The Paparazzi Rabbi Chaser - Simcha Weinman

Welcome back to another episode of the Clappy and Frank Show. We have with us today Sima Wineman originally from Brooklyn. Today he lives resides with his wonderful family in Lakewood. There's no place like Lakewood who is not only a photographer, but the real reason why Mishy and I have him on the show today is because he's a original influencer, but today he's a photographer exfluencer. Rumor is >> big. Not only >> Not only ex I just checked, he hasn't posted anything on the Trey for Dicka Instagram since 2019, >> which is when full cha >> Yeah, full cha. And I only started posting on Instagram less than a year ago and I got like 30,000 uh subscribers. Mushi has over 100,000 and we collaborated on our own channels. So you are known, you were known for going into stores making a big tadam and people would come running to the stores. Tell us how you got into the influencing business and how you got out of the influencing business. >> First, thank you for having me on the show. >> Sure. >> So >> So have you watched our show, Mal? >> Always. I think it's one of the best shows that are out there. It's really like it's not just a show like you do it like with your whole saying with your whole bin with your whole heart. It's it's amazing. >> You see you hear says that you used to go into stores and say, "Oh my gosh, look at this." But the first time I didn't interrupt, I'm taking it in. >> Yeah. You you see that's why I wanted to say something positive because you used to go into stores in Lakewood and say, "Oh my gosh, look at this beautiful becka." We started analyzing and get all descriptive and I used to when I had my >> I think yeah >> when I had my archive I meant sickle please come to my store and that's how I met you like eight years ago >> correct >> continued to correct how' you start influencing and why' you quit >> okay so I really started because as a little kid I started doing photography I always had a passion for photography it's not like today in those days when you were taking pictures it was film I remember my first camera that I that my mother bought for me when I turned three for my upsharon. >> A camera for an upsharonish. >> You got it. >> I'm making an upsharonish in a month. The one thing I would never dream in a million years to buy my three-year-olds a camera. >> So my mother didn't know why Lego set. >> So my mother didn't know what you know what should she get. Should she get like a Fisher Price? In those days Fisher Price was very in. Should she get a Fisher Price camera that works or to get a professional camera? So she got me the official price camera and it had a flash on the top. Every time you took a picture, the bulb went out. So like after 10 shots, you had to get a new flash. >> They made more They made more money on the flash bulbs than they made on the cameras. >> Exactly. Exactly. >> I heard they were a business show. I heard that the big companies, Canon and um Nikon. I don't know who makes printers for Fujitsu. I don't know all the printer companies, they don't make any money on the printers. They make all the money on the ink. As a matter of fact, if you go into Costco and you buy a printer for $3, $400, they say it could cost them $450 to manufacture it. Every one they throw out $450 and then they get you on the ink. $300, $200. >> Exactly. >> So you said every time you had to change the light bulb. I'm just >> Right. So then after that um I got my first camera and I started off taking pictures. I used to go to like different rub on them. I was a kid. I used to run around, you know, taking different pictures. And after that I decided um >> not at three years old you weren't taking pictures. >> No, not at three years old. I started taking let's say going around to bungal colonies when I was about 11 years old. >> So I would come to these bungal colonies to these real fancy fancy bungal colonies. >> Luxer >> I went to Luxer. Sure. Very good clients of mine. >> Yes. That's in Monroe. >> It's in Monroe. >> Oh right. L. Right. Right. It's down there. Right. Okay. And um so I started going to the bungalow colonies and they would ask me um who's taking the pictures. So I would be like um he's coming soon. And then I started doing one family and then I started doing another family and they're like okay forget it. Whoever was coming like whatever you're great. I I used to do about at least two to three bungal colonies a day. >> How do you get around at 11? So I went around I >> hired a chauffeer. >> I I had like a these car services, you know those cabs in Montasello? Uh >> cabs. Yeah. >> Um so I went It was not a haisha. >> Was not. >> No, it was not a misha. They didn't even have him highishes going around in those days. >> I know. Uber for sure didn't exist. >> Exactly. >> I'm not going to age you, but you're probably over 50. >> Um around there. Okay. >> Exactly. You got it. Then I decided I know you're both um I know he's very into paintings. So I decided that I want to come up with a new idea. In those days like when I was like 12 years old there was like one or two photographers >> in the country. There was a a guy his name was Sllayton. And then there was one kabad that used to go around Ramani very nice guy. >> And then there was another guy his name was Barry Studio. And that was about it. And when they took the pictures, they took very nice pictures, but it was like a portrait. You would sit down, you would smile, or you would go like this. And I said, "We have to figure out a different way to do it." So I decided that I want to make the pictures of the children to look like a painting. >> At 11 years old, you decided this >> about 12. >> 12 years old. >> Where do you get your artistic side from? >> From Hashem. >> Ah, that's not like a family. My mother, but she's not she had she had a passion for photography. She still >> artistic. What about hustling at 11 years old? Where's he got to hustle? >> So yeah, what what your mother do for a living? >> My mother >> raising children is a full thing. >> Children and she was a teacher. >> A teacher. And your father? >> My grandfather my father was a revi but my grandfather family. >> My grandfather was like administrator. He was the founder of Baraf. He was a go-getter. So I >> But I think I have the answer. Two parents. He wanted to make a couple of dollars. >> Sounds almost right. So I hope you don't get upset. So I said, "Why go and spend all that money on paintings? You could buy a painting of your children in a photograph." >> He's here to put us out of business. Why? Could you imagine? We have on a guest and he's trying to put us out of business. >> I decided I used to go every Sunday. I went to the flea market and I said, "Instead of doing it in color, we're going to do color pictures, the regular portraits, and then we're going to do something that's black and white." And in those days, it it was only film. It wasn't like, you know, today you press a black or white, but it wasn't just a black and white picture. I used to go antique shopping every Sunday. Every Sunday morning, like at six o'clock in the morning, I would go out to Manhattan and like I would get all excited, get all these things and like I would go and take a picture of like a girl like with a typewriter, sewing machine, all these creative ideas. The boys I would get like these old bikes and take stuff and people spend money. So then I decided like when I was going out I was charging I don't know in those days like we're talking about like 15 years ago 16 years ago even 18 years ago I was charging then about $45$500 and I was like a kid like whatever and then I would ask you >> charging $400 to do a photo shoot with the family >> do photo shoot but then I was doing all these preps all these pictures and it took like an hour where I had to go and set up different scenes So, I decided if you want black and white pictures, there's an extra $50. So, in the bungalow colony, one lady decided, um, oh, and then if you change the outfit, it was a $10 charge for each outfit. It's like a real real hot day. She put on like 10 outfits on the kid. So, she says, I didn't really change. She just like kept taking them off. >> Nickel and Dimming, the guy trying to make a >> The reason why I charged the $50 for the black and white, it was not even really to make money. It's like don't waste my time. So if they spend the $50 then I know they really wanted it. So that's what like I used to do and you know I did and then I decided I did the same thing by bait mitzvah's engagements and as I tried to think of like creative different scenes and um >> you just said something very deep because we're a business show >> to make sure to make sure the customers don't waste your time you throw on an extra fee and you see if they're serious about the product that they're asking about if they're not ready to spend 50 bucks they're not serious about it >> 100% % >> so how do you have the to charge people at 11 years old who gave you like you just one day you said let me go to bungalows and start knocking doors and asking >> and I really did I went from I went from door to door not only I went to the country I used to go to Long Island and I came into one place and I'm knocking on the door and I say to the lady it's so hot outside would you have like a like something to drink so then she says like how did you end up like what I said by the I have like garbage bags of samples of pictures. She says, "When you knocked on the door, at first I was not going to answer. I thought maybe you were a mashik, but I saw you were a young kid, so you couldn't be a mashik." >> Today they have mak that are quite young. So, how much did you charge at 11? >> At 11, it was like $300, $400. And then I charged also at the prince. >> This 40 years ago >> and then and I had a place 18 years ago. I'm still trying to date him. No, no, I did it. I stopped already the black and white when it started. >> So, at 11 years old, how much did you charge? $300 >> at 11 years old. >> At 11 years, >> you were charging what your mother made in a week in Bashak over what? >> Could be. >> It could be. And then everyone started doing like what I was doing. People started copying, you know, little by little. That's normal. And I felt very good cuz when people were copying, that means I was doing something right. >> 100%. >> And then I had one lady came. >> No, there were no 11year-olds copying you. I promise. >> There was no kids doing anything. And there was no there was no other photographers either, you know. >> But Romani Romani was getting the bungalow gigs, but he wasn't knocking on doors asking for a cup of water. He was getting calls to come. >> He was probably charging. >> After a while, I I did I got so many calls. >> I was also the first photographer. >> I used to have like a night like eight, nine jobs I would like get different photographers like but I wanted to do as people wanted me to take the pictures. So the main thing is the portraits. So I used to tell people, do you really need the whole night? So I'm the first guy that cut it that some people would take a photographer just for like an hour, hour and a half. Now it's actually going back. People want to have for the whole party. But I was the first one. So like this I was able to do more than one or even a background. People used to go remember like when you were a kid. >> Yeah. >> Do you used to have that background? I'm the first photographer around that decided who needs that background. let's just take it by the tables and try to come up with different ideas, you know. So that's how I started. And then as digital was coming along, I liked like you know like all these window shot like to go like down 13th Avenue. Today they don't have so much those windows. Definitely where I live in Lakewood, they don't have it anymore. You know what I'm talking about? >> Displays display. Yeah. They don't have it as much. So I love to see like all these new things and whatever. So he was saying like he remembers when I was on Instagram he would see like you know I would brag over like this but I really mean it. It was like really a beautiful. >> Okay. Can we talk about influencing? >> Sure. >> How did you be how did you get the idea to start walking to stores and talking about items >> in those days? I'm having a little issue that you're looking mostly at him but that camera is the one that that gets you here. Come get up a second. I'm going to move your chair a second. Um, now you moved. Wait, I'm just going to address this a little bit. Try and look a little bit at my shio. So, like address him. >> I should look at him. Yeah. >> And And >> I'm just scared what he's going to ask next, but go ahead. >> This guy's pirate. just like >> I still remember like when I didn't know that you guys worked together but before you guys were doing this >> he used to ask you like questions like like you know he do like the 30 second >> and one day say you know >> he should get that guy to you know they should work together but you were already working together >> got it was he >> influencing right Yeah. So, >> so simply, how did you become the first Lakewood influencer? >> I don't know if it's the first Lakewood because I think when we got in touch with each other, I think I was doing a store right here in Grand Heights. I think it was like a few blocks. You used to have your paintings upstairs. >> Mhm. And I think he watched me on Instagram and he says, "By the way, when you finish doing what you're doing, why don't you come upstairs to me?" No, >> only because I followed you for a while cuz I used to watch your videos walking into liquid stores and talking about it. You glorify. Oh my gosh, look at this beautiful yamaka. You go on for like 20 minutes talking about a yarmaka. It's so amazing. You do it for free. >> Which yamama? Maybe I want it. I don't remember. >> And so you did it for free, right? >> I did it for free. And people just used to watch your videos. >> People used to love it. >> Today there's people, I'm not going to mention any names. There's influencers that go around from store to store to store, business to business to business, and they do it like full-time panas. They probably make millions. >> They charge like 1,500, 2,000, >> I think, even more sometimes. And they do like in-depth um things. And you said you dropped out of Instagram influencing in 2019. I feel like you're like the guy that paid the go that came to the peser and did the dipping and theis and the carpas and the mr and he said there's a bunch of crazy Jews I'm starving and he ran out then his FRIENDS TOLD HIM YOU LEFT BY YOU WOULD HAVE STAYED 60 SECONDS you would have had a 10 course meal you were going through store to store talking about yamakas and beckers for free in 2019 you would have stuck around a few more years you would have been a multi-gazillionaire >> one second did you ever hear that expression that People when they're younger, they say, "If we would have just bought that house, it was so expensive, >> we could have bought we could have been a millionaire. We could have been a millionaire." >> Right? >> I I think I am I am proud >> that I went out what I was doing. Not that I went out of doing like what he's saying, like I would talk about that Yarmaka or to talk about that Becca that that I should not go out of. But the idea is when I I I want to talk about it for a minute about Instagram. I don't know I'm not in it. I know even from Instagram even for my simas it really destroyed a lot of different people that I used to work with. >> I used to get a lot of jobs also when I was on Instagram I I used to get like loads and loads of of people like very easy jobs and people loved it. But I didn't think um not because quote unquote Lakewood I didn't I didn't think a yeshiva man should who who who who wants the children should all go in the right way should be on Instagram. It did it did it just it didn't lay right >> you know and he kept saying like you know I I even I think I met him by American dream by Corona you had like a store there and he saw me there with my wife and children and he looks at me why did you go off Instagram anytime I speak to him I say you know maybe we could do this maybe we could do this go back on Instagram and then we'll speak go start um say stories go do it I don't want to talk to you he'll hang up the phone and I'll say I'm I'm not doing this because I don't like >> your platform is exclusively Instagram because the big guys today they're big on YouTube >> they don't do Instagram do they do Instagram >> everything YouTube really guys do do Instagram they do everyone does everything >> I bought them let them >> I don't know >> everyone but really to be on Instagram >> but similar you could also have someone else post you go from the guy from the Philippines guy >> you can have exactly >> it's not but if I sell your comments. You can sell your Instagram account. >> No, you send the guy in the Philippines. I'll post, >> right? You have a point. >> It didn't make sense for you of to be a guy having on the Gisha Instagram videos. >> Not because anybody was threatening to kick you out. >> No. No. No. No. It was that was not the idea. I myself not because I don't think that a yeshiva man I didn't think like a Ben Tyra someone who wants to go in the right way should be on Instagram >> and YouTube >> and YouTube for sure also not why why should >> cuz I feel like YouTube like some of the rabbon rabbis are following and they're giving your shorts already for YouTube >> I hear >> but you're saying you didn't want to be on this >> I I I would like to work with a team you never know who's going going to watch or whatever. If we could if I could get someone who could run like let me do the art >> you create the content >> or or let's say I talk to someone about the art that I have in mind like to and let's work >> that I don't mind. >> So you could you could create the content with your camera like you you like embellish everything but look at the light bulb would go like this. Oh my. Can you give an example, Sim? Talk about the lighting in this room. Do a sample of what I would fall in love with. >> When I walked into this studio, I was like I was so astonished. I was >> I was like right away I I came in here um in apartment building and I was already thinking about pictures. I'm like thinking like he tells me just, you know, go through the side entrance, Frank. And then I'm like, "Oh, look at this tunnel." >> Did you say, "Oh my god, there's a beautiful pile of garbage." I didn't look at the garbage, but I was just like looking that it was so creative to go through this tunnel and then I walk in here. It's such a beautiful tunnel. >> Tunnel is a trigger word in Crown Heights. People start getting ideas of other tunnels. >> So he does this whole drama thing and he's amazing. You get tons of >> It's not even the drama. It's like it's it's the truth. >> It's what my whole You know, I maybe you know sometimes when you don't do something for money, you do it as a passion. You do it from your heart. That's also but >> but you said you lost business. You lost everything because >> not that I lost a lot of business not being on Instagram. I remember like people were telling me like we're looking for you. Like what happened to you? >> You were Meister Nefish. You put your money where your mouth is for your principles. You are not going to be so proud. >> Well, what about for you also concerned about >> that? What >> were you scared of? That's why you left. little at the time when I left. Do you realize you're going to have problems? >> I had little I had little kids. I still really don't believe it's not even the I just don't believe like that Ben Tyra is on. How could I say it? You guys are like very big on on Instagram and YouTube and all these things. Correct. >> Yeah. >> How would you know? >> How would I know? >> Yeah. >> He snuck >> because you How would I know? Cuz you're always telling me. >> Are you on it? Are you watching? >> No. He He called me up one day. He asked me once to buy my in Instagram account. >> So I It seems like you don't mind watching. I just don't want to be there. I don't You don't want to be the talent? No. No. I don't want I don't want to be on Instagram. I'm not an Instagram. I'm not on Instagram. >> About YouTube. >> So YouTube I have a connection to get on if I need to. >> One second. When you left Instagram in 2019, how many followers did you have? Do you remember? >> No, I checked. 6,000. >> 6,000. Yeah. He had to write 6,000 followers. >> Yes. Yes. >> Clappy. He was He was obsessed. He would see a tree. We talk about the tree for 10 minutes. >> We find the guy clapping. You'd also look at brought the story, right? Simka, >> you said stories. >> So, you're being you were being >> He dropped the whole thing. >> You know, I think the labb would have told you to stay on because you're having a positive impact cuz we use uses social media and the Reb used TV to be madam Shmay. The Reb's were televised on live TV. In those days, it was a big deal. I have idea. >> So I'm saying did you ask to ask Torah if it was the right thing to leave social media cuz if you saying stories you were bringing kusha to the waves to the waves. >> I wasn't looking to cut cornis. I didn't think >> I have a good idea. If whoever is watching our podcast >> Yes. >> One makes money simple will send you videos. You'll post it on Instagram and all the leads he gets for photography jobs. >> He gets 20%. No. He doesn't. Yeah. Yeah. And even for photography jobs >> that if I could get somebody who could help me out and we could work together. >> So I very You don't mind doing the videos again, right? You just don't want to post. You don't want to be involved. >> I don't want to be involved. >> Would you post a Would you create the videos? >> I can make the video. I >> You could >> I could have I could what? I go around with my phone, you know. >> There you go. So Simco's ready and you'll sell they'll give you the leads. They'll get 20% of all the jobs that come in. He'll manage whatever% sounds very heavy on a on a photography gig. Give >> 20%. How much? Sounds very >> a little less. Climb is negotiating 15 >> maybe 10 8 to 10 8 to 10 maybe 10% 8 to >> and still used to take tons of jobs just posting on social media so whoever's out there wants a little side hustle all you have to do is >> but not just doing videos I used to get a lot of jobs from all over >> everywhere >> you made the best videos speaking of the rebel can you tell us a story you have with the rabbi and your camera >> yes I was about 14 years old and it was the first time I I was going to go see Drev. I mean my parents always said you know why don't you go the river you know >> at the time you lived in Brooklyn it was easy to get there you barak >> correct I lived in Baravak yeah first thing is just to say that my father my uncle when they came from Poland the first place which school they went to is we give we have to say to labavich because the labavich the the rea said that if someone doesn't have no money there was no such a thing like in today's days and they took my father and they took my uncle but they didn't turn out labavit And I just want to say also one more hakaras type. My uncle had like a bad eye and he needed like a very big surgery and he went to the Reb and the Reb said don't worry everything will be okay. And Barak Hashem it was Barak Hashem. And then there's a third thing I want. >> He did the surgery or didn't need the surgery. >> He didn't do the surgery again. >> Wow. >> The Reb said don't worry. And and another story is that I went to the ten from the rev that was the last time I went. I was there one time and I went there and three days later I met my wife. So I'm very thankful first time. >> You have to go back. First I want to thank Hashem. >> But why don't you go back >> and then I want to thank the Reb for being a >> Why don't you go back and thank him? I really should >> because the Reb used to say how people come to him with all their problems like oh my god wife is in surgery might need a C-section it's three days of labor whatever and then a week later like the Reb would ask like everything okay worked up then one second so the Reb was very into it that if you you should give like a like let him know like what's going on so you should make a that you're going to go back to the and give the worked out you have six kids later you had a >> six kids now have a son on the market >> like he had Welcome to >> say thank you for being a great >> Of course. Yes, of course. Clap. Uh, no. How old you got married? >> How old was I when I got married? I was 29. >> Very nice. >> Why so late? >> That's when was the right time. >> You would have went to oil five years earlier. You would have been you would have you would have had 11 kids. >> I don't know if it was the oil. I think the rep was a >> always a tell us a story that you had. You were 14. You came. >> Yes. I was I was 14 years old and I decided I want to see the rea but when the re when you go when the rev gives the dollars I wanted to go see the way he dins. So I walked I I walked in and I went straight in and people started grabbing me like what are you doing? Like I I mean the picture that I'll show you I even went even closer. I was going to the stand like right near the rebel >> in those days. Right. Okay. if you want to say selfie. And then the Reba turned around. He didn't speak but he said like leave him alone. >> And I I sat right near the Reb. >> Can you show the picture? >> After the Reb after that later after Davening the Reb gave me a braha. >> Show it to the camera >> and this picture. The reason why but I said selfie he showed this to you know any I'm sorry to obviously holding a little No. No. Do you know any of those people in the picture? I see the rabbi. The one is the one I know the most. Okay. David Mendelbomb is in that picture of David men. >> Show the picture to everyone. Show how he's under. >> The reason why the reason why I said selfie cuz he showed it to me an hour ago when we were coming into the studio. This is the labba and it's by then I knew him I think by hollow or something. He's holding his S rig and wolves whatever. But you see he stood our friend Sima wanted to make sim over there. He stood right like a foot away from the reb and asked somebody to take the picture because there was no selfie mode to stand the picture. >> Show the camera clapping. >> Beautiful gorgeous picture. He told me it was 1989. So it's 1989. >> Then you have pictures that you took that you didn't bring. >> Then I have pictures right there. >> You still have those? >> Still have them. >> Right. Crazy. So some So you you were standing right next to Reb and people were pulling away. >> Pulling away and I wanted to stay right there and then the Reb turned around and went like, "Leave him alone. >> Leave him alone. He's one of the boys. His grandfather weren't in I gave them a bra for their eye surgery. He's one of the boys. Basically, if you they say if you eat the kash of if you eat the food of that means even if you weren't the biggest learner, but you were in lab theavich educational school system that the fifth the rashab started it says you're always in lab. So I don't know if you know this. I want to welcome you to the fold. Now your son might not be able to get a >> father. So you said you got a BR after >> it was your father that went to your grandfather. Your father that went to your grandfather went my grandfather. My grandfather >> and your uncle. So basically you're like third generation kabad. >> So what was the bra you got after? >> So the bra I got later he gi. >> OH IT was it was a sharaba sha. It was well you ask for a sha shaba. Ah the holiest day of the year ato shaba. Whoa. So he gave honey cake wrapped with a dollar around it. >> Exactly. >> Whoa. I saw those dollars. >> So I went over to the Reb and I said to the Reba, >> I want to become a photographer. >> And he gave me a You're going to become a very successful famous photographer. >> Whoa. He's on the clap and Frank show. He's famous. >> It's being muy as we're speaking. >> So you can't be famous unless you have social media. Just know that. >> Wow. >> Everything's from the >> Those were the words. You came home and told your parents. >> Yes, I remember my parents. I told my father. First thing is they were I ded earlier and then I went as a kid. I went on the train. How do you think I got there? And then I remember my father my parents were like, you know, you don't go alone. I said, no, no, I wanted to go see the Reb, you know. But >> was that the only time you went? >> That was the only time I saw. >> Such a good thing that you went. Wow. What an opportunity. Sha Raba got a braha, got a picture. The reba came to your defense. went by by dollars, honey cake, the whole nine yards. >> Yes. >> Wow. >> Yes. Yes. >> And who told you to go? Was you're on your own? >> My own. My own. >> And you never decided to go back. You still had a few years to go back. You see club? He's a one time rapper thing. He did one time. >> His sadikim. No, his sadikim is so powerful. He doesn't believe you have to go every day. >> Go once. >> One and done. >> I have more rapam stories. I have more stories about >> So, one second. You grew up you grew up in Burough Park. What did you affiliate with? >> Litish, right? >> No, my father's a little more more hish. >> Where'd you go to school? >> Went to Spinker in those days. It wasn't like today. No, my father doesn't wear down. >> What does he wear? A hat or a down hat? >> A down hat. >> A down hat. And still live in Burough Park. >> Now the last 10 years he put on a becker. >> It's only like $10 more. >> I don't need your shirt. So you speak fluent yish then >> very good yadesh and all the re they flew me in as a baka I was like the photographer in those days there wasn't other people taking >> and shuki knows me very well I used to run around all over >> he's a hyped kaka in Israel right all the trust pictures >> exactly >> makes them look skinny or something they all let him in >> but really I I used to they would they paid for my ticket and they paid me to go so I have satma not this satma with the SM before I have pictures walking with the you know the Satma Williamsburg >> with the Bahal I have I have them like walking like regular I went with Satma took me >> Bab took me actually I have a story actually >> both Babs >> yes it's both in those days it was not both Babs but I was very close actually with I don't know if you know Bab there was Rav Schlimmer and then there was Ravnaf Tolk so Ravn culture was a very big unfa right before these two the >> he passed away like in 2002 or something >> something like that >> or something >> so I I I live in Barak so I came once I went in the morning I >> no I didn't go with a camera and tells me he knew me like from going around like from so he said in say in English that some he'll come later so I thought like you know he was like friendly with me so I went to like a very very rich. I was in a hotel and I go over to Ravnaf Tolk and I tell him could you go over to the Bana Reba and go shake his hand. >> What? >> So >> you went over to the B and asked him to >> but he wasn't a Reb then cuz Rashma was still alive but still strange. >> The Rebbitson went in those days no one had cells. I get a call um to my yeshiva that the rebbitson her name was Hessa. So she calls him up. She says, "Simka, you know, you have some nerve. How do you go over to my husband and tell him to walk over to go shake the banner reb's hand?" So I said, "I'm so sorry." Whatever. I came back to New York and he met me. He says, "Do me a favor. Come to my house tomorrow. I want me and my rabbitson. We want to talk to you." Fine. So I go over to the house and the rebbitson sitting there and Ravenf told says we we want to for forgiveness I know I yelled at you that my husband went over we see that you look like you know you have a passion for photography why don't you become a professional photographer we're going to pay you for whatever you need go get yourself an office go buy equipment I said in those days being age you know I said it's going to cost it's going to cost a a few thousand after I made a bill. I think it was already $20,000. Said, "Are you sure you got everything? Do you need more?" They they went and ra all professional equipment and arranged and got me an office in Burough Park. Wow. >> I thought that was beautiful. >> $20,000 just equipment. >> Today, all the money that we don't have, it could be. It's because they give it to me. So do you have any other interesting stories being uh gay paparazzi? >> So I went I actually did ravelash he used to learn like at 3:30 in the morning and when he learned he would sing. So his grandson knew me. >> There's a video that I a video >> a video was going out a few days ago. >> It was to beautiful too. That's your clip. >> Yes. That's my clip. >> You sneaky photographer. >> I would go. So I went >> tell us the story. >> So the grandson I told me that the rea that revelash there's no one around him. You know usually there's people around him. >> So he he's he's going to be sitting and learning like 3:30 in the morning. So I said that would be a great picture and I could get a picture. >> It's very dark. It's very dark. >> So So the grandson went he opened up the door and the window and he put on the light like the night before like whatever and I told him I'm going to come. So I went I got ready my lens. I took some video and then I burst out crying. So Revelash went like this. >> Oh, God. >> So should I speak and then translate? So he says I said feel I see the way the rough is learning. It's so sweet. It's so hard for me to learn. I want it so badly. So he says that's why you're crying. He says May beans your are more important than my whole learning. I I was just so touched. I was so touched. That was like one story. >> You realize you were photographing him? >> I don't know if he realized, but he definitely heard me crying. >> But first I like I was holding my tears in. I was trying to get that video and then I just like broke down crying. So then he rode into a safer for me. He gave me a safer and the next day I had my camera case on my shoulder and I I went with him by me aram by the alley there and he remembered my name. So he says inhale and gay and >> take off your bag and and go learn you know like he believed me. He was like very very special. >> You want to sell the book? >> You have the >> I should really make a book >> the safer that he inscribed for you. >> You have it? >> Oh yeah. You you I'm going to I'm going to get it for you, right? But I should sell away something. >> You shouldn't sell it. >> What's it worth? >> Upwards of $1,000 from >> $1,000. I should give it away. >> No, no, no. Don't sell it. Don't sell it. Don't sell it. If you ever sell it, call me. >> I have a letter, but I don't have the real copy >> that my great uncle get $5 to the Yeshiva >> in Roden. >> In Roden. And you have the you know, writing. Thank you so much. >> You have the copy of it? Why you have to copy my copy is a nickel. >> It's nothing. >> Where's the original? >> The original. His kids have it. They're not giving it away. >> What's that worth? Copy. >> A few thousand. >> That's a few thousand. Right. >> So, I want to say another story. Get >> So, did you able to learn after that or didn't it help? Does bra work? >> No, he never got rid of the kale. >> He's running around. >> No, I actually did when I came actually to Lew a little later in my later years. I always wanted to learn and then there's not a day that goes by that I do not I I learn every single day. >> What do you learn? >> So right now I'm learning and then I learn but every day I learn in the morning and then I would learn even after a job I would learn at night. I wouldn't skip not one day for >> that's the is to learn if you if you're working for pronounce you have to learn a little bit in the morning and a little bit in the evening. >> Yeah. But the baram in Lakewood I think they take this more serious than in other places of the world. I'm giving a a compliment. >> It should be all over. Doesn't have to be because Lakewood. >> No, no, but I'm saying in Lakewood it's expected that you know it's real. It's like everywhere is real. >> How many years you live in Lakewood? >> I'm living now in Lakewood about 22 years. But I I even opened up a studio there when I saw I I I opened up a studio in Lakewood, let's say, um when I was like 20 years old, 21, and some wealthy guy came over to me and he tells me, "Simka, and I don't want to say who it is, but he came over to me and he says, "You're in the wrong place." Liquid is like a place. It's like >> people come here like for two, three years to learn and then they go back. And I was so stupid. I could have bought half of Lakewood. >> Yeah. >> And he told me, he says, "Lewood, it's not going to grow." And I said, "What are you talking about? This is where all the young children are going. This is the place." So he even wrote me a letter. I took him the letter. Oh, maybe that's worth money for you. I took the letter and I said, "What did you say? It didn't make sense." >> He wrote you a letter saying it. >> He wrote me a letter. Yeah. I have >> Going back a step, you grew up in Bar Park. I grew up in Bar Your father didn't identify with any but he was like yivish whateverish my father my father my grandfather was from Poland bluev um my my father was born in Poland what's called after the war what is it called um >> DP camps >> yeah but what it has a name um >> okay whatever >> and my mother it was born in Barupak which is like the real >> real American apple pie so you grew up you went to You said then you got you came friendly with these casiduses and the photography. The Ber bought you all your equipment. That's why there's no money there. No, I'm joking. But okay. >> And then you decided you went to world to learn and you were secretly photog photographing Yashv and he told you to dive to Caleb and then you made it to Lakewood and you got married at 29 years old. So you had plenty of time to learn but I guess you were doing a lot of >> but I wasn't I wasn't living in Lakewood. I just had a studio there. I came there like twice a week >> cuz in Burough I had a place in Burough Park >> if anyone remembers on 49 and 16. I had a place I was like >> it was flooded. >> Mhm. >> Lakewood asked if I could you know like today people have like a place in Brooklyn >> and then they and and then the people in Lakewood say no when are you opening up a store another brand a favor. No >> it's not like I needed it. That's one of the things I want to discuss is how did Lakewood blow up literally blow up Lakewood, Tom's River, Jackson. People should understand like people tell us like you got to go get more clients in Lakewood. You got to do more. You got to bring more Lakewood people on to the show cuz that's where the Judaism explosion is happening. Yes. >> And it's amazing how it took us a year, almost a year to get somebody to Lakewood. >> But the Shila is you went there a few times a week to have a studio. 22 years ago you actually moved there. >> Yes. Now people in Brooklyn are like it's like it's not even as hot as it used to be because everybody's moving to Pomona, Lakewood, Tom's River, Jackson, whatever. So the Shiloh is is that when you moved there 22 years ago, you saw the writing on the wall >> that that's where it's happening. >> I saw right away. I saw right away. I even remember going Pesak these hotels. I I wouldn't go to hotel on PES. I'm sorry. Sorry. No, I would go >> you tell them I'm sorry. >> I I I'm the opposite now. I won't do PES anywhere besides a hotel, >> but I would goite and I remember like I would go there, they would call me, they call me down, could you come and take pictures and like it was like a whole thing and I remember speaking to a very very big builder from Lakewood and this is about 16 years ago. Lakewood, it's done. There's no more room to build. And look, Hanahara, look, look what's going on there. >> So, what do you think about the Kylo lifestyle? What's your opinion about it? >> I think the Kylo lifestyle is beautiful. If you could afford it, if you could afford it, it's very nice. >> What's the average years of people doing Kyle these days in Lakewood? >> I don't think there's an average. >> What's your guess? There's no such thing as an average. I would say at least nine to 10 years. >> Nine to 10 years. >> Yeah. >> My father My father has an uncle. I think now he's all of a sham. But like modern Orthodox, you know, American born and bred, even like your mother, like American bread, he would be like 100 years old today if he was alive. And my aunt Kaidahar, she raised 13 beautiful children, big Berlin family. and all her children spent many years in Kville and maybe they go into but like only one of them went into accounting and now he's like the head of a big mis like huge CEO CFO of but I'm saying it's a real toy son-in-law in for decades and I remember she used to make weddings we used to always go to the weddings and my father's you know uncle you know clean shaven American guy young Israel style guy used to always tap the guy next to him eating the coastal and the pickles what do you do I'm in Kyo how many years whatever he says you don't learnish and rashi Please abuse you don't wear like he's like simple you know I guess the par but you know like everybody finds their whatever and like the poor guy you know whatever but I used to listen to these conversations it was like every for every wedding and I used to think like you know you have to sit you have to learn like it's not right the the girls are sitting and working the the wives But I see my cousins, they're so proud. It's like the biggest highlight of their life is to save up money and to get a degree and become a speech therapist. Somebody said that in Lakewood, 99% of the women are speech therapist. So, who's getting all this therapy? Who's getting all this therapy? Maybe now they're moving on to other fields, but they really value. I I had this young Lakewood artist. She called me to sell some paintings. I think I sold only two of them, whatever. This a lot of different podcasts about all the art. And I she I was negotiating with her on pricing and delivery and She said, "I have to speak to my partner." Like, "Who's your partner?" She's like, "My husband." I was like, "He where's he on the call?" No, he sits and learns all day. But we're partners in what we do. >> It's unbelievable. >> So this this lifestyle of learning. >> You remember the lady from Lakewood, the head of in this huge bank. She's a head of regulation, what's it called? >> Yeah. And we had this big big knocker in the bank and she and she said her husband learned. >> Yeah. I was like, "What?" This this lady who's a head of regulation, I think, >> like a 20 billion dollar bank in New York. >> And I'm talking to her she's like, "Yeah, from I thought she was no, I live in Lakewood." Said, "Interesting, interesting." Like she's head of you like regulation. It's a big part of the bank cuz all the banks have regulations, you know, probably, you know, swarm and swarm all about regulation. And I said, "Oh, by the what does your husband do?" He sits and learn. Like what? So guys in in Lakewood today in 2026 are sitting on learning in Kyo 8 nine 10 years. >> It's not only even if they like let's say they stopped kyo by nine years or 10 years they'd go to work means they would get up in the morning they would sit they they would sit and learn before or they would d and then sit and learn after then they would go to work then they come home they they help their wives they do whatever they need and then they go back to learn. I think it's so amazing >> hold here. I have cousins like they tell me they keep the yeshiva seder while they're married with five kids. Is that true? Sima. >> Yeah. >> They go to night. I don't know how. And the ladies work six jobs. How how do the numbers work? >> I don't think what what makes it say they do six jobs. >> How do they serve? I'm just curious what the f how do the numbers work financially if your husband's >> I don't know. >> You don't know. >> I heard >> they're not your neighbor sometimes. >> I heard a there is neighbors but I don't know like I don't get into that. You don't ask them how they don't get into that. >> I want to say something very spiritual. I remember listening to a CD from the Ashmoo before there was iPads and whatever in YouTube but 20 years the 1990s my father had a CD in the car from some woodfish guy called I remember him saying doggy sponsor the chicken nuggets. I remember hearing the CD and he said that we are living today then it was the '9s we're living. If you take the yeshiva lifestyle, the kasidish lifestyle any from family in the five burrows in Cedarhurst in the five towns in Lakewood, anywhere you want from community and you say camp, tuition, bar mitzvah, weddings, mortgage, cars, the numbers will never add up. And I thought he's being funny like you take a ledger, it works, doesn't work. I'm married with a bunch of kids. I'm making sim. I'm writing checks. My wife says some days she feels like she's just sending cash apps and zels from morning to night. That's all we do. Cash app and zelves. It doesn't make sense. And I sometimes people say, "You don't look at your bookkeeping." I say, "I'd rather not know." As long as the checks are not bouncing. I'd rather not know. The numbers don't make sense. So, I believe there's a spiritual side to this. And you're confirming there's guys that could be learning, keeping Sedarum, working a little bit. The wives are working jobs, five jobs, one job, whatever. The numbers don't add up. a guy in Arkansas will not none of our lifestyles make a single drop of sense. More than that, Dave Ramsey talks about, YOU KNOW, LIKE EAT RICE AND BEANS, sell your kidney, don't go on vacation, 401K, 529 FOR every kid, whatever. I one time sat down with a um financial adviser when I was working my 9 toive job and they say they fill out a little iPod. give you. They gave like 50 people in the group like how much money do you make? How many children? When do you plan on retiring? How much money you want in retirement? How much money you need to put away every week in order to live the lifestyle? I have to give 118% of my check every week. I would have to give 118% to be able to Nothing makes sense. >> Nothing makes sense. >> So you're in the Lakewood. You're saying it's it doesn't make sense. >> Doesn't make sense. are from 20 years ago today are there less people doing shorter more people doing shorter time than Kyle or it's consistent 10 years >> I don't think there's no set time >> right >> I don't think there's >> expectations >> no I think people it's just like when you know where they're holding in life >> do the wealthier families um end up staying kind of longer or shorter would you say >> I think it really all depends on the person I think a lot of the wealthier families They leave to join the business. >> That's true too. >> So what's shenan bias like when in traditional human structure where the male brings home the bread? Is sh and bias affected when the wife's doing everything plus making money? Does she have more say on decisions or in lake does that work like that or not really? >> Same. >> I think it's the same. >> Equal partners. >> Exactly. or bea her your learning is for her you know so it's she's she's the same partner in the uh in the learning >> copy the Syrian guy once my first clients vis all Syrians he said Moshe make sure your wife doesn't make more than 10% of the money if you want shalom so I don't know how that fits with the liquid bin model I'm just you know >> so you get off the you get off the Instagram and the social media stuff what do you feel >> and then business tanks Yeah. I want to I want to know what do you feel because I'm a stickle like that. We're both getting paid to be influencers on our show collectively on our own private businesses. What's your opinion? I want to hear what people have to say about it about people that get paid to promote products. Like what do you think about it? >> In what area? Like what's your question? >> A company calls me up. They say, "I want to pay you $5,000 a month, and I want you to talk about my product on the show." >> The only way you could talk about the product is if first thing is if you like the product >> if it means something to you. >> Like, let's say someone wants to be a saleserson. >> Let's say you really like the paycheck. So, let's say you like really like the paycheck. Does that count? >> If what? >> If you like the paycheck, the zels. >> But even even if you like the zels, okay, >> if you don't >> I like the sound when the zel comes. >> No, but if if you don't If you don't understand the product and you don't like it, you can't even sell it even even for money. >> So, hold on, Clappy. Speaking of the product, >> about talking about the product, by the way, we have a product that's a few months subscription and we love the product. We love the product, but we brought on the CEO founder of the product to be on the podcast. It's going to air this coming Thursday before your episode. So, it's going to be airing um on Tishabove. I don't know. Ask her. We have to ask her off. Maybe a guy in Lakewood will give us the hat. You usually release the show on Thursday. This week is Tishabove. So, I'm not sure we're a lot. >> I'm also on Tishabove today. I can't even tell you how many videos are going out. >> Is there 25 videos? >> There's loads. >> You heard about my Oscars? >> No, I didn't hear. >> You didn't see it? >> I I didn't see. >> Why she used to check your channel? >> Yeah, there's a there's a I said >> Clappy. You can't let people go to your channel. Give them a reason to follow you. >> Go on Clappy on Instagram. You should have made a video for for Tisha. >> I'm in one of the videos. >> Oh, you're in one of >> I'm in one of the videos. There's so many. I don't even know which one. >> And when was the video done? Like I have to >> basically there was a veil list. There was a veil list before. >> I said they're shooting movies a whole year for Tishabove. And there's so many it takes five to six days to watch all the movies. I said there should be an Oscars where people rate what was the best Tishabove movie and then you next year you follow that company. Got it. Stop. >> Speaking of our sponsors. >> Speaking about our sponsors. So, we have beautiful products that we actually believe in. We will not bring on a product for a million dollars. >> I would >> if we're not fully vested. Could you pass me a pure aloe? Alo, >> you you know that aloe is a um aloe, the aloe plant is a very very aloe vera plant is a very natural. It's very medicinal, very healthy, has a lot of medicinal benefits to it. Now, it's made in Asia. That's where the aloe vera products are made. So there's a lot of aloe vera kosher products that have a heer, but a guy decided he's going to make one with aid. Not kosher, real kosher. >> Super kosher kosher kosher. >> So they make it in like nine flavors including diet. Even the ones that have sugar, it's low in sugar. >> Has all those pieces. >> It has the the bubba pieces, the pure aloe pulp has the gel inside it. There's no GMOs, no powder, no artificial flavors, no artificial coloring, no preservation, no no red preservatives, all natural, delicious, and it's delicious. It comes in private bottles, you know, like 17 oz bottles and 50 ounces of Shabas and Yamiff. And it's just something so special and delicious. It's carried in all high-end kosher supermarkets. And if you're in a supermarket that doesn't carry it, it's a big distributor. >> How come they don't have it? RT and universal beverage. >> Your drinks, those grape juice, the seltzas. And >> we're actually developing a new one. That's the one in the back. The tea. We're launching a new tea brand that's sugarf free. >> I already made a bra before. I'm going to take another say whenever you go in the show, you see people drinking. I'm like, come on, make at least a >> man. It's very good. >> It's really good. >> Yeah. And I hear it mixes really well with the right box. >> We got some bakan action uh this uh Yeah, this is it. Bakan. >> It comes a nice about to say he used to do the product. What do you think when you see this product? Some bakan. >> I like it. It's nice. I like also the box. >> It's distributed by Roy Distributed by Royal. >> Hold on a second. Do a Simco Wyman. Uh >> no, it is. Look at this box. >> Perfect. Could you imagine giving such a gift >> to someone? This is beautiful. I love also the color. >> Two flavors. Two flavors. >> I don't even know about the drink anymore. I love I love the look of it. It's very nice. Look at it. And even the cover. This is nice. This is beautiful. Like if you want to thank somebody. This is beautiful. >> I a lot of times I buy something just for the cover. Wow, this is really nice. >> Okay, we'll mix it all together. >> Just empty it out into my little bottle. >> Nice. >> So, bakan, we're going to have a whole episode on bakan, but bakan is made in Colombia. It has lower alcohol than its other competitors to make it healthier and more delicious. It's made out of the um the the sugar cane. But the first press, not the junk. The first press, the cuss lamar, the finest finest finest, the aguente, >> aguar, >> aguarente. It's the sugarcane at the highest level of purity. Triple, quadruple, five time distilled. And uh it comes in different bottling. Um the smaller bottles, the bigger bottles, and the sample bottled gift box. Very well priced. How much do you think double bottle um sample gift size cost this box? with the two bottles. >> 225. >> $34.99. >> You serious? >> Yeah. And how much do you think the big bottle cost? The huge bottle. 700 milliliters. >> I don't know. >> 50 bucks. Beautiful box. >> It's a Matia. How's that guy making money? >> Exactly. >> It's so affordable. >> Definitely good for the hand. How's the guy making my casawan advertising on the clapping? >> Another show. We drink wine. We drink that wine every shave. The guy came on this show. >> Zecon, >> the best wine. >> You drink it before the show. >> You should always drink it. >> Joseph Zand. >> I'm telling you the truth. We did. >> Which one of those bottles? >> Um I don't I don't know what's What is it called? Um >> Muskatini. It's sweet, >> but it's excellent. And my kids, if we wouldn't have it, SH and then I saw he came on the show here. >> How was the show? >> And he's excellent. Every show that you guys do, you guys are so amazing. >> I brought him on just for these compliments. >> It's not, but you guys are. You're such a good team. >> You're more like >> have it more besa like organized. >> Yeah. I mean, >> he's more he's good. He's He's a real artist. He's like a pistol here, a pistol here, a pistle here. But he has good attentions and there's no one who has a better heart than him. >> You know what's funny? Some people tell me that I'm the normal one. Straight one and clap. He's all over the place. So you tell me he's one. >> I get so extreme reactions >> cuz you know what it is? Cuz everyone feels something else. What they need or what they see and that's how they see it. They feel like for them that's how you know >> copy. You see the way he says you're so amazing. >> I want to buy I want to buy it and I already have it. I want to buy it again. >> Then we have CH Butcher. >> CH Butcher. Let me get this. >> The truffle truffle edition. >> The CH Butcher guy. It's Shea. They're their slaughter houses and their meat. It's local. >> American Angus beef. They have the most gorgeous highend most gorgeous high-end steak. >> Simple. Look at the design. >> It's beautiful. >> Beef bil tongue. Air dried beef slices. Black truffle. It's the newest flavor. Zero carbs, zero sugar, 16 gram of protein. You go to the gym where you want to feel healthy, you eat this as a snack. It's no potato chips. You're all oily. Here you're getting the best American beef. >> And make a good semi after nine days. >> Yeah. Yeah. This is the best. >> But this is good to serve. >> Yeah. >> You could take it along while you're going to the country. >> Yeah. >> While you're traveling, while you're driving, >> while you're doing shooting weddings, you can't sit down and eat, but you can sneak a few pieces in your mouth. >> A few pieces. your will to lease car. Right, Coffee? >> Now, you have to go to their butcher shop is on Albony Avenue and their high-end steakhouse in Brooklyn on on Troy Avenue where you find parking readily available and you don't have to spend $100 on congestion. You go locally in Brooklyn, you get the fine dining experience and their butcher shop on Alb Avenue. And then for their freezer products, they have readymade freezer products and shelf stabilized pop to go beef bill tongue, all types of amazing jerky stuff to go. >> The last hold on a second. The last photographer we came on here, we asked him, "Where's your favorite places to take pictures?" He said, "Munie Lake." I said, "My so far." He said, "I never have a problem getting parking." So, I don't mind. >> It's true. >> You know what I do when I come to Brooklyn? >> Yeah. >> If I can't find parking, >> Yeah. >> I park just by the pump and I say, "You know what? How much does it cost to park in a garage?" >> It's the same. >> And what's your hit hit rate? How often you get a ticket? >> No. Not >> never. >> I I I didn't say never cuz not never. Some people, >> but it's not so bad. You don't get points. It's not like there's just no place where to park. >> Some people say ethically you're making creating a danger for fire departments. I don't know. >> Yeah, I look more into complete nonsense. Complete nonsense. I don't want to make I was told that if you are parked by a pump and there's a fire, the FDNY takes the pump, they smash your side window and they go in through the other window of your car. They just have two broken windows and they put out the fire. To them, it's a zero obstacle. They like it. A little smash and crack. >> Yeah, smash and crack. Grab and go. They do a lot of good stuff. So anyways, they just smashed the window. Somebody told me that if you ask the entire people in New York City, you know, I don't know, 10 million people. So how many people are being affected? 8 million people maybe with cars. If you park, if you're legally allowed to park by a hydrant and you might have the risk that once in 37 years, you'll get two windows broken for $400. EVERYBODY WOULD SAY, "SMASH MY WINDOW. I want more parking spots." Because every block is four or five pumps. Interesting. >> So I want to mani >> say I always park there. I first look for parking but if I can't find you know >> pump it >> mdani for all your if you let us park by the pumps you'll get a few more Jews to like you. Anyways talking about parking legally or illegally there's no way to park a car if you don't have a car or you lease a car or finance a car. There's only one place to go for all your wheels needs. Wheels to lease. my friend Saul Harsh or Izzy Herman. You call them up. They get you the make and model at the best price with paperwork in seconds with lines of credit. The cars in your driveway 2, three hours later. A pleasure. Getting rid of your old car, getting you into your new car. They push and people now go into the bungalow colonies. They realize they need a second car. The wife has the car a whole week. They need the car and then the rest of the year a car poolool and you going to work. It's just they make life easy. They get you the right cars at the right deals. Go to wheels to lease. Tell them what you need. You know you're getting the best price. You're dealing with uranium and schlamim the top of the line. Now that's for a car for everyday stuff that you need in your house. The same way you wouldn't eat a food without a heer. You can't buy a product today without the PZ deals link cuz you don't know if you're getting a good deal. You need a new convection oven. You need a bicycle. You need a camera. You need a C like equipment. You put it in. You don't know what you're getting a good deal. Everybody >> is not paying for yet. Everybody says they're giving you >> what do they do? They check into it. What's the best? >> You go in, you go on Apple or Android. You have that free app. You put in any product in the world you want. You >> just type it. >> You put You want cameras, they'll show you. >> They'll tell you like what's the best. >> You put I tried last night. I put in, let's say, cameras. They show you all the DSLRs, all the point and shoots, everything, all the greatest deals. It's always in a category that you need. I needed a new GPS holder for my car. Even though I have Apple Apple CarPlay where I have the screen, but sometimes I want to just clip my phone on. I put it in and I Ita wanted the one that goes on your air vent. I know it's a non-conventional. You're blocking some of the air, but I like that one because the ones on the windshield and the dashboard, it's sticky and gooey and the magnetic strips, whatever. I put an air vent ones. They found one that also has like a 35 watt car charger. A link $6.99 for a product that usually sells for 40 bucks. >> That's crazy. >> It's like an a vera not to use PZ deals when you need to buy stuff. And if your family uses PZ deals regularly, the savings are so good. Now, doesn't cost you a penny. The app is free. The links are free. The product doesn't go up because you use a PZ deal link. How do they make money? Because they get money back from the link. It's a Zen of a Zen if a Zen and nobody in the world is. So, it's just PZ deals. I wear it on my head to remind me. PZY deals. >> By the way, I wear it on the show. I wear it in the streets. People >> when I saw that cap, I thought maybe like you own it or something. words. Um, simply have any other interesting Gdalum stories since you're the Gailam paparazzi for so many years. >> Yes. So, Rafim Keski also was like a middle of the night. In those days, I was always around the middle of the night. It was like about like 3:15 in the morning, 3:15, 3:30. >> Just the second story. 3:30. If you want to get shots of good 3:30, >> I was coming back from a mitzvotan someplace in Benbra and I saw Rav Kineski was getting ready downstairs. He was getting ready to feed a cat. So when he was getting ready to feed the cat, um I was holding my camera. It's not like today, you know, you have an iPhone or you have a regular phone and you just go like this. So I was getting ready and Rafim, he was not wearing a hat. He was wearing a talis cotton. He wore a talis cotton on top of his shirt. on top of his shirt, but he wasn't wearing like his jacket or whatever. Just remember that. And he asked me not to take the picture. >> And I nodded like I will not take the picture, but I couldn't resist. And I snapped the picture. And after I snapped the picture, he got so upset. And then I just disappeared. I left. I was not in Israel since then for 25 years. And I made my first bait mitzvah. And like 11 months later was about to make another Bitzvah. So my second son came over to me by my oldest son's Bitz. He says, "I don't want no Bitzvah here in America. All I want to do is I want to go to the Kaisel and go to Keska." I say, "No, no, no, no. We're not going." Did you develop the picture? Wait, wait. Oh, so then Rafim Keski asked me, he wanted it to film. In those days, could be even from your generation, if you had to rewind the camera, you would take like a little pen. There was a little button on the bottom, but I had other pictures on there. I don't want to give it to Raim. There was like a little garbage can and I put I rewinded the film at the end and I put in the garbage can and put it in his pocket. 25 years later. So, my son won and we went to you know the thing, you know, you go with your son. We don't make up a mitzvah in America. >> So, you know, but it's a beautiful idea. I just did that. There's only one problem. I did the whole throw and now I'm doing the whole again. >> So I made I made him also it was like right when I went to Keski um it was a nitka. >> So we went on a Thursday right before tish >> and then right after we tak we made him something also. You're right. >> So um so we decided we're going into so we went in of I don't know if you ever went to's house. >> No. So there exactly was sitting here and I went in my son was standing there and we got I got over to and says I wanted to for you Freddy for 25 years. Then he sat with me for like 20 minutes me and my son and he was just making like jokes I know like jokes like this but we were like we really were having a good time. So I decided, you know what? Six months later, I went with my wife and I went back. I went in and you know what he told me? Told me, have a good day. Bye-bye. >> And I looked at So I went to like I spoke to >> in Philadelphia. >> Yeah. And I said to him, I said, I don't know. I went there the first time. He remembered me after 25 years. And he was joking around. I went back six months later. He didn't know me. He said that's what it was. He he was a huge a big as long as he had to b the it was in him the whole time. But once he got the it was out of his mind and out of his heart. So that's why he forgot it. So that was a story. There's another story with not the GB from today. >> So what did he give the cat? A can of tuna fish. What did he give him? >> I don't know what it was. I just know it was like so quick like he was getting ready to feed the cat and I just took the picture. >> You always give you always feed animals. >> I know. It's the first time I saw it. It was like downstairs he was get you know and >> the had so much raman not only on the people but also on the animals. >> Exactly. >> 3:30 in the morning. He's feeding the cat. >> Exactly. I don't know why he didn't want me to take the but okay. There's another story I heard that the Grebba not the one from today. >> You heard or it happened to you? No, it happened to me. But I'm saying Oh. >> Oh, yeah. No, I heard >> I like hearing the story >> that the G river 6:00 in the morning a quarter to 6 takes a walk all by himself. So I said to myself, I'm I'm always like a very creative type of person. I want to do things different. So usually G is you know how many are there? >> They're the biggest. No, >> they're the biggest between them and Bells. >> Smer's also pretty big. Satma's also those are like satma bells visionets right those are like the bigger one they're all related actually they're all son-in-laws >> the rea makes a joke he said the biggest in America sat I said what's the second biggest said the other satr >> the other sat right so I went and I would see the gre running with his stick like he would he was like taking his walk and I'm trying to get a picture of him so I'm like running running after him again and again Then the Reb says, "We sat down by a bus stop. I have these pictures like of him sitting there." And I say to the I said, "So the girl says, "What do you want?" I said, "I I I heard that the the Reb takes a walk by himself. I thought it would be a nice picture." So I sat him down by the bus stop and I took a picture. >> The Grebba. >> The current Grebba. >> The No, not the one now. The one before. >> Well, now there's two. No, >> now there's Yeah, there's two. There's the Reb and then the Rashiva. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. >> Am I getting into politics or it's accepted already? >> You did it next. So you took a picture of the Reb. >> I took the picture of the Reb and >> you asked him to sit down. >> I asked him to sit down by the bus stop and I have that >> and he posed. >> And he posed. >> You Oh, let me ask you a question. You have you very unique exotic pictures of GD Rebes. Are there copyrights on these pictures? So years ago, it used to be like copyright like like no one like I wouldn't let anyone like I wouldn't let anyone make like a copy. But today you go you take pictures you put on WhatsApp and it goes all over the world and then >> after that what's next? >> More than No, it's worse. It's worse. I take a picture and a video I put it on my status which is resharable >> and 10 seconds later I get it back on my phone from 40 people with another guy's copyright picture and stamp and everything as if as if it's there. as if it's their content. It's funnier if they didn't put their sticker, they shared it, whatever, but they put their sticker on whatever. So, so it used to be that you used to go into a when you go to 20 years ago, you would have pictures of GD and in the back it would be stamped copy protection and people would ever call and say can I show to publish it. whatever they would they would call >> they would they would and then also init so I would learn in yeshiva and then like at night as a bach I used to go around taking pictures like of different ram so then um shuki he lived in Ben and I was learning so he contact me the owner of mishbah magazine his name is Ellie Pale and he saw that I was very very good I was like I ran I covered everything. >> So he went where my yeshiva was, he rented an apartment on the first floor and he got a guy who in those days to bring you know like a photo lab and they were print it wasn't like today like digital pictures. You would have to like take the pictures, develop it and you know print it in the same >> just just one you're taking pictures 3 four or five in the morning and you and then you're running around all night and you you did learning or not? I did learning. I did learning. I think I actually do more learning now than I did earlier. But everyone >> listen the founder of Mushbaka magazine built a lab for him >> next to the yeshiva. >> Next to the yeshiva for like just for me. >> What it cost to build and rent. >> I don't even know cuz I wasn't involved in it. But he he took >> to the pap. No, but every week before they would make and not only that then the Mishbaha magazine it used to be people used to put up posters for circus. So then we made like a poster for Mishbaha magazine. We made like a whole like different >> for the nice circa. Yeah. >> See I just when people want to know what makes what separates the boys from the men. >> Yeah. when Elliot Pal sees his bak in Israel who's a talented photographer goes all in, rents an apartment, buys development equipment, goes all in. And now >> and I made a mistake. I told him that he should make the magazine here. Then he told me that he wants me to run it. I should go around and everyone was like looking like who who's looking at Mishbah magazine today? >> Because you got it you got you got them to print it in English. >> I got them to print it in English. But I'm saying he wanted me like to run it. I should >> in America. >> In America today it's like very big. >> You declined. >> I said no. >> What's bigger? Mishbakar Ramy. >> I don't know. >> I know both. So I'm going to keep it par. What do you think is bigger? >> Um >> I think Amy is more personal. Mishbaka is more >> I think I find that people that read the mishbaka do not touch the army. People that read the army don't touch the mishbaka. I think different people on not like bashame basill people on to a different style magazine >> I think you kind of covered it that mishbach is more like worldly in-depth politics whatever >> ami is more like interesting stories and then a section on a section on family show a f and they also dabble in a little bit into politics but it's more article feature driven and the is more like worldly I guess it depends who you are >> and also every place has their magazine and their newspaper >> well more importantly Which magazine gets banned more? >> They both they both don't wear pictures of girls. >> At one point I remember then when they still had the Jewish press Jewish press and I remember the came I remember Penny Lipshit saying Penny we love you. I just want I just remember just like today him telling me I'm not putting him back of the like you know looking for an apartment or looking for a job. It's not going to be like the Jewish press. So that I think he does have and what was interesting is with the I was the first photographer to take pictures for the ATED but it was like a whole thing a guy had to come to my house every week and pick up the pictures. It wasn't like today you just send them over >> and you know it's different today you know. >> No but saying to Amy and the Mishbaki you cannot put pictures of women in the magazines. >> No you can't put in any magazine today. >> No what I'm saying there's cries in the wet women pictures of magazines. What I'm saying is that yeah in Kabad it's it's a little bit of like it's it's it's like interesting like wow they don't want women pictures of women in the magazine. I'm saying so you're saying it's standard in the world. I'm saying they do they don't do of course they would I'm saying >> now maybe like with AI like they have like these fake you know. >> Hold on. I think Mishbaka podcast has ladies in it. >> Mishbaka podcast. >> Are you sure? >> I think >> maybe they b they do. >> Okay. So you had the you had the the the you had some very interesting stories we could tell him but but back I want to go back >> I want to say one another story also Ramosa Feinstein he passed away in ' 86 >> right had a son >> I still remember I told you I'm like about 50 I went to brahas sakama by raasha >> tshin mau of 81 >> 81 but I didn't I was very little then but I do remember that when I went there for braha sakama that raisinstein was laning that day He was sitting on the side of the beamer and he pointed by the laning to every word. No, that's interesting because he was a gudle like he must probably knew it by heart but he would point. But I wanted to say a story that when the Grebba and Rashtoyman came many many years ago, they came together to America and they had a private meeting by the No Minsk Reba and all the Russas came there and I had my camera case on my shoulder and I was getting ready to go to speak to Rabstein and David Feinstein came over to me and he says, "I see you're holding this camera case already for a few hours on your shoulder. I could watch it while you go in to speak to Rubbish Diamond, but I was like very careful. You know, these equipment, they're very expensive. >> But he saw the way I was holding it like for my dear life. So, at the end, I gave him my camera case. >> Is the one from the lower side. >> From the lower side. That's for Ramsha's oldest son. >> Mhm. >> Um and then when I came out of the room from Raashto and like after a few minutes, I found Ravit Feinstein. who was still holding the camera case on his shoulder exactly the way I was holding. I'm just saying the godless >> the godless the >> Isel is like it's unbelievable >> half of a fellow >> unbelievable >> but the Finstein their love to people it's it's it's it's next level next level >> there's so many stories about Rabbisha Feinstein not to hurt anybody or insult anybody that my father was very close to Raasha he checked his phone I think for 13 years last 13 years of his life my grandparents were very very close my mother my mother's family grew up in the lower east side >> oh wow >> they had a store and was big big big time of MTJ etc etc. My father used to go ask him shas on Sunday when he used to go visit his store. But the love they had it was they had he used to get a phone call every single Arab shabas for some old alman. He used to ask and speak to the dove asking him what time is pension. The family wanted to tell her like get a calendar and he would say no put the call through every week. >> So many unbelievable >> unbelievable. Um, so you have any good drama stories as a photographer, >> family fights, like something? >> I could say I want to first say like two stories that happened to me. I don't think he would mine by now. I don't think you know who he is. >> His name is Schlle Raknets, >> the the big billionaire from California. >> I don't know how I didn't count his money. I didn't go into his bank account. >> They don't say it about me. >> But he made a very very big speech someplace and there was a couple thousand people there. >> I know. I watched the speech about yeshiva not accepting kids. >> Wait wait wait I I don't think it was that one. So I wanted all the Russ I wanted to get a picture of the days and he's getting ready to speak. So I want to get a good picture of him with the Russash is and I went on and by accident when I went towards the days >> what happened was I don't know what it's called that you read your speech >> teleprompter >> it collapsed >> the teleprompter collapsed >> and they had like a guy like standing there trying to get it so then he made a song you know that song um renets whatever so everybody started singing it to like >> he's a composer he makes beautiful music. >> So, one of his songs, everyone started singing again and again and again and then the guy says like another five minutes. The technician is trying to see if they could fix it and then he went like this and then he got up for a minute and usually he speak he used to he speaks like 20 25 minutes. He didn't have a speech that >> because of you. >> Because of me. So, he asked me about drama. That was so embarrassing. >> Everybody knew it was you. >> What? Everyone saw I went up. How much did you get paid by his competitor to knock over a top? >> Any good family drama stories? But I miss the weddings fighting. >> Before you go to drama, I want to say also one more nice story about Schllay Yehuda. I did his brother's wedding >> and he needed a minion for Minka. >> His twin brother, >> not his twin brother. He had he has an identical twin brother. >> Correct. Correct. Yes. It's a different brother, his youngest brother. And he needed a minion for Mina. So I get into the hall. He comes over to me. Did you d a ma? I said, "No, $100." He says, "But I but" but I said, "But you still need another nine." "How many people are working with you?" I said, "Six." So then I go over to him and I said, "Two of them, I think they're not Jewish." So he says, "If I'm giving everyone $100, I'm giving them." He gave 10 people $100 and then he had to give another two because those were gaim. But no, I'm just saying like how >> it was you know Rabbi Waldman or Rashiva and >> came to be Mad Kados for a couple >> he wants to say that he was very sensitive but >> he was very sensitive bet that he even gave the go like he didn't want he didn't want them to feel bad >> they didn't join in >> he he wand the rashiva of for many many years he was a legendary rashiva he came to America to be with the kadoshan for some couple and she was a gayist in long island on a Sunday morning. They needed a minion. I went to Kawa and then in the in the in the women because his brother his his cousins lived in Crown Heights, whatever. So we get there and they looking for a kibbud. They're looking for a kibbut for the non-Jewish son because they're giving out a few kibbu and he was very sensitive and he told this sheets guy, his mother of the cow, whatever, he says, "I'm giving you a very special kibbut to hold the pole of the Oh wow. So it's interesting that they sensitive." If he gave the $100 to the not Jew cuz he was giving it to the Jewish guy to a Jewish guy. I thought it was but there was a story John. >> I have a story before a wedding. I have to say that there was a story in my studio. I used to have like every Sunday. It was like packed with people like a doctor's office means I was doing like all those acceptance. >> I even had an extra secretary on Sunday. I had every day a secretary, but I had one of the secretary. Her job was to keep them calm because sometimes it took a little longer. So she secretary secretary's husband was in Kylo. >> So what happened was there was a couple that came they came in from Lakewood to Brooklyn and it was like packed. So my studio was on 16 and 49 and across the street there was a pizza store. So I decided that everyone that was in the waiting room they all got pizza for free but they have to go to the pizza store. What happened? I felt bad that this couple, they looked like they were like in the high 30s and they're coming to me just them without any children. So, I didn't want to make them feel bad. It looks like, you know, they're taking like couple pictures cuz they're waiting for a few years to have children. >> And then suddenly the the misses tells the husband, "Hey, I forgot to call my friend. What about the kids? What are they going to eat for supper?" I went and I sent everyone out because I thought that this couple didn't have children. >> Um about a wedding. I don't know if it's correct, but I remember the first time I did a labra wedding also lababich like they always like I did a wedding in Detroit. I went here went here always >> out of town all over the place. But the first time I took I you know the gives the kala a gift in the room and I see I don't know if it's true. You're going to tell me you're both and I see this he doesn't have a gift. So I'm like thinking how could I go get like something like earrings or something to give in the room. So then the says we don't give out in the room. Is that correct? >> I don't even know. I got married only once and I don't remember what I did or didn't do. Oh. Oh. >> Nonabat. Did they do you give a gift? >> Give a gift in the I'm just saying one second. Just for the record, Kabad doesn't give the diamond ring when you get engaged. The Reb was against it by the >> We give the We give the diamond ring in the room cuz the gold ring the gold ring is in the Uh-huh. Uhhuh. When you ask like drama like what? Like >> crazy stories. >> So again, you were doing Bakar. You were Bakr. You were getting all the gum. You were doing the you were opening up photo labs. Then you came back to America. I'm I'm assuming and then as you were getting you started official photography career >> then I started right I opened >> right you had all that the 25 during the day I I used to take pictures of the children >> but it was like even every day like I started at 9:00 >> finished sometimes at 7:00 even matab it was always crowded and then at night right away I would go to a wedding an engagement a >> so you working like 19our days >> I worked yeah >> simply how did you meet your wife >> how did I meet my wife >> she came for years. >> No, I'll tell you how I met her. There was something called in those days on 18th Avenue. It was called um Torah Tapes. >> Rabbi Li Rabbi the library foot tapes. >> Mandalas. >> His name is Rabbi Applebam. >> Yeah. In the side basement >> in the side, right? >> Talk about a blockbuster. >> And um he told me, "I don't know. I don't know of anyone that would be good for you." And then he recommended me to someone else and that person didn't know me and didn't know my wife and then the happened. >> Where is she from? >> California, LA. >> Really? What's her background? >> American litfish. Litfish. And my when the corona started he was nifa right away. Yeah. So would >> you would you want your kids to go into this business photography business? >> No. >> Why not? Um, I want for them better. It's also it's like 24 hours. It's like it's a it's more like a night job and a different type of, you know, they could do better. >> You think there's better than being a photographer? >> And also to be a photographer, the photographer that I am, each job I have such a passion like it's like a brand new job. It's like I'm very creative. I don't know if my kids are like they they're more they're going to do different things, you know? >> So, you don't let them. Not that I don't let No. >> Are they good with taking photo? Are they good at holding a camera and getting a good shot? >> Today everyone could take a good shot. >> I don't know. Does taking a good shot. >> Today they hold No. You don't think you take good pictures? >> What I mean to say is people take like with their phone. Do they think that they're good photographers? No. It's not like I wouldn't let them. If that's what they want to do, I would respect it. But I'm saying I'm not like, you know, it's not like becoming like a family business and putting them >> I'm not asking to see your W2, your 1099, whatever. You can make a good pronouncer. No, you can make a okay pronouncer. >> Yes, >> but you still you rather >> not that I would ra I would rather for them to have like regular hours like not We asked another photographer that came on the show, very popular photographer. >> Yes, I saw it. Yeah. >> My my sh is is that today it used to be there was the famous like Park Avenue good photographers, the guys that everybody knew they were good. Not everybody liked their style and how the Hassan Kawa stood or how they got the background drop or they stand on the steps. Does he do it upwards? Whatever creative. >> But there was the really the popular 56 top guys, the Mercedes-Benz, Rolex, you know, Cadillac photographers, the good ones. And the guys would not hold the camera, come to the bris for $50, whatever. They were okay, you know, whatever. We're the guys for like the magazines, quick pictures today. And I told the Tamishi and we spoke to the other photographer, these like these like cute, you know, oh, we're photographers, we're Instagrammers, we're bloggers, you know, like they're like the pop culture photographers, but you don't know if in four months from now they're going to be working in another industry. >> Correct. >> Do they the industry? They're the cool name for 15 minutes and then they become an accountant thing. Do they do you find that these you know ster do you get a lot are you heavily affected by? >> Not really. >> No. Not really. >> Preassed, postassed. What's the difference? >> I think today it's par. Today it's pariff. It's are all over the place. Today they built they build it up. And I think Lakewood, the Russas and in in Lakewood are are very happy. >> Shane, you used to be not used to be some. >> No, I didn't say that. I didn't say that. I just I I'm trying to say that I see the >> I see it's like it's like sam, you know. >> Is there an OTD crisis in Lakewood where they're going to burger joints and partying at night and pool tables and there's like people coming and screaming almost like the Ben Brock shabas? Is there like an element of Lakewood where people feel like it was a little bit invaded and they have to bring up the kusha of Lakewood and they're against certain establishments opening? >> A guy opened up a burger joint a few months ago. I know. >> And there was a big a big tadam and I once said something >> and then he ate a person ate the wrong place because they had the wrong switch their name. They had they had to hire one of your >> I didn't I I didn't hear I mean I I I do speak to a lot of different people and you know I didn't hear people talk negative. >> I didn't hear people talk negative. They were just talking that maybe that you know they should label it a little differently. I spoke to a big influencer in Lakewood, has a big website and blog and everything. And I told him that I'm thinking about putting out content. Um, you know, because that they should be more accepting and whatever. He's like, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. You don't know the whole story. You don't know who's behind what. There's three sides to the story. Trust me, what you heard on the street is completely not wrong. Do you find or is there room for improvement in Lakewood and the and its surrounding towns for the OTDRA to be more included or there's a lot of organizations and there's a lot of love and a lot of people accepting people in different backgrounds. >> I think today there's a lot more acceptance than when I was growing up. There's not so much judging anymore. Um I think people are more and they're more there's there's a lot of help out there. >> So don't don't believe the fake news. >> Exactly. It's fake news like Trump would say. >> You have any closing remarks, Sima? >> Hold on one second. How does somebody book you? Because you're not on Instagram. How does somebody book Sima Wyman for the best photography? >> Thank you. >> How do they book you? >> They could call me. What's the number? >> 845-2692094. >> 845 number sounds like you're from my Lakewood guy. >> Right. Right. When I was like a little kid, someone helped me out to get me that someone who lived in Muny, a very special person, and just got me that number. And I hold on to that um I pay for the phone bill, but I'm hold I'm holding on to that number like that person's not alive anymore. And it's something that I hold together >> that it was my number. >> So I left that number like every time someone says, "Um, get a book in Lakewood." You know what they say? Oh, so you moved to Muny. >> You're saying it's not worth getting a >> and now everyone knows that number you know it's like you know >> speed doll clapping. >> So the best the best way to call me. >> Are you going to publish a safer one day with all your stories? >> I would love to write a book if there's someone out there that >> you said to me stories. You have loads dozens more. >> Could a guy like Nakman Seltzer pay you a million dollars and buy your stories and publish a book for art school? Maybe >> 100%. >> And then with a million dollars, you could retire. >> Exactly. Is Art Squirrel known for giving like a million for a good story? >> I have no idea what they give, but they're very good. >> 10 to 15 million. >> Art Squirrel is is today one of the biggest. You know, >> they don't advertise yet on the show. >> You got to get them to come here. >> Yet, they they should definitely come on. We would love to have Flatawitz and Sherman. And >> I had a one point article and at the at their bottom was offered to be sold to Kahus and Kahus declined. come on the show and talk about it. >> Asawitz has a son. One of the founders is Rabbi Zlatawitz and Sherman. And I think has a son >> who's like a huge real estate mogul guy. He wrote an article for a while. He had an article ami. I read the one in Amy magazine. He sounds like all these business expos. >> It sounds like he would be a guy that would come on our show and we would take we would take art school to the next level. >> We'll give them the opportunity to go to the next level. Santa, thank you for schleing out from liquid. >> It wasn't a schle. It was it was a to be on. Thank you so much. >> A little upset. We thought you were a real liquid guy. And you tell me your father, your grandfather and you went to the to get a so >> and he's going back and he's going back to >> you killed our whole show. We thought we finally had a liquid guy and you find out he's >> turns out Turns out if we interview almost anybody in Lakewood, we'll find out the kabad connection. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you so much everybody. Like and subscribe. Smash that like button. Smash that subscribe button. And thank you so much for coming on the show. Thank you.