Send us a text Neil Zelman, the compassionate CEO of Polaris Healthcare, is a master of balance, seamlessly blending his professional prowess with a heart dedicated to service. Proudly holding a master's in public health administration, Neil's journey began as part of a family of entrepreneurs, where he honed his values managing the kitchen in a Catskill Resort. His commitment to holistic well-being is evident not only in his role as a Chaplain for seniors but also in his active involv...
Jan 15, 2024•2 hr 48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Raised in Peabody, Massachusetts, Mendy, at just 22 years old, has already experienced the depths of hopelessness and suffering that comes with alcohol addiction. With raw honesty, he shares the turning point that ignited his desire for change and led him on a path to recovery. Mendy went from being a client at Our Village Sober Community to currently being employed there. He is the head of marketing for Our Village Sober Community and the Brainstorm With Sony podcast. On top of t...
Dec 31, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Rabbi Harry Rozenberg is the founder of Partners in Israel and is a direct descendant of one of the greatest Jewish sages of the last 2000 years. (The Vilna Gaon) As a teenager, Harry had a vivid vision about returning to Israel and owning a piece of the Holy Land. Harry's journey was met with numerous mystical miracles including partnerships with tribal leaders from Afghanistan and Ethiopia. He is an outspoken advocate for Jews in Israel regardless of their identity or backg...
Dec 04, 2023•2 hr 32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Rabbi Mordechai Becher, originally from Australia, is an instructor at Yeshiva University and alumni Rabbi of Neve Yerushalayim College. He received his ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and holds an MA in Medieval Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. He taught at Ohr Somayach and Neve Yerushalayim in Jerusalem and served in the Israel Defense Forces. Rabbi Becher has answered thousands of questions on AsktheRabbi.org,...
Nov 19, 2023•2 hr 37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Sony sits down with Eli Erenthal a colleague and friend who has been in the trenches helping young adults struggling with addiction and other mental health issues. Eli is one of the founders of the Minyan Shelanu Drop-in Center in Lakewood NJ and is currently the Director of Operations at Our Village Sober Living home in Pomona NY. For more Brainstorm go to... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aPCiuzsIoNKYt5jjv7RFT?si=67dfa56d4e764ee0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.c...
Nov 12, 2023•2 hr 35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Meet Shmaya Honickman is the Program Coordinator of The Living Room as well as The Rockland County Area Leader. He has been working in the field of addiction for the last 8 years and got his start working with Sony at the very first Sober Living Facility he started, Arena. For more Brainstorm go to... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aPCiuzsIoNKYt5jjv7RFT?si=67dfa56d4e764ee0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brainstorm-with-sony-perlman/id1596925257 Yout...
Nov 04, 2023•2 hr 34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Meet Yossi Bensoussan, a compassionate and knowledgeable guide on the journey of recovery and renewal. With decades of experience as a spiritual leader and Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), Yossi has dedicated his life to helping individuals find their path to healing and sobriety. Yossi currently serves as the Mashgiach Ruchani at the Yeshiva High School of Cleveland, where he provides invaluable spiritual and emotional support to students. In addition to h...
Oct 28, 2023•2 hr 37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Israel is under attack and has declared war on Hamas. I am having a conversation with my sister Avigail Gimpel, who lives in Israel and has both her son and son in law fighting in the front lines. The main purpose of this conversation is to find out what's going on, and how we can help. For more Brainstorm go to... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aPCiuz... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Youtube: / @brainstormwithsony Instagram: / brainstormwi...
Oct 24, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Rabbi Nechemia & Raizel Schusterman are Chabad Shluchim in Peabody, Massachusetts, where they serve the local Jewish community. In addition to their work as a Shluchim, they are proud parents of seven children Ka”h and takes great joy in raising their family. Beyond their role as parents and shluchim, they have other passions that bring light and hope to this world. Raizel is a highly qualified positive psychology practitioner and life coach. With her training in positive psyc...
Mar 24, 2023•2 hr 39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text David has spent over a decade working in the healthcare field. He majored in business and marketing at Hofstra University and completed his course studies at Touro College. Following his college career, David became a representative for restaurant owners, transforming franchises into successful leaders in the industry. He then decided to transition into Healthcare as Chief Administrator & Principal of Hollis Women’s Center. In 2015, his passion and personal long-term recovery ...
Feb 26, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The following episode was performed in front of a live audience at the Our Place annual staff conference. Sony and Menachem discuss various topics and they also invite staff members to join them for short interviews. Menachem Poznanski is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and recovery support. Menachem is Director of The Living Room (TLR), a clubhouse program for Jewish young adults in recovery from addiction with br...
Feb 19, 2023•2 hr 38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text This week Sony sits down with Alex Czertok Alex Czertok started The Monsey Lighthouse along with his wife Bayla. The Lighthouse is a safe non judgemental space for over 70 girls from the wide Monsey area aged 15-23 years old. Alex works in the real estate field but has been engaged for over 20 years in outreach and inreach program for teens and young adults. The Lighthouse is the best. For more episodes check us out on.... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aPCiuzsIoNKYt5jjv7...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Rabbi Dov Oliver, a native of Melbourne, Australia, assumed leadership of Hillel of Rockland in 2007. Thanks to his quirky sense of humor and caring approach, Rabbi Oliver is sought after by students of all affiliations for counseling, advice and friendship. As one of Birthright Israel’s most popular chaperones, he has led 26 trips. Rabbi Oliver studied for the rabbinate in Montreal and was ordained in Tzfat, Israel. He teaches in the Religious Studies department at Rockland Commu...
Feb 04, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Avigail Gimpel, M.S., is a special educator, a family practitioner, and a mom of six children diagnosed with ADHD. As her students struggled with ADHD symptoms and her own children were diagnosed with ADHD, she took a deep dive into the research (turning up unexpected results), studied and applied the best programs available, and developed many interventions of her own. Avigail is the author of HyperHealing –The Empowered Parent’s Complete Guide to Raising a Healthy Child with ADH...
Jan 29, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Tali Yess is a new sensation, bursting onto the national stage of Jewish music to the great acclaim of music critics and audiences alike. His repertoire consists mostly of profound Jewish morals sung in English which is what makes his performances unique. In a rich soulful voice he captures the hearts of the audience taking them on a journey to a special place or time in the Jewish experience. His extraordinary talent should not surprise us since he is the son of Moshe Yess ob”m, ...
Jan 14, 2023•2 hr 33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Yosef Davis is the Executive Director of TorahAnytime, the world's largest yeshiva without walls. He is a trained IDF combat soldier, financial services professional and has a culinary degree that he uses to make really good chulent. He loves living his best life and inspiring others to maximize their potential. Contact him at Yosef@torahanytime.com For more episodes check us out on.... Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2aPCiuz... Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com...
Jan 07, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Pinny Brecher LCSW CASAC is the executive clinical director and Co-founder of Daas Wellness Center a mental health facility in Monsey NY. Supervising over 30 therapists, Daas provides individual psycotherapy, school services, medication management, and group therapy. Mr Brecher earned his MSW in Long island University, he then worked in a child and family clinic in the Bronx where he saw clients and supervised a juvenile justice program in Bronx family court. Additionally Mr Brech...
Dec 24, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Menachem Poznanski is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in the field of substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and recovery support. Menachem is Director of The Living Room (TLR), a clubhouse program for Jewish young adults in recovery from addiction with branches in Brooklyn, Monsey and The Five Towns as well as Hollywood, Fl. Menachem is Editor-in-chief of The Light Revealed, a social media content publisher serving the Jewish recovery community and is Ex...
Dec 18, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text AJ Jacobowitz is the current clinical director ourplace teens, AJ is new to the social work community, having graduated recently. AJ grew up in Brooklyn and attended Orthodox yeshivos in Flatbush and Jerusalem. AJ graduated from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work and is very passionate about his work with adolescents. For more episodes check us out on.... Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2aPCiuzsIoNKYt5jjv7RFT Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brainstorm-...
Dec 03, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Please consider donating generously to the Nevonim campaign https://www.dryveup.com/nevonim?utm_source=Sony&utm_medium=Sony Renowned for his kindness and authenticity, Rabbi Babad has always harbored a passion for supporting and encouraging those who need it most. A life coach and CASAC-T, Rabbi Babad opened his first drop-in center 22 years ago in Brooklyn serving Chassidic youth, which became a safe haven for at-risk youth battling mental health and substance abuse. Several ...
Nov 23, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text JJ Rieder, LCSW graduated from Wurzweiler School of Social Work in 2006 and then completed his post-graduate training at The Ackerman Institute for the Family. JJ spent the early part of his social work career helping children and families through Ohel, JBFCS, Shalom Task Force, and other community mental health organizations in New York. He is currently in private practice in Howell NJ, and helps couples and families dealing with various challenges and dynamics. JJ lives in Ediso...
Nov 18, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Akiva Perlman, PhD., is an international speaker on topics of abuse, addiction, and trauma. He has educated several hundred frum social workers from our community and is currently serving as a professor at Wurzweiler School of Social work. Dr. Perlman is clinical director of ODA’s Wellness Institute, a clinic which serves the chasideshe community in Williamsburg. He maintains a small practice in Fresh Meadows where he resides with his Wife Tamar and children. He is also my little ...
Nov 12, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Just a heads up, if you listen to this podcast for discussion around mental health and addiction then this episode may not be for you :). Me and my brother Shim just sat down and had a great time talking about all sorts of fun stuff. I hope you enjoy! Shim Perlman, LMSW, is a licensed social worker who joined the Boys Our Place clinical team during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on providing one-on-one counseling during this difficult time. In addition to his work a...
Nov 05, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Join me as I sit down with Sholom Gutleizer LMSW, CASAC-T , CCTP. Sholom was born in Crown Heights Brooklyn, NY. After going to yeshiva he attended Kingsborough Community College for his associates degree and then went on to graduate New York University with his Bachelor's and Masters in social work degrees. Sholom and his family live in Pomona, NY. He currently works as the Clinical Director of Our Village Sober Living, the program coordinator for Neshamos' Companion Ne...
Oct 29, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Join me as I sit down with Rabbi A.Y. Weinberg. Rabbi A.Y. Weinberg's (A.Y.) work with Jewish youth spans over three decades. Prior to founding Project Extreme in 2001, A.Y. served as the Regional Director for the Greater Midwestern Region of National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) for over 19 years. During his tenure, A.Y. and his staff created and implemented hundreds of diverse programs for unaffiliated Jewish teenagers, with 1100 annual attendees. Programming includ...
Sep 22, 2022•54 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Rabbi Shaya Kohn is the founder and director of Ahavas Chaim in Baltimore. Rabbi Kohn epitomizes the essence of the organization wiith his innate, genuine love for people that transcends reality. This exceptional character trait permeates every one of his actions and endeavors. Long before Ahavas Chaim’s formal incorporation in 2019, Rabbi Kohn provided a myriad of services and support for Baltimore’s Jewish teens and young adults. For more information on Ahavas Chaim check out th...
Sep 16, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Rabbi Charlop has been teaching for the last 40 years. For the last 25 of those years Rabbi Charlop has been a Rebbi at Neveh in Telz Stone a yeshiva for young men that are struggling with different issues. Rabbi Charlop is a noted author, mechanech and marriage counselor. Most recently Rabbi Charlop has founded Genesis, a treatment center in Israel that deals with mental health issues and addiction treament. To learn more about Genesis Treatment please visit their website at http...
Sep 11, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Join me as I sit down with my good friend Rabbi Shmuel Skaist. Rabbi Shmuel Skaist studied at Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv, enjoying a close relationship with Rabbi Shlomo Friefeld z”tl. For the last 35 years, he has taught Torah and been involved in Kiruv across the US and Israel. Rabbi Skaist is also a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and has performed regularly in Greenwich Village, college campuses, and top venues from NY to LA for many years. He was the founder of Shabbat Tent,...
Aug 14, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Join me as I sit down with my mentor Dr. Trish Attia. Patricia R. Attia, Phd., LCSW is the co-President of the board for Our Place. Her private practice is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She is a Somatic IFS practitioner and trainer. Prior to her work with the Orthodox community, she lectured and set up trauma and addiction programs across the country. Her two favorite things are her grandchildren, Revi and Asher Lev. For more episodes check us out on.... Spotify htt...
Aug 04, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Join me as I sit down with my good friend Shmulie Brown. Shmulie is a licensed therapist who resides in Passaic, NJ. He is the assistant coordinator of a clinical case management program servicing individuals in the forensic population who have major psychiatric disorders. He also sees youth and adolescents privately for therapy. Shmulie graduated from Touro College with a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Mental Health Counseling; he is also a certified alcohol and substan...
Jul 31, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast 
