The Israel Connection
The Israel Connection – Hosted by Esti Zenati, this engaging podcast explores all things Israel. Every other week, Esti welcomes a special guest with a unique connection to Israel—diving into culture, history, current events, and personal stories. Whether you’re deeply connected to Israel or just curious to learn more, this podcast offers insightful and meaningful conversations that bring Israel to life.
Episodes
In the season three finale of The Israel Connection, host Esti Zenati sits down with Emmy-nominated producer and journalist Yardena Schwartz. Drawing from her book, Ghosts of a Holy War—newly optioned for film—Yardena exposes how international media bias and historical disinformation have fueled conflict from the British Mandate straight through to October 7.
Inspired by the rediscovered letters of an American yeshiv...
In this powerful episode, host Esti Zenati sits down with two Gen Z Israelis—Michal Trachtenberg, American-Israeli who made aliyah just two weeks before October 7th, and Rotem Pe’er, who narrowly avoided the Nova Festival where eight people she knew were killed—to explore the raw reality of a youth caught between "normal" life and sudden wartime trauma. Together, they pull back the curtain on an existence ...
In this episode, host Esti Zenati sits down with TamidGroup CEO Yoni Heilman to discuss a life shaped by diplomacy, identity, and frontline service. Growing up between the US and Israel, Yoni shares insights from his time working inside the US House of Representatives and the Israeli Knesset, highlighting the stark differences between the two political systems. He opens up about making Aliyah and answering the call ...
From Detroit roots to Israeli superstardom, Michael HarPaz joins host Esti Zenati to share an incredible journey through the heart of Hebrew pop culture. The former Israeli boyband, High Five, heartthrob reflects on the classified ad that launched his career and the lasting legacy of Israel’s most iconic boy band, but the conversation takes a poignant turn as they tackle the complexities of life post-October 7. HarP...
From the courtrooms of entertainment law to the front lines of indie cinema, Neil Friedman has spent decades championing stories that matter. In this episode, Esti sits down with the founder of Menemsha Films and ChaiFlicks to discuss his journey of building a 3,000-hour library of Jewish and Israeli content from the ground up. Neil reveals how theatrical hits like Dough and The Women’s Balcony served as the ultimat...
In this episode, Esti Zenati sits down with Beth El’s Ritual Director, Ben Kreshtool, to explore a lifelong journey of Zionist identity rooted in family history and his grandmother’s legacy as a Holocaust survivor. Ben recounts the "electrifying" experience of his first trip to the Kotel, his time confronting anti-Israel animosity on a college campus during the Second Intifada, and his recent post–October ...
Esti Zenati hosts American-Israeli tech advisor Hillel Fuld for a powerful conversation about shifting from Silicon Valley marketing to full-time online advocacy for Israel post-October 7th. With billions of impressions generated, Fuld shares his strategy for engaging a "middle audience" open to civil debate, the urgent need for a cohesive and positive Jewish narrative, and his deep frustration with the si...
From a life-altering mini-stroke in 2014 to the high-octane ice tracks of the Olympic circuit, Jared Firestone—known as the “Jewish Jet”—has redefined what it means to slide against the odds. In this gripping episode, host Esti Zenati sits down with the attorney-turned-Skeleton star to explore the grit and grace of representing Israel on the world stage. Jared opens up about the heartbreak of narrowly missing Beijin...
Esti Zenati is joined by Ben Kreshtool to discuss the current war with Iran. We keep you updated on all that's been happening since Saturday, February 28.
When Omer Shemtov was kidnapped from the Nova Festival on October 7, 2023, his cousin, Leat Corinne Unger became his global voice alongside his parents and siblings. In this raw conversation with Esti Zenati, Leat recounts her 500-day battle for Omer’s freedom—from the halls of the UN to a pivotal meeting at Mar-a-Lago.
The most chilling revelation? While in the tunnels, Omer saw footage of Leat’s advocacy on Al Jaze...
In this episode of The Israel Connection, Esti Zenati sits down with Abraham Hamra—a Syrian Jewish ex-refugee turned powerhouse attorney and digital advocate. From the hushed, dangerous escape from Damascus in the early 90s to the high-stakes courtrooms of New York, Abraham shares a journey defined by resilience.
Fluent in Hebrew, Arabic, and English, Abraham leverages his unique cultural vantage point to dismantle a...
In this episode, Esti Zenati sits down with social impact leader, Dana Cwaigrach. From her roots in Tel Aviv to her high-level work at the Peres Center for Peace and the Ramon Foundation, Dana has spent her career driving change.
Following the October 7 attacks, Dana co-founded the U.S. branch of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. She joins us to discuss the emotional weight of working with hostage families, na...
Celebrated Broadway star and activist, Ari Axelrod joins Esti Zenati to explore the intersection of the arts, activism, and Jewish identity. From his upbringing in Michigan to navigating antisemitism on college campus and later in the theater world, Ari shares how his trips to Israel transformed his sense of self and Jewish identity. We dive into the creation of his acclaimed show, A Place for Us, the Jewish roots o...
What does it take to lead a congregation for over 25 years? Rabbi Steven Schwartz joins Esti Zenati to reflect on his tenure at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore as he prepares for his next chapter in semi-retirement. From his childhood inspirations in upstate New York to his first transformative trip to Israel, Rabbi Schwartz explores the experiences that shaped his commitment to the Jewish diaspora. They dive into...
When the world shifted on October 7th, Shai Davidai—a social psychologist and former Columbia Business School assistant professor —refused to stay silent. In this episode, Shai joins Esti Zenati to share his journey from a 1980s Israeli childhood to the frontlines of campus advocacy.
We dive deep into Shai’s transition from the classroom to full-time activism, his fierce public battle against antisemitism at Columbia...
In this episode, Esti Zenati is joined by Liz Hirsh Naftali, author and advocate, whose great-niece, 3-year-old Abigail Mor Idan was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, after her parents were murdered. Liz details the tragic events, her transformation into a global advocate and her efforts during the past two years to secure the release of hostages. She discusses the impact on her family, the broader community, a...
In this episode, Esti Zenati interviews Eitan Chitayat, a global creative leader and brand builder known for his advocacy for Israel and the Jewish people. They discuss the origin of Eitan's viral movement I'm That Jew, which started as a reaction to the 2014 Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris and grew into a global Jewish advocacy movement. They delve into how the video, seen by millions worldwide, sparked a n...
Join Esti Zenati for a delicious conversation with Yossef Shavi and his daughter Alona Shavi-Tajer, the family behind the local Yossef's Laffa-Milia kosher Israeli food truck. Learn the heartwarming story of how Yossef started the truck, the meaning of its unique name, and what makes their customer service exceptional. Yossef discusses Israeli cuisine as a "melting pot," their dynamic menu, and authen...
In this episode, Esti Zenati is joined by former IDF Lieutenant Colonel & International Spokesperson, Jonathan Conricus, who joins us to dissect the global media landscape after 24 years of service. Drawing on his dual Israeli-Swedish background, Conricus offers a sharp critique of UN and humanitarian organizations, highlighting issues of corruption and media bias against Israel. He stresses the need for improvi...
In this episode, Esti Zenati is joined by Adeena Sussman, a New York Times bestselling author known for her Israeli cookbooks. Adeena shares her journey from working in television to becoming a renowned food writer, her creative process for writing cookbooks, and the impact of living near Tel Aviv's Carmel market on her culinary inspirations. She discusses the balance between authenticity and accessibility in I...
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