Jewish Professionals Podcast

In this episode of the Jewish Professionals Podcast, we sit down with Lawrence Askowitz, founder of Gabriel Advisors, a trusted advisory firm led by leading experts in the digital infrastructure, telecom, and related technology services sectors. A graduate of Columbia University and Yeshiva University, Lawrence has spent more than three decades in capital markets and M&A, with earlier chapters of his career at Deutsche Bank, Lazard, Credit Suisse, ZelnickMedia, Kidron Capital Advisors, and Bank Street Group, where he originated, structured, and executed transactions for many of the leading companies in the telecom, media, and technology sector. He has also held board roles at companies including 180 Connect, Horizon PCS, and Lumos Networks, and continues to help lead the YU Wall Street Group. In our conversation, Lawrence shares how he broke into the finance industry, some cool infrastructure projects he helped finance, how to know when the time is right to leave a company, the impact AI is having on every sector, how young professionals can provide value early in their careers, and his perspective on the future of infrastructure, including data centers in space. His story offers a candid look at building a long, evolving career on Wall Street and the lessons that have guided him through every chapter.

In this episode of the Jewish Professionals Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, the fifth President of Yeshiva University, to explore his journey from student to one of the most influential leaders in the Jewish world. President Berman shares the formative experiences that shaped his path, including his decision to turn down Columbia Law School to pursue years of Torah study in Israel. He reflects on how learning in kollel, earning a PhD, and building a career in Israel prepared him to lead Yeshiva University at a pivotal time. We go inside what it truly means to lead a major institution, from navigating high-pressure decisions and growing the university to strengthening the broader Jewish community and helping students reach their highest potential. President Berman also shares behind-the-scenes moments, including speaking at the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump and engaging with world leaders and public figures. The conversation is full of insights on leadership, responsibility, and balancing Torah with modern life, along with the lessons from both science and Torah that he believes every Jewish professional should carry forward.