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
35 episodes
The Israel Connection: Jay Shofet - Protecting Israel's Nature
Join Esti Zenati for an inspiring chat with Jay Shofet of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI), the nation's oldest and largest environmental NGO. Jay reveals how SPNI has protected Israel's biodiversity since 1953, embeddi...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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39:58
The Israel Connection: Making a Difference with Na'ama Ore
In this episode, Esti is joined by Na'ama Ore, the CEO of SparkIL, a social FinTech startup providing crowdfunded, interest-free loans to small Israeli businesses. The episode highlights the impact of SparkIL, in particular, emergency loan fund...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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34:40
The Israel Connection: Jotam Confino
Esti Zenati is joined by journalist, Jotam Confino for an unfiltered conversation on The Israel Connection to break down media bias, journalistic integrity, and the complexities of covering Israel and Gaza for a European audience. From...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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50:42
The Israel Connection: My Life - Shahar Cohen
In the Season 3 premiere of the Israel Connection, Esti Zenati interviews Israeli comedian, Shahar Cohen. They talked about Shahar's rise to fame with his 'America vs. Israel' videos, his popular characters like 'Nofar,' and the impact of socia...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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26:29
The Israel Connection: Israel vs. Iran
In this special episode, Esti Zenati sits down with Ben Kreshtool and Jill Suffel from Beth El to unpack the rapidly evolving war between Israel and Iran. They explore the surprising alliances forming in the Middle East, what this conflict mean...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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31:16
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
