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
30 episodes
The Israel Connection: Israeli Ambassador - Dr. Yechiel Leiter
In this episode, Esti Zenati interviews Dr. Yechiel Leiter, the 21st Israeli Ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Leiter reflects on his return to public service after the tragic loss of his son, Major Moshe Leiter, who was killed ...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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39:09
The Israel Connection: I Survived the Nova Festival Attack - Mazal Tazazo
In this episode of the Israel Connection, Esti Zenati interviews Mazal Tazazo, a survivor of the brutal terrorist attacks at the Nova Festival on October 7, 2023. Mazal, a 35-year-old mother from Southern Israel, recounts her life before the in...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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32:26
The Israel Connection: Matan Peretz - Influencing through Comedy
Esti Zenati interviews Israeli stand-up comedian, content creator and IDF reservist, Matan Peretz. They discuss Matan's comedy journey, the therapeutic role of comedy - particularly during the war, and his rise to global recognition. Matan also...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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41:22
The Israel Connection: Rabbi Dana Saroken, Back by Popular Demand!
In this episode of the Israel Connection, Esti Zenati revisits with Rabbi Dana Saroken, Beth El's own rabbi and founder of the Soul Center. They explore her inspiring journey from aspiring doctor to spiritual leader, discuss her efforts to conn...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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57:45
The Israel Connection: Erin Molan
Esti Zenati sits down with a very special guest, Erin Molan—renowned Australian TV and radio presenter, and former host of the prime-time show Erin on Sky News. Widely recognized for her unwavering support of Israel and the Jewish comm...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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44:57
The Israel Connection: Israel's Story with Guy Flavian and Iris Hillel
Esti Zenati is joined by two special guests straight from Israel: Guy Flavian and Iris Hillel, co-heads of the Israel's Story initiative. Israel's Story was a hasbara project launched immediately after the October 7 attacks, rapidly growing to ...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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38:03
The Israel Connection: Yuval David
Esti Zenati speaks with Yuval David, an Emmy-winning Israeli-American journalist, actor, and LGBT activist. They discuss Yuval’s advocacy for Israel, the Jewish community, and LGBT rights, as well as his role in promoting Jewish representation ...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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51:57
The Israel Connection: Elkana Cohen
Esti Zenati is joined by guest, Elkana Cohen, author of the book OCT 7: The War Against Hamas Through the Eyes of an Israeli Commando Officer, which is based on Elkana's di...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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36:12
The Israel Connection: AJ Edelman
Esti Zenati is joined by Israeli-American Winter Olympian AJ Edelman for an insightful conversation about his journey to Israel and his path to the Winter Olympics. AJ shares his experience making aliyah to Israel in 2016, his journey to the 20...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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36:19
The Israel Connection: Moran Stela Yanai
Esti Zenati is joined by special guest, Moran Stela Yanai. Moran was held hostage by Hamas for 54 days, after being kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023, and released on November 29, 2023, during the first hostage release d...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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41:17
The Israel Connection: Ran Bar-Yoshafat
Esti Zenati hosts attorney Ran Bar-Yoshafat, who also serves in the IDF reserves as a combat Special Forces soldier. Ran shares his experience fighting in Gaza, Northern Israel, and Judea & Samaria since October 7, 2023, all while bal...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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42:41
The Israel Connection: Here's Modi!
Esti Zenati is joined by guest co-host, Ben Kreshtool, and special guest, comedian Modi Rosenfeld! They talk about Modi's career in comedy, his favorite places to perform in Israel and his current US tour, Pause for Laughter.
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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29:51
The Israel Connection: Hen Mazzig
Esti is joined by Hen Mazzig, a globally recognized speaker, educator, author, and digital influencer who has become a trusted voice on Jewish issues and Israel, appearing as an expert in media across four continents, including outlets like BBC...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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36:14
The Israel Connection: Mitch Gold
Esti talks to guest, Mitch Gold, founding member of FIDF Baltimore and member of the FIDF National Board. They talk all things FIDF and Mitch shares his experience in Israel during the past year and as a child, living in Be'er Sheva with his fa...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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27:30
The Israel Connection: Howard Libit
Esti is joined by Howard Libit, Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council. They talked about the important role the Jewish Council plays within the Jewish community, the rise in antisemitism and The Associated Antisemitism Task Force. ...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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44:36
The Israel Connection: The New Shinshinim - Part II
In this Part II of The New Shinshinim episode, Esti is joined by Baltimore Shinshinim, Shachar and Itamar, for a fun conversation! They talk about their road to becoming Shinshinim, their personal connections to October 7th and how it affected ...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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28:45
The Israel Connection: The New Shinshinim - Part I
Esti is joined by one of the new Baltimore Shinshinim, Yahel, for this Part I of the conversation with the 2024-2025 Shinshinim. They talk about Yahel's experience in Baltimore, growing up in Israel and her personal connection...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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11:20
The Israel Connection: Dalia Ziada
Esti Zenati is joined by Dalia Ziada, Egyptian award-winning writer and political analyst specializing in governance, geopolitics, and defense policy in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. They discuss Dalia's support for Israel and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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32:53
The Israel Connection: Jonah Platt
Esti Zenati is joined by special guest, Jonah Platt. Jonah is an actor, artist, Jewish advocate for Israel and the Jewish people, and the host of his newly released podcast, Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. Jonah and Esti talk about being Jewish ...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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30:27
The Israel Connection: Meet Blake Flayton
Send us a textEsti Zenati is joined by Jewish writer, activist and co-host of the We Should All Be Zionists podcast with Dr. Einat Wi...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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36:56
The Israel Connection: Dr. Einat Wilf
Esti Zenati is joined by a special guest, Dr. Einat Wilf. They discuss the importance of Zionism, the right path to peace in the Middle East, and her latest book, We Should All Be Zionists.
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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28:41
The Israel Connection: Summer in Israel & Sleepaway Camp
Esti is joined by her own 9-year-old daughter, Jazz, and Beth El's Executive Director, Ben Wachstein, to talk about Esti & Jazz's trip to visit their family in Israel this summer and Jazz's upcoming first time at a sleep away camp. Stay tun...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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22:34
The Israel Connection: Idan Tzameret
Esti Zenati and Ben Kreshtool talk to our special guest, Idan Tzameret, owner of Kitchen Design by Idan on Falls Rd in Baltimore and Beth El member, about the experience he had with antisemitism in early May, his life as an Israeli, in...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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41:44
The Israel Connection: Ongoing College Campuses in Crisis
Esti Zenati and Ben Kreshtool discuss the ongoing antisemitism crisis on college campuses, the Israeli hostages and more.
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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26:27
The Israel Connection: Dan Rozett
Esti Zenati is joined by friend and past co-worker in Israel, Dan Rozett, Director of Community Relations & Israel Engagement at the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey. They talk about Dan's current experience at his job, his past...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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28:07