Note: This episode contains discussion of sensitive topics. Why do so many people feel disconnected today? Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky joins Behind the Bima for a thought-provoking conversation about attachment, relationships, vulnerability, and the growing challenge of genuine connection in modern life. Drawing from both Torah and psychology, Rabbi Danishefsky explains why many of us spend our lives pursuing achievement, productivity, and self-improvement while overlooking the very thing we need most: meaningful relationships. He explores how attachment shapes our connection to Hashem, to other people, and to ourselves, and why disconnection often sits beneath many of the struggles people face. The conversation also explores loneliness, marriage, friendship, therapy, personal growth, failure, resilience, and Rabbi Danishefsky's work helping people navigate addiction and other deeply personal struggles. From the roots of destructive behaviors to the challenge of genuine vulnerability, he offers a compelling perspective on what people are really searching for beneath the surface. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. In this episode: Why connection is at the center of a meaningful life Attachment theory and Jewish thought Relationships with Hashem, others, and ourselves The loneliness and disconnection facing modern society Productivity versus relationship Marriage, friendship, and belonging The connection between addiction, loneliness, and healing What therapy can teach us about growth Why lasting change begins with understanding why Where Torah and psychology intersect

On this episode of Behind the Bima, the Rabbis sit down with Shlomo Levinger, a professional mentalist whose work blends performance, psychology, and precision. What looks impossible on stage isn’t about supernatural ability. It’s about structure, timing, and understanding how people think. Shlomo pulls back the curtain on what mentalism actually is, and why the experience matters more than the method behind it. At the same time, he shares what it takes to build this into a real career—from early gigs to larger stages—and the decisions that come with it. That includes the opportunities he’s walked away from, and how being an observant Jew shapes the way he approaches his work, his image, and his boundaries. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. In this episode, we discuss: What mentalism actually is (and what it isn’t) Why performance matters more than the method The psychology behind how audiences experience mentalism Building a career from small gigs to larger stages Turning down opportunities that didn’t align with Torah values Navigating the industry as a frum performer

On this episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz sit down with Ami Kozak, whose impressions and satire have become a sharp lens on how people speak… and what they actually mean. What makes those impressions resonate isn’t just the humor. It’s recognition. The way people talk about Israel, about Jews, and about each other often carries assumptions, framing, and subtext that go unnoticed until they’re reflected back. This conversation explores how satire exposes those patterns, why certain narratives gain traction, and what it means to have a public voice in a moment where attention, influence, and credibility are often misaligned. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. Topics discussed: How impressions reveal patterns in how people speak and think The language and framing around Israel in public discourse Satire as a way to show ideas rather than argue them When to engage bad-faith voices... and when not to The risks of platforming and false equivalence

Note: This episode contains discussion of several controversial topics and stories.  Why does Dovi Neuburger make us laugh at ourselves? Dovi Neuburger goes Behind the Bima for a candid conversation about comedy, community, and the frum world through the eyes of someone who has learned how to turn familiar moments into unforgettable jokes. Dovi reflects on his journey into stand-up, the rise of his social media audience, the anxiety and overthinking behind comedy, and the difference between making fun of Judaism from the outside and laughing at our own world from within. He also shares what it was like growing up as a Rrabbi’s son, how that shaped his view of community criticism, and why the best jokes often reveal something true. The conversation also explores social media, crowd work, boundaries in satire, stories that are “truer” than reality, family support, the impact of laughter in Israel after October 7th, and what comedy can give people in difficult times. This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. In this episode: Comedy, satire, and the frum community Why Dovi never set out to be an Instagram comedian The difference between being famous and being meaningful Anxiety, overthinking, and the mind of a comedian The line between funny and too far Why some stories are “truer” than reality Growing up as a rabbi’s son The support of his parents and family Social media, crowd work, and the craft of stand-up Why people need laughter during difficult times

From Boca Raton, Florida, this is Behind the Bima. On this week’s episode, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, Rabbi Philip Moskowitz, and Rabbi Josh Broide sit down with the extraordinary Zevi Samet—a dynamic yeshiva bachur and celebrated basketball star whose journey is as inspiring off the court as it is on. Zevi shares his unique story of balancing Torah learning with athletic excellence, revealing how every game-winning shot is a lesson in perseverance, faith, and self-motivation. Join us as we explore his transformative path, the sacrifices made in pursuit of excellence, and the powerful role of Torah in every facet of his life. Plus, get the inside scoop on our groundbreaking new media center, a campus expansion that’s doubling our impact, and our record-breaking global charity matching campaign that raised $6 million in just 48 hours! All this and more, Behind the Bima. 00:00 - Introduction14:51 - Interview