Podcast

The Proctor Effect

Judaism, Religion & Spirituality, Spirituality

The Proctor Effect, part of The Moral Edge network, is a podcast hosted by Avi Proctor that highlights the stories of incredible people living in Israel who are making a meaningful impact in the world. From entrepreneurs and athletes to educators, organization founders, creators, and community leaders, each episode dives into the real stories behind the people helping shape life in Israel today. The goal of the show is to showcase the energy, passion, resilience, and vision of the people building their lives in Israel and to give listeners meaningful conversations filled with perspective, growth, and inspiration.

Episodes
18
Releases
Daily
Typical length
1 hr 4 min
On air since
2026
Latest episode
1 month ago

Episodes

18 episodes, newest first

  1. EXILE IS ENDING: Why the Return to Israel Cannot Wait | Rabbi Moshe Lichtman

    Season 1, Episode 18

    Show notes

    Avi welcomes Rabbi Moshe Lichtman, translator of Eim HaBanim Semeichah, to address the spiritual danger of choosing comfort over commandment. They break down the Torah sources calling for a return to Israel and confront why Diaspora leaders still hesitate to take action.

    Prepare for an unfiltered discussion on why the era of exile is closing and what it truly takes to bring our people home. Moral Edge explores Israel, faith, and a world on edge through a Torah and biblical lens, examining Jewish destiny, the Messiah, biblical prophecy, and humanity’s journey toward the Messianic era and Final Redemption. 🌍 Explore more conversations, articles, and exclusive content at: https://moraledge.com

    📸 Follow Moral Edge on Instagram: / moraledgepodcast

    🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week as we explore faith, Israel, leadership, culture, and the moral questions shaping our world.

    ✨ Avi Proctor Educator, speaker, and lifelong student of Jewish thought, bringing wisdom, insight, and perspective to today's most important conversations. Follow him: / therealaviproctor

    00:00 - Intro

    00:45 - Why Aren't American Rabbis Moving to Israel?

    04:15 - The Turning Point

    11:30 - Giving Up Pre-Med to Teach the Torah of Eretz Yisrael

    19:20 - Secret Proposal at the Kotel & Moving

    28:40 - The Miracle of Beit Shemesh: Divine Providence in Aliyah

    36:50 - Translating Eim HaBanim Semeichah:

    45:15 - Breaking the Diaspora Mindset

    52:30 - What to Do If You Can’t Move to Israel Right Now

    58:40 - Why God Commanded Us to Live in the Land

    1 hr 1 min
  2. How He Sold 500,000 Physical Books in the Screen Age | Rabbi Nachman Seltzer

    Season 1, Episode 17

    Show notes

    On The Proctor Effect, Avi Proctor sits down with bestselling author Nachman Seltzer to uncover what decades of writing about extraordinary people have taught him about purpose, opportunity, and the stories we leave behind. Some people spend their lives waiting for a door to open, while others recognize the moment and walk through it. This conversation may change how you see the people around you and the possibilities already waiting in your own life.

    🌍 Explore more conversations, articles, and exclusive content at:

    https://moraledge.com

    📸 Follow Moral Edge on Instagram:

    / moraledgepodcast

    🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week as we explore faith, Israel, leadership, culture, and the moral questions shaping our world.

    ✨ Avi Proctor

    Educator, speaker, and lifelong student of Jewish thought, bringing wisdom, insight, and perspective to today's most important conversations. Follow him:

    / therealaviproctor

    0:00 What Separates People Who Change the World?

    0:36 Meet Nachman Seltzer

    2:02 From One Book to Nearly 60

    5:26 How True Stories Become Books

    14:44 What Extraordinary People Have in Common

    20:03 Self-Doubt and the Cover That Failed

    25:39 Why Great Books Still Need Marketing

    29:22 Books That Were Never Published

    32:24 The Work Readers Never See

    35:54 Why Nachman Does Not Trust AI

    37:31 The Message Behind His Books

    39:00 Choosing the Right Stories

    43:40 Why You Can Never Stop Growing

    47:36 Two Unforgettable True Stories

    54:30 Rav Eli Teitelbaum

    58:11 Stop Letting Opportunities Pass You By

    1 hr
  3. Why Chasing Comfort Could Be the Biggest Mistake of Your Life | Rav Elyada Goldwicht

    Season 1, Episode 16

    Show notes

    On The Proctor Effect, Avi Proctor sits down with Rav Elyada Goldwicht, founder of Semichas Chaver Program (SCP), and hears how the question “What does Am Yisrael need?” grew into a worldwide Torah movement. What follows is the story of choosing Israel when America offered the easier path, turning one idea into 300 locations, and becoming the rabbi of a community that would soon face war, sacrifice, and heartbreaking loss. Comfort builds a life around what you want; meaning builds a life around who needs you.

    🌍 Explore more conversations, articles, and exclusive content at:

    https://moraledge.com

    📸 Follow Moral Edge on Instagram:

    / moraledgepodcast

    🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week as we explore faith, Israel, leadership, culture, and the moral questions shaping our world.

    ✨ Avi Proctor

    Educator, speaker, and lifelong student of Jewish thought, bringing wisdom, insight, and perspective to today's most important conversations. Follow him:

    / therealaviproctor

    0:00 Meet Rav Elyada Goldwicht

    2:31 Raised in America—But Only Visiting

    10:43 Choosing Israel Without a Career Plan

    12:33 The Birth of Semichas Chaver

    28:22 From One Shiur to 300 Locations

    34:25 Why Semichas Chaver Stays Offline

    40:19 Building a Community in Ra’anana

    46:14 Moving One Month Before October 7

    50:35 A Rabbi in His Community’s Hardest Moments

    57:39 Where Are You Needed Most?

    1 hr 2 min
  4. Why Religious Life Can Feel Empty (And How We Can Fix It) | Rabbi Moshe Benovitz

    Season 1, Episode 15

    Show notes

    Avi Proctor sits down with Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, the Managing Director of International NCSY, to have a real talk about what it actually means to live a life of meaning today.

    You know that feeling where you're just going through the motions and nothing really sticks? We get into exactly why that happens and how to break out of it. It’s one of those conversations that makes you look at your daily routine, your sports obsession, and even your connection to Israel in a totally different light. If you’ve ever felt like your religious life is missing its soul, you need to hear this one.

    🌍 Explore more conversations, articles, and exclusive content at:

    https://moraledge.com

    📸 Follow Moral Edge on Instagram:

    / moraledgepodcast

    🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week as we explore faith, Israel, leadership, culture, and the moral questions shaping our world.

    ✨ Avi Proctor

    Educator, speaker, and lifelong student of Jewish thought, bringing wisdom, insight, and perspective to today's most important conversations. Follow him:

    / therealaviproctor

    Chapters:

    00:00 - The journey of a lifetime

    01:04 - Growing up in Teaneck

    05:42 - The Israel experience

    08:08 - The trap of "imposition"

    13:16 - Why we move to Israel

    19:57 - The deficit in Jewish education

    25:02 - The power of NCSY

    29:54 - Why summer in Israel transforms you

    36:22 - The "Sports Rabbi" dilemma

    46:47 - Why I’m optimistic about the youth

    51:21 - The final message

    54 min
  5. Don’t Give up Yet: Today’s “No” Is Tomorrow’s “Yes” | Rabbi & Rebbetzin Schneider

    Season 1, Episode 14

    Show notes

    Avi Proctor sits down with Rabbi and Rebbetzin Schneider for a real talk about the messy parts of life. From the years they spent struggling with infertility to the big decision to pack up and build a life in Israel.

    This isn't a lecture. It is a masterclass on how to stop letting your circumstances run your life. If you have ever felt like you are falling behind, this episode is exactly the perspective shift you need to find your footing again.

    Connect with Avi:

    🎙️/ : Follow along for daily thoughts on life, growth, and the conversations that actually matter.

    🌍 Explore more conversations, articles, and exclusive content at:

    https://moraledge.com

    📸 Follow Moral Edge on Instagram:

    / moraledgepodcast

    🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week as we explore faith, Israel, leadership, culture, and the moral questions shaping our world.

    00:00 - Getting started

    01:16 - Looking back at the early years

    05:05 - How they actually met

    08:15 - The decision to move to Israel

    12:17 - The reality of struggling with infertility

    21:19 - Why they stayed after October 7th

    34:50 - The miracle of the twins

    49:16 - Why they chose an Israel-based life

    56:30 - Breaking out of the "box"

    01:04:34 - The best advice for staying happy

    1 hr 10 min
  6. The Sports Illustrated Phenom Who Refused to Play on Shabbat | Tamir Goodman

    Season 1, Episode 13

    Show notes

    Avi Proctor sits down with Tamir Goodman, famously dubbed "The Jewish Jordan" by Sports Illustrated in 1999, to uncover the raw reality behind his meteoric rise.

    From severe dyslexia unlocking his elite passing vision to the brutal reality of walking away from top-tier D1 programs to protect Shabbat, Tamir shares a raw, unfiltered look at his journey. This is a profound masterclass on identity, ferocious resilience, and what happens when you choose principles over fame.

    🎙️ Follow Moral Edge & Avi Proctor:

    Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/7ceq9fS...

    Moral Edge Instagram:/ moraledgepodcast

    The Proctor Effect Instagram:/ theproctoreffect

    Website:https://moraledge.com

    📌 Episode Chapters:

    00:00:00 - Introduction & Growing Up in Baltimore

    00:03:03 - The Power of Mentorship: Earning Your Boundaries

    00:06:34 - Turning Dyslexia into an Elite Court Advantage

    00:09:56 - 🔥 Getting 7 Division I Offers Just by Passing

    00:15:40 - Walking Away From D1 Basketball to Protect Shabbat

    00:21:04 - Walking Through the Snow: Fasting, Sprints, and Teammate Loyalty

    00:27:11 - Navigating the 90s Media Storm vs. Today's Social Media Era

    00:33:04 - Moving to Israel, Ripped Contracts, and Career Volatility

    00:43:41 - The Transition to Sports Tech, Engineering, & Entrepreneurship

    00:46:04 - A Day in the Life: 3:45 AM Wake-ups, No Alarms, & Elite Routine

    00:58:02 - 🔥 Facing Southern Hecklers & Earning Respect for the Kippah

    01:02:25 - Tamir's Ultimate Message on Internal Worth & Ferocious Resilience

    1 hr 5 min
  7. How Cycling Can Fix Your Brain (Adventure Therapy) | Rabbi Nachum Wasosky

    Season 1, Episode 12

    Show notes

    The Proctor Effect on Moral Edge brings you Avi Proctor in conversation with Rabbi Nachum Wasosky, founder of Geerz.

    Rabbi Nachum shares the wild story of how one mountain bike ride turned into a life-changing movement for kids, teens, soldiers, and families across Israel. From personal struggle to purpose, from boys finally opening up on the trail to wounded communities finding strength again, this episode shows why healing does not always happen in an office.

    Learn more about Geerz:https://www.geerz.org/

    Watch more from Moral Edge:https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3dUTmI1MFJSTVl6LWZPQVJxVVJ3V3F3YXhrUXxBQ3Jtc0tsZjZRamx6TVRuTG8xcFFPby1RTlAtMVZyam9IY05ZUTc0eXZkRkhTNFR5Y0lPYWpJSVV4WGoyYk5FNk96a19ZVlBMdDZ4cVYtd1pjVWhpNmFmZEtvN1F5Mm5WcHl3bVNXNVpaNm5DY1UtUzZsaS15aw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmoraledge.com%2F&v=oyQ41PcMBUshttps://moraledge.com

    1 hr 9 min
  8. The Line He Crossed: Saving Lives Beyond Politics | Eli Beer

    Season 1, Episode 11

    Show notes

    What if emergency help could arrive in 90 seconds?

    Eli Beer, founder of United Hatzalah, joins Avi Proctor to tell the story of how one painful realization changed emergency response in Israel: the system was too slow.

    After seeing lives lost while people waited for help, Eli built a volunteer network that could reach emergencies before the ambulance arrived. From being kicked out of school, to building an underground command center, to facing public opposition, Eli’s story is about courage, disruption, faith, and the refusal to wait when lives are on the line.

    https://www.amazon.com/Seconds-Paperb...

    Follow The Proctor Effect:

    / theproctoreffect

    Follow Moral Edge:

    / moraledgepodcast

    Listen on Spotify:

    https://open.spotify.com/show/7ceq9fS...

    Visit Moral Edge:

    https://www.moraledge.com/

    1 hr 4 min
  9. He Grew Up Christian until His Mother Told Him the Truth | An Unforgettable Journey Home

    Season 1, Episode 10

    Show notes

    Jodeci Joseph grew up celebrating Christmas, going to Christian school, and living a life that seemed completely normal, until his mother sat him down at 11 years old and told him the truth: he was Jewish.

    From identity shock, rejection, racism, family pain, and years of darkness, Jodeci’s story becomes a powerful journey of finding God, rebuilding himself, and choosing the Jewish life that had been hidden from him.

    “If You get me out of this, I’ll dedicate my life to helping people.” That moment became the turning point of a life transformed.

    Visit our Website athttps://moraledge.com

    1 hr 16 min
  10. From Ivy League Dreams to Fighting in Gaza

    Season 1, Episode 9

    Show notes

    Jacob Lerer joins Avi Proctor to share his journey from Ivy League dreams to choosing Israel, joining the IDF, and fighting from inside a tank in Gaza.

    In one unforgettable moment, an RPG hit so close that ten centimeters could have changed everything, turning his war story into a powerful testimony of courage, mission, and miracles.

    Visit our Website athttps://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbW1hNjF2Mm5mdGhzMUgtdExQQ2Q5cmVVczc4Z3xBQ3Jtc0ttWDZ3V1NHcHNYbmpxckpTMlMwSHlfemtrR3Z0WW92ZHpQUnR3WWVfV0lNUGlIRkZvR0tzTDF3NjFGS2lsb1A3UV81VkRIaElSZGVwM1puYzNlZ0tlZEZ6RmczX1p4SUFpT0NhaEY3V3NmREpjN1hxRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmoraledge.com%2F&v=p-kHg_kjQw0https://moraledge.com

    1 hr 19 min
  11. The Story Behind Chanale’s Fight for Israel

    Season 1, Episode 8

    Show notes

    She's been behind the mic for 20 years. This time, she's in the chair. 🎙️

    Chanale Fellig is a singer, podcaster, Israel advocate, and Chabad woman who has done it all; on her own terms, often at a cost. And this is the first time she's sat down and told the whole story.

    🎵 8 self-produced albums with zero budget and zero backing

    🏠 Left home at 13 to live with her aunt in Montreal

    ✈️ Performed in Chile, South Africa, Australia, Colombia

    💍 Got married in Israel — without her parents at the wedding

    🇮🇱 Made aliyah and released her album "I Am The Land" on landing day

    📱 Built @mybeautifullandofisrael to 260,000 followers during wartime

    💰 Raised $200,000 for the IDF post October 7th

    ❤️ Still standing. Still herself. Still on fire.

    She'll talk about the music industry that put her cassettes on the bottom shelf. The community that questioned her choices. The marriage that challenged everything. The divorce. October 7th. The viral video with 21 million views and hundreds of thousands of hate comments. And what keeps her going through all of it.

    👇 Watch the full episode, drop a comment, and subscribe — you'll want to be here for part two.

    52 min
  12. Israeli Mom of 5 Became Israel’s Marathon Champion: Beatie Deutsch Story

    Season 1, Episode 6

    Show notes

    Beatie Deutsch joins the show to discuss her transformation from an out-of-shape mother to an elite champion, proving that commitment outweighs motivation. This conversation explores the raw discipline of training through real-life chaos and the power of refusing to negotiate with your own limits.

    Visit our Website athttps://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHhpZGVNc09lYU5yVkpzRUF3YWZxWjcwT0VEUXxBQ3Jtc0tsR2g0Tm5QU09aQjhfdUhQUzdVR041ZFBOUkkxeWdSWUpYMjBJMlBMbkprMVJRaVE3dm8yX2x5WFVMUTlVaWU5eFRNRmZJR2tKZk9nSVBEZTZ2RkhmRlkwREdzUDgzR0pvTTZEMWdyVTdXbDN5NXJ4Yw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmoraledge.com%2F&v=8AipoxRnUwIhttps://moraledge.com

    52 min
  13. When God Sends a Message: The Fire that Led his Family to Israel

    Season 1, Episode 7

    Show notes

    Avi Proctor sits down with Dr. Herman Weiss for a powerful story of loss, faith, and the fire that pushed his family toward Israel. What looked like devastation became a clear message and a turning point.

    Visit our Website athttps://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWxqTnRpVEVJeDA5c0c2cktnaUktWHlYN1hDd3xBQ3Jtc0tudjJOVnBXOU9lbmxvX1pUd3E0OTJwYzdIZ2IyeUJibnFzUVI1amsxbk1XS19XeDFTd1FVdnZib08yb2hmUEtGYW82UW92Wmc2bnZ1QzdrelFocmY1WHZUcVh1NnZQUi1nVHdEZHRtN3doUUlkWFhZOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmoraledge.com%2F&v=gw98T1BwrIEhttps://moraledge.com

    56 min
  14. Faith from the Battlefield: Eyal Zakai

    Season 1, Episode 5

    Show notes

    Eyal Zakai joins The Proctor Effect to discuss choosing combat service in Gaza and finding the "Quiet After the Storm" through music and loss. He shares raw accounts of seeing Hashem's hand amidst the darkness of war and the unbreakable bond of brotherhood formed in the heat of battle.

    Visit our Website athttps://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWtKQkZBb0k5M3FwT0JIUnBNckxocWFzM2ZvUXxBQ3Jtc0trMXhRMU1OZHEtd182MWFOQ3ZUWGVRci1GS0ZuNV9mMml6ajUyQmN6eFNKZjlmRjNCeW5ndGpoNGc5X2R0LWwyRHh6MUZIRHVtMWlkMGpxUFZBWnJQOXVkRmdlaWVjTWpPTHVjT2NWTnFjZVBEZ3E4TQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmoraledge.com%2F&v=jRzsqeDRd60https://moraledge.com

    48 min
  15. Azriel Ratz The King of Facebook Ads Put Everything on the Line Before Anyone Knew His Name

    Season 1, Episode 4

    Show notes

    Azriel Ratz didn't start as the "King of Facebook Ads." He started by copy-pasting content into spreadsheets for $10 an hour.

    In this episode of The Proctor Effect, we trace the full journey — from part-time nonprofit employee in Israel to generating over $300 million in revenue for e-commerce brands worldwide through Facebook and Instagram ads.

    Azriel breaks down the exact mindset, metrics, and strategies that took him from zero clients and no salary to scaling brands from $5,000 to $350,000 a month in ad spend. He covers the 5 numbers every business owner needs to know before running a single ad, why most agencies are structurally broken, and how he thinks about every investment — money, time, or energy — as a pure math equation.

    If you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or just someone who wants to understand how the internet economy actually works, this one is worth your time.

    More conversations at moraledge.com

    1 hr 20 min
  16. The Real Life of Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaker

    Season 1, Episode 3

    Show notes

    What actually goes into making the right match? In this episode of The Proctor Effect, Avi Proctor sits down with Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaker Aleeza Ben Shalom to talk about modern dating, the biggest mistakes people make, and the mindset shifts that lead to lasting relationships. This conversation goes far beyond the Netflix show and will change how you think about finding the right partner.

    Visit our Website athttps://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVR6NzY4cFFfX1IxYk1uRDY2N0FXblJwNHRPd3xBQ3Jtc0ttTmxza3lTdlFiRG1Hc2ZRMkI2aURiOWs3bHVaOFJPTFo1MVpZTDBLZkNuZk45X3JCSFEweW5WaThodTluYVBKYkNvN3ZDd1B2RzctWnNjUTV4aHFENmtfRzd2LS1Qb1hDd1hlaGhjRzJOU0NQU0JKcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmoraledge.com%2F&v=Z8t2nbXSlwkhttps://moraledge.com

    1 hr 9 min
  17. Nissim Black: Pain, Faith, and the Art of Starting Over

    Season 1, Episode 2

    Show notes

    Nissim Black grew up surrounded by violence, chaos, and the streets of Seattle, using music as his escape and path to hip-hop success. But after loss, trauma, and a deep search for truth, his journey led him somewhere completely unexpected: Orthodox Judaism. In this episode, Nissim shares the story of pain, faith, and completely reinventing his life.

    Visit our Website athttps://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUttdzdUd2pCZHhYRG1NSVVSYWw4R1QxYTA4QXxBQ3Jtc0tscnltTU5UbHVpX3RrUFBPYXJSZE80ODRiRURlMlhKXzk3bEVMTHluWmNkVEhqRmhSMndaeEFjTV9DRmp2Z2E0TmJRZWU0c3JaVkNCRVFsMDZxN2ppeUE5LURUV1RTbFEyNjdma3hNMUQ5TjE0dGdBUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fmoraledge.com%2F&v=6-NUpfkUeLMhttps://moraledge.com

    1 hr 14 min
  18. One of the Most Unlikely Conversions to Judaism Ever

    Season 1, Episode 1

    Show notes

    What does it actually take to rebuild your life around truth?

    https://akivanachman.komi.io/

    In this episode of The Proctor Effect on Moral Edge, Avi Proctor sits down with Akiva and Chava Hart to unpack the journey that led their family to Orthodox Judaism.

    Their story is not a quick spiritual moment. It’s a long road of questions, sacrifice, and the courage to walk away from what was familiar in order to pursue what they believed was true.

    Akiva and Chava share what it felt like to search for meaning, how their relationship evolved through that process, and the moment they finally experienced the kind of peace that only comes when your life aligns with your deepest convictions.

    This conversation explores identity, faith, marriage, purpose, and the price people are willing to pay for truth.

    If you’ve ever wondered what it means to truly change your life for something bigger than yourself, this episode will challenge the way you think about belief, commitment, and peace.

    Welcome to Moral Edge.

    Where real conversations push us closer to truth.

    1 hr 17 min