GAM V'GAM

Shalom Chaverim -Today we have a special episode featuring David Daoud. Normally, my Gam v’Gam episodes are reserved for political and social discussions and debate while my On the Road to Zion episodes are reserved for more intimate conversations, we are doing both today. Because David Daoud’s personal story intertwines so much with his professional career, I felt this was a unique opportunity to combine the two. The first half of our conversation focuses on David’s upbringing and personal journey with Judaism and then we transition into extreme depth regarding the situation in Lebanon. David Daoud is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Lebanon and Hezbollah. He previously worked as a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council, director of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria research at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), and a research analyst at FDD. David also has experience working as a staff member on Capitol Hill providing analysis on matters related to the Middle East, Israel, and Iran.David holds a JD with a concentration in International Law and the Laws of Armed Conflict from Suffolk University in Boston. He is fluent in Arabic and Hebrew and has spent extensive time living in the Middle East, primarily in Israel and Lebanon. His work has been cited or published in outlets including Haaretz, Foreign Policy, Newsweek, New York Times, Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal.Chapters00:00 Introduction to David Daoud and His Background02:58 The Lebanese Jewish Community: History and Identity05:54 The Impact of the Lebanese Civil War on Jews08:39 The Decline of the Lebanese Jewish Community11:18 Personal Reflections on Growing Up as a Lebanese Jew14:15 Cultural Dynamics of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews17:06 The Evolution of Jewish Identity in Israel20:07 The Tension Between Right and Left in Israeli Politics22:57 The Future of Jewish Identity and Community34:08 Exploring Jewish Prayer Traditions37:39 Halachic Perspectives: Ashkenazi vs Sephardic41:25 Jewish Identity and Community Dynamics46:28 Lebanon’s Complex Historical Landscape01:00:19 The Sectarian System and Its Challenges01:02:25 Lebanon’s Cultural Identity: A Facade of Progressivism01:07:55 The Rise of Hezbollah: Historical Context and Dynamics01:18:15 Hezbollah’s Role in the Modern Geopolitical Landscape01:28:22 Understanding the Complexity of Lebanon’s Political Landscape01:32:55 The Role of Hezbollah in Lebanon’s Society01:39:17 Challenges in Addressing Hezbollah’s Influence01:47:42 Strategies for a Sustainable Future in Lebanon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gamvgam.substack.com

Today, we speak with Jenny Anne Hochberg, a New York based actor, acting coach, content creator, and Jewish activist. We get a chance to talk about her personal journey of reconnecting with her Jewish identity following the events of October 7th, the challenges of being a Jewish actress in the entertainment industry, and the importance of activism and community support. Our conversation naturally led to one about accurate Jewish representation in media and how we can think about telling the stories of everyone who’s a member of Am Yisrael. Jenny recently starred in the Verbatim Off-Broadway play “October 7th,” portraying a Nova festival survivor. Her screen credits include countless TV Series like “Blue Bloods,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “House of Cards,” “Parks & Recreation,” and various award-winning indie films. A trained solo improviser, known for her act “I Am Not Sara Bareilles.” She has performed nationwide at comedy festivals. Jenny also coaches actors in on camera work and audition prep. Beyond performance, she’s a proud Jewish voice in the arts, using storytelling and social media to combat antisemitism and share stories of resilience and identity. For Jenny, art and activism are inseparable. Her content has reached 162K views per video.Where You Can Find JennyInstagram: jenny.anne.hochbergIMDB: Jenny Anne HochbergCheck out her Reel Here!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jenny Hochberg02:54 Jenny’s Jewish Journey and Identity06:11 Impact of October 7th on Jewish Identity09:07 Experiences in the Entertainment Industry11:53 Navigating Anti-Semitism in the Industry14:52 Community and Activism Post-October 7th18:07 The Role of Jewish Day Schools21:07 Current Experiences in New York City23:56 Reconnecting with Jewish Practices26:52 The Future of Jewish Representation in Media38:04 Exploring Jewish Identity in Acting39:54 The Balance of Judaism in Character Development42:21 Navigating Jewish Identity in Non-Jewish Spaces44:00 The Dilemma of Jewish Representation in Media45:53 Opportunities in Christmas Movies: A Jewish Perspective51:21 Diversity Within the Jewish Community55:25 The Need for Diverse Jewish Narratives01:01:23 The Future of Jewish Identity Post-October 7thWatch on Youtube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gamvgam.substack.com

Shalom Chaverim -On this episode of Gam v’Gam, I interview Shabbos Kestenbaum. You may know him only as the student who successfully sued Harvard, complains a lot on TV, and spoke at the RNC as a former Bernie Sanders supporter. What you may not know is that he has his own show on PragerU called The Brief where he interviews such people like Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren and provides analysis on breaking news. More importantly, you might know that Shabbos isn’t actually a MAGA fascist, and the more you get to know him, the more you realize he’s not even the bombastic personality you might assume (okay maybe I’m only talking about myself). Shabbos is someone who believes in pushing Jewish organizations to do better because as he says at the very beginning: The better that legacy Jewish institutions, the better the American Jewish community does overall. Where You Can Find ShabbosX: ShabbosKInstagram: shabboskestThe Brief on PragerUChapters00:00 Introduction to Shabbos Kestenbaum02:38 The State of American Jewry06:26 Critique of Legacy Jewish Organizations10:20 The Role of Student Activism12:08 Free Speech and Anti-Semitism on Campus16:57 Strategies for Combatting Anti-Zionism20:35 The Intersection of Jewish and American Identity27:08 Legal Action and Community Support29:28 The Isolation of Jewish Communities31:54 Addressing the Needs of Smaller Jewish Communities34:23 The Importance of Jewish Day Schools38:23 Balancing Resources Between Coastal and Non-Coastal Communities42:58 Engaging with Smaller Communities54:05 Proposing Solutions for Jewish Community ChallengesWatch on YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gamvgam.substack.com

SummaryOn this episode of Gam v’Gam, I speak with Lucy Biggers—a former climate activist turned anti-climate alarmism creator. She is the creator of a viral video series, “Calming Climate Charts,” that counters some of the scariest misconceptions about climate change. At her day job, she is the Head of Social Media for The Free Press.Lucy shares her journey from passionate advocacy to questioning media narratives and the broader climate movement. We discuss the historical context of climate debates, the complexity of data, and the media’s influence on public perception. Lucy also opens up about the emotional toll of climate anxiety, her time away from social media, and her return to public conversation with a more balanced outlook—one that embraces truth in journalism and market-based solutions. Where to Find LucyInstagram: lucybiggersX: LLBiggersSubstack: Lucy BiggersChapters00:00 Introduction to Lucy Biggers and Her Journey03:04 From Climate Activism to Skepticism05:55 The Role of Media in Climate Perception09:07 Understanding Climate Change: Facts and Misconceptions12:04 Historical Context of Climate Change14:59 The Impact of Human Activity on Climate17:49 Extreme Weather Events and Their Correlation with Climate Change20:57 Building Resilience in the Face of Climate Change23:58 Prioritizing Human Prosperity Over Environmental Alarmism27:17 Adapting to Climate Change30:30 Media Influence on Climate Perception37:51 Personal Evolution and Identity42:06 Emerging Voices in Climate Discourse49:04 Hope for a New Mainstream50:25 Navigating Political Discourse51:51 Shifting Perspectives on Trump54:08 The Role of Media in Political Understanding56:15 The Complexity of Climate Change01:00:34 Energy Policy and Future DirectionsWatch on YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gamvgam.substack.com

Shalom Chaverim -Today’s episode features Margarita Lyadova. Margarita is the host of People Jew Wanna Know podcast where she interviews remarkable Jewish people every week. People Jew Wanna Know Podcast has been around for 1.5 years and features over 100 episodes with notable Jewish guests like Modi Rosenfeld, Aleeza Ben Shalom, Shai Davidai, Dan Ariely, Talia Lichtstein, among many others.Margarita started People Jew Wanna Know in an effort to create a Jewish podcast that felt young, intellectual and joyful. People Jew Wanna Know is the most diverse Jewish podcast on the market, and the only one to feature full-length interviews with Anti-Zionist Jews. From hostage negotiators to drag queens, from Rabbis to comedians, you will be left surprised every week with People Jew Wanna Know.While she runs the podcast as a part-time endeavor, Margarita serves full-time as the Director of Product at an Israeli adtech company. She received her Bachelor's from the University of Minnesota in Supply Chain, Business Law and Spanish, and her Master's from University of Pennsylvania in Behavioral ScienceWhere to Find MargaritaFind Margarita on all platforms as @PeopleJewWannaKnowChapters00:00 Introduction to Margarita Lyadova01:04 Margarita's Journey as a Jewish Refugee06:00 Understanding the Context of Immigration12:06 The Distinction of Ukrainian Jews16:21 Jewish Identity in America vs. Ukraine18:08 Critique of Jewish Organizations21:42 Grassroots Efforts and Community Impact24:41 Cultural vs. Religious Jewish Identity27:51 The Role of Holocaust Education in Jewish Identity30:29 Navigating Jewish Identity in Predominantly Christian Environments32:37 The Impact of Reform Judaism on Jewish Identity36:24 Experiencing Jewish Life in Diverse Environments40:17 The Importance of Jewish Education and Ethics45:49 Jewish Values and Immigration Perspectives This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gamvgam.substack.com

Shalom Chaverim!On this episode of On the Road to Zion, we hear the story of Marielle Israel. As the product of a Jewish father and a Catholic mother, she’s a proud patrilineal Jew who speaks about her journey to making Aliyah and finding a community that accepts her for who she is. She lives in Tel Aviv with full Israeli citizenship where she co-hosts the podcast Life in Israel: Unfiltered. Where to Find MarielleInstagram: www.instagram.com/marielle.israelPodcast: www.instagram.com/talking.unfilteredTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@marielleisraelWatch Full Podcast on YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gamvgam.substack.com

Shalom Chaverim!Z.E. Silver brings on Amanda Peterson ⁨@amandatalksgeopolitics⁩ to discuss Donald Trump's first 100 days in office, focusing on his foreign policy, domestic issues, and the Republican Party's dynamics. We explore the successes and challenges of Trump's administration, particularly in relation to immigration, the economy, and the Middle East. Amanda shares her perspective as a Republican, while Z.E. provides insights from a Democratic viewpoint, leading to a nuanced discussion about the current political landscape and future implications. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Political Discourse 06:06 Foreign Policy Perspectives 12:00 Middle East Dynamics 31:57 Political Realities and Manufacturing Jobs 38:28 Media Coverage and Political Accountability 44:14 Republican Party Dynamics and Trump's Influence 49:50 Manufacturing Jobs and Economic Pain00:00 Introduction to Political Discourse 06:06 Foreign Policy Perspectives 12:00 Middle East Dynamics 31:57 Political Realities and Manufacturing Jobs 38:28 Media Coverage and Political Accountability 44:14 Republican Party Dynamics and Trump's Influence 49:50 Manufacturing Jobs and Economic PainWatch on YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gamvgam.substack.com

Shalom Chaverim -Mikey Darwish is a dynamic Jewish DJ, music producer, and audio engineer born and raised in the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, NY. With a deep passion for music, he has electrified audiences at iconic New York City venues like Terminal 5 and Coney Island Amphitheater. His creative expertise has led to collaborations with renowned brands such as Puma, AC Milan, and Fifth Avenue, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and influential figure in the music industry.Follow DJ Mikey Darwish Everywhere: linktr.ee/mikeydarwishWatch on YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gamvgam.substack.com

Shalom Chaverim!Corinne is a proud Jewish model and content creator on Instagram with a longstanding history and passion for advocacy and activism through her nonprofit work. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she began her modeling and photography career in 2017 and has been consistently sharing her content on Instagram ever since. After experiencing the rapid rise of antisemitism following October 7, 2023, Corinne felt driven to use her platform to highlight and spread awareness of the hatred the jewish community has been facing, both online and beyond, by sharing the antisemitism she and other Jewish creators experience on a daily basis on social media. While still consistently posting her normal modeling content, Corinne regularly discusses antisemitism and Jewish experiences in both posts and daily stories.Find her on Instagram: @corninneWatch on YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gamvgam.substack.com

Shalom Chaverim!Lauren Kagan, known as @yourblondejewishfriend, is a vibrant content creator dedicated to sharing Jewish culture and her love for Israel with a fresh and fun approach. As the daughter of Soviet Jewish immigrants, her personal journey is deeply rooted in preserving Jewish traditions for the next generation. Lauren creatively celebrates these customs through humor, style, and travel, making them relatable and accessible. She has also had the opportunity to interview prominent figures, further amplifying her mission to normalize and showcase Jewish traditions and Israeli culture with authenticity and pride. Beyond her cultural focus, Lauren also explores lifestyle, beauty, and health topics, as well as post-graduate life, offering insights and advice on navigating the challenges of figuring life out in your 20s. You can find her: Instagram: @laurkagan TikTok: @yourblondejewishfriendWatch Video Podcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gamvgam.substack.com