Schmoozer (Audio Edition)

Aaron Herman spoke with teenage author Christopher Huh about his new graphic novel Keeping My Hope. Christopher started writing Keeping My Hope when he was 13 years old. It took him about a year and half to complete the book. To write Keeping My Hope, Christopher spent over a thousand hours conducting research on WWII […]

Each year the best and brightest showcase their new innovations at Techcrunch Disrupt. Aaron Herman attended Techcrunch Disrupt NY and spoke with Israeli entrepreneurs‎ about their new ventures.

Aaron Herman attended the Tribeca Film Festival and spoke with the directors and cast of the new Israeli revenge film “Big Bad Wolves” What would you do if A vigilante cop and a vengeful father capture and interrogate an accused serial killer. Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado’s brutal follow-up to “Rabies” (TFF 2011) examines a […]

Aaron Herman speaks with Ramaa Mosley Director of The Brass Teapot. John and Alice live in small-town America—20s, married, very much in love, and broke. Once voted “most likely to succeed,” Alice struggles to make ends meet while her friends enjoy the good life. Her husband John, neurotic and riddled with phobias, just wants to […]

Did you know that there are thousands of stolen Judaica from Jews in the holocaust being sold in flee markets around Germany and Europe? Aaron Herman spoke with Bill Frankel Director of the new organization Bring It Home which aims to reclaim the stolen Judaica. Bring it Home began as a simple trip to explore […]

How did Jews survive the holocaust? Some were hidden others found innovative ways to hide from the Nazi’s Aaron Herman Speaks with Director Jane Tobias and Caver Chris Nicola about the new movie No Place On Earth. No Place On Earth brings to light the untold story of thirty-eight Ukrainian Jews who survived World War […]

Aaron Herman speaks with Avi Angel Director of Here I Learned To Love. Two brothers, three mothers, a saga during the Second World War, shrouded in fog for almost six decades, the unique emotional narrative of a voyage tracing the roots of a shadowy past, unclear and confusing even to those involved. Brothers Avner and […]

Where did the Hava Nagila come from? Aaron Herman spoke with Director Roberta Grossman about her new movie Hava Nagila (The Movie) .It is instantly recognizable — musical shorthand for anything Jewish, a happy party tune that you dance to at weddings, bar mitzvahs and even at Major League Baseball games. It conjures up wistful […]

Aaron Herman spoke to Tony Biancha, owner of Halloween Adventure in downtown Manhattan, about his store’s second busiest season — Purim.

Aaron Herman speaks with Paul Debevec of the USC Institute for Creative Technologies about their partnership with the USC Shoah Foundation Institute to create holograms of holocaust survivors telling their stories.

Aaron Herman took part in the Kosher Food & Wine Experience and got a first hand look into some incredible wines, liqueurs and kosher food.

How do you fund your big ideas? Aaron Herman spoke to writer/director Jonathan Kesselman about his successful crowd funding campaign on Jewcer to green light Hebrew Hammer VS Hitler. Hebrew Hammer Vs Hitler quick synopsis: Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the synagogue … When Hitler gets his hand on Time Sukkah technologyâ„¢ and begins rewriting Jewish History, Mordechai Jefferson Carver (The Hebrew Hammer) and Mohammed Ali Paula Abdul Rahim set out through time to stop him. Can the Hammer and Mo prevent Hitler from un-inscribing the Jewish people from the book of life?

Aaron Herman takes a look at the new film Suskind. Set in Amsterdam during the German occupation of the Netherlands a group of people, including the Jewish Walter Süskind try to help children escape the Holocaust.

How do you become a cellist? Aaron Herman spoke with Elad Kabilio about his music and the American Israel Cultural Foundation/ Keren Sharett.

This week, Aaron Herman looks at The Jerusalem House in the Old City of Jerusalem. So you finished your Israel program and looking for a place to stay and continue your Israel adventure? Aaron Herman spoke with Rabbi Ben Parker, Director of the Jerusalem House about how young adults can further explore their Jewish heritage.

How do your harness the power of social media when looking for a job? Aaron Herman spoke with Lavie Margolin about job searching and his new book From Linked Out to LinkedIn. From Linked Out to LinkedIn: Unlocking the power for career success in 2013 You joined LinkedIn because a friend or colleague told you that you must join. Now that you are signed up, you are probably a bit puzzled as to why everyone is raving about the site. You know that it is a resource to advance your professional position, better market your business or find a job but you are not sure how to use LinkedIn to achieve those objectives. Creating your profile, adding connections and joining groups were no problem but now what? This book is the tool that you need to TRULY UNDERSTAND LinkedIn and maximize its power for ultimate career success. Author and Career Coach Lavie Margolin has spent years leveraging his LinkedIn network, building valuable connections and advising businesses on how to use the site. For the first time in one book, Lavie shares his most valuable tips on how to turn your knowledge of LinkedIn from “What Now?” to “Success Now!”

How are Israeli’s so innovative? Aaron Herman attended the Innovation Road Show and got a firsthand look into the up-incoming Israeli start ups Innovation Road Show The Innovation Road Show was launched by the US Israel Business Council (USI) in 2012. This ground-breaking initiative encompasses a series of spotlight events, showcasing innovative Israeli high tech companies to sources of US investment. The Innovation Road Show events cross a span of High-Tech industries including Bio-Tech, Clean-Tech, Agri-Tech, Media-Tech and more. Having this specialized platform allows for high level, targeted networking.

We had the opportunity to attend Mitzvah day at the Hebrew Institute of White Plains. The Jewish Boy Scouts helped the White Plains community in sending packages to US troops abroad. The mission of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting is to promote Boy Scouting among Jewish youth, to help Jewish institutions and local council Jewish committees to provide Scouting opportunities for Jewish youth, and to promote Jewish values in Scouting through program helps and the religious emblems program.

What is blended learning? How do we solve the day school crisis? We spoke with Kevin Shacknofsky, Meir Nordlicht of Westchester Torah Academy and Jeff Kiderman Executive Director of Affordable Jewish Education Project about the future of Jewish education. WTA is a Modern Orthodox Yeshiva day school opening in September 2013 in Westchester County. Westchester Torah Academy has adopted an innovative model for high-quality, sustainable and affordable Jewish day school education. We are committed to excellence in both Judaic & secular studies while maintaining an affordable and sustainable tuition for our communities. WTA will offer a more personalized learning approach for all students. WTA will encourage students to be lifelong learners. WTA will be a place where students have the opportunity to excel, both academically and personally, in an environment that acknowledges their individual needs and develops their unique strengths. WTA will prepare students to live and compete in our rapidly changing, high-tech world. WTA aspires to nurture the minds and souls of each student through a 21st century dynamic, fun and warm learning environment. We are committed to achieving academic excellence in both Judaic and secular studies while promoting character development, a deep commitment to Torah and Mitzvot, love for Eretz Yisrael, and a shared responsibility for our community and the world at large. We believe that each child was created in the image of Hashem, and we are dedicated to bringing out the gifts, talents and strengths of each of our unique students.

As thousands of rockets descended info Israel the New York community came out to show their love and support for Israel and the IDF. We spoke with rally participants and got an inside look into what people feel about the currant conflict with Hamas.

We had the opportunity to speak with Rabbi Ari Weiss Executive Director of Uri L’Tzedek. Uri L’Tzedek is an Orthodox social justice organization guided by Torah values and dedicated to combating suffering and oppression. Through community based education, leadership development and action, Uri L’Tzedek creates discourse, inspires leaders, and empowers the Jewish community towards creating a more just world.

What’s a Henna? We had an opportunity to speak with Sael Abecassis about this beautiful Moroccan tradition before one gets married. The henna is a mini wedding that showers the bride with gifts and culminates in the henna. The henna is a “mark” which will hopefull bring love, success and wealth.

This week, Aaron Herman went to Long Beach, LI to see the destruction of Hurricane Sandy. Hurricane Sandy tore through the east cost leaving hundreds of thousand of people without electricity and water. The Jewish community sprung into action helping those in need by raising money, and brining food, water and batteries to disaster area’s. One of the Jewish communities that was decimated was the Long Beach Jewish Community. Sandy destroyed homes and displaced thousands of people. Rabbi Eli Goodman Rabbi of the Bach Jewish Center showed Sandy’s aftermath and the destruction to the Long Beach community. To find out what you can do contact your synagogue or check out: WeRepair.org

How do you become a mohel? We had the opportunity to speak with Rabbi Paysach Krohn international mohel about the intricacies on the mohel process

This week, Aaron Herman spoke with Jeff Seidel.

This week, Aaron Herman spoke to Doris Schschter, author and owner of My Most Favorite Food. Rosh Hashanah is a time for families to come together and eat. Sometimes its hard to find the perfect dish for everyone. We had the opportunity to speak with Doris Schechter author and owner of My Most Favorite Food about innovative kosher cooking during the upcoming holidays.

This week, Aaron Herman spoke to the writers of the Israeli play Dogs.

This week, Aaron Herman went to the New York International Gift Fair at the Javitz Center in New York City. We had the opportunity to attend the NY Intentional Gift Fair and good a first look into some innovative holiday, wedding and bar/bat mitzvah gifts. Drawing 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and 80+ countries, the NYIGF is produced twice annually by GLM Shows and is open to the trade only. Held in January and August in New York City, the Fair hosts 2,800 exhibiting companies showcasing the very best lines across the home, lifestyle and gift spectrum.

This week, Aaron Herman sat down with Simcha Cluck, the Senior Facilitator at FreshBiz.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to talk to David Kramer, the Founder of Nu. For more information about NU, visit http://NUCampaign.org.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to chat with Sandy Cardin, the President of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation. How do you build organizations and get funding to sustain projects? We spoke with Sandy Cardin President of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation about funding and creating innovative Jewish programs. When Charles and Lynn Schusterman established their family foundation in 1987, they were led by a fierce determination to contribute their time and resources to the two communities closest to their hearts: k’lal Yisrael—Jewish peoplehood—and the people in their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to speak with Director Dan Wolman about his film GEI ONI.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to speak with Oren Kashi, who is a member of Moishe House. How do you build community? We had the opportunity to speak to Oren Kashi member of Moishe House Great Neck. Moishe House was founded in 2006 and has quickly grown from four friends hosting Shabbat dinners for young adults out of their home in Oakland, California, to 46 thriving centers of Jewish life, spanning 14 countries. Moishe House is the largest organization of its kind, serving an international cohort of more than 50,000 Jewish young adults around the world annually. Moishe House has become an essential component in serving the Jewish post-college young adult population, by providing opportunities for community involvement, Jewish learning and leadership. THE MOISHE HOUSE MODEL We have developed a creative, low-barrier, cost-effective and scalable model for building vibrant, peer-based Jewish communities and learning opportunities for Jewish young adults in their twenties. Given that emerging adults are the true experts on their generation, Moishe House cultivates young leaders to create Jewish community — on their own terms — for their peers, in ways that are meaningful and relevant. The center of the approach is an open, welcoming home, created and facilitated by a group of 3-5 young adults (residents). Moishe House residents come from a wide variety of Jewish backgrounds and are selected for their demonstrated leadership abilities and outgoing personalities. Working together as a team, the residents plan and host a diverse range of low-barrier religious, cultural and social events in their home, including Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, Repair the World programs, and more. In addition to planning their own programs, the house residents also support existing community resources by partnering with local Jewish organizations such as JCCs, synagogues, federations, and other institutional providers.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to attend the CEA Line Show to see the newest technology coming out now. The holidays are just around the corner and we got a first hand look at the newest gadgets and products on the market today. With over 120 participating companies and the support of the tech industry’s most prestigious media outlets, CEA Line Shows is a must-attend opportunity for every member of the media, retail, trade and analyst communities. If you want to know what’s happening in the all-important 4th quarter selling season then you need to find out first — and CEA Line Show is where you’ll see what’s new, what’s coming and what’s going to change the tech scene in the months ahead.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to attend the PresenTense Launch Event in New York. We had the opportunity to attend Presentense Launch Night NYC. We spoke with some young social entrepreneurs about their their innovative initiatives The PresenTense Group engages and inspires the most creative minds of our generation, investing in their ideas […]

his week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to attend the JICNY Gala in New York City.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to attend the Jewish Futures Conference As technology evolves so does the way we learn and connect. We had the opportunity to attend the Jewish Futures Conference and spoke with leaders in the community about how they are utilizing technology to enhance the way they teach and engage their constituents. The Jewish Futures Conference brought together visionary thinkers, passionate individuals, and inspiring presentations in a conference designed to shift the horizon of our thinking in Jewish education. New ways of connecting are simultaneously posing challenges to traditional institutions and offering new opportunities for forging community and undertaking Jewish learning both locally and globally. The Jewish Futures Conference provided a space to imagine, learn and engage in purposeful and courageous conversation about the future of Jewish community and education and how it can thrive in today’s and tomorrow’s world.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to attend Hillel’s Renaissance Award Annual Gala honoring Randall R. Kaplan and Kathy E. Manning. He spoke with the honorees, Wayne Firestone and Hillel members about how Hillel is transforming Jewish life on campus.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to attend Avodah’s Partners In Justice event, and had an opportunity to speak with a number of people involved in the program. We had the opportunity to speak with current and former AVODAH fellows about their experience and why they decided to participate in this important inititive. AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps strengthens the Jewish community’s fight against the causes and effects of poverty in the United States. We do this by engaging participants in service and community building that inspire them to become lifelong leaders for social change whose work for justice is rooted in and nourished by Jewish values. Participants in our service Corps program live out and deepen their commitments to social change and Jewish life through a year of full-time work at anti-poverty organizations in Chicago, New Orleans, New York, and Washington, DC. This work partners Corps members with service providers and residents in low income communities and equips our Corps members and alumni to emerge as lifelong agents for social change, whose work for justice is rooted in and nourished by Jewish values. After participants complete this intensive year-long program, Pursue: Action for a Just World provides a broad platform for long-term leadership in social change and Jewish life.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to talk to attend Tech Crunch Disrupt New York, and speak with a number of Israeli tech start-ups who have new and revolutionary tech products. Israel is at the forefront of disruptive technology. Since the beginning of the technology revolution Israeli companies have set the bar when it comes to innovation. We attended Techcrunch Disrupt in NYC and spoke with Israeli’s that are transforming the whey we connect, share and do business.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to talk to Sam Hoffman, the Producer and Creator of Old Jews Telling Jokes. Old Jews Telling Jokes was born in an empty storefront in Highland Park, New Jersey in the summer of 2008. Eric Spiegelman and Tim Williams of Jetpack Media had asked Sam if I had any ideas for an internet show and it was suggested: “how about we shoot my father and his friends telling jokes?” Surprisingly, they agreed. The rules would be simple. Every joke teller had to be at least sixty years old and “Jewish.” The age thing I would be strict about, the Jewish thing would be in spirit. If nothing else, we would make portraits of people who had lived at least six decades and that would be something to see. And from there… History

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to interview Yonatan Nir, the co-writer and co-director of the new film Dolphin Boy.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to celebrate Yon Ha’Atzmaut with Dor Chadash at BB Kings in New York Ciity.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to visit New York Tech Day. NY Tech Day is a “science fair” for tech startups to showcase their companies to the public, investors and press. Many of the most prominent NY Tech startups attended including tumblr, Meetup, SecondMarket, Boxee, and Knewton. The event will also showcase newbies such as SpaceSplitter, Digital Ocean, Unroll.me and Songza. In addition, more than 35 notable VC firms attended, including Spark Capital, Greycroft Partners and Lerer Ventures.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to speak to Felicia Herman of Natan and Emily Comisar from Birthright Israel Next What does it take to be a social entrepreneur? Once you have an “innovative” idea how do you get it funded? Luckily, there are opportunities for young innovators to bring their projects to market and help foster their skills. We had the opportunity to speak with Felicia Herman of Natan and Emily Comisar from Birthright Israel Next about the Natan/Birthright Israel NEXT Grants for Social Entrepreneurs.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to speak to the writer and director of “Reuniting the Rubins.”

This week, Aaron “The Schmoz” Herman had the opportunity to attend the 6th Annual Manischewitz Cook Off with Celebrity Chef Claire Robinson at the JCC of Manhattan.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to sit down with Jodi and Gavin Samuels. They have become activists in the fight to make Jewish Education available to children with Special Needs. As parents of a child with Special Needs, they are passionate about this issue and feel that the Jewish community has not taken a strong enough stance to push Day Schools to make their programs available to children with different needs.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to attend the 50th Anniversary of Camp Ramah Nyack. Ramah Day Camp in Nyack’s 50th Anniversary Gala was a magical evening with over 300 guests in attendance, time with old friends, lots of reminiscing, dancing and the spirit of Ramah. At the event they honored six amazing individuals:Estelle & Allan Eisenkraft, Sharon Rappaport Yaira Singer & Matthew Binstock, Doron Kenter and made a special presentation to Rabbi Al Thaler.

This week, Aaron Herman had the opportunity to attend the Jewish Week Grand Wine Tasting at City Winery. Wine is critical part of passover. You need to have 4 cups of wine during your seder and there are a lot of wines to select from. We attended the Jewish Week’s Grand Wine Tasting at the City Winery and got an in-depth look into the best kosher wines and liquors on the market today. In addition to wine, Aaron spoke with the owner of Skyview Wine and Spirits, and got a little information about what kinds of spirits are available this Passover.

This week, Aaron “The Schmoz” Herman took the time to meet with the app developers from Rusty Brick. He has the opportunity to discuss the ways in which mobile technology has entered the educational and personal realm. With projects like their Megillas Esther app, their Siddur app, and similar products… don’t be surprised if you find people with their iPhones and iPads when you are in shul.