In this episode of Wisdom from the Field, I sit down with Rabbi Mendy Levertov, shliach of Chabad Young Professionals (CYP) in Austin, Texas.

 

We explore what it really takes to build a YJP community from scratch — from early uncertainty and financial pressure, to steady growth, to purchasing a permanent building.

 

Mendy shares openly about:

 

• Starting YJP in Austin with no clear roadmap
• The early event flops (including a “cocktails & kiddush” night where no one showed up)
• Workshopping ideas with the community instead of assuming you know what they want
• And the internal shift required to ask — and to receive — with humility

 

But at the center of our conversation is one core idea:

Fundraising is a muscle — and that muscle is called bittul.

 

We dive into the deeper reality of fundraising as “mon” — the daily dependence on Hashem’s bracha.

 

This conversation touches on:

 

• The bitul of asking without ego
• The bitul of receiving without deflecting
• The stress of building a mosad — and learning to embrace it
• The power of speaking to mentors, friends, and coaches instead of trying to figure it all out alone

 

If you’re building, fundraising, stretching, doubting, or growing — this episode will speak directly to you.

 

Because sometimes the biggest growth doesn’t come from better strategy.

It comes from building the muscle.

 

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For ongoing insights on fundraising, leadership, and the inner work of shlichus, join my email list here:

https://mailchi.mp/c0f254880cc4/new-subscribers 

 

To learn more about my work with shluchim, visit:

www.coachingbytzviki.com

 

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