PUS H PA ST P R O C R A S T I N AT I ON / / E XPE RTS S HARE TOP PRODU CTIVITY T I PS
2.0
SPICE AND ZEST on the rise of her sourdough bread business
BITBEAN
HOW TRANSFORMS THE WAY COMPANIES FUNCTION Meet the next generation of
Nursing Students
SWIMPLY GENIUS Bunim Laskin’s pool-sharing service is making waves
What
Virtual Reality
has to do with Torah
Index
August 2019
YOU DO YOU
I
have a confession to make. Sometimes, I’ll have an amazing Shabbos and finish it feeling empowered and grateful, only to turn on my phone on Motzaei Shabbos, scroll through social media, and develop a pit in my stomach. That special Shabbos feeling slips through
B6. Every Second Counts
my fingers like sand, as I find myself comparing my life to the lives of those around me. In
This trick will change the way
mere seconds, that positivity turns into negativity as pessimistic thoughts creep in, taunting me
you make decisions
about the things I lack. How did that turn around so quickly? I know I’m not alone — getting out of that pattern is a constant avodah for many (and
B8. Nursing Redefined
occasionally setting a social media ban or break does wonders, I’ve found). But for lasting
Why men should consider this
change, a person needs an internal peace and confidence that they’re in exactly the right place
traditionally feminine career
for them. When I get to that place, I remember that Hashem has a plan tailor-made for me, and
path
I’m exactly where I need to be. If you’re good with you, you won’t feel the pressure to change. The amazing people featured in this issue have inspired me to continue on that course because
B10. The Breadwinner
they display an internal confidence that is truly astounding. Choosing a path as an entrepreneur
How Chaya Suri Leitner of
takes a level of self-assurance that I believe is really underrated. It’s one thing to think of an
Spice and Zest turned her
idea, but it’s another to start acting on it, to put yourself out there in all your vulnerability for
passion for sourdough into a
people to critique and analyze, and furthermore, to know that failure could be a very real part of
full-time job
the process. When Bunim Laskin, just a 19-year-old yeshivah student at the time, thought of the idea for
B14. Parallel Universe
his pool-sharing service, Swimply, he got dozens of doors slammed in his face (quite literally)
What virtual reality can teach
before getting even a couple of yeses. And the work was just beginning. For Chaya Suri Leitner
us about Torah
of Spice and Zest, baking sourdough bread was a way to heal her family. Once she made it a brand, people could have told her it was a silly business idea, but she stuck with it, knowing how
B16. A Seamless Experience
valuable both she and the product were.
Bitbean is transforming the
One of the hardest things to do is to put yourself out there and risk rejection, failure, and
way businesses operate
others’ negative opinions. But at the end of the day, it’s your life, so you have to put those blinders on, grab your idea, and run with it. Whether it’s taking that step and leaving your phone
B20. Diving In
off on Motzaei Shabbos or talking about your brilliant plan for the future (even if others might
Why cutting-edge pool-rental
think it’s not so brilliant), you have a lot to gain. There’s a path tailor-made for you. You just
company Swimply is one to
have to take the courageous steps to find it.
watch
B26. Boost Your Productivity Top professionals share their Alex Abel, Editor in Chief
best tips
P.S. We love to hear your feedback! E-mail me any time to share at alex@20magazine.com. Managing Director, 2.0: Asher Weinberger | Editor in Chief, 2.0: Alex Abel Chief of Staff, US Office: Michal Frischman | Production Manager: Esti Vago | Production Assistant: Hadas Stern Graphics: Devorah Cohen, Chaya Perel Nojovitz | Copy Editors: Chaya Baila Lieber, Shainy Borenstein, Malka Winner | Proofreaders: Shana Halpert, Chaya Leeder E-mail: EDITORIAL@20MAGAZINE.COM • ADVERTISE@20MAGAZINE.COM Cover photo: Marko Dashev B2 |
2.0 AUGUST 2019
2.0
LIVING YOUR DREAM
CHAYA SURI LEITNER
Spice and Zest By Abbey Wolin
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MONTH 2019
2.0 | 3
2.0
PRODUCTIVITY HACKS How To Work Smarter By Isaac Bardos
HOW CAN I PUSH PAST PROCRASTINATION? What’s the first thing that goes through your mind when your alarm
a distraction or not, sticking to my
goes off in the morning? Hitting the snooze button?
time-management system, or deciding
What does the voice in your head say when you have to submit that
to decide and do rather than only think
e-mail, make that difficult call, or do unavoidable work you keep
about getting something done.
pushing off? For many years, it was a struggle for me to get up when my alarm went off. It was just so nice to stay in bed. Well, the same is true of
to go to the gym, because I would be able
Now, when I find myself hesitating about what I should be doing, I stop the internal conversation, make an executive decision that I’m doing it immediately, and count down from
your comfort zone. It’s comfortable to be there. Why push yourself
five. Even ten seconds is too long —
out of it? Even if you’re a passionate, driven entrepreneur, there’s
you might talk yourself out of it. And I
often an inclination to stay where you are.
I
purposely don’t count up, because I just might keep counting! It may sound simple or familiar.
used to have difficulty making decisions and taking action. I would think too
Since thinking about it myself, I’ve
much and wonder “what if?” for even inconsequential decisions, like whether
seen the idea in books by Mel Robbins
to order sushi or meat at a restaurant. When faced with choices, many people
and Malcolm Gladwell, but it’s a rule
freeze, flee, or choose indecision — also known as “paralysis by analysis.”
that has transformed my personal and
The problem with that, though, is that indecision is still a decision — but it’s almost
professional life. In my first business,
definitely not the one that moves you toward what you want.
I coached people in the health and
One day, my child dropped food on the floor, and I was thinking about whether I
wellness sphere. There, I found the
should teach her the “five-second rule,” that it’s okay to pick up the food since it
five-second decision to be crucial in
was on the ground for less than five seconds. In that moment, I realized the wisdom
making diet decisions.
of this five-second period. In this short amount of time, you can calculate a decision,
It goes like this:
turn inward for directive wisdom, and take action. I realized that if I apply the five-second rule to my daily choices, I would be unstoppable. It would give me inner decisive power for getting out of bed, entertaining B6 |
2.0 AUGUST 2019
Stimulus: Chocolate cake → Desire: Eat delicious food → Decision (to eat): Apply five-second rule.
says “vaya’asu, and they did,” in the past tense. Initially, the Jewish people set out to achieve tasks; in the latter parshiyos, they took the actions, made the decisions, and achieved them. It’s the difference between setting out to achieve and reaching completion. I always remind my clients, in business and life, either you’re moving forward or you’re not. This practice also applies in areas aside from procrastination. In five seconds, we decide on the initial meaning we will give to a situation. Whether we feel positive or negative about someone or something, and whether we will take personal ownership of the issue or place the Then, I’m able to decide quickly that
repetitious, but we know there’s no
responsibility or blame elsewhere, can
I don’t want it, walk away, and choose
repetition in the Torah. Rav Avraham
all be decided in five seconds.
to feel proud and powerful. In just 5, 4,
Pam writes that the difference between
For most of us, these five seconds
3, 2, 1 … you get a result that leaves you
parshas Terumah/Tetzaveh and Vayakhel/
are not conscious, and that’s precisely
feeling great and reveling in the pleasure
Pedukei is subtle — it can be found in
the problem. My transformation
of being in control of desire instead of
the commandment of action.
began when I became aware of the five
being controlled by it. I used to be a chronic doer and a chronic “non-completer.” You know
In Terumah/Tetzaveh, the pasuk says,
seconds and understood how to use
“ta’asu, and you shall do,” in the future
them. Then I developed a system to
tense. In Vayakhel/Pekudei, the pasuk
take each one to the next level.
the type: 30 tabs open on the browser, five projects in the works, and writing three e-mails at the same time. With many coaching clients, the issue is
Yitzchak (Isaac) Bardos is an innovative business performance coach, nationwide speaker, and author of the forthcoming book, Your Emotional
they start and don’t finish. Part of it is
Wealth; How to Achieve Excellence in Today’s World. With over a dozen years of
personality and habit, but part is also
experience speaking and coaching, Yitzchak is the founder of The Unstuck Method,
not having a powerful structure for
which has dramatically impacted the lives of his clients, including entrepreneurs,
decision-making to overcome their
professionals, and executives. He has been a featured speaker at private retreats,
inertia.
scholar-in-residence programs, professional organizations, and shuls. He has been
Parshas Terumah/Tetzaveh and Vayakhel/Pedukei take this idea a bit
highlighted in secular and Jewish media, ABC News, radio, podcasts, and more. He lives in Boca Raton with his wife and family. Visit him at www.IsaacBardos.com.
deeper. At first glance, they seem AUGUST 2019
2.0 | B7
2.0
THE NEW WAVE OF NURSING Choosing a Career By Yael Dorfman
REAL MEN WEAR SCRUBS
tion), the American Assembly for Men in Nursing recently launched a large-scale, widespread campaign to recruit male nurses. Their goal: a 20% increase in the male nurse population by the year 2020. (Currently, 88.6% of RNs are female.) They operate under the slogan “Are You Man Enough to Be a Nurse?” and illustrate their campaign with images of manly men dressed for (stereotypically) masculine hobbies: football, rock
Men are doctors, women are nurses.
climbing, karate, golf, fishing, surfing,
It’s a stereotype that’s been in effect since the days of Florence Nightingale, heavily reinforced by children’s books, costumes, and, in reality, visits to the doctor’s office. While female doctors have successfully defied the pigeonholing (in 2017, women’s enrollment in medical schools outnumbered men’s), when it comes to nursing, male nurses still find themselves the minority in an overwhelmingly femaledominated industry. Fortunately, the stigma is steadily dissipating.
the stigma (ironically, while enforcing
and the like. They’re designed to break other biases), but anyone who is familiar with nursing will recognize that it’s an ideal career choice — for men and women — for many reasons. Many men are drawn to the caregiving aspect and others to the adrenaline of the work. The men who attend the nursing program at Touro
MEN IN DEMAND Today, there’s
specialties — especially the more
College often have a background in
an enormous — and constantly
stimulating, technical, and adrenalin-
health sciences and may be trained
growing — demand for qualified
inducing ones, like emergency room
as EMTs or phlebotomists (people
male nurses in every healthcare
and flight or transport positions —
who draw blood for medical testing,
field. As acceptance and tolerance
tend to attract more men; data shows
donations, and the like). The students
become increasingly emphasized by
that approximately 41% of nurse
make a conscious choice to become
a rapidly diversifying population,
anesthetists, one of the most lucrative
nurses over doctors or PAs; they
society recognizes the need for a
specialties, are male.
don’t settle for it simply because they
more representative workforce. That
“The trend is changing, and it’s
“couldn’t hack it in med school,” but
diversity is especially important in
more pronounced every year,” observes
because they appreciate the importance
healthcare, where patients are often at
cardiology nurse Hillel Devor, who
and the advantages of the profession.
their most vulnerable, and the ultimate
graduated from Touro’s nursing school
goal is patient comfort.
in 2017. “I’ve seen classes and cohorts
a significant advantage over other
of nurses with a large percentage of
healthcare careers. It’s one of the
is far from an exclusively feminine trait;
frum men; in some groups, the female-
highest-paying jobs for those who
men can — and do — excel in the field.
to-male ratio is as close as 60:40.”
enter the workforce with a four-year
Nursing is a caring career, and caring
Furthermore, nursing is a nuanced,
The schooling, for one, gives nursing
degree. Touro’s nursing track is a “2+2
skill-based profession that goes beyond
ON A MISSION To promote the growing ac-
program” that consists of two years
the conventional “mothering” role
ceptance of men in the nursing profession
of undergraduate studies (which may
some people may typify it as. Specific
(and thereby broaden the diversifica-
be completed elsewhere) toward a
B8 |
2.0 AUGUST 2019
Sponsored Content
FAMILY MAN “Nursing is an excellent option for the frum man,” asserts Dr. Rivka Molinsky, the associate dean of students and innovation at Touro College. “While most new graduates wind up with the less desirable shifts at first, there are boundless opportunities for advancement. Even the 12-hour graveyard shifts allow a husband and father to be home in the mornings or evenings with his children; plus, those shifts are only three times weekly, so he can take advantage of the remaining days to learn or spend time with his family.” For the driven, future-focused nurse, the career path is rich with opportunity and benefits. In addition to the upward mobility and relative flexibility, the salary is excellent, especially when compared Hillel Devor
Photo Credit: Touro College
with other jobs with a bachelor’s-level entry point. According to the 2018
Bachelor of Science and two years of
a huge variety of responsibilities
Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median
clinical nursing school, an RN-to-BSN
and situations, and we’re constantly
pay for registered nurses in 2018 was
program that comprehensively prepares
making decisions that can make a real
$71,730 across the United States and
students for licensing exams and a
difference in our patients’ lives.”
$88,000 in New York. The average nurse
seamless entry into the workforce. “Our students can enter the program
General nursing can be applied to a vast array of settings and roles.
practitioner’s salary in New York ranges from $119,627 to $140,050.
straight out of high school and exit as
Registered nurses work in hospitals,
full-fledged nurses,” says Dr. Sandra
doctors’ offices, home healthcare,
nurses is estimated to grow 15% from
Russo, chair of Touro’s College of
nursing homes, outpatient clinics,
2016 to 2026, significantly faster than
Health Sciences’s Department of
schools, and even the military. While
that of most other occupations, due
Nursing. “When they complete their
nurses enjoy the opportunities awarded
to several factors, including increased
undergrad courses with us, they
to them with a bachelor’s degree,
average lifespan, the aging baby
never have to worry about missing
they may also choose to advance
boomer population, growing rates of
prerequisites. We provide an extremely
their education and become nurse
chronic illnesses, and an emphasis on
well-rounded, highly academic
practitioners (NP) or directors of nursing.
preventative care.
curriculum with a built-in clinical
To become a NP, nurses can earn
The employment rate for registered
There will always be a need for nurses;
component, and our students graduate
their master’s degree while working.
outsourcing and automation cannot —
as true generalists who are prepared for
They must also complete 600 hours of
and will not — replace the human touch,
virtually every specialty.”
clinical training in various settings to
whether female or male. So go ahead —
prepare them for practicing in a wide
break that stereotype.
“It’s a fulfilling career,” Devor says. “We are trained to take on and manage
range of populations. AUGUST 2019
2.0 | B9
2.0
LIVING YOUR DREAM
CHAYA SURI LEITNER
Spice and Zest | Lakewood, NJ By Abbey Wolin
MY DREAM JOB CHAYA SURI LEITNER OF SPICE AND ZEST We all have our dreams and passions. What makes one follow them to make money? How do you go from idea to full-on company? What were the steps you took along the way? Was it a conscious decision or organic growth? This column will explore different avenues and paths various entrepreneurs have taken to fulfill their dreams while following their passions and making a parnassah.
C
haya Suri Leitner of Spice and Zest
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME
began her culinary exploration as a way
TO MEET WITH ME TODAY. LET’S GO BACK
of self-expression. She just wanted a place to
IN TIME. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR A LITTLE
share the dinners she prepared for her family.
MORE ABOUT YOUR EARLY BEGINNINGS AND
But after seeing a Pinterest-worthy image of
HOW YOU GOT STARTED.
sourdough bread, she challenged herself to
I love cooking for my family and wanted
learn the art of artisan bread making. What soon followed was not just a burst of creative energy but a full-blown business. On a beautiful sunny day, I traveled to Lakewood to meet Chaya Suri in her microbakery (which is in her house). Over some light, airy, and delicious slices of sourdough
to share recipes and meals with my followers. I never really had a blog. I
I didn’t realize was the effect it would
tried starting one, but it never took off.
have on my family.
Instagram was the place to be at the time, so that’s where I started building
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
my community.
Sourdough is a healthier, fermented
One day, I saw an image of sourdough
bread that breaks down the gluten
bread on Pinterest and instantly fell
inside it. Because of this, it’s incredibly
and the wafting scents of more of that
in love. I challenged myself to learn
beneficial for gut health, as well as for
amazing bread in the oven, we discussed her
everything about the process.
people who suffer from inflammation.
early beginnings and how she’s made the
I love how each bread turns out
My husband had terrible sciatica —
art of sourdough baking into a business that
different, depending on the starter,
back pain caused by a problem with the
provides for her family in more ways than one.
spices, and scoring; it’s a real art. What
sciatic nerve —and my son had recurring
B10 |
2.0 AUGUST 2019
I EXCLUSIVELY EAT SOURDOUGH BREAD FOR THE GUT AND INFLAMMATION BENEFITS. AS SOMEONE WHO SUFFERS FROM SEVERE ALLERGIES AND AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE, I JUST FEEL BETTER WHEN I’M EATING IT, SO YOU’RE TALKING TO SOMEONE WHO DEFINITELY UNDERSTANDS. HOW DO YOU MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR BAKING? HOW DID YOU GROW YOUR ARTISAN BREAD BUSINESS? As I learned more about the details of the sourdough baking process and experimented with recipes, I started selling breads from my home. People loved them, but I soon found baking each week, coming up with new recipes, and managing my daily customers to be too time-consuming. It just didn’t work for my family. What I really loved was teaching
“AS I STARTED BAKING SOURDOUGH BREAD FOR MY FAMILY, I SAW A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE IN EVERYONE’S HEALTH” strep. We completely changed our lifestyle, getting off gluten and sugar.
I have taught sourdough workshops for over four and a half years now, to all
people how to bake their own breads. As I started teaching my friends on Instagram and cultivating steady workshops and classes, my popularity grew, and soon I was known as “the sourdough girl.” It’s true what they say, “the riches are in the niches.” My favorite thing about giving
types of people suffering from a variety
workshops is sharing the little bits of
for my family, I saw a tremendous
of disorders such as Crohn’s disease,
knowledge that you can’t learn from
difference in everyone’s health. My
sciatica, ADHD — they make the bread
the Internet. I infuse my classes with
husband couldn’t get out of bed at
for their families and see a significant
the deep knowledge of the sourdough
times. He went to physical therapy three
difference, because it’s not causing
baking process: how to create your first
times a week and received cortisone
inflammation in the body.
starter, how to feed it, how to prepare
As I started baking sourdough bread
shots every three months. His memory
I’m not a nutritionist, but this is what
the dough, how to shape, score, and bake it. I love every minute of it.
was starting to be affected by the shots,
people have told me. When I read the
and he couldn’t remember things
messages from women who are making
at times. Once sourdough became a
bread for their families and helping
knowledge, and they always know that
staple in our family meals, I noticed a
them live their best life, that’s the best
I’m there post-workshop if they have
complete turnaround within a month.
nachas in the world.
any questions.
What my students get are my years of
AUGUST 2019
2 . 0 | B 11
2.0
LIVING YOUR DREAM
CHAYA SURI LEITNER
YOU RELEASED AN EXCITING NEW PROJECT EARLIER THIS SUMMER THAT YOU HAD BEEN WORKING ON FOR MONTHS. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT IT? Yes, and I think this is the most excited I’ve been for a really long time. I launched my first-ever digital course, which is a complete guide to baking sourdough bread. As my popularity has grown, so has the number of workshops I’ve been booking on my calendar. The work-life balance struggle is real, and I needed to find a solution to the many requests I received to travel all over the place. The digital course world is booming, and believe it or not, there is no online sourdough course available — kosher or otherwise — or at least not the way I teach it. Now I can teach anyone across the globe without it affecting my family life. It’s the best of both worlds. The online course includes how to create your very own starter, feed it, take care of it, get it ready to bake, bake it, and any troubleshooting along the way — like when you think it’s dead
you are doing so, I will be there to walk
students my full attention — I have an
and how to store it. It’s so much more
you through every step. I have pictures
online community for them specifically
than my live three-hour classes. I can
of what it looks like on day one, on
on my site. And since many of them
provide so much additional information
day two, on day five, what it looks like
are starting at the same time, it makes
and content this way. Usually after
before you feed it and after you feed it.
it easier for me to help and guide as a
a workshop, I will get an onslaught
My goal is to teach any person who
community.
of questions from people. I collected
wants to learn the art of sourdough
all those questions and made sure to
baking — and to guide them from start
HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR WORK-LIFE
include them within the course.
to finish, so they can be baking their
BALANCE WILL CHANGE NOW THAT YOUR
first breads within a month. At this
DIGITAL COURSE HAS COME OUT?
HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE FOR SOMEONE
point, the first round of the course is
The whole idea behind the digital course
TO GO THROUGH THE COURSE?
closed, and while I don’t have an exact
is to have more time with my family and
If you’re creating your own starter from
release date for the next, I should be
to make money in my sleep. It’s about
scratch, it will take you about three
opening it again in the next few months.
putting in a ton of work, setting up the
weeks to be ready to bake with it. And as
I limited enrollment so I could give the
entire system, and allowing for the sale
B12 |
2.0 AUGUST 2019
anyone asking me questions after
for sourdough baking. My e-mails
watching the videos. There’s also the
are chock-full of recipes, stories, and
marketing and the back-end technology
different things I’ve learned along my
behind it. I had to do so much research.
baking journey.
HOW HAS SOCIAL MEDIA SHAPED YOU AS A
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO
BUSINESS OWNER?
SOMEONE JUST STARTING THEIR
Instagram used to be my only go-
BUSINESS?
to. I never had anything to push me
Do not compare yourself to others.
otherwise. My workshops always filled
Don’t ever look at your competition.
up, and the requests were so numerous
When they jump, you run! Don’t ever
that I never felt I needed anything
look at their numbers, don’t look at
beyond that platform. That’s where I
their pictures. Mute them!
started, and that’s where I stayed [she
of the course with minimal effort on
As much as you may be similar to
now has over 13K Instagram followers].
them, everyone has their own strengths
I’ve gotten a lot of students that way.
in different areas. If we focus on our
Social media is an incredible tool, the
own strengths, then we can really shine
best word-of-mouth.
and complement one another instead of
That being said, it shouldn’t be
my part going forward. I want to be in
anyone’s main focus when growing a
control of my schedule and not have my
successful business. If Instagram shut
schedule controlling me.
down today, you would have nothing.
being in competition.
YES, YES, STANDING OVATION! CHAYA SURI, YOU HAVE FIGURED OUT
You need to build your own place to
A SECRET THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVEN’T,
I want to make money without working so
nurture your community. I decided to
AND THAT IS THAT WE CAN MAKE ONE
hard. I don’t want to be working until the
start an e-mail list, which tripled my
THING, PUT IN A LOT OF EFFORT, AND SEE
second that Yom Tov starts.
correspondence with my audience.
RESIDUAL INCOME.
undertaking. From the site you’re
I AM SO IN AGREEMENT WITH YOU. WHAT
TIME TO MEET WITH ME TODAY. I’M SURE
going to build it on, to the filming
DO YOU INCLUDE IN YOUR E-MAILS, AND DO
THAT I SPEAK FOR EVERYONE WHEN I SAY
and the content you will be showing
YOU HAVE TO BE A PERSONAL STUDENT TO
THE COURSE SOUNDS GREAT, AND WE
and teaching, you have to think of
RECEIVE THEM?
WISH YOU MUCH HATZLACHAH!
everything, because no one can ask you
No, anyone can sign up for my
questions live.
e-mails. They include tips and tricks
I am a mom first, and my kids need me.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE
Creating a digital course is a huge
I recorded it, showed it to my team, made changes where it wasn’t clear, made changes again, recorded it again,
Abbey Wolin is the founder of her own eponymous hand-painted glassware company. She has amassed more than 14,500 followers on Instagram and con-
showed it to more people, and made
tinuously empowers them with her stories, posts, and 30-day business challenge. As a
more changes.
result, she’s helped more than 1,000 women grow their profits and spend more time
The whole process took three
with their families. Abbey lives in Passaic, New Jersey, with her husband and children.
months, until I had it down pat without AUGUST 2019
2 . 0 | B 13
2.0
HASHKAFAH
RABBI AVROHOM WEISS
OUR VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
knows of it mainly from the world of video games. The idea behind using VR in a video game is the same as it is when it comes to the Kosel’s “A Look Into the Past.” Game manufacturers want the player’s senses to be fully immersed in a particular environment. Taking the idea of VR video games farther, we can use it as a parable for our own beliefs. The goings-on in the world in general, and in our lives specifically,
Virtual reality is an up-and-coming industry. Thanks to advancements in technology, it’s becoming more and more
are “programmed” by Hashem. In a VR game, when a particular scenario or level is difficult to pass, every gamer
common, and is being utilized in many different ways —
knows that there must be a way forward.
from entertainment to medical training, and even military
After all, who would design a game
instruction. Hashem has given society this phenomenal tool. What can virtual reality teach us about avodas Hashem?
O
without a solution? We need to place that same trust in Hashem. He placed us in this virtual reality in which we live, and there’s no
n a recent trip to Eretz
Hamikdash. What a great moment,
question that the mission he sent us on
Yisrael, I had the
feeling as if I was actually seeing the
has a solution. This important reminder
opportunity to visit the
edifice of 2,000 years ago — even as I
can be drawn from not only VR games,
Kosel. While I was there,
knew that I was certainly not.
but really from any game at all.
I decided to try the “new” (it opened
This got me thinking. If the
The universe was and is constantly
a few years back) virtual reality
graphics don’t make the virtual
designed by Hashem, the perfect
experience, titled “A Look Into the
reality environment “real,” what is
Designer, and any time we see a
Past.” This technology allows one to be
it that’s tricking my brain and telling
microcosm of this idea, we should take
“transported” back in time, via virtual
me that I’m approaching the actual
chizuk from it.
reality, to the era of Bayis Sheini — all
Beis Hamikdash, even as I know that
Perhaps, though, there’s a lesson for
for just a few shekels. And I have to say,
I’m really not? I believe the answer is
us specific to VR games: A player in a VR
I was blown away.
contained in one word: Immersion.
game is given a headset and a controller
As you probably know, “A Look Into
The VR experience takes a person
of some sort, and is thereby immersed
the Past” is located just a few meters
and plugs his or her senses into a new
into a scenario. In that new “world,”
from the Kosel. And yet, something
environment. So, even though I was
the subject is presented with a goal or
about the VR experience made me feel
intellectually aware that I was not in the
goals, and he or she is provided with
like I was almost in the Beis Hamikdash.
Beis Hamikdash, my senses were able to
tools in that environment, by which the
Even though the images of the Beis
feel as though I was.
player can accomplish those goals.
Hamikdash were computer-generated
Where is VR utilized? The technology
But, as immersed as the subject is,
and not “real,” I still had this feeling
has many applications, but the average
and as plugged-in as his or her senses
that I was approaching the Beis
person who’s familiar with VR probably
are to the pretend surroundings,
B14 |
2.0 AUGUST 2019
Hello.
the player still has an awareness
Just like in the VR game, if we look
throughout the game that the
around, we can tell that most of what
experience is not truly reality. He or she
we’re seeing is not real. Our rebbeim
knows that when the goggles come off,
and our parents teach us from a young
the real world will reappear.
age that the Torah’s values — and not
The VR experience brings home a
society’s values — are real and true.
fundamental concept in Judaism, one
Like my chavrusa’s mother, Rebbetzin
that is well paralleled in the VR game
Rochel Birnbaum, always said whenever
model. We’re taught that this world
something broke, “Nothing lasts
is the olam hadimyon, the world in
forever except Torah and mitzvos.”
which things only appear to be real.
PBX Systems
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Hashem puts technology into the
Simply put, Hashem created each of our
world for many reasons. Perhaps VR
neshamos in Heaven — and the soul’s
technology is here to remind us that just
natural environment is in that spiritual
as man has conceived a model in which
realm. Hashem took that neshamah,
a real person is completely immersed in
and placed it in a completely immersive
a fake world, so, too, Hashem conceived
environment. He attached it to a body,
of this model. Let’s do our best to live
and enabled that body to fully engage
our lives with the cognizance that when
with its surroundings. Each neshamah
the “headset” comes off, Hashem will
was given a mission. And throughout
be there waiting for us, in the Olam
our lives in this world, we’re given tools
HaEmes.
to fulfill that goal.
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2 . 0 | B 15
2.0
ON THE RISE
BITBEAN
Software Development Company | Lakewood, NJ By Alex Abel
HOW BITBEAN IS TRANSFORMING COMPANIES WORLDWIDE
W
hen Ephraim Arnstein was 25 and working at TheZone, a camp run by Oorah (an organization that works with families to
provide a Jewish religious education to kids and teens), he dressed up like Rip Van Winkle. He slung a fishing net with a few handfuls of candy over his shoulder and went looking for campers. It may sound like the start of an ominous tale from days gone by, but for Arnstein, it was an opportunity to create change. He got on the kids’ level and talked to the campers to find out who they were, where they went to school, what their hobbies were, what they wanted to be when they grew up, and more. He did the same for the staff members, and through this research, he created a database, pairing similar campers and counselors as a way of forging a mentorship and building a big brother or sister type of relationship. He wanted to make sure that those connections didn’t end when the summer did, but would continue throughout the year. Arnstein took ownership of this task, making sure it came to pass, and he held people accountable. “They needed someone who really believed in the purpose to push it and make it happen,” he explains. He didn’t know it at the time, but this idea would later become the basis for his company, Bitbean, a software development firm aimed at solving problems and turning businesses into the most efficient, savvy, and advanced iterations of themselves. Arnstein was first motivated to start Bitbean through his work at Eastern Union, a real estate company that works with those looking to buy commercial properties. They help the investor or buyer negotiate the best possible mortgage rate. When he was brought on as a consultant, the process and internal backend of the company
Bitbean's founder, Ephraim Arnstein B16 |
2.0 AUGUST 2019
needed a lot of work. “Brokers were using paper to write down who to call,” he says. “Each one
was keeping their contacts in their
Now, at 37 years old, Arnstein runs
Batsheva Harris, project manager at
own inboxes. There was no sharing of
a company that boasts 35 employees
Bitbean, says that company execs often
information and a lot of hesitancy for
who work in software engineering
arrive at their door desperate for help.
collaboration. When I came in, I helped
and development, business analysis,
“When they come to us, they don’t …
them organize and create a better system
product, project management, and
usually know what they’re looking for,”
for outreach. This way, they could spend
UX design. He runs his office from
she explains. “They’ll tell us their needs
more time doing other things, and
Lakewood, NJ. While the company
and then we’ll present them with what
through that, the company grew.”
has grown immensely, the core idea
we think will solve those problems.
has remained true to those camp
They’re usually in a lot of pain when
Arnstein realized he could actually turn
While working for Eastern Union,
days. “We build custom software for
they meet with us. Some of them have
his consulting skills into a company
businesses striving to be industry
tried so many different providers and
of his own. His model involved
leaders,” Arnstein shares. “We work
[types of] software already.”
working with other businesses that are
to play to individual companies’
experiencing difficulties — identifying
strengths, so each one can highlight its
explains that they had one international
exactly what those issues are, creating
unique attributes. We go to the heart
client with offices in different countries.
solutions, and hiring the right people to
of the story so we’re not just building
They were using two different
put the correct tools in place. In 2011,
something, [but] we’re helping the
systems and the process needed to be
he incorporated, and Bitbean was born.
founder accomplish a true vision.”
streamlined. Initially, it seemed like
To paint more of a picture, Harris
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AUGUST 2019
2 . 0 | B 17
2.0
ON THE RISE
BITBEAN
the different offices had completely different goals, and that was why they couldn’t agree on a method. But after sitting down together with Bitbean’s team, they figured out that they’re really doing two versions of the same
Bitbean employees work out of the Lakewood, NJ office
thing. Through that process, they were able to come up with a solution that unified processes across all systems. Another more complex and longterm project Bitbean is working on involves Chabad’s Campus International initiative. The
“Sometimes when you are trying to
Draw fundraising system, the whole
organization has many programs
make a sale, you want to shrink it down
process became quicker and simpler for
running at more than 500 universities,
to size to win it, but Chabad on Campus
donors. As a result, Chabad raised more
all aimed at building Jewish life, as
needed to see this for what it really was.
money through that initiative than ever
well as the big Kinus Hashluchim every
We weren’t just trying to make them
before. They also restructured the kinus
year (an annual gathering of Chabad
feel good. We were being real.”
registration system, rebuilding the entire
emissaries), fundraising events like
Since taking on that task, Bitbean has
their Grand Draw, and more. That’s a
created entirely new systems, including
lot of details to keep track of.
separate shluchim, admin, and student
user experience and interface to make it seamless. Arnstein finds a lot of fulfillment in
portals. When a student attends an
his work, explaining that it’s not just
with a single developer. “He was great,”
event, they’ll have an account set up.
about the technology, but using all of
Arnstein says. “But he was one person,
The team has also worked to create an
today’s advancements to complete a
so he needed to take a lot of shortcuts to
extensive directory where one can find
greater mission. “There are so many
get things done fast. They soon realized
all universities which have a Chabad
things that need to happen in this
that in order to succeed and reach
on Campus. There’s a public version
world,” he shares. “I find meaning by
more people, they needed to up their
that anyone can access, as well as an
meeting with people and helping them
technology game.”
internal directory.
grow. The software is just a tool to
Before Bitbean, Chabad was working
The teams met and, after two months
“For something like this, we have
make it happen.”
of extensive research and information
people working on the front end who
gathering, Bitbean realized they would
deal with the creative design, and
that’s inherent in everything. “My
need to rebuild the organization’s entire
then there are the coders, the people
journey has been a spiritual quest
software. The project would take between
who have to figure out how to make
in identifying ways to help others,”
two and six years to complete, depending
it work really fast and really well [on
he says. “Hashem created such a
on how many people they dedicated
the back end],” Arnstein says. Each
wonderful world, and it’s our job to
to the assignment. This would include
granular aspect of the Chabad program
pull things out. People didn’t invent
recreating both the back and front ends
requires time, individualized focus,
airplanes. Flight is part of Hashem’s
of its websites and restructuring each
and tenacity, especially when working
world — we just had to find it. The
program it has to offer.
through layers of existing code rather
same idea can continuously be applied
than creating something from scratch.
— the more the mind imagines and
“We were very honest about what the process would look like,” Arnstein says. B18 |
2.0 AUGUST 2019
Because of Bitbean’s work on the Grand
He goes on to stress the potential
explores, the more you can do.”
2.0
PROFILE
BUNIM LASKIN
Swimply By Sabrina Brick
MAKING WAVES THE STORY BEHIND INNOVATIVE POOL-SHARING SERVICE SWIMPLY
Los Angeles, California 20B |
2.0 AUGUST 2019
Bunim Laskin
T
hree years later, Laskin, now just 22, is the founder and CEO of Swimply, the world’s first pool-sharing
service — kind of like an Airbnb for pools. The company services thousands of people who want to “escape locally,” as Swimply’s tagline describes it. “It’s changed the game for so many, because now you can have a pool without owning one,” he explains.
GETTING HIS FEET WET Excited by the concept he’d come up with, Laskin went on Google Earth to
During the summer of 2016, 19-year-old Bunim Laskin was bedridden and recovering from surgery in his
search for all the homes in his area with pools. He then knocked on all those doors to share how they could use them
family’s home in Lakewood, NJ, when he got an idea. The
to make some extra cash. “I got a lot
oldest of 12 children, he was familiar with a little chaos
of ‘nos’ right off the bat,” Laskin says,
and craziness, especially in the summer when school was out. Though his parents owned a Suburban that seated 14, getting the family out of the house for a day trip — let alone a vacation — was quite an ordeal.
“which was actually a great learning experience, because I knew what that felt like face-to-face. I was already entering as a rejection veteran.” But he persevered. Eighty doors and four official sign-ups later,
Laskin’s bedroom overlooked his neighbor’s backyard
Laskin placed an ad in the local paper
pool, which had been installed for her grandchildren,
announcing the service, and people
who rarely visited. “I asked her if my family could use her pool, since it seemed empty all the time,” Laskin says. His neighbor agreed to let the Laskins use her pool on the condition that they contributed to the cost of
started calling. Laskin credits his early success with starting small. “It gave me an incredible amount of data,” he says. “I was able to deal with every user on the phone and figure out what they were looking for in
maintenance. His parents agreed, offering to cover 25
a pool and why they wanted it. So when
percent of the expenses. Soon enough, his neighbor was
it came to building our first website, I
renting out her pool to seven families, with each putting in 25 percent. Before long, she was making a profit.
already knew so much.” Just two weeks later, those four initial pools had turned into 32.
AUGUST 2019
2 . 0 | B 21
2.0
PROFILE
BUNIM LASKIN
GAINING STEAM
his father, Moshe Hirsch, Hirsch called
THE INITIAL SPLASH
After that summer, Laskin traveled
Laskin and said, “We’re making this
Laskin came home from Israel before
back to Israel, his birthplace and home
happen.”
Pesach of 2017. For the next phase,
until age 14, to continue learning in yeshivah.
“He got involved because he was
he started small. At first, he was
passionate about a yeshivah guy
still following his normal schedule,
At that point in his life and career,
applying his innovative attitude not just
dedicating about 10 percent of his
pool sharing was a hobby, whereas his
to Torah but also to the world,” Laskin
time to the business. From there, he
Torah learning and commitment to
explains.
began dedicating 20 percent of his day
Jewish growth were Laskin’s highest
Hirsch promoted Laskin’s business
to it, increasing it to 30 percent, and
priorities. Though he had made more
and took on a mentorship role, asking
then more, until his business venture
money during that summer than he had
him questions that made him think, and
eventually became the prominent part
ever made before, Laskin felt he could
helping him bridge the yeshivah and
of his day.
grow more in his Torah knowledge
business worlds.
and personal development, so he went
“He helped me make the transition
At this time, he officially launched the company’s first website, then called
back to Israel for that, ignoring the
slowly. I didn’t feel like I left any of
PoolForU. About three weeks later, the
temptation of business.
those values behind,” Laskin says. “He
hard work already started to pay off.
made it clear to me that in the business
MSNBC heard about the company and
with a boy whose father is a creative
While in yeshivah, he became friends
world, there are ethics and morality. He
briefly mentioned PoolForU on the air.
producer at Warner Brothers. When this
removed that working-versus-learning
After that, the start-up’s site traffic
new friend shared Laskin’s idea with
stigma.”
surged. “That was when I was really convinced I was onto something,” he shares. The 32 pools turned into 75, and things were growing. It was then that they realized they needed a name change. PoolForU could be spelled too many different ways, and Laskin was looking for something more userfriendly and easy to search. To nail down the new name, he wrote 100 different options on a piece of paper and read them all aloud, until he felt that one stuck. Swimply stood out as a memorable name that could really take things to the next level.
DIVING IN FULL FORCE After the name change, Swimply got tons of press on sites like Lifehacker and Lonely Planet. Within two weeks, Miami, Florida
22B |
2.0 AUGUST 2019
the company had thousands of registered users, and pools in 22 states
THREE YEARS LATER, LASKIN, NOW JUST 22, IS THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF SWIMPLY, THE WORLD’S FIRST POOLSHARING SERVICE — KIND OF LIKE AN AIRBNB FOR POOLS Cypress, California and Canada. People were attracted to
and 2.0’s managing director, at an
having affordable access to a luxury.
event for Tribeworks — an organization
from, including three degrees of
Laskin found that Swimply appeals
aimed at helping Jewish start-ups.
privacy. Users can choose to book a pool
to a wide demographic, ranging from
The two instantly clicked. “Asher was
that’s “not private, kind of private, or
college students seeking study breaks
passionate about Swimply the way I
super private.” A super private pool
to businessmen renting pools on their
thought only I could be,” Laskin says.
is in a separate area that cannot be
lunch hour.
“He really helped us grow at a time
viewed from the owner’s home or the
when I really needed it. Now, he’s a
surrounding areas.
Once Swimply got its press in 2018, Laskin started raising real capital. He
fundamental part of our team as chief
raised $30,000 of pre-seed money
marketing officer.”
(funds that help a start-up get off the
In terms of the structure, about
There are many options to choose
Laskin uses a commission-based model. Swimply takes 25 percent of what the host charges, which includes
ground), showed investors what he
68 percent of Swimply bookings are
a 10 percent service fee from the
could do with that, and then followed up
“whim-based,” meaning someone
swimmer. Currently, the average pool
by raising $1.2 million of seed (money
decides they want to go swimming, so
costs between $50 to $60 per hour. That
that helps take a start-up to the next
they book a local pool for later that day.
being said, the prices really vary. The
level once it’s operational and has
About 32 percent are event-based —
cheapest pool now goes for $16 an hour
consistent revenue).
pool rentals for birthday parties, photo
in Houston, TX, and the most expensive
shoots, and other events. People can
is $150 an hour in San Jose, CA.
With that money, Laskin hired a chief operations officer, chief technology
also book pools for regularly scheduled
officer, two full-time customer
use, such as every day for multiple
states and Canada, and plans to begin
Swimply currently has pools in 26
service representatives, and part-time
hours for months at a time, if they want
operating in Australia as early as
programmers and designers. Also
to use them for swimming lessons,
November, when the summer season
around this time, Laskin got in touch
aqua therapy, lifeguarding courses, or
gets started down under.
with Asher Weinberger, entrepreneur
the like. AUGUST 2019
2 . 0 | B 23
2.0
PROFILE
BUNIM LASKIN
Swimply has a solution for that, too. Because of multiple bookings occurring one after another on any given day, guests know they have to clear out of the pool area in time for the next visitors. If a host or subsequent guest reports that a user overstayed their pool visit by more than 15 minutes, that visitor is charged an additional fee.
THE NEXT LAP The way you expand at a tech company, Laskin says, is by figuring out what your users are interested in and giving them Houston, Texas
more of what they want. He offered the example of Airbnb understanding that their users are travelers who want more
HOLDING WATER
In the future, the company plans
than just a place to stay, so they started
“The way it works is you book a pool
to offer pop-up notifications to pool
offering “Airbnb Experiences” with
on our app [now available on iOS and
owners when their pools are in need of a
local hosts.
Android.] Then you get an e-mail with
tune-up, and instead of the pool owner
the address, and entrance and exit
having to pay out of pocket, the money
expand into additional areas that users
instructions — how to enter the pool
will be deducted from what’s owed to
may be interested in. First off, he’s
area, how to exit the pool area,” Laskin
them by Swimply.
discovered that many of the pool owners
explains. “The hosts receive the request
While potential hosts also might feel
As for Swimply, Laskin wants to
also have tennis courts, basketball
and can accept or decline. Once they
uncomfortable about strangers on their
courts, grills, and hot tubs that they can
accept, Swimply takes care of the rest of
property, Laskin says that once they see
rent out along with their pools.
the process.”
how fluid and effortless it all is, they
Safety is naturally a top priority of the
“Right now, Swimply is
become more at ease. Plus, all users
democratizing the luxury of the
company. Each pool is examined by a
receive background checks before being
swimming pool,” he says. “We’re
third-party franchise called PoolWerx.
able to book, so hosts can have that
thinking that Swimply can evolve into
It’s a business that certifies the pool and
extra assurance. Users are also required
democratizing any kind of luxury.”
makes sure all is up to code before the
to sign a liability waiver before arrival.
listing goes live on the site. Partnering
At this point, the company has placed
Of course, managing a start-up comes with all sorts of new daily
with pool maintenance and contracting
around 100,000 people in pools with
challenges. Laskin’s biggest is one he
companies like Poolwerx also helps
zero incidents, not counting a damaged
calls “the chicken and egg”: “Every
Swimply’s supply continually expand by
beach chair and a light fixture that
location needs to have the supply of
facilitating cross marketing.
was broken by an errant basketball. To
pools, or swimmers will get frustrated
compensate the owner, the swimmers
at the lack of selection,” he explains.
were charged for the damage.
“But, at the same time, the supply
Then, after the pools are on the app, they have a review system to keep the accountability going. Any pool that falls below a 3.5-star rating gets removed. 24B |
2.0 AUGUST 2019
And if pool owners are nervous about guests overstaying their welcome,
needs to have swimmers who are in demand or pool owners get frustrated at
HIRSCH PROMOTED LASKIN’S BUSINESS AND TOOK ON A MENTORSHIP ROLE, ASKING HIM QUESTIONS THAT MADE HIM THINK, AND HELPING HIM BRIDGE THE YESHIVAH AND BUSINESS WORLDS the lack of activity. It’s a balancing act
After work, Laskin learns at a local
that takes a lot of data-driven testing
night-seder program and goes to
and marketing to accomplish so it
Maariv. Then, he’ll work out and end
doesn’t become a circus.”
the day by responding to any additional e-mails that came in. “I deal with
ABOVE WATER
people in all different time zones, so
Laskin says his life changes by the
there’s always something to do,” he
day, but he makes sure to keep his own
explains. At night, he’ll also get his
personal seder. He’ll wake up and head
thoughts together for the next day’s
to Shacharis. Then, if he doesn’t have
Pirkei Avos idea.
any special meetings, he’ll learn at
Like many entrepreneurs, Laskin
the beis medrash until 10 a.m. General
chose a path that can be lonely when
office hours at Swimply run from 10
other people in your circle are doing
a.m. to 6 p.m., and they make a big
different things — it’s a life that
effort to integrate Torah learning into
requires real tenacity and passion.
the workday. “We begin every day with
“When 95 percent of your friends
a thought on Pirkei Avos,” he says.
aren’t living lives that resemble yours
During the day, Laskin is often in
at all, it can be difficult,” he shares.
meetings with different Swimply teams.
“There are days when I think Swimply
He’ll discuss their digital marketing
will rise over the world, and then there
strategies, public relations, creative
are other days when it feels like it will
ideas, and meet with the company’s
all disappear. It’s an emotional ride if
CPA to talk about how the market is
there ever was one.”
responding. He says that each day is also
He continues, “I live by the idea
filled with innovation. “We’re constantly
that ignorance is bliss. If I had known
working on solving problems that are
everything involved on day one, I never
stunting our growth and coming up
would have started. Now, I take it day by
with fresh ideas to improve the Swimply
day and focus on knocking it out of the
experience,” he says. “Then, we delegate.
park — I know that’s what I’m going to
As the oldest of 12, I’m good at that part.”
do with Swimply.” AUGUST 2019
2 . 0 | B 25
2.0
CROWDSOURCING
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST PRODUCTIVITY SECRET? Wouldn’t you love to walk into the office of professionals all over the world and pick their brains? Yeah, us too. So we put that idea into action and polled some of the top movers in their industries. All you have to do is sit back and soak it all up.
B26 |
2.0 AUGUST 2019
BEN
CHARLIE
MANAGING PARTNER, JUMPSPEED VENTURES
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER AND AUTHOR
“Routine and habit are my secret productivity tools,
“Getting up early. I was on an airplane sitting next to an
but they can also be my enemy. Positive ones include
officer in the US Army who was passionate that if you wake
a ‘seder’ for daily reading — I read three hours per
up past 5 a.m. you’re losing part of your day, and I really took
day on average. Not kidding. And, exercise. When my
that to heart. Waking up earlier than I typically would have
body is in sync, my brain is in sync. Bad routines can
has changed everything. In my case, I learn early. You get to
be an enemy — I try to make equally sure that I’m not
start your day without the treadmill of life happening yet.”
WIENER
HARARY
falling into ‘comfort zones’ or bad routines that prevent me from experiencing or exploring new things or
Charlie is a business executive, author, and prolific speaker, known
confronting challenges, because I’m stuck in a familiar
internationally for his charismatic, passionate, and sophisticated
cadence or rut.”
lectures, seminars, and keynote addresses. He can be reached via charlie@charlieharary.com.
Ben is the managing partner of Jumpspeed Ventures, a venture capital fund that invests in early-stage technology start-ups in the Jerusalem area. He can be contacted at ben@jumpspeed.co.
ESTER
ROSENBERG CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER, ROMEO POWER TECHNOLOGY
SHEBA
RASSON STRATEGY AND ANALYTICS LEAD, GOOGLE
“If I start feeling sluggish or unproductive, I walk away from my computer. I take a break outside if it’s a nice day or have a chat (that’s unrelated to work) with one of my coworkers in our lounge. I’ll even take a longer lunch break if I need to, to disconnect and reconnect.”
“I practice meditation every morning for 10 minutes. Mindfulness has allowed me to ground my day,
Ester Rosenberg is a project manager and freelance marketing
increase focus, and clear my head to be more
consultant. Prior to her current role, she worked for a tech start-up,
productive and present.”
known as Tesla’s number one competitor in Lithium Ion Battery Manufacturing — Romeo Power Technology. Over the past 12
Sheba is a strategy and analytics lead at Google NYC, helping
years, she’s executed a wide range of large international projects
Fortune 500 companies grow their businesses through
throughout London, New York, and Tel Aviv. In her free time, Ester
Google media and technology. She is also a part-time travel
enjoys working with various charities and her family’s foundation,
blogger, focusing her writing on short-term itineraries for
Universal Kindness, aimed at restoring the faith in the goodness of
career-driven professionals with a desire to see the world.
humanity through acts of kindness. She has a BA in political science
She can be contacted at shebarasson@gmail.com.
from Yeshiva University and currently resides in New York City. AUGUST 2019
2 . 0 | B 27
2.0
CROWDSOURCING
AVITAL
BRUCE
FOUNDER, HIPITCHED
MANAGING DIRECTOR, BLUMBERG CAPITAL
“It may sound simple, but my iCal, or phone calendar, is
“I love lists! I have a daily top 10 list that I try to get done
what really keeps me in check and provides the structure
first thing in the morning before my day really begins.
I need to achieve my goals — everything from personal
The idea is that today, people get so focused on answering
to private goes on there. On the first day of the week, I’ll
e-mails and calls as they come in that they miss out on
schedule in the things that I know if I don’t give an exact
their actual priorities. So if I get these quick 10 things
time to, they won’t happen. Examples of these include
done in the morning before that happens, I feel productive
gym sessions, shiurim, and a few nights where I just write
no matter how the rest of the day goes.”
BAYER
TARAGIN
‘recharge night — do not book to go out.’ Having said all of the above, the one daily routine I really am absolute about
Bruce is a managing director at Blumberg Capital and has over
is a gratitude list. I write down three to ten things every
25 years of experience as a venture capital investor, entrepreneur,
morning that I am grateful for. I find this really does start
technology investment banker, and corporate attorney. He can be
the day off right.”
contacted at bruce@blumbergcapital.com.
Avital was born in London and moved to Israel in the summer of 2016. She uses her passion for technology and innovation to inspire and promote change. She founded HiPitched in 2018. The company focuses on compelling branding, strategy, and design. She can be reached at avital@hipitched.com.
ALEX
TAUB COFOUNDER, SOCIALRANK
LAIZER
KORNWASSER PRESIDENT, CARECENTRIX; AND PROFESSOR OF ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP, YESHIVA UNIVERSITY/SY SYMS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS “Start your day early which, means you should daven as early as possible. My best times for individual creative thinking and planning are before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Always carve out
“I’m big on a pen and notebook as a way to take notes
time to invest in your family, friends, and community. It’s too
in meetings. I use a draft in Gmail for my to-do lists,
late to plant trees when you need shade.”
and it is better than any app made for lists. In terms of habits outside of the office, I schedule ‘meetings’ for
Laizer is the president of Carecentrix and a professor of
things I need to get done the same way I’ll schedule
management at the Sy Syms School of Business, where he
meetings with people at work.”
teaches or has taught Entrepreneurial Leadership, Managing a Growing Business, and Introduction to Real Estate. He has
Alex is the cofounder and CEO of SocialRank, a social-media
held executive leadership positions in investment banking,
analytics start-up in NYC. He is also an adviser to Rainfall
Fortune 50, and growing entrepreneurial companies. He holds
Ventures, an early-stage VC fund, and writes in the entrepre-
an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in accounting
neurship section of Forbes monthly. He can be contacted at
from Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business. He can be
ataub24@gmail.com.
contacted at lkornwasser@gmail.com.
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2.0 AUGUST 2019