Подкаст «Тора-брокер» запустил второй сезон с разговорами о вере, успехе и ментальном здоровье

Created by Phoenix resident and real estate broker Sanford Burstyn, “The Torah Broker Podcast” launched its second season on Aug. 3, producing weekly episodes that highlight the widespread expertise of Arizona’s Jewish community and share the wisdom of the Torah in an easily digestible format for Jews of all denominations. The show covers a wide range of topics through conversations with local and visiting rabbis, including Rabbi Pinchas Allouche (Congregation Beth Tefillah), Rabbi Yakov Bronsteyn (Star-K Kosher Certification), Rabbi Rafael Marlowe (Torah educator), Rabbi Shafir Roizman (Congregation Ohr HaTorah) and Rabbi Yehuda Weiss (Olami), among others. “We’ve got so much material throughout the world; it’s about finding it and mining it down to something simple that we can utilize for ourselves,” Burstyn said. “That’s the beauty of having access to rabbis. It’s such an honor to spend time with them and to help extract their wisdom and put it in a vehicle that can be distributed to so many people.” In the early 2000’s, Burstyn partnered with the Phoenix Community Kollel, an organization dedicated to learning and spreading Torah knowledge, to help create a group called Torah for Real Estate Tycoons. The group included around 135 Jewish men associated with the real estate industry across Greater Phoenix, who convened at monthly meetings for networking, conversation and lectures by visiting rabbis. “The rabbis would come and give a 30-minute piece of Torah study on something having to do with real estate, money lending, disclosures, leases, water rights or loans,” Burstyn explained. “The men were excited about the events, and they liked being around each other. I think there is an intrinsic curiosity or nutritional requirement for spirituality, and we saw that at a lot of the events.” Unfortunately, the Torah for Real Estate Tycoons group did not survive COVID, and Burstyn faced many hurdles in trying to bring it back. Despite this, he continued his efforts to connect people to the Torah, finding inspiration in Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi and the many other rabbis he’s come to know. “I do it because I feel passionate about it,” he said. “I feel like it’s a responsibility of mine.” Once, when he was expressing his frustration about the group’s struggles to some friends, one suggested he utilize social media to reach more people, and he eventually decided to host a podcast. After multiple attempts at different recording studios, he finally found the right partners: Rabbi Shragi Yankelewitz and podcast engineer/producer Kyle Decker. Decker handles the production of sound, lighting and cameras, as well as editing. “Kyle creates the harmony within the space,” Burstyn said. “We’re really lucky to have him.” Burstyn finds all the guests and interviews them himself in his home library, while Yankelewitz ensures the library studio has the right books displayed and helps with the behind-the-scenes editing. “The show has become a great platform for sharing Torah while also highlighting Arizona’s outstanding rabbinic community,” said Yankelewitz. When asked how he decides the topic for each episode, Burstyn said, “We try to make it about the guest. We offer them the ability to pick a subject.” He continued, “Anybody who brokers is really promoting a product or a service, and the Torah is the most special product, if not an operating manual for human beings: how to be a father, an employer, an employee, a neighbor, how to view work, money, how to eat, sleep, dress, speak. It contains everything.” Season two topics include: evidence for God’s existence, the Torah’s perspective on Satan, the roots of antisemitism, wealth and success, parenting and building exceptional character. Though the podcast covers a variety of topics, Burstyn explained there is an overall emphasis on mental health. “If there’s any reason for anybody to feel the need to connect to the Torah, it would be to be happy,” he said. Season two features Rabbi Ariel Shoshan (Ahavas Torah), Rabbi Mendy Deitsch (Chabad of the East Valley), Rabbi Raphael Landesman (Shearim Torah High School for Girls), Rabbi Zvi Holland (Star-K Kosher Certification) and Bronsteyn. “This is an access point,” Burstyn said. “Whether a man or woman or a younger or older person watches it and sees something that excites them, they simply need to Google a rabbi near them, make a phone call and see if there’s an alignment there to get with the rabbi and ask their questions.” JN New episodes are released on Mondays. For more information, visit torahbroker.com.