.jpg)
Corey Brand
- From:
- Davie, FL (near Ft. Lauderdale)
- Age:
- 23
- College:
- Binghamton University
- Major:
- Geography and GIS (bachelor's and master's degrees)
- Career:
- Account Manager at a super-cool company leveraging geospatial technology across the commercial world (retail, real estate, and more)
The Interview
Corey, tell us about your Jewish background and ancestry.
I'm all Ashkenazi; a mix of areas across Eastern Europe, like Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Moldova. My great (x 4) grandfather was Rav Efraim Bendet Engleman, the Rav of Kludava (Klodawa, 1836-1920) and his father, the Rav of Koil, who were well-known in central Poland. Rav Efraim Bendet's son, my great-great-great-uncle, Rav Szlomo Engelmen was the Rav of Kludava after him. He was tragically killed in the Holocaust.
Tragic and fascinating. Tell us about your Jewish upbringing. What kind of home did you grow up in?
I grew up in a Reform Jewish home (if you could call it that). We only did the Jewish thing a few times a year, for major holidays. I was always interested in learning more. I went to reform camp and went on a reform trip to Israel when I was 16. When I went to Binghamton, I got involved in Meor of Binghamton and Chabad on Campus. I have become more observant since starting college.
How did you find out about The Podcast Fellowship?
Through Meor Binghamton Rabbi Chaim Harkavy.
Would you have been interested in The Podcast Fellowship without the $15 stipend?
Yes, and the proof is that now I learn with Rav Dan Klatzko twice a week even though you can only cash out once 😂. I also have a Chavrusa I learn with and I go to kollel once a week with Meor YP in Philly to learn. So bottom line: I love learning and don’t need any incentive to do it, but 15 bucks a week is nice I can’t complain. 😂
Tell us about your experience with TPF. What are your interactions with your mentor like? How do you prepare and discuss podcasts with him? Comment on the learning model please.
Rav Dan and I have a great rapport. We always start out discussing the podcast I watched or a topic I’m curious about, but the conversation always goes into crazy productive tangents which I love. Just after a few months I’m going to need a new notebook, as mine is almost full! 😂
Who is your favorite speaker/what is your favorite podcast topic?
I really like the Parsha with Rav Eisemann (NOT Your Hebrew School) because he speaks about it in plain language, in a conversation with one of his students.
Where do you stand in your Jewish observance today?
In the past few years I’ve started wrapping tefillin everyday, keeping kosher, and learning. Shabbos is a work in progress, but I go to shul most Saturday mornings.
What has been your experience after October 7, 2023? Have you seen antisemitism? If yes, how do you deal with it?
Honestly, the administration at Binghamton University was very on top of it and squashed a lot of protests and stuff. Sh'koyach to them. Binghamton University is very safe; especially with the huge observant Jewish community and Jewish community as a whole, I feel like it’ll always be safe.
Can you summarize your experience with The Podcast Fellowship in a single quote?
The Podcast Fellowship not only keeps me on a good schedule to learn twice a week, but also inspires me to learn more. Thank you to all who make this possible. I hope more students get inspired to learn this way.