Taking Back the Narrative

Hamas and Hezbollah are both predominately in the news today post-the Jewish genocide on October 7th, 2023, from where did those terrorists emerge? Who is really pulling the financial strings? Is there a difference between Sunni and Shi'ite terrorism? How was the Soviet Union tied to the Arab occupiers in Israel, and why is it important to know about the Muslim Brotherhood. All the above is expertly answered by Matan Zimman, a former IDF soldier and a current student at Reichman University in Israel where he is focusing on government and counter-terrorism studies. 

Welcome to this dynamic episode where the real truth about Ukraine is revealed. Rivkah Aubrecht and I push aside the PC curtain to discuss how Ukraine was originally created and by whom, the entrenched antisemitism there for centuries, and what actually led to this war in Ukraine. The media has you believe that it is evil Putin vs. innocent Zelensky. Are those the only two players involved? What happened in 1991? 2014? 2014 - 2022? And who helped Ukraine cross the infamous 'red line' repeatedly? Was Crimea ever actually 'stolen'?www.tbtnisrael.com

TBTN (Taking Back the Narrative) is thrilled to welcome back Mark Kennedy, who appeared as a guest last season. Together, we discuss in-depth the Trump Gaza deal, as it now stands, and all the accompanying issues at play. www.tbtnisrael.com

Leora Levy has been a leader in many aspects of her life: she was one of the first female traders on Wall Street after graduating college in 1978. Within politics, Leora's professional pathway has been equally as impressive, most recently having served as the Connecticut RNC National Committeewoman, and in 2022, Leora was the Republican nominee for the Senate race against the long-standing  Senator Blumenthal. These are just some of her numerous political accomplishments, so it was no surprise that I was going to invite Mrs. Levy to speak on the Taking Back the Narrative podcast. Born in Cuba to Jewish parents, Leora has the personal insight of why Socialism is  dangerous, not just for America as a whole, but for Jews in particular. Join our discussion as we traverse the shifting political climate, the importance of the Patriots within the Republican party, why Zionism matters, and will Jews in America ever see the political light and not keep supporting Hamas, through their votes. 

What drew me to establish a friendship with Mark Kennedy, a Jewish political guru, through Facebook, was his well-informed, almost insider-esque, take on all things foreign policy and politics. For years, Mark and I would talk about U.S. politics, the Middle East, and all other hotspots world-wide, to the point where I knew I had to have Mark on as a featured guest on the Taking Back the Narrative podcast. Join us as we weave from where things stand in Israel today - from the North, Gaza, Eilat, hostage rescue progress, to Iran. We also broach the uncomfortable discussion of how much did Israel know before the Jewish genocide - the military, government, and the absolute brainwashing within the Arab occupier populations in both Gaza and in Judea & Samaria for nearly 80 years. Is there a Fifth Column in Israel?Can Israel sustain being a democracy? Why Tikkun Olam has long been bastardized. And of course, Mark expertly shares his insight on the upcoming American election, and how Jews are part of the political shift back towards President Trump in America.

The terrorist attack on 9/11 was a pivotal point for Kenneth Abramowitz, the Founder of Save the West (savethewest.com). Though it too, was for many, Kenneth branched out from his long-term career in health care consulting to alert the public about the dangers of nefarious elements targeting Western civilization - from China to Islam to the Democrats in America. Kenneth is one of the few worldwide who have been such a strong voice on the need to save the West - from the initiative's very informative website to astute webinars, and the numerous speeches to groups - all have been effective tools to sound the alarm. Tune in to this exciting episode as Kenneth and I delve into the difference between political Islam and Islam, the religion - is there a major difference? What happened to Western Europe and why and how is Eastern Europe holding on to its values, despite all the pressure to submit to globalization. The Abraham Accords are also discussed at length - why did the Arab nations decide to finally normalize relations with Israel, and what will push Saudi Arabia, if anything, to fully embrace Israel. Currently, America is at a tipping point - one more anti-American President, and the U.S. will be fully Socialist, and through the indoctrination at public schools, we are well on our way to erasing the freedoms and ideals on which this nation was founded. Kenneth and I fully discuss the implications of this upcoming election. Additionally, Kenneth is also Chairman of Citizens For National Security. https://www.amazon.com/Multifront-War-Defending-Political-Pandemics/dp/091415382X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=kenneth+abramowitz&qid=1603227343&s=books&sr=1-1

It was an absolute honor to have on Rebecca Harary, who is not only the President & Founder of CASEPAC (Combating Antisemitism Everywhere PAC), but is also the Co-President of the America First Club. Rebecca is the type of person that sees a problem or a need, and finds an effective solution - from helping found a school for autism in Brooklyn, to running for political office in NYC to address immediate concerns of constituents, to going straight to the top within the Federal government in not only addressing the vile virus of Jew-hate, but working within the system to do something about it. Jewish voices can no longer be silent. We do not need to accept the status-quo of being attacked, not in Israel, not here in America. Tune into my conversation with Rebecca as we span the topics of Zionism, being proud Jews, politics, Israel, why re-electing President Trump matters, and much more! https://americafirstclub.com/https://www.casepac.org/https://www.imagineacademyforautism.org/

It was a true honor to have on Shabbos Kestenbaum, a proud Zionist who is the bearer of many titles: a student activist and a media contributor; a lead plaintiff against Harvard University, and a lecturer on combating Jew hatred. Shabbos is an Orthodox Jew who planned on pursuing his collegiate goals of studying religion at Harvard Divinity School. Even prior to the Jewish genocide on Oct. 7th, the school was rife with anti-Israel hate, as Shabbos says in the episode, "one would think no other country exists (for them) aside for 'Palestine.'" But the scale of psychotic Jew hate seen on campus post Oct. 7th was unprecedented. Students and faculty both participated in intimidating pro-Israel Jews on campus. This scenario was repeated across liberal schools across the nation. However, Shabbos stood up against Jew hate, retained impressive counsel (the case is now going to trial), and even testified in front of Congress. Shabbos is proof that Jew hatred need not be tolerated and that it's high time for Jews to push back strongly. In this episode, Shabbos goes into great detail of the Harvard environment and the pro-terrorist groups. And I add in some historical background as to when and why anti-Israel sentiment infected liberal schools in America. It's an episode not to be missed!

Brandon and I get into the weeds of why both American Jewish leadership has failed Jews in America and in Israel, and why Israeli leadership needs a complete overhaul. The sorry excuse for leadership has jerked Israel down a path of capitulation to the needs of the antisemitic West, has fueled the ease of terrorism against Jews in the Jewish homeland, and even during this war, this across the board Jewish leadership is not truly understanding the broad scope of enemies; no, it is not just Hamas that needs to be eliminated. This episode is not for the sensitive, not for those who need everything sugar-coated, but for those who truly want to understand what went wrong and how to actually fix the grave mistakes so that another Jewish genocide will never occur. 

Lilly Schwartz, a Program & Resource Coordinator at Nevut (https://nevut.org/), was instrumental on the podcast to share the importance of lone soldiers and their role in the IDF. What motivates someone to join the army that does not have to? What are the challenges? As a former lone soldier herself, Lilly answers all these questions and much more! We also touched upon politics (of course), and our visions for a safer Israel. Lilly is also proudly married to a former Satmar, and lone soldier. She is close to her in-laws and extended family; thus, we were able to get outside the headlines and delve into a passionate community that many misunderstand, and who are beginning to pivot on Israel and its reality. We left no topic unturned. 

No one can make sense of the senseless that happened on October 7th. One cannot comprehend the mass murder in horrific ways of 1200 people and the taking hostage of so many innocents. Join Daniella and I as we weave through dissecting the policies and politics of both Israel and the U.S, what needs to be done to ensure safety, and what fuels Jew-hate.Daniella provides an inside take into the resiliency and humanity of the Israeli people, the shifting perspective of the newly ‘awake' in both countries, and how we can steer our children on a better path socially and politically. This episode also contains great teachable moments regarding the importance of semantics and why and how Gaza is actually Jewish, and has been since 145 BC. Daniella's book,  The World Where I Belong can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1649539630/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TO5puK5MByALOdyC2q3-04fU8X7RZbPMfoyqyW1Q2ViWWIl2-Imy6Oy7NJe7rXhYjX6BDSZtJoUVDL-Fl0NXh7hSHDhY-LeN6xk6vmyqnKc_HmOgX-m9Nj8jx0a8oIu7-9z80ujiytFuQ32YRPtCaZHtGon7AUo8-yW9WIS2OgDdJuBPDyeMkYpUB7TMKE_OcuskVFqBrdhPxwRfM377dg.Ct587Qg0GaRk1ATo0nMXRofC2F4ISnAR05AOpqkeTW4&qid=1712428015&sr=8-1

It was an honor to speak with Kobi Koren, who is not only an expert on International Relations, but also has extensive knowledge on the history of the Middle East, and the Jewish people. Together, Kobi and I discussed the history of Muslim terrorism going back centuries, and addressed what many others seem to miss: just 'freeing Gaza from Hamas' will not do much long-term for Israel's security. To understand what is happening today towards Israel is to also understand the second half of the Ottoman Empire and of course the British Occupation. And for 75 years, Israel has been a sovereign country, in recent years, building up to having a powerful military; yet, why do the policies of Israel's leadership not add up to the actual strength of the Israeli people --- all is touched upon in detail in this in-depth podcast episode. 

162 days since the barbaric genocide against Israelis, the Jewish world is still coming to grips with our new reality. Hate coming from all directions, our very homeland in potential jeopardy of survival long-term, and the incomprehension of our missing people, stolen by Arab occupiers in Gaza. It has also been 162 days of sheer resilience of Israelis, the strength of the Jewish people, and renewed resolve for security. It is an honor to feature Naomi Reinharz in the first episode of Season III. Naomi has been a pillar in the Jewish world for over two decades,  her Zionism runs deep and proud, and in her current position as the CEO of the American Society of the University of Haifa, Naomi is navigating the current reality of post-genocide student life while also promoting co-existence between Israeli-Arabs and Jews on campus. Tune in as Naomi and I navigate a multitude of topics without any filters. 

The audience is in for an in-depth look at Persian Jewry as shared by Jewish Iranian community leader & activist, Sharon Nik, whose family on both sides spans thousands of years in Iran. Jews first came to Iran as part of the Babylonian Exile, and it was Cyrus the Great who later freed all slaves in Persia, including Jews, and established the Persian Empire. Under Cyrus, Jews were free to return to Israel, but many stayed behind and became thriving members of the then new society. When Islam took over Iran, many centuries later, the treatment of Jews shifted, depending on geography. Unlike in Yemen, where the cities were antisemitic and the villages, far less so, in Iran, the cities tended to be more tolerant, with more rural areas more anti-Jew. Sharon's family experienced both post-Islamic incursion treatments. However, there were Jews who worked in close proximity to the most recent Shah, saw the friendship grow between Israel and Iran, pre-Revolution of 1979, and Jews contributed greatly to Iran on all fronts. Jews were also very assimilated in Iran, sharing the same foods as Muslims, same music, and in many cases, culture. The only difference was faith, to which Jews in Persia held on strongly. Join us as we discuss Persian Jewish customs, Persian Jewish community bonds, the return to Israel and immigration to the U.S; among other topics. We also touch on a potential post-Islamist regime change Iran, and Sharon's honest thoughts regarding a potential reconciliation with Israel. 

It was an absolute honor having on Matan and his family friend, Tuvia, a Yemenite Jew whose family arrived back in Israel in 1925. One of the greatest misconceptions in circulation is that Yemenite Jews are all converts. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just like Ashkenaz Jews are not Khazars. Many Jews left Israel after the destruction of the first Temple in 586 BCE. Some Jews headed west into North Africa, others ventured into what is now Saudi Arabia, while another group migrated into what is now called Yemen, or, for a long time, the southern portion of Saudi Arabia. Regarding the Khazars, only the King converted, while the rest of his Kingdom converted to Islam. The philosemitic Himyarites in Yemen, did 'convert' to Judaism, but those same people later on embraced Islam. Genetic Jews, those who came from Israel, did not accept Islam and remained strong and proud Jews. Tuvia masterfully explains, in detail, the differences between the Jews who ended up in Saudi Arabia vs. those who ended up in Yemen. The toll, both direct and indirect that dhimmitude played on how Jews were treated in Yemen. But, all was not hopeless. There was a symbiotic relationship between Jews and Muslims, despite and, because of dhimmitude, and it was interesting to find out why the ruling Imam of Yemen let Jews go back to Israel in 1950, without much hesitation. Yemenite Jews played an outsize role in shaping post-liberation Israel, even prior to liberation. Foods, music, behavior, and overall culture was heavily influenced by Yemenite Jews, helping the Jewish homeland be seen as a rightful Middle Eastern country, which it has always been. 

It was an honor to speak with Jewish activist Adela Cojab about the very deep history of Syrian Jews. A proud Diaspora community first emerged in Syria after the destruction of the First Temple. After the Crusaders first invaded Israel, one of every three residents of Damascus were Jews. The oldest synagogue in the world is located in Syria and was built in 244 AD. In follow-up waves, Jews fleeing from the Spanish Inquisition arrived to Syria. Adela explains the differences between the two major Jewish communities that existed in Syria, which traditions are unique to Syrian Jews, what keeps the community even today beautifully intact, and how the Syrian Jews adapted to the fluctuations of history. And in the context of Zionism and the Syrian Jews,  we touched upon the most famous Israeli spy, Eli Cohen, himself a Syrian Jew, who grew up in Egypt. Learn more in depth about all the above, plus some of Adela's favorite Syrian-Jewish Shabbat foods,  how Syrian Jews in both Israel and in the Diaspora keep their traditions alive, while modernizing in some aspects, and how venerated are rabbis within the Syrian Jewish community. 

Bukharian Jews have a fascinating history - from their journey to the Persian Empire from Israel, and all along the Silk Road, until ending up not just in Uzbekistan, but throughout other parts of Central Asia such as Tajikistan and Dagestan. Please join the guest of honor, David Milov, as he shares the rich history of his community,  the unique customs, delicious sounding dishes, and where the Bukharian Jews today see themselves, as part of the larger Jewish world. Additionally, we tackle Muslim-Jewish relations in Uzbekistan, the effects of Communism, and the importance of a strong Jewish identity through the ebbs and flows of history. 

I am thrilled to have on Barbara Krystal, Taking Back the Narrative's Director of Educational Outreach. Barbara poignantly shares her family's history of how they immigrated from Russia to Argentina. Members of my family ended up in Argentina due to the Czar's pogroms in the beginning of the 20th century, and thanks to Barbara, we learn about the multiple waves of Jewish immigration to that region. Barbara goes into great detail about the fabric of Jewish society in Argentina throughout the centuries (we even touch upon Jewish cowboys and pirates!), and the complex relationship between Israel and Argentina - trailing from the extraction of Adolf Eichmann to the bombing of the AMIA in 1994, including nefarious cover ups on the side of the Argentinian government. On the other side of the world, we also provide an overview of how some Jews ended up in China in the 20th century. How many people know that the city of Harbin was built by Jews? No matter where Jews ended up in the Diaspora, and the different sub-cultures and customs that emerged, one thing was a constant and that was Zionism. Barbara and I also discussed the importance of Zionism throughout the Diaspora, both past and present.

Take a deep-dive into the rich fabric of Jewish history in Morocco with special guest, Jonathan Karten, the CEO & Founder of the Iftach Group. The first Jews who arrived to Morocco were those who left Israel after the destruction of the First Temple. Then there were Amazigh Jews, which was a result of the very close bond the native population had with the newly arrived Jewish population, and the third wave of Jews in Morocco resulted from Sephardic Jews who were escaping the Inquisition after 1492. Join us, as Jonathan describes in detail his family history in Morocco, the Muslim-Jewish relationship - both from a governmental angle and a community perspective, life in Israel after leaving Morocco post 1948, and the path forward for Israel and Morocco now - in the age of the normalization deal, as part of the Abraham Accords. We also discuss the importance of amplifying the Mizrahi experience and contribution, as it relates to combating antisemitism. 

Indian Jews have a fascinating history, in that they are not one group, but several groups with different Diaspora stories. On this episode, I had the honor of speaking with Thapan Dubayehudi, a Professor of Foreign Languages, and also one of 15 members of the Cochin Indian Jewish community who  currently remain in India.  Thapan delves deeply into the history of Cochin Jews and their actual origins, which unfortunately has been shared and re-shared inaccurately by Jews from outside their community. Thapan also dispels the myth that there had never been antisemitism in India; in fact, during a time period, a great number of Jews were massacred and only because the Jewish community held a Jewish woman's honor in high regard. While today, nearly all Cochin Jews live in Israel, as they had always been proud Zionists, it is important to share the history and contributions of an often-overlooked but significant community in the Jewish Diaspora. 

The most common type of antisemitism these days comes in the form of anti-Zionism. This particular type of Jew-hatred is not just manifested online, within certain political parties, during anti-Israel marches and protests, but most increasingly on college campuses. And it does not remain on college campuses; it then spirals out of hand when college kids enter post-college life. These lies then spread into the media, into the halls of Congress, in popular culture, and is passed down to the next generation. Are Jewish groups who claim they are pro-Israel equipped to handle the necessary education needed to push back against the antisemitic lies? Unfortunately, that is not the case. Join me as I have a very no holds barred conversation with Marlene Artov, a former Director of Young Professionals & Campus Coordinator at ZOA. Together we traverse the root issues, diagnose the stumbling blocks, and at the end, offer concrete solutions. 

In part II of the Why Zionism Education Needs an Overhaul episode, featuring Naya Lekht, a passionate and informative Zionist, and the Director of Education at Club Z, we tackle topics such as 'does politics belong in Zionism education,' and 'does religion?' We also emphasize what upcoming and established Zionism educators ought to be sharing, and look back on both the effective methodologies and mistakes we have made along our Zionism education journey. 

As pro-Israel organizations are multiplying, antisemitism is skyrocketing. Something is off. Tune in to a dynamic discussion between Naya Lekht, a passionate and informative Zionist, who is the Director of Education at Club Z, and myself. We delve deep into why the Zionism education space has largely been ineffective, what information is actually needed to be shared with both those who are Zionists and those who are not informed properly of the truth. When Zionists do not know history, proper historical-based terminology, and what the propagandists spew scarily effectively, it actually does more damage. Luckily, we are also seeing very positive trends in the space, which we address in this episode. 

What is the status of modern Christian Zionism? Does it come from an earnest place? Olga Meshoe Washington digs deep into this topic that is widely discussed among the Jewish community. Olga also lends her impressive background - both through  work efforts (Club Z, IBSI), and through strong family ties - to educate both myself and the audience on the very complex relationship which exists between many African nations and Israel. Olga provides an eye-opening description of history, politics, and how propaganda was able to seep into legislative and diplomatic decisions. Additionally, Olga and I delve critically into the tools needed for effective Zionism education - both for Jews and Christians. https://clubz.org/https://www.ibsi.org/new-page

Taking Back the Narrative is honored to feature in this episode Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie, a TBTN Advisory Committee Member, who is currently the Senior Rabbi, Jewish Council of the Emirates - Sharei Mizrah, among other notable titles. Rabbi Abadie's fascinating family history weaves together the movement, including accomplishments and tribulations, of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewry. Today, he makes his home proudly in Dubai, completing the circle of Jewry in Arab lands - from Jews who were often treated as second class citizens and later expelled, to now proudly expanding Jewish communities in certain Gulf countries. Join us as we discuss the significance of the Abraham Accords, the current status of Jordan & Egypt as they relate to Israel, life for Jews in the UAE, and the importance of Muslim-Jewish relations today. 

Jews have an unfortunate reputation as victims - from the end of the Holocaust, that description has especially hard stuck. Lately, with antisemitic attacks on the rise, many Jews themselves have velcroed onto that descriptor. But, does it have to be that way? Tune into the informative and deep-dive conversation Aaron Hadida, a second-time guest, and I have about overcoming Jewish victimization - both physically and spiritually. We also tackle, among other subtopics, actions of Jewish organizations, the role of Israel, and cultural shifts in reclaiming strength as a people. And if you are curious about Jews and tattoos, well, we cover that too! Aaron Hadida's newly published book, HATE 2.0: One Man's Journey to Becoming a "Tough Jew" is now available...https://www.amazon.ca/HATE-2-0-Journey-Becoming-Tough-ebook/dp/B0BB88YFDS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=X0ZQC472TI2A&keywords=aaron%20hadida&qid=1661970157&sprefix=%2Caps%2C62&sr=8-1&fbclid=IwAR1CE-vuGqQW1lz44pq0cO6gp3kC28NPp-AYNib9XVTbPMKmn6XMX6YSMqg

Description: Why the need to focus on a long-deceased Grand Mufti when numerous Imams today are saying that Jews are the sons of apes and pigs, and calling for the death of Jews? It is because Amin al-Husseini (the British Mandate-appointed Grand Mufti) is considered the father of modern terrorism against Jews and Israel. Born into a wealthy Ottoman-era family, al-Husseini was more Arab nationalist and focused his efforts on Arab unification with Syria, to create a pan-Arab nation (along with other areas of the Levant). But the tide quickly turned with the help of the British, and once absolute power was bestowed to the Grand Mufti, he was hell-bent on destroying the Jews not only in Palestine but also in Iraq (the Farhud), and later in Europe as a right-hand helper to Hitler. Ido Reif goes into great detail into the life and criminality of the Grand Mufti, and the ramifications of his actions that are still carried out in modern times.www.tbtnisrael.com

For too long, the false narrative surrounding the Jewish people is that Jews are 'weak.' That misconception does a massive disservice to the true nature of the Jewish people - from being a force to deal with against the Romans, to holding back Crusaders at the Battle of Haifa in 1100 AD, to forming powerful resistance groups during WWII who were instrumental in rescuing numerous fellow Jews during the Holocaust, and of course the strength of the IDF -- Jews are a tough people. This episode features Aaron Hadida, the 'Bear Jew' and the epitome of Jewish toughness - physically, mentally, and spiritually. Aaron is the Founder & Executive Director of the Jewish Resistance Worldwide initiative, is the Director of Security for Herut Canada, and a recently published book author. His book, "Hate 2.0: One Man's Journey to Becoming a Tough Jew" is now available: https://www.thebearjew18.com/product-... We discuss the importance of being proud Zionists, taking proper precautions as Jews in society - knowing how to handle firearms, training in Krav Maga, and not relying on others for protection. Taking Back the Narrative website: https://www.tbtnisrael.com

The British pendulum towards the Jewish homeland swung drastically from endorsing the Balfour Declaration in 1917 to lobbing off 78% of the land to create Jordan, and the issuance of the antisemitic White Papers. Ido Reif, in great detail and mastery of history, delves into the reasons behind the actions of the British, the conditions Jews had to live under, and how the British aided and abetted the Arab population through overtly antisemitic policies during the numerous riots against Jews. However, most damning is the British policies which directly implicated their role in the Holocaust. Even today, British Occupation-era policies remain to affect Israel. Israel was liberated by Jews who were fighting the British for nearly two decades. Taking Back the Narrative website: https://www.tbtnisrael.com

This episode explores our respective journeys to being pro-Israel. And, thanks to Ariel's geo-strategic expertise, we delve into the historical and current issues driving the changing landscape of both domestic and international relationships regarding the Jewish homeland.

Judaism and Jews are firmly rooted in a proud 5,000 year history, and thus, when describing anything Jewish, one focuses on the past. Joshua Hoffman, the Founder of Izzy - Stream Israel, realized that he could utilize the wisdom of Jewish history, spirituality, and philosophy to help shape the future of Jews. Future of Jewish is an important initiative that encourages Jews to think deeply about the Jewish ethos and peoplehood, and how best to improve ourselves for generations to come. Joshua and I delve into numerous topics - are we as a people too focused on antisemitism? What are obstacles Jews face - from within and outside? The future of Israel, and the differences between American and Israel Jews, and how dialogues can improve; and the importance of truly speaking and learning from different Jewish groups around the world.