The Long Short Way

In this episode, Rabbi Mendy sits down with Errol Gerson, who (on the day of recording!) turns 81, to share a story of pain, resilience, and a powerful return to Jewish life.Errol was born in South Africa and endured deep childhood trauma—abandonment, abuse, and years inside a so-called Orthodox institution that harmed the very children it claimed to protect. And yet, somehow, he never learned to hate. Instead, he carried a quiet inner knowing that Hashem was real—and that warmth he felt in shul meant something.Errol’s journey winds through hardship, immigration to America with $300 and no plan B, homelessness, unexpected kindness, and the slow reawakening of Yiddishkeit. Along the way he discovers a core idea that becomes the cornerstone of his life: transformation—through truth, vulnerability, and gratitude.This conversation touches on:Childhood trauma and the choice not to hateThe long road back to Judaism and HashemTeshuva as “return,” not just apologyGratitude (Moda Ani) as a daily spiritual engineBitachon (trust) and reframing the pastHow one small practice can change a marriage—and a lifeErrol’s closing message is simple and piercing: Don’t wait until you’re 81 to realize Hashem loves you and wants what’s best for you… the question is, what are you going to do about it?

In this raw and courageous conversation, Rabbi Mendy Bistritzky sits down with Tzvi Haber to explore a journey that spans loss, addiction, faith, and radical honesty. Tzvi opens up about losing his father at age one, growing up feeling different and labeled, and how manipulation and control became early coping mechanisms. What began as experimentation with substances in Israel quickly escalated into a severe opioid and heroin addiction—hidden beneath a façade of religious observance and outward functionality.Through heartbreak, near-misses, and the painful unraveling of his marriage and identity, Tzvi shares how truth became the turning point. A single moment of choosing honesty over instinctive lying set in motion a transformation that reshaped his relationship with himself, with his wife, and with Hashem. Together, Rabbi Mendy and Tzvi reflect on struggle as a catalyst for growth, the difference between fear-based Judaism and connection-based faith, and how every fall can become the beginning of light—if we’re willing to face it.

In this special crossover episode, Rabbi Mendy Bistritzky sits down with therapist and fellow podcaster Sony Perlman, only this time, the interview takes place in Sony’s New York studio while Mendy leads the conversation. Sony, known for his candid and compassionate insights on the "BrainStorm" podcast, shares his experience working with at-risk youth, addiction recovery, and the community he’s built through “Our Village,” a network of sober living homes focused on healing through love, belonging, and human connection. The episode is co-released on both podcasts as a heartfelt collaboration between two people deeply committed to building meaningful, spiritually grounded lives.The conversation explores the nature of worthiness, what it means to truly help someone heal, and why community is the essential ingredient to long-term recovery, not just from addiction, but from the isolation that so many people feel in daily life. Sony challenges the traditional view of addiction by explaining how all people, not just addicts, are searching for the same sense of inner peace and connection. Rabbi Mendy brings in Hasidic perspectives, particularly the idea that spirituality isn’t found in perfection, but in the paradox, the holy space where longing and struggle coexist.Laced with humor, vulnerability, and spiritual depth, the episode touches on everything from how laughter can heal trauma to the Rebbe’s guidance on self-worth, to practical advice for those who are emotionally drained but still functional. Whether you’re battling addiction, burnout, or simply seeking more meaning in your relationships and spiritual life, this episode offers both comfort and clarity. It’s a reminder that healing is not about becoming someone else; it’s about remembering who you already are.

In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Rabbi Mendy sits down with his oldest brother, Rabbi Chanoch Bistritzky—known affectionately to his students as "Rabbi B." Together, they revisit their unique childhood in Southern California as children of Chabad shluchim, exploring memories filled with humor, mischief, and a profound sense of mission. Rabbi Chanoch reflects on the formative experiences that led him to embrace a life of Torah education, and how growing up surrounded by authenticity, warmth, and non-judgmental love shaped his approach to guiding students today.The episode takes an especially moving turn as Rabbi Chanoch shares the story of his infant daughter's unexpected passing on Yom Kippur, and how that tragedy transformed—but did not diminish—his faith and joy in life. He speaks with candor about grief, purpose, and continuing to "raise" a soul even after it has left this world. Through it all, the brothers explore big themes: the balance between "the truth" and "your truth," why humor was the currency of their youth, and what it really means to see people not as broken, but as whole.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Long Short Way, Rabbi Mendy Bistritzky sits down with well-respected Rabbi and educator, Rabbi Mendel Zirkind, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on paradox, faith, doubt, and the challenges of spiritual leadership. With humility and honesty, Rabbi Zirkind reflects on paving his own path while growing up in a prestigious rabbinic family.They explore what it means to pursue truth without abandoning faith, how to reconcile rational thinking with deep intuition, and why embracing paradox might be the most honest form of belief. Rabbi Zirkind shares his insights on parenting, trauma, how we can educate better, and his work with yeshiva students in alternative yeshiva settings. He also opens up about his personal connection to the Lubavitcher Rebbe and how that relationship continues to shape his decisions, including his upcoming move to Melbourne to become a community rabbi.This episode isn't about easy answers—it's about honest questions and the beauty of serving Hashem the long short way.Support this podcast by donating here: https://donorbox.org/chabad-of-saugus

In the debut episode of The Long Short Way, Rabbi Mendy Bistritzky speaks with Jonathan Schwartz, a former Hollywood business manager who once had it all—until a secret gambling addiction drove him to steal over $7 million from celebrity clients, including Alanis Morissette. His story made national headlines, but the public scandal was only part of a much deeper unraveling.Jonathan opens up about the dual life he was living: embezzling funds, gambling recklessly, and using drugs—all while outwardly attending synagogue and trying to keep up appearances. After hitting rock bottom and serving time in federal prison, Jonathan began a path of true t’shuva—Jewish repentance—not just as an abstract idea, but as a daily, humbling practice of change. This conversation explores the pain of self-deception, the cost of broken trust, and the redemptive power of faith, community, and spiritual honesty.To get in touch with Jonathan, find him on Instagram at @therealjonathanschwartz⁩   Support this podcast by donating here: https://donorbox.org/chabad-of-saugus