Jews In The Lou

Ben Poremba & Alex Rich
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entertainment News

Jews in the Lou is a community-driven podcast that highlights the diverse voices, stories, and experiences of Jewish life in St. Louis. Hosted by Ben Poremba and Alex Rich, each episode features candid conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and changemakers who are shaping the cultural and communal fabric of the city. From heartfelt reflections on identity and heritage to bold discussions about business, creativity, and purpose, Jews in the Lou celebrates the people who make the St. Louis Jewish community vibrant, resilient, and inspiring.

  1. Sep 15

    Jews in the Lou: Jason, Jonathan & Katie Kootman on Family Business & Sibling Partnership

    Host Alex Rich sits down with siblings Jason, Jonathan, and Katie Kootman, the fourth generation behind Trimarc, for a wide-ranging conversation on family business, sibling dynamics, and Jewish identity in St. Louis. The three trace Trimarc's path from a single leaky trailer office — where their dad refused to invest a dime until they proved they were serious — to a full-scale operation serving steel fabricators, machine shops, and aerospace manufacturers across the region, with a business name their mom coined for the three of them the day they all came aboard together. They share how they split ownership evenly with no sibling hierarchy, why blunt honesty (not diplomacy) is what actually keeps three co-owners aligned, and why none of them think of it as "just work." Katie then walks through the family's food and faith traditions: matzo ball soup passed down from their grandmother, chopped eggs and onions in a Jell-O mold, homemade challah attempts, and the temple music and cantor impressions that first connected them to Judaism as kids. The conversation turns to their long-running "Bros Dinner" tradition with childhood friends — 60-plus dinners deep, complete with credit card roulette and post-meal awards for best food and service — and to what it means to grow up Jewish in St. Louis, from summers at Camp Sabra and the Maccabi Games to how they're thinking about raising Jewish kids of their own amid a climate of rising antisemitism. It closes with reflections on earning their dad's trust, pride in carrying the family name forward, and always rooting for your own. 🎙️ Jews in The Lou highlights Jewish individuals making an impact in the St. Louis community.

  2. Sep 1

    Jews in the Lou: Andrew Cohen on Entrepreneurship, Family Legacy, and Jewish Identity in 2026

    Host Alex Rich sits down with Andrew Cohen, CEO of Moose Media and co-founder of the Dad Pad, for a wide-ranging conversation on family business, entrepreneurship, and Jewish identity. Andrew traces Moosylvania's path from a napkin deal with Bacardi to a national creative agency built by his father, and shares how he found his own lane inside it — from an early sports blog to landing Cedric the Entertainer as a client. He then dives into the origin story of the Dad Pad: a hospital-couch mattress he improvised for his own kid's birth that turned into a real product, including the $20,000 wired to a stranger overseas, the brutal early stretch of just 12 sales, and the viral TikTok that changed everything. The conversation turns to what it means to raise Jewish kids today, the pride and pressure of visible Jewish identity online and in daily life, and why sharing your idea — even with strangers — beats sitting on it. It closes with reflections on fatherhood, community, and always rooting for your own.

  3. Aug 15

    Jews in the Lou: Ben & Eddie Cherry (Manor Real Estate) on Family, Faith & Rebuilding Downtown St. Louis

    On this episode of Jews in the Lou, Alex and Rich sit down with brothers Ben and Eddie Cherry of Manor Real Estate, a 50-year-old family commercial real estate firm founded by their father, Don Cherry. Ben and Eddie share what it was like growing up tagging along on their dad's property visits, the different paths they each took before joining the business together in 2021, and the mentors — including Michael Steinberg — who shaped their careers along the way. The conversation goes beyond the deals: Ben and Eddie talk candidly about working alongside a sibling, the pro bono real estate work they do for St. Louis nonprofits and synagogues, and their perspective on revitalizing downtown St. Louis and changing the city's "perception problem." They also open up about faith, fatherhood, the values (like kindness) they're passing on to their own kids, and why family — not just business — is at the center of everything they do. Thanks as always to our partner, the Saint Louis Jewish Light, for supporting this show and keeping our community informed — subscribe to their newsletter at stljewishlight.org. Want to connect with Ben or Eddie about a commercial real estate need? Reach Manor Real Estate at (314) 647-6611.

  4. Aug 1

    Jews in the Lou: Jordan Kadosh (ADL Heartland) on Fighting Antisemitism

    Host Alex Rich sits down with Jordan Kadosh, Regional Director of the ADL Heartland region (Missouri, Southern Illinois, Eastern Kansas), for a candid look at what the ADL actually does: protect, educate, and advocate for Jewish communities. Jordan breaks down how incident reporting works, the ADL's partnership with schools through the No Place for Hate program, and the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since October 7th, including 2025's violent toll and the outsized role of social media and AI chatbots in spreading hate. He also shares wins on the public policy front, including Missouri's improved Jewish Policy Index ranking and a new state law targeting masked intimidation, plus reflections on identity, raising Jewish kids in today's climate, and what keeps him hopeful. The conversation closes with a call to get involved through ADL's Missouri Jewish Community Advocacy Day.

  5. Jul 15

    Jews in the Lou: Ron Zetcher & Emilie Brockman on Basketball and Family

    Host Alex Rich sit down with Emilie Brockman (Maccabi director at the J) and her father, Hall of Fame referee Ron Zetcher, for a wide-ranging conversation on Jewish identity, sports, and family. Ron shares stories of being adopted and raised Jewish in 1950s University City, playing sandlot ball alongside future big leaguers Art Shamsky and Kenny Holtzman, and his rise from a Baptist church rec league to officiating the Big Eight and Missouri Valley Conference. He recounts run-ins and friendships with coaching legends including Bobby Knight, Roy Williams, Bill Self, and Larry Brown, plus a wild story from Kemper Arena involving his daughter's boyfriend and a scalped ticket. The conversation closes on lessons from a career built on earning respect, and a nod to Ron's own podcast, "Then and Now."

  6. Jul 1

    Jews in the Lou: David Siteman Garland on Entrepreneurship, Community & Growing Your Judaism

    In this episode of Jews in the Lou, we sit down with St. Louis entrepreneur, content creator, and community builder David Siteman for an engaging conversation about building something from nothing, Jewish identity, and what it means to give back to the community you love. From his early days promoting inline hockey leagues and hosting a radio show before podcasting was a thing, to creating one of the internet's most successful online course platforms, David shares how an exploratory mindset and a willingness to bet on himself shaped everything he's built. He also opens up about his deep connection to the St. Louis Jewish community — from carrying on the philanthropic legacy of his grandfather Alvin Siteman, to bringing Jewish families together through youth basketball with STL Maccabi. We discuss:  - Forging your own path when you don't have a plan  - Building an audience and a brand before the playbook existed  - The Siteman family's legacy of quiet, impactful philanthropy  - Strengthening the St. Louis Jewish community from the ground up  - Creating new traditions and deepening Jewish identity at home  - Why the next generation of young Jewish leaders needs to step up This episode is an inspiring look at entrepreneurship, legacy, and what it looks like to live your Judaism out loud — in your business, your family, and your community.

  7. Jun 15

    Jews in the Lou: Bruce Pearl on Faith, Leadership & Standing Proudly Jewish

    In this episode of Jews in the Lou, we sit down with legendary Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl for a candid conversation about faith, identity, leadership, and the values that have shaped his life both on and off the court. From his Jewish upbringing and experiences with antisemitism to coaching on college basketball’s biggest stages, Bruce shares how his faith has influenced his approach to leadership, community, and personal responsibility. He reflects on the importance of Jewish pride, the impact of the Maccabi Games, raising the next generation, and why building bridges between people of different backgrounds matters now more than ever. We discuss:  Growing up Jewish and navigating life in a predominantly non-Jewish world  Lessons learned from decades of coaching and leadership  The life-changing impact of coaching at the Maccabi Games  Jewish identity, antisemitism, and standing up for your beliefs  Finding common ground through faith, sports, and shared values This episode offers a passionate and thought-provoking look at leadership, resilience, Jewish identity, and the responsibility of using your platform to make a difference.

  8. Jun 1

    Chaim Bloom on Jews in the Lou

    In this episode of Jews in the Lou, we sit down with Chaim Bloom, President of Baseball Operations for the St. Louis Cardinals, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, culture, identity, and what it takes to build a winning organization in Major League Baseball. From growing up in a Jewish household in Philadelphia to leading one of baseball’s most iconic franchises, Chaim shares his journey through the game and the philosophy behind building long-term, sustainable success at the highest level. We discuss: Balancing long-term planning with daily competitivenessLeading in a passionate, tradition-rich sports city like St. LouisThe importance of honesty, accountability, and culture inside an organizationHow tradition evolves in modern sportsAnd the mindset behind his philosophy: “paint the wall.”This episode offers a thoughtful and often humorous look at baseball leadership, personal identity, and the responsibility that comes with shaping a Major League Baseball organization.

See All (14)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Jews in the Lou is a community-driven podcast that highlights the diverse voices, stories, and experiences of Jewish life in St. Louis. Hosted by Ben Poremba and Alex Rich, each episode features candid conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and changemakers who are shaping the cultural and communal fabric of the city. From heartfelt reflections on identity and heritage to bold discussions about business, creativity, and purpose, Jews in the Lou celebrates the people who make the St. Louis Jewish community vibrant, resilient, and inspiring.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Poremba & Alex Rich
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jews In The Lou
  • Show Website
    Jews In The Lou