The Israel Connection
by Beth El Congregation of Baltimore
Latest episode
The Israel Connection: Ghosts of a Holy War - Yardena Schwartz
The Israel Connection: Ghosts of a Holy War - Yardena Schwartz
About this podcast
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
The newest 20 of 57 episodes
- The Israel Connection: Ghosts of a Holy War - Yardena Schwartz · 1 h 0 min · Season 3 Episode 26Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: The Unfiltered Reality of Israeli Gen Z - Rotem Pe'er and Michal Trachtenberg · 1 h 1 min · Season 3 Episode 25Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: From the Knesset to the Frontlines - Yoni Heilman · 52 min · Season 3 Episode 24Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: Choosing Israel - Michael HarPaz · 55 min · Season 3 Episode 23Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: The Architect of ChaiFlicks - Neil Friedman · 29 min · Season 3 Episode 22Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: A Lifelong Zionist - Ben Kreshtool · 31 min · Season 3 Episode 21Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: The Front Line of Israeli Advocacy - Hillel Fuld · 43 min · Season 3 Episode 20Send us Fan Mail Esti Zenati hosts American-Israeli tech advisor Hillel Fuld for a powerful conversation about shifting from Silicon Valley marketing to full-time online advocacy…
- The Israel Connection: The Jewish Jet - Jared Firestone · 34 min · Season 3 Episode 19Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: Bonus Episode - Israel & US vs Iran · 23 min · Season 3 Episode 18Send us Fan Mail 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.
- The Israel Connection: The Unbroken Voice - Leat Corinne Unger · 1 h 0 min · Season 3 Episode 17Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: Unfiltered Defense - Abraham Hamra · 1 h 19 min · Season 3 Episode 16Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: Advocacy in Crisis - Dana Cwaigrach · 33 min · Season 3 Episode 15Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: Finding a Place for Us - Ari Axelrod · 1 h 4 min · Season 3 Episode 14Send us Fan Mail Celebrated Broadway star and activist, Ari Axelrod joins Esti Zenati to explore the intersection of the arts, activism, and Jewish identity. From his upbringing…
- The Israel Connection: Rabbi Steven Schwartz · 39 min · Season 3 Episode 13Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: Shai Davidai - The Fight for Jewish Safety · 52 min · Season 3 Episode 12Send us Fan Mail When the world shifted on October 7th, Shai Davidai—a social psychologist and former Columbia Business School assistant professor —refused to stay silent. In…
- The Israel Connection: Saving Abigail - Liz Hirsh Naftali · 44 min · Season 3 Episode 11Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: #ImThatJew - Eitan Chitayat · 54 min · Season 3 Episode 10Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: The Best Israeli Food - Yossef's Laffa-Milia · 37 min · Season 3 Episode 9Send us Fan Mail 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…
- The Israel Connection: Jonathan Conricus - Former IDF International Spokesperson · 39 min · Season 3 Episode 8Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Esti Zenati is joined by former IDF Lieutenant Colonel & International Spokesperson, Jonathan Conricus, who joins us to dissect the global media…
- The Israel Connection: Adeena Sussman · 27 min · Season 3 Episode 7Send us Fan Mail 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…
