Saturday To Shabbos

Rabbi Aryeh Siegal and his wife once worked full-time for the Transcendental Meditation movement. A meeting with the Lubavitcher Rebbe and a greater understanding of the Rebbe's views on meditation not only changed the Siegels' lives, it equipped Aryeh Siegel for a legal battle against a powerful foundation that was forcing TM into public schools. […]

Ezra Zucker has one of the more dramatic stories you'll ever hear. His near death experience led him to a major shift in perspective on his work as an entrepreneur, his family and, ultimately, on his spiritual life. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com

Na'amah Segal Karas experienced a powerful moment of clarity, which led her to completely rewrite the script of her life – including her marriage, her relationship with her kids and her thoughts on religion. Today she's the founder of Betterment Life Coaching. This is her story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn […]

Alyssa Zupnick is the Early Childhood Director at Phoenix Hebrew Academy. Judaism has always been central to her life. But it took a trip to Israel to super-charge her progression to Orthodox  Torah observance. This is her story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com  

We don't know many 11 year olds who go out of their way to wake their parents on Shabbos morning to make sure everyone goes to shul. But that's the passion for Judaism Grant Silverstein felt at a very young age. That same drive ultimately led Grant to continue his growth toward Orthodox Judaism and […]

Sunny Levi knew that she would marry Daniel Levi when they first met. Though they had diverse interests and talents, they'd find over the course of many years that the binding tie was their mutual love of Torah Judaism. How did a martial arts expert and a psychotherapist find a life together? This is their […]

Kayla Kaplan is Director of Outreach at The Shabbos Project. She had exposure to Orthodox Judaism in her younger years, but she wasn't yet ready to take the leap. Through a series of experiences, she came full circle later in life, truly progressing from Saturday to Shabbos. This is her story.  Saturday to Shabbos is […]

Moshe Gersht may have been on the brink of musical success when he had to face a tough question… was what he was doing actually making him successful? Today Moshe has traded in rock and roll for his true mission in life; to share and unconditional love and the wisdom of Torah. This is his […]

Yehuda Liebenson was a hip hop artist, graffiti artist and breakdancer. He's also a former IDF soldier, tour guide and fundraiser for a charitable organization. How do all these parts fit together? This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com

Elisheva Beiles has remained faithful to Torah Judaism through almost unimaginable tragedy and loss. But she and her children have kept their faith and their Jewish observance strong. This is her story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com  

Robin Meyerson is the Director of the Shabbat Project, North America. In order to become a leading advocate for Shabbat observance and Jewish education, she had to leave her secular roots behind. With stops in many exotic countries along the way, Robin found her calling and the message she wants to spread to Jews worldwide. […]

Eve Levy has dedicated her life to showing people the beauty of Judaism, just like one Rabbi did for her at the beginning of her Jewish journey. Today, along with her husband, she runs the L'Chaim Center near Chicago, an organization that helps people grow spiritually and connect with their Judaism in meaningful ways.  This […]

Jeremy Pressman can jump pretty high. His experiences as a professional basketball player and as an Israeli venture capitalist intertwine with his journey to Torah Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com

The decision to study Torah with a friend can change the trajectory of your life. Take it from Andrew Stern, a Leadership Coach whose decision to do that set in motion a series of events that would ultimately lead him to Torah Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. […]

Law, psychology, poetry…. all these have been part of the life of Dr. Michael Milgraum, a licensed psychologist who journeyed to Jewish observance through all three fields. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com

Elissa and Paul Kaplan grew individually and as a couple. Whether living in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina or learning about pottery in Japan, the Kaplans embraced Judaism in deeper and more meaningful ways. Now, their children are teaching them halacha. This is their story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more […]

When he was a child, Aryeh Ho had what he describes as perfectly reasonable career aspirations; to be a professional basketball player, astrophysicist and Jedi master. Those career plans changed a bit as he grew up, as did his perspective on religion and culture. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]

Rabbi Mitchel Jadidi, or Rabbi Mitch, as he's affectionately known, studied cognitive neuroscience and law before he took on the mission of  inspiring others. He now leads Olami Together, one of the largest Jewish outreach programs in the world. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com

Nate Berman went all-in on Conservative Judaism, only to figure out it wasn't for him. Nate was destined to teach. He just needed the right environment in which to flourish. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com

Alex Oppenheimer is a self-described “Excel junkie” by training who enjoys telling stories with numbers to create useful end-user tools. At the middle of his story is the age old question of work/life/study balance, which played out in corporate boardrooms in the U.S., yeshivas in Israel and at Shabbos tables in between. This is his […]

Rabbi Ephraim Simon is Director of Chabad of Teaneck New Jersey, a father of nine children and one of a relatively small group of people ever to have donated two organs. Simon says that his donations were an integral part of his religious growth. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media […]

Hadassah Kovacs is a Professor of Communication, a PR professional, a theater reviewer and frequent writer on all things Jewish. She epitomizes what it means to work and live immersed in the secular world while holding firm to religious beliefs. This is her story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at […]

Devorah Kigel has helped more than 300 women find their soulmate. But she's not a shadchan. Before she became a Dating Coach, she had to go on her own search to figure out what she believed about Judaism. This is her story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com  

Rabbi MZ Dubov is an educator and lecturer at Aish in Jerusalem. But his journey to Jewish observance actually began thousands of miles away in Belarus. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com

Ilan Smith is an illusionist and mentalist. He's toured the world and delighted crowds with his magic. Along the way, Ilan desired to make something very important “appear” in his life; Torah Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com

Gary Morgenstein’s plays and novels have garnered the attention of the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Parade Magazine, the New York Post, Sports Illustrated and NPR. But there's another story; Gary's Jewish journey is as compelling as his award-winning writing. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at […]

Rabbi Zev Kahn is a kiruv specialist who's known as the “Rugby Rabbi.” Khan's story begins during South African Apartheid, which shaped his early outlook on life. But neither South African politics nor a successful rugby career would limit Kahn in who he'd ultimately become. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis […]

Saturday to Shabbos celebrates its third birthday! Host Jeff Cohen and producer Gary Waleik revisit some of their favorite episodes from the past year and explore the unique story twists and common themes shared in all the stories we've presented of Baalei Teshuvah as they make their way to Jewish observance.   Saturday to Shabbos is […]

Rabbi Jonny Hughes is the founder and CEO of The Abraham Effect, a non-profit providing support for Jewish students in non-Jewish schools in the United Kingdom. To get to where he is today, his path wound through English public schools, football pitches and the Rabbinate. This is his story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis […]

Nadav Slovin is a passionate seeker and educator. His love of the intersection between wilderness exploration and Jewish practice ultimately led him to found Lech Lecha, an organization that provides transformative outdoor adventures. But, before he could inspire others through his organization, Nadav had to find his own meaning and purpose in Judaism. This is […]

Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen teaches at Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem. Before he found his spiritual home, Rabbi Cohen scoured the Far East. After six years immersed in Eastern philosophy and tradition, he returned to his Jewish roots. This is his story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com  

Juliana Addi is a public school principal in New Jersey. She also sends her four kids to Yeshiva day schools. Addi’s ability to straddle the secular and observant worlds comes after she adopted a frum lifestyle. This is her story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com  

Rabbi Yoni Ganger is Campus Director of MEOR at Harvard University. His path to observant Jewish life wound through medical school, but it ultimately led him to the campus of Harvard University. Ganger has a unique perspective on the recent campus protests there and how Harvard Jews have coped. This is his story.  Saturday to […]

Jeff Astrof is a Hollywood writer and producer. Perhaps the most significant story he's written is about his journey to Jewish observance. Jeff recently shared some tales from the writer's room and what it's like to work in Hollywood as an Orthodox Jew. This is his story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. […]

Serge Zenin's parents chose to send him to Yeshiva day school, which almost derailed his interest in Judaism for good. But Serge rediscovered it on his own terms as an adult and found his way to Jewish observance. This is his story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com  

Aja Cohen is a fashion designer who has worked for Converse, Aeropostale and Elle Magazine, among others, before starting her own clothing brand. She's also an Orthodox Jewish mom from New Jersey. She recently wove together for us the narrative threads of her religious and career journeys. This is her story.  Saturday to Shabbos is […]

Gavin Teller faced major life decisions in career and in love. The choices he almost made and the alternatives he  found led him on his path to Jewish observance, and to his true name, Rabbi Gavin Mordechai Teller. This is his story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com  

Chaya Parkoff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Parkoff endured a family tragedy and personal health challenge, both of which could easily have made her lose her faith. Instead, Chaya grew from her experiences and found a unique path to Judaism. This is her story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more […]

The journey to Jewish observance can be spiritual, physical … or both. Yaakov Schy’s journey took him all the way around the world to China and back. You might not think of China as the perfect place to light a Jewish flame. But, for Yaakov, that's exactly what happened. This is his story.  Saturday to […]

Dr. Alan Perlman spent a number of years in the U.S. Air Force. You might not think that's the ideal setting to grow religiously, but that's exactly what happened to Perlman. He credits the supportive people, Jewish and non-Jewish, that he met at every stage of his journey for helping him get to where he is […]

Dr. Jonathan Field is a Manhattan-based Allergist-Immunologist. His journey to Jewish observance included some timely geographic moves and positive influence from his sister. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com  

Aron Sandler grew up religious, then made a career choice that strained his ability to lead an observant life. Aron managed to stay on the path despite his challenging environment. It's an important lesson about what it takes to maintain commitment to Judaism. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. […]

Michael Schwartz is an attorney who specializes in defending police officers and other public servants accused of wrongdoing. And he does it while proudly wearing a kippah. His story from minimal Jewish observance to Orthodoxy winds into and out of courtrooms, where some fascinating dramas have played out. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos […]

Dr. Stuart (Simcha) Chesner is a clinical psychologist who specializes treating ADHD patients. Chesner felt like an underdog as a child, which fueled his desire to find his spiritual and professional paths. Chesner's new book, Kosher ADHD (which he cowrote with Dr. Sara Markowitz), recommends practical approaches to helping people in the frum community with […]

Yaakov Wasilewicz inspires others through his personal story, and through his music. He had to find his own path to Jewish observance, which required tremendous sacrifice by a loved one … in this case, his mother. Through tremendous perseverance and some timely encounters with caring Rabbis to facilitate his journey, Yaakov ultimately found his way. […]

In April 2022, Saturday to Shabbos featured a conversation with Rabbi Greg Wall, known as “The Jazz Rabbi.” Wall spoke about harmonizing his musical career with Orthodox Judaism and life as a rabbi. Greg's wife, Rona, has her own unique story to share, from early conversations with Hashem to a traumatic accident that changed everything […]

Joe Zimmerman pondered the existence of Hashem at a relatively young age, which led him to a quick transition to an observant life. But it wasn't always easy for Joe. In fact, a devastating fire had a big impact on his journey. But with the help of mentors and teachers, he found his way. This […]

We know from the story of Avraham Avinu that the circumstances of one's birth don't automatically dictate the trajectory of adulthood. That's certainly the case for Mitio Rothstein, who experienced extremely difficult challenges as a kid. His story is one of the most inspiring we've had the privilege to tell.   Saturday to Shabbos is a […]

Rivkah Kaplan experienced a tumultuous childhood. The challenges of her early years drove her to seek meaning and fulfillment … which she ultimately found through Orthodox Judaism, in no small part because of a blessing given to her son by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This is her story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. […]

Jeff Cohen recently met Rabbi Reuven Boshnack at a Shabbaton he organized in Fair Lawn, NJ for more than 50 Yeshiva University students. Watching how he navigated Shabbos with so many students, Jeff was surprised to find out that Boshnack didn't grow up religious. This is his full circle story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a […]

Would you turn down an amazing career opportunity, simply because it conflicted with Shabbos? David Notowitz faced that decision as he adopted a Torah lifestyle. This is his story.  Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.com