The boys are joined by Michael Barnatan, owner and operator of Evita Argentinian Steakhouse, to chat about Barnatan's childhood in Argentina, his early interest in aviation, what brought him to Chicago, and of course what it's like to run a kos

Rickey Rothner Redux: A Lot Has Changed in a Year

20 days ago 1h 26m

The renowned Eric Rothner becomes the pod's first repeat guest, joining J3 to offer his thoughts on Chicago’s present and future, discuss changes to his charitable giving, current events, and gives a glimpse into how he vacations and unwinds. M

Rabbi Ari Hart and the Rhythm of the Soul

Apr 25th, 2024 1h 31m

Rabbi Ari Hart, spiritual leader of Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob, takes us on his journey from Evanston to Iowa and Israel and back to his hometown where he has reinvigorated a congregation rich in history with his unique style. Topics discussed

Israel Trip Recap with Doni Garden

Mar 19th, 2024 1h 53m

Joined by special guest host Doni Garden, the boys discuss Jordan, Josh and Doni's recent trip to Israel, where they met soldiers and families and saw sites impacted by the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks, and (some of them) helped out a loca

Naftali Brenner: Filling the Cavities of His Soul

Feb 13th, 2024 1h 27m

Lincolnwood resident Dr. Naftali Brenner joins the pod to discuss how he managed to overcome traumatic experiences in the Brooklyn yeshiva system, his PSD from losing a disposable camera on 9/11, and learning basic education in college before a

Moshe Blonder, Traveling Foodie (feat. Jon Blumberg)

Jan 31st, 2024 58m 12s

Yoel, Jordan, and guest host Jon Blumberg sit down with healthcare executive Moshe Blonder to discuss his Brooklyn upbringing, what brought him to Chicago, his love of (and willingness to travel far and wide for) good food, and the time he pick

Shahs of Dempster: Shahram Kohananoo’s Journey from Shiraz to Skokie

Jan 11th, 2024 1h 13m

After Yoel recounts his recent experience in Israel, Shahram Kohananoo joins the pod to discuss his upbringing in Iran, memories of the Revolution and the life he built in Chicago as a Persian immigrant.

Ross Gordon: An Entrepreneur in Search of Self and his Next Move

Dec 26th, 2023 1h 26m

Ross Gordon of Skokie drops in to chat about his entrepreneurial career, including his current and former ventures, and his religious and spiritual journeys.

Tamar Friedman: A Trailblazer in Jewish Education

Dec 8th, 2023 1h 26m

Former Director of Judaic Studies at Hillel Torah, Tamar Friedman takes us through her career at the elementary school, where she spent 38 years as a teacher and administrator before retiring in 2021. She also discusses her upbringing in Israel

A Glimpse Into a Soldier's Life, with IDF Veteran Nachum Meyers

Nov 28th, 2023 1h 15m

Following a multi-episode hiatus, Yoel returns as co-host. Jordan recaps the March for Israel, which he attended in DC, before the pod is joined by his brother-in-law, IDF veteran Nachum Meyers, who takes us through his time in the army, includ

Alyssa Goldwater: An Internet Personality Keeping It Real

Sep 20th, 2023 1h 5m

Influencer Alyssa Goldwater sits down to discuss her impressive following on Instagram and TikTok, how she became Orthodox, and the correct pronunciation of "Louisville", and Josh sets the world record for longest question of all time.

(Most Of) The Boys Are Back

Sep 8th, 2023 38m 48s

Jordan, Josh and producer Aaron return from a brief hiatus for the first episode of season 2. They recap their respective summers, offer a preview of what's to come in the second season, and discuss the elephant in the room.

Rabbi Meyer Juzint: A Giant Hidden in Plain Sight

Jul 13th, 2023 2h 59m

In the final episode of Season 1, we explore the life and legacy of Rabbi Meyer Juzint (1924-2001) by bringing on students throughout his 53 years of chinuch in Chicago to understand his personality, story and the mystique surrounding him. 0:

Law & Order: Solo Garfinkel Unit

Jun 29th, 2023 1h 15m

In the penultimate episode of Season 1, the pod welcomes Chicago criminal defense attorney Hal M. Garfinkel, who started out on the prosecution side, has been involved in numerous high-profile cases and represented many infamous clients. He tak

ORD STRONG

Jun 22nd, 2023 1h 6m

For the first time ever, Mordechai Shaul Eisenbach, better known to many as Charles ORD, tells his story of going from a healthy young softball mashing man to being diagnosed with cancer, struggling through lengthy surgery, rounds of chemo, and

Springfield n' Sheitels: The Sorokas Make Their Mark

Jun 12th, 2023 1h 38m

In the pod's first-ever guest couple, Rabbi Shlomo and Devorah Soroka take the hosts through their early married years in St. Louis and subsequent move to Chicago, where Rabbi Soroka entered the political realm as the Agudah's director of gover

Minor Annoyances and Major Summer Plans

May 30th, 2023 1h 2m

J3 gets together with their esteemed producer at an undisclosed location somewhere between Lake Michigan and the Pacific Ocean to vent about recent frustrations, go over summer plans, and engage in a seemingly endless discussion on favorite sum

‘Gimme Shelter’: The Saga of Hanzel

May 18th, 2023 1h 15m

J3 welcomes Harry Friedman to discuss his feeding and sheltering the community over the years - from the Milk Pail to Champion Roofing.

From Kiev to Touhy: A Refusenik’s Journey

May 10th, 2023 1h 14m

Rabbi Eliezer Dimarsky recounts his upbringing in Soviet-occupied Ukraine, becoming a refusenik and his fascinating journey that brought him to Chicago where he founded and leads the Russian-speaking community and Heritage. Also, the hosts woul

Dr. Jonathan Rich: From CJR to McDreamy to Coach

Apr 28th, 2023 1h 39m

Dr. Jonathan Rich reminisces on his youthful indiscretions while growing up with Yoel and Josh, before taking us through his medical and teaching career, including his time as an expert witness for the prosecution in the trial over George Floyd

Post-Pesach Wrap-up

Apr 19th, 2023 1h

Jordan calls for an emergency meeting with Yoel, producer Aaron, and a very triggered and sleep deprived Josh, in order to review their respective Pesach experiences and consider the latest disappointing Bulls season. Also, Aaron relates a dist

Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky: Pulpit and Principal

Apr 9th, 2023 1h 11m

Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky joins the pod in a wide-ranging episode to discuss his passion for education, his leadership of K.I.N.S., Chicago’s modern orthodoxy and religious Zionism past and present, and being an interim principal of Ida Crown fo

Rivkie Esformes Bass: Back Onstage

Mar 30th, 2023 1h 3m

J3 welcome very special guest Rivkie Esformes to talk about her Ladino roots, raising her children, her music career, her quest to build an eruv in Evanston, and her famous father, Rabbi Morris Esformes.

Pesach Preview: Two Will Be Local, One Will Not

Mar 27th, 2023 1h 3m

After a short hiatus, Yoel rejoins the pod to share his thoughts on the Sheldon Kane interview, before the boys introduce the new podcast name, break down Josh's special gift to an Australian Bulls fan he met on Twitter, discuss Pesach plans an

Sheldon Kane and the Untold Story of Slice of Life

Mar 17th, 2023 1h 11m

Sheldon Kane, who owned and operated Kosher dairy restaurant Slice of Life in Skokie for 35+ years, as well as the fleishig Hy Life Bistro next door, takes us through his life and career, and divulges the previously untold story behind Slice's