From Film Sets to Rabbinical School—And Back: My Journey in Filmmaking & Video Production
once upon a time… I was just a kid who loved movies, chasing a dream I wasn’t sure was possible.
(If you’re new here—welcome. This one’s for you.)
Where It All Started: Film Was Everything
Like a lot of filmmakers, I grew up obsessed with movies.
• I took high school TV production seriously—like way too seriously.
• I launched my own company in college, taking on whatever projects I could find.
• I hustled my way onto big-budget film sets in NYC, grinding it out as a locations assistant.
I was willing to do anything to make movies.
But after two years of brutal hours, exhaustion caught up with me. I was burned out. I thought filmmaking had broken me.
The Unexpected Detour: A Spiritual Awakening in Israel
Then, in the winter of 2016, everything changed.
I went on a Birthright trip to Israel.
I had zero Jewish education. I wasn’t exactly a fan of organized religion. But something happened in Tzfat—something I never saw coming.
Let’s just say… three tabs of LSD and an ancient, mystical city make for quite the combination.
It was the first time I felt something bigger than myself. It wasn’t just spiritual—it was physical, real, undeniable.
When I got back, I did something crazy:
I quit the film industry.
Rebuilding My Life (With a Truck and a Torah)
For the next few years, my life took a turn I never expected:
• Truck driver for a kosher candy company.
• Rabbinical school. (What was supposed to be a one-month trip turned into two years.)
• Got married.
• Moved to Atlanta to support my wife’s PhD in religious studies. (Her dissertation was on Hasidic feminism, a term she basically coined.)
• Became a rabbi.
If you told 2016 me that this was my life path, I would’ve laughed in your face. But somehow, it felt right.
Until it didn’t.
Coming Back to Filmmaking (Right Before the World Shut Down)
In 2020, I had a realization:
I had given up a part of myself.
Filmmaking wasn’t just something I used to do—it was something I needed to do.
Perfect timing, right?
The world shut down. We were all stuck inside. And there I was, trying to rebuild a video production career from scratch.
Since then, I’ve been:
✔️ Writing marketing scripts
✔️ Producing brand videos & story-driven promos
✔️ Figuring out how to make this work while supporting my family (I have three kids: 6, 3, and 1.5).
But the more I work in video production, the more I realize:
I still need to pursue my original love—making movies.
The Struggle: How Do You Make Filmmaking Financially Sustainable?
This is the real challenge.
Making films is expensive. Making films that pay the bills is even harder.
I haven’t cracked the code yet, but I’m learning from people like Daren Smith (who’s doing amazing work showing filmmakers how to make this financially viable).
I know one thing:
✔️ I want to produce commercial projects that are both financially and creatively fulfilling.
✔️ I want to support other filmmakers in Philly and beyond.
✔️ I want to leave my own mark on cinema—something that actually lasts.
What’s Next? The Jewish Mafia Miniseries
Right now, I’m writing a Jewish mafia story.
It’s still messy, but the beats are solid—and I think a miniseries might be the best format.
At the same time, I’m tapping into the Philly film community to produce more. I want the work to be commercially successful. Not just for me, but for the teams I work with.
I’m in a weird in-between space right now—building a creative career that actually works.
And if you’re in the same boat—let’s talk.
Final Thoughts: The Journey Isn’t a Straight Line
If I’ve learned anything, it’s this:
• Your path won’t look how you expected.
• Passions evolve, but they don’t disappear.
• Sustainability in creative work is possible—but it takes strategy.
I’m still figuring it out. But I’m here. Making videos. Producing stories. Building something that lasts.
