E18 Part I: From Gangs and Drugs to Torah and Mitzvos (The Journey of a Baal Teshuva) with Zach Sumner

It’s been said that Music is the universal language of mankind. However that is not true for everyone. In this episode, we will hear from a leibedicka individual who utilizes all of his challenges and experiences to bring simcha to those around him. A big thank you to Yoni Burstyn for sharing his story and experiences with us. If you would like to appear on the show to represent a particular challenge, or if you have questions or comments or would like to be added to receive whatsapp updates, email us at [email protected]. To partner with us or sponsor an episode email us at [email protected]. This show is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to submit your questions for upcoming episodes. https://www.facebook.com/Rolling-with-the-Punches-101669291863891 http://instagram.com/rollingwiththepunchespodcast http://twitter.com/PunchesPodcast All information exchanged on this show is intended for educational and support purposes only. This information should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein is quoted as saying "Being an Orthodox rabbi means being a servant of God and a servant of the community. It is a role of great responsibility and great honor." In this episode, we will hear from one of the great Mechanchim and Rabbanim of our generation; Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz. We discuss his experiences in these dual roles of Educator and Spiritual leader, including the rewards and the challenges he faces on a daily basis. We will also discuss the range of social and emotional experiences that come with being a Rav and how these experiences shape the way he approaches his עבודת הקדש. A big thank you to Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz for sharing his story and experiences with us. To learn more about The Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary check out their website at yu.edu/riets. If you would like to appear on the show to represent a particular challenge, or if you have questions or comments or would like to be added to receive WhatsApp updates, email us at [email protected]. To partner with us or sponsor an episode email us at [email protected]. This show is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to submit your questions for upcoming episodes. https://www.facebook.com/Rolling-with-the-Punches-101669291863891 http://instagram.com/rollingwiththepunchespodcast http://twitter.com/PunchesPodcast All information exchanged on this show is intended for educational and support purposes only. This information should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder.

“Adoption is not just about finding children for families, it is about finding families for children.” In this episode, we will hear about all of these details and more from a courageous young man who has been on a journey of discovering who he is, despite not always knowing where he came from. To learn more about Frumadoptee, check out their website at Frumadoptee.com. To be added to the Frum adoptee WhatsApp chat or to be connected with this weeks guest, send an email to [email protected]. If you would like to appear on the show to represent a particular challenge, or if you have questions or comments or would like to be added to receive whatsapp updates, email us at [email protected]. To partner with us or sponsor an episode email us at [email protected]. This show is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to submit your questions for upcoming episodes. https://www.facebook.com/Rolling-with-the-Punches-101669291863891 http://instagram.com/rollingwiththepunchespodcast http://twitter.com/PunchesPodcast All information exchanged on this show is intended for educational and support purposes only. This information should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder.

Leaving one’s job for an entire year brings up many concerns and questions relating to one’s livelihood. How will I provide for my family? What if I lose my contracts with companies because I have taken a year off? Should I even bother being a farmer anymore? How will I spend my days during this year? Is it really necessary to observe Shemittah, maybe I can just do a היתר מכירה? What will people think of me when they see I don’t have a job this year? In this episode, we will hear from Avichai Koch. A farmer who is observing shemittah. Avichai shares his experiences and the difficulties that come with abstaining from working his fields during the year of שמיטה. But most importantly, we will hear how Avichai’s אמונה and ביטחון makes it so clear to him that there is no option but to keep שמיטה. A big thank you to Avichai Koch for sharing his story and experiences with us. To learn more about Keren Hashviis, check out their website at kerenhashviis.org. Don’t forget to sign your Pruzbul document before Rosh Hashana (September 25, 2022). The Pruzbul document with instructions can be found here https://bethdin.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pruzbul-5782.pdf. If you would like to appear on the show to represent a particular challenge, or if you have questions or comments or would like to be added to receive whatsapp updates, email us at [email protected]. To partner with us or sponsor an episode email us at [email protected]. This show is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to submit your questions for upcoming episodes. https://www.facebook.com/Rolling-with-the-Punches-101669291863891 http://instagram.com/rollingwiththepunchespodcast http://twitter.com/PunchesPodcast All information exchanged on this show is intended for educational and support purposes only. This information should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder.

War does not determine who is right, only who is left. The current war in Ukraine has impacted thousands of our Jewish brothers and Sisters in that region. Their lives have been turned upside down, their infrastructure has been destroyed and their focus and energy are dedicated to getting basic food and clothing and staying alive. In this episode, we hear from Rabbi Mendel Moskovitz, who describes the scenes of war in Ukraine, his harrowing 60-hour escape, and the psychological impact the war has had on him and his family. Rabbi Moskovitz’s love for all of mankind gives us the hope that “When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will have peace.” A big thank you to Rabbi Mendel Moskovitz for sharing his story and experiences with us. To learn more about the Jewish Relief Network of Ukraine or to make a donation, check out their website at https://www.jrnu.org/. If you would like to appear on the show to represent a particular challenge, or if you have questions or comments or would like to be added to receive WhatsApp updates, email us at [email protected]. To partner with us or sponsor an episode email us at [email protected]. This show is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to submit your questions for upcoming episodes. https://www.facebook.com/Rolling-with-the-Punches-101669291863891 http://instagram.com/rollingwiththepunchespodcast http://twitter.com/PunchesPodcast All information exchanged on this show is intended for educational and support purposes only. This information should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder.

“He who has a why to live, can bear almost any how.” The Holocaust is an exhibit of just how evil and depraved humanity can get when people are driven towards the wrong goals. In this episode, we will hear the dramatic story of Mrs. Leah Scharf and her accounts of her childhood as a 10-year-old girl, living during the horrors of the Holocaust. As she shares the details of what it was like in holding camps and Burgenbelson it is clear that she embodies the following idea: Where there is no hope, one must create hope, as giving up hope is never an option. A big thank you to Mrs. Leah Scharf for sharing her story and experiences with us. This episode was sponsored anonymously in memory of Leibel Zisman A’’H, ארי–ה לייב בן שרגא פייול. If you would like to appear on the show to represent a particular challenge, or if you have questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. To partner with us or sponsor an episode email us at [email protected]. This show is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to submit your questions for upcoming episodes. https://www.facebook.com/Rolling-with-the-Punches-101669291863891 http://instagram.com/rollingwiththepunchespodcast http://twitter.com/PunchesPodcast All information exchanged on this show is intended for educational and support purposes only. This information should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder. —————————————————————————————————————————— Order your copy of I Believe: The Story of One Jewish Life by Leibel Zisman at https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Story-One-Jewish-Life/dp/1886587183 See Leibel Zisman's Documentary, The Lion of Judah at https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Judah-Leo-Zisman/dp/B009RCH9ME To hear more of Leibel's story, see the following link: Libel Zisman discusses moral resistance: A Holocaust ... www.youtube.com › watch

“Anxiety and fear are cousins but not twins. Fear sees a threat. Anxiety imagines one.” In this episode, we will hear from an extraordinarily brave, courageous, and strong woman Jessica Tsur. Jessica shares her struggles with mental health and provides hope to those who feel that they can’t live a full life with a mental health diagnosis. Jessica uses her struggles to help others and teaches us that “Sometimes, when you’re in a dark place and you think you've been buried, you’ve actually been planted”. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of harming themselves or others call 911 or your local suicide hotline immediately. A big thank you to Jessica Tsur for sharing her story and experiences with us. To learn more about Catch, check out their website at catchsupport.org. If you would like to appear on the show to represent a particular challenge, or if you have questions or comments or would like to be added to receive whatsapp updates, email us at [email protected]. To partner with us or sponsor an episode email us at [email protected]. This show is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to submit your questions for upcoming episodes. https://www.facebook.com/Rolling-with-the-Punches-101669291863891 http://instagram.com/rollingwiththepunchespodcast http://twitter.com/PunchesPodcast All information exchanged on this show is intended for educational and support purposes only. This information should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder.

Change is difficult, but not as difficult as staying stuck in a place where you don’t belong. The road to becoming a בעל תשובה is a process that entails a lot of hard work and sacrifice. In part 2 of this episode, we will hear how Zach discovered Judaism and how it would fit into his life, the tremendous sacrifices and difficulties he met along the way, and the beautiful life that Zach now lives building a family that is shomer Torah Umitzvos. A big thank you to Zach Sumner for sharing his story and experiences with us. To learn more about Olami's Online Yeshiva, check out their website at olami.org/yeshiva/. Congratulations to Yossi Hecht on winning an RWTP limited edition sweatshirt. Check out Yossi’s organization ashertotheyatzar.com. If you would like to appear on the show to represent a particular challenge, or if you have questions or comments or would like to be added to receive WhatsApp updates, email us at [email protected]. To partner with us or sponsor an episode email us at [email protected]. This show is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to submit your questions for upcoming episodes. https://www.facebook.com/Rolling-with-the-Punches-101669291863891 http://instagram.com/rollingwiththepunchespodcast http://twitter.com/PunchesPodcast All information exchanged on this show is intended for educational and support purposes only. This information should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder.

Change is difficult, but not as difficult as staying stuck in a place where you don’t belong. The road to becoming a בעל תשובה is a process that entails a lot of hard work and sacrifice. In this 2 part episode, we will hear the amazing journey of Zach Sumner and how he overcame the difficulties in his life and ultimately returned to where he always belonged. A big thank you to Zach Sumner for sharing his story and experiences with us. To learn more about Olami's Online Yeshiva, check out their website at olami.org/yeshiva/. Send us a screenshot of you writing us a review on Apple podcasts or posting the flyer and link to this episode on your WhatsApp status after 22 hours and get entered into a raffle to win a limited edition “Rolling with the Punches”  zip-up sweatshirt. The winner will be announced in the next episode. If you would like to appear on the show to represent a particular challenge, or if you have questions or comments or would like to be added to receive WhatsApp updates, email us at [email protected]. To partner with us or sponsor an episode email us at [email protected]. This show is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to submit your questions for upcoming episodes. https://www.facebook.com/Rolling-with-the-Punches-101669291863891 http://instagram.com/rollingwiththepunchespodcast http://twitter.com/PunchesPodcast All information exchanged on this show is intended for educational and support purposes only. This information should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder.

We are required to praise Hashem for every breath that we take. Of course, we often don’t pay much attention to this critical task, as it is something that just happens for us without much thought. So take a deep breath and allow the appreciation to sink in. In this episode, we will hear the breathtaking story from a living miracle who was on Ecmo for close to 2 months, was placed into an induced coma, and survived despite being on the brink of death several times. A big thank you to Ben Taplin for sharing his story and experiences with us. To learn more about Kids of Courage, check out their website at kidsoc.org. Send us a screenshot of you writing us a review on Apple podcasts or posting the flyer and link to this episode on your WhatsApp status after 22 hours and get entered into a raffle to win a limited edition “Rolling with the Punches”  zip-up sweatshirt. The winner will be announced in episode 3 of season 2. If you would like to appear on the show to represent a particular challenge, or if you have questions or comments or would like to be added to receive WhatsApp updates, email us at [email protected]. To partner with us or sponsor an episode email us at [email protected]. This show is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to submit your questions for upcoming episodes. https://www.facebook.com/Rolling-with-the-Punches-101669291863891 http://instagram.com/rollingwiththepunchespodcast http://twitter.com/PunchesPodcast All information exchanged on this show is intended for educational and support purposes only. This information should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder.