Schmuckboys (Marla Friedson, Libby Shayo)

Libby and Marla are back and excited about their new launch with the Jewish Journal! They give some brief intros about themselves to help their new listeners learn about who they are. They then give updates about what's going on in their personal lives. Libby has an upcoming talk with Hadassah Magazine and Marla survived a car accident - so all good things! This week the girls are thrilled to welcome Ilana Dunn, a dating expert herself who will no longer have to deal with Schmuckboys as she recently got engaged. Ilana shares her unexpected journey into the dating podcast world and how she grew her audience. The girls discuss how they talk to their audience without revealing too many details about their dates. Ilana shares about how her and fiance first met and her connection to the Jonas Brothers which was also a big part of their relationship. Ilana also discusses where she sees her dating podcast path going now that she's engaged. The girls also ask Ilana about her experience co-hosting a dating podcast with a guy she had previously dated. The girls discuss dating smarter and how sometimes we're at fault for allowing ourselves to stay with people who don't treat us right. Ilana shares about her new venture with friend Carly Silverman to help set people up in a more casual and comfortable way. After discussing dating, the girls get into Ilana's connection to Judaism and how her identity changed when she first went off to college. She shares a funny story about convincing her mom to agree that she could marry NIck Jonas despite him not being a member of the tribe. They end with a game of Dating Do's and Don'ts!You can find Schmuckboys on Instagram @schmuckboysofficial and Ilana Dunn @ilana.dunn and @seeingotherpeople and @itslifeinprogress. Email dating questions to schmuckboys@jewishjournal.com

After a brief break due to Marla's last minute trip to Israel, the girls are back and didn't want to make you wait until a Thursday release. Libby shares about Maxine's wedding, Purim festivities and fun restaurant experiences. Marla shares about her trip to Israel and updates in her dating life. This week the girls are thrilled to welcome Carly Weinstein!

She talks about Jewish geography and her typical NYC dating life.  She shares about how she went from competing in gymnastics to starting her first blog in high school and kept it going through college even when other people looked down upon her for it. She also talks about the importance of being honest and vulnerable on social media especially with how difficult the internet can be. The Schmuckgirls dive into Carly's Jewish background and she shares about what her Jewish identity looked like as a kid versus now as well as the importance of her Jewish culture and how she made friends with Israelis through a penpal program. She also shares insight into how Jewish creators have fought back against antisemitism on TikTok. They end with a game of Cute or Cringe.  

You can find Carly on Instagram @carly_weinstein and Schmuckboys @schmuckboysofficial. 

Join us as we make our return to the podcast after a brief hiatus filled with personal life events and some time to recharge. We share updates on our recent activities, including Marla's memorable Valentine's Day getaway and a fun trip to the San Diego Zoo. With a commitment to bringing you more diverse and unique discussions within the Jewish community, we introduce our special guest, Miriam Ezagwi. Miriam, a prominent Jewish TikToker and labor and delivery nurse from Brooklyn.

In this episode, Miriam shares her journey from focusing on baby-wearing content to addressing Holocaust misinformation and embracing her Jewish identity online. She discusses her passion for labor and delivery nursing and how her experiences as a mother have shaped her empathetic approach with patients. Listen in as we discuss the balance between personal life and professional passion, and how these aspects can coexist and enrich one another.

As we continue, we navigate the growing presence of Orthodox content on social media, discussing both the benefits and challenges that come with it. Miriam shares her unexpected journey as a content creator, connecting with diverse audiences and the significance of positive representation and education about Judaism online. We wrap up the episode with a lively game of "Jew or False," where we address common myths about Judaism. Join us for an engaging episode filled with insights, stories, and a touch of humor that defines our podcast.

(0:00:14) - Life Updates and Fun Family Outings

(0:13:32) - Jewish identity, labor and delivery nursing, and motherhood coexist and enrich each other.

(0:27:29) - Orthodox Jewish matchmaking, social media, viral content, and community reactions to online growth and representation.

(0:32:44) - Jewish content creator's unexpected journey on TikTok and Instagram, connecting with diverse audiences and addressing myths about Judaism.

Follow Schmuckboys @schmuckboysofficial on all platforms and Miriam @miriam.ezagui

The Schmuckgirls are back with their first guest episode of season 2! Marla & Libby recap their weekend where they hosted a dating panel at the IAC Summit and as usual give you their relationship updates (0:00:00-15:30:15). They then welcome comedian, Eric Neumann who you've probably seen on social media, at the Comedy Cellar or on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Eric gives you all the deets with his relationship update and how he transitioned from being a schmuckboy to wifed up. They discuss shooting your shot over DMs and Eric shares a funny coincidence involving trying to pick up a girl last year when getting his covid vaccine (15:33:11-30:45:20). The girls then deep dive into Eric's career as a comedian, bombing on stage, and dating as a comic (30:50:09 - 40:37:07). Next, the trio gets into Eric's journey with Judaism, how he deals with Jewish jokes and antisemitism (47:38:06 - 01:02:00:00). Last but not least, they finishing off with a game created just for Eric - "Bit or Bomb!"

Send your dating questions, stories, suggestions to schmuckboysofficial@gmail.com and stay up to date on episodes through our instagram @schmuckboysofficial

This week, the Schmuckgirls are thrilled to have on Yossi, one half of the TikTok sensation, JewCrazy. They discuss dating with a Shadchan (Jewish matchmaker), navigating DM's with a large following, combatting antisemitism with humor and using your Judaism instead of hiding it. And of course, no episode would be complete without a game of "Cute or Cringe."

This week, we're giving you a treat of one whole hour of just the Schmuckgirls! They discuss the continuation of engagement season and the start of wedding season. They also talk about the new Instagram verification, kosher hechsher drama, the holiness of the month of Nissan and debate how difficult it is to keep Passover. Libby and Marla also share how their own Jewish identity has grown since they first started the podcast. The girls go on to discuss immediate fireworks vs. a slow burn when dating, and how to know how long you should continue to date someone. They also talk about the lasting effects of the pandemic and people's abilities to be social digitally vs. IRL. Marla and Libby go on to debate how difficult a relationship should be before recognizing that maybe this person isn't for you, the importance of your partner being in your life but not being your life and of how to avoid being jealous of your friends.

Welcome back to Season 4! In this first episode, we welcome a new co-host....well sort-of. Mazel Tov is in order as Libby Amber Walker is now Libby Amber Shayo! This episode Libby goes into all the details of her wedding day, from funny jokes, to the nerves, to the advice she was glad she followed. Tune in now!

The schmuckgirls are back this week and are excited because chametz is back on the menu and they're bringing you the self-proclaimed Nicest Jewish Boy - Jake Offy. On this episode, Libby, Maxine, Marla, and Jake discuss how to be a NJB, whether nice guys really finish last, how to politely reject over the DMs, Jewish geography and more! And of course they end off with a fun game of "Cute" or "Cringe!"

Like what you hear? Follow @schmuckboysofficial on Instagram and TikTok. Submit your questions, comments, concerns, crazy date stories, and advice requests to schmuckboysofficial@gmail.com

Libby and Marla are back this week, pushing through nasal issues to give you a great episode. Libby discusses her realistic experience with deviated septum surgery and gives her opinion on the Haley/Selena drama. Marla gives her date updates of the week. The two briefly discuss whether you should say something to a friend when they start dating someone that lacks a trait you know is important to them. The girls then welcome personal coach and public speaker, Kevin Nahai! Kevin shares his own personal deep story that helped lead him to where he is today. They discuss whether there is a sense of pressure to date when you're in a certain industry. Kevin gives his opinion on what he thinks are the the biggest issues within dating and Jewish dating. He talks about the difficulties that come with working with people sharing traumatic experiences. They end with a game of Cute or Cringe.

This week, we are thrilled to have on our friend, comedian, and rabbi Menachem Silverstein. He starts off with a beautiful story of how his neighbors came together after a Jewish home was broken into on his street. Menachem shares about what it was like growing up in a religious family and how he started his career in the entertainment industry. He shares the meet-cute story about meeting his wife on the subway and gives insight into issues that come about in dating in the religious world. The girls inquire about how Menachem has dealt being in the comedy world with the rise of antisemitism and how he handles comedians with opposing views. He also shares about what it's like to raise Jewish kids during a time when being visibly Jewish can feel scary. He also talks about his journey within screenwriting from avoiding writing Jewish stories to realizing that it's important to write what you know. The girls end with a game of 'Kosher or Treif."

You can follow Schmuckboys on Instagram @schmuckboysofficial - Menachem @menachemsilverstein and to send in suggestions, questions, dating stories you can email schmuckboys@jewishjournal.com 

The Schmuckgirls are back with their first duo episode! Before getting into it with their guests, the girls give updates on their lives from wedding planning and dating. This week they bring on Michael Valdes aka Hot Jewish Energy and Danielle Brody aka Jews in Doodles, host of Mitzvah or Shanda and together the two of them co-wrote "Hot Jewish Hanukkah." In their updates, Danielle reveals a new serious relationship and their meet-cute and Michael explains the dynamic of paying on dates within the gay community. The duo explains how they connected through the internet and immediately hit it off in their comedy creator minds. They collaborated on "Hot Jewish Hanukkah" - a funny modern version of the Hanukkah story made for adults. Michael and Danielle both share about their Jewish journeys. Michael grew up in a more religious world, but never felt he fully fit being part Cuban and part Persian. Building his online presence though, he started to reconnect to his Jewish identity. And it's been his goal for everyone to feel welcome in the Jewish community no matter who they are. Danielle grew up less religious but got more connected to her Judaism after going on birthright. They then take turns sharing some of their wildest Jewish geography stories. Danielle and Michael go on to share about some of the issues within the Jewish dating world. Connecting to the current state of the world, they then discuss how they balance their fun/comedic content with also addressing antisemitism. Michael then shares about his hope and dreams of peace and how he just wants to help shed light. They also share things they wish non-Jews understood about Jews. They end with a game of Hot or Not.

You can find Michael on Instagram @hotjewishenergy. Danielle Brody @jewsindoodles and Schmuckboys @schmuckboysofficial

Marla and Libby are back this week with a B-I-G announcement! Their good friend (and your former co-host) has reached a major milestone in her relationship! With engagement season in full swing, the Schmuckgirls discuss what conversations couple's should be having before popping the question. and what not to ask couples attending engagement parties. The girls then give their Purim recaps and discuss why people's actions don't always line up with their words. Libby and Marla give their dating updates and discuss the topic of being a serial dater.

The Schmuckgirls then welcome the amazing co-host of American-ish, Adela Cojab. They start off learning about Adela's Jewish identity and discussing the traditions of different types of Jews. She also shares how she went from not wanting to be the "Jewish girl" in college to suing NYU for antisemitism and how that lead her down the path of becoming an activist and soon-to-be lawyer. The three talk about antisemitism on college campuses and Adela gives advice on how students should deal with it. Adela then talks to the girls about how her and co-host, Mariam Wahba, started their podcast, American-ish, where they discuss a variety of topics, often related to being the daughters of immigrants. They then discuss how having a public platform can affect dating lives and end with a game of "Mensch or Schmuckboy."

You can find Schmuckboys on Instagram @schmuckboysofficial and email them at schmuckboysofficial@gmail.com

Wondering what's happened since the end of season 1? In the first episode of season 2, Libby and Marla go stag, aka no guest this week, to give some major life updates. What's going on in their dating lives? Careers? Why is it just the two of them? You'll get the answers to all your burning questions! And of course this episode won't just be two girls schmoozing, the schmuckgirls also discuss proper post-date etiquette - to text or not to text?

Bonus Episode! The gals get together for this special episode to discuss the day of all days in relationships - Valentine's Day. They share their plans for Valentine's Day 2022, discuss their opinions on the holiday, their best and worst holiday experiences and more!

After some time apart, the Schmuckgirls are back and have a lot to catch up on! They give some exciting relationship updates and are honored to have the one and only Melinda Strauss on this week! As a modern-orthodox Jew, Melinda uses TikTok to share about her daily life and educate others about Judaism. In this episode, some of the topics they talk about are dating within Orthodox Judaism, giving people more than one chance, and dating for the future you want. They share advice for a listener who wonders about staying in a relationship just because the person is Jewish and end with an entertaining game of "Cute or Cringe!"

On the 10th episode of Schmuckboys, Marla, Maxine, and Libby are thrilled to bring you Danielle and Julie, the co-creators of the double-dating app, FourPlay. To start off, the schmuckgirls recap their visit to CT where they put on a live-podcast show for BBYO teens and celebrate Maxine finishing law school (clap clap clap). On this week's episode the five ladies discuss why double-dating works, how FourPlay brings its users back to a simpler way to meet other singles, having expectations, choosing to date Jewish and more! The girls end with a game of "Cute or Cringe" and "Hot or Just Jewish?"

Like what you hear? Follow @schmuckboysofficial on Instagram and TikTok. Submit your questions, comments, concerns, crazy date stories, and advice requests to schmuckboysofficial@gmail.com

The Schmuckgirls are back this week with one of New York's most popular (and positive) social leaders, Liv Schreiber. Starting off Liv shares a bit about the importance of deciphering between real friends and fake friends. She then shares about how she first got her start in the fashion world, what it was like starting a business with her twin and how NYC's "Hot & Social" came to be. Marla and Libby are blown away by one story Liv shares about a life-changing decision. Liv also talks about her connection with Judaism and Israel and how she's found a balance in sharing about those topics along with the other content she posts. The girls also discuss the positive and negative effects of social media and how it can affect your dating life as well. They end with a special edition of "Cute or Cringe" - designed specifically for Liv.

This week Libby and Marla give their usual updates and they are extra ecstatic for their guest! Jack Shayo AKA Libby's boyfriend joins the girls this week for a fun episode. He tells the story of how him and Libby met and gives an interesting perspective on how he was persistent, in a cute not cring-ey, kind of way when they first started talking. Jack discusses his opinions on dating apps, having never been on them himself and also shares about what it's been like to date someone with a growing social media presence. Libby and Jack share advice for couples that are in the first couple years of their relationships and what they think are the top 3 most important things to have with your partner. The trio finishes off with a game called "Couples Competition" where Marla tests how well Libby and Jack know each other.

On what might be the last episode of Season 3, the schmuckgirls are giving you all the updates! Libby recaps her fun bachelorette weekend in Atlantic City. Marla gives updates on getting back into the dating game. And for their last episode, they bring IDF reservist, activist and educator, Noy Leyb. Noy talks about the positive he's seen come out of a post-Otober 7th world and how the Jewish community has come togther. They also discuss the fatigue that many are feeling in many areas though. He shares about hiss Jewish upbringing and the different antisemitism he faced growing up in Canada. They then discuss how he came to be a name in the Jewish activist space and the pros and cons that have come from it. He talks about how he was able to share content while in Gaza by sending videos to a content team he created. The trio then talk about Jewish dating post-October 7th and Noy also shares about the difficulties of trying to date during war time. They also share about the focus that Jews put on celebrating and staying positive even through difficult times. Noy ends by sharing his definition of Schmuckboy.

You can follow Noy @noyleyb and follow Schmuckboys @schmuckboysofficial

The first guest episode of Season 4 is here! With a lot of new listeners, Marla and Libby give you a quick introduction of themselves before giving their relationship updates of the week. They then welcome Chloe Hechter! Chloe has recently blown up on TikTok and Instagram spreading laughs through classic Jewish summer camp and college life skits. She talks about how she's navigated growing her following while trying posting both Jewish and secular content. Libby and her share in the meaningfulness of having partners who are supportive of their content creation. She talks about growing her page, imposter syndrome, and how being a theater kid has helped her. Chloe also explains how she deals with hate on her videos. They then talk about common issues in Jewish dating and how to deal with them. She then shares some crazy dating stories and about her Jewish identity. They end with a camp version of Cute or Cringe.

You can follw Chloe @chloehechterr and the podcast @schmuckboysofficial

The Schmuckgirls have BIG news this week. MAZEL MAZEL because Libby and Jack are engaged! A full debrief episode to come, but in the meantime Libby gives a little preview of how the engagement went down. Marla shares dating updates from the past month. The girls discuss dating app profiles and common mistakes that men make. Marla also shares her comparison between dating in NY vs. LA.

This week they welcome Mikey Greenblatt, aka jewishvibes on Instagram. Mike starts by sharing the meet cute of meeting his girlfriend on a line not to be confused with online. He shares his strong options against gold Jewish star chains and suggested men wear kippers because that’s what made his girlfriend like him. He talks about his Jewish journey and how going to yeshiva in Israel guided him down a more religious path. He discusses about how he got to be involved with the popular jewishvibes instagram page and how him and his co-creator realized there was a market for modern-orthodox Jewish comedy. He talks about he doesn't love the typical bagel and lox comedy and thinks it's overdone. He talks about his stand up journey, starting, ending it, and ultimately choosing to get back into it. He talks about how Eli Lebowicz inspired him and showed him you can bring Orthodox Judaism into comedy and how the two of them and Ami Kozak started JSketch. He talks about how he enjoys performing Jewish comedy for non jews because he gets to educate them and humanize judaism. He talks about the importance of being funny about Judaism without bashing judaism. He shares about his connection to torah and how it also helps make him a better comedian. He shares that the likes content but that it also hurts society. When it comes to social media, he feels that people will find anything to get angry about and he usually ignores the comments. He talks about dating in the Jewish community, specifically on the UES and in the modern-orthodox world. They end with a game of mensch or schmuck. 

You can follow Mikey and his comedic journey at @jewishvibes and @jsketch on instagram. 

Back this week, Marla shares updates on the guy she's been seeing and her upcoming birthright staffing trip. Libby talks about she helped partake in a surprise proposal and her fun travels witha  Camp Nai Nai Nai cruise, and how she feels that recently with multiple friends, there's been something in the dating air.

Their guest this week is Margarita Lyadova of 'People Jew Wanna Know' (so be sure to head over to her podcast after to listen to our episode). She starts off with her dating update of the week, and quickly gets into the details of growing up in Ukraine before it was fully developed. She talks about the things that really shocked her when her family immigrated to America, like free water everywhere and being able to drink tap water in many places. They then talk about her child stardom in Ukraine and what it was like growing up Jewish there. Margarita then shares the importance of how to treat immigrants and help them retain their dignity. Marla then inquires from Margarita to go deeper into what it really means to seek asylum in the U.S. and what the process looks like. They also talk about how Jewish organizations work to help Jews in need within their community even when they're total strangers. Margarita then gets into the creation of 'People Jew Wanna Know' and some of her favorite guests. The trio then gets into the most fun topic of the episode - dating! They then end witha game of 'Cute or Cringe.'

Check out @peoplejewwannaknow on Instagram! And don't forget to checkout their newest episode!

This week, Marla and Libby are joined by Tiktok sensation, Talia Lichtstein. With over 1.1 million followers, Talia is known for her hot takes, brutal honesty, and what it's like living in NYC in your 20s. Per usual, your co-hosts start off with their relationship updates of the week. They start off their conversation with Talia discussing her rise to popularity on TikTok and the importance of finding your niche when turning digital creation into a career. Next the ladies talk about the struggle of getting into other industries or hobbies when you're already known for something else. The trio then discusses the power of social media, how posting about certain topics is cringe until you're popular, how it affects dating and the lack of privacy within social media. They end with a game of "Cute or Cringe" and "Bad or Jew It."

This week the Schmuckgirls bring you a special episode with the one and only Lizzy Savetsky. She shares about her Jewish identity and growing up as on one of the only Jews in her town in Texas. Lizzy also discusses her family's recent trip to Israel which took place over October 7th and how she handles parenting young Jewish children during these difficult times. She shares how she turned her social media from a fashion influencer page to Jewish activism and how it became clear that that was her priority. She also tells the girls about how she met her husband and how they ended up on the same religious level even though they started in different places. The three discuss the fight over social media and how it's been to deal with the silence from friends and organizations, especially from women's groups.

You can follow Schmuckboys on Instagram @schmuckboysofficial and Lizzy Savetsky @lizzysavetsky. 

Marla and Libby have been beyond busy but they're back with another great episode of Schmukboys. Libby shares about how her wedding planning has been going so far, busy but exciting as they're planning a wedding in just 5 months. From engagement party to wedding dress shopping, there's been lots to do. Libby also shares about her fun experience celebrating her bithday and attending Camp Nai Nai Nai, a weekend of Jewish summer camp for adults. She also talks about the scary experience of visiting the Nova Festival memorial exhibit in NYC on the same day that there were people protesting violently outside. Marla and Libby talk about the importance of being proudly Jewish during this time and how it adds another layer of meaningfulness during this time.  Marla then shares about her updates on she's been focusing on work and putting dating a bit on the back burner. She then shares a crazy Jewish geography story about her and her friends meeting a a random Jewish guy in Vegas, going to his wedding at 4AM and then seeing him at Shavuot dinner weeks later. The girls then welcome their guest, Sean Hurwitz, a guitarist for Smash Mouth, Enrique Iglesias, and Nick Carter just to name a few. Sean talks about feeling a lot of support for the Jewish people while on tour with Nick Carter in South America and how he was pleasantly surprised. He then shares about growing up in Israel in a somewhat religious family and how religious or not, the culture in Israel is just being Jewish. They then discuss how he met his wife through OkCupid and about what's okay or not okay when it comes to complimenting other people when you're in a relationship. Sean talks about finding his love for music through his parents but also through the movie Back to the Future. He talks about how to be successful and how he built up his career through networking, helping, and connecting to others. Sean dives deeper into his experiences playing with different bands and shares some of his most memorable moments, like playing with Smash Mouth in New Zealand and with Enrique igleases in Israel. He also talks about playing for the troops in Iraq, and how that was a crazy experience for him because as a child in Israel, he would have to go into bomb shelters when Iraq was attacking Israel and then 20 years later seeing Saddam Hussein's palace. They talk about the silence from music industry after October 7th. The group ends with a game of cute or cringe and a short discussion on what is Schmuckboy.

This week on Schmuckboys, Libby, Maxine, and Marla are thrilled to have on Emily Austin, a Jewish influencer, actress, sports journalist, and yes, college student! They discuss A LOT of great topics such as ghosting, how going to Jewish day school nurtures Jewish identity but also brings on the pressure of marriage, what it's like being vocally Jewish on social media when your content isn't Jewish-focused, dating in sports and more! And of course the girls end off with a game of "Cute or Cringe" and "On a Scale of 1 to Schmuckboy."

The Schmuckgirls are back for 2023! They are bringing you some exciting updates including the craziest Jewish meet-cute you've ever heard. They briefly talk about the unrealistic expectations of New Year's Eve, ordering food on dates, and the importance of setting boundaries when you and your date aren't looking for the same thing. Marla and Libby also formally announce that their line of merch is now live! Their guest this week is none other than super star, Jonah Platt, known for his many roles across theater and television. The three discuss what it was like for Platt to grow up in an entertainment family, his experience as a theater kid and how his siblings have avoided being competitive with each other. They also dive into Platt's Jewish background and how that has driven him to become an activist for Jews and Israel both in real life and on social media. For the first time on the show, the girls discusses the topic of converting to Judaism. Platt shares his perspective and tips on the best way to bring up conversion with a non-Jewish partner when you know it's something that's important to you.

On this week's episode of Schmuckboys, Libby, Maxine, and Marla discuss one of the biggest issues in Jewish dating - finding someone that doesn't just match your energy but also your Jewish observances. From input from friends, to feeling judged, to how you were raised, the ladies will cover everything that comes with the challenge of trying to figure out the role you want Judaism to play in your relationship. And of course - ending off the episode is a fun game of "Cute or Cringe!"

The Schmuckgirls are back this week with some fun updates and discuss how the Passover holiday went. They then bring on the hilarious comedian, Eli Leonard. They debate how far away should an ex move after you break up. Eli shares about his journey to become an actor and comedian and talks about his time working on Curb Your Enthusiasm. He even shares some fun stories about his best moments working with celebrities. He also talks about the importance of making the most of an opportunity when it's handed to you. The trio also discuss performing to more religious audiences and Eli shares about his experience navigating that for the first time. They also talk about developing Jewish identities and Eli talks about antisemitism in the world of comedy and how he's dealt with non-Jewish comedians making jokes that he didn't think were their place to make. The group ends with a fun game of "Cute or Cringe."

Marla and Libby share their weekly updates, including a special announcement that they're running for the World Zionist Congress with Aish Ha’am, you can help vote for them at the link below! Marla gives major updates on her dating life and shares the craziness of first time staffing a birthright trip which included people getting kicked off. They welcome back one of their favorite repeat guests, Aleeza Ben Shalom, whose new book Matchmaker, Matchmaker is out January 21st! 

Aleeza shares a fun relationship update about a double date with her husband that resulted in a fun run-in at the restaurant. They then discuss dating post Oct-7th, if Aleeza has noticed any shifts among the dating culture in the Jewish community. She then shares some of her favorite topics that she hits on in her new book, including the classic “date ‘em til you hate em”, and newer topics like how to find a high quality human, soulmate clarity, "you can only move as fast as the slowest person" and maybe her most controversial take - the 5 date challenge - avoiding physical touch for the first 5 dates. The group then discusses dating anxiety and Aleeza gives tips on how to deal with it. They end with a game of date em or hate em and discuss further into Aleeza's 5 date challenge. She then shares what to look out for, both good and bad, when searching for a partner. 

Vote Here for Marla & Libby in the WZC: https://aish.com/vote/Marla&Libby

You can find Aleeza on social media @aleezabenshalom on all platforms and her new book "Matchmaker, Matchmaker: Find Me a Love That Lasts" is out Tuesday, January 21st and available on Amazon, most major book stores and online at marriagemindedmentor.com

You can find Libby & Marla on Instagram @schmuckboysofficial.

This week, the Schmuckgirls are happy to have on Philly influencer and content creator - Brandon Edelman aka Bran_flakezz. (Please note - this episode was recorded prior to Oct 7th.) With 605K followers on TikTok, we discussed how he got into content creation, getting over those  initial nerves of people you know seeing your videos, and making the jump from a full-time job to  full-time creation. He spoke about his experience filming on the Barstool reality TV show, Project Verified, where he ended up making it to the top 2. The trio discuss how reality TV has changed over the years as well as how to deal with burnout as a creator and how to set up certain boundaries when sharing about your personal life online. Brandon then shares about his funny meet-cute with his boyfriend, Josue. They also discuss recognizing when you might have to seek out new spaces and friends to meet the type of people you're interested in. Brandon shares about dating and finding support within the LGBTQ+ space. He also shares about how Birthright helped him to reconnect to his Judaism and remind him of the importance of the community it gives you. They end with a game of Cute or Cringe.

You can find Schmuckboys on instagram @schmuckboysofficial or email them at schmuckboys@jewishjournal.com and you can find Brandon on Instagram and TikTok @bran_flakezz 

On the second episode of our Israel mini-series, the Schmuckgirls have their first repeat guest - Adela Cojab. In our previous conversation with Adela, she discussed how she sued NYU for antisemitism and won. And that precedent she set is more important now than ever. The girls discuss how current college students are combatting antisemitism on campus and the difference in her experience suing NYU a few years ago vs. the students suing their colleges now. She also shares about her decision to turn her personal Instagram page into a full-fledge activist page. They talk about the digital war and how Jews will unfortunately always be outnumbered. Adela also shares about her 48 hour trip to Israel in which she had the opportunity to walk through the kibbutzes that were terrorized on October 7th as well as hear from survivors directly. She's also shared how she's been processing the difficult trip and advice she has for other Jews to get through this difficult time. The girls end with a brief conversation about dating during this difficult time for the Jewish community and how the conflict has been affecting Jewish dating. 

You can follow Schmuckboys on Instagram @schmuckboysofficial and email us your questions/suggestions at schmuckboys@jewishjournal.com - You can find adela on Instagram @adelacojab 

This week, the Schmuckgirls are thrilled to have on the wonderful grandmother and granddaughter duo of Kim and Gail from "Excuse My Grandma!" On this episode, Marla, Libby, and Maxine give you their relationship updates, talk Passover red flags, and then bring on Kim and Gail to talk through generational differences in dating, posting about your relationship on social media, whether people can really change, what's important in a partner and so much more! And of course they end with "Cute or Cringe" and a new fun game, "Hot or Just Jewish?" where the group votes on whether a Jewish celebrity is actually hot or if it's just their Judaism that makes them hot.

Like what you hear? Follow @schmuckboysofficial on Instagram and TikTok. Submit your questions, comments, concerns, crazy date stories, and advice requests to schmuckboysofficial@gmail.com

Marla and Libby are back with maybe their most exciting, fun and intriguing episode yet., (00:00:00 - 00:04:00)With the upcoming holidays, they share their suggestions for gifts for that special someone in your life, whether you’re just starting to date or you’ve been together for years. (00:04:00 - 00:04:55) Libby gives her relationship update of the week, sharing about spending the holidays with Jack as a married couple and an upcoming trip with Camp Nay Nay Nay. (00:04:55 - 00:31:40) In a twist of a events that hasn’t happened in a while, Marla shares a surprising Schmuckboy story she recently encountered that will leave your jaw dropped. She then shares a more positive relationship update of the week.

(00:32:45: -00:36:04 ). - Marla and Libby welcome Zach Sage Fox to the podcast. Zach shares about his recent dating encounters and the pros and cons of people knowing who he is before even going out like Jewish grandmother’s being obsessed with him. (00:36:04 - 00:44:23) Zach shares about his Jewish identity growing up and how his family and upbringing has shaped who he is today. He shares a crazy story about his grandfather getting turned away from the US border, and how he had to push a fruit card for years in South America before immigrating to the U.S. He then talks about the bullying he dealt with and how switching to a Jewish school made things better for him. (00:44:23 - 00:59:19) They trio then talks life post-October 7th, how it changed Zach’s identity, his decision to take on this activist role and how his previous producing experience helped him to get to where he is now. He shares about his spirituality journey and also the disappointment he felt when a lot of his heroes let him down in the wake of October 7th. (00:59:19 - 01:06:55) The conversation pivots to Jewish dating, where the trio discusses the varying issues surrounding dating within the community. They also talk about all the Jewish events happening and the fatigue that can sometimes arise from the non-stop parties and fundraisers. He shares a funny story about people not recognizing him when he dressed as himself for a Halloween party.  (01:06:55 - 01:16:50) Getting back into Zach’s work, they discuss his street interviews and he shares about some surprisingly positive conversations he’s had during filming. (01:16:50 - 01:37:22) They then dive deep in Zach’s most dangerous video, Wild Wild West Bank. They find out how he was able to film there, what it was like, and how he was eventually able to recover footage that he was forced to delete when his life was being threatened. (01:37:22 - 01:46:45) Zach gives his two cents on how to be an activist and how to use your skills to help with the cause. They end with a game of Cute or Cringe.

You can follow Schmuckboys on social media @schmuckboysofficial and keep up with Zach @zach.sage on Instagram and TikTok.  

Welcome to the Firsts of Firsts! In the first official episode of Schmuckboys, the dynamic trio will talk you through their relationship status of the week, how the stigma around dating has changed post-covid, first dates after a break up, first dates after covid and first dates in general! And to finish it off, some useful pieces of advice for first dates from each of your hosts.

The schmuckgirls are back with another episode in their Jewish Matchmaking series! They start off giving exciting updates like Libby's 25th birthday, her bonding with Aleeza Ben Shalom, and Marla's weekend back on the east coast. They talk about the fun, youthful energy that Harmonie brought to the show and she discusses how she's not afraid of being her real self. They discuss revisiting dating people that you've previously gone out with and how things can be better after both people have grown. Harmonie also shares about the ways Aleeza changed her perspective on dating. The girls debate communicating over voice notes, text, phone calls or Facetime - both from a romantic and friendship perspective. Harmonie shares the fun story about how she first found out about Jewish Matchmaking from a matchmaker friends of hers in LA. She talks about the deep connection she felt to Aleeza and how she truly felt like a light in her life with all the struggles she was dealing with during the show. The girls discuss a topic they've frequented before, the drinks date vs. coffee date debacle and Harmonie shares about how she's learned to enjoy a more casual date vibe. Harmonie then turns the interview back on Libby and Marla, asking them about their opinions on the show. She also spills the tea on some off-camera time with Aleeza as well as fun moments that didn't make it past the cutting room floor. They end with a game of "ALEEZA APPROVED or BYE" - where Harmonie has to decide if certain situations are worth sticking around or if it means kicking a guy to the curb.

Follow Schmuckboys on Instagram @schmuckboysofficial and Harmonie @harmoniekrieger

This week the Schmuckgirls bring you into the group chat with a no-guest episode. They give you a deeper look into their social and work lives as well as diving deep into dating updates. They chat about life after October 7th, issues dating in LA and NYC, how dating rules should be canceled and more!

To submit questions, stories, advice, you can email schmuckboys@jewishjournal.com or DM us on instagram @schmuckboysofficial. 

This week we're bringing you an exciting episode beginning with the launch of Libby's new creative consulting business. Libby celebrates one month of working independently and shares about her journey of embracing new opportunities and attending events like the ADL conference and TikTok gatherings. She details a bit about what her new creative consulting company offers like unique packages for creators and brands, including behind-the-scenes event filming and social media strategies. Switching gears, Marla gives a major relationship update and discusses the importance of open communication and maintaining a strong connection amidst a busy life. 

They then welcome their guest, comedian Ami Kozak! (Note this episode was recorded a few months ago so some comments are slightly outdated). They continue with an exploration of Jewish identity, comedy, and music. Ami reflect on the challenges and joys of navigating a modern Orthodox Jewish upbringing, working in both music and comedy, and the power of social media. They dive into Ami's controversial debate with Candace Owens as well as the surprising antisemitism that broke out after October 7th. The conversation also touches on societal pressures in dating, the dynamics of "schmuck culture," and the importance of authenticity in relationships. 

After a very brief hiatus, the Schmuckgirls are back! On this week's episode, Libby, Maxine, and Marla give some exciting updates and discuss the importance of supporting your partner in their career. Later on, they're joined by the wonderful Noah Sellers and give him a run for his money as he tries to explain why he believes girls and guys can't be just friends. They end with a fun game of "Friends or Dating."

Like what you hear? Follow @schmuckboysofficial on Instagram and TikTok. Submit your questions, comments, concerns, crazy date stories, and advice requests to schmuckboysofficial@gmail.com

After a brief hiatus, the schmuckgirls are back with an episode you won't want to miss! Libby shares about her experience at a content creator event and upcoming celebrations for the big 25. Marla gives some big updates in the dating department and the two discuss dating a nice guy vs. the right guy. She also talks about her recent trip to Spain with Olami, meeting Jews from all over the world. The girls then bring in the first guest in their series of bringing on the cast of Jewish Matchmaking, the amazing Cindy Seni!Starting off, Cindy discusses how rockets flying into Israel affect dating and how it forces people to get creative when you can't always go out but also don't want a date at home. They also discuss Aleeza's term "mystery in your history" about whether there might still be a connection in Cindy's past. Cindy then shares about her experience moving to Israel and the girls talk about how Americans and Israelis feel about living in each other's countries. Cindy then talks about how she first got acquainted with Jewish Matchmaking, whether she had been into reality tv prior to the show and her previous experiences with matchmaking. She also discusses working with Aleeza and what she's taken away from her experience on the show. The girls also talk about the importance of the show as a way to portray Jews in a positive light as well as their connection to Israel. They end with a game of "Aleeza Approved or Bye!" You can find Schmuckboys on Instagram @schmuckboysofficial and Cindy @israelwithcindy. Send all your dating questions, stories, advice to schmuckboysofficial@gmail.com

This week Libby and Marla give some exciting updates, debate coffee dates vs. drink dates, discuss Jewish mother's attitudes towards their kid's failed dating experiences and welcome on the wonderful Dalya aka TheSouthernYid to Schmuckboys! Dalya brings a new and interesting perspective this week, talking about her experiences growing up Jewish in the south. She shares about her journey with Judaism and how her observance has changed over time. The girls also discuss the differences in Jewish life and dating between a small town in the south with few Jews v.s. in the UWS of NYC where Dalya has recently moved. She also shares her love for cooking and how she has grown her following on TikTok. The girls also discuss assimilation and end with a game of "Cute or Cringe."

Welcome to the trailer for Schmuckboys! Meet the 3 nice Jewish girls behind the podcast. Find out who we are, how this came to be, and why we're more than qualified to take you through the the ups and downs of dating Jewish.

The Schmuckgirls are back with their next episode in their Jewish Matchmaking series! This episode they welcome the outgoing Dani Bergman. They discuss her famous eyebrows and looking at dating like it's just going out with a friend. Dani gives a look into how she ended up in Miami and also talks about her busy but fun work life. She shares how she found out about Jewish Matchmaking from a Facebook group and how her move to Miami really helped to propel her life forward in multiple ways. Dani talks about her experience on the show and meeting with Aleeza and how the show had to navigate not just finding a match, but people willing to go on TV. She also shares the story being the "hectic" hat. The girls dive a little bit into the David missing Dani's birthday fiasco and then move on to a more meaningful conversation about why a show like Jewish Matchmaking is so necessary. Dani also shares some of her biggest takeaways from the show and what she learned from Aleeza. The girls end with a game of "This or That." You can find Schmuckboys on Instagram @schmuckboysofficial and Dani @danimbergs. Send all your dating questions, stories, advice to schmuckboysofficial@gmail.com

trigger warning *this episode contains some graphic descriptions of the horrors of October 7th*

The Schmuckgirls are back with Season 3 but this time, things look a bit different. While we will get back to fun dating-filled episodes soon, it felt important to us to use our podcast to help share about the stories and work from different Jewish activists. So to start off season 3, Libby and Marla are bringing you a mini-series related to all things Israel and antisemitism. Our first guest is May Perez, an Israeli actress, singer, and dancer whose been working tirelessly to raise awareness for the over 200 hostages in Gaza. In this episode, May shares briefly on her experience in the IDF as well as what it means to be a woman in the Israeli army. She also tells the stories of some of the very brave and smart Israeli women who helped to save countless lives on October 7th. She then discusses how Palestinian women in Gaza are treated by Hamas, as well as some of the horrific ways Israeli women were specifically targeted in the Oct 7th attack. The trio also dives a bit into how to deal with people on social media who don't know what they're talking about. May hammers in the important of sharing and speaking up for the hostages and for humanity. You can learn more by visiting: https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/

You can follow Schmuckboys on Instagram @schmuckboysofficial or send us an email at schmuckboys@jewishournal.com 

On this special episode of Schmuckboys, the girls are thrilled to be hosting their first guests - Aaron Raimi and Daniel Ebrahimi, who co-founded the amazing Jewish organization MeetJew. The group discusses how MeetJew came to be, why it's so hard to date Jewish and they end with a number of games such as "Cute or Cringe," "On a Scale of 1-Schmuckboy," and discuss some interesting dating scenarios.

Marla and Libby start of this week's episode with their usual updates, They discuss bad first dates and dating multiple people at once, before welcoming their wonderful guest, Eliad Cohen. Eliad shares about how he got his start in modeling and what he learned from his experiences in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force). He also discusses with the girls his coming out journey and how he dealt with the realization that he was gay. Eliad also discusses how he navigates being a part of both the Jewish and gay community. He shares some really meaningful experiences that helped him see how impactful his work can be. The three end with a game of Hot or Not, an impromptu game of "Jeans or No", and "Cute or Cringe."