AM

It's America's one and only Jewish moments in the morning radio program heard on listeners sponsored digital radio around the world the web atoms.com on the school network and of course on the beloved NSN app. Well, our good friend Rabbi Danil Hartstein is uh with us here live in studio, believe it or not. Is it Danil or Daniel? Which one should we go with this morning? >> I'm going to go with Daniel. You're going to go with Daniel being that my parents named me do >> but gave me an English name. That's funny. >> Just in case you know >> that. What a way to start. >> Daniel Mark, >> what a way to start. >> It's one of the quiz >> with this irony. With this irony that I just said Daniel and in fact there's nothing about you that's Daniel know of except the lion's dead whole thing, but that's a different >> Rabbi Rabbi Daniel Hartstein is with us live. And hey, it's it's a Monday morning. >> It is. >> It's the day after the Super Bowl. Half the country >> was that was that yesterday? >> Yeah. Half the country's off from work. So, you know, so give me a break. So, give me a break if I'm not if I'm not able to identify you properly. >> My wife also a lot of times doesn't >> How long ago were you in Israel? The last time you were in Israel was what day? >> Uh, it was last Sunday evening. >> And the temperature was on Sunday. >> 80°. >> Seriously? >> Yes. >> It hit 80 where you live? >> Yes. The mother-in-law every day gives me a weather update from here? >> Uh, no. Yeah. She says 75 degrees warmer in Israel. She's a big Zionist. My mother-in-law. Yeah. >> Wait. Meaning your mother-in-law is in Israel. >> They asked my in-laws live in Israel, unfortunately. >> So, hey, watch it. So, you're saying you're saying that she'll give she'll look at what the temperature is here and give you an update that it's 75 degrees warmer in Israel. >> Yes. The Alroker of Ram Jesus. >> Were you were you prepared for five degree weather when you got here? >> Cuz it's been insane. >> Insane. >> What do you think of Shabasan Sunday? >> Beautiful. Really beautiful. Uh we dodged outside. remember co you know but >> stop it. How long was your walk to a chabas? >> I was at an event so there was a zero walk you were inside uh but uh it's it's not easy here you know you move to Israel and you forget about this. >> Yeah and you have to look in advance to see if you need a winter coat or what >> the winter coat and yeah the whole thing the kids get you need the whole thing. >> The whole thing >> family show I don't want to >> How long are you in for this trip? >> This trip is a week and a half. Uh my usual trip I come in Monday mornings and uh leave on Wednesday. >> Now you have and we'll talk about everything that that we need to talk about but >> or that we offered to talk about but >> you have a unique situation. >> I do >> because you're here today because frankly you are with one of the prominent uh event and catering uh establishments in this area and we're going to talk about that coming up. >> Yes. But Rabbi Daniel Hartstein, you're also associated and have employment in Israel itself. In other words, we know people who live in Israel, correct? And they're really working in America or, you know, via, you know, remote for an American company, but you're sort of like working in Israel and at the same time working in Israel and in America in the United States. >> Yes. >> What a strange arrangement. >> Many hats. Uh employment is a very uh broad term being that I volunteer my time at the wonderful Yeshiva Leva Torah. >> So that's not a job for you. >> It's not. I mean it I hope it's the job that will get me into Haba >> right >> with that you know uh 1099 that had zero on it. >> But you're not getting a W2 based on your work with >> Listen, I think that there you know me and the Rabon Shalam hopefully have a uh a little pack together. He doesn't know about it yet but >> you're hoping he'll find out. Yeah, I I I love it. Listen, it's it's a morning job. >> How long have you been there? >> Wow. So, we moved there. We moved to Eric Israel uh almost 18 years ago and I've been with yeshiva that long in different capacities. >> But how did you even start? Like why why do you think of volunteering to work at a yeshiva? >> Um I think it's my humor. Um >> that's where it got >> I met Raboas Mori the wonderful and amazing Rashiva. And >> after you moved there >> after I moved I didn't know hardly knew any rebi in the yeshiva even though we're all like why you guys and everybody knew in yeshiva in Israel >> and it's near where you live >> yes literally one of the great things about Leo Torah is that you know all the ram are like a block or two away and it was uh season and at the time I had a job where I got one of those Israeli free cars uh which doesn't really mean free it means you know you pay 5,000 check a month and you wow free gas wow it's amazing you know trying to figure this out as an American And I used to drive him literally, we live two blocks away. I would drive him home and we spent like an hour in the car talking. This is like and I just moved there. He's like, "You got to come work in the yeshiva." He didn't use the air quotes, but uh work apparently meant free. So I started volunteering my time at nights and then it moved towards I actually was their director of institutional events. I had a real job for about two years. >> Did you have an educational job here when you lived here? >> Uh I did not. I uh Bashem I give a lot of credit to besides certainly my wife Serena which you may know by the way Mazletov >> whom I might know >> uh on on the uh granddaughter. I've heard amazing things uh about that wonderful >> you're referring to Elana Elana um oh gosh Elana Amuna how I forget my grandma Amuna is her name. >> I wasn't even prep for that. Yes, >> she is uh 8 days old. She was born Monday to Bishvat. >> Would if Yeah. If I'm my wife did a better job, maybe there would be a brisk this morning and we wouldn't be talking now. >> Okay, we're not getting into details anyway. Yeah. >> Uh but uh >> hopefully she's not listening. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Hopefully. >> She doesn't even know I'm in I told her I'm going to get milk. She doesn't even know I'm in America now. Uh what how uh but >> So yeah, go ahead. >> In any case, so uh >> so it ends up now you're spending a number of hours per day, Sunday through Thursday. >> Correct. Correct. >> In lesson. I always had the I give besides for the wife but uh to Rabbi Nubberger. We ded Rabbi Nubber Shul >> Bergenfield >> and in Bergenfield and Rabbi Nubberger Schlita called me. He actually called the house and you know we had the the old caller ID days and he called me and he said hey >> uh can I speak to your wife which was strange and he asked Serena permission uh if I can give a shear every week because he understood the preparation and what it would take >> in the sh >> uh in the shul and that's how I kind of got started in in really liking it and it was called the all you can eat Tuesday night shear um >> priorities >> when I started all you can eat is before this year >> right because when we started it was I had taken over someone's shear and I basically giving shear to myself by the end of the year, right? It was hard. It was, you know, people work and and then it became, right? Then it became a dinner shar >> and that kind of got me started on this um you know uh it's it's pretty amazing. >> Rabbi Daniel Hartstein's here. So when you're in Lehat Torah, are you delivering a shir every day? >> Yes. So what I do is very unique as well. I go into every morning sharim on business. I have a curriculum uh business ethics probably doesn't happen in most yeshivas and I go ahead and and and and teach them really practical not what I call rabbi I heard a story about somebody once had to shake a woman's hand and you know we went to the mikvah after you know these are practical things here's what happened to me you know almost every week I'm able to come back to them and said I had a very interesting shiloh over shabas what do you guys think or thank god many my tamidim who I'm close with asked me some business business shilas and say you know where are we and and it's re all practical uh go through all the sources real Mario Mako's great stuff and then thank God it keeps me as as as Serena says keeps me off the streets >> and this is because in your American uh profile you are working in the business world >> correct >> and and a really competitive and difficult sometimes business world very yes >> right the food industry and the event industry is one that's very >> it's stressful >> it is it is and it's for the first time in my life as funny as it sounds I work for you know an exclusively Jewish religious company, right? And we're dealing with basically all vendors of that nature, which actually adds the, you know, the shilas you may have of ribbons and all these different things. Uh, so Hashem, FiveStar Caterers, uh, came up to me about 10 years ago. I have a very close relationship with the owner, Kenny Joerger, and he basically said to me, "Hey, Daniel, I need a boss." >> And Kenny didn't think it's weird that you're going to be 6,000 miles away most of the time. >> So, I think he realized uh I hope he realized my talents, right? >> My mom told him. And uh and he >> she was your number one reference. >> Exactly. The only reference. Mom. Mom. Mom. Um and and essentially, you know, he needed somebody to help run the business. Uh coming in. I come in every uh four to six weeks. I like I like to say, I come in every month, but I tell my wife it's every six weeks. Uh you know, come in the >> But you're literally here six times a year. >> Uh no, much more than that. Even more than that. >> Well, we we we had spend the summers here, so we're here all that time. Uh but it's probably about yeah eight times in the year itself. Wow. >> Um again it has to work for everybody just as an aliyah you know booster. Aliyah is amazing and we're we're very all my children and everybody >> and your wife's indifferent about whether you're home or not so it works out >> very she's not indifferent. She's quite happy. Um she are you sure you don't have to go on a trip next week. Um but yeah I think I think that uh it it has to work for you. It has to work. My kids were older when I decided to do it. It's almost done now 10 years. Um, and thank God I run the day-to-day operations and have, you know, >> So, you're up till midnight every night? Obviously, >> one o'clock. Yeah. I try to stay up till I'm I'm I'm a night person. >> And your preferred flight is you'll land here early in the morning one morning. >> Yeah. So, usually it's the uh, you know, me and all the friends and all the friends from Chemish do that Monday morning early. Uh, come in. Happened to be my flight was delayed this time. >> Uh, for you know, LL just says we are delayed because we want to be delayed. Have a nice day. You want to come? There was a snowstorm last week, but okay. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Excuses. Excuse >> the LL syndrome. Yeah. Go ahead. >> But we come in. I have this It's funny cuz here I wake up at 5:00 in the morning just because of the jet lag. I have this going to my Reb Rabi Salleski. So like I've had a full morning already. I know it's early in the morning. I had a full morning and uh I love it. >> And once you're at JM, it's a really full morning. >> It's really a full morning. This is uh >> a dream come true. Well, we've discussed this, but I was only on one other time and I told you that uh I may end my life today because the only thing I ever talked to my family about was one time I'll one time I'll get on. You have to understand I grew up I grew up with this every morning. >> I believe the expression was after you were on that show now I can die in peace. >> I did say that. I did say that. But once again, my mom who did listen to it said not happy with that line. >> Why would you say that? And Serena was like yes. No. Anyway, >> doesn't she realize how funny that is? >> Yeah. Yeah. You know, I've listen, I've always kibbitz with you that I I'm I want a show. I want a show on Jam >> and uh you know, this is the closest I'm ever going to get >> and and Thursdays you go back to Israel. >> Um I try to do Wednesday night so that >> so you don't see all your friends. >> I'll tell you why. At the Shabas table, I want to be up, >> right? >> I want to be aware. We have a wonderful Shabas table, not exhausted. So that's one thing I request. >> So you'll land sometimes Thursday in Israel. Exactly. Sometime on Thursday. And uh yeah, and uh thank God. And that's uh it works. It works. It has to work for every family. >> What a life. All right, Daniel Hartstein's here. Before we talk about some of these details, and we will get into it. >> You have what, another 15 minutes at least? >> Um, at least an hour. I don't I have nothing to I have nothing. Yeah, I >> cuz you told me you have an appointment. >> I do. I have a meeting at 9:00, but I don't really care. >> He actually cancelled the appointment. >> Yeah, I could do another volunteer job. >> I could be, you know, we could go, I could be, you know, I don't know. >> You mentioned the rashiva at le. >> Yes. LA to us and I and I say this I I've never sent any of my kids to LA. One of the reasons I'm pretty familiar with it is because my good friend right Josh V is always praising it and talking about it and >> I think he's also very close to Roshiva if I'm not mistaken and I believe he also uh you know gives classes here. Yes. Yes. >> How does he find time for that? >> We don't know. Rabbi F is you know I I I there just a shout out to him. >> He's amazing. He's amazing. And like there's a few people in the world that you can meet and be like, "Oo, that guy's going to Almahaba. I'm sure about it." >> Well, that's for sure. But I I've said something and I said it last week when he was on the air with us. >> To me, the most important Jew in the 21st century >> and people think I'm nuts, but hey, I could prove it. Anyway, so what what do we know LA? What do we know about LA? We know that they pay special attention to those boys who want to go to the IDF. correct in a very serious manner religiously and trying to you know really hold their hand through the whole process as much as one can I mean soldiers are obviously independent they have their own you know their their own base life etc etc but they try to really be and I'm by the way this is not a criticism of of other yeshivas other yeshivas also make the effort to do so but le has sort of formalized it am I right >> sure we're the OG right uh thank god that we have a lot of uh people who have taken you know imitation is a you platform and they don't mind it by the way and we don't mind it and we've helped including as recent as Teresa >> um and help them and and what we realized is we are a uh very unapologetic Zionistic yeshiva uh that looks to continue that wherever you might be going in your life and I think that is a unfortunately but I think it's quite unique in the world of uh uh gap year programs that uh this is what we want to be and uh yes if a boy wants too. And certainly not. >> You mean you're not sending rebum to anti-government protests? >> We we we are not anymore. No, we're we're not. That's why I'm not on the staff legally. I'm not on the staff for that reason. Uh you know, and that's Listen, I'm sorry to say this and this is for, you know, another another program. But it's something unique and special and parents know when they're sending their kids to Leva Torah what they're getting and it's very wholesome. And I think there's something that, you know, there's yeshiva. I was watching their quick, you know, everything's Tik Tok this time, right? Somebody sent me and they said arisha is so amazing because all we're so very very different from each other. I don't think that's great. I think that lea is unique in that consistent philosophy it's consistent philosophy and boys want to almost 30%. uh certainly after October 7th and they need you know it's not like you know my son Yakov who uh you know went to the army and now was you know miloim many many many times over >> and you know he has yeshiva he's from yeshiva jerukim and and my son Aon who's who's in yeshiva gavoa eli you you have that you know that miscarriit that that will work here they don't they're lone soldiers in all intents purposes so what leva developed was this awesome program they have this gorgeous new uh building Danielle named for Danielle Paris Kamo >> and we take care of them from the food aspect all the way to the psychological aspect and it and it's amazing it's amazing for the guys of the yeshiva to see them >> to be able to see a shelf guy you know sees a guy walking in and wait a minute that that that could be me and uh it's a beautiful beautiful thing and really a wonderful relationship because as we joke you know I used to do recruiting for Levator so I used to say uh to the parents I said this is not a one-year program we're going to be with you for the rest of your lives Whether you'll like it or not, >> whether you like it or not, and that's something that we commit ourselves to. >> Amazing. All right, Daniel Hartstein's here. He does have a job that brings him to the United States very often. He is the CEO of Five-Star Caterers, an outfit that's very familiar to those of us in New York and New Jersey. Obviously, uh those of us who've been to Shabbaton, who've been to major events, even for adults, we're not just talking about kid Shabbatons, but even for adults, very often is being catered by and organized by Kenny Aer, you and your staff and everybody at FiveStar. They do take care of event planning and all your conference needs. And it does seem like these conferences and shab as we call them shabatonim are just all over the place now. I mean they're exploding with a lot of different locations, a lot of innovation in terms of the types of places that are being used for it, right? Because crowds are very big now and you have to find unique places to actually hold these events. >> Um, and I noticed on your thing on on on the announcement from FiveStar, it's not just New York, New Jersey anymore. you guys will actually cater a conference that's happening in Florida, Pennsylvania, Arizona, etc. So yeah, what's unique about FiveStar is besides their CEO, what's unique is is that uh we are really, it's funny to say it, but a niche cater in terms of these specific events. Uh whether it's, you know, doing wholesale or retreats, conferences, and as you just mentioned, we just did the you know, in the summer we did the Macakabi games, uh literally over a thousand people in Arizona >> and unfortunately it was Tucson, Arizona, so there's no food there. There's nothing. uh we had a wonderful you know uh yeshiva there that we were able to you know find dominion but other than that we do the EDS conference the educational directors conference uh in different locations in Florida and we go on these trips with uh you know the senior trip and follow the bus and and do things like that and something unique as well is the you know issue that people are facing now with inflation and everything that's going on and besides for food cost is the cost of the hotel. Uh when I when I first started and certainly back, you know, when when Kenny started the company probably 30 years ago, uh there was always a deal, right? You you went into this uh hotel, whatever, you know, the the famous ones bring you x number of rooms, >> right? I bring you x number of rooms. Well, then the caterer gets the free rooms and of course you're going to get all the event space for free. >> That doesn't exist anymore. Yeah. Now it's >> you have to pay separately for their own event space >> 100%. Every place you're paying for event space, you're pay, you know, I laugh. I mean, I shouldn't laugh at this, but some of the long lists of fees, just like now when you go, you know, you go to your restaurant, there's convenience fees. There's literally there's a fee for the guy to, you know, plug in the truck to the, you know, that that's going to be over over Shabas, you know, plugged in and everything is and that created an issue. So, >> well, wait a second, wait, wait a second. >> Okay. >> When you go to some of the places that have become traditional in our community, let's say for instance, the Connecticut hotels, >> are you paying separately for event space? >> 100%. every one of those. Not only that, there used to be uh there used to be the Shabas deal which was if you leave Saturday night, you'll get no way every two nights every place that we go. The Shabaton I just went on uh they left on Saturday night and being that I'm single here, I said I went to the desk and I'm like, "Are the rooms available tonight?" They're like, "Yeah, they they have them till tomorrow morning." I said, "I'm going to I'm going to stay in my room." So, I got nothing else to do. It's it's 5 degrees outside, you know. Uh it's it's a shame. So what we've done is just one of the things that we've done is that we've done a awesome really partnership with Bushkill Falls which is a tree center >> right a member of Bushkill sure >> great place they actually redid it it's beautiful and what people can do and this is what a lot of you know yeshivas want to be able to do in events they want to be able to go to a place where it's just them >> right >> right they have the place exclusively >> you never know what you're going to get and and and I have some wonderful stories but we get it right of of >> I mean nothing against anybody this is that's life you know there around and things are going to be >> and you can't and obviously you know if you only have half the hotel you can't request what the other half is correct >> uh Bushkill you could you basically get the entire hotel you don't have to deal with the caterer rooms you don't have to deal with the event space it's a flat fee >> and this is very significant for people especially you know you they want to do their own type of events there's plenty of event space we were just saying before those Connecticut hotels they're also not only charging for the ballroom oh you want breakout rooms well that's x amount of money you have to do that or you want them to be set up you know for for Saturday morning. Uh-oh. That there's another fee here. It's just tell us what you need. >> How many people could Bushkill accommodate? Like a school could go there with how many students? >> Oh, a lot. Over six. I mean, the school itself fits fits 600 people. So, >> so a grade in a major school could certainly fit >> 100%. Yeah. Yeah. It's it's great. And and again, it's not only as we said, not only for your schools, right? It's all types of seminars, all types of things that people that want to go out there. And there's a lot to do there. >> By the way, a major family weekend similar you could do there as well. >> Absolutely. people who got to bring 200 people to a civic or more. >> Yes, I've heard about that here in America. >> That happens. >> Yes. Uh but yeah, it's it's it's it's a wonderful opportunity for that. And listen, I think what what FiveStar also wants to be able to do is we want to be able to make it affordable for people and and have good food. So, >> how do you keep the cost of food down these days? Is that impossible? >> It's hard. And we we're, you know, obviously we're exclusively under the OU and uh we have very very high standards and another, you know, another uh but we're able to, you know, to accomplish it in the best way that we can and try to work. >> Can you ever serve meat anymore or it's always poultry? >> We we we can you can serve meat. You can serve meat. >> You can actually serve a good show. >> There is a rumor that the there are this is just a rumor that there are certain CEOs who may take some of those meats into Israel with him when he travels. >> Uh brisketss and so on and so forth. That's maybe why you know five star finan is the CEO. What are you going to do? >> This is a good thing to reveal on the air. >> Yeah, exactly. Um I may be able to stay a lot longer now. >> Say that again. So you can have a good chant and you can have a good kittish with some meat at that kittish. >> Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. And you know I'll tell you something else. Uh, schools, as I'm sure you know, uh, schools have a, uh, I was interviewing a chef who had had literally come from Israel just a few weeks ago who's here and wanted a job as a chef, and he couldn't understand what I was talking about that there are schools here. And thank God we have, uh, 11 school lunch programs. He didn't understand because in Israel, the lunch program is this little, you know, tray of food that you get that was cooked maybe yesterday if you're lucky, right, with a little sticker on it that that says something like that that doesn't look like schnitle. Um, you know, the joke is after you finish it, you can have ice cream now. You're fine. But, but, uh, you know, we have very sophisticated, wonderful, amazing schools, lunch programs, and >> New York, New Jersey. >> Yeah. The New York, New Jersey area. Again, uh, 11 different uh, school locations, and a lot of schools, they just they don't want to deal with it anymore. They don't want to do them. So, they so they have somebody like us come in. An example, there was a school, you know, unfortunately, who had a fire, and uh, we weren't able to accommodate them cuz the kitchen wasn't available. So we made everything from our commissary. We have a very huge commissary not so far from here. Uh so you know we're able to to to do that as well. And thank God now we have even college programs university Shabas program uh where they realize you know what we want good food. We want it sent to us of course for the amazing programs that they have there and other universities you know their their hills and their uh kabad programs and we can cater to that. So >> So when you wake up in the morning in Israel you're praying that everybody gets to these 11 schools the way they're supposed to every single day. Yeah, >> this bad weather, you got to start worrying. >> I'll tell you something funny. Because of my crazy hours, so I'm the first to get every call. This morning, I mean, the person didn't know I was here. One of my employees, I don't announce it every time that I'm here. >> Uh, and he called me at 5:30 in the morning. >> Now, luckily, I had to get up early to, you know, do my hair for the program here and and makeup and stuff like that. So, I was up already. Um, and it was it was one of the typical unique problems. And I'll just tell you the problem because it it's >> Well, it couldn't have been weather related this morning. No, but it was the PA didn't come for falafel day. One of the schools, I'm not going to mention the name of the school because the parents will probably go, you know, bring the food to the kids now. They don't Oh my god. So, what what happened in that case? So, besides, you know, calling the bread company and screaming at them and saying, "Can you get it?" Fivestar says, "Wait, perfect. We actually have pizza bread uh in our facility." Perfect. We're going to thaw it out. We're going to put it in the oven. Uh we're able to do that. Most places obviously if you wake up in the morning just a school, there's no backup. So, here we have a backup. And uh you know that works out very very well. Uh you got to wait till everybody wakes up in the morning to you know you don't want to wake anybody up and and that's that's what we're able to do and that's uh you know very very unique uh to be able to do that. A new aspect by the way is uh as we said uh different you know schools are looking for new things to do. They're going on trips. going this and and you know it's funny to say this but kids have sophisticated pallets and they don't want you know just to throw in and say oh another barbecue another this or we have to make deli sandwiches they want someone to go ahead and follow them um and with a sushi bar right exactly with a with a sushi bar with an Israeli chef who's making schwarma we want something different every night uh but yeah and that's that that that's something that we're able to as well and you know we're that niche type of caterer that's really focusing on this on the schools on the retreats for the uniqueness of that. Yeah. >> You never serve sushi on Shabas night, do you? So, for meaning Friday night, >> uh because of the you know, it's funny because I was telling you about the my other hat. Uh you know, we have unique Shilas uh being, you know, it's funny because when I go into Shabaton, the Mashkim, I want to say they love me, but sometimes they don't because a lot of times I know a little bit better than they do. So we had something unique over Shabas, you know, where where uh it was a Smarty school and they said, "But we allow warming up certain types of things on Shabas." But no, you said that's nice, but we don't do that. Or uh they wanted to use, you know, whipped cream shabas morning actually between Rabbi Belki and so you know, it's a funny thing, but you know, we talk it out in it's it's a it's fun. Uh but uh you know, we're able to accommodate uh >> and if they need a specific type of you could do that. the meat will be that >> that's a great that's a great point. Yeah, we were able to do for example for uh we've done programs for them. So they have very it was one of the reasons we moved to exclusively because they're very mocked on they never heard of you know companies as they call it. Correct. Um so that's yeah that we're able to do all we do events where we do only which basically we're doing anyway in our in our facility. Um but that yeah it's something uh very unique about us. >> Information about fivestar catering conferences events everywhere. New York, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Milwaukee, Arizona, plus the Bushkill Falls Retreat and Conference Center that we uh discussed with Rabbi Daniel Hartstein. You can call 973-812329. That's 973812329. Or you can email SIL, that's SS I L Sber at Fivear. And you write the whole thing out. Don't use don't use numbers. Write the whole thing out. fivestarcaterers.com silber at fivestarcaterers.com and I would guess at this point and I know there's no such thing as as you know as everybody knowing everything but I would guess at this point uh most schools especially New York and New Jersey are aware of what you do at this point right I would guess that uh >> sure sure >> this is not a revelation to most of them if they're tuned in >> correct but uh you know there there is thank god there's healthy competition and people are looking for And they also may not realize how you've kept up with everything like you're so you're so 2026 now especially what you done with Bushkill etc. You know >> 100% and also the it's as funny as it sounds the types of food that you have right >> you know poppers are a thing of the past now people want you know all all these things I you know sometimes I'll sit at the shops table and tell my kids you want to hear something there's something new it's called I I never heard do you ever hear of this you ever hear of a fried deli sandwich? >> No. >> Yes. Yes. We're at an event and the person was do what are you talking about? Oh my god. It happens to be absolutely delicious. Uh >> I'm gonna have to check with our friends at at Essend Delhi if this is allowed. >> Fat free. Fat free as you know. Um of course >> it is. It is. Chavez. Chavez. We have a chabas. It's totally fine. But >> yeah, you don't gain any weight on Chavez. >> There's a lot of >> It's amazing how my scale argues with that whole thing. I don't know why >> it makes no sense to me. >> Don't use the scale. That's >> uh Is shalasha still tuna fish and egg salad or even that has to be upgraded? >> Hot barcos. Seriously, >> they want hot bara sushi salad >> at shall 100%. And and that's with malava mala being in an hour and a half from now. You know what I'm saying? With ice cream. Ice cream pizza French fries have to be fried, you know, in a fryer. Uh yeah, that's that that that's what we do. And you know, we would never say, "Hey, what? You know, my kids didn't have that. Oh, you know, I don't know." You know, but uh that's not what you know, we we we laugh because we all know what we had. >> You know what they served at my father's mitzvah? Should I tell you? >> I'm listening. >> I think it was her and sponge cake. That was it. >> Shabas morning after nominating and that was it. >> Listen, that's uh you know uh things have changed a lot. People don't even know. They know they think sponge cake literally if you said to uh sponge cake, they're like oh that's the thing we use to clean clean up. The lady that works in my house, she uses that to clean up. No, that's not that's a sponge, not the cake. >> You're uh gilt fish only this morning or shall as well or it depends in the crowd. I Yeah, I think most kids look at it and say, "What?" >> Oh, kids will not eat it. >> No, they're not eating it anymore. >> Do they eat her? You don't say >> salmon. Salmon. They want >> No herring either. >> Uh yeah, we do. We do. There are certain things if I go on the Shabbaton, they know I need herring and I need keshka. We don't uh but yeah, I I we have amazing by the way. >> Wasabi herring. >> Yes, absolutely. >> That's that's a new one. >> We actually make our own herring. So, we'll get the fillets and make all the different sauces. >> You make your own wasabi, Harry. >> 100% wasabi and all the uh >> How close did you say your cups are easier? >> The deliveries come. Wait, do I hear the truck outside? >> I must need some Friday. >> You come to my 9:00 meeting. >> You'll be the presenter. >> My gosh. No, I need a Friday. Otherwise, not going to make it till we could deliver. We deliver. Fivestar caterers. We deliver. 9738120329. >> Unbelievable. Also, if you're planning a trip, school trip, any type of water park, uh Oh, you do that, right? If someone wants a water park exclusively for their school Yeah. or for their group, you'll actually um negotiate that whole deal, right? >> Yeah. So, what's interesting also, you know, it's funny, uh uh there are a lot of people who move to the federal lunch program, uh which in New York is becoming very popular. So, we know all this. I don't you know during co uh where a lot of companies were struggling I give a unbelievable amount of credit to I didn't mention Kenny Jagger enough uh but when you know uh kept you going >> when when Pesak rolled around and we had many people to keep uh employed Kenny said you know I'm sorry I'm not letting anybody go we didn't know what was happening >> and we were part of a federal uh program that gave out those boxes and here we're able to we know exactly how to work with it we actually have a company that we work with that able to fill out the forms so the same thing over here. Uh we can get into uh Six Flags. We have a a deal with them already. We have with other water parks where they know, oh, it's and literally they'll say, "Wait, which cater? It's five." Oh, it's five star. Uh we were just >> And if you want women only or men only, they'll do >> 100%. And and the place that we were actually for Shabas, it was really heartwarming and and a kid something for my uh shar next week. Uh you know, when when when these were all non-Jews coming, oh, they go, "Thank God it's fivestar." They know they said everything's going to be okay. You know how to cauter, you know how to clean. We don't have any questions. We don't have to ask anything. So, that's very unique and special and you want to like 100%. Um, and we, you know, we're we're not cutting corners going and doing what needs to be done in any place that needs to be done. >> And my point with the trips is that again, in addition to the food, you'll you'll actually negotiate uh the activities, the the housing, as we said. >> Yeah. Even Bushkill, by the way, there's a really fun activities that Bushkill has established there where they have ATVing, they have all these things that could come. You know, a lot of times schools are looking for they don't want to keep the bus there the whole so they want to get on the bus. They'll have them come to you. They'll do fireworks at the location. Uh, you know, a lot of people also looking for besides schools, uh, activities. Bushkill is like perfect for that retreat that you want to do, everybody to get together and do team building and things of that. We actually have a company that comes in and does team building. So, really a toz. Uh, again, >> hundreds. >> Hundreds. Hundreds. Meaning, uh, >> a company's got hundreds of people. >> Hundreds of people. Yeah. Over 700 people could fit there. So, uh, yeah, they could come up, they could stay for the night or just, you know, go there for the day. >> And those who aren't kosher are going to have to have kosher food. >> Uh, yes. Whether they like it or not, >> whether and you know what, they'll be surprised. We've had more than once people I have my own employees now with the fake and bacon and all that stuff saying to me, Mr. Daniel, you sure? I'm like, yes, I know it's a cheeseburger, but it's not really a cheeseburger, you know, quotation mark. Um, so yeah, thank God for that. Uh, we have everything and they won't they won't know the difference. I remember being with a big uh media personality at a kosher restaurant years ago. He's gone already. Years ago, and he was so disappointed when he found out he couldn't have butter with his steak. >> Oh, yeah. That's >> I'm like, "Yeah, margarine. What do you mean margarine?" Anyways, >> yeah, you don't want you don't want to give him the secrets of the trade. Wait, really? I was I was at a peso program once, not ours, but a pesop program, and my mom wanted uh just for her coffee a little milk, right? >> It was a milk, right? didn't seem to they said we can't give it to you like what are you talking about and then we found out that they did not actually have a milk kitchen it was parro that's impossible there was you know pesak lasagna with cheese and the chef came out he's like that's not cheese that's mayonnaise you know so you never know what you're getting and we were quite surprised by that and wow >> let's just say there was no more lunches for the hearts family at that hotel >> that that program may have been more kosher than most of the others frankly >> yeah they didn't want to have a milky kitchen 100% that's Wow. >> Yeah. >> Boy, that would be an interesting conversation. >> I got a lot of conversations. >> If I was if I was in a if I was in the kitchen as much as you >> would I eat at a Jewish wedding. That's a good question. >> It's an excellent >> because you can't imagine how many times I have been told by rabbis about how many what we call kulas, not a stringency. What's the opposite? Leniencies. How many leniencies are relied on at your typical high quality reliable kosher catering establishment? >> You know, I think one of the reasons why we have the OU is that is that there's no compromising with them, which is great. >> They don't play around. >> No, absolutely not. And and as much as as I told you before, I know the hala. Listen, I know there's a but they usually on are on the stringent side and there's usually nothing to discuss. There's interesting shilas that come up. you know, the uh the unfortunate waiter that walked in and tripped over the, you know, the hot box and now unplugged it. What happens? What's you got to know? But that, you know, that's not necessarily a cooler. That's just what the hal is. >> Um, but thank God. >> No, it's not different when it's hundreds of people >> or it is. I'm being serious. >> Uh, it is there is that and the fact that he did it. We didn't ask him to do, you know, there's all these different things that uh but you have to be listen. I'm very happy that we're under the OU because there's no no stick. You know, you you get what you're going to pay for. >> When you make chicken soup, are you making it in the in in Bushkill's vat or you're bringing it in or what? >> It depends when the program starts. We we are >> So, do you have to let it sit for 24 hours or not? What would the OU say? >> Um, good question. Good question. >> Do they all Is it always the same policy or it depends? No, seriously. >> Um, >> like if you clean it a certain way, is it possible you don't have to wait so long? >> You know what? It's it's it is it depends on the uh where we are, what the place it happens to be. This is funny. the the the program that I was on on uh Moz Shabas. So the we were finishing up and the Mashiah always will tape up the ovens with his name on it. So the next person that comes maybe can save a little money. All of a sudden this guy shows up >> and he's like uh what are you? And he was not a Jewish guy and like who are you? He's coming next week and he had his boss who runs it, another caterer, you know, and basically said can I talk to the rabbi? They wanted to put locks on it so that it had a you know they know the u very much tape's not going to be enough uh right a way to save money. So uh you know people are always looking for uh you know that's another uh savings for them and obviously we're happy to oblige even though it's a competing caterer. >> But you didn't answer my question. Are there circumstances where you don't have to wait 24 hours with a with a massive pot of soup or not? >> No. >> You really got to wait 24. >> Yeah. not there. The u is uh not going to be lean >> because you know there are some catering establishments that will that will go with the cleaning etc. I will not let it sit for that it was used within 24 hours for trade stuff. No, I uh not only that, the U policy, interestingly enough, is that let's say uh which isn't surprising anymore now that you know our uh our sophisticated pallets, they want to serve ice cream at Shalutas, >> right? >> So they we have to wait a full six hours even if the program itself, >> you know, doesn't doesn't hold that way or they're, you know, we're doing it's all German. >> They're like doesn't matter, you know. So you have to estimate that lunch ends at 2 2:30 and you can't serve that ice cream till 8. >> And they're very very careful about that. That that's like uh you know >> so you never have a dairy sh >> uh >> I mean rarely >> rarely. Correct. >> Like if someone really want to move up, >> right? And we explain to them what what the situation is and when we have to end. Wow. >> And uh yeah, it's it's you know >> how big of a staff does this company have? >> We have a very large staff. We have we have our own st I mean we're we're in the you can imagine because we have 11 school locations. They're all our employees, >> right? >> So, you know, we're way over a hundred and, you know, we have waiting staff that comes in just for the weekends and stuff. It's a large staff for us uh to manage, but uh a pleasure to do it. Listen, it's uh >> and if the guy in charge of one of the schools, God forbid, called you this morning, he's not feeling well. You got have contingency plans that are that have to be >> I wouldn't be here now. I would be I would be there. No, but immediately I have a sounds funny, but I have a second Mashka who works in our commissary whose job it is I mean, he's one of our employees. Exactly. So that he's a deputy mayor, >> right? Exactly. And he has to, you know, sometimes get up early in the morning. Uh and employees in itself, listen, we're like you said, you know, there was a snowstorm and there was the repercussions after it's too cold outside. We, you know, you got every you think it's kids excuses that say I can't get up this morning. I can't get out of bed. So we have that with employees and thank God we have temp services and we have, you know, >> and on top of that, you got to give a shear at LA. Huh. >> Listen, we're doing whatever we can to >> and that's why LA needs to let you go after the morning because then your day starts. >> Correct. So about 3:00 and as I said I will get those calls. I have one wonderful employee who calls me every day at 12:30 cuz he gets on the on the you know and he tells me, "Okay, here's what's going on. This is the only time I know I could talk to you. Nobody else knowbody." Great. Wonderful. Uh it's really uh >> living the dream. Unbelievable. Well, uh, we learned a lot about Kenny Joerger and Five-Star this morning, courtesy of Rabbi Daniel Hartstein visiting us from Israel and explaining his job as CEO and how incredible the scope is of this company. >> 100%. >> They're doing a lot of stuff. >> And this is the first of many segments, I believe. >> Is it? Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> You'll be back. >> I'm not trying to threaten you, but I know the code now. I'll tell you. >> You're not coming back before you leave on Thursday, are you? >> I don't know. Poppy scissors across the street. >> Just making sure that we're not going to see you again this week. >> Well, you told me I have to bring a >> Oh yeah. Oh my gosh. Did I mean that? I'll have to consider and reconsider. Well, my heart and I thank you. >> My pleasure. >> Our best regards everybody at La. Let the Rashiva know that we're big fans. Seriously, I know we're big fans. We keep hearing things about the Shiva. >> I you know what? I may get brownie points when we uh when you know this goes to publish. Hey, was this a fivestar or leo to thing? >> Correct. Yeah, I may get I may get I may get more money. I may get >> and they may double my I'll tell you the joke. The joke in LA is is that I don't get a salary, but I have a little bit of an addiction to Coke Zero. >> So, uh delivery I'll come into and a kid will get me from the soda machine. That's so I may get two Coke Zeros because of this interview. >> What compensation? You know what I'm saying? It can't be any better. >> Now I don't feel guilty about the herring if you're getting double soda because of me. Come on. >> It's good stuff. >> Thank you, Roberty. >> Always a pleasure. Thank you so much. >> It is always a pleasure. More coming up. You're listening to hour number three of JM in the A.M.