From the Midwest to the Middle East

Last Updated 1 month ago ago In part II, Philip Stein and Yair Benjamini continue diving into the latest Israeli tax reforms, unraveling how the new “wallet company” and “trapped profits” legislation is shaking up the business world. Discover what these changes mean for business owners, especially U.S. citizens living in Israel, and how they can navigate this complex landscape. Don’t miss this engaging conversation packed with insights and practical advice! The post Episode 141: The Changing Tax Exemption Landscape for New Olim, Part II appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 1 month ago ago In this podcast, Philip Stein and tax lawyer Yair Benjamini discuss significant changes in Israeli tax law affecting Olim (new immigrants) and returning residents. They explore the implications of new reporting requirements for foreign income, the voluntary disclosure program for those who may have misreported income, and the challenges posed by proposed changes to residency determinations. The conversation highlights the urgency for potential Olim to act before the new laws take effect in 2026 and the complexities of navigating U.S. tax implications for dual residents. The post Episode 140: The Changing Tax Exemption Landscape for New Olim appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 4 weeks ago ago In this episode, Yaacov Jacob and Philip Stein discuss the financial considerations for individuals making Aliyah to Israel. They cover essential topics such as how much money to bring, the implications of the 10-year tax holiday, filing the FBAR, and the complexities of investing in passive foreign investment companies (PFICs). The conversation also highlights the advantages of investing in Israel versus the US, and offers practical advice for new immigrants navigating their financial futures in a new country. The post Episode 5: Navigating Financial Decisions for New Olim appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 1 month ago ago In this conversation, Professor Dan Ben-David discusses the historical and contemporary socioeconomic challenges facing Israel, particularly focusing on the impact of the 1970s on the country’s growth trajectory. He emphasizes the urgent need for educational reform to address the disparities in the education system and the potential risks of a ‘spiral of collapse’ due to skilled emigration. Ben-David advocates for a comprehensive overhaul of the education system to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, receive the necessary skills to thrive in a modern economy. Takeaways Israel was on a rapid growth path until the 1970s. The Yom Kippur War shifted national priorities away from growth. Current education levels in Israel are comparable to third world countries. Half of Israeli children are receiving inadequate education. The gap between skilled and unskilled labor is widening in Israel. A small percentage of the population pays a large portion of taxes. Emigration of skilled professionals poses a risk to Israel’s future. The education system needs a complete overhaul to be effective. Demographic changes are impacting the socioeconomic landscape. A focus on education can help bridge the gap and improve the economy. The post Episode 139: Challenges Facing the Israeli Economy appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 4 months ago ago Join us for a follow-up conversation with Maya Natan, CEO of Keshet DAF IL, as we explore how Israeli giving has evolved since our 2019 discussion. Tune in for insights on how donors drive greater impact through long-term philanthropy and social investment. The post Episode 138: Keshet 2.0 appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 4 months ago ago History buffs, this one is for you! Join Philip and his guest, historian Shalom Lamm, founder of OperationBenjamin.org. Operation Benjamin is devoted to preserving the memories of American-Jewish servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending the cause of freedom during World War I and World War II. Tune in and enjoy! The post Episode 137: Righting History appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 8 months ago ago Featuring Shlomo Schreibman of Turning Point by Brand Launcher, this episode explores the highly sensitive issue of working with family. The post Episode 136: All in the Family? appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

If you haven’t heard of her yet (where have you been?), here’s your chance to get to know the powerhouse that is Fleur Hassan-Nahoum!Fleur is Israel’s Special Envoy for Trade and Innovation, the former Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, Co-founder of the UAE-Israel Business Council, and so much more! Tune in and enjoy. The post Episode 135: The Fleur Factor – Leadership, Innovation, and the Power of Ideas appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 4 months ago ago In the first episode of 2025, Philip interviews Philippe Blumenthal, Founder and CEO of the not-for-profit Governmental Savings Institute. Philippe’s primary goal is to help Americans retire overseas while still accessing their earned healthcare benefits. He also focuses on helping Americans living abroad become eligible for residence-based taxation. Additionally, he advocates for making self-defense training compulsory for all high school girls, aiming to reduce the rate of sexual assaults on women significantly. Get ready for a fascinating episode and learn “how the sausage is made” in Congress. The post Episode 134: How the Sausage Is Made appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 4 months ago ago Join Philip and guest Roee Azizi. During the past year, after serving in southern Israel post-October 7th, 2023, Roee changed his life, moved to the Western Negev, and established “Hinenu“(here we are). This movement encourages young men and women to move to the Western Negev and participate in its revival and prosperity. Tune in to this inspiring episode about Israel’s younger generation and how they define Zionism 2.0. The post Episode 133: Heading West, featuring Roee Azizi appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 4 months ago ago Join Philip and longtime friend David Weinberg for a brand new episode of From the Midwest to the Middle East. David is a government relations and foreign affairs specialist based in Israel. He is a diplomatic, defense, political, and Jewish world columnist for The Jerusalem Post and Israel Hayom newspapers and a senior managing fellow at the Jerusalem-based Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy. He was senior advisor to Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky and founding coordinator of the Global Forum against Anti-Semitism in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. David also conducts wine and food tours in Israel and writes about kosher wines from around the world. He utilizes his extensive knowledge gained from studying oenology at the London-based International Wine & Spirit Education Trust. In this episode, Philip and David discuss the Israeli wine industry’s growth and trends. So sit back with your favorite glass and enjoy. L’chaim! The post Episode 132: Drunk on Zion appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 4 months ago ago Discover an oasis of raw nature in the heart of Gush Dan at Ecopark Glilot. Today’s guest, Yoav Kremer, is the passionate environmentalist behind this ambitious project when he’s not at his day job as a lawyer. Hear all about how the park came to be and what you can do to help keep Israel’s natural resources thriving.The post Episode 131: Rewilding the Urban Jungle appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 4 months ago ago In our final episode of the Outlook on 2024 series, get all your burning real estate questions related to Israel answered by our guest, Yitzchak Kowalsky, CEO of YYK Real Estate. With over a decade in the real estate business, you benefit from Yitzy’s expertise! Happy listening! The post Episode 129: Outlook on 2024, Part VIII – Residential Real Estate appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 4 months ago ago Aaron Zucker, a friend of the show, returns for a new conversation. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Sapir Venture Partners, Aaron shares his thoughts on the latest industry trends and innovations and what to expect in the near future. As you may know, Israel is one of the leading countries in the world of startups. Its thriving tech scene has produced many successful companies. So, if you are interested in the world of startups and VCs, this is definitely an episode you don’t want to miss. Join us to discover what’s new and exciting in the world of Israeli startups and VCs! The post Episode 128: Outlook on 2024, Part VII – VCs and Startups appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 4 months ago ago Turn your Aliyah dream into reality with insights from the latest episode of From the Midwest to the Middle East. In this episode, Philip is joined by Jay Kierman of Prime Aliyah. No matter your life stage, you will find this episode extremely helpful in planning your Aliyah. Happy listening! The post Episode 127: Outlook on 2024-Part VI – Aliyah: Dream to Reality appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 4 months ago ago In today’s tumultuous world, marked by the ongoing war in Ukraine, congressional challenges in the U.S., rising interest rates, and the unfolding conflict in Israel, the resilience of the U.S. stock market is nothing short of remarkable, consistently hitting record highs against all odds. Episode 126 of our series, “Outlook on 2024,” presents an engaging dialogue between Philip Stein and Aaron Katsman, President of Lighthouse Capital. As a luminary in wealth management based in Jerusalem and a frequent voice in financial media, including a weekly column in the Jerusalem Post, a podcast, and appearances on CNBC, Aaron brings a wealth of knowledge and an insightful perspective to the discussion. This episode peels back the layers of current global economic dynamics, offering Aaron’s expert forecast for 2024 and the future of investments and financial markets. The post Episode 126: Outlook on 2024, Part V- Investment & Capital Markets appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 4 months ago ago Michael Granoff, founder of Maniv Mobility, joins Philip to discuss the future of Electric Vehicles in 2024 and beyond. Is there disenchantment with EVs in the U.S.? Are traditional car manufacturers pulling back on their EV production? Is a company like BYD going to become a household name? Tune in to hear his take on these questions and much more! The post Episode 125: Outlook on 2024, Part IV – All About EVs appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 10 months ago ago In part III of our podcast series, Outlook on 2024, Philip speaks with Commercial Real Estate expert Jonathan Steinberg, the CEO of Newmark Natam, the largest commercial real estate company in Israel. Located in Tel Aviv, it has five regional offices. In addition to his position at Newmark Natam, Steinberg is the chairman of the board of the Shechter Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. He is also the author of the book, “Buying Real Estate.” The post Episode 124: Outlook on 2024, Part III-Commercial Real Estate appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 10 months ago ago We all know the quote from Benjamin Franklin ..”.in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes,” However, if you are lucky, you will also someday be eligible for a pension! Join Philip as he chats with his longtime friend and Israeli pension expert, Yitschak Cina (aka Scotzy). Learn about how to plan for retirement and what to do with your Keren Hishtalmut. Happy listening! The post From the Midwest to the Middle East: Episode 123-Outlook on 2024 Part II, Pensions & Savings appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

Last Updated 10 months ago ago Join host Philip Stein in an enlightening conversation with Lena Levin, a certified accountant and serial entrepreneur. Discover Lena’s incredible journey, from co-founding medical device startups to her latest venture, Octopus AI, a cutting-edge technology company revolutionizing the way financial processes are automated and optimized. Lena’s expertise in finance and her passion for innovation in accounting will leave you inspired and eager to learn more. Don’t miss this captivating episode! The post Episode 121: The Art of Accounting and AI appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.