The Chinese-Speaking Chassid Who Worked for the Treasury: Mitchell Silk

How does a Chassidic Jew end up shaping global economic policy... and speaking fluent Chinese along the way? In this episode of Behind the Bima, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg sits down with Mitchell Silk, former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, for a conversation about global finance, China, and the unlikely path that brought him from Torah life into the highest levels of government. Fluent in Chinese and deeply immersed in Asia’s financial world, Silk spent decades working at the intersection of international law, finance, and geopolitics. Yet throughout his career, from years living in Hong Kong to serving in Washington, he remained deeply committed to his identity and values as a Chassidic Jew. The conversation offers a rare inside look at how global economic policy is shaped, the importance of understanding China’s role in the world economy, and what it means to bring faith and identity into rooms where decisions affecting the global financial system are made. The conversation also explores: • How Mitchell Silk first became fascinated with China • Learning Mandarin and building a career across Asia • The path from international law to the U.S. Treasury Department • What it was like serving in Washington as a visibly observant Jew • The role of China in global economic policy • Bringing Torah values into leadership and public service This season of Behind the Bima is sponsored by Julie Charlestein & Darryl Benjamin in honor of their grandparents, Morton & Malvina Charlestein, and their children, Ruby and Maccabi Benjamin. A fascinating look at the intersection of faith, leadership, and global influence.