Hillel Fuld shut down a multimillion-dollar business on October 7th to fight for Israel full time. Three years later, he sits down with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg for an honest, late-night conversation, and they don't agree on everything. They talk about the hate that hurts most when it comes from fellow Jews, the antisemite who built a fake identity to fool him, the open miracles that have carried his family every month, the Muslim woman who learns his Torah, and what the algorithms won't show you about Israel. Then the real debate: is Israel safer than America for Jews, and should fear be part of the case for Aliyah? Plus, Rabbi Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz kick off the new season with reflections after the Yamim Noraim and a proposal for a new social contract on RSVPs. Watch the full conversation on YouTube: youtube.com/@rabbiefremgoldberg Follow Hillel on Instagram: @hilzfuld 0:00 Welcome back: after the Yamim Noraim 2:57 A pulpit rabbi plans a wedding 7:28 A social contract for RSVPs 9:39 Hillel Fuld joins Behind the Bima 11:12 Disagreeing agreeably 13:09 When the hate comes from Jews 15:03 The Starbucks hoax and the lengths haters go to 17:55 Leaving tech, and open miracles every month 21:26 Why his following exploded: consistency and truth 24:21 What the world needed after October 7th 26:48 How he decides what to post 31:14 Christians and Muslims who learn his Torah 33:28 Is Israel really divided? 37:39 Bibi, Bennett and who could replace him 43:07 Can Israel ever get out of the headlines? 43:34 Those who bless Israel are blessed 46:21 Aliyah: what we run from, what we run to 48:52 Teen mortality: America vs Israel 51:18 Is Israel getting safer? 54:36 When do you raise a red flag? 56:41 "Israel is a paradise"

Rabbi Shalom Rosner was at the peak of his American career. His shul in Woodmere had grown from 20 families to 120 in six years, people flocked to his shiurim, and his Daf Yomi was being heard around the world. Then he packed up and made aliyah. In this episode of Behind The Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz sit down with Rabbi Rosner, Rav of the Nofei HaShemesh community in Beit Shemesh, to talk about why he left when he did, the advice from his Rebbe that still shapes his life, what October 7th changed for his family, and what it is like to have five children and sons-in-law serving in the army at the same time. He explains how he prepares the Daf every single day, why he refuses to touch controversy, and why the Ba'alei Mussar say it matters that Mashiach arrives on a donkey and not a stallion. Before the interview, Rabbi Goldberg and Rabbi Moskowitz take on a question that has been bothering them: why does every event now have a rabbinic dais, and should rabbis be sitting on it? Rabbi Shalom Rosner is the Rav of Nofei HaShemesh in Beit Shemesh and teaches in the English-speaking program at Machon Lev. His daily Daf Yomi shiur on YUTorah is followed by learners across the Jewish world. He previously served as a Rav in Woodmere, NY, and taught at Yeshivat Reishit and Kerem B'Yavneh. CHAPTERS 0:00 The biggest moments 0:36 Welcome back: should rabbis sit on a dais? 2:19 Shnayim Mikra and a rainy night in Brooklyn 5:32 Why Rabbi Goldberg hates sitting on the dais 8:51 What honoring Torah leaders teaches a community 15:36 How to start Shnayim Mikra 18:33 Give gedolim the dignity they deserve 20:07 Introducing Rabbi Shalom Rosner 20:34 Rabbi Shalom Rosner joins Behind the Bima 21:22 Why he made aliyah at the peak of his career 26:59 Na'aseh v'nishma for the Land of Israel 28:56 After October 7th: would he do it again? 31:15 Why benching changes in Israel 33:12 Raising children after aliyah 39:04 From Woodmere to Daf Yomi around the world 41:20 How he prepares the Daf 43:10 Growing up in his father's shadow 48:11 Five children in the army 50:06 A fourth mitzvah: bein adam l'amo 51:39 "This is Am Yisrael" 53:11 Mashiach on a donkey 54:42 Why he stays away from controversy 1:01:28 Time management: one thing at a time 1:03:11 Machon Lev and staying in Israel Behind The Bima is hosted by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, Senior Rabbi, and Rabbi Philip Moskowitz, Associate Rabbi, of Boca Raton Synagogue. Subscribe for new episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@rabbiefremgoldberg Instagram: @rabbiefremgoldberg #BehindTheBima #RabbiShalomRosner #DafYomi #Aliyah #Israel #Torah #BocaRatonSynagogue #JewishPodcast

*Interview is in Hebrew* What does Ishay Ribo really want from his music? In this special bonus episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg sits down with Ishay Ribo for a personal conversation about music, emunah, creativity, and influence. Ishay shares why he sees his music as a shlichus, what he hopes people take home from a concert, and how music can break down walls between Jews who might otherwise have little in common. He also reflects on Israel and Diaspora Jewry, the spiritual awakening since October 7, and why he's increasingly questioning our relationship with social media. In this episode: What Ishay really wants from his music Music as a shlichus Breaking down walls through song Israel and Diaspora Jewry Jewish unity after October 7 Why Ishay is stepping away from social media Algorithms, distraction, and free choice Why influence starts with yourself

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

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

Why does Jewish music feel so different today? Chaim Ghoori goes Behind the Bima for a fascinating conversation about the rise of a new style of Jewish music, one marked by vulnerability, authenticity, emotional honesty, and a deep yearning for connection. Chaim reflects on his journey from early life, to his days at the Yeshiva of Waterbury, to becoming part of a new wave of Jewish music marked by vulnerability, authenticity, and emotional honesty. He explores why so many young people are connecting to music that speaks openly about struggle, growth, belonging, and a relationship with Hashem.  The conversation also explores mentorship, community, recovery work, emotional vulnerability, October 7th, and the power of feeling truly seen. 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: The story behind his hit song, “Yidden” Why Jewish music feels different today Vulnerability, authenticity, and songwriting Waterbury's impact on a generation Community, belonging, and being seen Music as a spiritual language October 7th and the unexpected journey of Yidden Recovery, mentorship, and the Living Room The search for deeper connection Chaim's creative process and musical journey