Wrapped: The Tefillin Project Podcast

Jeremy Urbach is a Jewish social media influencer from Toronto known as Gishmak Herring.Through his years in high school, all the way through to university, Jeremy focused on bringing joy and happiness to the Jewish world. He inspires others by asking questions about who they are and their Judaism in a way that brings smiles, laughs and simcha to all.Having just finished his training in the IDF, Jeremy is planning to inspire even more Jews globally in his current path as a "Holy Angel Warrior" in, as he calls it, the "Moshiach Army"This episode touches on many different aspects of Jeremy's journey including his growth, interest in Torah, and dedication to wrapping Tefillin.

Rav Yitzchak Berkovits, the Rosh Yeshiva of Aish is also a Rosh Kollel and Posek in Jerusalem. Through his years as mashgiach ruchani of Yeshivas Aish HaTorah (1984-2001) and in his role as founder and Rosh Kollel of the Jerusalem Kollel following that period, he built a reputation as a lucid orator on halachik and philosophical topics, a caring mentor for hundreds of baalei teshuva and as a leader, guide and adviser for Kiruv professionals around the globe. In addition, he is also the Rabbi of a community in Sanhedria Murchevet, author of numerous sefarim and has been involved in countless other projects for the benefit of the Jewish people. Since returning to Aish in 2017, he has been appointed as Rosh Yeshiva in 2019 and has been instrumental in the unveiling of Aish’s new 10-year plan for impacting world-Jewry.

Eli Lebowicz is a very Jewish comedian. Like very Jewish. He has performed all over the US, Canada, and Israel telling jokes to Jews at shul dinners, Passover programs and other times when they’re eating. Eli is also one of the co-creators of J-Sketch, the Orthodox Jewish world’s recent viral sketch group. Eli is also extremely involved in the mitzvah of Tefillin. On this episode of Wrapped, Eli discusses how one small tweet after October 7th inspired many to reconnect with Tefillin. Twitter is @elilebowicz Instagram is @elicomedyagram Website is elicomedy.com Connect with The Tefillin Project! Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.tefillin.project/⁠ Website: ⁠https://www.thetefillinproject.co/

Jake Slewett is a 24 year old from Queens, NY. From an early age, he loved to be on stage. Though he did not grow up super religious, he began learning more about Judaism as he went through high school, frequently attending Orthodox Jewish programs and events. At this same time, he was the captain of his high school bowling team. In his freshman year at College of Staten Island, he began making his own rap music under the name Tiny Timb. The next year, he transferred to West Virginia University to join their collegiate bowling team and get out of the city. Jake graduated from WVU in 2021 with degrees in acting and marketing. That summer, he lived in Jerusalem for two months while attending popular yeshiva, Ohr Somayach. During that time, he attended classes with his best friend from high school and experienced the high holidays in the holiest place in the world. He was able to see the amazing sites and lived through moments that changed his life forever. He met many great people along the way. This includes one of his classmates, Amar'e Stoudemire, who he shouts out in the Jerusalem themed music video for his song titled "Stoudemire". He also received his first pair of Tefillin while attending Ohr Somayach, and brought everything he learned with him back home. Nowadays, Jake resides in Brooklyn, where he continues to make exciting music and do background acting for TV and movies around the city.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Rabbi Friedman is a trained actuary who worked on Wall Street for New York Life, Guardian, and SCOR on Wall Street. Nearly two decades ago, he and his family immigrated to Israel. Amidst all the holiness and vibrancy of the Start-up Nation, Rabbi Friedman was surprised to find so much pain and suffering.Through his work in Jewish institutions in Israel, as well as the daily comings-and-goings of his life, he has met people who need help but unfortunately are just not getting it. Josh felt a responsibility to do something about the situation, so he founded Israel Select Charity Fund to start a revolution in effective and direct charitable giving. Since October 7th, Rabbi Friedman has raised 3 MILLION DOLLARS for Tefillin for soldiers. Connect with The Tefillin Project! Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.tefillin.project/⁠ Website: ⁠https://www.thetefillinproject.co/

Jerry is a native from the Pacific Northwest, was married to the same girl for 51 years, and has 4 children. He loves reading anything Jewish, enjoys studying genealogy, is a stamp collector and a music lover, and loves fast cars and motorcycle adventures. Lastly, Jerry is a direct descendant of the Vilna Gaon. Connect with The Tefillin Project! Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.tefillin.project/⁠ Website: ⁠https://www.thetefillinproject.co/

Mikey Goldman is 20 years old and currently lives in New York. He enjoys DJing, riding motorcycles, reading books, and playing ice hockey. He hopes that everyone listening to this podcast enjoys this awesome conversation where he discusses what the mitzvah of Tefillin means to him! Connect with The Tefillin Project! Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.tefillin.project/⁠ Website: ⁠https://www.thetefillinproject.co/

Alex Leiferman is an Arizona State University student studying jazz performance, emphasizing the drumset. Alex is an alumnus of NCSY and is active in attending Chabad events including Shabbat events and enjoys teaching others about his knowledge of Judaism. Connect with The Tefillin Project! Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.tefillin.project/⁠ Website: ⁠https://www.thetefillinproject.co/

Rabbi Shmuel Zucker was born in Golders Green, England and spent his formative years in Yeshivas Mir in Yerushalayim. He is currently the Mara D'Asra of Kehilla Kedosha Beis Shlomo of Ramat Eshkol, and Mashgiach in Yeshivas Aish HaTorah in Yerushalayim. Connect with The Tefillin Project! Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.tefillin.project/⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠https://www.thetefillinproject.co/

Asher Martin grew up in Cape Town, South Africa and then moved to London, England as a child. He is currently studying in Yeshiva University, finishing his senior year of college and majoring in Marketing. He has plans to complete smicha after college. Asher loves Torah, speaking to Hashem and playing football (soccer). His favorite line is, “Shiviti HaShem L'negdi Tamid”. Connect with The Tefillin Project! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.tefillin.project/ Website: https://www.thetefillinproject.co/