Wisdom from the Field By Tzviki Krasnjansky

In this unforgettable episode of Wisdom from the Field, Tzviki Krasnjansky sits down with Rabbi Aryeh Kaltman, shliach of Chabad of Columbus for over 34 years. Rabbi Kaltman shares story after story from the front lines of shlichus — raw, unfiltered, and deeply empowering. From being thrown out of donor offices to building lifelong partnerships, from losing major donors to witnessing open miracles, this conversation reframes fundraising not as “asking for money,” but as selling a concept, solving people’s problems, and letting brachos flow. A guiding theme throughout the episode is Rabbi Kaltman’s core principle: don’t be nispoel — don’t let rejection, pressure, or emotion knock you off your mission. This episode is packed with: Fearless fundraising mindset Real donor psychology Deep bitachon without passivity Strategy rooted in chassidus and lived experience If you’ve ever felt intimidated by fundraising, discouraged by rejection, or overwhelmed by financial pressure — this episode is required listening.   -   For more on the work I do with shluchim, check my website: coachingbytzviki.com

This first Field Note explores a question that comes up again and again when someone considers making a bold fundraising ask: Am I asking for too much? Starting from the practical and moving deeper, Tzviki reflects on knowing your numbers, reframing the ask as an invitation rather than pressure, and reconnecting to the true value of the work we do. A short reflection for shluchim navigating fundraising, leadership, and the inner world behind the work.   ---   To learn more about my work with shluchim, visit coachingbytzviki.com.

Baruch Hashem, Wisdom from the Field has been running for a number of months, and the feedback has been deeply encouraging — hearing how these conversations have been helpful, practical, and meaningful in real ways. As the podcast has grown, and inspired by the Rebbe’s teaching of ילכו מחיל אל חיל and the Chanukah message of continually adding light, I felt there was an opportunity to add something new that could be especially helpful. Across my coaching work with shluchim and the interviews on this podcast, the same themes, challenges, and insights come up again and again. And often, what’s most helpful isn’t a full, long-form conversation, but a short, clear insight you can sit with or apply right away. That’s why I’m introducing a new segment called Field Notes. Field Notes are short, practical reflections drawn from real conversations and work in the field — offering grounded insights around fundraising, leadership, and growth. Bez”H, you’ll start seeing Field Notes appear regularly alongside the interviews. I hope you find them helpful, relevant, and insightful. Stay tuned for the first Field Notes episode, coming soon.

This week on Wisdom from the Field, I sit with my uncle, Rabbi Moshe Krasnanski, whose life story is anything but typical. As a young bochur, he helped pioneer Chabad activities across the country. Later, he entered the business world — intentionally — because he “never wanted to fundraise.” But in the middle of financial success, something shifted. The call to shlichus returned. And with a family of five children, he stepped away from business and began building Chabad of the Town, one person, one class, one relationship at a time. We talk about the emotional and practical realities of that transition, how Torah learning became his most powerful tool for connection, why he embraces trying things even if they fail, and how he grew a team and a community that now includes over 1,100 grassroots supporters. His message throughout: when you show up with humility, positivity, and a real belief in every Yid, the Rebbe sends the brachos.     ---   For more about the work I do with Shluchim, check out my website: www.coachingbytzviki.com   Subscribe to my email: https://mailchi.mp/c0f254880cc4/new-subscribers          

In this farbrengen-style conversation, Shmuly Rothman returns to explore a healthier, happier, and far more effective approach to year-end fundraising. We discuss how a shliach can show up b’simcha u’betuv leivav, drop the pressure of “I need this guy,” and enter each conversation with the intention of uftzuhoiben — uplifting the donor, regardless of the outcome. Inside the episode: Why simcha is a core fundraising tool How to let go of anxiety and approach donors with clarity and respect The mistake of “saying no for the donor” Who to reach out to at year-end and how to think about matchers, anchors, and amcha How to set smart but ambitious campaign goals Year-end as part of a 12-month fundraising strategy If you’re stepping into a year-end campaign — or want fundraising to feel calmer, clearer, and more aligned — this conversation will lift you up.   ---   Anchor doc: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P1kMgKedIDTgebQEfnX3IP7JiZVaS_Pm/view?usp=drivesdk If you would like to customize this for your moised, email Shmuly - with your logo, the goal of your campain, and the matching and anchor levels you would like displayed on your document- at: shmuly@rothmancoaching.com   ---   For more about the work I do with Shluchim, check out my website: www.coachingbytzviki.com   Subscribe to my email: https://mailchi.mp/c0f254880cc4/new-subscribers          

In this candid and insightful episode, Rabbi Avi Rabin, Shliach to West Hills, CA, reflects on twenty years of fundraising, community-building, and inner growth. What begins as a discussion about end-of-year campaigns evolves into a masterclass in fundraising mindset—how a shliach’s inner clarity, self-worth, and relationship to money determine everything. Rabbi Rabin describes how he shifted from running small one-day matching campaigns to building a strategic annual campaign—a transparent, honest system that gives donors a sense of partnership and gives the shliach stability and confidence. He explains how he learned to structure commitments, track annual budgets, and avoid the illusion of “big campaign success” that hides financial stress underneath. But the heart of the conversation lies in the internal transformations behind those systems: Confusion → Clarity: Know your real numbers so you can ask with confidence. Scarcity → Abundance: Make space in your head for bigger brachos. Guilt → Responsibility: Paying yourself properly helps your moisad thrive. Insecurity → Worthiness: Believe your work deserves to be funded. One-Off → Partnership: Cultivate long-term, recurring donors. Survival → Growth: A shliach doesn’t have to be broke—he can live with dignity and vision.   Throughout the episode, Rabbi Rabin’s mix of humor, candor, and deep emunah offers a grounded reminder that clarity is power: when a shliach knows what he needs, believes in the value of his work, and asks from a place of partnership, abundance follows naturally.   For more about the work that I do with Shluchim, check out my website: coachingbytzviki.com     

When Rabbi Chaim Hanoka looks back on three decades of building Chabad of Pasadena, one phrase sums up his approach: “No guts, no glory.” From renting a storefront with no idea how he’d pay for it, to announcing a building campaign on Simchas Torah and making it happen, Rabbi Hanoka shares the grit and faith it takes to build something from nothing. But the real heart of this conversation lies beyond bold moves and big campaigns. Rabbi Hanoka opens up about the sting of rejection, the resilience required to keep going, and the importance of showing up for fellow shluchim who may be struggling. He speaks candidly about balancing family with shlichus, and why true success is measured not only in buildings and budgets, but in the strength we give each other along the way. This episode is both raw and uplifting — a window into the courage, compassion, and commitment that define the shlichus journey.   For more about the work I do with shluchim check out my website: coachingbytzviki.com

In this brilliant episode of Wisdom from the Field, Rabbi Yosef Plotkin of Greensboro, NC shares how friendship became the foundation of his fundraising success. Seventeen years ago, he arrived in a small community full of established institutions and plenty of skepticism about Chabad. What could have been an uphill battle turned into a thriving center — powered by relationships, transparency, and courage to ask. Rabbi Plotkin takes us inside the milestones that shaped his journey: Why friendship first means you almost never get a no. How publishing donor names and amounts created peer momentum. The $1,800 ask that turned into $18,000 — and the lesson behind it. Building a system that keeps hundreds of donors engaged year after year. How personal tragedy deepened his understanding of community support. This is a masterclass in friend-raising — showing that when you lead with genuine care, fundraising follows naturally.   For more about the work that I do with Shluchim, check out my website: coachingbytzviki.com To receive my emails for shluchim subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/c0f254880cc4/new-subscribers

In this episode of Wisdom from the Field, I sit down with Rabbi Shmuly Novak, shliach to the University of North Florida, the Town Center community, and Ganenu Preschool in Jacksonville, FL. Rabbi Novak shares his candid journey of learning that fundraising isn’t a side job — it’s part of your shlichus. We discuss how to balance multiple communities, why clarity of audience is crucial, and what it takes to ask with confidence instead of hesitation. Key themes include: How to move from apologetic asking to confident, authentic asking. The role of a coach or colleague — and accountability — in keeping fundraising alive. Why celebrating your accomplishments gives you the strength to fundraise. Real stories—from tough challenges to unexpected donor breakthroughs—that remind us Hashem sends support when we step up with courage. If you’ve ever struggled with making the ask, this episode will give you a refreshing and empowering perspective.   For more about the work that I do with shluchim check out my website: coachingbytzviki.com

In this powerful episode of Wisdom from the Field, I sit down with Rabbi Sholom Duchman, director of Colel Chabad — the oldest continuously operating charity in Israel, founded by the Alter Rebbe in 1788. Rabbi Duchman shares over four decades of fundraising experience, from starting with no donor base to building a global network of supporters — all while staying deeply connected to the Rebbe’s guidance. You’ll hear how the Rebbe shaped Colel Chabad’s approach, including: Reversing the usual fundraising mindset — seeing donor engagement as part of the mission, not just a means to fund it The power of continuous giving — why the pushka model still works in the digital age Engaging donors with Torah — turning every meeting into a chance to share inspiration Thinking out of the box — never settling for “what worked last year” Extreme care with donor funds — treating every dollar as sacred We also dive into the power of asking — why a bad ask is better than no ask — and the importance of being unafraid to hear “no.” Finally Rabbi Duchman shares his feeling that people don’t connect with us because of how impressive we are, but because we bring them something authentic, something real — the Rebbe’s vision and a mission worth partnering with. If you’ve ever hesitated to make the ask, feared rejection, or wanted to infuse your fundraising with more authenticity and spiritual connection, this conversation will give you clarity, courage, and real-world tools. 🎧 Listen in and be inspired to “take the bull by the horns” in your own fundraising journey.   For more on the work that I do with Shluchim check out my website: coachingbytzviki.com

This isn’t a regular episode—just a quick and important announcement  from your host, Tzviki Krasniansky. If you’re a shliach who’s been feeling stuck, plateaued, or just ready to grow—in your fundraising, shlichus, and your personal life—this may be exactly what you’ve been looking for. The next round of my group coaching program is starting soon, and there only a few sots left.  It's a small, intimate, and powerful program - Real growth. Real breakthroughs. Real support.   👉 To learn more or grab one of the last spots, reach out: 📧 hello@coachingbytzviki.com 📱 WhatsApp: 808-499-5850

What does it really mean to be a shliach in a small, community—where Judaism isn’t a priority and you’re starting from scratch? In this honest and inspiring episode, Rabbi Kushi Schusterman shares how he built Harford Chabad one phone call, one coffee, and one act of bitachon at a time. From calling thousands of names off a cold list to raising millions for a new building, Rabbi Kushi shows what it looks like when you truly believe this is the Rebbe’s Chabad House—and you’re just here to do your job. He speaks openly about the grind, the doubts, the breakthroughs, and the belief that kept him moving forward. You’ll hear: Why no one “owes you anything”—and why that’s freeing The difference between a donor and a partner How asking the right questions builds real relationship, and much more... Whether you're early in your journey or in the thick of it, this episode is a deep well of encouragement, perspective, and practical wisdom.

In this unforgettable conversation, Rabbi Yosef Levin shares the story behind what he calls “the best fundraising meeting I ever had”—the one he walked out of to be there for a Yid in crisis. From early days in a nearly Yiddishkeit-less Palo Alto, to building a thriving community despite constant turnover, Rabbi Levin offers a treasure trove of insights on what it means to lead with emunah, structure, and purpose. He talks about the Rebbe’s guidance, how to build trust through transparency, why seder brings menuchas hanefesh, and why a shliach is not a fundraiser—but a mashpia. He also shares his four powerful markers of a successful program—culminating in the importance of creating a moment of real hashpah pnimiyus/transformation for at least one Yid. This episode is a masterclass in sustainable fundraising, long-term relationships, and living with clarity of purpose.   To learn more about the work I do with Shluchim, check out my website: www.coachingbytzviki.com  

In this fascinating interview, Rabbi Dov Yonah Korn—The Rebbe's Shliach to the Bowery—shares his raw journey building a $10M Chabad House, sustaining a $2.5M+ annual budget, and navigating the emotional toll of nonstop fundraising. He talks about alumni giving, capital vs. annual asks, and the mindset shift needed to raise major gifts. Beyond the strategy, Rabbi Korn reflects on burnout, resilience, and how the Rebbe’s teachings on Moshiach consciousness can help a Shliach stay centered, ambitious, and spiritually alive—even under intense pressure. A powerful conversation on fundraising, Emunah, and staying whole.   To learn more about the work I do with Shluchim, check out my website: coachingbytzviki.com  

In this powerful conversation Rabbi Dovie Shapiro shares the 19-year journey of building Chabad of Flagstaff—from arriving with no local support to creating a vibrant moisad serving community, campus, and travelers. We dive deep into practical fundraising wisdom: how clear branding transforms perception, why every shliach should have structured giving levels like Chai Founders, and how to fundraise without fear. Rabbi Shapiro also speaks candidly about the importance of slowing down after achieving big milestones and investing in yourself, your family, and your internal clarity.   For more about the work I do with Shluchim, check out my website: www.coachingbytzviki.com

What happens when a young couple moves to a city with barely a minyan, no promises of support, and a whole lot of determination? In this episode, Rabbi Ovadia Goldman shares the remarkable and often hilarious story of building Chabad of Oklahoma City from the ground up. With warmth, wit, and an unmistakably real style, Rabbi Goldman takes us through crashing fundraisers uninvited, calling strangers on their birthdays, and turning quiet Torah study into the foundation for deep friendships and major support. All the while, he weaves in a powerful reminder of the centrality of hiskashrus to the Rebbe — not as a slogan, but as a living reality that guided every step. “You’re not just raising money — you’re delivering the Rebbe to the city.” It’s raw, relatable, and deeply encouraging — especially for any shliach building in smaller communities or navigating the early years of fundraising.     For more about the work that I do with Shluchim check out my website: www.coachingbytzviki.com    

Rabbi Zalman Teichtel is the Shliach to the University of Kansas, he and his wife moved out 19 years ago with "just a dollar, a dream, and a six-week-old baby". Today they are in the midst of building a magnificent and unique new Chabad House. In this fascinating conversation, Rabbi Zalman shares the pivotal lessons that transformed his approach to fundraising on shlichus, drawn from his own personal journey. In this interview he explores how to move from feeling overwhelmed to empowered, the three keys that unlocked new growth, and why successful fundraising is ultimately about so much more than money.  Whether you’re a seasoned shliach or just starting out, this episode offers inspiration, practical insights, and a fresh perspective on building authentic, lasting partnerships.   For more about the work that I do with Shluchim check out my website: www.coachingbytzviki.com I can also be reached via email: hello@coachingbytzviki.com      

Shmuly Rothman is a fundraising coach that has been working with shluchim over the past 15 years.  His work ranges from helping young shluchim set themselves up for success, to helping large and established Mosdos go to their next level. In this fascinating conversation we cover topics like; when is the “right time" to bring up financial support with a potential donor, creating a culture of giving in your community, and much more.  To learn more about Shmuly’s work check out his website: www.rothmancoaching.com   For more about the work I do with Shluchim check out my website: www.coachingbytzviki.com I can also be reached via email: hello@coachingbytzviki.com or WhatsApp: 808-499-5859.  

Rabbi Mendel Mintz has been the Shliach to Aspin Colorado for the last 25 years.   Listen to his fascinating story of starting off with nothing in a remote ski town, to building the largest jewish center in the neighborhood.     For more about the work I do with Shluchim, check out my website: coachingbytzviki.com, or email me at: hello@coachingbytzviki.com    

Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman is the Shliach to Chabad Intown Atlanta, GA.   He is also a Coach who helps Shluchim build efficient and successful organizations.   Listen to this powerful conversation full of insights and lessons that Rabbi Schusterman learned along the way.   Rabbi Schusterman can be reached at: Email: eliyahu@missionscaling.com WhatsApp: 404-931-6449   For more information about the work I do with Shluchim, check out my website: coachingbytzviki.com, or email me at: hello@coachingbytzviki.com