In this episode of the Postville Yeshiva Alumni Podcast, we are joined by Shmuel Springer (often known simply as "Springer"), a Crown Heights native who attended Postville during what he describes as the "end of an era of insanity". Shmuel shares a raw and honest look at his journey from the "incubator" of Yeshiva to the challenges of the workforce and his eventual spiritual reawakening. Key highlights of this episode include: The Yeshiva "Incubator": Shmuel explains his concept of Yeshiva as an incubator—a perfect, controlled environment designed to provide bochurim with the necessary skills and information to eventually function in a "scary yet fun" world.From "Checking Boxes" to True Connection: Shmuel opens up about his period of leaving religious practice, explaining that for a time, his Yiddishkeit felt like a "mundane ritual". He describes his reawakening in California and how his experiences allowed him to return to a "more rounded and emotionally infused" life of faith.Culinary Roots in the Kitchen: Recalling his first commercial job in the food industry, Shmuel shares how he was the only student in his year to cook lunch from start to finish—a passion that began with over-excitedly chopping 15 onions and led to his current career in meat manufacturing and food product development in Florida.The "SPI" Philosophy: Shmuel discusses the importance of adding Specific Purposeful Intention (SPI) to religious rituals. He argues that without intention, a mitzvah is just a routine, but when the two are combined, it becomes a truly spiritual experience.Wild Postville Memories: From the dangerous thrill of BB gun fights on bicycles to borrowing the Shluchim’s van for a 4:00 AM Walmart run, Shmuel revisits the "insane" and creative ways students kept themselves entertained in the middle of Iowa.Lessons on Self-Work: Currently a husband and entrepreneur, Shmuel emphasizes that success in life isn't about the product or service you sell, but about working on yourself to become a "functioning human being". Join us for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation that explores culinary passion, the necessity of personal growth, and finding a meaningful path back to one's roots.

Questions: Should I get an aliya before gimmel tamuzz? I’m not in yeshivah ,should I have a mashpia ? יוסי בן יועזר /ור יוחנן what’s the connection? Tehillim early without minyan or later with a minyan? If mussar works why don’t we learn it? Does the rebbe speak about הוצאת ז״ל? Why is Tanya called Tanya? Is knucklbones (קוגולאך)avodah zarah? Do you have to wear shoes during davening? Do you have to stand during חזרת הש״ץ? Why do parents have a candle in their room by Yom kipper? How much effort should you put into השתדלות? Owl monkey and elephant why bless משנה הבריות? Concepts ג תמוז נשיא הדור עשה לך רב יוסי בן יועזר ויוסי בן יוחנן תהילים בשבת מברכים מוסר חטאות נעורים תניא חמש אבנים ,קוגולאך The brother of the champion Shoes when praying Friends wedding Standing by chazaras hashatz השתדלות Lottery ticket 🎫 משנה הבריות

In this episode of the Postville Yeshiva Alumni Podcast, we are joined by Mendel Telsner, a "Crown Heights Proud" alumnus who reflects on what he describes as his "best year of yeshiva hands down". Mendel shares how the unique environment of Postville allowed him to forge his own path in learning and spiritual growth. Key highlights of this episode include: The 7:30 AM Deal: Mendel reveals the "deal" he made with Rabbi Levin: in exchange for perfect attendance at 7:30 AM Chassidus every morning, he was given reshus to fly in to Crown Heights for Yud Shevat..Mastering the Gemara: By utilizing his independent schedule, Mendel spent his afternoons immersed in Bava Basra, ultimately finishing the entire volume four or five times—an accomplishment he still cherishes as a moment of "completeness".The Cash Advance Industry & Career Advice: Mendel discusses his transition into the professional world and the specific guidance he sought from Rabbi Levin before entering the cash advance industry. He shares the two conditions Rabbi Levin set for him to maintain his spiritual identity while working: keeping a morning learning schedule and taking on a specific daily commitment.The Tzedakah Pledge: In a practical lesson on bitachon (trust), Mendel explains his "pledge system" for charity. He describes how pledging to give more than he thinks he can afford at the start of the year has led to consistent blessings and the ability to meet those goals.Modern Boundaries: Mendel offers a "rant" on the importance of daily Rambam for every Chassid and shares his personal discipline of turning off his phone entirely between Mincha and Maariv to stay present.Postville Nostalgia: From the "blue bus" rides from Milwaukee to Melava Malkas at the Rubashkin home and the "character" of the Postville community, Mendel revisits the sights and sounds of his formative years. Join us for an energetic and honest conversation about taking ownership of your learning, setting professional boundaries, and the power of radical generosity.

In this episode, we explore the profound mechanics of spiritual growth and the Chassidic way of life. We dive into the true definition of Tshuva, explaining why the essence of repentance is a sincere decision for the future rather than just regret or self-affliction. We also tackle the practical and spiritual questions of our community: how to find the right Mashpia, why every personality type has a place in Chassidus, and the ethical complexities of modern industries like cash advances. Finally, we discuss the importance of Emunah, teaching why questioning "what if" about our life circumstances is a mistake, as everything is precisely ordained by Hashem for our best interest. Questions: What is teshuvah? Is it okay for a bochur to be a mashpia for another bochur? Why did hashem create the female and male לויתן 🐋? If I come to Zal can I drive? Can I trim my mustache? Why did the rebbe barly mention גיהנם? I don’t see my self being chassidish with my personality? What are the rebbes instructions? What is cash advance? Why don’t the Shluchim give attention to bochrim? Do you say Hashems name by והוא רחום? Is it better to have your kids in a different yeshiva? Concepts: תשובה Hashem Dosent laugh 😆 עשה לך רב 🐋לויתן רבני חב״ד גיהנם גן עדן Prizes /mivtzas Cash advance ריבית Gmach התלמידי השלוחים דער וואלפער “What if” is אפיקורסות!

Questions: Why is teffilin so expensive? Is it a thing to open the Sefer Torah davka 3 pages by hagbah? Is it okay to have only one screw for the Mezuza? Is boxing and wrestling assur? Why is every hour before 12 considered 2 ? Are you allowed to play with the hafrashas challah? Are you allowed to listen to songs with words of pesukim in a bathroom? Are you allowed to learn rambam Chumash Gemara before praying? Is he a Lubavitcher? It’s not my thing? How do I tovel the grates? If someone borrowed a screw driver and bent it then asked someone to help and he cracked it who is Chayav? Concepts: הגבהת התורה גאווה תשובות נודע ביהודה בעניין ציד תולדות חייו של ריש לקיש Ask your local orthodox rabbi Sleeping techniques בזיון אוכלים דברי תורה בבית הכבוד לימוד התורה לפני תפלה שבת מברכים תהילים Lubavicher דין השואל מומחה והדיוט שיעבודא דר נתן

Questions consisting of: Can men wear colon? Is one permitted to engage in..? Cases of tvilas kailim? It says in Gemara that you pay if you slap someone so how much does r levin owe? Did you ever put in questions? Why is there a Mezuza in Zal if there is no mashkof? What is the dinim in regards to IVF? How can hashem punish paroh if hashem hardened his heart? Can I order food in the restaurant in a certain way? When is Moshiach coming? Who is antipater Ben hordus? Why bochrim always ask for ppls food? Halachic concepts: לא תלבש A personal rav מוליד ריח מצד דרכי החסידות טבילת כלים בליעות איסור אין קנסים בבבל חושך שבטו שונא בנו משקוף/משכוף Headlines Dovid Lichtenstein זרע האיש עם ביצת אשה הורתה בקדושה ולידתה בקדושה Surrogacy Shiduch crisis בחירה חפשית משיח תשובה סעודה שאינה מספקת בעליה קמצן בחור מאושר

In this episode of the Postville Yeshiva Alumni Podcast, we are joined by Shmuel Seskutov, who holds a family record for being one of at least six brothers to attend the Yeshiva. Originally from Milwaukee, Shmuel shares his journey from the familiar halls of Postville to his multifaceted professional life in upstate New York. Key highlights of this episode include: The Appliance Entrepreneur: Shmuel discusses his unique side business selling "scratch and dent" high-end appliances. He shares how he and his partner find luxury brands like Viking and Wolf to sell to customers looking for quality on a budget.Property Management Realities: Currently managing a portfolio of 10 properties and 42 units, Shmuel explains the "hands-on" nature of his work, where he serves as both the manager and the maintenance crew to keep everything up to code.Insights from the Campus Front: Reflecting on his time helping at a Chabad House, Shmuel shares a powerful perspective on the secular world, noting that students with total freedom are often the "saddest people" searching for the meaning that Torah and Yiddishkeit provide.The Tefillin Project: Shmuel details a successful initiative sponsored by an alumnus where 10 college students committed to putting on Tefillin every day for a full semester to earn their own pair.Life Lessons from Postville: Shmuel revisits the "environment" of the Yeshiva, explaining why it is a vital foundation that is much harder to replicate once you enter the working world. He also shares a transformative teaching from Rabbi Levin about focusing on "adding light" rather than struggling with the "darkness".The Great Ice Chase: In one of the more humorous moments of the series, Shmuel recalls the time he ditched Seder for the kitchen and was chased for two blocks through the ice by a surprisingly fast Rabbi Levin. Join us for an engaging conversation about entrepreneurship, the power of a Jewish environment, and the importance of Tzedakah in professional success.

Questions consisting of: Why do ppl put a stone on the grave after visiting? Should you go on mivtzoim if there is a concern for seeing inappropriate things? Why can’t we say the name of אותו האיש? Where is nimrod mentioned in Torah? Can I demand something from hanhalah if I deserve it? Are we In the Stone Age? Is there a ענין to dance? Does sliced mushrooms need to have a hechsher? Why is the same bochur always chazan? How do we know Judaism is the truth? Halachic concepts: כבוד המת עבודה זרה Ask your rav חת״ת שמחה הכשר חזן אידישקייט חסידות

Join us for an engaging episode of the Postville Yeshiva Alumni Podcast featuring Reuven Abenaim, an educator, life coach, and author originally from Montreal.In this recording, Reuven reflects on his time in Postville during the challenging year of 2009, sharing vivid memories of the Yeshiva's "upside down" period following the raid, including the infamous weeks of eating nothing but chicken nuggets and the presence of Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin during his house arrest.Beyond his Yeshiva days, Reuven discusses his multifaceted professional life, which includes: ◦Torah Education: Teaching Gemara and Halacha in Montreal. ◦The Art of Shatnez Checking: Sharing the fascinating (and sometimes humorous) process of identifying forbidden fabric mixtures using microscopes and traditional methods. ◦Authoring a New Sefer: His research into the biographies and Torah insights of North African sages from Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. Reuven concludes with a powerful message for current students, explaining why every moment in Yeshiva—even the smallest detail of a Tosafot—serves as a vital foundation for a person's future worldview and inner strength.