He Was An Atheist, She Was An Orthodox Jew | The Story of R' David Kalmus

He Was An Atheist, She Was An Orthodox Jew | The Story of R' David Kalmus

Author: Meaningful Minute September 14, 2024 Duration: 1:41:21

R' David Kalmus reflects on his personal journey navigating mental health struggles, including experiences with depression and anxiety. 

 

Growing up in a secular environment, David encountered challenges such as bullying and a significant bout of depression during his time in sixth grade, which ultimately fueled his immersion in atheism. 

 

David experienced a spiritual awakening that led him towards Judaism and the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. 

 

Despite enduring intense depression and hospitalization, David eventually found solace through practices such as Hitbodedut and participation in the 12-step program. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in communication and fostering a genuine connection with spirituality, offering insightful anecdotes and outlining his aspirations for a more inclusive Yeshiva initiative.

[9/13/24, 5:00:04 PM] Nachi Gordon: R' David Kalmus reflects on his personal journey navigating mental health struggles, including experiences with depression and anxiety. 

 

Growing up in a secular environment, David encountered challenges such as bullying and a significant bout of depression during his time in sixth grade, which ultimately fueled his immersion in atheism. 

 

David experienced a spiritual awakening that led him towards Judaism and the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. 

 

Despite enduring intense depression and hospitalization, David eventually found solace through practices such as Hitbodedut and participation in the 12-step program. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in communication and fostering a genuine connection with spirituality, offering insightful anecdotes and outlining his aspirations for a more inclusive Yeshiva initiative.

 

This episode was brought to you in part by:

 

 

►Skive

 

 

Customized Software Without The Custom Price Tag

 

Skive works with a variety of tools, including ClickUp, Monday.com, Smartsuite, Airtable, DocuSign, Pipedrive and more!

 

Visit-  https://skive.co

 

 

Book a call with Zalman here https://calendly.com/z...

 

 

Reach out to Skive at info@skive.co

 

______________________________________

 

►Colel Chabad Pushka App

 

The easiest way to give Tzedaka download the Pushka app today 

 

https://pushka.cc/mean...

 

_________________________________

 

 

►Toveedo

 

 

The Jewish videos your kids will love all in one happy place!

 

 

 Stream unlimited videos on your phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and smart TV.

 

 From new releases, to your favorite classics, and exclusive originals, there's always something new to discover.

 

Use MM10 for 10% off

 

 

See our full library on https://toveedo.com

 

__________________________________________

 

►Town Appliance

 

Visit townappliance.com 

 

Message Town Appliance on WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/Townapp...

 

____________________________________

 

►ILS Title

 

 

Infinity Title: Titles without stories.  

 

When your real estate transaction is protected through Infinity, you get meticulous coverage, clear communication, and zero drama—title after title after title.

 

 

Visit https://Ilstitle.com

 

____________________________________

►Ray of Hope

 

We are here to provide a Ray of Hope – warmth, support, and understanding for sexual abuse and trauma survivors and their families in the Jewish Community.

 

Donate: https://causematch.com/rayofhope

 

 

——————————————————-

►Lema'an Achai

 

Send a FREE Lema'an Achai Rosh Hashana eCard!

Now, more than ever, people need to feel connected. 

It's easy, meaningful, free and unlimited! 

Choose your cards today and schedule them to be sent now or just before Rosh Hashana.

 

https://www.lemaanachai.org/en/ecards.php?a=mm

 

——————————————————

 

Subscribe to our Podcast

 

 

 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2WALuE2

 

 

 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/39bNGnO

 

 

 Or wherever Podcasts are available!

 

 

Editor: Sruly Saftlas


Every week, Nachi and Momo sit down for a conversation that feels more like a discovery than an interview. Their Meaningful People podcast explores the journeys of fascinating individuals from across the Jewish world, though you don't need to be Jewish to find their stories compelling. These are artists, educators, thinkers, and community builders-people whose lives are driven by purpose. Each episode delves into the personal turning points, challenges, and inspirations that shaped them, moving beyond public personas to reveal the real human experience behind them. You’ll hear conversations that are as likely to be funny and lighthearted as they are profound and reflective, offering a genuine sense of connection. This isn't about abstract ideas, but about the lived wisdom that comes from a life examined. Tune in for a weekly dose of perspective that feels both uplifting and grounding, a reminder of the diverse paths that lead to a meaningful life. From Meaningful Minute, this podcast sits at the unique intersection of spirituality, self-improvement, and education, all through the power of personal narrative.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 298

Meaningful People
Podcast Episodes
Zevi Samet | "No High School Wanted Me" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:52
From struggling to sit still in class to becoming one of the most impactful voices on and off the court, Zevi Samet's journey is anything but typical. In this episode, he shares how sports gave him confidence, how failur…
Yaakov Goldstein | How To Keep Jews Out Of Jail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:44
This episode of the Meaningful People Podcast dives into a reality most people don't want to talk about. How good, well-meaning people can end up making decisions that change their lives forever. Through real stories and…
Danielle Renov: We're Running to Egypt? Really?! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:10
As war continues in Israel, daily life has completely lost any sense of normalcy. Sirens, uncertainty, and constant disruption have turned even the simplest routines into impossible challenges. In this powerful conversat…
Rod Bryant | The Non-Jewish Rabbi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:41
Rod Bryant was once a Christian pastor with a thriving congregation of hundreds. Today, he teaches Torah to a global community of Noahides. In this conversation, Rod shares the remarkable journey that led him from growin…
Exclusive: Alon Lavi From ELAL Answers Your Questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:53
El Al has been getting a lot of heat lately. Canceled flights, no callbacks, passengers feeling abandoned. Our community sent in hundreds of questions and I sat down with Alon Lavi, El Al's head of customer experience, t…
Escaping Iran: A Jewish Family's Story of Survival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:16
Born in Iran in the 1970s, Sammy grew up in a thriving Jewish community in Shiraz during the final years of the Shah's rule. But when the Islamic Revolution erupted, everything changed overnight. In this powerful convers…
Dovie Neuberger | The Rabbi's Son Who Blames You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:39:39
This episode of the Meaningful People Podcast features Dovi Neuburger, a popular comedian and influencer who grew up as the son of a prominent rabbi and built his brand by poking at the frum world from the inside. In thi…
His Secret Gambling Addiction Nearly Destroyed His Family [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:49
In this deeply personal episode of the Meaningful People Podcast, Sruli Stern shares the hidden double life he lived for years as a compulsive gambler. From a childhood scratch-off card to high-stakes nights in Atlantic…
Bullying, Vaping & The Crisis We're Ignoring | R' Avi Landa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:04
In this episode of Meaningful People, we sit down with Rabbi Avi Landa, LCPC, Mashgiach at the Talmudical Academy of Baltimore Middle School, Director of Education for Amudim, and Director of the Landa Counseling Center,…
Emunah & Yakov Clemons: We Were Just Searching For G-D [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:37
In this episode, Emunah and Yaakov share their extraordinary journey from the Christian South to a fully observant Jewish life in Israel. Married young and raised in different Christian backgrounds, they describe years o…