The Rabbi & the Other Guy

Rising After the Flood: Crissy Eliashar on Resilience and Community

In this powerful episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, our hosts sit down with Crissy Eliashar, whose home was destroyed in the devastating floods in Travis County on July 5. Chrissy shares her family’s story of loss, resilience, and hope as they face a long journey of rebuilding.
Together, they reflect on the extraordinary ways the Jewish community showed up in their time of need—offering not only material support, but also steadfast emotional and spiritual care. This moving conversation is a testament to the strength of community, the power of compassion, and the light that can shine through even in life’s darkest moments.

Reflections from a Year in Austin with the ShinShinim

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Season 3 of The Rabbi and the Other Guy kicks off with our hosts, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket, sitting down with Eyal Butbul and Ariella Goldstein, this year’s ShinShinim from Shalom Austin. In a lively and heartfelt conversation, they share what it’s been like spending a year in Austin—discovering American football, embracing Texas hospitality, rocking cowboy hats, and more.
From comparing the realities of life for Israeli and American teens, to tackling antisemitism, to searching for the perfect Hebrew equivalent of “y’all,” this episode offers laughs, insight, and an inside look at the transformative ShinShinim experience.

Camp, Community, and Connection: A Conversation with Frank Silberlicht

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In this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, our hosts chat with Frank Silberlicht, Executive Director of Camp Young Judaea Texas. Frank talks about the importance of Jewish summer camps in providing young people with a safe, disciplined, and diverse place to grow, as well as the state of summer camps in the wake of the Camp Mystic tragedy.
Frank also discusses the increased need for personal interchanges between Jewish people in the United States and Israel, in the hopes of creating a better world for everyone. 

The Rise of Jewboy Burgers with Mo Pittle

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In our newest episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, our hosts chat with Mo Pittle, owner of Austin’s popular Jewboy Burgers. Mo dives into the origins of Jewboy’s success, how he got his nickname growing up in a multicultural community in El Paso, managing exploding latkes, and so much more.
 
With an attention to detail learned through years of working in advertising, Mo highlights how he went from not even knowing how to light a fryer to building one of Austin's most talked about Jewish restaurants.

Campfires and Community: Loui Dobin on the Legacy of Jewish Summer Camps

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In this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, our hosts chat with Loui Dobin, the longtime former director of Greene Family Camp. Together, the three discuss the culture and importance of Jewish summer camps, and the significant impact they have on Jewish identity, formation, and community building.
While also sharing his personal journey from New York to Texas, Loui highlights the legacy of Greene Family Camp and the importance of continued support for Jewish summer camps across the country.

Celebrating 25 Years of The Dell Jewish Community Campus

In this special anniversary episode, The Rabbi & the Other Guy take a walk down memory lane to celebrate 25 incredible years of Shalom Austin and the Dell Jewish Community Campus. Join in as they chat with Harriett Kirsh Pozen and Keith Zimmerman—two visionaries who played pivotal roles in the early growth and the historic purchase of the land that would become home to so much community, culture, and connection.
Through thoughtful conversation and historical insight, this episode reflects on the vision, leadership, and enduring community spirit that have guided the growth of the Dell Jewish Community Campus as well as Shalom Austin over the past quarter century. Join us as we honor the legacy and look ahead to the future of this remarkable place.

Balancing Torah and the Military with Rabbi Dan Millner

In this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket engage in a lively discussion with Rabbi Daniel Millner, a Modern Orthodox rabbi and active-duty military chaplain. Rabbi Millner shares his journey from yeshiva to the armed forces, offering a glimpse into what it means to serve both God and country and the challenges that come with balancing faith and duty.
In addition to his role as an Orthodox Jewish military chaplain, Rabbi Millner dives into the evolution of modern Orthodox communities, highlighting the significance of connection and engagement within the many sects and facets of the Jewish faith.

Meeting Students Where They Are with Rabbi Moshe Trepp

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Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket chat with Rabbi Moshe Trepp, a rabbi at the University of Texas and a key leader with Olami Texas. Rabbi Trepp shares his experiences working directly with Jewish students at UT, offering a unique, individualized approach to spiritual guidance that meets students where they are.
Rabbi Trepp discusses how he fosters meaningful connections with the students and why he believes joy is the most powerful form of perseverance. From building community to nurturing identity and resilience, this episode is full of warmth, wisdom, and a genuine passion for helping young people thrive.

Building a Global Jewish Life with Rebecca Caspi

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In this episode of The Rabbi and The Other Guy, Rabbi Daniel Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket chat with Rebecca Caspi, Senior Vice President of Global Operations at The Jewish Federations of North America. Rebecca discusses her journey from growing up in a secular Jewish family in New York City to building a life and career in Israel.
Together, they explore the cultural connections—and the meaningful differences—between American and Israeli Jewry, the scope of JFNA's work on the ground in Israel, and how this year’s Passover felt deeply different in a nation still healing nearly two years after October 7th. It’s a candid, heartfelt conversation about identity, resilience, and what it means to be part of a global Jewish family.

How One Person Can Make a Difference with Jeannie Opdyke Smith

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Jeannie Opdyke Smith joins Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket to share the remarkable legacy of her mother, Irene Gut Opdyke — a Polish Catholic nurse who hid Jews in plain sight during WWII.
When Irene died, Jeannie discovered 11 unfulfilled speaking invitations and decided to honor them herself. That single choice launched her own mission: delivering 150‑plus talks a year and fostering more than 60 children.
Tune in for an incredible conversation about moral courage, intergenerational storytelling, and the power of small acts that can change lives.