Fresh Look With Hen Mazzig

Welcome back to Fresh Look! In Episode 14, you'll hear from Shekhiynah Larks, a Black-Jewish activist who is at the forefront of bringing the Black and Jewish communities together. You'll hear from Shekhiynah about her background as a Black and Jewish woman, and about the state of Black and Jewish relations, along with challenges and opportunities these two communities are facing. We're honored to have Shekhiynah join us for Episode 14 of Fresh Look. Welcome to the show, Shekhiynah!

Welcome back to Fresh Look! In Episode 13, you'll hear from Swell Ariel Or, the star of the hit Netflix series The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem. In the show, Swell plays Luna Armoza, the daughter of Gabriel and Hila. You'll hear from Swell about her role on the hit series and her take on Judaism and Israel. We're honored to have Swell join us for Episode 13 of Fresh Look. Welcome to the show, Swell!

Welcome back to Fresh Look! This week’s episode features Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz, Senior Rabbi of the largest synagogue in New Jersey - Congregation B'nai Jeshurun. Rabbi Gewirtz is the author of a new book “To Build a Brave Space: the Making of a Spiritual First Responder.” Rabbi Gewirtz also serves as the President of the Coalition of Religious Leaders for the State of New Jersey. During this episode, we’ll hear from Rabbi Gewirtz about insights in spiritual leadership and the challenges facing Jewish and pro-Israel people today. Welcome to the show, Rabbi Gewirtz!

Welcome back to Fresh Look! This week’s episode features a unique conversation with a non-binary digital activist and content creator of Iranian Jewish descent, Matthew Nouriel.  In recent years, Matthew has been using their voice to passionately advocate and fight for the causes they believe in - namely LGBTQ+ rights and equality within the Iranian and Jewish communities, and combating antisemitism - using their social media as a means to reach those who relate to their perspective and lived experiences, as well as engaging audiences on panel discussions and speaking engagements across the country. They have taken on leadership roles with both queer and non-queer organizations such as JDC Entwine, JQ International, Tel Aviv Institute, and most recently joined the team at JIMENA - Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa. In 2021 they were the recipient of the TrailBlazer Award at the JQ International annual Impact Awards. Welcome to the show, Matthew!

Welcome back to Fresh Look! This week's episode features pro-Israel activist and world renowned Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian. Dr. Nazarian's unique background as a Persian Jew gives her valuable insights into the current events in Iran, which are discussed in this week's episode. Dr. Nezarian is an Emmy Nominated, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with a private practice in Beverly Hills. She founded the Nazarian Institute, where she helps medical professionals develop their business skills by Thinking BIG – Branding, Innovation, and Growth. Dr. Nazarian stars in the Emmy Nominated Netflix Original Series, Skin Decision: Before and After. She is also an influencer on social media, where she has amassed almost 1 million followers on Instagram, talking about Jewish identity and combatting antisemitism. Welcome to the show, Dr. Nazarian! Follow Dr. Sheila on social media or on her podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-closet/id1661721192

Welcome back to Fresh Look! On Episode 9 of Fresh Look, you’ll hear from a leading voice online for progressive Zionism. Hallel Silverman is an American born, Israeli raised digital activist and blogger located in Tel Aviv. With nearly a decade in Israel advocacy, Hallel has created and executed content for dozens of major organizations and is an associate at the Tel Aviv Institute, an organization that fights hate on social media and in digital spaces. Welcome to the show Hallel!

Welcome back to Fresh Look! This week’s episode features an Israeli national security expert, Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Sarit Zehavi, the founder and president of Alma - a nonprofit independent research and education center specializing in Israel’s security challenges on its northern border. Sarit will share her insights on the security situation in Israel following Operation Breaking Dawn. Sarit has briefed hundreds of groups and forums, ranging from US Senators, members of Congress, and other politicians to senior journalists and visiting VIP groups in Israel and overseas. Sarit has also authored numerous position papers on Lebanon, Syria, and Israel’s national security challenges. She served 15 years in the Israeli Defense Forces, specializing in Military Intelligence. Welcome to the show, Sarit!

Welcome back to Fresh Look! Our featured guest for Episode 7 is Alyza Lewin, a prominent pro-Israel lawyer with an extensive career representing clients facing anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist discrimination. During the show you’ll hear more from Alyza about a range of pertinent legal topics related to Israel and Judaism, including how pro-Israel students are protected by the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Alyza Lewin is President of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and co-founder and partner of Lewin & Lewin, LLP where she has specialized in litigation, mediation and government relations. She began her law career in Israel, where she was a law clerk to Deputy President of the Supreme Court Justice Menachem Elon and has represented numerous high-profile clients including victims of religious discrimination. In 2014, Alyza orally argued Zivotofsky v. Kerry (the “Jerusalem Passport” case) before the U.S. Supreme Court. She is also past President of the American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists and serves on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia. Welcome to the show, Alyza!

Welcome back to Fresh Look! This week’s episode features award-winning journalist and world-renowned op-ed columnist Bret Stephens. Bret is Editor in Chief of Sapir Journal and an op-ed columnist at the New York Times, where he writes about foreign policy and domestic politics. Previously, he wrote “Global View,” the Wall Street Journal’s foreign-affairs column, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2013. He was also the paper’s deputy editorial page editor and a member of its editorial board. Before that, he was editor in chief of the Jerusalem Post, a position he assumed at age 28. At the Post, he oversaw the paper’s news, editorial, and digital operations and its international editions, and also wrote a weekly column. Welcome to the show Bret!

Welcome back to Fresh Look! We’re excited to have you join us today for Episode 5 featuring world-renowned Palestinian human rights activist, Bassem Eid. Bassem was born in East Jerusalem and rose to prominence during the First Intifada as a senior researcher for B’Tselem. He founded the Jerusalem-based Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group and later assumed the role of chairman of the Center for Near East Policy Research. In response to the deterioration of the human rights situation under the Palestinian Authority, Bassem Eid founded the Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group, a non-partisan human rights organization dedicated to exposing human rights violations and supporting a democratic and pluralistic Palestine. Bassem has spent decades researching UNRWA policies and has written extensively on the subject of UNRWA reform. He also is an outspoken critic of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. Welcome to the show Bassem Eid!