The Small Town Rabbi

Rabbi Laibel Shemtov
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This is an unfiltered podcast with Rabbi Laibel Shemtov and Pesach Sander about Laibel's experiences of being a small town Rabbi.

  1. 09/09/2025

    The Minsters, Part 4 - Navigating kosher in Traverse City

    The completion of the interview of the Minsters! We explore the question about what it was like living as observant Jews in Traverse City for their family visits — both maintaining kosher while visiting with their supportive, non-Jewish relatives and living without Jewish community. We then explore the impact of the arrival of the Chabad Jewish Community Center.

    14 min

  2. 08/28/2025

    The Minsters, part 3 - John’s Conversion and Netta’s Calling”

    As we approach the grand finale, discover the culmination of John’s conversion journey, leading to his engagement and marriage to Netta in Israel. Inspired both by John’s conversion experience and by their tradition of spending a month each year living observantly Jewish in Traverse City, Netta launched what she calls her “COVID project”: guiding others on their own Jewish journeys. Through conversion coaching and helping Jews reconnect with their heritage, she now offers newsletters, e-books, courses, and personalized Hebrew learning and mentoring. You can find her on Instagram at @nettaasner.

    11 min

  3. 08/18/2025

    The Minsters, Part 2 - The Turning Point

    Join us as we explore a major turning point in John and Netta’s early friendship as Netta wrestles with how to navigate her emotions versus her commitments to Judaism. How does John take the news?

    11 min

  4. 08/10/2025

    The Minsters, Part 1 - From Traverse City to Jerusalem

    From growing up in Traverse City to discovering Judaism in Israel…the amazing start of John Minster’s Jewish journey from his earliest awareness of Judaism in Traverse City to meeting his future wife.

    10 min

  5. 08/10/2025

    Welcome back! Season 2!!

    Welcome back for season two! In this first episode we highlight recent developments over the last few months including the arrival of a new associate rabbi for the next year and getting closer to breaking ground on a mikvah. In this season we will be continuing to interview people affected by the presence and the growth of Chabad in Traverse City, MI.

    9 min

  6. 04/02/2025

    Pesach Sander, part 3 - Making a Vessel

    Creating a vessel — the ten siddurim and the arrival of Chabad of Traverse City with a focus on how life has changed since Chabad arrived.

    10 min

  7. 03/23/2025

    Pesach Sander, part 2 - Personal exodus

    A personal exodus from Egypt, Pesach's journey from atheism back to belief in Hashem, meeting his wife, and Orthodox life in Traverse City before Chabad.

    9 min

  8. 03/16/2025

    Pesach Sander Part 1 - Self Discovery

    Pesach's self discovery and the start of his journey into judaism.

    9 min
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About

This is an unfiltered podcast with Rabbi Laibel Shemtov and Pesach Sander about Laibel's experiences of being a small town Rabbi.

Information

  • Creator
    Rabbi Laibel Shemtov
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rabbi Laibel Shemtov
  • Show Website
    The Small Town Rabbi