Jew-ish: Where Everyone Belongs

Episode 10: Hard Work and Heritage with Andrew Kent

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:15:00 -0400

On this episode, Daniel Herz sits down with Andrew Kent, the incoming chair of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.Andrew opens up how he has carved his path through a dedication to hard work from an early age. Learn all about his inspiring journey from being the smallest kid on the football field to navigating a demanding Wall Street trading career and eventually taking the helm of his family's multi-generational ShopRite business. Daniel and Andrew also dive into Andrew's deep-rooted dedication to philanthropy, shaped by his remarkable family history of service. The episode also delves into Andrew's vision as he steps into his new leadership role at Federation.

Proudly sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey!

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Episode 9: The Business of Giving Back: Investing, Intuition & Philanthropy with Leon & Jodi Cooperman

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

On this very special episode, Daniel Herz sits down with legendary investor Leon Cooperman and his daughter-in-law Jodi Cooperman to discuss their multi-generational approach to Jewish philanthropy and the profound impact of signing The Giving Pledge and the Jewish Future Pledge. Leon shares his journey from the southeast Bronx to Goldman Sachs, explaining his philosophy of giving away wealth while alive, while Jodi details her work funding core organizations like Birthright and the Youth Renewal Fund in Israel. Tune in to hear not only a story of Jewish success, but one of recycling that wealth back into society to make the world a better place, in this inspiring episode proudly sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey!

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Episode 8: "Killed or Kidnapped?" — A Nahariya Mom on Raising Kids Under Rocket Fire Since October 7th

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Daniel Herz welcomes Ravit Steinmetz-Shemla, Director of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey's Israel Office and the Federation's point person in our sister city of Nahariya, for a deeply personal conversation about life in Israel in the nearly three years since October 7th. Daniel and Ravit reflect on what it means to live, raise a family, and lead a community on Israel's northern front line, just five miles from the Lebanon border.

Learn all about how Nahariya became the new front line after the 60,000 residents to its north were evacuated, what daily life looks like with only seconds to reach a bomb shelter, and how a mother carries on while her sons serve in the IDF. Ravit shares her journey south to Nova, the long and painful fight to bring the hostages home, and the mental health toll a nation continues to face. She also dives into the profound sense of resilience and purpose that carry her and the community forward. As Ravit reminds us, it takes the whole Jewish people to raise a country.

As an added highlight, this episode also spotlights the "Heroines of October 7" exhibit, which features fifty portraits honoring the women who defended Israel. Ravit helped bring the exhiibit from Nahariya to New Jersey for its U.S. debut. It is a moving and powerful conversation about courage, connection, and the unbreakable bond between Northern New Jersey and Israel.

As usual, this episode is proudly sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey!

Show Notes:

Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey — https://jfnnj.org/

Nahariya, our sister city / Israel engagement — https://jfnnj.org/advocates-and-supports-israel/

The "Heroines of October 7" Exhibit

Exhibit event page — https://jfnnj.org/events/heroines-of-october-7th-art-exhibit/

Episode 7: Choosing Jewish Joy: Building Community at the Kaplen JCC with Michael Kollender & Sue Gelsey

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Daniel Herz welcomes Michael Kollender, Board Chair, and Sue Gelsey, CEO, of the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades as they reflect on the center's 75th anniversary. Daniel, Michael, and Sue dive into the importance of shifting the community's narrative away from focusing solely on anti-Semitism and toward joyful, positive Jewish engagement, or, what they call "Jewish joy."

Learn all about the Kaplen JCC's incredible reach (nearly one million visits through its doors annually), how the JCC serves as a "community of communities," and how it serves everyone from children learning to swim to seniors forming a tight knit friend groups. As an added bonus, this episode also features a bit of breaking news regarding the JCC's future, with the announcement of an upcoming capital campaign to build a brand new Campus East to support their massive growth.

It is another inspiring conversation about leadership, community building, and making a lasting impact. Proudly sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey!

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Episode 6: The Problem Solver: Bipartisanship & Combating Hate with Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Wed, 20 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Daniel Herz sits down with Rep. Josh Gottheimer, the pragmatic leader representing New Jersey's 5th congressional district.

Daniel and Congressman Gottheimer dive into the congressman's incredible journey, his deeply rooted Jewish values, and his lifelong passion for public service, entrepreneurship, and giving back to the community. Rep. Gottheimer shares his approach to bridging the political divide as he and Daniel discuss the importance of having constructive conversations to tackle real problems like skyrocketing utility costs and rising antisemitism. Tune in for an energizing conversation about leadership and unity! Proudly sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

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Episode 5: How Legislative Advocacy Combats Rising Antisemitism w/ Matt Dikovics

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:15:00 -0400

Daniel Herz welcomes public affairs expert Matt Dikovics to explore the critical role of legislative advocacy in combating rising antisemitism. Learn all about the importance of programs like the Nonprofit Security Grant and Kosher Meals on Wheels, the ongoing fight to standardly define and combat hate by passing the IHRA definition of antisemitism, and why reaching out to your local legislator truly makes a massive difference. This episode proudly sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

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Episode 4: Guiding the Next Generation of Jews with Rabbi Jeremy Ruberg

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

On this episode, Daniel Herz is joined by Rabbi Jeremy Ruberg, the Rabbi for Lifelong Learning at Temple Emanu-El of Closter to discuss what it means to "light the candle of engagement," for young Jews. From the complexities of raising kids in today's digital world to an explanation of Rabbi Jeremy's "Gym Theory" of Jewish life, this episode tackles a plethora of issues facing parents, youth, and all of us looking to cultivate community. This episode is proudly sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

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Episode 3: The Fight Against Hate: Security and Solidarity with Jason Shames

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

On this episode, Daniel Herz is joined by Jason Shames, Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey for a discussion on the current state of safety, security, and solidarity within the Jewish community in New Jersey and across North America.

Despite the heavy challenges presented by hate and antisemitism, Jason highlights the incredible positive impact of Federation's work, from funding lifesaving bomb shelters in northern Israel and providing over a million dollars annually for senior nutrition, to helping connect the area's 125,000 Jewish residents. Plus, so many more inspiring stories and ways anyone can get involved in strengthening our Jewish community here in New Jersey and around the globe!

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Sponsored by: Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey

Episode 2: The Mission

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:15:00 -0400

Daniel Herz sits down with community leader Donna Weintraub for a powerful and deeply personal conversation following their recent mission to Israel as board members of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

Together, they explore what “the mission” truly means, not just as a trip but as a responsibility and a call to action. Through firsthand reflections, Daniel and Donna share unforgettable encounters, including the courage of a Nova festival survivor who faced unimaginable terror, and the strength of Meirav Leshem Gonen, a mother turned global advocate for her kidnapped son.

This episode is both moving and inspiring, highlighting how ordinary individuals rise to extraordinary moments and how each of us can play a role in supporting Israel and one another during challenging times.

If you are looking for stories of resilience, purpose, and impact, this is a conversation you will not want to miss.

Learn how you can get involved: https://JewsforNJ.org

Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jfnnj

Episode 1: What Are We Doing Here: Uniting the New Jersey Jewish Community & Combating Antisemitism

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:00:00 -0400

So this is episode one of Jew-ish: Where Everyone Belongs! You are probably asking yourself, WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? Well, this new Jews for NJ podcast is hosted by Chair, Board of Trustees’ of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, Daniel Herz, and in this inaugural episode, Daniel welcomes Laura Freeman, the lead of Jews for NJ and Managing Director of marketing & communications at the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, as they put a spotlight on the urgent need to unite New Jersey's 600,000+ Jewish residents and how we can get everyone to feel more connected and be collectively heard!

Tune in as Daniel and Laura discuss discuss real-world incidents of rising anti-semitism, including a recent incident involving influencer like Dave Portnoy, as well as the highly organized anti-Israel protests happening on college campuses. They also break down the "horseshoe effect," exploring how the extreme left and extreme right are finding common ground in their hatred of Jewish people.

Learn how Jews for NJ is empowering the community to take collective action and discover how you can get involved, volunteer, and proudly support the diaspora. This episode is proudly sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

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Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jfnnj