They Built a Shul With No Rabbi. Ohr Shlomo Changed Our Lives

I'm going to make a l'chaim to you guys. This is a l'chaim to uh some of the founders of Or Gut Chodesh. I mean, it's pretty apropos that you guys are here on Rosh Chodesh, right? >> That's his That's his word. >> Apropos. >> Yeah? That's your word? >> That's his word. >> Do you have a word? >> Only words that he can spell. >> Word. >> Facetious. >> [laughter] >> Nice. That's a good word. >> I have a proclivity to be facetious. >> Oh my god. >> [laughter] >> Proclivity? Is that Is that a real word? >> Yeah. >> Stop it. No, but don't. >> This guy, come on, kidding me? >> Proclivity? >> Proclivity. >> Dovid, what's proclivity? >> Proclivity is You know what? I think he should go for the explanation, [laughter] too. >> No, no, no, we need you. We need Myself and Dovid, we grew up in Brooklyn. We don't know how to spell past sixth grade, so >> I think proclivity is a tendency. >> A tendency? >> Yeah. >> Like a tendency to do something? >> Correct. >> Okay. >> So, it's like an netiya. >> A what? >> Netiya. >> I don't know what netiya is. >> A tendency. >> Oh. >> [laughter] >> All right. It's going to be fun. Um all right, let's get started. Welcome back everybody to another incredible [snorts] episode of the None of Your Business Podcast. I'm your host, Michael Greenfield. Today is a very special episode. I am here with the founders of Or I I I feel I feel like I should say it again. You know, I want like the right? I'm not getting that. I'm here with the founders of Or >> Yeah, yeah. >> [laughter] >> Mhm. Dedicenter. >> Okay, the marketing guy behind this. >> Dedicenter. >> Well, that's what we'll get >> What's that? >> Says it in the yarmulke. >> Yeah, it says it on the shirts, on the yarmulkes, in the underwear, I'm sure. And one day it'll be on our wall next to thank you, Hashem. If you have a sticker, it'll go on our wall. >> Where's the As Tomer sticker? >> That's That's my commitment to you. So, guys, we have Dovidstein behind the scenes. Dovid and I knew each other since Brooklyn, and we'll get into that in a minute. We have Abe Race, Avraham Malave. Famous race brothers of Monsey. Excited. Shmily Indig and of the Indig family of the Indig mishpacha. >> [laughter] >> Excited to get into it. Thank you to our subscribers, our comments. We'll get more into that at the end. We just want to get right into it right now. Guys, Arsh L'Olam mamesh changed my life. It mamesh changed my life. Do you get that a lot? >> Mamesh changed my life. >> Yeah, it keeps on changing our lives. It's not something that we we planned on. It just happens. Every day it happens. It evolves. It's like it's like we are talking about the masses of the world that's recreated every day. Arsh L'Olam just happens. >> Wow, okay. I like it. I want to go back a minute to something that happened to me yesterday. I met a group of seven guys and we were at an event called the Spot 42 event. >> [laughter] >> You guys ever go there? Do you ever unwind and go to Spot 42? >> Sure. >> Yeah, that's >> Many Malave Malcos. >> Amazing spot. Amazing amazing spot. Um for those of you that don't know, it's a hidden gem in Monroe, New York. A guy owns a house, bought acres behind him, turned it into an enclave, a beautiful resort style spa, shvitz, men's playhouse. And he designs it with animals and greenery and it's just fantastic. I mean, what's your favorite part about that place, guys? >> Restaurant. >> The food is delicious. >> Food's delicious. >> True. I like the swimming pool that it's big and heated always. >> Down beyond it's >> I don't think I've ever been in the pool. >> Yeah, I don't think I've ever been in the pool, either. >> I swim, guys. That's my thing. >> [laughter] >> But it no, it's it's a pretty cool place. It happens to me. >> Amazing. [clears throat] >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Amazing. >> You need 5 to 7 hours over there. >> I go from 11:00 to 11:00. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. I work from there all day. So, and I recommend anyone that wants to unplug and I'm sorry. I recommend everyone to unplug and unwind. And if you want a place to do it for $100 for the entire day where you can have a restaurant and make new friends, Spa 42 is the place to be. You can't even find it on Google, by the way. It's like a hidden gem. Um so uh >> So, if you want to unplug and then plug in to work all day. >> [laughter] >> 11:00 to 11:00, very good. 11:00, thank you. 11:00 is because I start from 11:00 to like 2:00, 3:00 and I get my work done. And then I you know, I'm gradually go back and forth. >> you sit? You sit in the in the sauna? >> Oh, upstairs, nice. >> I think that um I have to say that's a sort of like how I I like to live my life. I'm curious about how you guys live yours. I want to get into that. Uh which is I'm always on, right? So, it's just that I know how to turn off and then go back on and turn off and go back on. So, no matter if I'm in an environment of a pool or a spa or a beach or a anywhere, a lounge, a coffee house, right? So, it's just you can unwind, shut your phone off for an hour completely, give in to your surroundings, right? Um so, I met these guys there and a group of seven guys and they were all friends. All seven of them. And they invited me to be the 11th. Why do I say 11th? Cuz they already have a group of 10 friends. And they're all into it spiritually, how they're a minion of friends and they feed off each other's energies and they help each other. And I said I I said like uh I wasn't even ashamed of it. I said, "Guys, I don't need it. I have Or Shlomo." And they're like, "What's Or Shlomo?" And I'm like, "It's what you have here, but on a higher level spiritually with more people, like-minded. And uh it's something that just doesn't get turned on just for Rosh Chodesh. It's like a lifetime of thing, but being that Rosh Chodesh is tomorrow, I want to hear from one of you guys, who was the first person to get involved in Or How did this Rosh Chodesh this come aboard come about? Just which one of you? >> Abe. >> Abe? >> So, Or Shalom will started really as a as a Carlebach minyan in in Pomona. >> Michael Most? >> Michael Most. >> Yep. >> 2005. >> Shout out. >> And um It's gone through many different stages over the years and different people who it's cuz it's not like anyone It's not a one-person show. It's a Hashem show. So, it's it's been gone through many different uh from Michael to Where were we second? >> Aaron Cohen. >> Aaron Cohen. Aaron Cohen, by the way, shout out to Aaron. Before he moved to Israel, he spoke only Hebrew. You guys remember this? >> Yeah, sure. >> Well, you have to speak Hebrew if you want to be a cop. >> He's a cop there. >> Get out of here. >> Yeah, in Ra'anana. >> He's a local cop. >> Yeah, yeah. >> He joined [clears throat] the Haverim of Ra'anana. That's amazing. I love that for him. Okay. >> haver. >> Yeah, so then I We love him. Um so, then Aaron got involved, right? In a transition. >> Aaron, I'm say I'm This is really like where it was hosted, I guess. >> Right. >> Oh, the idea came from what? What was the concept to begin with? If you >> The concept was um Michael moved in and he was very into Reb And he used to shlep me to daven with him in other shuls. And then um Really, it started one week in uh a fellow by by Harold Webber. One week uh Harold Webber used to host a Friday night minyan every week. One week he was out of town, we ended up davening by somebody else. I shlepped Michael. He's like, "I'll come if it's a Carlebach minyan." And then um that kind of rolled into once a month once a month davening Friday night, which um probably after 1 month became an every week thing. And his wife graciously opened her house and we were davening there for years. >> What was the common denominator between everyone joining throughout the process of the growth of Noam and Steve Schlamer? Sorry. >> Yeah. Well, I didn't go through all the >> Sure, there were many others. I mean, they got involved. >> was only a few places that we were davening at. >> Irrelevant to that. I'm curious about the common denominator that everyone shared. What was everyone looking for? What was everyone getting from coming to it? What would you say? >> Singing. >> Oh, singing. >> Singing to Hashem. Davening should be singing so that it's enjoyable, so that it's uh it changed my life. I mean, I started when I stopped From when I started davening Nusach Friday night, it was a game changer. >> Did you just say Nusach >> Yeah. >> You Did you coin that phrase? >> No. >> Someone else had that? >> point somebody, I'm sure, came up >> Nusach what is Nusach if you had to say it? Like, explain what it is. >> It's um had a unique way of davening where everything was singing. I don't I I I don't know that I can actually say what it is. I know from my perspective, it's uh I mean, I guess cuz um Ben Zion Solomon and Sons put out an album, two albums, Friday night davening and Shabbos day. And that was uh I took those, I studied them, and I learned how to I learned the different nigunim and >> Do you have a black book on these things? >> There's no black book. It's white. >> [laughter] >> Do you have the white book on this though? You have like a book of songs and stuff that you know, your go-to's? Like, you have that? >> Um I have little cards that I use a lot. >> Are you davening for them tomorrow, for example? >> Bezrat Hashem. >> So, tell me like just take us through the davening for those that don't know. If you don't mind for a quick second. >> tell you necessarily nigunim that we're going to use, which is actually something that we've been discussing recently, is that a lot of the Shabbos nigunim we've started using during the week. And to me, I'm like, I want something different for Shabbos. I say I cuz I don't know about everybody else. I can't answer for anyone else, but like the the difference between weekday and Shabbos is stark. But then I tell myself that we're entering Yom Kippur Shabbos, so it's okay. But um I don't know. I I try to spend different times during the week to listen to listen to music. That way it has an influence and when I'm davening different niggunim pop in. >> I know the answer to this, but for our listeners, if you don't mind me breaking it down for a second, what's the first thing you guys sing in the morning? Come in with the ani When does everyone starting to get into it? >> Da da da da da da da da da da da da da Ai ya ya ya da da da Ba ba ba ba ba ba >> Da da da da da da da da da da da da >> E da >> Da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da >> She boneh ve tzameach binyan Yerushalayim She boneh ve tzameach binyan Yerushalayim >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> That's amazing, guys. But that's when you start in the beginning? >> That's we start. >> What do you mean when you get into shul? >> Rabbi Shmuel >> Oh, Rabbi Shmuel? >> Rabbi Shmuel then into She boneh >> Wow, what a way to start a day. >> There are guys that come in put on music in the morning, Modani. Little shout out to Pumpedisa. >> Yep. He's the best. >> So that's I mean, it's all about music. Music opens up the soul. >> What does the Flem will say about music? >> The Flem will say when two people talk at the same time you can't hear them, but when two people sing at the same time >> Ah. It's beautiful. >> That really is beautiful. >> The Bal Shem Tov says the the the music is the quill of the soul. >> David, you're the only guy I know here between all of us that has a background of music. I mean, you had a famous song for crying out loud. >> a few of them. >> What was the one of the main ones? The the the la las. One of the la las. >> Uh what do we have? We had uh banana, hayom shem lemalel, hamalach ha'goel. I think that's the one that's on the Miami issue. I had like a seeking minion on the beach. >> I did. I did. It wasn't me. There are people in Miami that get together Rosh Chodesh on the beach. It's one of the reasons I love uh heading towards Miami in the winter. It's davening on the beach with singing. What else did you have? Give me another song. Remind me. >> Um we had malach malach malach malach ha'goel. >> No, there was another one. >> There you go. >> That was pretty popular. How old were you when you got into music? >> Um when I got into music like like professionally? >> Yeah. >> 25-ish. >> And you made a career out of it. >> Yeah, a short career, but yeah. >> [laughter] >> And then I had to get a real job. >> I was going to say, what was your job, right? >> Yeah. >> For like 10 years. >> Wow, so you have a lot of experience in that industry. For 10 years. >> 10 years. >> What's the most you ever made in that era? >> Dun da dun. Like for >> An event? Like something that you're like, "Wow, I made it." 10 years is a long time. >> It was Yeah, it was I mean, you want to say the number? >> Yeah. >> I mean, today it's nothing. These guys are getting paid that. These guys are getting paid that for weddings, you know. >> What did it mean to you? >> I don't know, it was like 12 grand for an event. >> That's That's a nice amount. You know you made it when you got 12 grand for for a uh >> Yeah. >> Wow. Okay. David, because you're out of camera, you know, we're just not going to be able to stay on you, but I'm kidding. I could do a I could do a interview alone on each of you for hours cuz there's so much depth and so much to learn from. And um our friend over here, Shmily, thought he's coming in to talk about only Eretz Yisrael. I'm like, we're going to unravel you a little bit. We have to. So, we just talked about David for a second, his background music. So, I'm curious about you and uh Abe, we're going to get back to you in a minute. Uh How did you get involved in Or You have a Hasidic background a little bit? >> Yeah, I grew up in Monroe, Kiryas Joel. >> Take me through that, please. That journey real quick. >> proud It's fun. I mean, growing up in Monroe is like a little village. A lot of fun growing up there as a kid. But life took me to different paths and different directions. And 2011 is when I kind of went towards the Breslov route. That was got connected to Rav Nachman. >> How old were you? >> 25 >> Okay. So, it's well past your days of Monroe. >> Yeah. >> Got it. >> Got married when I was 18. >> Oh, there you go. >> There you go. >> Mhm. >> 2005 >> Unravel this gift over here. Come on. >> It's been 21 years. Baruch Hashem. I was invited. >> Amen. Amen. >> And then 25, Shabbos Chanukah was my first Shabbos in Uman. >> What made you go to Uman? >> Uh a bunch of friends went and they said, "Hey, let's go." So, we went to Uman. The whole long story how I got We got there in uh 3 days of canceled flights. In Breslov, it's called manias. >> What does that mean? >> Manias means obstacles. >> Sure. >> But manias if you switch around the letters it it turns into an emus, which is sweetness. So, it means the bigger the obstacles, the bigger the sweetness going to be after. So, we had a lot of manias, but made it and from that Shabbos, my life changed. I was I still lived in Airmont at the time. I helped Lipa build the issue. famous Lipa issue and when I moved to Pomona, I moved to Pomona for the cover of minyan. I knew Abe >> When you were 13? >> [laughter] >> 12 maybe. >> How did you guys know each other? Monroe? What are you talking about? >> I was doing electric then and I was doing work in Monroe for Shmuli's father. >> Oh, real estate world? Development? >> Yeah, development world. >> Construction? >> Yeah. >> Got it. Got it. >> But we didn't really know each other back then. >> No. >> Wow. >> We got to know know each other from the 7-Eleven years. >> Yeah. What was the 7-Eleven years? >> I opened up the kosher heaven. >> You opened up the kosher heaven in the 7-Eleven? You mean you didn't know this when you asked him to come here? >> [laughter] >> The only kosher 7-Eleven hot dogs. How you doing? >> Right. I fought with corporate for a year and a half. And I opened up 7-Eleven in 2012, I think. >> Were you the first kosher thing for 7-Eleven in the country or something? >> Yeah, it still is. >> How did How did you pull that off and why is it the only one? >> Why is the only one? I don't know. I think you need to have you need to have the right ownership. The right ownership in 7-Eleven. Anthony in 7-Eleven was the right owner for this. Right in in in Connecticut, it's right in Brooklyn, they don't work out. Anthony in 7-Eleven, he sold it. It's not the same anymore. But he understood. He has a Yiddish cup. He's married to a Yid, so he has a Yiddish cup. So we made it work. We made it work. And uh that's how I got to know Abe from from 7-Eleven. And uh I wanted to move to a place where it's a big diverse crowd. And the Kal Buch menu was there. So when I moved to Pomona, was after 10 years in Airmont, probably 5-6 years of being busy with Lee Peschel. I was like just looking like have a peaceful life, not involved any issues. But after a few years I told Abe, we got to do something. In order to grow, I felt that in order we should grow together, we need our own place. So, we when we looked at places on the 45, under the Which which school was that? Nicholas Road. >> Yeah. >> Looked at a bunch of places. And uh we just decided that we just got to got to jump in. We got to do it. We rented a house. We just wanted to sing. Wanted to dive in and sing and connect and grow. So, we rented our small house on 1 East 1 East Lane. Rabbi Diamondbusch lived there. >> Fast jump. >> What? >> That's the fast jump. That's it right there, right? >> Rabbi Diamondbusch gave us away his dining room. >> Wow. >> Really was amazing. His mom was selfless. Was Mrs. Kirshenbaum for him. And we were there for like a year and a half. And uh it's about COVID time that we decided that I think the owner of the house Yeah, the owner of the house that he's selling the house and we have to move. Started looking around for houses. And we did our first fundraiser a week before COVID. And then COVID hit. And then everything stopped. Everything stopped, but we still we had a lease already. We signed a contract. No, we signed a contract to buy the house. Signed a contract to buy a three-wheeler court a few weeks before COVID. COVID hit. Went to the to the seller and said, "Look, we're not going to be able to close right away. Let's do our four-year lease. Do a four-year lease to buy." And he was maskem. So, that whole summer of 2020, we dove in the Dovits' house, Dovits' Steins' house, and then Elon Richland's house. And then we moved in Shabbos Lichus. Moved into the current location Shabbos Lichus. We opened up the shul with a bris. Friday morning, Gedaliah Roth's bris. We opened up the bris. Like we don't know if we felt like we don't know if he's coming to open up the shul for us. Then we had Moshe Storch, I think, for Shabbos. No, it was Yudi Solomon. >> Yudi Solomon sounds fresh here. >> Yudi Solomon. >> What's the Shabbos Lichus? >> It was all the good Tishrei. It was like Tishrei of that year was >> I'm sorry. Tishrei? Tishrei? >> The month? >> The month. >> Tishrei for >> Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot. I don't I don't work in Tishrei. >> Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, >> Okay. Okay. Tishrei is before Elul. >> No, it's after. After. >> I mean, it's 11 months before you. >> Yeah. Guys, guys, [laughter] cut me some slack here, okay? >> So So it's the best Tishrei you had. Never heard that term before in my life. >> The best Tishrei you ever had. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> It was all the good Tishrei. >> Yeah, I've had some mad Eluls, but Tishrei [laughter] I don't I'm sure. >> And the rest is history. It just spiraled out of control. I mean, we always joke with each other that we didn't go to shul school. >> A little bit, maybe. >> We didn't go to shul school to know how to run a shul or how to run a community. But we're learning on the job. Hashem wants this from us. We We just wanted to sing by davening. All of a sudden, you have to take care of this and there's a whole community. >> Let me ask you a question. There's so much to unravel here and I appreciate you giving me the history, the three of you. Again, I'm mentioning again how amazing and special it is that the three of you took out time to sit here and talk about it. Shows how meaningful the community is for you and your desire to have people even mimic this and grow this in their communities and to support your own community for the all the right reasons. And I know on Rosh Chodesh, people come from literally all over the world to dance, uh, you know, I would say with us. Cuz I will be there tomorrow morning. Um, it's just amazing. Amazing, amazing things that you're talking about. And also what you can learn from about politics and being on a board. Can't imagine you running a shul with Lipa Schmeltzer and all the people in the community of Irmo and lovely getaway to this, you know, place of serenity. So much to talk about there. Um, I think that the the the beauty that I see at least on, uh, I would say a daily basis whenever I pop in is that you all share, it's so funny to watch. It's almost like different people from different backgrounds and you see it right here. For those of you that can't see, we have someone here wearing a big white knitted yarmulke with a beautiful blue teal blue stitching around it. And with some tzitzit sticking out. And then we have this bearded guy from Monroe. And then we have David over here from Brooklyn, right? And it's just it all worlds colliding. And all of us really had such a tremendous background that led us to where we are here together, which is amazing. I like the concept and everything. I I would like to break down just for a second, if you don't mind, the when you're getting together and you're building a shul. I've gone through this process a few times. There's one thing that you guys have that's unique to every other shul. Besides the music and the love and the dancing and the commitment to togetherness and so on, there's a uniqueness that no other shul really has and it's been like that for you guys for a while and I'm curious, if you don't mind me opening this box, um, you don't have a rabbi. >> What? >> We have a lot of rabbis. >> Yeah, yeah, we have quite a few, actually. >> We have rabbis. We don't have a pulpit rabbi. But we have rabbis. Our shul was like, uh, launching pad. It's almost like, uh, you know, like the Lubavitcher Rebbe sent out shluchim. Lubavitcher Rebbe said that he wants to create leaders. Our shul creates leaders. That's what it is. It's a place where people come in to grow to go out to the world. We We're doing that with a teen minyan. We have our separate teen minyan, a bachurim minyan. Shmuel Lamstein runs it. Every Thursday night the challah Shabbos, but they have their own Shabbos, they have their own minyan, their own kiddush, their own gabbon, their own balkairas, their own baal tefilas. And it is to create the next generation of leaders. They'll go out, they'll get married, they'll live all over the world davening in their own shuls. And this they'll bring this along with them. A third of our budget is is for the kids and the teens. Because we understand that this is the next generation. If we created a clubhouse for ourselves and, you know, we can dance and sing and have a good time and grow. It's cute, it's good, it's nice. But what's with the next generation? That's our word. Our budget is about $600,000 a year. We spend like a third on the kids and the teens. We have Rabbi Joey with the kids. >> [snorts] >> These kids know Tehillim by heart. >> Really? >> These kids have their own Tehillim. They They have their own Tehillim where they write down things and they daven. It was by this. Five, six, seven-year-old kids doing this by this with Rabbi Joey. We have a kria program every Wednesday with them. So it's >> Thank you Hashem notebooks. >> Yeah. >> What's that? >> They have notebooks. Each kid has a notebook. They write down thank you Hashem for whatever they're feeling. It's all part of Rabbi Joey's program. >> We need to drop that song for a second. It was very good, it is very good, it's going to be even better. It was very good, it is very good, it's going to get even better. Was very good. It is very good. It's going to be even better. [singing] Was very good. It is very good. It's going to get even better. Just rely on our share. >> [laughter] >> Jack, you carry that thing everywhere. >> I did not bring that Stop it. >> Absolutely. This guy travels everywhere. >> I swear when you pulled it out a few minutes ago, I'm like, "Oh my god, he wants to vape and he's not sure." [laughter] >> I'm looking at you and I'm like, >> What's going to I was about to say he does vape. You pulled that out at the perfect time. That's amazing. Um kudos to you, Abe, but I want to move to you then because you just drew the attention right over to you. Abe, um I think another common denominator between a lot of people that dove in in the shul and the fact that they're the diversification is so wide. Um besides our backgrounds and our emotionally and spiritually, there's also financial uh differences between a lot of us. Deal making, negotiating, uh blue collar, those kind of things. You have a certain uniqueness to you that I want to tap into for a minute. Uh being spiritual in a world of such physical is challenging. And you're on the ground and you're on the on the root you have a some sort of construction world that you're living in. What is >> Stone. >> What is that stone? Is it stone or >> Marble, granite. >> Marble, granite. And your brothers have been in the community of construction for a while. >> Yeah, we were um yeah, my brother Chaim is a contractor. He was a framer first and he's a contractor now. My brother Bentsy who now moved to Eretz Yisrael and he was a plumber. And I was an electrician. And we used to do work together all the time. >> And you fed each other business? >> Yeah. >> Wow. >> Sure. >> That's pretty cool. >> Yeah, it was amazing. And then uh at some point I got out of electric and whatever. Now I'm in uh now I'm doing stone. >> Wow. Um >> It's to light people up. Now get them Well, I can't say. >> Stones? >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> You put that on the side. >> be conscious of what I'm saying here. >> Yeah, it's all good. It's all good. We're not on uh 613 or whatever, >> You know, always on 613. >> I meant. >> [laughter] >> Um, that's great. Uh, you're you're in the world of just being hands-on and hands-dirty, right? And really physical labor your your whole life. What how do you pause? How do you in such an environment where you got to be up 7:00 in the morning, I'm sure the the the construction starts, right? I'm imagining starts early in the morning. >> I I spent my first four or five hours in shul every day. So, I try to make it um when I can, I try to make it to learn before Nates. I mean, it's been a transformation, but uh >> It wasn't always like >> know No, absolutely not. I started davening in Nates 5 years ago with after we moved into this into where our current location, Bernie brought his minyan uh from 18th Avenue shul. I mean, they still have a fire Nates minyan there, but uh he had started like a minyan that had a lot of influence in his music and >> Which started in the leap of shul. >> There you go. I guess it has a lot of iterations. >> A lot of energy coming from him. So, yeah. >> And um And once we started davening there, I mean, I had davened sometimes like here and there in 18th Avenue shul. At the Nates minyan, I wasn't really a Nates guy though. I just used to get schlepped in, but once we started there, it was like a game-changer for me. >> Before Nates, you were davening in general? >> Um >> You were davener, so to speak? >> Rabbi Lankry's dug out. Yeah. Rabbi Lankry's dug out for a bunch of years. >> Okay. I don't know what that means. >> I used to have a very hard time. I'd go to shul. >> Yeah. >> Like and I I would on and off try to go to like different minyanim, but it just never it never clicked. Like it nothing ever like drew me in. >> I guess my question being a >> Mhm. What clicked? >> Yeah. >> Um the Nates [clears throat] was a game changer, but that's 5 years ago or 6 years ago now or 5 and 1/2 whatever it is. But, um, prior um, Shabbos Shabbos Shabbos changed my life. I mean, I grew up in a house that had like uh Shabbos is amazing of most warm home. But, like everyone you have to uh veer on your own path to some to some extent. And like I would say the first couple of years of marriage I didn't go to shul too much. Shabbos during the week was less. But, um, yeah, once so I want to clarify where we're going, but uh Shabbos really changed my my weekday life. And, um, but the Nates minyan at Orshlamo was what changed my life really. >> So, it's it starts with the Shabbos and then it continues into the weekday. It's sort of like infuses you, but I'm just curious though through that whole process of you working hard, if you're not working, if your hands are not on a tool, you're not bringing in money. And in that environment to find spirituality, I find it's challenging. So, I'm curious through that process like what clicked for you at that point. That's what I want to go back to for a little bit. >> So, >> cuz so many people can resonate with this. You're working hard. If I don't get into the Uber car, if I don't sit behind that desk, if I don't, you know, show up to that kitchen or, you know, show up to that facility, then I'm not making money. And it's so a constant worry in our world, right? So, how do you connect that spirituality? Where did that spark come? I understand the journey of Orshlamo and the Kalabach and all that stuff. I'm curious if you can take me a little deeper to understand throughout that process and what I can learn from it of where did that shift mental shift come from so to speak? >> So, when I started when we started the minyan, I started listening to Orshlamo a lot. And hearing Orshlamo talk about uh this rebbe or that rebbe and always saying stories and little torahs, and it got It like sparked my neshama. My neshama was like, "Hey, I want that. Whatever he's talking about, I want that. I want ishbits. I don't know what it is, but I want it. I want Rebbe Nachman. I don't know why, I don't know what, but it's like something that's changing something inside of me." And that, you know, so it was like small small things that early on. At some point, um after the crash in '08, so I was not I was doing electric on a much smaller scale. I had like built up a little business and whatever. But, um so after that, I was trying to sell water treatment, and I was sitting in the office one day, and my brother tells me that I like I could not make a sale. You know, I had nothing. I'm like going bananas, and I'm like And my brother's like, "Rebbe Nachman, anyush." So, one day I'm sitting there, and I'm like, "Okay, you know something? I hear about Rebbe Nachman." I'd already been going to like, um a Likutei Amaranchia for a couple of years with some of Daniel Korin. And and what I'm sitting at the at the desk, and I Google Rebbe Nachman. And two shiurim from Rav Moshe Weinberger came up. And the rest is history, really, from that. Like, all of a sudden, for the next, uh till now, I walk around with something in my ear most of the day, and that's my, uh infusion, and I'm just pounding stuff like, uh Like, we always say, input output. >> So. >> Double speed. >> Yeah. >> You're getting a >> Well, early on it wasn't double speed. >> Well, you're getting at least a lot of the input um by listening to it and absorbing it and so on. How are you outputting it? >> I try to smile at everyone. I try to just live it, you know? Try to, uh whatever my feelings are. At some point, also, like hearing so many different things from Rav Weinberger, where he um made me realize that everyone has everyone has packages. So, I have troubles I have things that are struggling like I have to run and do whatever it is. Everyone does. So, kind of like well maybe I'm jumping, but it's an equalizer and I was like, "Hey, you know something? I just want to be a positive guy." You know, years ago they used to call me Abe the angry electrician. Yeah, if you interview don't interview any of my uh people that I worked with cuz you know >> Was that right? Is that were you angrier then? >> Uh yeah. >> What do you think you're angrier >> know if I was angry, but like I used to get I used to get triggered very easily. And um >> Wow. >> Yeah. >> So, like secrets No, I I I I like it, but look this is all learning experience off one another. I mean, you know, being in this chair and being vulnerable and talking it's it's not easy. Uh but I'm right here with you. >> Thank you. >> Um I used to be angry, too. And I was an angry kid. In fact, as a teenager I remember cursing, you know, uh my mother. I was so angry. I I I like I I I recognize now years later that she has forgiven me, you know, of course because she's a mother, right? Um you know, but I was angry and I was always thinking about that and I I like talking about anger. People shy away from it. Um I I think that anger is one of the worst traits in the entire world. It uh it the same passion perhaps that build a relationship in a minute can destroy it can destroy years >> Yeah. >> through anger. So, I really want to talk about it. I want to tap into that for a minute if you don't mind. >> By all means. >> So, like um I think that I think that me not getting less >> Don't make me cry. >> [laughter] >> Um crying is also a good thing, but um I guess that you know, um I have a lot of lessons that I've learned in my life about anger. I'm curious what you've learned from everything that you've taken in. Like um um what are those what are those valuable insights and golden nuggets that you can share about anger? And about your journey through it and um transitioning cuz I don't know you as an angry person, but I sure as hell believe you that you were angry. >> What have I learned about anger? Anger doesn't feel good. Anger is something that just like it's uh it's a filler. I don't know. I never really thought about it. I don't I try not to like reflect on what it was more on like that energy that I was putting into not necessarily putting in that was like a natural proclivity. Um I realized that if I can if I can use it for something that's positive. I think I once heard uh R Wyman talking about this. And he was talking about the Rebbe Elisch. The Satmar Rebbe and about the challenge for a lot of us to accept what he like what let's say the Satmar I don't want to get into it but like what the Satmar uh view on Eretz Yisrael is. And he said he's like listen he's like you have to find the nekudah pnimis. Like the innermost truth that's inside of it and roll with it. And it made me think I'm like you know I just want to be happy. So I started taking the energy that uh I guess I was using for uh for anger. And um just started smiling. Smiling at people and I realized that like a smile is uh a smile could be with your eyes only. You can smile at someone with your eyes without your without your mouth moving. And I was like um the same way that you can look angry. You come inside somebody can look really angry uh it's it's an energy. >> So you start transitioning that >> I started transitioning. It's like I don't I don't I don't want the the angry energy around me. >> David, Shmuly, what do you guys think? Have you experienced anger? >> We've all experienced anger. >> To to a level that you have had to transform yourself? You personally? >> Um It's funny that when you when you finish at the endless ministry, you have a look in it, so And over there you say you dive and you say you hear what's saying. First feeler is kinah, ka'as, and ga'avah. Right? There's kinah, ka'as, ga'avah. Like you know what I'm saying? >> Jealously. Kinah, ka'as, ga'avah. >> Anger. And anavah. And um same with the anavah. And this what it is. So I'm going to tell you 10 years ago when I would go with brothers, 12 years ago, so I would have a siman. I would want to dive in for these three things. I think it's kinah, ka'as, and ga'avah is huge. >> Ego. >> It's ego. >> Right. >> So kinah, ka'as, ga'avah is kuf, kaf, gimel. Right? Kuf, kaf, gimel. Kuf, kaf, gimel is 1 2 3. It's 1 2 3. >> Kabbalistic. >> That was like my siman for like when I go out to daven in the woods, it's kinah, ka'as, ga'avah. So obviously we all we all have that. And uh different moments in life trigger different emotions. I think with by me is whenever I get triggered with one of these three, I I think of uh yeshus. We're nothing. >> What is it, yeshus? >> Yesh mayin. We're all we're all nothing. If we're all nothing if I'm nothing and he's nothing and you're nothing so what I'm going to get upset about what? You're nothing. I'm nothing. I'm going to get upset upset about nothing? It's all nothing. It's all come from So they might offer us a fruitful offer. We'll come from nothing and go back to nothing. So when you realize that we're all nothing and the only thing that is is Hashem in the center of the universe and we're all part of Hashem. We're all reflections of Hashem. And whatever I'm doing is just I'm I'm schlepping Hashem. Hashem is letting me do do things. I'm like his cleaner. So if I'm a schlepper if you get into that mindset then nothing can upset you. You don't have an ego. Because who are you to have an ego? You don't have jealousy because that reflection of Hashem Hashem decided to have his outcome and his reflection in that person that way and in me that way. It's not that that person is higher than me or I'm lower or that's lower. It's all the same thing. It's all Hashem. It comes out differently. Different people. So I think when you have that mindset and you train yourself to think that way you have a more peaceful life. You have a peaceful life. It doesn't bother you as much. You don't take life the Western life that seriously. Obviously, you know Jewish life you have to take seriously but you don't you don't take all of these other things seriously. And >> [clears throat] >> it has an effect on on your psyche. It has an effect on your on your mental health. That and obviously that brings in a moon and the talking and you know that gives you a more peaceful life. Let me ask you a question. You know, you you use the word that um I've heard a lot in in this world of Reb Nachman and the world of um or uh hisbodedus. The concept of being alone and talking to Hashem, talking to God. Um you mentioned it, so I'd like to for you to break it down for us if you don't mind. Um the first time I ever heard about it was from a good friend of mine, Yanky Safran, and um I was going through a very difficult time. He saw me in the gym and he saw something was wrong. And as a good friend should do, he asked me, "How you doing?" And I said I I And as a good friend should do, I responded, "I'm not doing so great." And um he said, "Why don't you go home and shut the door and make sure no one's no one's home with you. Shut your windows. Do your Do your neighbors a favor. And just just yell at God. Just scream at him and just treat him like your friend, like your enemy, like your your everything. Just yell at him. And and I'm not going to get too deep into what happened by me because like I like to say, I want to learn from you guys and your experiences, but it opened up my world to connecting to God on a simple language of English and of my own emotion. And it was a tremendous breakthrough. And then Jojo took me out to the fields a few months ago for the first time and he's like, "Go talk to this tree. I'll be back in 10 minutes." And that was kind of an interesting experience, but what is this whole thing of uh What's the English translation of hisbodedus? >> Meditation. >> Meditation? >> um I think it's uh seclusion, no? >> Seclusion? Okay, could be both. But then >> But alone is kind of the Far East, maybe the Buddhist, you know, just seclusion, going to a mountain alone. Hisbodedus in in in our world, in the Jewish world, in the title world is [snorts] Rebbe Nachman says to treat Hashem like talk to Hashem like you talk to your friend. Obviously, he is our father, he's our king, Avinu Malkeinu, but talk to him like you talk to your friend. Rebbe Nachman talks a lot about it that he that Hashem wants us to be menatzei'ach Hashem. He wants us to win an argument with Hashem. Hashem wants us to start argument with him. Convince Hashem that this is what I want. And Hashem should give it to you. Moshe Rabbeinu, right? Wanted to go in Eretz Yisrael. He davened 515 tefillos. It's not like, if you think about it, he didn't write on a blackboard 515 times I want to go in Eretz Yisrael, I want to go in Eretz Yisrael, I want to go in Eretz Yisrael. >> [laughter] >> He didn't do that. He had 515 different tefillos. And the tefillos came from Torah. The Torah, the whole Torah. And the reason why, why Hashem has to let him in. Rebbe Nachman talks about it. He says, "Take every Torah and turn it into a tefillah." Right? Rebbe Nachman has Likutei Moharan. Rebbe Nosson went and turned the whole Likutei Moharan into Likutei Tefillos. Every [snorts] Torah has a tefillah. So, Moshe Rabbeinu went and had 515 different tefillos to Hashem trying to convince Hashem. So, obviously, Hashem told Moshe Rabbeinu to stop. But, Hashem never told us to stop. So, we kind of have to continue. But, it's trying to First of all, you have to create a relationship with Hashem. Obviously, this you tell someone "Go into a room or go into the woods and start talking to Hashem." You feel like, "What? Who am I talking to? I'm talking to myself." Doesn't make sense. So, you obviously have to create that relationship with Hashem. And once you have that relationship, and you have to dive into the relationship. You have to dive into Hashem, I want to have a relationship with you. You There's obviously a creator in the world. The world wasn't created from nothing. There's There's a creator that created the world. So, that creator hears everything. And now with technology, obviously, you can understand that. He He hears everything. He's He hears right here, [clears throat] within me. Right? Reb Laizer Brody used to used to say that uh he says, "If you put your If you put mic the mic the microphone to his heartbeat, you will hear Yud-Keh Vav-Keh. Yud-Keh Vav-Keh, right? Every heartbeat is Hashem." So, you you create a relationship, and you go out Reason why the person has to go out to the forest, he said, "Because in the city, where there's a lot of people, there's a lot of bad energy. People with bad thoughts, people are doing bad things. Like, the energy, it's clouded, right? In the city. The pollution in the city is You go out to the to the suburbs, it's cleaner. So, if you go out to the woods, there's not a lot of people there, so the air is cleaner. The air is cleaner, it's easier for you to connect. It's easier for you to connect, and it's it puts you into a mindset of being able to connect and and and dig within you to be able to bring that out. And it's a very It's a very practical I mean, Reb Shalom Arush talks about it. Practical guidance how to start doing his by others. He talks about a an hour as by others. He breaks it down in 20 minutes, 20 minutes, 20 minutes, but you can do it in 3 minutes even. Or a minute, a minute, a minute. He He breaks it down with starting the first 20 minutes in a thanking Hashem. Bring yourself into a gratitude mindset. Thanking for everything. Thanking for your life, your wife, your kids, your house, your cars, your job, your food, your health, everything. Your shoes, your pants, your friends, your rabbis, everything. And then go into 20 minutes of cheshbon nefesh. Self-reflection. What's going on? Where am I in life? What did I do? What did I not do? What do I want to do? Where am I stuck? What's the bottleneck? Cheshbon nefesh. [snorts] Then 20 minutes in asking, asking Hashem whatever you want to ask for. He kind of breaks it down that gives you some type of a structure. But you don't need structure technically. You You sit down with your friends and you're not going to think about structure. It's only when you're bored you simply you think about structure. But you sit down with your friends and you're not going to think about structure. But it's basically a relationship. And it's the same as I can't tell you how you should have a relationship with your wife. Everyone has a different relationship with their spouse. Hashem is the same thing. You have to find your relationship and tap into it. Once you tap into it then you become good friends. You can talk to Hashem even in a crowd of a thousand people. And that's called the Rebbe calls it a silent scream. Instead of going to a room and start to scream with all the windows Nachman talks about being in a crowd being in a Yankee Stadium, 50,000 people, and do his work there in the Yankee Stadium. Silent scream. And that's his Nachman said that's like the highest scream ever. If you close your eyes and you scream in your mind it's the it's the it's the loudest scream. Loudest non-scream. >> Wow, I almost wish that everyone screamed like that. It'll be a better world. Um I I appreciate you breaking down this by this thing for me tremendously. It's really it was You did a great job by the way breaking it down. Um definitely going to consider the three-minute version again. Um, something you guys mentioned, you know, it it it's fascinating to me is that how not enough shuls do the integration of the children the way you guys do it. And I think that if uh you know, dayenu, if we're able to get another shul to implement teen programs or children programs, you go to more modern shuls around the world and you always see it. The Young Israel, they have the programs. And you know, uh I growing up I actually had pirchei in Brooklyn. >> growing up. >> Remember that? >> Tehillim and >> Yeah. Yeah, we had it, but like a lot of times I don't see it. I didn't have it for my kids actually, and I kind of feel bad about it, to be honest with you, that I didn't have it for my kids. And um, I just think it's so important give them, you know, that network of putting it together. How do you guys I have a couple of questions with regarding this topic and you could break it down any which way you want and uh you know, I'm I'm I'm I'm considering asking all three of you this question, but I'm going to start with you cuz we're continuing the conversation is that I wish when I was a kid that I was introduced to some of these concepts. And >> Me, too. >> I I almost thank Hashem that I went through the process, of course, anyways, simply because I appreciate it more now. So, of course, everything happens for a reason, it's all for my good, we got all that. But, let's focus on the kids for for a second and um and ask ourselves, how are we doing this in the best way possible infusing this in our in our children? And what can we do differently that they'll appreciate it and we won't you know, I I I sit sometimes in a shul and I see a father dragging his kid to the Aron Kodesh to kiss it, and I want to drag that guy and throw him out of the shul, like literally. And um you guys are very emotionally aware in in Arshlomo. I'll tell you before uh you answer the question about the children, I'll tell you just real quick is that one of the first times I davened in Yeshurun, um I couldn't make it past the Mincha when I had to daven for the Amud. I don't know if any one of you were there. >> I was there. It was on your mother's yard site. >> Yeah. So, uh un- unfortunately, I was the brother that said, "Ah, my brother's got this. They'll do the Kaddish. I don't have to do it, you know?" >> I think I was one that pushed you to actually >> Yeah, you pushed me. Thanks. >> Sorry. >> Appreciate that, bro. Um >> Anytime. >> So, I didn't really daven for the Amud a lot. I didn't really get up to lead the congregation. Um but I did it uh right before Shabbos at Ohr I got up to daven Mincha, and in the middle I realized what a what a terrible kid I was that I didn't I wasn't there for my mom for the spirituality of it, and I didn't do a lot of Kaddish. I could not finish Mincha. I was up there Baruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Avosenu and I pushed myself and I pushed myself >> [clears throat] >> Like the hero that you are, Dovid, I think you stepped in, right? Was it you? >> Yep. >> I walked out crying, and I couldn't take it, and the reason why I loved what you did so much and uh was so meaningful to me is because you were so careful not to embarrass me, and you went straight to the Amud and you just continued like there was nothing wrong. You didn't have to ask a rabbi. You would just did the leadership thing that you and I was talking about earlier, which I really appreciate. So, I'll publicly thank you now. Um but I'm thinking the effect that we have on our kids and the effect that we have on each other and how we raise our kids and what we do like one of my daughters did something amazing today is before she left the house, she turned to her sister who's similar in her age, and she said, "Hey, you want to come with me?" And I'm like, "Oh, that's so amazing." Like, I never asked my kid to say that to their I grew up though in an environment where I'd be like, "You got to take your brother. You got to take your You know, go out with your brothers." And then you know, and hearing about it made me not want to do it, you know? So, then here I looked at my kid, I'm like, "I never told my daughter to hang out with her sister." But natural inclination of love and way way growing up is not feeling feeling forced like the guy who dragged the guy to the Torah. So, again, I'm going back to this question, Shmuly, and I'm going back with you, and based on that, you know, where I'm holding emotionally, what can we learn from it? How do we How do we tell our kids what we're what we're learning from all this? Just Let's talk about that part of the process of of living life. >> of do what I do, not what I say. And our kids see that we're we're in shul singing, davening, and they see that we really mean it, and it's important to us. So, they want to emulate us. They want to do the same thing. >> And I've noticed the common denominator, I'm sorry to cut you off, is that none of you are pushing your kids to do it. None. I have not seen That's why I'm so amazed by the program that you have for the teens, cuz you're doing something right. Let's talk about it. What are you doing so right? >> we were pushed, and we didn't like it. Right? We didn't like it, so that's why we had to find our own ways. Not saying that that this is a 100% proof way that it's going to work, but right now it's working for our kids. They like to come to shul. They connect to Rabbi JoJo. They connect to the davening. They want to daven. Right? So, my son, Ruvi, he's 8 years old. He davens with Rabbi JoJo every morning Shabbos morning, Shabbos day, right? Friday night, he plays outside. He runs around. I didn't tell him to come in. Last few weeks, daven in his own, right? Friday, he just came into the shul, opened up a siddur, and started davening. >> And singing. Woo. >> Singing. I didn't tell him to do it. The concept that Rambam has this concept that you have to give a kid a candy to learn. So, obviously, we have prizes and and all that stuff. Rabbi JoJo brings in that vibe and that life in the kids. So, they want to come to shul, and they experience the singing. They like it. Now, they want to be part of it. They see the teen, they're the kids' room is right next to the teen room. Bar Mitzvah minyan. So they see growing They're like, "Okay, I want to grow up like these guys. These guys daven. They take davening seriously. They sing. There's something there." Kids are so innocent. They're not corrupt [snorts] like us. Their mind is so fresh and innocent and holy. They smell holiness. They want to They want to be part of it. They just want to be part of it. They don't know yet why, what, when. They just want to be part They smell goodness. They want to be there. >> So your your message that I'm accepting and I love it the idea of not to push. That's the the thing. And and and let them emulate something that you're doing that they they >> We should be We should be a role model. >> role models, which is great. And I and I love that. Abe, I'm I'm going to turn to you. Tell me, you know, from raising good kids and you know, and and being an environment of brothers, you know, you we've seen a lot, right? I'm also a couple of brothers. You're a few brothers. And you learn a lot. You learn what to do, what not to do. You know, sometimes I ask one kid of mine like, "What can you tell me about how I did things to you that I can learn for the next kid?" It's one of my favorite questions to ask my kids. So I'm curious what you learned about this process from kids and that whole topic. >> I have no idea. >> [laughter] >> Honestly, my mother taught me that it's all about prayer. She tell used to tell me all the time, "Abe, you know how much I daven for you?" And that's it. You know, ultimately, I think about this a lot. I really do because um I don't like to look negatively on anything from the from the past. Like I was saying before, you have to find that nakuda inside of what they were trying to bring out. And you know, for for many years it was a matter of like we were kind of forced to be inside the ghetto. Like we were forced to be to do whatever it was. And we kind of just had to do like as Jews you had to you had to just live your life. You were stuck inside there. And then probably over the last I don't know 100 years or whatever, maybe it's 150 years, things kind of broke out. So, the challenge I think number one is to is um like Shmuly said, you really want to just uh whatever you want your child to be, you want to try to and you want to uh live your life with truth and stay focused, a lot of tfilo, and then have confidence in in Hashem because at the end of the day I look at myself sometimes and I say, "You know, I've done a lot of like really stupid things, a lot of crazy things, and I'm all right. And I'm all right because Hashem took care of me. So, the same way that he took care of me, let me just try to give my kids something positive to see, and then have the ultimate faith that that they're going to be fine. And if they take uh you know, the route off like uh in whichever direction, I'm accepting. I mean, you know, baruch Hashem everything's great and um >> Accepting and praying. >> Yeah. >> I like that. >> Accepting and praying. I mean, just to add one thing I think that it was a very it's very important to us >> [clears throat] >> to facilitate the this this idea of the future. Like I kind of see us as as facilitators, really. We're facilitating growth for people and it became very very important that we were like a lot of chevra like if um they have to be a part of something. So, when you create the the teen programs and the kids programs, these kids are also a part of something and they mean something in shul. They show up. They know that if they're not there also, somebody's going to realize that they're not there. It's not just that they're another kid that maybe's hanging around on the swing set or another kid who's getting pulled by the ear into shul. >> Yeah, very true. >> What a great point, by the way. Fantastic point. >> A lot of the teens, a lot of the teenagers coming to minyan schlepping their fathers out out of early. Cuz they're like, "Ta, we got to go to shul." >> Wow. It's amazing. >> I love that, David. >> Is there anything left to say? I mean, I think they covered it all. >> compliment them and >> Yeah, well, yeah, they they >> [laughter] >> I don't I The First of all, have you seen you've Have you seen the kids minyan or the teen minyan? I have. >> It's pretty mesmerizing. >> It's It's It's phenomenal. You have kids in both in in In the teens, you have like Shmuel said earlier, they they have their own their own kiddush, their own gabbaim, their own chazzan, their own guy that's laining, and they're all teens. And like Abe was pointing out, they like really feel like they're a part of something. >> You're You're empowering them. >> You really are. And And they feel it, and you see it, and you can you see you see I cuz I have I had kids in the in in the in the kids' program, they graduated to the teens, ran the teens my my son and Abe's son ran the teens program before Shmuel and Simcha came. It's so powerful, and but I I I really think that the main the the main thing is the main way to get the best out of your kid is to just lead by example, because they're watching. They they they're watching you. So, you want to preach from today to tomorrow, you can, but they're watching to see how well you do. How do you talk to that person? >> Speaking of which, a lot of things that kids that uh they they they're watching is that they don't see. One of the things they really don't see is how hard we work for our money. They just don't see it. They they see that we're away, they're in school. We hopefully recognize the work that they're putting in school. They don't I don't I This is my personal opinion. I'm curious to shift gears for a second and bring the business side of things in it cuz our kids are getting older. And as they get older, you want to give them the best sort of direction spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, emulate, lead by example, all that good stuff, but financially is something where eh, it's not doesn't always working by lead by example. I mean, you just Cuz you're a dentist or a doctor or a tile layer or a stock broker. Doesn't stock broker doesn't I have to have to bring it up. Uh doesn't mean that they're going to >> those days? >> What's I remember those days. Yes, yes. I'm I have to mention it because I remember Ury being also >> Oh my god. >> Um used to say that he's in stocks cuz he was stocking the shelves in the pharmacy. >> When he was 17 years old. But you were really in the stock market, David. Um Finding ourselves financially um is is also a tremendous um a journey, uh a concept of you know, figuring out what you love and what you you know, what you want to do early on and it's such a challenge. I want to learn from each and every one of you cuz you're all three in different worlds financially and you're doing different things. Um I think you're in real estate or you Now I learned you sold kosher hot dogs. Um tiling and and and and right that electric work. You're doing real estate deals as well now, right? And you did stocks and so on. How do we figure out for our our next generation, you know, um Forget AI. You know, let's just talk about what do you do to instill in them and what was your background like? And I want to go back to your 7-Eleven thing cuz I never knew that. So, 7-Eleven was one of your uh one of your first things? >> No. >> I got married in '05. I worked for my father upstate. We started buying a lot bunch of properties in Middletown, Minisink, Goshen. >> Got it. >> Past After 2001, September 11th, 2001, a lot of people from the city started moving upstate, right? Orange County, Sullivan County, Ulster County. And that was popping till the '08 crash. At the '08 crash, we lost everything. Properties, a lot of money, it was crazy. So, I decided then to leave the development world, leave the construction world. I always liked cooking and went to culinary school. So, I went to culinary school. >> I did not know this. I feel like I need the kazoo for every everything [laughter] that he's going to go through right now. >> school. >> And then, yeah, continue. >> In Brooklyn. >> I remember [snorts] that. On Coney Island Avenue? >> Yes. >> You went to that culinary school? >> Yes. >> Get out. I I did a dating class there once. >> Yeah, CKCA. [clears throat] And >> By the way, great uh tip for dating is go cooking, get a cooking class. >> Right. >> If someone to come to your house and do cooking, it's fantastic. >> from there, worked at a bunch of places. >> Where where where Where did you work? >> Oh. First spot. >> [laughter] >> Freddy? Good. [snorts] Where'd you work? >> Umio Sushi and Steak in Livingston, New Jersey. >> Next. You can go through all of them now. >> Lakewood Courtyard. I was food service director in Lakewood. >> No way. >> Yes, you were. >> In the nursing home? >> Yes. >> You were food service [laughter] director? Get out of here. Let's talk about your budgets, your PPEs, your vendors. >> I think I I think I brought it down from $7 like 5.50. >> Get out of here. No such thing as 5.50. This was what in the Yeah, okay, back then. Okay. Okay, okay, okay, fine. >> [laughter] >> And they eat well. >> And they eat well, exactly. So, how long were you food service director for? I did not know this. >> I think for like a year. They fired me. >> Oh. For what? >> Cuz I didn't have enough shidduchs. >> [laughter] >> I promise you. >> What does that mean? >> I didn't ask enough I didn't have any shylocks. They said the pre the chef before you always called the rabbi for shylocks. You never called the rabbi for shylocks. I said, "What do you want? I know all the I know all the shylocks. I know all the answers." >> [laughter] >> So, yeah, they let me go. And then I worked with Moshi Teitelbaum. Chef Moshi Teitelbaum. >> Okay. >> And with Ram Caterers we opened >> Oh. >> We opened up uh >> Ram's one of the biggest. >> Yeah. Aaron's Kissena Farms Farms in Queens. We opened up the deli there. It's a high-end deli. I worked at a few wedding halls. I uh gave >> age is this now? >> This is I don't know. This is >> He's still only 14 at this point. >> by years. This is yeah, 2000 >> Your higher 20s? >> 2009, [snorts] 2010. >> Higher 20s. >> Mid 20s. No, early 20s. 23, 24. >> Okay. Got it. So, in your 20s you're figuring it out. You did culinary. You're testing out the world. You worked in different restaurants and stuff. >> decided to uh do a food truck at the Chase parking lot. >> Of course you did. >> [laughter] >> Food truck at Chase parking lot. Um I had to go through uh through the village to get an approval to put a truck there. >> What made you want to put a truck there? >> I don't know. I always felt like I'm the sandwich guy. What? >> It's next door to 7-Eleven. Just clarify where >> Got it. >> One day I come in there and Anthony's like, "I heard you want to put a food truck there." Anthony, if you watch this. So, he said "I'm going to fight you." "You can't take away my business." So, I said, "Okay. Let's see who's going to win." A week later the Village of Airmont declined my application. Next day I'm all down and you know worked so hard, invested money, and then I had to give them a site plan and everything. I walk into 7-Eleven. Anthony comes up to me and he says, "You know what? I thought about it. He's like, "I always wanted to do something kosher in the store. How about forget about the food truck. Come inside the store, do it here." I said, "Um let me think about it." >> What did we say on the inside? >> On the inside it was like, "Yeah." >> [laughter] >> Next day I came back, obviously I said yes, and we started working on it. It took us about a year, year and a half to convince corporate to do it. Um >> What did you learn from that experience? That's an amazing experience in of itself. A year and a half, so you're waiting. Well, how did you have uh how did you >> I still I did I work I work as a private chef to a bunch of people. I trained caterers, I gave classes. >> What was your staple item that you >> I also worked at What's the name called? Uh on on College Fountain View? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah, I worked there, too. >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah. >> What were what were the items that you like to make? Like you I I make the best >> everything. >> Everything. >> [laughter] >> I'll vouch for that. All right. All right, I'll accept it. I'll accept it. Okay. >> And uh >> So, take me to that year experience working with 7-Eleven corporate to try to >> 7-Eleven corporate is uh >> Amazing. What an experience. >> Taught me a lot. How [snorts] to work with corporate. >> I'm asking. What did >> Which thing helped me um in later years working with corporate. Just you need to know you need to have a language with them. You need to know what to say, what not to say, and how to work with them. I I I don't know. I mean >> Give me an example. There's not a lot of people that >> know if I could. >> like to work with corporate America. >> I don't know if I could, but uh There's a lot of halal with corporate. >> Give Give Give me something. >> There's a lot of halal. >> Give me something. >> I can't. >> You can't even give me the little antidotes of what it takes to work with corporate? You have to learn words like proclivity. >> Everyone in corporate is there for themselves. >> Okay. >> for themselves. They don't care about the actual company. They don't care if the company's going to make money or not. They're only there to make sure that they can go up to the next level. And also you should know that if you work with corporate America the guy you're working with, if he's giving you a hard time, in a year from now, 2 years from now he's probably going to be gone. Because he's going to move up or down or leave. Right? When you work with regular companies, regular business, you know this guy's here for 20 years. In corporate I saw that in 7-Eleven. You know, when they had the reps coming coming through the stores, every 6 months to a year would change. So even if you fall in with someone that's not good or gives gives you a hard time, you know >> The opposite is true also, though. >> Yeah? Yeah, true, 100%. 100%. >> What were you going to say? >> I was going to say about that I remember from what I heard about the seeking. >> Of course you were. Go ahead. What is it? >> He says he says it's it's psychological. I think it ties in with with corporate over here. It says when you wake up before the sun is out, it's dark. Right? But you know that in a half an hour from now it's going to be light. So subconsciously you train your mind that whenever you go through something dark in your life the light is there. The light's at the end of the tunnel. The light is very near. He says, "But if you wake up when the sun is already out subconsciously you know darkness is coming." He says, "If you wake up a seeking you're training your mind that anything you go through in life light is coming." Which is ties back in with corporate even though you someone out there is not good for you whatever is hard going to be another person there in a year from now. So that was 7-Eleven. Great work. >> Yeah, great work. >> Very nice. So you learned that the process of 11, you opened the kosher thing and and did you start making money immediately? >> I worked there, was standing there screaming, "Get your kosher hot dogs here!" Yeah. Me and Anthony would scream. He would go to the like, "Kosher hot dogs!" >> [laughter] >> It was fun. It was a lot of fun. It's a lot of fun. >> How many hot dogs did you sell like on the height? >> What do you mean? I was um good in New York. ABC 7 Channel 12 news, you can search it. Um we sold a lot of hot dogs. Sold 4-500 hot dogs a day. >> Wow. >> Um I sourced all the dogs. I mean they they it was a custom run for us. Custom sizes, custom We did everything ourselves. I mean I made the hummus in over there. I made the coleslaw there. We made everything there. >> Where did the hot dogs come from? >> Back then it came from international. Either out of >> Globex. >> Glaser's meat. >> Yeah, yeah, Glaser's meat. That's right. >> Good people, yeah. >> Yeah, they custom run for us. Custom sizes, custom flavors. It was great. And um 2014 I sold it. I I sold it because I saw construction picking back up and uh decided to jump back in and I opened up a framing company. Um opened up a framing company 2014 with my brother Moishe. Called East Coast Framers. Still around. Best in town. Best service. Um you know when you drive on the 17, New York 17 to go upstate up to the mountains on the right side in Monroe, the all those houses. That's East Coast Framers. >> What a contract. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. >> Wow. >> He's part of the developers, so. >> [laughter] >> He did help, but he has investors, obviously. Um and the beginning of the project, it's 1,800 unit project. Beginning of the project, they wanted to bring in four framers. I had to fight. In the beginning of the project, they had three framers there. Now, we're the only one. Because I proved myself. >> What did you have to prove? >> Quality, speed. They'll call you up and say, "Hey, you have 10 foundations ready for you. I don't want you to start with one. I want you to start with all 10. And I want you to be able to carry me at least 90 days. 90 days, you're done with all 10." And these are 50 60,000 square foot buildings. >> Wow. What kind of contract is this per 60 days, 90 days? How much are we talking about volume of spend? >> Volume of spend? That whole project? >> Yeah. >> Framing-wise, is just the >> Framing. Just the framing. >> Well, figure uh I don't know. Maybe $6 a square foot. >> Okay. Humor me, please. Are we talking about a few million dollar contract or a few hundred thousand dollar contract? >> times 50,000? 300,000. >> Okay, a few hundred thousand dollar contract? >> 300 per building. So, you're talking about 10 buildings in one shot. 3 million bucks. >> Wow. >> to be able to carry 90 days. >> Sure. So, you're acting as a bank to them as well, which is a very typical thing as a service provider. >> Right. >> And you're giving them credit and hoping that they're going to be successful. And of course, you have an end, so you understand that they probably will be. >> Not so fun. >> But still challenging to be a bank. I'm living in that world, and I think a lot of our friends were living in the world of being a service provider are used to this concept of 30 days, 60 days, 90 days. And um I always work on on this concept of people should we should not be in the banking business. We should be in the service providing business get paid. Of course, it's part of the course just like you know >> You know what to get a contract. >> Yes. >> You have to provide that service as a banker. >> That's the reality. >> That is the reality. So >> Wow. >> So a few years in I actually um few years in about 2018, 2019. Remember talking to Abe one day and we were waiting for trusses on a bunch of buildings, roof trusses and floor trusses. >> What's a truss? I'm sorry. >> Truss is a prefabricated roof joist that roof >> What's a joist? No, I'm kidding. Okay, got it. >> [laughter] >> And we I had a bunch of buildings without trusses. >> Okay. >> There's got to be more companies. So I opened up a company. I opened a manufacturing plant in Ellenville, New York. >> Wow. In Ellenville? >> In Ellenville. >> I love Ellenville. Is it the smack in the middle of town? It's Greenfield Park. >> Yeah. [clears throat] Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. Do so foods is in Ellenville. >> foods is in Ellenville. >> The Tamarack Hotel was in Ellenville. I grew up on Tamarack Hotel. >> you get them to name the park after you? >> [laughter] >> So you remember >> them I'm going to open a Hasidic development. >> Right. >> They said, "No, no, no. We'll name a park after you." >> [laughter] >> Aluminum Drive there was the the knife sharpening company over there. Whatever. >> So let me just get this straight. So you went into the framing business after you sold your hot dog business. And then you realized, "Oh, there's nobody doing this. So let me manufacture this on my own." >> Yeah. >> Uh-huh. Huh? >> Hardest thing in my life. >> So okay, but you just went in not I heard this once a good a good vert that said, "You know, if I was smart enough to know what I was going into I would have never gone into it in the beginning with." It sounds like this is your juncture and >> Mhm. >> Right, this is where you were up to. >> I had an opportunity in the beginning before I opened it to buy out a trust company. But I chose not to because it's obviously cheaper. But what I know now, I probably would I probably should have bought that company. Starting something from fresh, >> [snorts] >> a manufacturing plant like that, very hard, very hard, not easy. But I'm here, I'm alive. Pushed it through. And uh yeah, it was great. It was great. >> What Give me a one of the best uh tips for someone who opens a brand new business manufacturing something. What did you learn from that experience of uh manufacturing? I know the corporate question didn't go easy, but we got something out of you. But the uh manufacturing world, what could you >> I say probably find the right consultants to guide you. They have experience. I flew in consultants from Texas. >> Wow. >> I flew in consultants from Texas that they they this consultant that I flew in, he ran four trust companies. He brought his team to train us. I didn't know what I was doing. I knew that I you know, I'm opening up a trust company. They came in. They taught us everything. You know, and by hiring the people and training people. Um I think that's that's that's really what it is. You know what you know, you have to know what you don't know. Bringing the right consultants. Especially in the beginning. Bring them in for a month, 2 months to guide you what you need to do. They helped me a lot. They helped me a lot. And the way the the plant was structured is because I went to the company Alpine, they provided me with all the equipment. They said, "Sam, you know that in the past 20 years no one has opened up a brand new fresh company. Everyone It was like old companies that were given over to the kids and they They come to us to buy a piece of equipment here, a piece of equipment here. You're the first one that's coming to us to say, 'Hey, design a brand new plant.'" They were happy because they can design the plant the way they want. Which is raw material coming in from one end, finished product coming in from the other end. All with screens, automations, we had everything in there. And the we won a bunch of contracts because of because of that. They came down to our plant, they're like, "Whoa, what's going on over here?" It was the way it was running was smooth. Coming in, going out, it was amazing. And then then I sold it. >> Wow. Yeah. Okay, so you sold it. Tell Keep going. Where's the kazoo? >> [laughter] >> You sold it. What was life What was life after that? >> Uh life after that >> COVID >> is is happening. COVID No, no, it was post-COVID, but uh bunch of different things. >> Bunch of different things? >> Bunch of different things. >> Yeah, I feel like um you know, your your thoughts and advice that you're giving uh is something that you've become. You've recognized the need of consultants, so you yourself became a consultant. You're like a person that people go to for help and advice and um I've seen your brain work and and tapping into all those experiences, which is amazing. >> Listen, yeah, experiences is everything, right? >> Yeah. >> So >> I made a note for the two of you, actually. David and I know each other so well that I don't need notes, but I made a note before I wrote down different things about you. So, you're a deal maker is what I wrote down number one. I couldn't chat GPT you, so I wrote down deal maker. You're a real Hasid. I I wrote that down here, too. In case you want to know what that means. To me, that means you're a B'flimusher Hasid and guy. You're a guy that goes the extra mile. >> No, that's not what it means. >> No? >> No. >> That's what it means to me. >> Oh, okay. >> [laughter] >> Your real Hasid to me is that To me, what does a Hasid do? A Hasid is a guy that goes, you know, B'flimusher Hasid and as they say, like for things that they do. That's what I call going the extra mile. But, you tell me forget what I wrote about what a Hasid is. What do you think a Hasid is? >> real Hasid that definition of real Hasid was prior to Ba'al Shem Tov. >> Okay. >> Once Ba'al Shem Tov came and introduced Hasidus, I I like to consider myself a Habakuk Hasid. Habakuk stands for Chabad, Breslov, Karlbach, Kook. >> Habakuk? >> Habakuk. >> Habakuk? >> I like it. >> So, Habakuk. Chabad gives you the the Moach and Hisbonenus, the about Tanya you're talking about, knowing what Hashem is, understanding Hashem. Breslov gives you the lev, the feelings, the emotional part of it. The the simcha, the joy. Expressing your emotions. Karlbach gives you the niggunim. Song, davening in song. And of course, Kook gives you the tzurah. So, you have that cholent of different ideas. I think that's the Mashiach way. Mashiach is for sure a Habakuk. >> That makes sense. Um I I I really like this Habakuk that you're starting with. I I think I'm going to name myself one. I'm going to take one off your page. Um, so I'm going to change also a real Hasid. >> [laughter] >> A new change of life. >> like uh You have to get rid of the saliva out of there. >> Got to adjust. >> Um, instead of a real Hasid, a real Hava cooknik. I'm going to write down instead from now on. Um I want to tap into that in a minute and Abe, I want to go to you for if you don't mind. You ready for this? Um >> What does it say on the paper? >> What does it say on the paper? Yeah. Um Hands-on construction, Halel Race Brothers, you're the song man. Um, wines. >> Wines. Love wine. >> Tell me about that journey. >> None of your business. >> That was a journey. >> [laughter] >> He's saying it for you. He's a real friend. >> Very good. >> I mean, I remember I remember hearing from you that hey, come by wine by me and I enjoyed and I appreciated being able to support um, you know, your venture. >> You It was not my venture. >> Yeah, okay. >> I got brought in just to to open a store for somebody else. >> Okay. >> And um I was I was into wine. I love wine. >> Good. >> into wine, spirits. I like all sorts of drink. >> Huh. >> And um the opportunity came when I was actually when I was doing uh water treatment. I was selling water treatment. And just wasn't going. And then one day like a relative called up and they're like oh, there's a guy who's looking for somebody to help start this so start the store. I was like, oh, I went to meet with them and um it was uh it was great. >> Good. So, you got to do what you love for a little bit. >> Yeah. >> Tried to make money out of it, which is always a good thing. >> Yeah. >> Um, I don't want to get distracted with that because I want to go back to what we're saying a minute ago, which is the Hava cook cuz I really like that. Um, and and I see that lights you up also. I always, you know, I do career coaching on Sundays and I meet with people and I go through things with them. And whenever I see them light up or smile in any part of the conversation, there you go. I just tapped into something that you really, really enjoy. I saw you light up when we spoke about Habakkuk and I want to talk about it for a minute because after davening in a shul, what typically happens is is everyone bails. In fact, most people are already de-strapping before Aleinu and just kicking on out of there and just running away to something in their world. What I noticed at Or is that it's so different in so many ways and so holy and so beautiful. And um one of the things that I picked up on is that at the end of davening, it's like it never ends. It just never ends. It's the It's the gift that keeps on giving. And when [clears throat] davening is over and I turn around, there's a challah net of different people. There's pockets of different energies all over the room. There's two here, three here, five here, two out there, one downstairs, one on top. And when I look around, I recognize that the commonality between everybody is God and Torah. And I love it so much and I want to talk about it with you specifically for a minute because you notice that there's a thank you Hashem sticker on our uh board. Um we've been bringing up this topic a couple of times and I and I have noticed that it's a hot topic for people. So I want to bring it up for a minute. And that is uh what I noticed about you guys that what makes it so special is it's not just about the Karlbach. It's the Habakkuk. You need it all. You need the Torah. You need the spirituality. You need the learning. You need the emulati- emulation from a father to a child. You need the love of a shacharit tov, a good neighbor. There's so much going on in that shul that when davening is over is when everything really begins. And it's just such a great thing to see and the infusing the infusing of learning which I love so much and I see that You consider yourself a Hava Kuknik? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. So as a Hava Kuknik, if I wanted to get in on this Hava Kuknik world and I wanted to start with Torah specifically and that's why I'm asking you this question. >> Is this the the the island question? >> No, but what's the island question? Like if you're stuck on an island, what are you going to >> What safer? >> What safer? No, not really. The question I want to ask you is because I don't I don't think you can zero it down on one safer. You just said that. It's Hava Kuk, it's a lot of everything. So my question to you is take me on the path of learning. And I'm a guy that just you know, I'm I'm I'm not proud to admit it and I'm not embarrassed to admit it is that I don't really learn a lot. And I I have 100 excuses why. And um but the fact is I do have like, you know, my mini series of Hava Kukniks. I learn when I come to you guys, Z Shmooly in the morning is my rebbe. Like whatever he teaches me is unbelievable. The spirituality, the height. And thank you to Zish. >> That's the vav of the Hava Kuk by the way. He's got that whole Reb Nachman, right? That's what you learn with him in the morning. Reb Nachman, right? That's the Breslov. >> Which is amazing. >> I think you're Hava you're you're still you're almost there. Hava >> [laughter] >> you're still >> So so I I get I get infused of that. I I learn with Alex Chertok on Sundays. We learn Reb Joey which is super cool. And my brother-in-law just started learning with me on Fridays and he insists on learning Gemara with me. Insists. He's like, I don't care. You got to learn Gemara even if it's for 5 minutes. We have to learn Gemara and break through. So I'm on this, you know, path and I started it just a little while ago and I give a lot of credit to our Shul. Because it awakened something inside me that I knew that existed and it's a beautiful thing. And I really I think that everyone listening to this should know that it exists within your community. And it's 100% possible within your community to build such a Hava cook type of system with the teens and and everyone feeding off each other. It's up to you to do that thing. >> We call it Ebas. >> What's that? >> Ebas is every block a shul. >> This is the most important thing. >> Every block a shul. People always ask us, "You're not afraid of a breakaway?" Like, afraid? Encouraging breakaways. We don't believe that >> Actually, I have one starting on this Friday night. >> We don't believe that competition in Yiddishkeit. There's no competition. >> Okay, so it's sort of like a Chabad thing. Chabad also feels the same way when it comes to spirituality in Yiddishkeit and shuls. So, it's like take this formula and recreate it within your community, is what you're saying. >> And this is the reason why when we're redoing the shul now, we're just adding amenities. We're not making the actual shul bigger. Because we want to keep that homey vibe, that feel, that shul feel. We don't want to make it bigger. Obviously, you have to add a mikvah, a snochum, bathrooms, this, that, but the actual shul is staying the same size. >> I'm so happy to hear that, buddy. >> That's because of the Ebas model. We want people to see what we're doing and go out and do it in their own neighborhood. They actually started in five towns. Opened up A shul opened up in five towns because of what they saw what we're doing here. Hollywood, Florida opened up because they saw what we're doing here. Um people are starting to realize that, "Hey, they they if they did it, we can do it. Everyone can do it." >> I'm going to tell you what you guys told me. You do it, you do it well, and they will follow like children. They're going to see how good it's doing for you and how well it served you in your life and your children, and they're not going to have a choice but to recognize that if I want to do something to grow and to bring a happiness and a of community into my world then I should e >> e bath >> I should e bath at the pool. >> camera? That's my camera? >> Yes, that's your camera. >> A tip to open up a shul is to involve everyone. Build it like the Mishkan. We have a We have Mishkan kiddish. When we started building it, it was the Mishkan. The Mishkan needs milk. We would put on our WhatsApp chat, "The Mishkan needs milk." People would bring milk. Next day, "Mishkan needs coffee." People would bring coffee. We have another thing. If you have an idea, you say it, you got to do it. There's no, "Hey, by the way, we should do this." Do it. There's no, "We should do anything." >> Might be presenting a few challenges here, but I think we're on the >> an idea, do it. And if you create that Mishkan vibe, people check in. People feel that Yeah, this is my spot. >> They'll feel part of it. >> [snorts] >> I love this. So, let's go I'll tell you two things. >> Yeah, please. One is that the first base of Mikdash and the second base of Mikdash were not built by everybody. And they were destroyed. And I just heard this story this week that the Mishkan the What was so unique when the call for the Mishkan came, they had to tell people, "Stop Okay, stop. We have enough." This is in a sense the concept of of Mishkan. What like Shmuly was saying, where every single person is important and involved like you have providers of everything, but what's the most important is the guy who shows up to be to to receive whatever is is being given there. That receiving is giving. So, it's you know, kind of works together. The second thing I wanted to say is that if we're sitting around, let's say this table was a bonfire, so we're we can we can communicate and we're appreciating the fire from the fire you know, the warmth from the fire. Over time, when the more people that show up, there's limited space. We have to spread out cuz the fire gets big. Now, I can't necessarily connect with you. So, what do you do at that point? You have to create another fire. This is the same idea. The most important thing is connection. We always We always talk about this cuz we learn together. The most probably the most important thing is you know, you have to dive in together and you have to learn together. We always joke, like if we're not learning together, it's not going to survive. Because the Torah is like is is like the glue that that keeps everything together. So, if something becomes very big where now there's like a lack of connection and there's you can't necessarily interact with everyone. It becomes very hard. It's like it almost from myself, I'm a big hugger. I love to hug people. It's like a real connection. >> shove her over. >> Mhm. >> I think there is one that the same >> Oh, now there's another one. >> That was the other one. >> [laughter] >> The window. >> But sometimes I get like I get in my own head. I'm like, "Okay, you're just like hugging everyone. Is Is it fake? Is it real?" And I'm like, "Dude, of course it's real." It's real because I would just want I'm I'm I want that connection. I want that as much connection as I can as I can get. Um So, bonfire, very important. Very important. That's like the e-bus. You got to have that where where chevre are connecting. Small groups, like you were saying about those guys in uh in in 42 in spot 42. Very important. If you have a a a group, obviously your group can grow somewhat and I mean, it's it's a big challenge for us. Right now, it's a big challenge. Like as we're growing, like you don't want anyone to feel left out. So, sometimes when we're doing things, it's like whoever's there, this is another big Torah. You have to show up. You have to show up. Right now, like Nissan, they say that the at the end of right after Purim, back in the days, well, it wasn't after Purim, but in the days of the base of mikdash, from the 15th of Adar, they started preparing for Pesach. And the people that would that wanted to be involved would show up. They would come show up to take care of repairing the roads, um whatever all the different things that were involved in preparing Yerushalayim and the base of mikdash to have an influx of people cuz so many things were happening there. So, you have to show up. That's very, very important. If you know, if people and that's what happens, you know? When people realize that they have to show up to get involved, all of a sudden you end up with a lot of people. So, now you need more locations for people to show up to. And at the end of the day, Yiddishkeit is um Yiddishkeit, you have to feel like you belong. You have to belong. Like we were saying with the kids, think like This was a thought that popped in at some point, like hearing stories from Reb about you know, mashal of the ganav. Mashal of the ganav, from each city, there was a mashal of the ganav. He was just part of that village or part of He was part of the program. There was the tailor and the this and the water carrier and there was the ganav. But the guy was connected to his town. He was He was our ganav. You know, everyone needs to be connected. So, kids, adults, we all need we all need to be at the bonfire together. We need to be connecting with with groups, which you know, we're the Piasetzna, he wrote a safer about this called Bnei Machshava Tova with the concept that small groups have to get together. Not because you're better than anyone else. It's nothing to do with that. It has to do with that if you really want to grow together, you have to learn together. you have to dive in together, you have to hang out together. And then you can change each other's lives on on the deepest level. >> Wow. That's amazing. I didn't even get to ask you the question and and you gave me three answers for it. My question was what that I started asking you about a Hava cook is you know, how do you infuse the learning? How do you actually break it down for me as someone who doesn't really learn a lot? How do I get into that whole learning world? And you said a lot by connecting and by being by showing up. And you really gave a lot of the answers. I don't know if you want to reflect on the question that I specifically asked and see if you want to you know, nail it in, but that was my question to you. It was like, how do I get to that point of starting to be in the process of learning and what should I open up first and what should I open up second and is there a process? Is there anything that you can tell me practically speaking? Once I have the desire and I want to show up. >> Follow your heart. I heard a warm burger say once that um every one of us are in a shama in this world we have to learn call it our cool. So sometimes you have to come back in different kill goolem to complete whatever it is. So sometimes you have that that netia that inclination towards something specific towards a certain leemud, start with that. Start with whatever is whatever is drawing you and you're going to keep going. I mean I started uh I don't know where I started. I have a problem learning tomorrow though. I'll tell you it's a the biggest challenge for me. Tomorrow is the biggest challenge. It's like you mom just have to break your head. It's not it's not feeding you you know, you're not getting fed. Consider us not that it's feeding you like um it's feeding you like the oil really. I don't know how to how to break it down, how to separate it. But, um I guess we can tie it into his boat of this. His boat of this, like Schmuel was saying, is that uh you have to challenge you have to challenge Hashem. Gamara teaches us to challenge everything. All right, there's no there's no the whole conversation in Gamara, the whole limud is all about challenging challenging this and and that all with the goal of getting to the truth. I don't know if I'm answering your question with this >> No, you are. I mean, first of all, you said it's following your heart, and you have a technical challenge of Gamara, but you know the beauty within Gamara, what you just said. The truth-seeking arguments is what I think turns everyone on so much. I'm I live a life like that, to be honest with you. I love arguing with people in order to get to the truth. I love it. I don't get offended. I'll I'll I'll scream and yell, and I'll, you know, I'll I'll get to the truth, but I just want to get to the truth. And and and understanding that Gamara has that gets me kind of excited to I look forward now to my Fridays with uh Schmuel Lee and uh coming over and and learning Gamara with me for the 3 minutes that he, you know, manages to get out of me, which is super cool. >> Yeah. I started recently uh taking as many chavruses as I can. Like, whenever I have time, or if I see somebody that's like interested, I'm like, "Hey, you want to make a chavrusah?" And um I might not that be that good. Like, I mean, we've made many chavrusas before. We still learn together, but um >> [snorts] >> we started many different uh limudim over the years. And I'm not afraid of it. Like, okay, you start something, if I don't complete it, okay, whatever. Like, this is, you know, it's as long as I'm as long as I'm uh as long as I'm studying, as long as I'm learning and connecting to Hashem, I'm I'm comfortable. I don't get uh I don't don't get bent out of shape about it. So, nobody should. That's my opinion. >> No, that's a that's a good one actually. I like that because I've been living that life. Uh one of my most recent uh khabrussas is my Rosh Chodesh khabrussa. So, I like to do things a little differently when it comes to these things. Like, you know, I'm not going to learn with you every day. I won't see you uh every other you know, I'm like, you know, you want to learn? Let's do it once a week for 10 minutes on a Sunday. And that's what I have built up over the years. It started with Rabbi Burger, my rabbi and one of my closest friends and mentor and leader of our community. He's a phenomenal human being. Um it started with him on Fridays. It was 12 years ago. And I'm like, I don't really learn. And he's like, just let's let's just do one time. Okay, you know what? Fridays for 5 minutes, whenever you come to me, wherever I am. And I gave him the hardest thing to do. And he shows up no matter where I'm having my time. He shows up. He'll get into the hot tub if he has to. Thank God he hasn't had had to do it. But um and he started that process with me. So, I love what you're saying, which is grab on to the khabrussas. My recent Rosh Chodesh khabrussa is none other than Bentsy Raice. >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah. >> Lucky you, Rav Bentsy. >> Rav Bentsy Raice. Yep. We did it twice, and I'm [snorts] looking forward to tomorrow. >> Wow. >> And uh this is going to be aired after Rosh Chodesh, but uh what a special holy time to have the three of you here when it's Rosh Chodesh. So, a good chodesh, guys. >> A good chodesh. >> A good year. >> What's your goal there? >> It's namash this is the Rosh Chodesh of malachim. >> And we're >> b'nei malachim. >> Wha- Why is it >> A chodesh azelachem. >> Why is it? Um why? A chodesh azelachem. Lachem is melech. So, it's the it's the same osios. And I think it's brought down in the Gemara. >> Rosh Hashanah l'malachim. It's Rosh Hashanah l'malachim. >> Is that what it is? >> four Rosh Hashanahs. >> of the year for angels. Isn't it >> Malachim, kings. >> Oh, for kings. >> Kings, melech. >> Oh, okay. >> why you started with David's song, Melech Melech Melech. >> [laughter] >> It all comes back. >> Full circle. >> Guys, I have to tell you this is one of the most meaningful conversations I've ever had on the podcast, and I've had almost 100. And uh this is the meaning of life I can keep going I can I can do this all night. And I'm loving it. I just I'm keeping my audience in mind that's like, you know, okay, the treadmill's done, the workout's done, the drive is done, it's an hour and a half, you know. >> Well, this is not live, you can cut it down probably, no? We've been here for like >> It's 3:00 a.m. We've been here for like 6 hours. >> We literally don't edit anything, and we do this at night. For those of you that don't realize it's 10:00 p.m. at night right now. Thank you, Stefan, for coming in and always being there available at night on a Saturday night, on a Sunday morning. We've done crazy things to get the right people. So, we respect the time that it takes for you guys to get together, and we did it. Um there's a couple of things to unpack um that I'm going to let everyone themselves unpack. Um but we have a couple of things that we like to end with, so I want to head towards the ending. Uh one of it is always is what's the message that we get out of our discussions, and I don't even have to identify it because we just did it. The entire podcast was message after message after kazoo after kazoo. And [laughter] um people have been actually talking to me about it and saying, you know, I give us some business tips, and you know, bring some, you know, regular guys that are, you know, struggling or successful and talk and and that's what we're doing here. And it's like this conversation is like the epitome of everything I'm trying to do on this podcast. And the fact that I have so many of you here with me is awesome. Um I you know, I I I really appreciate it, guys. I'm at a loss of words. I'm just thankful I am for coming in here and being vulnerable and opening up, and you your energy together is amazing. You guys feed off each other, and it's wonderful. Um do you have any questions for me? I like to go through that process towards the end of the podcast, so I just want to ask you guys. >> Um what what why why did you first come to Ohr Shalom? What was what was your >> Z Shmerling thing. >> Oh, yeah. I first came to Or because I was having a discussion with someone about connecting to God. And he asked me, "Why do you uh do anything you do? Why do you keep kosher? Why do you keep Shabbos? Why do you keep anything?" And I said, "Cuz I love God." And everything I said, "I love God. I love God. I love God." And um he said, "So, you don't have any yirah? You don't have any awe of God? Uh not fear, you know, but you don't have any awe of God?" So, I said, "Honestly, I don't think I do." And he started to explain to me that that's where t'fillah comes in from. That's where the idea of opening up a t'fillah men crying or davening and being in awe of God or uh davening in in for with a minyan or without a minyan or just putting on t'fillin. These things that are difficult for us to do as Jews are the things that connect us through the yirah of God, which it gives us the balance of being with God. So, someone told this to me and I mentioned this on the podcast earlier. And kudos to him, Doobie. Uh we had that conversation. Six months later, I'm telling this over to Zisha. As Zisha tells me, uh "Just just come to Or Shlomo." And I like, "Yeah, but I'm not ready. I'm not I'm not I'm not Don't even do anything. Just come. Just walk in and just sit down and just absorb and just And I did. It took me a few weeks. And I came and I'll never forget the first time I came walking up there. >> What were they up to? Like, were they up to like dancing or >> on the You were there. >> Yeah, outside. >> And uh they were starting to daven. And I came to the bus station. And uh also what you said is so beautiful, the night turning into day and recognizing it. It's Wow, so much sound back from this conversation, guys. I love it. Um I walked up there and I started getting emotional the second I got my first hug. I didn't I mean, I didn't have to say anything. I just started walking up the steps and the greeting that I got from the people hanging out there, it was so real. We're missing so much of that in today's world that like, you know, usually you walk up to a a shul or a meeting and people to you just walk right by. Nobody says hello to you. Here it's hard to walk by people without getting a hug and hearing a dvar Torah and hearing a word of uh siyata d'Shmaya, something divine providence that happened in a person's life or a good story and recently watching the construction happening is just amazing guys. Amazing. And kudos to you. So um what turned me on is that is that walking in and then I I went through the process and uh yeah. That's I could talk a lot more about it but it's literally for a whole other uh whole other So that's that's my answer to you. Do you have any questions for me? >> Um not that I can think of. >> [laughter] >> Well, as soon as we wrap it up I will. >> Yeah, as soon as Yeah, as soon as we Yeah. >> Okay, no problem. Don't worry. It's fine. There's three of you here. You don't need three questions. It's okay. Any questions? >> Who would you vote for? >> Oh my god, I forgot. >> [laughter] >> So now that we're old enough and established enough in the community, we have friends that are the mayor and the trustees. It's like big hawk, you know? So these guys in Wesley Hills are running completely unopposed. But they call me and they're like, "Uh it's it's one thing that we're unopposed but if nobody shows up to at least support us, we look like idiots next time around. So come on, make sure we get like a few hundred votes." So I, you know, gathered a couple [clears throat] people. I put the sticker on. I walked around proudly that I voted for Yussi Charns and Milton Schwartz to be the whatever, the machers of Wesley Hills. And the reality is that it helps to have people within your community serving on these types of positions because they it helps with the growth of our community at the end of the day for our needs. And um >> Interesting. >> That's what this is. But >> We have the same in Pomona, Mendy Lasher is out there helping the community. He helped us tremendously with construction of the shul as well. >> The mayor. >> Shfukes. >> And the mayor. >> Correct. >> Elon. >> Not for nothing. I I wear this also because it's a reminder and I like saying it that voting is probably only important in your community. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Especially being a New Yorker. >> I have we I have a real question. >> Please. >> Um you started doing this about a year ago, right? >> Yeah. >> The Nano your business podcast. >> A year and a half ago, yeah. >> Probably takes up a lot of your time. >> Yeah. >> Thinking about it, producing it, editing, marketing, all that. How do you balance that with your business? >> I uh it's such an easy question to answer because I said it before. I have amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing people. I hire people that are smarter than me. I pay them more than what they deserve. I give them opportunities for partnership so that I can do podcasts, so that I can work on the beach, so that I can uh you know uh focus on trade shows and uh brand building, which is what I'm good at. So, um I love that question because my answer is a message to anyone listening. Find what you're good at in your world of success. Find what you're not good at, replace with other people, give away partnerships. >> Right. >> Give away money. Uh it's ultimately not ours anyways to keep, so. >> What's the purpose of the podcast? >> Purpose of the podcast was simply a branding move. So, from a from a marketing and branding perspective, we go to a lot of conferences and trade shows. So, we want to be top of mind, which is a mentality in marketing. So, whenever we go to a trade show, "Hey, saw you on the podcast, love your podcast." So, that's the concept of why we have the podcast. But, what and how and when and where ultimately it's got to be authentic. So, it's turned into growth oriented, what can we learn from one another, what are some business tips, what are some life tips, raising children, families, relationships, and those are things that are important to me. Um so, you know, I think that people want to do business with people that share values. People want to do business with people that are positive, that are growing, and that's what we are, and that's what I want people to know that Prime Source is, and the Prime Source is a company that shares in the same common values as most of the people that are listening to this podcast of growth, God, Israel, people, family, relationships, uh you know, and so on. So, I'm loving every second of this and uh, yeah, appreciate that question. >> Right. I'm sure, listen, I'm sure you grew from the podcast, from people coming on. >> Every week. >> It's like giving and receiving. You give out a podcast, but you receive growth from it. Yeah? >> Yeah, a lot more than uh, than I ever imagined. And uh, kudos to Stefan and to Will that are constantly working throughout the week. It's a lot of work. It's a full-time job to edit and cut and understand where and how and understanding YouTube, understanding Instagram, understanding status, understanding people, and figuring out the algorithm and so on and so forth, but it's worth every second because of moments like this. That's uh, that's truly how I feel. >> Thank you, Isham. >> Um, thank you, Isham, indeed. Uh, we're going to have to wrap up in a minute, but one of the other things that we always leave off with is, if you started a podcast, Abe, who would be your first guest? >> Wow. >> Same question for you, Duvid. Same question for you, Shmily. >> Uh, can I go first? >> You go for it. >> I would bring on Ishama Kalbach. >> [laughter] >> Very good. >> I was hoping you would say that. And uh, simply because you brought Ishama Kalbach to your shul. >> Right. >> I think she was uh, >> First time in 10 years she came to our from gathering. So, I called her up. I actually tried getting in touch with her and I couldn't get in touch with her, so I called Sammy and traded to get in touch with her. And Sammy told me the story about it was last year of Shlomo's life. And he started playing with Nishama in shul music and his board didn't like it. His closest friends wanted to take him to the entire to get rid of him. It's a tough year of his life, last year of his life. And once told Sammy, he's like, I don't understand. Let's call him Yankel. I don't understand Yankel. If Yankel's daughter would have needed care of, I would have turned the world upside down to give her care. So, why doesn't Yankel understand that I'm doing this to my daughter? I'm playing with her because I want to be with her all the time. Anyway, I got in touch with the Shul Mama. And we got her on the phone. We started talking. And I told her, I wanted I invited her to the Shul Mama's yard sale. I said, "Come, your husband, your kids. You live in Westchester. It's half an hour from us. It's the only Shul in America besides the main Shul that's not really operational during the week. It's Shabbas. Or other Shuls where you don't have you have storefronts. This is a full-on Hasidic center on your father's name. Come." So, she said, "By the way, you're the first person that invited me in 10 years. The first person in the firm community to invite me in 10 years." So, I told her the story that Sammy told me. And then she like she became all emotional. She never heard that story before. And I told And I told her, "The firm community in the last 10 years changed. A lot of walls came down." And I told her about Nachman's Torah part part to find Torah. And she really liked the idea of these these Breslov ideas. And um I told her, "Listen, I think we have to bring you down here." And we invited her and we She She came down about last month, a few weeks ago. For a women's concert. It's the first time she sang only for women. That's a step. And uh it was amazing. I heard back from the women the energy in the room was was wild. It was marvelous. Holy energy in the room. And uh I think we owe it to Reb for everything Reb gave to us. We owe it to Reb to try to be makarev his his kids, his ainiklach. We just owe it to him. I'm sure he's looking down from shamayim and having nachas from it. He's smiling. >> Wow, that's beautiful. Uh you want to wake her up and tell her to come on the podcast or you'll just ask her? >> Yeah, I'll just ask her. >> [laughter] [gasps] >> That's a good one. Um I actually uh not ashamed to admit it, I listened to Neshama a lot. Uh she has a song with a church. It's a really really cool song uh with a church choir. It's not in the church, but the church choir that she sings a song and it's just phenomenal. And uh it's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard in my life in terms of uh the music and the melody and the harmonies and the instruments. Um it's Lord Take Me Higher, right? Like it's I think it's that song. I'll I'll have to find it, but um amazing. I I look forward to having her here and God willing soon. What about you, Abe? You have any You have any thoughts? >> I I do have a question. >> Yeah. >> How did you get a chavrusah with Bency? >> [laughter] >> I'm going to answer you the question, but first do you have any thoughts of anyone or we're going to pass through it? >> About who we're going >> on to Neshama. It's okay. We we can use Shmuli's recommendation. Who would you recommend? Who would be your guest if you started a podcast tomorrow? Who would you want to sit in front of and shmooze with them break down uncover? >> My father. >> Wow. >> Yeah, this I have so many questions for him and over the years like there's been so many times where I've got I've gone to him and told him like I want to discuss this this this with you, but life life just happens, you know? Like I I was lucky enough to go visit my parents or we were we went we had we were in Israel uh right before right before shabbat zachor for like 40 hours. And we went straight it was like um so yeah yeah. >> Would you do it here? >> Um absolutely. >> Really? You would bring him on here and have conversations that we can participate in and talk? That's amazing. I love that. >> Yeah. You get a conversation with him and the whole family thing. >> I love that. Part of one of the guys that I met the other night uh that have this group of friends is him and his wife have a podcast and they talk to each other about the challenges that they faced and they have faced. And this guy went through a separation, almost went through a divorce. And he got back together with his wife and he's now an intimacy coach. A male intimacy coach that worked through his challenges and openly discusses things with his wife and they're going to be coming on the podcast here soon. >> That's wow. >> That'd be amazing. So I'm going to love to unpack that and unpack what you were saying also. And before we move on to David So what were you saying before that I said I have to get back to? Did any of us remember? >> Bency. >> Thank you. Bency called me for money. >> [laughter] >> Nice. >> Called me for money and I said um you know, I I always whenever anyone calls me for anything in general, I always look at the opportunity that lies within it. And I said absolutely, I'm glad to. In fact, you know what? I want to give to your yeshiva not only now but every Rosh Chodesh. But with a caveat. You got to call me and we got to learn something. >> Wow. >> And you want to hear the craziest part? I asked him uh I asked him what are we going to learn? And guess what he told me? Whatever your heart desires. >> Gavaldt. >> [snorts] [laughter] >> We're related. >> You're absolutely related and um wow, amazing. I'm so honored that you were here with us. I like that recommendation. I'm going to jump all over that. It's one of the things also that I'm trying to do now is I don't have any um podcast saved. I don't have like 20 saved. So like when someone recommends someone, I want to jump all over and get that person here and then just have that continuity. Uh Reb Duvid, do you have any thoughts? >> I had a couple. >> Let me hear. >> My first thought was to let you know that the mikvah naming was still available, but after hearing the caveats that you give to the people that you donate to, I thought I'd step back. >> Cuz what are you going to go to the mikvah with me? >> I had to I don't want to know what your caveat would be, but but it is available. >> are sponsorship opportunities available for the Or Shalom Machzikei Center. Have a cook people. >> That's right. >> And uh the mikvah is a big one. What's the price tag on a mikvah sponsorship? >> I think it's >> 250, let's say. Okay, so if somebody wants to have It's a steal of a deal you're saying in terms of the mitzvah and the key mitzvah and the the addition to that. Okay, so cool. You got that plug. What else did you want to say? >> You were asking who I had who who who I'd have on a podcast. >> Yeah, who would be your suggestion Like who would be your first >> I There's so many different people that I could think of that are interesting that I'd like to sit with them and pack things with, but um probably say Rabbi Vigler. Rabbi Yossi Vigler. >> Vigler. I don't know him. >> Marine Park. >> Where is he? >> Uh Marine Park, Brooklyn, Flatbush. >> Yeah. >> Very dynamic. Understands business on a high level. Understands people. >> Really? You want to bring him on? >> I would love to. >> Would you join? >> I would. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> I like this pattern here. Okay, good. We're building onto something. >> [laughter] >> Any final thoughts, guys? I I I want to continue for >> Yeah, I want to go to like What What time is it now? >> I could. But I just want to ask if you have any >> to give a shout out to Reb Zish. First of all, that he brought you in, but it's really a a huge thank you to Hashem that that Reb Zish started coming to the shul and started giving shiur cuz like it's everything is organic and Hashem really has been taking care of us in amazing ways and he came at the right time. Like he came and we started learning together before Nate's for a while. I had a I had a chavrusa. And Reb Shiya Friedman who moved to who moved to Israel. Actually actually started with Bernie. I started learning with Bernie first and then Reb Shiya joined us and then and then after Bernie left he made aliyah, which is really the goal. Every one of us should be uh should have that on our minds and our hearts and we should all shinis care. We should be zocheh to move as soon as possible. Not because we're afraid of anything, but because that's where we belong. >> Amen. >> And um so I just felt that it was important like um like Mamesh Hashem really has taken care of us in every single way. Like I I I mean there's so many other stories that I can tell you or that we can say about things that have fallen into place in Or Being that Zish was um the one who kind of brought you in, I felt like it's very important. Thank you, Zish. It's No, it's huge. It's Thank you, Hashem. It's huge. It really is. Like he he, you know, he's filling he's filling something where there could have been a potential vacuum and uh it's amazing and we really appreciate it. We really appreciate him. >> I appreciate you saying that. Uh a lot of appreciation going around. Um which is a good thing and healthy thing. And guys, again amazing discussion. Uh because we got to wrap up, I want to thank all of our subscribers, our comments, the feedback has been amazing. Um some of you have noticed of certain things that you've given feedback on and uh cuz we're listening and we appreciate it and uh this is of course sponsored by the Prime Source production team. Prime Source is all about uh spending our money wisely for our facilities and figuring out which vendors and service providers and products to use in senior care facilities and uh one of the ways we do it is we market products and we have this beautiful podcast, the None of Your Business podcast that um is making an impact tremendously and we're able to showcase our abilities in terms of marketing and brand building and uh you know and being top of mind. So it's amazing. So we thank all of our clients, our listeners, my partners, my employees that really are like a family and without you guys none of this can happen. So it's amazing. We appreciate it guys each and every one of you. Thank you for what you do. Thank you for the the amazing energy. Thank you to all the people that have moved up in life and that are not with us in terms of you know right now on a daily basis but we've learned from them and we adapted and we're moving and we're shaking and we're energizing and we're connecting and it's amazing and I really really appreciate it. Hazak u'baruch. A good nachas.