Meaningful People

Nachi Gordon sits down with Sam Gordon (no relation), who spent 30 years as an evangelical pastor in Nigeria and South Africa, leading congregations of over a thousand people and preaching to followers across Africa. In 2011, a dream he couldn't shake set him on a path of pro-Israel rallies and conferences across Africa, until a Jewish tour guide in Nazareth told him, "We could be friends, but not brothers."
 
Sam shares the book he found on the flight home that changed everything, keeping Shabbos and kosher in secret with his family, the Sunday he shut down his own church, being turned away by the Beth Din three times, and how his whole family, along with 17 people from his former congregation, converted. Today he lives in Har Nof and is finishing his smicha.
 
This episode is sponsored by:
 
► PZ Deals
 
Never pay full price again when you download the PZ Deals app.
 
https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp
 
_________________
 
► Colel Chabad Pushka App: The easiest way to give Tzedaka.
 
https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful
 
_________________
 
► Ceremian Financial
 
Advice built on experience. Moshe Alpert and Ceremian Financial are fiduciary financial advisors offering wealth management, financial planning, retirement planning, and estate and legacy planning for families, professionals and business owners, so you can have real peace of mind that your finances are taken care of. Schedule your first conversation today.
 
https://ceremianfinancial.com/
 
Moshe@ceremianfinancial.com
 
718-644-1594
 
_________________
 
► Dream Raffle
 
Win a brand new, fully furnished $1.3 million apartment in Yerushalayim! Use promo code MPP for $10 off and double tickets.
 
https://thedreamraffle.com/
 
_________________
 
► Town Appliance
 
Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp.
 
https://www.townappliance.com
 
https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp
 
Timestamps:
 
0:00 Intro
2:48 Sam Gordon's Roots in Nigeria
5:03 Thirty Years as a Pastor and a Following Across Africa
8:51 The 2011 Dream: "It Is Time for Israel"
13:06 Searching for Answers and a Pro-Israel Conference in Norway
18:10 Rallies for Israel and the Africa Israel Initiative
24:49 Fighting Replacement Theology and Bringing Bishops to Israel
27:22 "We Could Be Friends, But Not Brothers"
29:06 An Identity Crisis and Two Chasidim on the Plane
32:02 Reading Every Jewish Book Sam Gordon Could Find
35:09 "I See Myself on the Pages": Jewish Customs in a Nigerian Tribe
38:35 Keeping Shabbos and Kosher in Secret
41:50 The Zionist Federation and Feeling the Void at Church
42:36 "No More Jesus": Chaos in the Congregation
44:07 Quitting Christianity Means Quitting a 30-Year Career
50:12 "I'm Sick and Tired of Living This Way"
52:26 Shutting Down the Church
54:04 Congregants Join and the Road to the Beth Din
57:52 Converting as a Family, Plus 17 More
58:58 Making Aliyah and Life in Har Nof
1:02:57 A Bracha From Rav Shalom Arush and How the Kids Handled It
1:05:33 Writing the Book and the People Sam Gordon's Story Inspired
1:08:16 Closing and Meaningful Minute Plus

Nachi Gordon sits down with Julia Blum, a singer, songwriter and Yale graduate who grew up performing in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, in a home where God simply wasn't part of the conversation. After a college interview left her unable to answer one question, "who are you?", a trip after graduation brought her to the Kotel and to a Shabbos table in the Old City, where one dropped platter changed the course of her life.
 
Julia shares what she found at Neve Yerushalayim, the choices she made about Shabbos, tznius and kol isha, why she stepped away from the stage for decades to be there for her kids, and what brought her back to music today.
 
This episode is sponsored by:
 
► PZ Deals
 
Never pay full price again when you download the PZ Deals app.
 
https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp
 
_________________
 
► Colel Chabad Pushka App
 
The easiest way to give Tzedaka.
 
https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful
 
_________________
 
► Ceremian Financial
 
Advice built on experience. Moshe Alpert and Ceremian Financial are fiduciary financial advisors offering wealth management, financial planning, retirement planning, and estate and legacy planning for families, professionals and business owners, so you can have real peace of mind that your finances are taken care of. Schedule your first conversation today.
 
https://ceremianfinancial.com/
 
Moshe@ceremianfinancial.com
 
718-644-1594
 
_________________
 
► Dream Raffle
 
Win a brand new, fully furnished $1.3 million apartment in Yerushalayim! Use promo code MPP for $10 off and double tickets.
 
https://thedreamraffle.com/
 
_________________
 
► Aura House
 
A sleek, flame free cold air diffuser that fills your home with a five star hotel scent, with no parabens or phthalates. Use code MEANINGFUL15 for 15% off.
 
https://aurahouse.com
 
_________________
 
► Town Appliance
 
Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp.
 
https://www.townappliance.com
 
https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp
 
 
Timestamps:
 
0:00 Intro
2:59 Growing Up a Child Performer in Los Angeles
8:07 Yale, Harvard and Knowledge Without Meaning
11:11 The Princeton Interview and the Questions No One Talks About
15:47 Growing Up Jewish Without Religion
23:12 Traveling Alone and a Home Without God
29:55 Skipping Paris for Israel and a Shabbos Meal in the Old City
33:34 The Dropped Platter That Changed Julia Blum's Life
36:08 The Mom Who Went to Yale and the Road to Neve Yerushalayim
40:47 Brainwashing Warnings and Planning an Escape From the Taxi
42:56 The First Day at Neve: Lech Lecha and Opening a Chumash
48:04 Learning Shabbos and Giving Up Broadway
51:58 Tznius: "I Have a Body, I'm Not a Body"
54:25 Kol Isha and Julia's Struggle With Hashem
56:28 Singing for a Sisterhood of Girls and Women
59:29 Always an Outsider: "I Dreamed of Being a Bais Yaakov Girl"
1:01:13 Stepping Away From the Stage for Her Family
1:03:12 Rav Moshe Weinberger and Julia's Return to Music
1:07:55 Each Child Gets Their Own Journey
1:11:39 How Julia's Parents Reacted to Her Becoming Frum
1:15:18 Closing and Meaningful Minute Plus

Nachi Gordon sits down with Dr. Moshe Glick, a dentist, Hatzalah volunteer and longtime pro-Israel activist from West Orange, New Jersey. On November 13, 2024, an anti-Israel mob marched on an event at Congregation Ohr Torah, and after yelling for police who never came, Moshe stepped in with the small flashlight in his hand to stop a man choking his 64-year-old friend David on the shul lawn. Weeks later, he got the call in a Jerusalem hotel room: four criminal charges, including a bias crime, and up to 10 years in prison.
Moshe takes us through being fingerprinted and mugshotted, the deal everyone begged him to take and why he refused to admit guilt, two grand jury indictments, the Department of Justice's first-ever FACE Act case to protect a house of worship, and the pardon that came on Governor Phil Murphy's last morning in office. He also shares why he's now going on the offense with David's Sling, the moments he calls hugs from Hashem along the way, and his message for anyone going through a crisis of their own.
This episode is sponsored by:
► PZ Deals
Never pay full price again when you download the PZ Deals app.
https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp
_________________
► Colel Chabad Pushka App
The easiest way to give Tzedaka.
https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful
_________________
► Chesed 24/7 Run 24/7
On Sunday, November 15, join Chesed 24/7 for Run 24/7 at the American Dream Mall, a 5K walk or run for women and girls, with a new track this year for ages 11 to 14. Enjoy brunch on the go plus exclusive access to the DreamWorks Water Park from 9 to 11 a.m., all supporting Chesed 24/7's hospital rooms and meals for patients and their families. Transportation is available from Brooklyn, Monsey, Lakewood and the Five Towns. Registration closes November 7.
https://chesed247-psi.vercel.app/?utm_source=MM&utm_id=Chesed24-7
_________________
► Ceremian Financial
Advice built on experience. Moshe Alpert and Ceremian Financial are fiduciary financial advisors offering wealth management, financial planning, retirement planning, and estate and legacy planning for families, professionals and business owners, so you can have real peace of mind that your finances are taken care of. Schedule your first conversation today.
https://ceremianfinancial.com/
Moshe@ceremianfinancial.com
718-644-1594
_________________
► Adopt-A-Soldier
When an injured IDF soldier comes home, recovery is just the beginning. Adopt-A-Soldier connects you directly with a wounded soldier and their family for one year of personal connection and financial support, and 100% of your donation goes straight to them with no administrative fees. Every soldier is vetted by volunteers at Sheba Medical Center (Tel HaShomer). Join their buffet reception featuring IDF Res. Captain Itamar Shapira on Thursday, November 5 at 7:30pm in Lawrence, NY, for men and women.
https://adopt-a-soldier.org
Info@Adopt-A-Soldier.org
305-699-4531
_________________
► Town Appliance
Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp.
https://www.townappliance.com
https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro: "We're a Nation of Lions"
2:50 November 13, 2024: The Pro-Israel Event and the Threatening Letter
5:03 Moving the Event to the Shul and Preparing for the Mob
9:37 The March to Congregation Ohr Torah
12:15 Vuvuzelas, Pepper Spray and a 64-Year-Old in a Chokehold
18:19 "I Was Naive": The Article and the Call From the Police
22:30 Four Charges and Up to 10 Years, From a Jerusalem Hotel Room
25:36 Facing a Crisis and Davening at the Kotel
28:24 Waiting to Be Arrested and Renee Glick's Support
30:53 Fingerprinted, Mugshotted and Unable to Speak Out
34:34 The PTI Deal and the Pressure to Just Take It
38:59 Sleeping On It, and the DOJ Steps In
41:03 Refusing the Deal and Facing the Grand Jury
44:57 The Prosecutor's Mistakes and a Second Indictment
48:13 The Department of Justice and the FACE Act
51:15 Community Support and the Cavalry That Never Came
54:17 The Pardon From Governor Murphy, and Why Moshe Didn't Walk Away
56:54 Going on the Offense: Internal Affairs Complaints and a Lawsuit for Records
58:36 Why Moshe Glick Started David's Sling
1:04:21 Hugs From Hashem and the Message for Anyone in Crisis
1:08:24 Closing and Meaningful Minute Plus

In this special episode, Nachi Gordon sits down with Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive and Republican candidate for Governor of New York, and Congressman Mike Lawler, who is running for reelection in one of the most closely watched House races in the country. Bruce shares the promise he made to his grandfather at nine years old, why he's running for governor, how he handled the protesters who tried to storm a shul in his county, and the story of Nachi's very first job, driving Bruce to Jewish events.
Mike opens up about his father's last words to him, what the nonstop attack ads cost his family, what he wishes more people understood about the Orthodox and Chassidic community, and why his race could once again decide control of Congress. With Election Day just days away, this is a chance to see who both men really are beyond the campaign ads and lawn signs.
This episode is sponsored by:
► Chesed 24/7 Run 24/7
On Sunday, November 15, join Chesed 24/7 for Run 24/7 at the American Dream Mall, a 5K walk or run for women and girls, with a new track this year for ages 11 to 14. Enjoy brunch on the go plus exclusive access to the DreamWorks Water Park from 9 to 11 a.m., all supporting Chesed 24/7's hospital rooms and meals for patients and their families. Transportation is available from Brooklyn, Monsey, Lakewood and the Five Towns. Registration closes November 7.
https://chesed247-psi.vercel.app/?utm_source=MM&utm_id=Chesed24-7
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro: "Vote as If This Was the Most Important Vote in Your Life"
1:39 Bruce Blakeman and the Promise to His Grandfather
3:26 Why Bruce Blakeman Is Running for Governor: Taxes, Utilities and Safety
6:48 The Attack Ads, Kathy Hochul and Zohran Mamdani
10:27 Yeshiva Tuition, Vouchers and Parental Rights
12:53 Antisemitism and the Protest at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst
15:29 Bruce Blakeman's Message to Jewish Voters, and Nachi's First Boss
19:28 Mike Lawler on 9/11, Public Service and His Father's Last Words
23:10 The Attack Ads and the Price of Public Service
25:53 What Mike Lawler Wishes People Knew About the Orthodox and Chassidic Community
32:08 Why the Lawler Race Could Decide Control of Congress
33:37 Karaoke, Star Wars and Three Hours of Sleep
36:06 "Half the Country Decides They Don't Like You"
37:14 Closing: Please Vote

Nessia was a Mexican music artist who walked away from a promising music career to pursue a deeper connection to Judaism and Torah. Feeling a strong spiritual pull toward Israel, she moved there on October 6, 2023, just one day before the October 7 attacks. Through studying Torah, she completed her conversion and embraced a new life focused on modesty, humility, and serving Hashem. She also shares her personal struggles with dating and preparing for marriage, and her hope to one day use her musical talents in a way that aligns with her values and purpose.
 
This episode is sponsored by:
 
► PZ Deals
 
Never pay full price again when you download the PZ Deals app.
 
https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp
 
► Colel Chabad Pushka App
 
The easiest way to give Tzedaka.
 
https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful



►Adopt a Soldier
 
A personal connection to an injured IDF soldier
 
https://adopt-a-soldier.org
 
► Ceremian Financial
 
Advice built on experience. Moshe Alpert and Ceremian Financial are fiduciary financial advisors offering wealth management, financial planning, retirement planning, and estate and legacy planning for families, professionals and business owners, so you can have real peace of mind that your finances are taken care of. Schedule your first conversation today.
 
https://ceremianfinancial.com/
 
Moshe@ceremianfinancial.com
 
718-644-1594
 
► Town Appliance
 
Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp.
 
https://www.townappliance.com
 
https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp



_________________