In this powerful episode, Simi Polonsky, shares her journey through love, devastating loss, widowhood, remarriage, divorce, and rebuilding life with faith and honesty. She speaks openly about grief, anger at Hashem, motherhood, shame, resilience, and what it truly means to choose life when nothing feels certain. This conversation explores how to live with hope without waiting for things to work out, how to sit with pain without becoming a victim, and how faith can evolve through suffering. A raw, honest discussion about loss, healing, and finding beauty in the middle of the story — not the end. You can follow Simi on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelifeofsimi/?hl=en To contact Tzipora Grodko with suggestions, comments or questions, you can email: SOH@meaningfulminute.org or message her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tziporagrodko This episode was brought you in part by: ►PZ Deals Download The PZ Deals App and Never Pay Full Price Again https://app.pz.deals/install/soh ___________________________ ► Colel Chabad Pushka App The easiest way to give Tzedaka. https://pushkapp.cc/soh ___________________________ ►Pizza Biza Delight your guests with our expansive menu and a culinary experience that exceeds expectations. https://www.pizzabiza.com ___________________________ ►Shas 4 Shidduchim Shas for Shidduchim gathers hundreds of lomdim to complete Shas in 24 hours as a tremendous z’chus for Jewish singles to find their zivugim. Sponsor a daf for up to 3 people in need of a shidduch. A lomed is then assigned to learn in the z'chus of the names you submit. www.Shas4shidduchim.org ___________________________ ► B’Sefer Chayim When you get married—or marry off a child—you plan for the future. You make thoughtful choices. You lay the foundation for what comes next. Life insurance is one of the cheapest, simplest, smartest things you can do. Life insurance isn’t just a nice idea, it’s a basic. www.bseferchayim.org ___________________________ ►Meaningful Minute Plus Meaningful Minute Plus gives you access to exclusive video series, raw uncut podcast moments, behind-the-scenes with your favorite creators — plus original films, powerful documentaries, and live-streamed conversations you won’t see anywhere else. www.soh.plus

A father and son sit down for an unusually honest conversation about Jewish identity, continuity, and choice. Allen Horowitz was raised with a strong cultural Jewish pride but little religious observance; his son Meir grew up the same way, until a series of experiences slowly pulled him in a radically different direction. What begins as a familiar American Jewish story turns into something far more complex, touching on interfaith dating, generational expectations, and the quiet questions people are often afraid to ask out loud. As Meir’s curiosity deepens, through travel, community, and personal struggle, father and son find themselves navigating a widening gap in worldview while trying to preserve trust, respect, and love. This episode isn’t about convincing or converting; it’s about watching a relationship adapt in real time as one person changes and the other learns how to respond. A raw, thoughtful look at faith, fear, autonomy, and what it really means to support someone you love, even when their path isn’t the one you imagined. This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ► PZ Deals Download the app and never pay full price again! https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp ___________________________ ► Chesed 24/7 — RUN 24.7 Help keep Chesed rooms running in 30 hospitals Join the live 5K at American Dream Mall (Feb 22, 2026) or sign up as a raiser https://run4chesed.org ___________________________ ► Colel Chabad Pushka App The easiest way to give Tzedaka. https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful ___________________________ ►Rothenberg Law Firm Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation https://shorturl.at/JFKHH ___________________________ ►Givat Hashalva Givat Hashalvah is a new, vibrant, Torah-centered community rising in Givat Ze’ev, only 20 minutes from the heart of Yerushalayim. https://go.lyo.group/45mgCd1 ___________________________ ► Town Appliance Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp https://www.townappliance.com https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp ______________________________________ ► Meaningful Minute Plus Unlock exclusive video series, raw uncut podcast moments, and behind-the-scenes access with your favorite creators. New Plus episode now live with Siporah Sassoon. https://plus.meaningfulminute.org/ ___________________________ ► Pesach with Bordeaux 🌟 Pesach with Bordeaux 2026 is proudly partnered with Meaningful Minute to bring you amazing,inspiring and uplifting spiritual content this year! 🌟 Join us in Stamford, Connecticut for another spectacular, star-studded year ✨🍷 This year—experience true *relaxation*, where every detail is taken care of. 😌🌸 Rooms are filling quickly — don’t wait! 📞 Call/Text: 347-699-6120 🌐 www.pesachwithbordeaux.com 💬 Chat with us on WhatsApp! https://wa.me/13476996120

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What happens when two ambitious, thoughtful Jews—raised with identity but not observance—begin asking deeper questions about truth, purpose, and God? In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Jenna and Justin share their journeys back to Judaism, from college campuses and law school to Israel, yeshiva, marriage, and parenthood. They open up about the beauty and the struggle of becoming religious, navigating dating as baalei teshuva, building a marriage rooted in faith, and confronting real-life challenges like postpartum depression, identity shifts, career pressure, and spiritual comparison. With wisdom, vulnerability, and warmth, Jenna and Justin reflect on mentors, slow and sustainable growth, daily consistency, and what it truly means to serve Hashem in the trenches of everyday life. This episode is for anyone who’s searching, growing, questioning, or simply trying to live with more intention—right where they are. You can contact Jenna and Justin Maio via email: jenna@modernjewishgirl.com For any questions or suggestions please email us at SOH@meaningfulminute.org This episode is sponsored by: ► Colel Chabad Pushka App The easiest way to give Tzedaka. https://pushkapp.cc/soh ___________________________ ►Pizza Biza Delight your guests with our expansive menu and a culinary experience that exceeds expectations. https://www.pizzabiza.com ___________________________ ►Shas 4 Shidduchim Shas for Shidduchim gathers hundreds of lomdim to complete Shas in 24 hours as a tremendous z’chus for Jewish singles to find their zivugim. Sponsor a daf for up to 3 people in need of a shidduch. A lomed is then assigned to learn in the z'chus of the names you submit. www.Shas4shidduchim.org ___________________________ ► Meaningful Minute Plus Meaningful Minute Plus gives you access to exclusive video series, raw uncut podcast moments, behind-the-scenes with your favorite creators — plus original films, powerful documentaries, and live-streamed conversations you won’t see anywhere else. www.soh.plus

Four years ago, Shaina’s life changed forever. Her husband, Yaakov—beloved, successful, devoted, admired—took his own life. In this raw and deeply moving conversation, Shaina speaks openly about what it’s like to live through a tragedy that many are forced to hide, but she was never given the option to silence. She shares the painful reality of loving someone who was suffering invisibly, the strength it took to keep moving forward, and the unexpected blessing of authenticity in the aftermath. This episode goes beyond grief. It confronts the stigma around mental illness in the Jewish community, the cost of suffering in silence, and the courage it takes to talk when no one else will. Shaina challenges how we view suicide—not as weakness, but as a battle fought daily—and why telling the truth may be the only way to prevent the next tragedy. This is not an easy listen. But it is a necessary one. For mental health resources and content please visit https://behindthefaces.org This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ► PZ Deals - Download the app and never pay full price again! https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp _______________________________________ ► Colel Chabad Pushka App - The easiest way to give Tzedaka https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful _______________________________________ ►Rothenberg Law Firm Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation https://shorturl.at/JFKHH ______________________________________ ► Town Appliance - Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp https://www.townappliance.com https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp ______________________________________ ► Dream Raffle Win a brand new and fully furnished $1,200,000 apartment in Yerushalayim! Use Promo code MPP for $10 off and to receive double tickets! https://thedreamraffle.com/ ______________________________________ ► Pesach with Bordeaux 🌟 Pesach with Bordeaux 2026 is proudly partnered with Meaningful Minute to bring you amazing,inspiring and uplifting spiritual content this year! 🌟 Join us in Stamford, Connecticut for another spectacular, star-studded year ✨🍷 This year—experience true *relaxation*, where every detail is taken care of. 😌🌸 Rooms are filling quickly — don’t wait! 📞 Call/Text: 347-699-6120 🌐 www.pesachwithbordeaux.com 💬 Chat with us on WhatsApp! https://wa.me/13476996120 Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro & Trigger Warning 3:00 – Episode Starts 6:01 – The Morning Everything Changed 10:26 – Finding Yaakov 14:58 – Choosing Truth Over Hiding 18:39 – Mental Illness Is an Illness 22:02 – “He Had Everything” 26:20 – Hiding Rehab and the Cost of Secrecy 31:19 – Pain That No One Sees 37:06 – Grief, Meaning, and Becoming a Voice 45:51 – “He Was a Hero” 53:54 – Children, Trauma, and Collateral Damage 1:01:31 – A Message to Anyone Struggling 1:07:35 – Finding the Right Help (and Avoiding Bad Help) 1:11:20 – Why Shame Makes Things Worse 1:15:40 – What the Community Is Missing 1:20:10 – Being a Lighthouse for Others 1:24:30 – Resources, Triage, and Real Support 1:28:45 – Turning Pain Into Responsibility 1:32:30 – Final Thoughts on Holding On

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What does it mean to create hope while still living in pain? In this deeply honest and powerful conversation, Haddasa Manela shares her extraordinary journey of building and leading Bonei Olam of Florida while navigating more than a decade of infertility and loss. Instead of waiting for her own “happy ending,” Hadassah chose to act — raising millions of dollars, funding treatments for countless couples, and helping bring over 100 babies into the world. With vulnerability, clarity, and courage, Haddasa speaks about grief, bitterness, faith, taking breaks, setting boundaries, and finding purpose even when the answers don’t come. This episode is not about easy miracles or neat resolutions — it’s about resilience, honesty, and the quiet strength of continuing to show up. If you’ve ever felt unseen, stuck in waiting, or unsure how to keep moving forward when life doesn’t unfold as planned, this conversation will make you feel understood — and less alone. You can reach out via email: Haddasamanela@gmail.com or Boneiolamflorida@gmail.com Or follow Hadassa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bydaza or via email: https://www.instagram.com/boneiolam_florida for more information visit: www.Charidy.com/knockout www.Boneiolam.org/florida This episode is sponsored by: ► Colel Chabad Pushka App The easiest way to give Tzedaka. https://pushkapp.cc/soh ___________________________ ►Pizza Biza Delight your guests with our expansive menu and a culinary experience that exceeds expectations. https://www.pizzabiza.com ___________________________ ►Shas 4 Shidduchim Shas for Shidduchim gathers hundreds of lomdim to complete Shas in 24 hours as a tremendous z’chus for Jewish singles to find their zivugim. Sponsor a daf for up to 3 people in need of a shidduch. A lomed is then assigned to learn in the z'chus of the names you submit. www.Shas4shidduchim.org ___________________________ ►JCCGCI Holocaust Survivors Need You Now! For over 50 years, JCCGCI is one of the largest providers of Holocaust survivor support services in the world. Their programs are designed to help survivors maintain their independence and dignity while living in their own homes. There are approximately 10,000 Holocaust survivors living in New York City today- and every day, JCCGCI sees survivors struggling to afford food, heat, medical care, transportation, and homecare. They cannot wait. 👉Please Donate and Support the Light Up Their Lives campaign at: www.JCCGCI.org/lightuptheirlives

In this powerful episode, David Lichtenstein opens up about wealth, success, failure, and what truly gives life meaning. From business setbacks and rebuilding, to philanthropy, community responsibility, and personal resilience, this conversation challenges how we define success and where our real value comes from. It’s an honest look at money, pressure, ego, and purpose, through a deeply Jewish lens grounded in lived experience. The discussion goes far beyond finances, touching on tzedakah, leadership, cancel culture, failure, healing from trauma, Israel, and the responsibility to speak about uncomfortable but necessary topics. This is a raw, thoughtful conversation about courage, clarity, and living with conviction, even when it’s unpopular. This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ► Colel Chabad Pushka App The easiest way to give Tzedaka https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful _______________________________________ ► Torah Umesorah Torah Umesorah equips teachers and schools to help every child thrive, support this work and help strengthen Jewish education by donating today. https://content.jcn.io/MeaningfulMinuteTU _______________________________________ ► 7th Heaven Chocolate high-quality, dairy-free chocolate that’s ethically sourced and seriously good. use code MPPfree for free shipping https://www.7thheavenchocolate.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoryFUtu_BwTX2aYLCwtf8ykSbfR4dcurwUZAS8p_C2ftD7WyjNN _______________________________________ ► 7th Heaven Chocolate high-quality, dairy-free chocolate that’s ethically sourced and seriously good. use code MPPfree for free shipping https://www.7thheavenchocolate.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoryFUtu_BwTX2aYLCwtf8ykSbfR4dcurwUZAS8p_C2ftD7WyjNN _______________________________________ ►Rothenberg Law Firm Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation https://shorturl.at/JFKHH ______________________________________ ► Town Appliance Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp https://www.townappliance.com https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp ______________________________________ ► Dream Raffle Win a brand new and fully furnished $1,200,000 apartment in Yerushalayim! Use Promo code MPP for $10 off and to receive double tickets! https://thedreamraffle.com/ _____________________________________ ► Pesach with Bordeaux 🌟 Pesach with Bordeaux 2026 is proudly partnered with Meaningful Minute to bring you amazing,inspiring and uplifting spiritual content this year! 🌟 Join us in Stamford, Connecticut for another spectacular, star-studded year ✨🍷 This year, experience true relaxation, where every detail is taken care of. 😌🌸 Rooms are filling quickly, don’t wait! 📞 Call/Text: 347-699-6120 🌐 www.pesachwithbordeaux.com 💬 Chat with us on WhatsApp! https://wa.me/13476996120 Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:32 Early life and background 3:47 “My father was wealthy without money” 4:57 Wealth as a shallow metric of success 6:52 Community, comparison, and status 8:35 The sequoia trees and interlocking roots 10:06 Tablecloths, envy, and social pressure 11:50 Maaser and “show me the data” 13:13 Who the real community heroes are 14:14 Are rabbeim underpaid? 16:09 Giving tzedakah responsibly 17:32 Giving with your body vs your wallet 18:43 The burning palace and human responsibility 21:26 Applause, self-worth, and identity 23:05 The “levaya rule” and ignoring pressure 26:52 Pressure on major donors 29:30 Speaking about abuse, suicide, and taboo topics 34:01 Cancel culture in the frum world 40:17 Media, Zionism, and controversial conversations 47:38 Losing everything and rebuilding through Torah 51:47 Turning failure into fuel 56:55 Teshuva, forgiveness, and accountability 1:00:26 Israel, yeshiva world, and survival 1:07:40 Rav Gustman story and defending life

In this deeply moving and honest conversation, Chana and Meir Horowitz share a story that unfolds at the intersection of love, loss, faith, and resilience. They take us through their very first dates, their vastly different backgrounds, and the powerful connection they felt almost instantly — only to have everything change when Chana’s mother suddenly passed away in the middle of their dating journey. What followed was grief, uncertainty, and some of the hardest questions a couple can face early on: Do we continue? Can we hold space for pain and still build a future? Together, Chana and Meir speak candidly about navigating shidduchim through loss, dating while grieving, choosing love in the face of fear, and how struggle can become a source of profound depth and light. Chana also opens up about her journey through an eating disorder, healing, and self-worth — offering hope and guidance to anyone silently struggling. This episode is raw, compassionate, and deeply validating for anyone who has faced heartbreak, loss, or felt “too broken” to be loved. It’s a conversation about choosing life, choosing growth, and trusting that even the hardest descents can lead to the greatest ascents. You can contact Chana and Meir via email: Info.dayinmyjewishlife@gmail.com and zackhorowitzwfs@gmail.com and you can find them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayinmyjewishlife/ This episode is sponsored by: ► Colel Chabad Pushka App The easiest way to give Tzedaka. https://pushkapp.cc/soh ___________________________ ►Pizza Biza Delight your guests with our expansive menu and a culinary experience that exceeds expectations. https://www.pizzabiza.com ___________________________ ►Shas 4 Shidduchim Shas for Shidduchim gathers hundreds of lomdim to complete Shas in 24 hours as a tremendous z’chus for Jewish singles to find their zivugim. Sponsor a daf for up to 3 people in need of a shidduch. A lomed is then assigned to learn in the z'chus of the names you submit. www.Shas4shidduchim.org ___________________________ ►JCCGCI - Holocaust Survivors Need You Now! For over 50 years, JCCGCI is one of the largest providers of Holocaust survivor support services in the world. Their programs are designed to help survivors maintain their independence and dignity while living in their own homes. There are approximately 10,000 Holocaust survivors living in New York City today- and every day, JCCGCI sees survivors struggling to afford food, heat, medical care, transportation, and homecare. They cannot wait. 👉Please Donate and Support the Light Up Their Lives campaign at: www.JCCGCI.org/lightuptheirlives

What goes through a person’s mind when they’re told—before even stepping into the courtroom—that they’ve been sentenced to 27 years in prison? In this raw and deeply moving conversation, Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin takes us inside the moments that changed his life forever: hearing the sentence, choosing emunah over despair, surviving years behind bars, and ultimately witnessing a miracle no one expected. This is not just a story about prison or justice—it’s a masterclass in faith under fire, resilience in the face of total powerlessness, and what it truly means to trust Hashem when there is no visible way out. From the courtroom to solitary confinement, from despair to unexpected freedom, Rubashkin shares how emunah transformed punishment into purpose—and why the greatest freedom begins long before the prison doors open. A story of darkness, light, and the strength to keep believing when everything says not to. This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ► PZ Deals - Download the app and never pay full price again! https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp _______________________________________ ►Blooms Kosher Bring you the best Kosher products worldwide. https://bloomskosher.com ______________________________________ ► Colel Chabad Pushka App - The easiest way to give Tzedaka https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful _______________________________________ ► Lalechet We're a team of kosher travel experts, here to carry you off to your dream destination swiftly, safely, and seamlessly in an experience you will forever cherish. https://www.lalechet.com _______________________________________ ►Rothenberg Law Firm Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation https://shorturl.at/JFKHH ______________________________________ ► Town Appliance - Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp https://www.townappliance.com https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp ______________________________________ ► Dream Raffle Win a brand new and fully furnished $1,200,000 apartment in Yerushalayim! Use Promo code MPP for $10 off and to receive double tickets! https://thedreamraffle.com/ ______________________________________ ► Pesach with Bordeaux 🌟 Pesach with Bordeaux 2026 is proudly partnered with Meaningful Minute to bring you amazing,inspiring and uplifting spiritual content this year! 🌟 Join us in Stamford, Connecticut for another spectacular, star-studded year ✨🍷 This year—experience true *relaxation*, where every detail is taken care of. 😌🌸 Rooms are filling quickly — don’t wait! 📞 Call/Text: 347-699-6120 🌐 www.pesachwithbordeaux.com 💬 Chat with us on WhatsApp! https://wa.me/13476996120 _______________________________________ Editing team: Sruly Saftlas Shneur Novack _______________________________________ Chapters: 00:00 – Finding Out About the 27-Year Sentence 02:02 – Expecting a Year… Hearing “27 Years” 03:50 – Emunah in the Moment Everything Breaks 06:26 – Walking Into Court Already Knowing 07:35 – Choosing “Nisayon,” Not Trauma 10:00 – The Reality of Sentencing Day 10:35 – Treated Like a Number 12:00 – Solitary Confinement After Sentencing 13:05 – “You Committed a Crime” — Responding to Critics 15:15 – Was the Sentence Ever About Justice? 17:09 – Felon for Life? Living After Prison 18:16 – Regrets and Being Made a Target 19:44 – Jews in Business & Racial Profiling 23:36 – The Call That Changed Everything 26:56 – When All Appeals Are Gone 29:55 – “Rubashkin, Get Out” 30:43 – The Pardon: “You’re a Free Man” 32:01 – Trusting Hashem Before the Miracle 33:33 – “It Couldn’t Have Happened Any Other Way” 37:23 – Choosing a New Life Mission 38:46 – The Call to His Wife 42:08 – Walking Out Without Chains 43:50 – The Gas Station Dance 47:10 – Returning Home to Thousands 54:55 – Life After the Celebration 59:58 – Probation Ends on Pesach 1:01:48 – Final Message: Emunah, Bitachon & Business 1:07:38 – Facing the Judge Again?

Surviving the Bondi Beach Terror Attack | Meaningful People Podcast A Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach turned into a scene of terror. In this episode of the **Meaningful People Podcast**, we sit with a father and community leader who survived the **Bondi Beach terror attack**. His children were nearby. What he first thought were fireworks quickly became gunshots. Within moments, people were running, hiding, and falling. He shares, in real time, what it was like to be there: – realizing the danger – hiding with his daughter – searching desperately for his son – trying to help the wounded while protecting his child This conversation was recorded shortly after the attack, while the pain was still raw. It is honest, emotional, and unfiltered. We also speak about what came next. Lighting the menorah that night. Explaining fear to children. Holding onto faith and responsibility when everything feels shaken. This episode is not about headlines or politics. It’s about survival, parenthood, community, and choosing light in the aftermath of terror. Our hearts are with all those affected by this attack, including the family of Rabbi Elie Schlinger, a beloved husband, father, and community leader who was killed. A link to support the Schlinger family is included below, as mentioned in the episode. If this story resonates, please consider sharing it. Support the Schlinger family: https://www.charidy.com/elischlanger/613Help?utm_source=15mp