This Rabbi YY Jacobson slices Pastrami for a living

Welcome back to the Clappy and Frank Show here on YouTube and anywhere else you're watching. Thank you so much for tuning on. Today's episode is going to be about the kinimi, the grand kin of where kabad emissaries gather in New York for a couple of day convention from every single city in the entire world. Somewhere between city >> somewhere between five and a half and 7,000. Being that we've never had a shriek on the show, today we are extremely honored to have a very popular, successful, unique Shrik, Rabbi Y Jacobson, not from Pomona. The original Y Jacobson. >> You're first or you? >> You're older. You're older. He's the original Y Jacobson from De Moine, Iowa. The famous De Mo, Iowa. The first voters in American elections. So for every couple of years, millions of people come pounding on to Iowa to talk about who the people in Iowa are going to vote for. And their first Jewish interaction is with Rabbi Jacobson. Also, he's related to me. His sister is my sister-in-law, Mimi. Shout out to Mimi and Schmully. Greatest people. Very, very good family. >> Also helped him get him here. >> Who you had to get involved to get him. He's here for a family. Simka >> after many failed attempts we [laughter] >> and he has a very very unique story to say. Mishi tell us a little bit about your friend. >> So I had the great honor of discovering Rabbi Yasi Jacobs in De Moine because make this drink bubila and because of one of his constituents who has such a great positive experience with kabad people he agreed to venture with me on this drink. >> Yep. So um but my the biggest shock that I got what I should say got in my life that sounds a little too crazy. I walked into this deli and I heard this the rabbi has a deli. So I thought the rabbi is sitting in some executive office somewhere in another location. He has some people maybe some immigrants from different countries running the restaurant. Okay, whatever. This deli that everyone talks about this deli, deli, deli because So I show up and lo and behold, the great rabbi Y Jacobs is sitting with the big apron and his wife is back. I think he was probably talking to someone at the counter >> slicing pastrami and this is and then I realized he's the one of the most busiest I ever met in my entire life and attracts the widest audience of any I ever met. >> Y, how'd you end up slicing pastrami as a rabbi? Barashem the Makabe Delhi has become a a household name all over in Iowa and um you know every has to find their nation the community you got to find your ways because it's so easy to fail yourself I I try I I advertised them shar I advertised minion no one came and shleen and this one says I'm coming and they don't come you know I know myself I used to call people and at the end I used to call another rabbi who lives by us okay where we're holding it's like okay well we have three maybe five for sure three three from the 10 call me and it's like it becomes a whole ball game and then one time we talk advertise a shir I said let me give it all I got they gave a mysticism cabala 70 people came and then the following week 50 people came they just said after a month nobody came I said what's going on here was it was it that bad I mean I felt I had you guys said no you fill us up we're not hungry but you know rabbi you know we have to eat three times a day if open up a deli, maybe people will come. And that's when we started thinking, you know, Rashkans then had the the the house in northeast Iowa. They had all they were making already producing cold cuts and everything. I said, tell my wife Connie, look, you got to look at the everything the puts before you, you know, and it's like a puzzle. And sometimes we think we have to we have to think what's going on in another country. Look what the braas are in front of us. We got to start seeing things for what they are, not for what they're not. And uh we decided well I I decided and said okay I'll come along until we can't do it and it just took off. It was it was a breakthrough. >> So how many years after you moved to De Mo at Kabad Rab did you open up the >> So we opened up literally uh probably 12 years 12 years after >> 12 years after >> we we got we got a facility uh we started you know we had no clue how to do this. We just had one goal. We want to bring people without calling them you know and we realize that our is going to be like au like we're learning in the para you know a opened up a deli I mean the tells us clearly he served tongue rashi for example was with with mustard and uh >> so why do people try to reinvent the wheel I don't think >> you know what you know that's why we we say the they trend away they already they know we don't have to start reinventing the Well, go back to what where we come from, you know. So, if your is like, you know, to just give him and awaken is to open up your house on, you know, if it's if it's too but in my case, I wanted to have all of it, you know. I wanted a I wanted to do and I figured through food. You have faban, you have a minion, we have a we have a theel, we have a beautiful uh wall uh of the >> gift shop >> gift shop and people come in and I always uh every morning you know it's not uh this is interesting uh people are always asking what's the difference between you and the other why my cousin I says the other why knows how to take a two-minut share and turn it into two hours. I have to take a two hour share and turn it into two minutes [laughter] because people just going to give you two minutes with them. So and and and that's the beauty you know uh >> there were people call you by mistake. [laughter] >> That's another thing I have there we get calls is this y why y jac and I said yeah and all of a sudden these people start crying and [laughter] they they pour out their problems. I said I think you got the wrong y said no no no your y said yeah they don't care if it's the right one as long as they got a y. So uh so you know listen if I listen to them and I give them courage and I tell them look you know the first thing is start saying to him say your capital so value yourself because you feel so devalued then >> second they don't send you $5,000 >> no [laughter] send another one >> my advice is priceless [laughter] it's not free it's priceless >> um but um what's interesting is because the would tell people this say value yourself theap the year you're going into and and bring to uh help you fight your fight and stand your ground and and take on the world and and you'll conquer and you know stand what I don't know you know what I'm going to come to know you already knew and there's no room for suffic and you just trend and you go up you never give up you go up and that's what and then the would tell people also the issues you have with other people say their capital and awaken on them through their capital. These unknown answers the Reb gave different people who are struggling as family members and eventually you know the the light of David to heal him is the most powerful thing to heal him to heal him to heal to bring healing to the belt. >> So what was your first location when you did the Delhi? >> The location was exactly where we >> right now. You bought the building, you rented the building. What was your first? >> There were a few people, you know, we had no credibility properties. What do we know? There was a few balabat who felt that you know helped us get it. Uh people put their names on it so we had the credibility and uh we already bought it with renters who are renting businesses up there. So it worked out and the original owners actually became our renters. So it was like [laughter] I'll never forget it was like the bank at that time was doing so well the the bigger banks are swallowing the smaller banks every day one bank got swallowed up by a bigger bank so every bank needed a hecka you know to be known to the community so they were helping community projects in our case it worked out well because uh this bank literally put down all the money literally all the money I'll never forget two days before the signings >> but no down payment money nothing >> they called me up Rabbi Jacobson will you be putting down at least 5%. And for a joke, I said, "A bank that needs my 5%. I don't know if I want to do business with you. [laughter] I mean, you need my 5%." I mean, you're kidding me. You're giving me the the 95%. That 5% is going to kill you. Really? Okay. Okay. [laughter] They were doing well. They were doing well. >> A miracle. A miracle of >> listen bought a property with no money. How come I can't do that? I want to buy a house. I'm ready. it I'm telling you uh I heard these stories which look growing up as a kid and uh you know you say mas you know and it it does happen at the right time the right place that's exactly what happened there's no exaggeration I make up stories that did happen by the way [laughter] >> I want to I want to go I want to go back I want to go back a few steps we we started talking about your deli and how successful it is and how you reach people and this unique and you only realized this unique way of reaching >> he's the only rabbi that actually works during the week. >> Well, we talk about somebody that after 12 years of being on found out that there's a unique that you have to do with that sent you and your rebbitson. >> Now, I want to go back just that people around the world are watching and there thousands of are coming. I really want to zoom in. You grew up in Crown Heights, >> Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Yeah. >> On Lefforts Avenue, >> Conceiv famous famous mother Fagy Jacobson who was like Vavino's wife of Crown Heights. He brings in a lot of needy people and people that need a place to sleep and for a warm meal and >> you know what it is every night you didn't know who who who you're going to sleep next to. >> Can you imagine that? You know how much fun that was? You know ma who's my new brother. [laughter] >> So that's a whole topic and conversation. >> That's a whole conversation. That's a whole that's a broadcast. >> What year were you born? >> I was born 1968. >> So you grew up in Crown Heights. You went probably went to >> and you heard about and you heard the talking week after week year after year about and the and bringing people down that back to doing and everything but your family wasn't on my family wasn't on but the Jacobson family were known that they had other you know my cousins my uncle was the editor and chief of the algabanal he was a beltch and you know every one of the Jacobson brothers my father and his brothers had uh personal uh personal moments with the Reba. The Reba basically raised these you know they they were from young and in the 60s and 50s and 60s and early the was a father figure for so many so many uh >> Gar had the algame. Yeah. >> And your other uncle was recently passed away. >> Yeah. And then your father would oversh my father was guided by the deba to get into diamonds to polish diamonds and and then I I could never understand that everything would always tell my father you'll always find diamonds and everything when he bought the house on lefforts you'll find diamonds there. So it came so I used this as whenever I meet somebody and they you know especially in a time when people are struggling should they have children or not. I said god wants to send you down diamonds to polish on earth. How could you hold that back? These are diamonds. When you value children today, there's such a devaluation. People devalue everything. When you bring out the value of everything, people like see it. They say opening like, "Oh, yeah. How could you say no to diamonds?" People will go into to into the mud to take the diamonds out. They'll go into the oceans. >> The oceans, they'll go into if you find diamonds. >> Somebody once says to me, "Rabbi, why did I have to go through life having all these problems and suffering?" And I said, "But look what happened at the end. and you married a beautiful woman. You have three beautiful kids. You were masking it before you came down. You saw these diamonds. You're going to go through this. You just didn't realize the bumps that's going to actually happen on the bottom. But would you have not done it knowing the diamonds are there? Look at the diamonds. The takeaway is you got the diamonds out of the hole. All from all the and all the crap you went through. Look at the diamonds you took away. And that's what you got to look at. >> So you grew up in Crown Heights? >> Yes, I did. [clears throat] >> Beautiful family. >> Yes. Good kabad background. You hear that talking about going on? It >> was my dream. >> Your dream. >> Yeah. >> Now your wife grew up in England. >> England. >> We both married English girls. >> And my wife's Zeta is Rabel Mgarten, one of the first children to Argentina. So she grew up, you know, knowing her Zeta was one of the >> So when you dated, >> you dated what? In the in the in the late 80s. >> Uh not that old. 1991. >> 1991. You you dated and got married. >> That's right. Yeah. >> So you were Baka from Crown Heights. She was from England. She you met in Crown Heights. She was here for seminary. I'm just >> And for her going on was a dream as well. >> So when you dated, you said you're going on. >> One of the things of course you know as we're talking you know what you want in life. >> Let's go to the cornfield. [laughter] >> Okay. >> By the way, that's By the way, I want to tell you something. This is personally a personal thing. I told Misha when I told you that uh when my mother-in-law heard that we're going to Iowa and my mother-in-law is a caterer and for her she always mak help people with food. She says you're going to what's in Iowa? There's no food there. You're going to start you're going to starve. [laughter] I never I says I can't say I'm going to give your daughter all the gold and silver but I promise you one thing she will not starve. [laughter] So the makabe deli was a way it was a tan duba >> 12 years later. 12 years. Yeah. Yeah. 12 years. 12 years later after she was after starved her, you know. [laughter] >> You ever go visit in England? >> Yeah. >> You still go? >> My wife just went a few months ago. >> So when you went to Iowa, was that were you the first person? There was some kabad people came before you. >> So there were other What year was it? >> What year did I go? >> We skipped. What year did you go on to Iowa? >> I went on literally that year a year after we got married. Yeah. >> We started talking before the stroke last year. September 92 right after >> right before right before >> after >> between the right before the before the second one after the first one that time there was a lot going on there was a group of us who of younger who said let's get find there was a big people went to came to went to M klowski office then was there was so the whole midwest basically filled up that time like you know Arkansas and other So other >> Utah >> there were one or two tried before you that left >> there wereim before us who did a wonderful job and you know you know I was not as I say it wasn't a place where you're going to lick it was it it was a challenge and every who was there built up and and they had to move on and they built up they built up enough that we could build on their success. You're very >> I would never say very [laughter] human. No, because it's the MS. It really is the MS because you got to see it. You got to see how full even before before this world was created says if you're going to establish sometimes you build and then there's a setback. It builds set back until until it takes off. Can you tell us a story about a very wealthy individual in your town sponsored a full community of ky of litfisher people who per se we would they came to directly compete with your business. Can you tell us that story and how it turn out? Look, you know, my uncle once told me, my uncle Gersian once told me that when he was on with the Reb, when it came to and the Reb asked him, "So, what's the what's the how is the world reacting to it and the and my father, my my uncle was was hesitant to tell the Reb?" And but the Reb wants to know he wants to know the feedback and he says to the Reb, it's an there's an explosion of of it's a fire against what the Reb is you know the and the Reb smiled and says now I know I'm going to succeed. [laughter] >> So that story is a story that everyone needs to hear. You know when there is uh when there's resistance you know you're on the right track. >> So how do you compete with 11 competitors all at once? >> Like you live in a little town. No one ever competed with you. >> One day you got 11 people showing up. >> So a Kylo opened up and I'll tell you something. Um you know right away um the person it's a personality thing. I saw it. >> Can I get Can I get dates? When did this coy open up? >> Oh dates. I'm not good on dates. >> You came in 1992. >> So the ky opened up um >> after 911. >> No, probably after 911 some. It was I think that like a year before we opened up the deli. >> Okay. >> Somewhere there like a 2000 2001 maybe. I'm not sure. >> Oh, so the ky inspired the deli perhaps >> they were customers. They came you know there's no other food. You [laughter] know what? >> But but but I'll tell you something. You know when you know uh there's a lot we have to say something >> even [laughter] even in the even in the lit there is a lot of youite that are thirsty to give to to to be and and many of them wanted that you know you know >> we don't have monopoly on on doing's work. So every one of the kalit had a shakist to the rebba or their families had to kabat some of them were describ tokite through kabat. So they they were not it wasn't that people coming to someone's offering you a full s to learn a whole year who's not going to take it. It's a beautiful thing. So I saw the way the way you got to see it. I see I didn't look at it is not coming. In fact the first supper was in my house. We invited them all to have supper. We, you know, we welcome them because no, you know, uh, they they all bought houses around us. >> They ask you to show us to move to town. >> What? >> Did they ask you to show us to come to town? >> They ask me to >> Did they tell you, you know, we're opening up a COVID? You're already a kabad rabbi here. Do you do you want us Do you do you do you have any advice for us, guidance? Are you going to be warm and accepting? Do you are you >> They have a different model. [laughter] >> It's a different model. It's model just show up and that's it. >> Listen, when when I came when I came to De Mo, did I ask permission from from the people there? We don't ask permission. We just go. So why should they ask? >> But you know, >> everybody had a mikvah. >> We No, we didn't have a mikvah. >> So there was there was a mikvah that that we were allowed to oversee and bring to make sure that what they had >> what you were able to preserve what was there and it's kasha we we we we kept it going. So my wife was involved with the mikvah. >> So they showed up. >> So they showed up and I'll tell you um there are those till today. We have a shyus with we have a connection with some of them became more clear in what kabad's model is and what what are you know >> are they still there >> no no shut down >> the k shut down because the hope was >> host them as they were leaving you made a goodbye party >> actually the first and the last supper was in my house [laughter] >> the last supper >> the last supper was also because a lot of them were packing you know some of them um some of them you know >> you said that you opened the deli a year after they came was there any direct correlation Well, we always had a a a food co-op. No, I want to say something. We always were selling meat. >> Oh, you did? >> We had a kosher co-op. Yeah, because that was the first thing >> you want to do. Mashas, you know, people were traveling. So, we so we worked out with Marai. So, we start having a co-op and it actually worked well because uh >> you know, the word got out that there's a rabbi selling chickens from a from a freezer in his house, you know, >> and people made would would pre-order. [clears throat] So, we started a club. You know, uh you want to do things that, you know, get people Also before 12 12 years I mean two years how many years into five years in you >> so right away no right came we started a co-op yeah >> so Delhi is almost an outgrowth of >> the Delhi was an outgrowth yeah you know so you got to go what's what you know what's in your hands >> but I want to go backwards you you got married >> and 1991 >> and the bringing giving every week because it was after 88 every week >> no no it was after it was it was you engaged. When you got engaged engaged was yeah >> 1991 the deba probably gave you a full letter for your wedding with kochi >> actually the night of our wedding we had we had an encounter twice with the there's a video on on me and my wife it was a very special night >> what what was it which day was it >> it was tasban and [snorts] uh the night the much before the gun and uh it was just the actually uh first time ever the reb gave a sika that night tesv to talk about that uh that arrest >> the got arrest never even talk about it on tzv it was never a >> wow >> so every time I tell my wife when things get a little uh I said even the said the arrest started [laughter] >> your engagement your wedding anniversary said they started they started but the gul was so said no so the said the gul is is tonight Rebula said the gula and that's why he gave $3 you know how do you bring gula to the world so he gave $3 that night >> to everybody >> to everybody and when I went by I got six and my wife got six >> wild stuff you went by after the >> so we got called after the during pictures we called the is giving out so we ran back >> in the in the gown in the >> gown they got some they got >> it's amazing >> and uh first of all uh it was the the you know for me it was like you know first time coming down with the grill and the like it was like I was like the whole show's looking >> everyone's looking like you know it it it felt so you know it felt so so right but so interesting >> yeah like has ever done >> can't be wrong you know >> how was it did it ever happen before the kala came and like dollar >> yeah it wasn't I'm not going to say the first time but you know um >> first time that I spoke about t of seven to eight hours give age six. It sounds like a once a one time thing. It was one time >> because the knew >> and then you know the again you have to understand that bum garden >> was very close with the reba even before the nius he was the help did be the director of ms shabas wife grand badges mashab even wore a badge is a known picture wearing >> so >> it's not the first time it's >> not the first time are wearing stuff on their own [laughter] >> there's something to it >> you know people don't realize when the freed came out with the K out to the gula. >> Did he ever got arrested? No, he >> did put on the trains on the trains. Yeah. >> Is it true he got a ticket or arrested or something? >> The first one to put graffiti on the trains. No, but uh but the Vis the Reb gave Rabel Bombgarten and to the Ben open door. So it was special from both sides, you know. Uh >> do you want to continue on the history or can I get to that? So you get married, you guys settle in Crown Heights, you got a lot of kid from the deba the day of your wedding and then you um you settled in Crown Heights. You got you was in Crown Heights when you got married. You joined the Arabeller. >> You joined. Yeah. >> And you knew you're going on. So it's just a matter of time. >> You know I as Abaka was already working in the casc mountains working a lot in in everything. >> We're doing what? >> We did it. We we we helped out the thereofal but uh our our class >> who was but our class got involved with the with the with all the shops to put manasers you know it was a class project it's like you know it was our our place you know we went to all the drug rehabilitation centers and we didn't it was we even brought some of them who who were who got out to the to the reb that's another story >> but uh so I thought my my future might be there but sometimes you you know your kesh in one place and is it other places. >> You knew it was in the boondocks. You didn't sure it wasn't the cat school boondocks or the Iowa. >> So there was a possibility that you would go into the cat schools >> but uh um when Rabbi Mosha Casawitz was looking for but when Rab Mosha Casawitz was looking for to come to fill the mo Iowa so when he met me um >> Casawitz from Minnesota yeah >> he's in charge of Iowa. Is that anybody? in charge then he was a then >> and uh we came out and um it was like we knew it's going to be very challenging. >> You you went to visit before you actually moved there. >> We went to visit >> you and your wife. >> We went to visit and uh because again a lot that time a lot of young went out because uh we knew the rebba knowing that the is is going stronger and we are the reb's hands and feet and we're movable. We're going to take it. That was our that was our way of bringing jafua. Others believe saying to him all day. I mean others cried all day. Then there were those who said we got to go on the >> Can we skip to the deli? >> Well, we could go back in a minute. What I'm saying? He stuck with the he stuck with the burgers. He wants the burgers. >> I'm just still because we the whole world's watching and wanting to know about here we have a living example that's doing this 35 years later. I'm just trying to understand how he ended up in Iowa. Iowa again, it's only popular every four years in presidential elections. The whole world swamps on to Iowa. >> Yeah, tell us about the >> who who ever thought that I'm going to be the decider who become president. >> First of all, we're skipping skipping around a little bit. Yeah, we're talking about Bernie Sanders, Lit Monero with you. How did that happen? The most famous guy in the world running for president. Not even though he's Jewish, not the biggest friend of Jewish causes in my opinion at least. >> Can we talk about critical critical? >> I want to answer this question [laughter] because a lot of people always ask me this. So, you know, Bernie Sanders, um, so we had, uh, we were working with, uh, with the Congress of America, the Democratic Congress of America, >> and they helped us every, um, to sponsor Friday night meals for all the students who are grassroots, you know, um, canvasing. >> Yeah. Canvasing for for different uh, those who are running for the primary, >> candidates. Yeah. >> So, candidates. So, many of these students happen to be from the Bernie Sanders campaign. [laughter] We couldn't believe it. And so many of them would go to the local Kabad house. So they were part of Kaba. So one Friday night we were talking and I asked one of them, he says, "I can't understand you. So many Jews look at Bernie Sanders as a self-hating Jew who's an anti-semite." And all the anti-semites, you know, he opened the door for them to be the real anti-Semite. With Bernie, you could say it's politics, you know, whatever. He's still a Y. But he's opening. Why would you guys for that alone why would you guys you know even though he has some ideas why associate with him? >> So he says how do you know he's says I said you know what I don't know him personally but from the messages you from the way he talks about Israel. >> So then it came in you know that came in I I said you know what we're doing Khaneka on ice would Bernie come light the mana and they said we're going to get Bernie's flight to we'll show he's not and Bernie agreed to light the manura. [laughter] Okay. I guess he was desperate to win. He went to the department. >> Anecdotally, didn't he help the man in Burlington or something? >> There's a letter from the Deba gazillion years ago. I think it's Prince. Somebody showed me the letter a few years ago where he was the mayor then of his little city, whatever in Burlington, Vermont by Rebe. >> Yeah. And Debb says thanks him so much for his involvement in making sure there's a public. But the love loves every single Jew to such an extent that like he always found the common thing with them that he could praise somebody and bring out their nama. For me, it's very difficult to watch the guy mamish being a self-hating Jew making non-stop. I I really like I'm not I can't stomach the guy. But I remember a few years ago laying at bed at night scrolling through YouTube and I caught a video of Rab Jacobson and today AI everything could be fake. I'M LIKE THIS CAN'T BE REAL. BERNIE STANDER standing next to one of my mutanim lighting of Monero. the guy. It was a very proud Jewish moment in his life that you were able to accomplish. I'm sure hundreds of thousands of people saw that clip >> and I I I want to tell you something you know um when you're asked would you let Bernie light the mana and you know the so well how the rebba spoke about that what till when the till when are you allowed to light the kanaka and the garra says so simple is until the last market that was known to be open and what does the rebba say The saying the timeless message is till you get that very Jew who mighted in the who's in mitzvah till you get that darkness to enlight that's the the night the kan have the power to transform even such a yid so when you're faced would you let burning light because a lot of people call me don't let him light them keep him an anti-semite don't don't be the one I said you know what if the aisha sending you a mission. Are you going to be the one who's going to bring this year to the light or keep him in the darkness? What are you going to do? No politics here. >> So he came and he in fact he put on a yarmaka. One of the students from Iowa State gave his yamaka to put on. I said, "Listen, one day this yamaka is going to be worth a lot of money [laughter] because I don't think Bernie Sanders ever put on yamaka since then on." But so the student put it on and the other students in fact there was a there was a student from from from um I'm not going to say where a student who came from a f home who left yishkite and did wanted nothing to do even with my son in Iowa state he came from a very firm home and when he heard Bernie Sander was lying to he called me at the delhi I have to be there >> wow >> he had to be and he came from a very firm home um not a lab house but are very from home and um this was his beginning of coming back. When he saw Brunie connecting to Yiddishkite, he realized you could be where you are and be a happy and doing >> was using Bernie Sanders to do and work cuz this kid was coming closer to Yiddish because he saw Bernie Sanders coming. >> What's the bigger surprise that he welcomed the people at the first night dinner or that he did Bernie Sander? I don't know which one. >> I think they're both shocker. They're both very wild. [laughter] They're both they're both >> I think he's just a wild guy that that has such a for anybody anything that's you know it's in the Jacob it's in the Jacobs and bones to have such I can tell you you know what I'll tell you something I a lot comes from my mother's house the first letter of the Tyra is Bas home God says the first letter this is my home I'm welcome you in my home doesn't start off with mitzvah he starts off here's the pantry here's the fruits and the vegetables and the and the else. This is my home. Just do me one favor. Don't play house in my home. Just live it the way I need it to be. Don't don't throw me out. Just know that I'm the host. >> So, how did politics currently play a role at the Makabe Delhi? >> Because uh >> tell us what happened in a typical election. >> It was the only place. know now in general >> every four years what's going to happen when in a few months from now they're going to start looking who's going to be the contendants for Republican presidential stuff and the playing field and if it's going to be Vance or other guys are going to run and then the independents and the Democrats and they're all going to have to rally up Iowa a year in advance because whoever wins Iowa really gets their name famous. So thousands of news media outlets are all going to be coming on to Iowa within the next year and when they look for Jewish stories they find you. So how do you stay parvia how do you stay par to make a kiddeshavich and be politically correct and deal with all these people on all three sides democrats republicans independents what's your mahav when you meet people in politics >> I'm just myself >> you act yourself >> I don't even make the doors I have one son on my on the deli open that's it you come >> is it usually a stop for the politicians >> a lot of them yeah they come they come give us some uh Hall of Fame list. [sighs] >> First of all, the one who's there every day is the Reb. >> The Reb. There's a one of uh one of the the regulars non-Jew made such a pro picture of the reb on on a on a what do you call on on a sheet a picture of the fabing with the kids around him and uh so people come and this is a place this is where people talk and what people come and people feel civilized again and they feel human and they feel you know with everyone trying to belong to this group and that group the Reb taught us how to welcome everyone as an as an individual Aben Abas Aben Abbas of theta and we forgot about that America became so colonized with I belong to this group and that group everyone forgot about their individual independence with the with heaven and earth you know and that's why give everyone a dollar the was of everyone you are here to be val you are of value to value others >> can you tell us about your Tik Tok story >> so that's why I don't make these how am I going to welcome them this um they Come I give them all a hug. Welcome to the Rebes Delhi Makab Kosher Delhi where everyone becomes civilized and people talk. So when the Santos came and they you know you give them a sandwich and this one came and that one came new. >> So funny the Santos was very famous. These names every few years a new famous guy. Des Santos was huge >> you know um [clears throat] Trump's daughter-in-law came. Trump was supposed to come but it just didn't happen. >> He was at the oil. He was at the oil. >> He was at the well. No, but you know it was it was planned you know it was planned but >> he can still come he still has four three years to come you know >> we come and um different you know we get you know sometimes they're running late or you know just just things happen. >> Can you tell us about the Tik Tok story >> but I say it's every individual that comes is another one that says you could say something to this person that changes their life. How you gonna say what are you gonna say from the TA today that he's gonna be when they're starving from Hashem? Okay, go on. You say what was your question? >> The Tik Tok lady. >> So, uh, this woman comes in. This woman comes in and she's a known ba. She's a known woman. Her name was Sarah Bose. And >> Sarah >> Sarah Bose >> Bose. >> Yeah. Her father's Jewish. And she happened to throw out on on her Tik Tok, I'm looking for whitefish. I can't find whitefish. So my son Mati told her there's a kosher deli. My father as she came in >> and kosher white and white fish is usually on the menu. >> White fish is usually on the menu and she was just it was because you know we're like a New York style. We bring in everything from New York. >> I'm thinking of the deli. You also have the fish. >> We have the fish too. You usually used to be fishermanmen's deli and then it used to be flashman's uh dairy place. You know it usually worked opposite. So um by the way the name Makabe was also a dream request. I wrote a letter to the oil and I put the letter under my pillow. What do I call it? You know, and I woke up with Makabe Delhi. >> You woke up just thinking Makab Deli. There was nothing to it. >> Nothing to it. I said, >> whatever it was, it was Makab Delhi. >> And then, you know, for the it couldn't be any more Goyish, Big Mac and Applebee, Big Mac and Arby. So for them, Makabe was like, "Oh, where'd I hear that before?" [laughter] And for the Yidden, >> Makabe, I mean, who doesn't know Makabe, you know? >> Any guy that moves to De Mo is a Makabe. Exactly. >> And he are the makabes of our time. We are all the makabes, you know, >> so the white fish. >> So the white fish um got everyone to kamita. >> So what happened? >> It was through. So she came she did a she did a little spill. We didn't even know she did it, you know. She came in the next morning. There's 60 people outside. >> 60 people. >> They thought there was a laba and they they got excited cuz I said, "Everything okay? Was there I says no. Uh we're here together." I says, "What happened? was everything is you know there there's a Tik Tok on you. said, "What's Tik Tok? What is this?" [laughter] Tik Tok before I knew it. And I called my wife. I said, "Honey, I need your help here. Something happened to some someone made an announcement and this Tik Tok, I need you to come help me take orders." And she says, "I don't take orders. I give orders." [laughter] Whoa. >> I said, "Okay, so come give me orders, you know, take the orders and give me orders." And it was just >> 60 people. >> And from them, other bloggers from they were going out. It went to it was like millions. Then I got calls from my friends. Yi, the your deli that you just opened up last night had an overnight success. I says with 20 years of overnight success [laughter] doesn't happen doesn't happen overnight. We're 20 years overnight, you know. >> So how what happened? How long did this go on for this crazy wine? >> It still goes on >> till today. Did you have to hire more staff? >> What? >> You hired more staff. >> So we so we have someone there that helps out. We know we know the busy side. It's quiet down, but there's more and more. We're looking to hire someone full-time right now. >> You hired extra. >> You hired one extra. >> I hired some people. We have people that come help and uh you know who manage but uh it's it's I I can tell you something. I don't know if there's any who has over 50 60 people just coming in to them every day. [laughter] You don't know who's coming in the most you know from all walks of life by the way all walks of life every life choice. I you know I have people coming and it's just those who stand before before theas after the with it's it's crazy it's like what's my day going to look like today you know some just know what you know it's it's all >> y >> what do you tell especially these small towns are bored all week long I'm going to throw that I'm going to be a little >> how do you know how do you know they're bored >> and they don't think they think it's too they think [snorts] they're too hush to sit behind the counter. I come from retail. I had an art gallery for many years. I sat behind the counter. >> I'm retail retail. So for us it's retail is a very respectful position. >> How do you tell most people I know and which makes you very unique and special. How do you get to them comfortable to put on an apron and slice pastrami and to be happy and proud and to talk to so many like I said I always tell people the most busiest of my life is in de mo Iowa. He sits and meets with tens of hundreds of people a day and talks to them. It seems like it comes natural to you. Don't think it's beneath you to sit behind the counter. How would you tell? I would say I'm going to say it again. I think most of them are bored during the week. What do they do? >> What do you mean? Every single every single is different. Some have five preschools. >> They all think they're too cool for school. What's your message to them? You know what I it goes back to the famous story when to the I believe I feel hygias was it? Yeah. And he said he said to him you should stink like a like an onion. But so I always go back to that story I never comfortable because this is not me. It's not it shouldn't be me. This is what you do to bring to to bring people whatever it takes. You know, if there was a child who falls into a sewer, do you think is it beneath me? You're going to jump in >> and grab the kids >> and grab the kids. The Reb, the first secret of the Reb, the Reb is crying that you have a lot of these kids who don't even know is running around who's looking after these kids, looking after these diamonds that that are that that are that are soaked into the into crap and to get them out and polish them. So yeah, you put on the vushim that protect you. You know, so so you don't, you know, so so you could uh but uh so you put on the apron and you do what you got to do. And if this is what's bringing people who uh so I was struggling what you're saying for for a good few years like this is this is a stand behind the counter doing this but then you go back where was Masha he was serving them where was Abra he was you know serving them it's not about me anymore you know at some point you you don't just you don't care what you think on yourself you just do what you got to do you know right >> one second we we we're going to discuss how thousands of potentially could rec change around those maybe and tap into what their location is calling for but we still didn't scratch the surface with you had the first stroke you were in Kwell you wanted to go out on >> you like the history >> you go to you you you go to Casawitz is in Minnesota he shows you that otherwise >> well he actually came he was here >> he was here in Crown Heights recruiting >> he was recruiting >> how did he find you >> Mermstein >> so [laughter] so the story goes like this from what I know from what Misha told me he he he went over to someone he says I need a crazy guy who who's who who who thinks out of the box to come to De Mo Iowa who could stand la from all the and and and not get you know uh to not get affected by by who are strange from so someone tells him meet with uh meet with laser le >> laser we >> laser levy Daniel's son >> Danielle's brother >> brother brother I'm sorry >> barrel son. He passed away young. >> So when Laser Levy heard about De Moine and what they're looking for, he [snorts] says to Misha, >> I know you think I'm crazy, but Yasi Jac is crazier than >> How did he know? How did [laughter] he know you? >> What? >> He was your age. >> He was my age, maybe a little older. >> So he told me, I think there's a guy your wife who's crazy than me. Go to Yazi Jacerson. And that's basically what happened. >> So he came over to you and was in >> he helped you get on. So, so this I I mean I never knew Mish. I mean I I knew of him. I knew I knew he was a in Iowa and actually I I he um he would send out his newspaper to everyone in Crown Heights. >> He was a Minnesota. >> He was a then in Iowa. He's in De Mo Iowa. >> Who was Kath Iowa? I thought you said he was in Minnesota. >> Now he's in Minnesota. >> Ah he was a in De Mo Iowa and it didn't work out for whatever reason. >> He has took on to Minnesota. >> Okay. So he was looking to replace somebody. Yeah. Maybe maybe Khadakov maybe Kakov told him find a replacement. >> Well, okay. So then the the Midwest was under the Misha feller. Still is >> Minnesota. Okay. >> Minnesota. But but uh so so so that's how it works. So he >> So he met you. >> He met me and he realized >> how do you recruit somebody to come to a place that he's leaving? >> It's a hard sell. If it's so good, you wouldn't leave. You know what I'm saying? [laughter] >> I want you to take over my business. I make $100 million a year. Where you going? That's why I I appre I appreciate the house I came from that you have to all of a sudden become a brother to a stranger. You don't you don't see them you see the G become a G right away right G is a stranger guard is someone who lives with you every night I had another roommate so we had to bond right away. Okay. So, how did you pitch? >> There's no time to preliminaries. Know who are you? What are you? >> So, how did you pitch this to your wife young couple? We're moving to a place that is leaving and we're going to move in. >> Give me the sales. >> You know what? She she was there. There was no she we were we were willing. It was it was just that's it. >> You get on a plane, able, and ready. That's all. >> So, you get on a You're 20ome was just wanted to go. That's all. >> You're 20ome years old. You're just married. You had a kid already. But when you moved there? >> We actually did. When we moved, we had we had label. Yeah. He was a few months old. Yeah. >> Label's the one that married my brother-in-law sister, Simon. >> The No, Label married. >> He's a there as well. >> In Iowa State. Yeah. >> Ah, okay. So, a younger brother married my my brother-in-law's sister, Simon. Very nice. Very nice boy. Almond. >> Z. He's in Maryland. >> He's in Maryland. >> Okay. So, you you go there with a baby. You go to check it out first. You And >> we went to visit together. >> What' you see? >> What? We saw nothing. [laughter] We saw we saw we we saw that this is going to be interesting you know how do we awaken the appetites for people who don't even know it's like that time I developed I'm thinking now I understand I told my wife now I understand why when he saw it says he saw and he saw till the when he saw the last generation before the gula it says he smiled I never knew why he smiled smiles. Now I realize why he smiled because he said chased after the sheep that knew there was a flock that left. He brought it back. We're going to deal with yidden that never knew they ever belonged to a flock. You hear that? >> And we're going to have to really really get things going to So that's why the Delhi was the magic >> and I just want to say >> but the Delhi was 12 years later. >> Okay. It was not a co-op. It started a co-op. No. The day. Okay. So one second. Did today you go on you stand around 770 for four months with a credit card swiper and you raise 50 to 100k and you ask all your family and friends to support you the first year you need to get a bookkeeper and a secretary and an office and seed money and my za my bubba okay you're talking about 40 35 years ago >> you took the money >> you took the you took your own money >> money well says everyone gave a bra on it so this is what what else did it mean right this you're going to build uh >> and right before yontiff he bought his third property from a place that a guy left cuz it wasn't for him. He Right. Tell us more. >> The story was like this. It's a crazy story. For for years, I'm walking around to every neighbor. We need a guest house. We want to build a synagogue. Could you move? They said, why should we move? You're the best neighbor we ever had. Everyone said the same thing. So, I went on the internet to find out how how I become a bad neighbor. Nobody offers [laughter] classes on that. I have to come natural, right? Don't off. So, so we're waiting and waiting and you know I for years we're passing by this one property that sits on the half half acre and uh the guy so nothing's happening. Crazy thing happened on my son's birthday. I get a crazy call this year. This year Thomas July 27th, two days before my birthday right now. >> I call up Yeah. I'm between either either I'm between uh a guy calls me up in the deli. >> The deli is is a building. own building where you live house and a shop for another building >> next door. >> Yeah. >> No, different area. >> It's called a parsonage. I got a house. >> Hold on one second. >> The deli is in one area, right? The deli is in one side of town. >> It's No, it's it's >> How far is the middle of the town? >> How far is the deli from your house? >> Five minutes. >> Five minute drive. >> Yeah. Not even three. Yeah. >> A three-minute drive. Like a mile away. >> Basically. Yeah. >> Okay. So, there's the deli and then your house is 3 minutes away. >> And Mikra. >> So, the So, we moved in front of the traditional Orthodox. The Delhi. We set up in front of the reformed conservative because we wanted to ambush. I'll never forget when the reformed conservative rabbis met to see how to get us out of town. No, no, no, no. Sorry. It was the Orthodox that were threatened more by me and I said I said uh to my wife, I understand why why is the Orthodox are threatened by us. Why is the reformed conservatives not threatened by us? I mean, we want to take over everybody with the So, the Delhi is in front of the reformed conservative synagogue, literally in front of them. the schulas are everything worked out everything. So this is a crazy story how that opens up a window. So for years I'm writing into the we should find a property we could build a sh from from on the ground up because till now it's in our basement. It's a nice basement >> but it's time you know even the said no said to me keep keep it in the basement because >> they like it in the basement. And someone else told me well rabbi didn't you always say all revolutions start from a basement? I said yeah but it's time to get out [laughter] you know. So uh when the hostages came literally you know um you know uh when there was talk from them coming out of the but anyway before I'm leaving the Delhi and a call comes in and I I have to take the call cuz it could be someone who got lost or someone wants to come someone needs food. The call goes like this and I'm not ex exaggerating. My name is so and so. My sister-in-law just died an hour ago in Grenell, Iowa. It's an hour and 20 minutes away from De Moines. No one knows of her. She uh has been institutionalized. She was very sick. She was um in and out of hospitals. Um if kabad if the kabad rabbi would like to give her a a Jewish funeral, the family will not stand to resist it. But one condition you should know no money is coming from the family. Otherwise, if you don't do it, we're going to do a plan a to cremate her. >> I said, one second here. I don't even know who you are. What's how do you get my number? You know, thank you. Lucky me. I get to pay for the whole funeral. One second here. Who sent you to me? Another rabbi. Whatever. I I called the other rabbi. Whatever. It fell on me. I I um but before I hung I said I said, "Uh Ronnie, let me call you back on this one. I got to find out what's going on here." You know, Robert, you're right. Maybe, you know, I had no right to call you this way. I don't know. You don't know me. Maybe we'll just go with plan A. I said, "Wait a second. Plan A is cremation. Even when cremation, it cost $3,500. You're going to have to We're going to have to start somewhere. the family [laughter] can't. Anyway, I said, "Ronnie, let me get back to you." So, I sit down. This is where when you have these blind moments, you know something big is going on. I look at the Reb's face and I to I said, "Baba, what's give me give me the the you know right now that I I should have open eyes and to see something more than here." Anyways, as I collect my thing, I said, you know, this doesn't happen today. I knew our experience with God. He always throws us on a hand wall the key for all other >> a curveball. >> A curveball. I call back Ronnie. I said, "Ronnie, listen. I'm going to do this because my son's birthday is today and my birthday is coming up in two days and I'm going into 57 Zunfak and uh I I have I feel good about this, but on one condition. I need 3,500 commitment from the family because they would have given up a cremation. So I have something and what do you mean no one from family will give money? you know, we're going to send out to my website and lua flowers. Everyone should help to help bury so and so her name in fact this should be in husk. Her name is Alish Ali Bashf. I don't know how she looks like. We took upon ourselves. Anyways, I call up a few liter friends who always come by the deli and um I called them up. I say it's right before the nine. It's right before the nine days. I have a mess mitzvah. If we don't get her buried, I don't have the money. >> Um, >> what does it cost for burial? >> So, we're looking for to raise 14,000. >> 14. >> 14 to 16,000 because we want to do >> anyway. >> Where is she buried? >> She Were she buried? No. No. So, we raised the money. She buried. She's buried under Orthodox. We did everything in Iowa. Yeah. >> So, a Levia cost 14 >> 14,000. Wow. >> Yeah. But I heard Obaba Levia and be buried by Iowa was like $35,000. >> So, what I'm just curious >> the shipping. So what happened was what happened was the president as I am literally took upon we started the campaign >> and these literature yungalites sent out the SOS to their friends. Did you call the collector? >> I they I was getting calls from from the from um from Lakewood. People were calling me. I heard you're collecting from me. Here take my card. Throw a thousand 500. Within 24 hours literally we raised the money. >> Most of them some a lot of the family members also while this is happening this house gets on for sale. >> A sign. >> A sign a sign gets. So, we right away get involved. The guy has to move in three weeks because he just got a letter, a job offer where he's gonna make a good job in in uh where is it? >> Somewhere >> in Massachusetts. He has to leave. And it's like I'm I tell my honey, you won't believe what's going on here. >> So, [clears throat] we're on this house. It it was it was like we felt like D is saying you're getting my daughter back to me. You're bringing her back to my home. I'm going to give you the home you wanted. >> A guest house. And this is what's going on. So, while I'm dealing with a with a >> with burying a yid in the ground from the ground up, something's coming out. >> You can't make this stuff up. >> You can't make it up. I can tell you, I make up stories that are happening in real life. In real time, >> he keeps >> So, [laughter] they gave him a good price. A good price. >> It was a good Listen, it was a good price. If we waited, maybe waited a little bit more because they were desperate because But you know what? You got to you know, >> has the indoor pool. >> Did you call back the mage mitzvah guys and say, "Hey, another thousand maybe." >> Listen, what's on my birthday? I called the brother-in-law. I say, "Hey, I noticed you're the only one that didn't give a credit card." Rabbi, I can't give. I could only give 20. If I give more than $20, it's going to go into my lunch allowance. And I say, "Hey, listen. I just committed to to bury a woman I never knew in my life. I don't know who she looks like. And and you're a brother-in-law. You're crying about $20 just $20." Anyway, an hour later, I get a call from him. Jacobson, did you see what I actually sent you? What? I look, he sent $20,000. >> Whoa. >> I said, Ronnie, wow, my day is really getting good today. [laughter] He said, "No, no, no, no, no. I need you to send it back." >> I sent it by mistake. >> I said, "What happened here?" It was a glitch. I said, "Ronnie, I'm aid man. And I learned a lot of and the Reb taught me number one, when mistakes happen down here, it's God's way of saying he's fully in control from up there. And I went into this to go with God's plan before I went to. So I'm a big issue right now. Do I go with uh God's plan and you're not getting back a penny or with what Ronnie didn't plan? I didn't know what to do. And Ronnie saying, "What does that mean?" I says, "You heard it. I don't know what to do." What do you do? I went into the so uh he says so uh you're saying you're not going to give back the money I says well why can't you get it back called the credit card say you made a mistake says well that's the that's the thing I tried they said since I actually wrote down who I'm giving it to and everything I the only way I can get it back is if you the organization I said you're asking a I said is this for real through this whole thing now I have to give [laughter] it So then I said, you know what, Ronnie, listen. I believe in the midst of So I said, I'll give you back the 20,000 on condition. You give Msa from the 20,000. Give $2,000 and then the campaign is up. We're good. Otherwise, you're going to have to hire a lawyer and you you have to give $10,000 and retain it. So you lost$10,000. [laughter] That's not good. So, but this how many people could say they made $18,000 in one day? >> What happened? >> And I told him, and I guarantee you, you give me my and it's going to go for your sister-in-law's uh >> this 2,000 is going to turn into 20,000. He says, "How do you know? How do I know? Cuz your $20 just turned into 2,000." [laughter] He he he did it with Simka. He sent back 2,000. And with that money, we actually paid for the headstone and kadesh for a whole year. That summed it up. And you know what the crazy thing is? It took 24 hours to raise all the money, but it took me three days to get a million. [laughter] >> So, how'd you get the money to buy the new house? >> What? So, the equity the equity of the deli >> you refied >> from every pastrami sandwich that paid off the building and tongue sandwich the bank we were healthy and plus the house that is paid off. We were able to get right away a loan. So, you see it took one pastrami sandwich after another. Now, you know how became wealthy? Here you go. [laughter] was one tongue sandwich after another tongue sandwich. So that's the So I'm telling you one mitzvah became the key to you talk about Mr. G mitzvah. So now we're now we're ready working to build a beautiful shul and uh 12 bedroom what >> with a pool. >> With a pool it comes Yeah. >> And uh >> an outdoor pool. >> Indoor. >> I was very cold. No, >> you can't have an outdoor pool. >> No, no, no. It's indoor pool. And uh you know what this is? You know what >> how much is this project costing you? It's going to be probably a million.2. But uh you know what? You know how we going to do it? I said to my wife, how are we going to do it? How how do we do anything now? We know the first question is how we're going to do it. And then we ask another question. How did we do it? You got it done. You know, I believe the Reb gave a beautiful you start the process and the says I'm yours. Wow. >> You got to start the process. You start the process. You go up. Dish is there. >> Robert Jac, how I know you started the deli, you were how many pounds more? >> Okay, now you're getting very personal here. >> Yeah, >> but most people are struggling today with weight. So, go on. Yeah. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> I want to talk about his >> So, the bal buser became a bal. >> You start How do you lose weight? How how many pounds you lose? >> The the help with Abisha's help and some doctors de la over 180 pounds. You lost 180 pounds >> after you open the deli. >> My wife tells me till now till now you were no malf. [laughter] >> You lost 180 pounds. Most people weigh about that. You lost the full body. >> I don't want to say lost cuz then someone said someone told me if they find it, should they return it? [laughter] It's not lost. It's gone. >> Wow. >> We don't want if we don't want it back. >> You used to be a big >> I was a big >> You're half the man you used to be. [laughter] >> Tell me about what was the question you about to ask. >> How do you open a deli and then >> lose weight? usually the opposite. >> The truth is I tell people with every pregnancy I grew with my wife cuz I wanted to know I'm with her. >> Just after after every birth I I just kept on growing. So after a while with all the collection of all the It was all baby fat by the way. It was never me. I I barely ate. >> How much of the 180 pounds that you lost did you say you gained because you worked in a deli? >> You were tasting the food making sure it tastes good. >> So this is why we were never making money. I ate all the profits [laughter] and and there was no room for anyone to come in because it was it was No one could come in, you know. >> Wow. >> So I started learning that talks a lot about the more you become the more you the more ble the more the less of you the more of God you become. So I tried. So in a time when when all the transgenders were coming out I said in a time when everyone's you know losing their mind let me talk and see if I could lose my stomach. So I was inspired by many people to people who came to say to me, "Rabbi, you you you got to you got to lose weight because we need you in the community." And one one lady came and crying and she tackle lost a lot of weight. She had their surgery. And what really got to me is when I went to the post office, the guy behind says to me, "Rabbi Jacobson, if you get any bigger, you're going to become a domain all to yourself. We'll have to allocate a new a new zip code just for you." [laughter] Then I called Rev. I said, "You know what? I never understood what a mahalak is." is it a shila I could walk out on Shabas. He says, you know, Yasi, if you can become any vigorous, how can I become a shila? You're you're you're like a you can walk out on Shabas, you know, >> wild. >> So, so when I realized in the world, it's becoming you were close to 400 pounds. >> 350 close to 350 in a small body. >> What? So um but there's this one woman who really lost weight. She came in in tears and she said, "So I, you know, I I looked in the mirror. I spoke to myself and I said, "Uh, here here is no reb here's no here you got to here you got to make a personal decision. Here there's no there's no uh >> there's no going with the you know the forbid to give back any you can't give up anything of yourself." You know, every every part of gash is kadusha. Look how much kaduca I carried. And here you have to it just kicked in. A second one came into me and I said, you know what? Enough is enough. Maybe if I lose all this weight, it'll make a kadeshm and I'll win the community even more. And taka when all the weight was lost, the community could not feel proud. I mean, it was like worth it was worth to gain all the weight to lose it >> to feel so good. >> So my greatest loss was my gain. and I gained the community. People started coming in and buying because they realized the rabbi ain't eating him. He's not going to eat the province anymore. >> So, how long did it take to lose that that amount of weight? >> So, we had, like I said, I I I went through uh >> the sleeve. You took the sleeve or the or the rubber band. >> I I I had the full >> sleeve. >> I had another bliss from >> they cut they cut the stomach down, make it smaller so you get hung. You get you get full much quicker. Bash me. >> I I I Yeah, >> it's a genius surgery. You cut you you cut down the stomach. So, now when you eat a little bit, you get full. But you have to keep shrinking it. So I drink to shrink. I drink more today than I eat. >> That's smart. Liquids are not so fat. >> Liquid is a procedure and they get fat again. >> You You could make the sleeve stretch. How? I thought they cut down the stomach. >> You know, you could you could go back. [laughter] You know what? >> You could go back. >> So, you know, you just eat smaller amounts of food now. >> So, I'm careful. I'm I'm very careful. I'm very careful. >> But you do get full from eating very little amounts of food. >> Yeah. If if I eat too fast, I eat standing and sometimes I you know, you just get you get full. >> So, it regulates you. Yeah. >> So it's perfect. >> So your own body is basically talking to you. Your your fat brain is saying eat more. Your stomach is saying you go to the gym now, right? >> So exercise a lot. >> But until 60 seconds ago, I thought you were going to say you took the the shots. You know, the shots, the skinny shots everybody's taking. >> That's the the cheap easy way. You did it the proper way. You went No. >> I I I you know what? I I I I tried everything. My whole life I've been struggling with weight. And uh my friends know uh I I I I you know uh for when I was I was always chubby very very fat. I I struggled with weight you know since I was a kid. In fact I want if I if I may say a story about my chubbiness what was the year that Reb wanted all the kids to come down to Hakus. It was after the Rashag the year after the Rashag passed away. Right. What was it? >> Tash passed away. No meas. I was 11 11 years old or 12. >> One second. You were born in in in 68. Yeah, it's 1968. >> After the festival, you ready 20 something? >> So, it was a year after the Reb asked for all the kids to come. >> Whatever year it was. >> So, you know, I was this very big kid and the only way to get to the to the everyone was passing you over. >> Yeah. >> So, they tried to pass me. It wasn't going too big. I was too big for this for and my shirt came up. I was embarrassed and I thought anyways but I still had a good s and I felt so we come to I should have just let it go just I get there you know and I felt I got in my own way the dancing with the because I'll never forget the reb's face with the and the kids were dancing with theb and where was I just standing with with all the so I decided I have to lock eyes with theb that night as a kid I can't myself. I had this. So when the was leaving the I'm I'm at the Reb going upstairs. I'm right there. I'm right there and um the Reb comes and you know they're singing the and I'm right there. I'll never forget the Reb looks in my eyes, stops, looks in my eyes and does three times. three times. >> He gave you back the love. >> Oh my gosh. That and you know what? You know what? That moment when whenever I go through something, I go back to that moment and it's like it's like you just get up and you go for it. >> But 35 years later when I brought Stuart and three other to 770, they wanted to come and I remember talking about Balabat. >> Three Balabat came. one of the one of them that Misha is close with and they came downstairs and I'm leading them in to the to 770 and I look back and I see three guys standing right there and it hits me now I know why I got the three three guys they were like embarrassed to come in because you know they one wearing shorts you know they thought all the bak going to look at who cares if you know there's an unknown scene in 770 so I tell them guys come in and then then I tell them the story where you're standing right now you're scared to come in this is where I got three hands from the reb now the rebel you know make them whatever you want but I'm just saying that uh as it comes back >> this is in the week of the >> again thousands and thousands of and now they bring balabat and they bring their children you you moved to middle of the midwest the middle of nowhere but you're a young couple so you're already growing up now you're raising children in the Midwest where there's no alter babes Yes based you have to go with thousands of fellow friends. You have to raise children in the middle of nowhere. What was it like raising? How many children? >> Seven. >> Seven children in the middle of nowhere. The closest Jewish community is how far of a drive? >> Iowa. >> It's a few how long of a drive? >> Three and a half hours. >> Three and a half hours. Four hour drive to anything Jewish like from you know. What was it like? And what's it like? And now you already have children that are on near you. So what's it like raising children and the social pressure on who their friends are going to be? How are they going to interact with other children? >> Will there be children to interact with? So it was so for my the two older ones was was was tough challenging you know my my wife taught them or we you know taught them but at that time also and his wife opened up and he you know he took kids from Minnesota and he hosted them in his house and >> but again a 4-hour drive away >> four-hour drive and they literally literally took care of my kids like their own kids. Till today I tell my wife how could we ever repay someone that you know gave your kids the and not just that Kahila with this labage and and Babiv and and and Satma and Mkach and so they grew up in a real Kahila seeing you know not just Kabad and other ones and then so the toughest time was driving taking them out of the house go getting packed up the tears >> when every week >> every week sometimes every other We'd bring them back. We'd meet someone halfway. But uh and but once they were in the car on the way, everything was fine. But it was it was tough. But >> so you had the experience of the sending out and you don't know what's going to be and you're sending your kids away. They should grow up in you had to send your children away every week, every other week growing up in elementary to go four hours away to Iowa. >> Seven years old. They all they all went they were dorming a week or two at a time without their parents to do the serious Yeah. And you know these kids you know they didn't ask for it. They you know but they you know every what kid wants to leave their homes they want to be with but they went and they were raised this way and uh you know they were always told going out of our way is our way. You know >> this is our way. It's not like Rabbi thank you for going out of no this is what we were raised to do. This is who we are. This is what is this is what every is. Remember, you didn't grow up in conventional. Your wife's wife for catering family. They didn't grow up a conventional. You guys grew up with so you knew this is what the wants. You jumped in like generals army. You jumped right in and you took and your children now have to live it. >> We were from the first Hashem. You're talking to a fivestar general right now. >> Literally. >> Literally, we took off the hats. We went by. Yeah. We were We were the first ones to put the hats on. This the real lobby of Hashem you're talking about. No. again because we were not we didn't have any connections you know um we knew that you know it's either all or nothing you know we had to just come >> let me ask you a question we're sitting upstairs in 77 the eastern parkway kabat headquarters did did you have a close relationship with her >> I mean growing up >> growing up anything >> no I mean we he knew my family I mean uh we we was he involved in your >> oh with yeah >> what was his involvement His involvement was to um get us in once we were there established. He came down a few months later. >> He himself flew down to >> himself came to do a few. He went to De Mo can um Wisconsin um where Rabbi Pine Cement is um >> Arkansas >> Arkansas Utah. So he came to help all of us >> 19 1992. >> Yeah. So he would he met Malabatam and said look you know we're gonna help but could you help? you know, he helped us get something going. I mean, it was literally the minimum to live on, literally. And uh so we had uh you know, he broke us in. Rabbi Kasu was very helpful and you know, getting us >> to build a mikvah, right? He brought you >> know, uh then we had to build a mikvah because you know, unfortunately our success was getting in the way of other establishments, you know, that where they were not accustomed to seeing Kabat succeed. You know, uh, even the federation that time even offered us money. Uh, how much would you want for you to move out >> to move out of your >> to move out and sign a 100 miles? You can't come. [laughter] >> And uh, really they I said, "You guys would you guys would give us a full tache of cash just to get us out?" He says, "Yeah, it would be the biggest investment in Judaism for us to keep you guys out." see how people see how people see and how people don't see you know so there are pe people who see things for what they're totally not and there are those who who see for what they totally are >> yes your kids it's been a talk now chats with different >> we didn't finish this what happened so what happened with the mikvah >> I'm sorry >> so so with with the so helped us with with with George Ror at the time to to build our own mikvah >> what year is this >> this is the year after the kyo came um what happened was >> all the after the mikvah the deli or something. >> Oh, every everything we everything is a braha. This is where some have to be very careful. Even something that you think it's I call it the naked the the blind blessing, not other people call it terrible things. No, no, no, no. It's the blind that the needs you to open up your eyes a little bit more and you'll see the diamonds are right there. Sometimes we just we just we put a lavush of sheer to it. It's terrible. And we deny ourselves the brahad is there. So we we got the mikvah going. H there were reasons where we had >> you need money all of a sudden to build your own mikvah because you're not welcome in the other one. So you call up in Mosha. You say hello I'm in Iowa. >> That's a nice way of saying we were not welcomed. That was a nice way. [laughter] >> So how does it work? You call them up and they say you build was fighting to get into a mikvah that that you were not welcomed anymore and building your own. And we just felt it would be easier to raise the money to have your own, you know. And this is around 2002. How much money would it cost to build a mikvah? >> Then it was close to 60,000 >> which today is like 100 about 150 grand today. >> Small mikvah. >> So who did you call? >> What >> you call him up? >> I said we need money for a mikvah. >> You want a 5,000? He can't help everybody. So why >> we told him the story and he went to George told him what's going on and George says we got to help him. We got to you know one thing there's already a kash mikvah but it's not if they mish if they lock this guy his wife out of the mikvah and it's like you know who does this you know it was and it was it was to get even with who you know with what you know I did I didn't even know what I did you know uh whatever >> that's what I always tell people that are picking at me what did I do wrong >> yeah what did I do wrong though you know >> and he came through >> so he helped and ripport helped >> how much money did No, I mean we, you know, this one gave 10, this one gave 10, this one gave, I raised, you know, we raised money and we got it all done and it was, it was the first mikvah. >> Well, one final thing right now there's different top different conversation going on about kids growing up in the middle of nowhere that they have social problems because they don't they can't talk to other kids, their age and they acclimate and causes emotional problems. What do you have to say about that? Number one, the parents have to be transparent to the kids. You got to tell them everything going on in the world exactly what's going on, all the aas that are going on and why we don't do it and why this is not our lifestyle and we don't wear this because we and you have to give the realis. It's giving over realis. If you hide something from the kid, they know you're hiding a hundred other things from them and they're going to find out in the wrong way. You have to give them the perspective. You have to take the the bite out of the snake and you got to show them and you got to and and and tell them tell them those parents who are keeping things from the kids uh don't tell them so better they don't >> what about they they are hurting their kids and they're causing their kids to do what they the opposite of what they're trying to achieve. >> What about friends and the fact that they your kids grew up with friends in the neighborhood or >> my kids they went to Postville they had friends in yeshiva till today they had friends and they grew. So we like I say >> no resentment. >> Look >> your kids ever complain why didn't we live in De Moine or it never happened? >> It never happened. I mean you know >> your son moved back so I guess it was great. >> Great you know uh every one of our children um have found in their own way based on what we gave them. They have found it on their way. It became their god, their their and taking letting them take ownership over it. Not taking ownership over them that they have no ownership over anything. Trusting them, trusting them with things that you might not trust yourself because they they'll get it faster and they'll get it from you and they'll come to you first and everything. Well, let me ask my father because he has a good perspective in looking at this whatever. So we figured out that in your schis you were able to take that place that location and make it into a hustling bustling kabad house doing your own unique exotic way of having the deli and meeting politicians and having people come through and now you're opening up a kabat house with 12 bedrooms and hosting people and a pool >> we meet we meet yidden who who live next to kabat houses and other places never walked in >> right >> that come here because what houses >> so my question is >> this is this normal who does this >> my question is the week of when thousands of from around the world are coming now onto Brooklyn, New York and they're thinking about their in day-to-day life. I don't know. I know a few dozen maybe, but I don't know all the moves to a town and let's say he has a minion once a week or twice a month or maybe he has a shear here and there and he feels like he might have extra time. How does a take on another unique exotic and turn it into like a nineto-5? For example, could a be in an area where he's not doing much except for on the weekends and high holidays in Kaneka and could he decide that I want to take on 20 nursing homes and give sher to seniors every single day or this youth there's a lot of schools and I want to start doing daily things with youth. I saw today I saw this this guy one day that runs the CTEs they want to open up another hundred locations for seen lounges this year. It's a big you know this rifan guy he wants to take on big project. He opened up another hund but again how does a decide how to take on a new unique project. I don't know if every will work opening up a deli. I don't know that every head would open up a deli. >> By the way, yeah, since we opened the deli, a lot of did deli night. They called me up. Some people came down. I tell them charge $35 a night. They said dollars. I said you Jacerson when we advertised I put in suda for free. No one comes. I says that's why THEY DON'T COME. >> OH, >> value yourself. Value what you do. And they did it. They called me up. We had 200 people. Yes. He says, "Yeah, because everyone knows a pastrami and Ryan and a kesh and kosa and so is $35. Everyone knows if you would make it $10, they know they're getting junk." [laughter] $35. Now you're talking. Now you sound like a normal person. Who gives out things? >> Do you give a do you give a seminar by they ever ask you to give a seminar on how to open up a kosher deli? >> I still don't know how to open it. You just do it. [laughter] You know, you know >> my nephew does kosher delhi in Northern California. Mandal winger. He's super matzah. >> Okay. So everyone, again, okay, I'm not saying everyone has to off. >> No, I'm saying what the >> you know, but everyone needs to it needs to do the most craziest thing they know they'll never do. Do it. >> What's the craziest thing? When the said now, we are in the of Msiah. Do them. Bring down the light because it's shining. Bring it down. Let it shine through you and the transcend your community with this light that is shining. You know, don't don't don't do the pim, but do the craziest thing. Find out what your community what everyone's going crazy about and turn such a thing into. Okay? In in our community, barbecues and Delhi. I mean, the Iowa is from Buster, everyone, the cows, the bashkin. So, do something that that's hype it up. Do make a kosher deli. >> Jacobs for coming on. >> It's a pleasure. I was just getting started. >> It's been a lot of fun. It's been a lot of fun. We're definitely going to have to do a part two one day. >> And I want to thank our sponsors. We did not bring the product, but Crown Butcher with amazing dried meat. >> Love Crown Butcher. >> Yeah, I The Delhi guy. >> Yeah, the Delhi guy should bring back a case of Crown. You could sell it. No, he has dried meats. Crown Butcher. It's under many flavors of beef jerky, barbecue. >> Feel terrible. >> And it was delicious. We just had it last week's podcast. We wereing it. It was all protein, low fat, low calories, low sodium. I don't know how it's low sodium and so tasty delicious with the best hasher butcher >> and I think I'm going to make a between you and crown butcher. You'll bring back a couple of cases and sell it in the deli cuz they'll eat the pastrami sandwich and you say you need some kosher food for the road. You'll give it to them. >> By the way, we we have a whole grocery store and wine everything, you know. >> And I have to I told Misha we have to have hamatash in the whole year. Lkas the whole year. >> Every every staple of because if someone had a dream of Bobby Ba Roa came to them and remember they come and you have Hamatashan, you know. Subscribe. >> Subscribe at the bottom on YouTube. Please subscribe, share, like. Thank you and Mimi Cupstein for making it happen today. >> I was not successful in ringing Yasi. I thought I had the the leverage, but clearly it was not enough to get Yas Rabi Yasi here. Thank you so much for coming. Pleasure.