Shtark Tank

Yaakov Wolff
  • 4.9 (32)
  • JUDAISM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

If you are a Ben Torah in the workforce, this is the podcast for you! Make sure to check out ShtarkTank.org for more meaningful content. You can access bonus content and community events through our quiet Whatsapp Group https://chat.whatsapp.com/B5jEcBP5umZAHWk2ILBWTS Feel free to reach out with feedback, or just to say hi: yaakovwolff@gmail.com

  1. Super Bowl, Sports, and Serving Hashem | An Honest Conversation ft. Rav Moshe Benovitz

    2D AGO

    Super Bowl, Sports, and Serving Hashem | An Honest Conversation ft. Rav Moshe Benovitz

    Super Bowl week is here, and as Bnei Torah, we can't avoid asking a hard question: what is sports doing to our time, our headspace, and our Avodas Hashem? In this episode of Shtark Tank, I sit down with Rav Moshe Benovitz (Director of NCSY Kollel) for a real, nuanced conversation about loving sports without losing yourself in it—including the famous story of a Super Bowl night in Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavne where he made a deep decision to skip the game. We talk about: When sports is healthy… and when it starts to take over “Must-see TV,” compulsion, and where to draw the line Sports as a “religious” experience (arenas as temples) What Torah educators and marketers can learn from the NFL’s pull Community, purpose, and building a mission-driven life A fun detour into Bill Simmons and why sports can create real connection

    52 min
  2. Abie Rotenberg | The Freedom to Sing [From the Archives]

    JAN 26

    Abie Rotenberg | The Freedom to Sing [From the Archives]

    For Parashat Beshalach / Shabbat Shirah, we’re pulling a fan-favorite from the archives: a wide-ranging conversation with Jewish music legend Abie Rotenberg — songwriter of classics like Acheinu, Mama Rochel, and Na’ar Hayiti. But this episode isn’t only about music. A.B. shares how building a serious career in business gave him something rare in the music world: freedom. Freedom to write at his own pace, choose what to release, and never treat music like a paycheck. We also get into: His path from chinuch to the family import business (and what that transition really felt like) Why he sees songwriting as a real form of chinuch — and how melodies can open up the words of tefillah and pesukim The story and intent behind Marvelous Middos Machine, and the very real dilemmas of teaching values through songs Reflections on Acheinu returning to the world in a painful new way His Torah writing (sfarim on Eliyahu Hanavi and Rabbi Akiva) — plus a surprising third book: a baseball novel built for kiruv Baseball, balance, and the line between a healthy outlet and a distraction Subscribe if you’re enjoying the show — it helps more than you think.

    48 min
  3. Moe Mernick, Ben Lang and Michael Bloch | Growth in Torah and Business | LIVE in Tel Aviv

    JAN 19

    Moe Mernick, Ben Lang and Michael Bloch | Growth in Torah and Business | LIVE in Tel Aviv

    Is it possible to grow in Torah and business at the same time? Last week, I sat down with Moe Mernick, Ben Lang, and Michael Bloch to talk it through — live, in front of an energetic crowd of 50+ growth-oriented leaders, at the offices of DLA Piper Israel in Tel Aviv. The “excuse” for the gathering was Moe’s new book, Conversations with Jewish Business Leaders — and the conversation went way beyond the book. We discussed: What success really means (and why it can’t be one-size-fits-all) Why success isn’t about money — and how to build a life that actually feels aligned Meaning at work, mid-career “what am I doing with my life?” moments, and the idea of learn / earn / return How side projects can turn into real impact Staying strong in the lows: imposter syndrome, mentors, community, and keeping perspective Spiritual growth in the busy years: fixed learning times, realistic goals, balancing “heart” and “mind,” and accountability Order Conversations with Jewish Business Leaders here. Big thank you to the event hosts and sponsors: DLA Piper Israel and Yeshiva University Israel.

    40 min
  4. What Your Wife Really Needs | Shovavim Special ft. Aaron Zakowski

    JAN 12

    What Your Wife Really Needs | Shovavim Special ft. Aaron Zakowski

    In this Shovavim special, I sat down with marriage coach Aaron Zakowski for a direct and practical conversation about what it really means to be a Jewish husband and father in today’s world. We talk about: Why emotional safety matters as much as financial stability The mistake many men make when they try to “fix” instead of listen How long work hours affect marriage—and what actually helps Why your value as a Jewish man does not come from your paycheck What most chassan classes don’t prepare you for How marriage changes at different stages of life Stress, self-esteem, and why men need support too Creating closeness at home without needing more time in the day Resources Aaron on Instagram Beyond The Chassan Class (Webinar) Shalom Bayis Daily (Whatsapp Group) You can reach Aaron at Aaron.zakowski@gmail.com

    41 min
  5. The CEO Who Handwrites 1,000 Thank-You Notes | Laizer Kornwasser

    JAN 5

    The CEO Who Handwrites 1,000 Thank-You Notes | Laizer Kornwasser

    What does real success look like when you’re trying to stay grounded as a Ben Torah? In this episode of Shtark Tank, I sat down with Laizer Kornwasser — CEO of DrFirst, professor at Yeshiva University, and Chairman of NCSY — for a wide-ranging conversation about ambition, pressure, leadership, and the Torah ideas that shape how we show up at work and in life. Laizer shares stories from investment banking and the C-suite, including how he learned to earn his “seat at the table” through facts, results, and humility. We talk about drawing clear lines when work clashes with Shabbos, why most people aren’t cut out for investment banking, and how to define success in a way that protects your priorities. Then we shift into a deep dive on the Altar of Slabodka: Gadlus HaAdam, EQ vs IQ, gratitude, and the power of seeing each person as an individual with real potential. And yes — we get into the now-famous practice: why Laizer handwrites 1,000 New Year’s cards and sends personal thank-you messages one-by-one, and what it teaches about hakaras hatov, relationships, and leadership. In this episode, we cover: Why investment banking is “not cut out for most people” What “success” really means when you’re trying to grow in Yiddishkeit The importance of knowing your line in the sand (and not crossing it) A real story: a CEO tried to push Shabbos boundaries — and Laizer’s response “Facts, not emotion”: how to communicate with different personalities The Altar of Slabodka’s approach to building people, not just teaching Torah EQ as a Jewish leadership skill, not just a business buzzword Why Laizer sends personal thank-yous instead of mass messages Chesed that actually changes you (not just “check-writing”) If you got value from this episode, please take 10 seconds to subscribe and leave a 5-star rating — it helps more people find the show.

    43 min
  6. Your Questions about Aliyah, AI, Army and more!

    12/29/2025

    Your Questions about Aliyah, AI, Army and more!

    This week on Shtark Tank, we’re opening the mailbag to dive into the conversations, questions, and insights sparked by our recent episodes. We explore what it really means to be an eved Hashem , a professional , and a family man in a fast-paced world. In this episode, we discuss: The "Millstone" of Marriage: Does our Avodas Hashem fundamentally change once we have families? We look at the Gemara in Kiddushin about learning before vs. after marriage. Work as a "Calling": Is the idea of self-fulfillment at work a modern invention? We trace the sources from the Chovas HaLevavos to modern corporate culture. Savoring the Steak: Why we should treat a line of Gemara like a juicy steak and how to handle the stress of "not learning enough" in a vast sea of Torah. Torah as an Antidote: A deep dive into the Netziv on why the Torah critiques Yosef’s beauty and how geshmak learning is the ultimate protection against the yetzer hara. The AI Future: If AI takes over our jobs, will we actually have the focus to "study God" all day? The Aliyah Struggle: Facing the "rational" vs. "emotional" challenges of making the move to Israel. Support the Show:If you enjoyed this episode, please hit Subscribe and leave a 5-star review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

    34 min
  7. Gratitude in the Rehab Ward | Chanuka Special ft. Dan Cohen

    12/22/2025

    Gratitude in the Rehab Ward | Chanuka Special ft. Dan Cohen

    Gratitude is usually talked about after things work out. This episode is about learning it while you’re still in it. In honor of Chanukah, 'days of praise and thanks', Dan Cohen shares what it was like to go from a full, busy professional life to an unexpected spinal surgery and 90 days in a rehab ward — right in the middle of a national crisis. Not a dramatic story.Not a miracle tale. A real look at what gratitude means when: your plans fall apart your body isn’t cooperating your work and identity are put on pause Dan reflects on letting go of expectations, staying present when the future is unclear, and learning that gratitude isn’t about being happy — it’s about recognizing that this moment is where you’re meant to be. A Chanukah episode about small light, honest praise, and finding steadiness in ordinary challenges that many professionals quietly carry. We also talk about how writing Divrei Torah was an anchor for Dan during during his hardest times. More From Dan Check out Dan's firm, FCP Communications here To read Dan's Divrei Torah To learn more about Geerz, click here

    33 min
  8. Miracles of Technology ft. Mois Navon (Special Chanukah Episode)

    12/15/2025

    Miracles of Technology ft. Mois Navon (Special Chanukah Episode)

    It’s Chanukah — the season of miracles. But what about the “miracles” we’re watching unfold in our own lifetime… through technology? In this special Chanukah episode, I’m joined by Mois Navon, also known as the “Mobileye Rabbi.” Mois has spent decades in high-tech and decades learning and teaching Torah — and in this conversation he helps us think clearly about innovation, awe, ethics, and where all of this may be heading. In this episode we discuss: Why Mois is called the “Mobileye Rabbi” (and how it started with lunch table conversations) What Judaism actually says about innovation and building new technology A powerful Torah framing: technology as a mandate to improve the world The other side: limits, guardrails, and ethics (and why it matters more than ever) Noach as the first engineer — and why the plow changed human history Is new tech really a “miracle,” or just human creativity inside nature? The dangers of modern tools (social media, AI, and more) — and the case for self-control Are we living in unprecedented times? The “Geulah” question: what do Torah sources suggest about a future of automation and abundance? Practical advice for building the right “muscles” for the world our kids may grow up in Links & resources: Mois Navon’s website (500+ shiurim + source sheets): link here Mois’s article on Judaism, technology, and ethics: link here If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and leave a rating — it helps more people find Shtark Tank. About Mois Navon Mois Navon is one of the founding engineers of Mobileye, where he designed the EyeQ family of SoC (System On a Chip) – the chip powering the autonomous vehicle revolution.  Mois is also an ordained rabbi who has published numerous articles on Jewish law and lore.  Working at the intersection of Torah U’Madda, he received his PhD from the department of Jewish Philosophy at Bar Ilan University wherein his dissertation applies Jewish philosophy to address the ethical questions arising in the field of artificial intelligence.  In this vein, he teaches a course on “Ethics in Artificial Intelligence” at Ben Gurion University.  He is also a National Advisor to the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology on Artificial Intelligence Policy and Regulation in Israel.

    34 min
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4.9
out of 5
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About

If you are a Ben Torah in the workforce, this is the podcast for you! Make sure to check out ShtarkTank.org for more meaningful content. You can access bonus content and community events through our quiet Whatsapp Group https://chat.whatsapp.com/B5jEcBP5umZAHWk2ILBWTS Feel free to reach out with feedback, or just to say hi: yaakovwolff@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Yaakov Wolff
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Yaakov Wolff
  • Show Website
    Shtark Tank

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