Don't Shy Away

Michal Ohana is a survivor of the Nova music festival massacre. Shot in the leg and bleeding, she spent seven hours hiding in terror, convinced she would not survive. Her account to Dana is a chilling window into that day’s unimaginable atrocities. Michal saw friends and strangers’ innocence shattered. She recalls every sound, every movement, and every heartbeat as a prayer to stay alive. This experience, etched in her mind, now fuels her mission to ensure the world knows what really happened. Speaking around the globe Michal’s courage brings a voice to the silenced, urging all of us to remember and confront the raw truth. She is a beacon for justice and a reminder of why we must stand up against such evil. Michal is proof that we can and must share these stories, resist hatred, and advocate for the innocent. Another must listen.

Ella Shani a 15-year-old survivor of the October 7th attack on Kibbutz Be’eri spent 11 harrowing hours hiding in a safe room with her mother, brother, and his friend. While she survived, the toll on her family was unimaginable. Her father was murdered, her 80-year-old grandparents were shot, her uncle’s home was set on fire as her cousins struggled to stay alive inside, and one of her cousins was taken hostage. Dana has spoken with many survivors, but this is her first conversation with a teenager. In their conversation, Ella shares not only the heartbreak of losing her father but also the haunting images of that day, things she wishes she could erase from her memory. Dana sits down with Ella to hear her story of survival and to understand what life has been like for this young girl who dreams of nothing more than going home and reclaiming her life.

Eylon Levy stands out as one of the most prolific and influential voices in Israel today. During Dana's recent trip to Israel she sat down over coffee with Eylon to talk about the most pressing issues. Israel is being pounded by terrorists groups on all fonts and going to war seems closer to ever. Eylon is the co-founder of the @israelcitizenspox, where you can catch live daily briefings. He is the former Israel government spokesperson and international media advisor to the president of Israel, and host of @stateofaPod.

“Israeli Jewish women are made with a different chromosome that helps them deal with grief” Iris Haim. Dana has wanted to speak with Iris Haim ever since she heard that Iris extended an invitation to the soldiers that killed her son. Yotem was taken hostage on October 7th. After 70 days in captivity an Israeli soldier tragically shot Yotem when he mistook him for a terrorist. Iris is brave, beyond resilient, and could teach very single one of us the true meaning of forgiveness.

Shai Deluca doesn't shy away from anything, not even antisemitism. The media personality and interior designer speaks to Dana about his recent heartache both at work and with many friends. Shai who is from Israel weighs in on the state of the world, and what is happening on Canadian streets. He has changed his social platforms to serve as source of education and information, often disseminating the news to provide a more truthful narrative.

In October 2015, Eitan Chitayat posted his "I’m That Jew" video on Facebook, igniting a phenomenon that resonated deeply with millions worldwide. His message reached 15 million viewers, sparking conversations and shedding light on the Jewish experience. Fast forward to October 2023, following the devastating terrorist attack on Israel and a surge in antisemitic campaigns worldwide, Eitan expanded his platform to confront hatred and educate others through his "I'm That Jew" campaign. In a meaningful conversation Dana and Eitan delve into the dehumanization faced by Jewish people and how his campaign celebrates all facets of Jewish life.Through creativity and passion, Eitan's campaign has served as a beacon of strength and solidarity, reminding the world of Jewish heritage and achievements. "I’m That Jew" empowers individuals to speak out against hate and antisemitism, fostering unity and resilience within the community and beyond. This is an incredible conversation that may leave you smiling.

Linor Attias, a trained emergency medical services volunteer with United Hatzalah in Israel, woke up on October 7th to a missile attack but soon realized that this was not the usual rocket attack being launched at Israel. With determination, she kissed her two daughters goodbye, grabbed her equipment, and made her way to the Gaza periphery. Linor shares her story, along with the stories of numerous victims, with Dana. This is yet another difficult but very important conversation. As Linor explains, Israel is fighting two battles right now: the war on the ground and the PR war around the world. She is determined to share her story because the world needs to hear the truth.

To mark international Women’s Day 2024 we remember all the female victims of the Hamas attack on Israel. The subject matter is hard but this conversation is crucial. Professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, law professor from Israel and a previous member of the UN committee on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women joins Dana to speak the truth about the horrendous sexual violence that took place on October 7th, and what she knows to be happening to the remaining female hostages held in Gaza. Even with the new UN report from the Special Representative of the Secretary General that finds sexual violence occurred on October 7th, there is still denial from most of the world.

"It's not about how much you want it, but how hard you're willing to work for it. Forever." These words from Suzan Galluzzo, transformation coach, holistic nutritionist, and creator of the Best of You program, summarizes a profound truth about weight loss and maintaining health goals. In an anothe candid conversation with Dana, Suzan delves into the reasons why many women struggle with regaining weight after putting in tremendous effort to lose it. Suzan shares invaluable insights into breaking the cycle of the yo-yo dilemma and offers practical strategies for sustaining long-term weight loss success. Her expertise sheds light on what women need to do to overcome these challenges and maintain their health goals effectively.

"We love our Jewishness more than they hate us for it," encapsulates the resilience and determination that echoes throughout this beautiful conversation. Dana speaks with Ben M. Freeman, an internationally renowned author, educator, and Jewish advocate. Against the backdrop of the alarming rise in anti-Semitism post the October 7th terror attack, Ben shares insights into his work and addresses the profound commonality and bond experienced by Jewish people worldwide. Ben, the founder of the modern Jewish Pride movement, delves into the significance of rejecting the shame associated with anti-Semitism. Drawing inspiration from his experiences with LGBTQ+ pride, he emphasizes the importance of empowerment and education in combating prejudice. Ben is the author of the Jewish Pride Manifesto, "Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People," and "Jewish Pride: Reclaiming Our Story." In this critical juncture in Jewish history, Ben advocates for reclaiming pride and rejecting the burden of shame.