Episodes
Originally from a small Christian community in Lebanon, Jonathan El Khoury is now a prominent Israeli activist, working tirelessly to promote ties between Israel and the minority communities in them. His Reservists on Duty project has defended Israel from its detractors on college campuses across the United States, and El Khoury himself has supported the empowering of Israeli Christians and Muslims to enlist in the IDF. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with El Khoury to discuss growing up in...
Published 01/17/24
For over 2,000 years, Jews have survived and often thrived under extremely difficult circumstances. Author Gidi Grinstein believes the heart of Jewish continuity lies in our ability to adapt to our environments, as well as constant balance our community manages to strike between modernity and tradition. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Grinstein to discuss the interplay between orthodox and reforming Jewish communities, how that interplay has been critical to the Jewish People’s success,...
Published 01/03/24
Founded in 1993, Jerusalem Venture Partners has created and invested in over 165 companies in Israel, Europe, and the United States and now manages over $1.6B from some of the world’s leading international sovereign funds. Its success led to the founding of Margalit Startup City, whose model is based on specialized “Centers of Excellence” around the world, including Margalit Startup City Galil, a groundbreaking food and ag-tech platform supported by Jewish National Fund-USA. Host Steven...
Published 12/20/23
In “2048: The Rejuvenated State”, Ambassador Michael Oren sets out his vision for Israel in honor of Israel's 75th Independence Day 25 years in the future. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Ambassador Michael Oren live from JNF-USA’s Global Conference to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Israel discussed in his newly-released book and the impact of the October 7 on the future of the State of Israel.
Published 12/07/23
Started in 2014 in the wake of ISIS’ rise to power, the Philos Project seeks to promote positive Christian engagement in the Near East by creating leaders, building community, and taking action in the spirit of the Hebraic Tradition. Primarily focused on supporting persecuted Christians in the Middle East, the project also aims to strengthen the relationship between Christians and Israel. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Luke Moon, Deputy Director of the Philos Project, to discuss its...
Published 11/15/23
As Israel enters the ground invasion phase of its war with Gaza, public perception of Israel has fallen in the eyes of many, especially younger people who don’t have all the facts. In addition, international bodies like the United Nations and European Union have skewed pro-Arab to the detriment of Israeli lives. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Ruth Wasserman Lande, a former Israeli Knesset member, to discuss the hypocrisy of protesters supporting those whose values diametrically oppose...
Published 10/31/23
While Western leaders have near-universally backed Israel in the wake of Hamas’ horrific attacks, a shocking number of people have expressed support for Hamas, levelling the same false accusations against Israel they usually do. One thing often said is that Israel is an “Apartheid State” and will compare Israel’s requirement for self-defense to South Africa. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with South African activist Olga Meshoe Washington to discuss her journey to becoming an advocate for...
Published 10/24/23
With so many voices speaking out against the Jewish State, it’s gratifying to meet an unexpected ally. Yahya Mahamid was raised by his Arab community to hate Israel and everything it stands for, but through meeting other Israelis, he learned that everything he was taught was wrong. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Mahamid to discuss his journey to supporting Israel, the backlash he faced for it in his Arab community, and his thoughts on the recent terrorist attacks and subsequent war.
Published 10/19/23
Hamas’ recent brutal and unprovoked attack has primarily been focused on Israel’s Gaza Envelope region. But how has this attack affected the rest of the country? Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum to discuss the current environment in Jerusalem, organizing support from the international community, and the special resilience of the Jewish people. She also discusses Hamas and the fundamentalist nature of their regime, and how this a clear battle...
Published 10/12/23
In the wake of the unprecedented, unprovoked, and horrific attacks by Hamas from Gaza on civilian communities in Israel, Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Middle East expert Jonathan Schanzer, author of Gaza Conflict 2021: Hamas, Israel, and Eleven Days of War, the history of Hamas and its conflict with other Palestinian factions, and the future of policymaking regarding Israel and Hamas. The two discuss Israel’s intelligence failure, Iran’s fingerprints and its Ring of Fire strategy to...
Published 10/09/23
At the height of the Yom Kippur War, when Israel was at its lowest, famed poet and singer Leonard Cohen visited the country and did a series of performances that raised the spirits of a nation. Almost 50 years later, journalist and author Matti Friedman took a deep dive into Cohen’s impromptu tour with Who by Fire: War, Atonement, and the Resurrection of Leonard Cohen, which chronicles Cohen’s also delves into Cohen’s spiritual and professional crisis and reawakening. Host Steven Shalowitz...
Published 09/27/23
As artificial intelligence continues to increase in popularity, everyone is figuring out how to use AI to improve lives. And Israel is no exception. For Israeli embryologist Daniella Gilboa, co-founder and CEO of fertility treatment center AIVF, AI has been used to increase the success rate of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), making it easier for women who want children to conceive. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Gilboa to discuss the IVF process, how artificial intelligence improves that...
Published 09/13/23
Colonel Richard Kemp is no stranger to conflict. For over 30 years, Colonel Kemp has commanded troops in hostile territory and been at the forefront of the battle against terrorism. Now, Kemp also advocates for Israel, often in places where Jew hatred runs rampant, from college campuses to news outlets. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Colonel Kemp to discuss the relationship between the British and Israeli military, his experiences advocating for Israel on college campuses, and where he...
Published 08/30/23
For Ben M. Freeman, Jewish Pride is a movement long overdue. In his first book, Freeman discussed the need for a Jewish Pride movement similar to ones other minority groups have had. His latest book, Reclaiming our Story: The Pursuit of Jewish Pride, goes even deeper, delving into the impact of Jew-hate on Jews, the long history of internalized anti-Jewishness, and how to reclaim our identity and break the cycle. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Freeman to discuss his new book, the three...
Published 08/02/23
Positively singular in its goal of making complex information about the Middle East digestible and accessible, the Alma Research and Education Center has been educating people around the world on the in-depth geo-political situations Israel faces every day, offering field briefings at various lookout posts along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and Syria as well as lectures and workshops around the globe analyzing the developments in Israel’s border conflicts. Host Steven Shalowitz sits...
Published 07/19/23
One of Jewish National Fund-USA’s most important bridge-building projects, the Faculty Fellowship Program in Israel, is a competitive academic fellowship that invites full-time university and college faculty members to apply to participate in an all-expenses-paid academic trip to Israel. The Program links scholars from diverse disciplines with their Israeli counterparts at major institutions for the purpose of initiating exchanges and collaborations, with participants gaining a deeper...
Published 07/05/23
On the forefront of economic innovation, Margalit Startup City has transformed cities from Jerusalem to Haifa into thematic international innovation centers that generate thousands of new jobs, bring young people back to the city centers, and establish a startup ecosystem. One such Center, Margalit Startup City Galil, has become a groundbreaking hub for inventors, multinational developers, entrepreneurs, and academic researchers collaborating to create the next food-tech and Agri-tech...
Published 06/21/23
From blood libels in the Middle Ages to internet conspiracies about Israel, antisemitism has adapted and shifted, taking many forms throughout the course of history. Whether in Europe, Russia, or modern-day America, wherever Jews go, antisemitism and conspiracy theories follow. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Alex Ryvchin, Co‑Executive Chief Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, to discuss his new book, The Seven Deadly Myths: Antisemitism from the Time of Christ to Kanye...
Published 06/07/23
When it comes to Zionist leadership, education is crucial. We need leaders who are not only knowledgeable about the importance of Israel, but capable of showing others why it matters. One of the national leaders in Zionist education for High School students, Club Z has worked to create a network of articulate activists with a commitment to Zionism who advocate for Israel and the Jewish people. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Masha Merkulova, Founder and Executive of Club Z, to discuss...
Published 05/24/23
While diaspora and Israeli Jews are inextricably connected, there often seems to be a disconnect between the two groups. Masa Israel is looking to fix that. For over 15 years, Masa Israel Journey has been building bridges between diaspora and Israeli Jews through immersive international experiences in Israel for Jewish young adults, creating memories and lifelong connections for all participants. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Ofer Gutman, the CEO of Masa Israel Journey, to discuss his...
Published 05/10/23
Shahar Azani serves as Founder and Principal at Fourth Dimension Strategies and as Senior Vice President at Jewish Broadcasting Services.
Published 04/26/23
Gabriel Groisman has always been a friend to Israel. The Mayor of Bel Harbour, FL from 2016-2022, he quickly established his reputation as a staunch supporter of Israel and the Jewish People through his anti-BDS legislation and outspoken criticism of antisemitism. Now in private practice, Groisman is still active in the pro-Israel community, encouraging others to be as well. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Groisman to discuss his efforts to fight antisemitism as Mayor, advice for Jewish...
Published 04/14/23
Dr. Rachel Fish is a celebrated academic with 20 years of experience in Israeli history, Zionist thought, and Middle Eastern Studies. She is the Founding Executive Director of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and previously served as Senior Advisor and Resident Scholar of Jewish/Israel Philanthropy at the Paul E. Singer Foundation in New York City.   Dr. Fish also served as the Executive Director for the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at Brandeis University and held the Rohr...
Published 03/29/23