NEW YORK (VINnews) – Mitchell Silk, a chassidic Jew who rose to serve as Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury for International Markets, is featured in a new episode of the podcast “Behind the Bima,” offering a rare look at a career that bridged religious life and global finance.

In a conversation with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, the senior rabbi of Boca Raton Synagogue and a widely followed lecturer and podcaster, Silk recounts his path from yeshiva study to the highest levels of government, where he played a key role in international economic policy and U.S.-China financial negotiations.

Silk, who grew up in Chicago and later built a career as a leading lawyer in China-related finance, is widely recognized as an expert in Chinese law and infrastructure investment. Fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin — skills he began developing while working in a Chinese restaurant as a teenager — he went on to study in Taiwan and China before entering private practice and eventually government service.

He became the first Hasidic Jew to hold a Senate-confirmed senior position in a U.S. administration, serving under President Donald Trump and helping shape major initiatives involving global energy, infrastructure finance and trade, including work tied to U.S.-China economic agreements.

In addition to his government and legal career, Silk is also the author of several books, including works on international finance and Chinese law, as well as a widely noted English translation of classic Chassidic teachings.

The podcast episode explores how Silk balanced his chassidic identity with a high-profile career in international finance, moving between Borough Park and boardrooms in Washington and Asia, while remaining grounded in his religious values.

The discussion is part of the podcast’s ongoing series highlighting personal stories at the intersection of faith, leadership and public life.