Shabbos Kestenbaum and Daniel Mael on Why Jewish Nonprofits Are Failing Our Soldiers

In this episode of the Mael Time Podcast, Daniel Mael and Shabbos Kestenbaum discuss the effectiveness of Jewish nonprofits, particularly in the wake of the October 7th crisis. They critique organizations like Friends of the IDF (FIDF) for their inefficacy and bloated overhead costs, arguing that direct support to soldiers and grassroots organizations is more impactful. The conversation emphasizes the need for accountability, transparency, and reform within these organizations to better serve the community and address urgent needs. Kestenbaum shares personal experiences of grassroots fundraising and the desire of young American Jews to contribute directly to causes they care about, highlighting a disconnect between donors and the actual needs on the ground. The episode concludes with a call for a more efficient and cause-driven approach to fundraising and support within the Jewish community.