Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, Palestinian-American activist and leader of Realign For Palestine, closes the Goy You Will Enjoy season.
Realign For Palestine aims to cultivate a new generation of Palestinian voices committed to a two-nation solution, nonviolence, and radical pragmatism.
Follow Ahmed on X and Instagram @afalkhatib and support Realign For Palestine at https://realignforpalestine.org/
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
04:54 What is Ahmed working on & how is it going?
13:40 Ahmed's upbringing & disillusionment re: the Free Palestine movement
28:50 Appearance on Jubilee's Middle Ground
35:30 "What did they think would happen attacking Israel with the most right-wing government it's ever had?"
37:45 The harm of right-wing Jewish activism & inability to criticize Israel
41:25 Why growing a Muslim majority for Realign For Palestine is no longer the strategy
48:00 "The pragmatists need wins."
49:29 Israel will be a pariah state if it occupies all of Gaza according to Ahmed
51:39 What can Jews do to help?
01:01:00 Ahmed's question to Margarita about anything Jewish
01:04:24 Closing Remarks
This is a PSA to vote for Margarita, who has been nominated for the Z3 Bridge Builder Award!
The Z3 Bridge Builder Award recognizes individuals who are working to bridge divides within the Jewish people—between communities, across ideologies, between the Diaspora and Israel and more.
If Margarita wins, she will use the funds to create, for the first time, video podcast episodes! Your People Jew Wanna Know experience is about to get that much better!
VOTE HERE: https://a.cstmapp.com/gallery/999958/280732/757203924?lc=en-us
Thanks so much!
U.S. Army Veteran and Muslim American, Dan Khan, joins the Goy You Will Enjoy season to share his powerful story of building bridges between Muslim and Jewish communities.
Together, we explore big questions: Has Islam been hijacked? When is it worth forming coalitions with people you fundamentally disagree with? And what does it really take to create understanding across deep divides?
Follow Dan on Instagram: @its_dankhan
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
03:27 On Dan's upbringing, career & interfaith marriage
12:03 Has Islam been hijacked?
16:26 Dan's experience serving in the U.S. Army
23:10 What is American Peace Committee? How do we build bridges with non-Jews?
30:15 Some people are just lost causes
31:38 Demoralization of society & positive reinforcement
35:35 Building coalitions with those you don't agree with
41:08 Dan's question to Margarita about anything Jewish
48:11 Closing Remarks
Melissa Mott, Executive VP of Education Strategy & Programs at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, joins Goy You Will Enjoy for a candid and powerful conversation on the state of antisemitism, Holocaust education, and Jewish identity today.
With a decade at the ADL, and a career rooted in truth-telling and impact, Mel brings clarity, urgency, and no BS to her episode. This is the one Jew need to hear.
Check out the Simon Wiesenthal center at www.wiesenthal.org and follow them on Instagram @simonwiesenthalcenter
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
04:10 Mel's journey to become an educator & Holocaust expert
08:45 Non-Jews raised around Jewish communities often develop more positive views of Jews
12:50 How Margarita met her first Asian person
14:24 What is the work of the Simon Wiesenthal Center?
16:09 What is and is not working in combatting antisemitism?
24:30 Will Jewish orgs ever figure it out or should we assume "it's not coming?"
26:59 Has Mel been able to change hearts & minds?
30:10 What is it like for Mel to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community?
31:58 Mel's experiences in Israel
33:26 What has resonated with Mel from Jewish culture?
36:33 Mel's question to Margarita about anything Jewish
45:04 Closing Remarks
Iconic content creator, Chris Caresnone (The Babka King), joins us on the Goy You Will Enjoy season to discuss building bridges through his love of culture, food, and humor.
In this conversation, Margarita and Chris discuss his career, his POV on the current rise of Jew hatred, and the importance of having positive energy.
Follow Chris on Instagram @chriscaresnone and check out his website www.caresnone.com
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
02:20 How did Chris get into content creation?
06:10 Chris' response to antisemitic remarks on his videos
19:35 Chris' experience with Jewish people & his POV on energy
24:31 "I can create my own narratives, and I had to work through that idea myself."
26:25 Discussing Anti-Zionism
30:29 "If every single person stopped going to MAGA rallies, would it exist?"
34:45 On the importance on seeing positivity vs. negativity
39:35 Chris' question to Margarita about anything Jewish
42:52 Closing Remarks
Gaza-born peace and human rights activist, Hamza Howidy, joins the Goy You Will Enjoy season to share his incredible story and commitment to fostering peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
In this episode, we hear the crazy, unfathomable stories of Hamza's escape from Hamas imprisonment and torture, how his family discovered a Hamas tunnel under their house, and much more.
Follow Hamza on X @HowidyHamza and on Instagram @hamzahowidyy
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
04:56 Hamza's Gaza upbringing & the path to deradicalization
07:30 "I was an antisemite"
09:00 What is the current sentiment of Palestinians? Are polls accurate?
15:38 How was Hamza released after being imprisoned by Hamas?
16:40 How can Palestinians stand up to Hamas?
21:40 Hamza's recommended Pro-Palestinian organizations to support
23:03 Advice to Jewish people from Hamza
24:30 How has Hamza's perception of Jews change over time?
25:21 Margarita's experience at Israel Day Parade
30:00 Has Hamza been inside a Hamas tunnel?
32:54 Why did many Jews not support the second ceasefire deal?
35:40 Qatar's role in releasing Edan Alexander
38:00 Hamza's question to Margarita about anything Jewish
46:12 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
People Jew Wanna Know welcomes popular Christian-Lebanese activist, Jonathan Elkhoury, on the pod. We learn about his remarkable story and his take on the current situation in Israel since he lives there.
Jon reflects on his years of activism, what he wishes he knew sooner, and offers useful tips for how to create allies.
Follow Jon on Instagram @Jon_Elk and on X @Jonathan_Elk
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
02:45 How Jon ended up in Israel & his advocacy work
07:50 Why did Jon go into activism & his life post-Oct 7
17:26 How has Jon's perception of Jews & Israel changed?
20:56 Our story is being rewritten - how can we tell the true story to non-Jews?
29:20 What does Jon wish he knew sooner about Israel activism?
38:45 What does Jon connect to in Jewish culture?
40:21 Jon's question to Margarita about anything Jewish
45:50 Closing Remarks
Margarita interviews Mer Hersam - an influencer education and advocacy expert living in Washington DC. Mer is an ally who has done tremendous work to combat antisemitism and harmful anti-Israel rhetoric online, as well as being involved in the restoration and preservation of TikTok. In this episode, Mer talks about her background, why she felt compelled to speak up for the Jewish people, her trip to Israel post-Oct 7th, and much more.
Follow Mer on Instagram @merhersam and on TikTok @mer.money
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
03:43 From modeling to activism - Mer's path
07:15 On saving TikTok & working on the presidential campaign
11:51 Mer's experience with the Jewish community & visiting Israel post-Oct 7
18:30 Has Mer witnessed antisemitism?
21:00 What has worked for changing people's minds?
27:21 Has Mer's perception of Israel/the Jewish people changed?
30:55 What resonates with Mer from Jewish culture?
32:55 Can we combat antisemitism in a major way in the next 4 years?
34:46 Margarita's question for Mer & Mer's question for Margarita
41:42 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
Leo Veiga, Modi Rosenfeld's producer, manager, and husband, joins People Jew Wanna Know for the "Goy You Will Enjoy" Season!
Leo has raised the bar in entertainment, producing incredible comedy shows all over the world. In this episode, Margarita and Leo discuss his philosophy on allyship, Jinsta (Jewish Insta), and how his perception of the Jewish community has changed over time.
Follow Leo on Instagram @leo_veiga_ and check out his website www.leoveiga.com
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
04:29 Who is Leo Veiga & what is he up to?
10:29 What was Leo's perception of the Jewish community before he met Modi?
11:35 How is Leo feeling post Oct 7th supporting a Jewish comic?
14:38 JINSTA
23:52 On Hannah Einbeinder
29:34 The "reasonable person" principle
30:25 Has Leo been able to break through to other non-Jews?
36:55 Has Leo's perception of the Jewish community changed over time?
46:00 Leo's question to Margarita about anything Jewish
51:29 Closing Remarks
Kareem “K.W.O.E.” Wells—entrepreneur, entertainer, and longtime bridge-builder between Black and Jewish communities—joins us for a powerful conversation in this episode of Goy You Will Enjoy.
Kareem shares his extraordinary journey from the streets to the C-Suites, and how he turned a bold vision into Flow Entertainment, the go-to events company with a three-year waitlist for bar/bat mitzvahs. Crowned the “King of the Mitzvahs,” Kareem reflects on the intersections of culture, community, and allyship—and what it means to show up for others with heart and hustle.
Follow Kareem on Instagram @kwoe and check out his work on www.kwoegroup.com
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
06:00 How Kareem went "from the streets to the C-suites"
13:00 Kareem's entertainment business & becoming "King of the Mitzvahs"
20:00 On building bridges - "I was doing this work before Oct 7th. Our children are watching."
23:04 "I'm trying to right my wrongs" - the importance of giving back
26:04 Visiting LA's Museum of Tolerance & the Nova Exhibit
28:00 How does Kareem respond to antisemitism in the industry?
31:45 Kareem's advice to Jewish people
39:05 Kareem's question to Margarita about anything Jewish
44:01 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
Destiny Albritton, who is the Senior Director of Next Gen at Christians United for Israel (CUFI) and a social media activist, joins People Jew Wanna Know podcast to share her wisdom on how to get non-Jews to support Israel. CUFI is the largest pro-Israel group in America with 10 million members.
In this warm and somewhat theological discussion, Destiny and Margarita bond over their travels to Israel and Destiny offers countless pieces of advice for how to create allies. They also discuss the difficult climate on college campuses and Destiny's experience supporting Jewish and non-Jewish students.
Follow Destiny on Instagram @destinythewonderful and check out CUFI at www.my.cufi.org
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
02:41 Destiny's upbringing & how it led to her career
04:20 What is CUFI?
06:40 Margarita's trip to Israel visiting Christian sites
13:33 How Destiny became a Zionist
16:50 A very good rant about antisemitism on campus - "do you know that's such a low bar?"
26:00 How can Jews build bridges with non-Jews?
32:53 Has Destiny's perception of Jewish people changed over the years?
34:32 Things Destiny loves about Jewish life!
36:51 Destiny's question to Margarita about anything Jewish
44:44 Closing Remarks
People Jew Wanna Know is launching a new season of the podcast lovingly called "Goy You Will Enjoy!" This season features 10 episodes sharing the stories of allies.
The trailer episode is dedicated to explaining what motivated the season and what kinds of guests to look forward to. Margarita also reads letters from her listeners about their experiences with non-Jewish friends and peers post October 7th.
For exclusive content and guest suggestions, follow @peoplejewwannaknow on Instagram!
Popular social media activist, journalist, editor, and marketing professional, Jordyn Tilchen, joins People Jew Wanna Know to reflect on "Jinsta," her career, and the current state of journalism.
Jordyn also shares her difficult decision to move back to the US after she made Aliyah just a few months before Oct 7th, 2023.
Follow Jordyn on Instagram @jtilch and X @JordynTilchen.
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
03:12 Jordyn's upbringing, career, & the pivot to Jewish activism
05:42 Working at MTV & responding to anti-Israel rhetoric
09:25 Timothee & Kylie - yay or nay?
10:04 Is Jordyn concerned about the current state of media & journalism?
16:59 "Social media deprived me of the joys of life" & making Aliyah
23:50 Is there anything Jordyn would do differently?
26:45 Advice to Jewish content creators
28:18 Urban Legend - meritocracy for content creators
36:30 "The Jewish activism space is going to shrink"
41:00 What is Jordyn optimistic about?
42:56 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
Actor, writer, and producer, Ari Frenkel, joins People Jew Wanna Know podcast to discuss Hollywood, Jewish social media, and debate Margarita on salient questions going through the minds of Jewish activists and influencers.
In a warm conversation with two friends, Ari and Margarita address "the elephants in the room" and laugh their way through it. Ari leaves us with powerful messages of Jewish Joy, positivity and empowerment.
Follow Ari Frenkel on Instagram @arifrenkel and check out his work on www.arifrenkel.com
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
02:54 Ari's career in acting/film & pivoting to make Jewish-centered content
05:07 What is "See You On The Other Side?"
07:08 How is it being Jewish in Hollywood right now?
11:35 When do people with a following have an obligation to speak up? When are we "accepting crumbs" as Jews?
17:00 What WOULD change the hearts & minds of people?
20:15 Joe Rogan's episode with Douglas Murray & Dave Smith
22:33 Is it unethical to make money from Jewish activism content?
34:35 An impactful moment Ari has recently had
43:06 The importance of humility & compassion when discussing war & debiasing
55:04 A message to young Jewish people
55:39 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
Model, activist and former National Spokeswoman for the Republican Party, Elizabeth Pipko, joins People Jew Wanna Know to reflect on supporting the Trump campaign and the current state of politics. This episode is a front row seat into the world of people closest to Donald Trump.
Margarita and Elizabeth discuss Elizabeth's work for the Republican party, her Russian-speaking Jewish upbringing, and her new non-profit - Chabad Friends.
Follow Elizabeth on Instagram @elizabethpipko .
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
06:08 Elizabeth's path into politics from modeling
08:22 What was it like to support Trump's latest campaign?
11:06 Elizabeth's Jewish upbringing & identity
14:12 Elizabeth's take on what's happening to the Jewry right now
16:40 How to keep going when experiencing antisemitism & political polarization
22:45 "I could not get closer to the campaign unless I was Donald Trump himself"
23:30 Do you have an obligation to vote for someone else's interests?
26:00 Chabad Friends - what is it?
29:40 Can we make progress on antisemitism in the next 4 years?
33:27 A message to young Jews - get religious!
38:05 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
Named "one of the most interesting thinkers in the Jewish world" by The Jewish Week and one of America's Top 50 Rabbis by The Forward, Amichai Lau Lavie joins People Jew Wanna Know podcast to share his story.
Rabbi Amichai comes from 38 consecutive generations of Rabbis and is known for his progressive, "God-optional" congregation Lab/Shul in NYC and a documentary film about his life - Sabbath Queen. In this conversation, Margarita and Amichai discuss Sabbath Queen, the importance of embracing "the messy middle," and the current political landscape in Israel.
Follow Amichai on Instagram @amichailaulavie and check out his film, Sabbath Queen, at www.sabbathqueen.com
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
07:18 Who is the Sabbath Queen? Meeting in the messy middle
13:11 At what point is changing tradition changing Judaism altogether?
16:40 Death of the conservative Jewish movement in NYC
20:03 How do we build bridges with Anti-Zionist Jews? Learnings from Amichai's Lab/Shul congregation
31:15 Amichai's take on Israeli politics today - end the occupation, immediate ceasefire
39:21 "We are dreaming a nightmare, and we have to wake up."
42:30 Is the Moshiach coming?
43:21 What is Amichai optimistic about?
45:04 What would Hadassah say?
46:02 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
This week, Margarita interviews Hannah Simpson - writer, speaker, and activist on queer & trans identity.
Hannah's episode is filled with humor, depth, and meaning as she walks us through her transition journey, the queer Jewish community, and what the situation looks like for queer people today.
Follow Hannah on Instagram @hannah.e.simpson and check out her website www.hannahsimpson.net
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
02:30 Becoming Hannah Simpson - from medical school to trans activism
09:54 What is the trans Jewish community like?
11:20 "And I know I'm a nice person because science removed the dick part of me"
13:58 "Judaism gives me a better framework for being a trans person"
14:16 Explaining being trans to Rabbis & reintroducing yourself to everyone
19:50 Israel's importance to the queer community
25:30 How do you build bridges with people in the queer community who don't support Israel?
35:30 "We always want to walk in others' shoes, especially if they're high heels"
44:25 Hannah's work as a mortuary technician during COVID 19
50:28 A message to us about the current state of trans rights - we have a crisis on our hands
56:06 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
Ysabella Hazan, a very long-standing activist, writer, and international speaker joins People Jew Wanna Know to reflect on her career, the current state of the Jewry, and where she thinks we're headed.
Ysabella is one of the original Jewish activists on social media who has revolutionized student grassroots movements on campuses. Her inspiring, candid, and principled takes will leave you feeling energized and ready to show up as a proud Jew wherever you go.
Follow Ysabella on Instagram @ysabellahazan and @decolonizedjudean . Check out www.decolonizedjudean.com
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
02:51 Ysabella's diaspora experience & founding Decolonized Judean
07:47 Ysabella's legal work - how can we be proactive & empowered?
11:12 How can Jewish activists reach people outside of the echo chamber?
15:20 "If we want to reach broader audiences, we have to change our messaging. Immediately."
18:40 Antisemitism on college campuses
20:50 "Anti-Zionist Jews are Jews that have internalized antisemitism"
24:50 "When we have a safe space, we are ghettoizing ourselves."
25:00 What does grassroots work on campus look like?
27:28 He who has his "why" can bear any "how" - How Ysabella processes the antisemitism she experiences
34:49 One-State or Two-State Solution?
40:33 Solutions for coexistence need to be local
46:58 What has given Ysabella hope?
48:52 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
On Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Margarita interviews Holocaust survivor - Miriam Griver. Miriam lived through the Holocaust as a child, and she talks about her family's brave, unbelievable story of survival.
Miriam's father, Yehudah Meisels, survived 9 months in Auschwitz followed by the Death March. Miriam and her older sister hid in the trash in their ghetto to save themselves.
Miriam reflects on her life, tells us how she channeled her story into an incredibly successful career of Jewish philanthropy, and leaves us with a powerful message to future Jewish generations.
On Yom HaShoah, consider donating to The Blue Card fund which supports Holocaust survivors in need -https://bluecardfund.org/
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
04:03 Miriam's impressive career & life in Israel
10:03 The story of Miriam's family during the Holocaust
36:50 Miriam's reflections on living in Israel post Oct 7th
42:02 Miriam's message to young Jewish people
Estie Rose and Shari Ungerleider from JScreen join People Jew Wanna Know to discuss Jewish genetic diseases. JScreen is a non-profit on a mission to give every adult in the US access to preventive genetic testing and counseling.
In this insightful conversation, they discuss the history of Jewish genetic conditions, what options are available to genetic carriers who want to have children, and how the observant Jewish community views reproductive care. Jscreen is doing vital work in helping form healthy, Jewish families.
Check out Jscreen at jscreen.org and follow them on Instagram @getjscreened
00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda
03:15 Faces of JScreen - The story of Estie & Shari
09:04 How many families are affected by Jewish genetic diseases every year?
12:30 What options are there for carriers of Jewish genetic diseases who want to have children?
14:42 How does the observant Jewish community view reproductive care?
18:50 On autism
20:21 What is JScreen? History of Jewish genetic diseases
27:15 Health insurance SUCKS!
28:20 Are there any emerging discoveries in Jewish genetics?
34:28 A message to aspiring Jewish parents
35:09 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
