My Israel Narrative

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Rabbi Raphael Shore—acclaimed human rights activist, filmmaker, and lifelong educational entrepreneur. As founder of OpenDor Media and the Clarion Project, Rabbi Shore has shaped meaningful public discourse around Jewish identity, antisemitism, and the resilience of Israel through 18 documentaries and 500 educational videos that have been viewed over 150 million times.His most recent projects include the documentary Tragic Awakening: A New Look at the World's Oldest Hatred and the book Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Jew? Learning to Love the Lessons of Jew-Hatred. In this conversation, Rabbi Shore challenges us to see antisemitism not as senseless hatred, but as resistance to the very ideas and values Jews carry into the world.We discuss:-Why our enemies often understand us better than we understand ourselves-The real reason antisemitism is universal, enduring, and intense-What Hitler actually understood about Jewish identity and mission-What it means to truly own our mission and message as Jews-Why pride, not just survival, is the foundation of Jewish resilienceThis conversation isn't just about understanding antisemitism—it's about rediscovering who we are and what we're here to do.Learn more about Rabbi Shore's work:-Rabbi Raphael Shore: https://raphaelshore.com-Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Jew? book: https://a.co/d/3OAopzq-Tragic Awakening documentary: https://raphaelshore.com/tragic-awakening-The Clarion Project: https://clarionproject.org/-OpenDor Media: https://opendormedia.org/

True achdut starts small, starts personal, and starts now.What if the key to healing your most challenging relationships isn’t out there—but within your own family story?In this powerful episode of Practical Achdut, we sit down with Rivka, a parenting coach whose journey will stop you in your tracks. She shares the raw, honest story of her daughter—a baby who cried and screamed relentlessly, leaving her exhausted and searching desperately for answers. She seemingly tried it ALL but nothing worked. Until a mentor of hers offered a small piece of advice—to honor her parents.She discovered a hidden pattern in her own heart—a subtle, subconscious belief that she was somehow better than her parents. The moment she confronted and transformed this inner narrative, everything shifted. Almost miraculously, her daughter’s crying stopped. The screaming ended. Peace returned.This isn’t just a parenting story—it’s a blueprint for unity. Before we can heal the world, fix society’s fractures, or tackle the big challenges “out there,” we must first create harmony in our own homes, with our own parents, within our own hearts. True achdut starts small, starts personal, and starts now.Join us for a conversation that will challenge how you see your family, your past, and your path forward.

How do you find your purpose when tragedy strikes?In this episode, my guest co-host Ester Rosenberg and I sit down with Chana Irom, CEO of Sisters, an organization born in the aftermath of October 7th. Just days after Israel found itself in a terrifying new reality, Chana and several friends from the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community called a meeting to see how they could help.What they created was simple yet astounding: a volunteer system where Haredi women support families with loved ones serving in the army. In only three days, they recruited 1,500 volunteers. Today, over 4,000 women help with cooking, cleaning, childcare—and sometimes most importantly, according to Chana, lending a listening and empathetic ear.While these two groups of women come from different worlds, Chana's team shows no signs of slowing down, with plans extending far beyond the war's end. Through initiatives like Sisters, Israel may slowly begin to mend its deepest divides—one helping hand at a time.*To get in touch with Chana directly you can email her at [email protected] OR [email protected]*Social media presence coming soon!

Do You Really Care About Israel?For most Jews today, the answer is a resounding yes. But beyond war and security, do we truly understand the challenges Israel faces and what’s at stake for its future? This isn’t about one group pushing a solution that serves its own interests—this is about addressing issues that impact every Jew, including those in the diaspora.This interview was different from any I’ve done before. What Eugene and Daniela Kandel are proposing may seem radical, unrealistic, or even off the mark given Israel’s current reality. But the truth is, securing Israel’s future isn’t just about defeating our enemies—it requires an honest look at the country’s social, economic, and political foundations.As a father-daughter team, the Kandels have dedicated themselves to assessing the core weaknesses in Israel’s government structure. Their response? The Israel Strategic Futures Institute, an organization offering concrete, actionable solutions to shift Israel’s trajectory toward long-term stability, prosperity, and resilience.Learn about why this cause is so important for Israeli and Diaspora Jewry alike and about how you can get involved with their efforts today at: https://www.israelstrategicfutures.org/en and https://www.linkedin.com/company/israelsfi/

The My Israel Narrative Achdut Series endeavors to sit down with individuals in the Jewish community who are tackling "practical achdut" - creating unity through real, tangible means.Judaism is predicated on the idea of oneness—within ourselves, with G-d, and with each other. Achdut (unity) does not mean sameness. It does not mean abandoning my beliefs for yours. It means holding onto our individual and collective truths while striving to fulfill our shared mission of bringing light to the world.Achdut is the only foolproof antidote. In our 5,000+ year history, every time we were divided, our enemies prevailed. But the moment we stood together, there was no room for their darkness.It’s time to choose unity. It’s time to do different.

After a long hiatus and a bit of a delay on posting this epic episode, I am SO excited to share this conversation with Tonia Chazanow from  @Humanandholy , a podcast focused on Jewish women talking about Torah and the lived experience of our Judaism. In this episode we unpack: -How to stop waiting for Moshiach AND your personal aspirations -Stepping into the darkness to attain your unique light -How to try less and let H’ fill in the blanks -The power of achdut -How to find an anchor in these challenging times -Leading from an authentic place -How and why it's really NOT about you... Check out Human and Holy here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1mo2kXBh03DA218ZmfBqRb?si=d7a3ca7350d84ff3 *Be sure to check out her episode I reference at the beginning of the podcast called “Why I Am No Longer Waiting for Moshiach” - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6QypEGhzRZd6EyfrZJuq14?si=E6CaTRHsS5m_AhgQoq2mSg Website: https://humanandholy.com/ Instagram: @humanandholy Email: [email protected]

"I think our role is to be connected to our identity. Our identity is Israel. We are Israel. We are Am Yisrael... I think when you get more connected to your identity, you'll find the answers on your own." - Ysabella Elisheva Hazan Now the question is, are you seeking out those answers? Listen to this deep and heartfelt conversation I had with Ysabella, where we unpack the different ways she has found that authentic connection and drive to fight for (and ultimately live in) our Homeland. Follow Ysabella on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ysabellahazan/?hl=en And check out her initiative " Decolonized Judea" https://decolonizedjudean.com/ ******************** About Decolonized Judea: This is a movement beyond Judean wear. It’s about Jewish pride and empowerment. Decolonized Judean is about telling the Jewish story from a Jewish lense and shifting culture. Decolonizing Jewish identity means learning about the Jewish story from a Jewish lense - and that means not forming your opinion on the Jewish ancestral homeland from those who seek to destroy it. Thousand of years in the diaspora has added many layers and elements of colonization to our identity and culture. Decolonizing Jewish identity means connecting with our roots but not by going backwards, it means moving forward in advancing the next stage of our collective peoplehood. It simply means taking charge of our Jewish story and not forming or acquiescing elements of our peoplehood to our oppressors. There is no one way to be a decolonized Judean because there is no one way to feel connected to your identity and culture.

How does an Iranian refugee take her experience and use it for the greater good? Dr. Nazarian's story is nothing short of a miracle. Her perseverance is reflected not only in her succesfull medical practice, but as an Emmy nominated Netflix star, AND fierce advocate for the Jewish people and Israel. I ask Dr. Nazarian what her experience was like coming to America, what it has been like experiencing “the same smells as Iran” in the once refuge of the US, and why she is investing so much energy in making sure this country doesn’t meet its demise. Follow Dr. Nazarian on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsheilanaz... Check out Dr. Nazarian's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Join me as I sit down with Ester, a good friend and one of the most knowledgeable (and passionate) people I know on all things Israel and Jewish history, as we dig deep on some of the “big” questions. The context of this interview is based on comments from an earlier interview with ​⁠@RabbiYYJacobson Listen in to hear about making Aliyah, our purpose in the diaspora and Israel, how to create a desire to be in Israel, moshiach, and much more. Leave your comments below to tell us your thoughts.

A little bit of a different kind of interview. I finally sat down with my dad to hear about his story as an Iranian immigrant to America during the time of the Iranian Revolution. We break down what it was like leaving a country you love and starting anew in somewhere totally foreign. I also ask him his take on the current happenings in the US and whether he sees any parallels with what he experienced being pushed out of Iran.... Should we do a round 2? Leave your questions and comments below!