Episode 19: Rabbi David Helfand

Join us for a fun-filled conversation packed with family stories, career highlights, and plenty of HBHA nostalgia. Along the way, we’ll hear about the Goldberg siblings’ professional journeys, spanning advertising, Jewish education, and healthcare, and revisit some unforgettable HBHA memories. From the first-ever painted ceiling tile in the senior lounge to a surprising Craigslist purchase and brain breaks filled with Mamma Mia! sing-alongs, there’s no shortage of stories to enjoy.And, of course, no sibling episode would be complete without a little friendly competition! We wrap things up with a festive round of “Goldberg Most Likely…”, tackling the big questions, like which sibling is most likely to pitch a million-dollar idea on Shark Tank or party with Taylor Swift backstage.It’s a great episode full of wonderful memories, sibling banter, and all the little moments that make the HBHA community so special.

Join us for a memorable conversation with a beloved HBHA legend, Nancy Franks, as she reflects on a life filled with meaningful experiences and a deep connection to the HBHA community.Nancy takes us back to her childhood in Kansas City, including her involvement with BBYO, and shares her passionate love for all things Kansas Jayhawks—especially KU basketball. She also looks back on nearly three decades of teaching at HBHA, highlighting some of her favorite experiences, including the Million Dollar Project, Exchange City, and Discovery.For host Micah Margolies, these stories hold an extra-special connection, having experienced these very programs firsthand as Nancy’s fifth-grade student!Tune in for a heartfelt, nostalgic, and engaging conversation celebrating Nancy’s lasting impact on HBHA and the countless students whose lives she has touched. Enjoy this special episode!

In this episode, Micah is joined by alumna Rabbi Sarit '04 Horwitz for a conversation that spans her extensive career in Jewish education and leadership. She shares about her years as a pulpit rabbi in Memphis, where she once welcomed HBHA students during their Civil Rights trip, and some of the incredible initiatives she has helped create, including a women’s retreat. Sarit also shares about her current role as Director of Leadership Programs with the Shalom Hartman Institute, where she helps develop Jewish educational curricula. And, of course, we couldn’t let her visit go by without revisiting some of her favorite HBHA memories (including one particularly memorable power outage that nearly wiped out an entire yearbook)!

This episode of HBHA Lore brings together the Kreisler siblings for a fun conversation about where life has taken them since their time at HBHA. We hear about their very different paths through college, from agricultural economics and political science to environmental science, and their budding careers in law, the Air Force, and working with animals. They also share stories from a recent family trip to Japan and some of their favorite HBHA memories, including the unforgettable experience of building and launching trebuchets. To wrap things up, the siblings put their knowledge of each other to the test in a game that brings plenty of laughs.

In this episode, join 1999 alum Dan Cohen to explore his career in marketing and communications and the many unexpected places it has taken him.From his current role with Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire and navigating the World Cup to working alongside Patrick Mahomes on a Super Bowl commercial, Dan shares stories and insights from his professional journey. Micah and Dan also discuss how the industry has evolved, the tools and trends shaping marketing today, and how Dan stays ahead in an ever-changing field.And, of course, no HBHA Lore episode would be complete without plenty of HBHA memories along the way.

HBHA Lore is back! Former student Joel Gutovitz joins host Micah Margolies to share stories that are as unforgettable as they are entertaining.In this episode, Joel shares a story of an unexpected midnight adventure helping out at a hospital in Israel, he shares memories from the legendary Gutovitz brothers' basketball scoring dynasty, and he gives us an unforgettable look inside a typical Gutovitz Shabbat meal.

HBHA Lore Episode 20 features host Micah Margolies closing out a dynamic first season of the podcast with two HBHA alumni from the Class of 1995, Aaron Zitron and Brett Kaplan.The conversation revisits memories from the early days of HBHA’s inaugural basketball team, stories from the building before HBHA’s current campus, and reflections on some of their favorite teachers from decades ago.

In this week's episode, join David and Micah as they talk about David's experience as a new senior rabbi at a Maryland congregation. They discuss his passion for storytelling as a way of exploring Jewish ideas and Jewish identity, the meaning he finds in various Jewish texts and prayers, and some of David's favorite formative experiences at HBHA. (Like blowing the Shofar for each prayer minyan each morning during the month of Elul, a tradition continued at HBHA to this day!)

In this episode, longtime art teacher Kelly Reichman shares stories from her time as a college singer (including a once-in-a-lifetime moment alongside a famous country music legend) and reflects on her nearly 30-year career teaching art at HBHA. We highlight some standout student artwork and explore how engaging in art supports the brain in unique ways. Kelly also offers her perspective on creativity, reminding us that being an artist is something everyone can access.

In this lively episode, the Bell siblings take the mic to share stories, talents, and a lot of personality. Jacob dives into his surprisingly impressive skill as a cartographer, while Natalie reflects on the unique challenge of balancing medical training with life in ROTC. Madi brings us up to speed on her journey, wrapping up a Chemical Engineering degree at the University of Missouri. The episode is packed with throwbacks to each sibling’s time in the HBHA Upper School play. It all wraps up with a fun and competitive game of “Bell Most Likely,” where the siblings vote on who’s destined to become a Jeopardy champion, survive on a deserted island, etc. Be prepared for humor, nostalgia, and fun.