Date Your Donors for Jewish Education

Jonah Halper sits down with Erik Kessler, Executive Director of The Moriah School in NJ, to unpack a decade-long experiment many schools quietly hint at but rarely discuss openly: what really happens when you don’t have a professional development director. They talk about the “event-only” model, the strengths and limits of relying on talented lay solicitors, and the biggest invisible loss that shows up over time: stewardship, consistency, and strategy. Erik shares why Moriah eventually brought back a development director and how it reshaped the donor experience through simple but powerful touchpoints, from personalized notes to meaningful grandparent programming. Together they explore the shift from siloed event giving to an annual campaign mindset, why retention drives new donors, and how connecting donors to what they personally care about turns fundraising into genuine partnership instead of a once-a-year transaction.

Capital campaigns do not fail because the mission is weak. They fail when the project is under-scoped, over-designed, or sold to donors before the team has real clarity on what they are building, what it will cost, and how it will actually function. In this episode, Jonah Halper sits down with owner’s rep and capital project strategist Yossi Fischler to unpack the “design and development” side of fundraising and why it directly determines whether your campaign goal is credible. They cover the difference between “purchase price plus furnishings” and the organization’s full dream, why programmatic design (operations-driven planning) has to happen early, and how donor confidence is built through disciplined pre-work that reduces change orders, surprises, and morale-killing redesigns. You will also hear practical insights on donor signage and campus-wide consistency, the risks of premature renderings (including the “Taj Mahal” problem), how pre-campaign donor interviews function as a true dry run, why the lead gift sets the ceiling for the rest of the campaign, and what to do with legacy naming opportunities when an old building is being demolished.

Sponsored Content: This episode is presented in partnership with JEY Furniture. This episode was recorded live at the EDN Conference in Stamford, CT and features a deep look at how the right furniture partner can influence the success of a school capital campaign. Jonah speaks with Heshy Kovalenko of JEY Furniture and Rabbi Dovid Mandel of Yeshiva Day School of Las Vegas to reveal why furniture is not a last step, but a strategic planning decision that shapes design, function, fundraising, and donor trust. Heshy shares how JEY Furniture grew from a small dining room operation into a national team guiding schools through space planning, renderings, and installation with expertise. Rabbi Mandel walks through the real story of building a school in Las Vegas, explaining how detailed planning and classroom specific furnishings helped him communicate a clear vision to donors and raise major gifts with confidence. Together, they show why involving a furniture vendor early matters, how accurate renderings elevate a campaign’s pitch, and how functionality and teacher workflow shape a school’s identity for the next twenty to thirty years. This conversation gives school leaders a behind the scenes understanding of the decisions that make capital campaigns work and the partnerships that support long term growth. Learn more at ⁠https://jeyfurniture.com/⁠

Recorded live at the Executive Directors Share (EDS) Conference 2025, this episode of Date Your Donors features a candid conversation between Jonah Halper and Michelle Dayan, Executive Director and founding board member of the SAM School in Manhattan. Michelle shares the story behind the school’s founding, its growth from a small preschool into a rapidly expanding elementary program, and what it takes to sustain momentum without a professional development staff. The discussion explores the realities of board-led fundraising, the challenges of donor stewardship in a lean organization, and how visible success builds donor confidence over time. Together, Jonah and Michelle unpack a powerful insight for schools and nonprofits alike: growth is driven less by selling programs and more by cultivating community. From parent relationships to teachers as frontline ambassadors, this episode highlights how authenticity, shared values, and demonstrated impact create lasting loyalty among families and donors.

In this episode of Date Your Donors, Jonah Halper interviews Willie Hochman, who leads the Joel Paul Group division within The Merraine Group, a search firm focused specifically on executive and development talent in the Jewish nonprofit sector. The conversation centers on a core hiring problem in Jewish nonprofits (especially day schools): development is mission-critical, but “can this person actually raise money here” is difficult to evaluate from a resume alone. Hoffman frames development as both a teachable “science” and a harder-to-teach “art,” emphasizing communication presence, appropriate confidence, and donor-facing instincts. Hochman then gives a practical interview lens: prioritize open-ended questions that force candidates to narrate process, judgment, and relationship-building, rather than dead-ending the conversation with one-number answers. He also reinforces that donors are not “transferable” via a Rolodex; results depend on fit between the asker, the mission, and the institution. The episode closes with direct guidance for Jewish day schools: fundraising is uniquely hard because parents often feel they already “gave” through tuition, so philanthropy requires different strategies (community donors, grandparents, alumni over time). Hochman warns against hiring with unrealistic urgency and suggests schools secure bridge funding so a new hire can build a pipeline properly, then evaluate momentum through activity and relationship progression, not immediate dollars.

Jonah reconnects with his high-school friend Rabbi Avigdor Goldberger, now a leader, mentor, and community builder in Minneapolis. The discussion journeys from nostalgic beginnings to profound reflections on identity, individuality, and the challenges facing those transitioning from full-time Torah learning into the workforce. Rabbi Goldberger shares how his own path—from Kollel learner to nonprofit director—shaped his passion for helping others find their “lane.” He describes the inner struggles many yungerleit face when leaving the Beis Medrash: the loss of structure, identity, and self-definition. Through relatable anecdotes, he illustrates how personal alignment—discovering one’s strengths, character, and purpose—is key to sustainable success, rather than chasing careers that feel forced or borrowed from others. The episode weaves timeless wisdom with modern psychology, invoking sources from Chazal and even quoting Mark Twain and Sir Ken Robinson to underscore that greatness is not uniform—it’s found in embracing one’s own design. Rabbi Goldberger compares people to stars and grains of sand: we each have a place in the collective, but must also shine in our own galaxies. Together, Jonah and Rabbi Goldberger explore: 1. Why yeshiva systems excel at giving group identity but struggle to cultivate individual identity. 2. How parents, not only mosdos, must take responsibility for nurturing their children’s uniqueness. 3. Why discovering your “why” and leaning into your natural gifts prevents years of professional frustration. 4. How individuality and community harmony are not opposites but complementary paths to wholeness. The result is an episode brimming with humor, humility, and heart—a roadmap for anyone navigating identity, purpose, and belonging within a values-driven life.

In this insightful live episode recorded at the EDN 2025 Conference, Jonah Halper sits down with Rabbi Binyomin Septon, Executive Director of Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah in Toronto, to explore the art of raising money in the off-season. Rabbi Septon shares candid reflections from his 11 years leading a $10.5 million institution revealing how meaningful donor relationships aren’t built in campaign season, but in the quiet months between. From identifying your personal “litmus test” for donor engagement to finding creative, authentic ways to connect—like showing up at a boat race instead of a boardroom—this episode dives into the practical and emotional side of relationship-driven fundraising. Listeners will learn: 1. How to know when a donor relationship needs more nurturing 2. Why deep beats frequent when it comes to meaningful touchpoints 3. The surprising power of curiosity and active listening 4. How to handle donors who think they know better (and still walk away with their support) It’s a masterclass in authentic connection and a reminder that fundraising isn’t just about money—it’s about showing up in someone else’s world.

In this week’s episode of Date Your Donors, Jonah Halper sits down with Rabbi Ephraim Blumenkrantz, Executive Director of Bnos Bais Yaakov of Far Rockaway, to unpack what it truly means to put relationships first in fundraising. Together they explore how to move beyond transactional giving, embrace vulnerability, and build authentic partnerships with donors that last a lifetime. Rabbi Blumenkrantz shares powerful real-world stories—including how listening and transparency turned donor criticism into a $1 million gift. He also offers practical strategies for balancing tuition conversations with development work, and explains why involving both spouses in the philanthropic conversation creates deeper, long-term commitments. Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights on turning donor meetings into meaningful relationships that strengthen both your mission and your community. Thank you to our sponsor: 👉 From classroom seating to custom-built solutions, JEY Furniture partners with Jewish day schools across North America to create beautiful, functional spaces that support learning and connection. As a family-run business with decades of experience, JEY understands the unique needs of Jewish institutions — and delivers furniture that’s as durable as your mission. Visit JEYFurniture.com to learn how they can support your school’s next upgrade.

Welcome to Season 2 of Date Your Donors, the podcast that helps you find your charitable soulmates, make them fall in love with your mission, and say “I do” when you ask for their time and support. In this live-recorded EDN 2025 keynote session from the Armon Hotel in Stamford, CT, host Jonah Halper sits down with powerhouse voices in donor engagement to explore what fundraising is really about: relationships, rhythm, and relevance. The first guest of the season is Rabbi Yaakov Tesser, Executive Director of Yeshiva Ohavei Torah and Rabbi of Young Israel of Aberdeen, NJ. Known for his warmth, strategy, and storytelling, Rabbi Tessler has built a reputation for turning conversations into lasting partnerships. In this episode, he dives into the topic of securing new donors with confidence—especially those outside the traditional fold and shares how authentic friendship, values alignment, and creative access points can transform donor relationships This episode is sponsored by JEY Furniture, where quality, comfort, and community come together. From classroom seating to custom-built solutions, JEY partners with Jewish day schools across North America to create beautiful, functional spaces that support learning and connection. Learn more at jeyfurniture.com.

In this season finale of Date Your Donors, host Jonah Halper sits down with Heidi Greenbaum, Director of Development at SAR Academy & High School, to reflect on two decades of transformative fundraising. In a conversation that weaves together strategy, purpose, and personal conviction, Heidi shares the lesson she wishes she could tell herself 20 years ago: “Think big. Operate from abundance. Believe in people. And trust that if you work hard and your mission delivers, it will all work out.” Heidi’s journey into development wasn’t planned—it was a leap of faith rooted in gratitude for the school that supported her family. That same belief in mission has carried her through years of growth, challenge, and change. She shares how SAR restructured its major donor program, created a culture of trust between board and staff, and responded to October 7th with action, unity, and over $2 million raised for Israel—without compromising its core fundraising goals. This episode is a masterclass in values-driven development: how to build lasting donor relationships through active listening, how to trust your team and your community, and how to fundraise with humility, heart, and hope. Whether you’re new to fundraising or navigating a complex campaign, Heidi’s wisdom will leave you inspired to do the work—and believe in the people who make it possible.