Jewish Philanthropy Podcast

Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal is OU-JLIC’s National Development Director. A veteran educator, Seattle-born Rabbi Rosenthal was the Dean of the Torah Academy of Long Island for ten years and has taught in various local communities for the past twenty-five years (over 670 of his classes are available on YUTorah.org). He was also the lead guitarist for Shlock Rock for many years. Rabbi Rosenthal most recently served as senior director of the Manhattan Jewish Experience, a role that combined management, development, teaching, program planning and counseling. He received a BS in Finance from Touro College, a masters in education administration from Columbia University and semichah from Yeshiva B’nei Torah in Far Rockaway, New York. Rabbi Rosenthal lives in West Hempstead, New York with his wife Marie and their six children.    In this wide ranging interview, we cover: 1. Raising Money Under Pressure 2. 3 Experiences with Fundraising Turmoil 3. Giving in the Biggest Way 4. The Hardest Profession 5. Dealing with R

For decades, Rabbi Yitz Greenman served as the executive director of Aish New York. During his time at the helm of Aish New York, Rabbi Greenman has been involved with a host of impactful Jewish outreach and educational programs, including Discovery Seminars, Speed Dating, Bring Israel Home, Aish on Campus, and many others. Aish New York is one the largest Jewish outreach organizations within the United States, maintaining active branches on college campuses throughout the northeastern United States in addition to a broad array of other programming. In the last few years, Rabbi Greenman has taken his prodigious fundraising talents and acumen to the Olami Kiruv organization to make an even greater impact on the Jewish people.   Rabbi Greenman is consider a mentor and role model to many aspiring fundraisers in the Jewish community and is a noted lecturer on the topic.   In this wide ranging interview, we cover: 1. Becoming an Observant Jews 2. Lessons from R' Noach Weinberg zt'l 3. It's all about Fai

  Rabbi Yosef Chaim Golding has served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Agudas Yisroel of America and most recently the COO of the Siyum Hashas event at MetLife Stadium. Rabbi Golding has also served as Executive Director of RCCS, the Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society and Misaskim. During Rabbi Golding’s tenure at RCCS, RCCS grew to become a “household name” for those stricken with cancer and became the “first call to make” upon receiving the dreaded diagnosis.  He is currently the President of his own development consulting firm and is the author of the book "Faith Amid the Flames" published by Art Scroll. In this wide ranging interview, we cover: 1. Early Influences 2. A Passion for Klal Work 3. The New Mindset of the Younger Generation with Money 4. The Siyum 5. Daf Yomi Learning And much much more!-- -- 

Rabbi Simcha Scholar is the Chief Executive Officer of Chai Lifeline, a leading international children's health support network.   In this wide ranging interview, we cover: 1. Humble Beginnings/Staying Humble 2. Daas Torah & Torah Guidance 3. Sensitizing the Masses 4. Giving the Donor What Can't be Bought 5. Never Being Happy or Satisfied And much much more!-- -- 

Norman Gildin has dedicated his career to fundraising for non-profit organizations. Working with groups of all sizes and levels of recognition, Gildin’s fundraising, which spans more than three decades, has raised over $92 million. His company, Strategic Fundraising Group (SFG), was established five years ago with the mission to provide help to non-profit organizations that don’t have the resources for fundraising efforts.   In the last few years, Gildin was presented an opportunity to work with American Friends of Migdal Ohr, an organization very close to his heart. There he strategically implemented a fundraising system that secured a 4.0 rating with Charity Navigator, an American independent charity watchdog organization that evaluates charitable organizations in the United States. During his three years at Migdal Ohr, Gildin successfully raised $17 million for the organization. Previously, during his tenure at OHEL Children’s Home & Family Services, his leadership resulted in more than $30 millio

Rabbi Shlomo Riskin is one of the few people about whom it can be said that his entire life has been dedicated to serving the Jewish people. His visionary contributions to Israel and world Jewry over the course of the past half-century have impacted upon the lives of thousands while redefining Modern Orthodox leadership, shaping the face contemporary Jewish education, and in many cases, literally changing the direction of Jewish history. Rabbi Riskin made Aliya in 1983 to become the founding rabbi of Efrat, a city which did not yet even exist – but is now home to over 12,000 residents. Efrat was also where Rabbi Riskin established the first school in what would eventually become Ohr Torah Stone, the comprehensive network of 27 unique educational institutions, women’s empowerment programs, leadership development, outreach initiatives, and social action projects. It is because of Rabbi Riskin’s uncompromising belief in the relevance and beauty of Judaism’s past – and its importance for the Jewish future – that

Yael Eckstein is the President of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. In this role, she oversees all ministry programs and serves as the international spokesperson. Prior to her present duties, Yael served as Global Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, and Director of Program Development and Ministry Outreach. Based in Jerusalem with her husband and their four children, Yael is a published writer and a respected social services professional. She has contributed to The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, and other publications, and is the author of two books: Holy Land Reflections: A Collection of Inspirational Insights from Israel, and Spiritual Cooking with Yael. In addition, her insights into life in Israel, the Jewish faith, and Jewish-Christian relations can be heard weekly on The Fellowship’s radio programs Holy Land Moments and the Spanish-language version Momentos en Tierra Santa, which air five times per week on over 1,500 radio stations around the world. Yael has partner

Rabbi Joshua Hess, a native of Los Angeles, CA, has served as Rabbi of Anshe Chesed since 2009. During Rabbi Hess’ tenure in Linden, Anshe Chesed has seen tremendous growth with over 100 children attending their highly structured and educational youth program each Shabbos. Rabbi Hess was instrumental in building the state of the art Mikvah, modernizing the Eruv, and founding of the Vaad HaKashrus of Linden. In this episode, we discuss: 1. How to best mobilize a board around your mission. 2. Undertaking large community commitments 3. The value of micro donations and the importance of building bridges And much more!!

Growing up in England did not dampen Avraham's enthusiasm for life and his passion for helping Jewish leaders grow the projects they care about. Before learning for six years at Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem, he gained his degree in Management Science from Manchester University. His fundraising experience was cultivated, successfully working for over a decade, with Israel based kiruv projects including the 'Heritage House' and 'Common Denominator'. Avraham gained a track record of consistently raising significant donations from high net worth individuals. He mentored with some of the best leaders in the Jewish world. With his broad fundraising experience, alongside a koach for helping Jewish leaders clarify and achieve their goals, he created a personalized system for helping mosdos Torah. Avraham, lives in Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel, with his wife, Elana and seven children. In his free time, he's a volunteer fundraiser for Hatzala Beit Shemesh. He's also known to be an awesome mountain biker! In this packed episo

Rabbi Mark Wildes is the Founder and Director of Manhattan Jewish Experience. He was ordained from Yeshiva University, but before becoming a rabbi, he received a JD from the Cardozo School of Law and a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University. Since founding MJE 18 years ago, Rabbi Wildes has become one of America’s most inspirational and dynamic Jewish educators. He actively blogs for The Times of Israel and Huffington Post, runs a youtube channel, and has made appearances on Huffington Post Live and Fox News. He lives with his wife Jill and their children Yosef, Ezra, Judah and Avigayil on the Upper West Side where they maintain a warm and welcoming home for all. He is a hard core Beatles and particularly John Lennon fan, and enjoys rocking out on the drums whenever possible.   In this wide ranging interview, we cover:  1. How to build a large non profit organization. 2. Honing in on your main skillset and how to pick your passion. 3. The role Judaism plays in the modern world 4. Tips and t

Rachel Cyrulnik serves as principal at RAISE Nonprofit Advisors, where she helps diverse nonprofits raise money and manage successful fundraising campaigns. With fifteen years of experience in nonprofit management, Rachel specializes in helping organizations define and achieve their fundraising goals. Before founding RAISE, Rachel was partner at ALTRUICITY, where she developed a pioneering approach to fundraising consulting, combining data analysis and project management to set strategy and accomplish goals. As a consultant, Rachel has developed annual and multi-year strategic campaign plans for organizations across North America, including campuses participating in the Hillel International Accelerator Program, several day schools, and Federations. She has overseen multiple studies including pre-campaign planning studies and target-audience attitude surveys. She has successfully managed a host of campaigns, including annual, capital, and target-audience campaigns such as Major Gift, Alumni, Parent and Grandpa