Matti Friedman, Journalist & Author

An author and reporter who was in the Jerusalem bureau of the Associated Press, Matti Friedman has a firsthand look at how often many news agencies distort the facts when it comes to Israel. Both American and international organizations consistently appear to have a bias against the Jewish State, while social media has become a cesspool of antisemitism. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Matti Friedman once again to discuss what the media gets wrong about the Middle East conflict, the issue with people turning to social media for news, and the United Nation’s role in legitimizing anti-Israel sentiments.

During the horrific October 7 terrorist attacks, Hamas used social media garner additional attention, even livestreaming their slaughter of innocent civilians and hostage-taking. According to Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor, the Founder and Executive Director of CyberWell who dedicates her life to combatting and reporting online antisemitism, this led to a sharp increase in Jew hatred on social media platforms. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Montemayor to discuss working with social media companies to fight antisemitism, how social media was used to promote and deny the October 7 attacks, and the importance of reporting harmful content.

On the one-year anniversary of the horrific October 7 massacre, when Hamas terrorists slaughtered over 1,200 innocent Israelis, the landscape of the Middle East has changed. From the initial shock of Israel’s intelligence failure to the unity seen among Israel and world Jewry to the way other countries have either supported or hindered Israel’s response, the ramifications have been felt in the Middle East and throughout the world. On this special October 7 episode, Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with returning guest Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, Senior Vice President for Research at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, to discuss the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the escalating war with Hezbollah and Iran, and what Gaza’s post-war future may hold.

A veteran Israeli diplomat, Shahar Azani was never a stranger to Israel and Jew hatred. Yet, after the October 7 terrorist attacks, Shahar Azani saw a shift in discourse. While protesters previously couched their bias in softer language, many are now openly supporting terrorist groups and calling for the end of the Jewish State. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Azani to talk about the change in how Israel is discussed, the unity of the Jewish people in the face of such adversity, and how he stays optimistic about Israel’s future.

Noa Cochva has fought for Israel in a multitude of ways. As a soldier, she served as a combat medic, including for five months on the Gaza border post-October 7. As an activist, she works tirelessly to spread the truth about Israel amidst a sea of antisemitism. And as the former Miss Israel, she represented her country on the international stage. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Cochva to discuss her advocacy work, her experience on the Gaza border, and being assaulted by pro-Palestinian protesters in Times Square.

In a country besieged by enemies, trauma is an unfortunate fact of life for many Israelis. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among Israelis has grown in the wake of October 7 and is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Growing as Winners, an Israeli nonprofit, is dedicated to supporting PTSD-afflicted vets by getting them treatment and integrating them into the Israeli workforce. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Alon Tirer, Chairman of Growing as Winners, to discuss the prevalence of trauma in Israeli society and how Tirer’s organization is working to get Israelis the mental health support they need.

Now nine months after the October 7 terrorist attacks, Israel’s economy has bounced back incredibly well, with some metrics showing the market is even better than before the war. Agreements like the Abraham Accords are still in place, and corporations are still investing in Israel. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Dr. Chalamish, a Professor of International Economic Law at NYU, to discuss the resiliency of the Israeli market, how corporations analyze risk in Israel, and how difficult times lead to creative solutions in the startup world.