What happens when two young adults — both raised secular in Montreal — suddenly feel like something is missing? And what happens when one of them, at only 21, is diagnosed with a massive tumor and told she has Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

In this deeply moving episode of Stories of Hope, Amanda and Aaron share their intertwined journeys of loss, searching, healing, faith, and love. Their story begins with tragedy, continues across continents, leads them through Israel’s streets and hospital corridors, and ultimately brings them home — spiritually and literally.

Amanda opens up about losing her best friend in a tragic accident, years of anxiety, and the moment a cancer diagnosis led her not to bitterness but to profound clarity and connection with God. Aaron describes searching for meaning across Southeast Asia, only to discover that the spark he was chasing had been inside him all along. Their paths collided at exactly the right moment — with unmistakable signs that their meeting was divinely orchestrated.

Today, the two of them run an unofficial Chabad house for friends who are seeking warmth, Shabbos, community, and authenticity. Their home overflows with guests, music, and meaning.

You can contact Aaron and Amanda via email: sarahrivahspiro@gmail.com or connect via instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandadawnspiro

This episode is sponsored by:

► Colel Chabad Pushka App

The easiest way to give Tzedaka.

https://pushkapp.cc/soh

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►Pizza Biza

Delight your guests with our expansive menu and a culinary experience that exceeds expectations.

https://www.pizzabiza.com

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► ReKindle

This film presents the powerful, deeply personal accounts of two survivors of the Café Rimon double suicide bombing in Jerusalem.

This documentary is a tribute to the lives lost, the resilience of those who survived, and the enduring human capacity to rebuild—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through Nochi Krohn’s and Ovadia Waxler’s story, viewers witness the lasting impact of terror and the extraordinary strength required to keep choosing life, day after day.

Exclusively available via Meaningful Minute Plus:

www.soh.plus

When Malka and Yaakov walked into the studio, no one knew the magnitude of the story they were about to reveal. What began as a routine pregnancy quickly spiraled into fear, medical crises, heartbreak, and impossible decisions — including being told by doctors and rabbinic leadership to terminate.

But something inside Malka said no.

In this raw, emotional and deeply moving episode, the Slatus family shares their journey of faith, fear, resilience, and the miraculous life of their son, Shaya — a child with Down syndrome who survived life-threatening heart defects, repeated hospitalizations, and surgeries that doctors doubted would help.

This episode is for anyone who has ever faced the unknown, battled inner conflict, or questioned their strength. Their courage will change the way you look at special-needs parenting, faith, and what it means to show up for the people you love — even when the world tells you not to.

You can reach out to Malka and Yaakov Slatus via email: Malka.slatus1@gmail.com and emerald5736@gmail.com

This episode is sponsored by:

► Colel Chabad Pushka App

The easiest way to give Tzedaka.

https://pushkapp.cc/soh

___________________________

►Pizza Biza

Delight your guests with our expansive menu and a culinary experience that exceeds expectations.

https://www.pizzabiza.com

___________________________

► ReKindle

A new documentary exclusively on Meaningful Minute Plus

Coming Dec. 13th!

www.soh.plus

In this raw, deeply emotional interview, Kayla shares her near-death experience, religious trauma, postpartum depression, and the moment she thought she no longer believed in Judaism. At the same time, Shmuel — a rabbi — reveals what it was like to stay married while watching his wife lose her faith.

Together, they walk us through:
✨ Kayla’s clinical death and what she experienced on “the other side”

✨ How trauma, doubt, and anger at God pushed her to rebuild her relationship with Hashem

✨ The conflicts, fear, and love inside a marriage where two people choose completely different religious paths

✨ Shmuel’s “Red Line System” — the tool that saved their marriage

✨ How they’re raising children with honesty, curiosity, and spiritual autonomy

✨ Why most couples give up too soon — and how to reconnect even when your values change

Their story is messy, human, hilarious, painful, and unbelievably hopeful. From rebuilding trust to reshaping their identities, from navigating Shabbos under one roof to opening their home to struggling teens—this episode is an emotional roller coaster with a soul.

If you’ve ever questioned your path, your faith, or your relationship, this conversation will hit deep. This is Stories of Hope at its most honest.

You can follow Kayla on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/questioningtheanswers?igsh=MXh5NTJxdWJ6NHpxZQ== and Shmuel here: https://www.instagram.com/nishmasi_online / https://www.youtube.com/@Nishmasi

For more information about the organization ‘The Vaad’ that Kayla founded to help Agunos visit https://vaadlinyaneiigun.org/ as well as in this article: https://mishpacha.com/hope-unchained/

This weeks episode is sponsored by Tzipora’s brother and sister-in-law Noach and Michal Grodko, of Adina Las Vegas in loving memory of Michal’s brother Mordy, Morrdechai Ben Dan Zev Moshe A”H, in honor of his first Yartzheit.

Mordy had a deep love for connecting with people, with HASHEM and with the deeper truths in life. He asked real questions, he cared deeply, and he lived with sincerity and authenticity. Anyone who crossed his path felt uplifted by his warmth, and his light continues to shine through the people whose lives he touched.

May his neshama have an Aliya

This episode is also sponsored by:

► Nafshi

A musical evening with Shulem Lemmer, Benny Friedman, Joey Newcomb, Yehuda Green and Eli Marcus: This is Nafshi!

7th of December at Kings Theater!

https://colelchabad.events/mm
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►Pizza Biza

Delight your guests with our expansive menu and a culinary experience that exceeds expectations.
https://www.pizzabiza.com

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► Better than a Segulah

When one is faced with life challenges, the merit of Torah learning can effect miraculous salvations. Whatever your need – shidduchim, parnassah, zera kayama, health, nachas from one’s children – the merit of Torah study is a segulah you will want to rely upon. We understand your needs and provide a wide range of options to meet those needs. Whatever the circumstance, we can guide you to an appropriate course of Torah study to be completed by our team of elite Torah scholars. Let us help you help yourself.

Order your personalized Torah Study program today.
https://betterthanasegulah.org/

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► Meaningful Minute Plus

Meaningful Minute Plus gives you access to exclusive video series, raw uncut podcast moments, behind-the-scenes with your favorite creators — plus original films, powerful documentaries, and live-streamed conversations you won’t see anywhere else.
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Editor: Sruly Saftlas