Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories
Chana Weisberg hosts this interview series, talking with everyday people whose lives hold remarkable stories. Each episode reveals personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs that inspire and uplift. The podcast offers a rotating library of past conversations as well as new releases, celebrating the extraordinary within the ordinary.
Episodes
I Wanted to Die. Judaism Saved Me.
Abuse drove Danit to the edge. A bad relationship led her to a Passover Seder, where she discovered Judaism and a healthy relationship with G-d and herself.
When Terrorists Shot Her Dad, She Found Her Voice
The daughter of Bondi hero Reuven Morrison, Sheina Gutnick tells about her miraculous birth, how her father lived with joy and faith, and how she's become a fearless warrior against antisemitism and misinformation.
The Singer Who Almost Never Sang
Shaindy Plotzker is a queen of the women-only stage. But she once was too shy to sing and preferred to teach. A medical scare gave her the inspiration she needed to start inspiring others.
I Never Dreamed I'd Marry a Religious Jew
She was born Jewish, but her mother had unwittingly gotten her involved in church. Could she reclaim Judaism as her own?
My Son Almost Burned to Death!
There were times of great struggle and doubt, but the Benjamin family surrounded themselves with a loving community, positivity, and the stubborn faith that things would turn out OK.
She Prayed to Die and Learned to Live
Raised in a strict Christian home, Chaya Rivka was abused and afraid. Then she discovered her father's Jewish heritage and became a Jew herself, today living in Israel with dozens of grandchildren.
The Queen of Cleveland
Two sisters share what it was like to be raised by a woman who literally put her life on the line for Judaism in the Soviet Union time and time again.
Kabbalist Tells All
Rabbi Dr. Laibl Wolf opens up about being the child of survivors and how the Rebbe guided his career in teaching the secrets of the Torah.
A Secret Mission From My Neighbor, the Rebbe
A fatal car accident, infidelity, and a kind rebbetzin catapulted Hensha from Ohio to Chasidic Brooklyn, where she married a widower with five children and settled across the street from the Rebbe.
This Jew Spent 20 Years in an Ashram
A "chance" encounter with a rabbi and a medical scare rekindled Arnie Herz's Jewish soul and inspired him to live a full Jewish life and share it it with others.
I Almost Converted to Islam!
A rising performer, Deborah Jacobi pined for spirituality. A meal in a sukkah and meeting the Rebbe changed her course forever.
Syncing With My Soulmate
After she left a Christian cult, she reconnected with her boyfriend--now husband--and embarked on a life journey of sharing Judaism with others.
My Daughter Gave Birth While Her Husband Was Dying
When tragedy struck, the rabbi needed to find inner strength, faith, and focus to be there for his daughter, his grandchildren, and most of all himself.
Full Circle in the Arctic Circle
When this Air Force chaplain was sent to remote Greenland, he knew it was G-d's will. He also knew he had a lot of preparing to do.
I Was a Missionary, But It Felt All Wrong!
Raised by a mother who was struggling with mental health issues, Leah turned to the church for support. A trip to Israel (and a lot of conversations) finally helped her find her way back to Judaism.
The Prison Rabbi
Rabbi Binyomin Scheiman shares about how he sees the good in every person and every circumstance and built a community of ex-criminals.
She Raised Her 7 Orphan Siblings
Now a successful real estate broker and philanthropist, Naomi Streicher shares her personal approach to challenges, charity, setbacks, and faith.
The Rebbe's 99-Year-Old Cousin
Rebbetzin Hadassah (Schneerson) Carlebach shares about her father's heroism under Communism and during the Holocaust, how they rebuilt their lives afterward, and what gives her satisfaction today.
I Begged the Rebbe to Come to My Wedding
Rabbi Shabse Alpern was a kid from Brooklyn, whom the Rebbe sent to Brazil. Hear how the Rebbe's blessings, directives, and lessons have been the guiding light of his life.
My Jewish Identity: Made in China
Yaakov Schy spent years living and working in rural Asia, where he discovered that everyone had a tribal identity except for him. That led him to rediscover Judaism.
I Was in a Coma and the Doctors Gave Up on Me
Nikki's turnaround came when a rabbi came into her room with a shofar. She went on to publish his book after he was murdered by terrorists.
How a Baptist Girl from the Deep South Became a Chabad Rebbetzin
It took a trip to Germany and a lot of self-discovery for Eliana to find her place in the Jewish community. Today, together with her husband, she leads a small Jewish community in South Africa.
The Man Behind Jews for Judaism
Rabbi Kravitz shares how he almost fell prey to missionaries in college and how he devoted his life's work to equipping Jews with the knowledge and confidence they need to stand up for their faith.
My Baby Died on the Operating Table
After experiencing searing loss, Elissa Felder found comfort in caring for the departed. When her grandchild died decades later, she needed to do the unimaginable.
The Rabbi and the Skinhead
Cameron was steeped in white supremacy and neo-Nazi hate. In prison, he met a Chabad chaplain, and his life changed forever.
Miracle After Miracle Saved My Husband
When her husband felt chest pains, Lieba knew something was off. Little did she know how her faith in G-d would play a major role in helping him survive what would come their way.
The Pianist Who Chopped Off Her Finger
Katia Bolotin's unlikely journey from Friday night concerts to Shabbat observance had plenty of unexpected twists and turns along the way.
Hosting a Seder in a City Without Cars
Life lessons from welcoming thousands of visitors to the first ghetto in the world, making connections, and lighting up souls.
My Husband Has Not Said a Word for Over a Decade
Since the dreaded diagnosis, Dina and Rabbi Yitzi have emerged as a power couple whose faith, determination, wonder, and joy have inspired millions.
She Was Anti‑Religious, He Wasn't Jewish
How Divine providence, a car crash, a Shabbat table, and countless twists and turns brought two souls to Torah and to each other.
The Dutch Film Star Who Found Shabbat
Smadar Morag was acting, acting, and riding a wave of fame, but Judaism filled a hole in her soul she never knew existed.
How She Overcame Her Mother's Trauma
Rishe Deitsch, longtime editor of Chabad women's magazine, shares about her challenging childhood, her own triumphs, and what she's most proud of in her life.
No Contradiction: Torah and Science
Rabbi Yechiel Krisch details how his scientific expertise deepens his understanding of Torah and strengthens his faith, and how he maintains his proud Jewish identity in secular environments.
The Rebbe Guided My Life
A legendary Chassidic personality shares how the Rebbe remained a presence in her life ever since she first met him as a toddler in Paris.
The Ex-Convict With Real Conviction
Seeking connection, Yehudah fell in with gangs and crime. During his 24-year sentence, he discovered Judaism. Now married, Jewish, and educated, he is a social worker who empowers others to soar.
I Was Barely 20, But the Rebbe Believed in Me
Bassie Garelik shares about growing up in a Chassidic home in Pittsburgh and putting down roots with her Soviet-raised husband in far-off Italy, a task in which the Rebbe guided them every step of the way.
The Power Woman Behind 21 New Jewish Day Schools
How Holly Cohen decided to marry a Chassidic man and embrace her role as founder of Tamim Academy, which has branches from Burlington, Vermont to Victoria, BC, and more are opening every year.
Japan's Afghan-Jewish Fertility Expert
Rabbi Dr. Hertsel Simantov's life is anything but typical. Hear how he was raised in Kabul, educated in Israel, and ended up in Japan with the blessing of the Rebbe.
Beliefs Over Baseball
Ari and Elie Kligman are college baseball players with MLB aspirations. Learn how Chabad helps them balance Shabbat, Torah, kosher and competitive sports.
G-d Chose Me to be Shot by a Terrorist
Leibel Lazaroff was shot while protecting a police officer at the Bondi massacre. Hear him and his mother share their journey so far.
Bringing Light to Alaska's Darkest Days
Chani Wolf shares how she and her husband are lighting up souls in Fairbanks, Alaska, where winter feels like one endless, snowy night.
The Train Crash Was G-d's Message to Me
Hear from Keren how the Rebbe personally cared for her family after they left the Soviet Union and how she eventually discovered the beauty of Judaism.
We Lit the Menorah in Saddam's Palace
Moshe and Laurie Lans are a military couple--he in the Army and she in the Navy--currently stationed in Germany. They're also observant Jews, who use every opportunity to bring Judaism to their surroundings.
I Never Met a Jew Until I was 20
Rabbi Chananya Duthy's journey to Judaism is full of surprise twists and turns, with G-d's hand visible just beneath the surface, including guiding him to becoming a rabbi in the city he originally discovered Judaism.
Faith in a Foxhole
The Rebbe gave Sheldon Baer tefillin and told him to wear them every day. They saved his life in battle.
From Celebrity Journalist to Celebrating Judaism
Molly was a successful producer, rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. Then a Shabbat candle in Brazil turned her world upside down and introduced her to the Rebbe, who changed her life.
How I Survived My Son-in-Law's Death
Yehudis Karbal has been a psychotherapist for over 40 years. She needed all of her training and a good deal of Torah insight to make it through her personal challenges.
The Boy From the Outback
Artist Yitzchok Moully shares his journey from an Australian commune to Crown Heights, his Chassidic-inspired art, and how creativity ignites Jewish pride and resilience.
Divine Chemistry
A doctor of theoretical chemistry and professor at Boston University, Dr. Abrams opens up about how he found his way to Jewish observance and now paves the path for others to follow.
I Was a Mess Inside—Torah Showed Me The Way
Marriage, praise, and professional success could not give Shterna Ginsberg what she was looking for. Honest discovery and inner work unlocked the doors to her "awesome self."
The Israeli Musician Who Was Born a Russian Gentile
After she saw her Soviet-bred Jewish father embrace Judaism, she and her siblings followed. A performer since childhood, she now sings only for women and inspires audiences all over the world.
How He Turned Gangsters Into Graduates
Shimon's past as a bullied orphan prepared him to become a champion of underdogs and an empowering leader, who was knighted for his efforts.
Kosher Yoga?
Aryeh Siegel embraced Eastern meditation and Hindu practices before realizing how harmful they are. Now, he’s on a mission to save people from TM (Transcendental Meditation) and introduce them to kosher practices.
The Rebbe Made Me an Educator
Reflecting on her 50 years in education, Mrs. Teichtel shares how the Rebbe guided her toward education and uplifted her after losing a child in a hospital accident.
Accidental Talmudist Brings Shabbat to Hollywood
Learn how Sal and Nina Litvak discovered the beauty and depth of Judaism and have become a beacon of learning, inspiration, and guidance for millions.
Everything Went Up in Smoke—Except Our Lives
Rabbi Yitzchak Lerman talks about losing his home, synagogue, and worldy possessions but remains grateful that his family survived unscathed.
Mohammad's Jewish Grandson
The child of a Muslim father and Jewish mother, Yosef embraced his Jewish heritage and made the Torah his guiding light.
No Such Thing as Can't
With G-d at her side, Gitty Zee is unstoppable. Even spina bifida and blindness have not stopped her from living life to the fullest and empowering others to do the same.
“The World’s Most Outspoken Rabbi”
Rabbi Schochet shares his journey of defying expectations, embracing authenticity, and learning to crawl out of the shadow of his towering father.
I Was 17 When I Escaped
Now a grandmother many times over, Frumma Kulek looks back at how she found hope, acceptance, family, fufilment, and love when she was a teen mom stuck in an abusive relationship.
I Was Trapped Behind the Iron Curtain
Hear Silvia Fishbaum share how her second attempt to escape communist Czechoslovakia succeeded and how she uses her personal experience to educate the world about Judaism and Antisemitism
We Chose Judaism in Rural Montana
Gavriel and his late wife's Bible studies led them to embrace Judaism, which entailed driving 10 hours just to get kosher meat!
The Rebbe Saved My Marriage
Born in India to Persian Jews, Sarah Karmely was guided by the Rebbe to become an author, teacher, guide, and mentor to thousands, with lots of miracles and drama along the way.
My Escape From Iran
Rabbi Danny Yiftach was among hundreds of Persian Jewish children airlifted by Chabad to safety. Today he serves the Persian Jewish community in California and back in Iran.
From Tattoos to Teshuvah
As a young Jew, he inked his Jewish identity onto his skin. Then he deepened his connection to Judaism and adopted a full Jewish lifestyle--including educating others on the prohibition of getting a tattoo.
Skullcaps and Switchblades
How three college credits turned into three years in yeshiva and a lifetime of service, spiritual growth, and joy.
Tel Aviv Rabbi: My Visit to Iran
Rabbi Yosef Gerlitzky of Tel Aviv shares an on-the-ground update from the Home Front, as well as memories of his time as an emissary of the Rebbe to visit Iran and around the world.
When It's Not Happily Ever After
Hear how a former Christian minister married a convert, struggled to raise their Hassidic family, and grew through the mental illness and loss of their son.
From Grateful Dead to G-dly Life
Sara's journey took her through rock concerts, a Christian cult, and much more before she finally found her soulmate and calling as a Chabad leader and teacher in Manhattan.
Rising to the Challenge
Today, she is a world-renowned expert and author on challah. It all began when she found herself in Japan, expected to bake challah for hundreds. She has since found spirituality, tradition, and her own identity in baking and taking challah.
A Chinese Convert’s Global Odyssey of Faith
How a Jewish woman’s whirlwind journey—through six countries, guided by her mother’s quiet strength—led her from rural China to Israel and Europe.
Not a Joke
How one woman discovered Torah, battled depression, discovered her gift for comedy, became a medical clown, and healed herself and others one viral impression at a time.
From College Athlete to Abraham's Child
How a child of secular suburbia discovered his deeper identity as a "child of Abraham," transforming his life path from worldly success to spiritual fulfillment as a rabbi and Jewish educator.
Iron Dome to Everyday Miracles
Ari Sachar shares his journey as a rocket scientist and proud Jew, revealing the hidden miracles in both life and faith.
Loss, Love and Learning to Live
Master teacher Rabbi Yossi Paltiel shares how he was shaped by his father's orphanhood, losing his own four-year-old child, navigating grief with his wife, and finding strength in Chasidic teachings.
Finding Freedom in the Soviet Gulag
Natan Sharansky is a celebrated hero who challenged the Soviet empire. Learn how his Jewish identity and faith kept him courageous under the harshest of conditions.
The Rebbe Sent Me to Russia
A wide-ranging conversation with Bronya Shaffer that includes witnessing the Rebbe's reunion with his mother, the Rebbe's involvement in her marriage, speaking about taboo topics, being sent to Russia with a female companion, and finding strength in the tragic death of her husband.
The Secret to Your Life Mission
Creator of Project Purpose shares practical tips and philosophical signposts for your personal journey toward self-actualization and purposeful living based on the teachings of the Rebbe.
The Rapping Rabbi
Moshe Reuven's incredible spiritual journey included an NDE, topping the charts as a musician, business success, becoming a rabbi, and much more.
Blind Justice
Blind from birth, Richard Bernstein is a justice on the Supreme Court of Michigan, a marathon runner, disabilities advocate, and a Jew on a mission to make the world a better place.
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