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
44 episodes
The Israel Connection: Rabbi Steven Schwartz
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 as he prepares for his next chapter in semi-retirement. From his childhood inspira...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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39:09
The Israel Connection: Shai Davidai - The Fight for Jewish Safety
When the world shifted on October 7th, Shai Davidai—a social psychologist and former Columbia Business School assistant professor —refused to stay silent. In this episode, Shai joins Esti Zenati to share his journey from a 1980s Israeli childho...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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51:36
The Israel Connection: Saving Abigail - Liz Hirsh Naftali
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 October 7, 2023, after her parents were murdered. Liz details the tragic events, her tran...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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44:26
The Israel Connection: #ImThatJew - Eitan Chitayat
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 discuss the origin of Eitan's viral movement I'm That Jew, which st...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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54:01
The Israel Connection: The Best Israeli Food - Yossef's Laffa-Milia
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 Israeli food truck. Learn the heartwarming story of how Yossef started the truck,...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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37:00
The Israel Connection: Jonathan Conricus - Former IDF International Spokesperson
In this episode, Esti Zenati is joined by former IDF Lieutenant Colonel & International Spokesperson, Jonathan Conricus, who joins us to dissect the global media landscape after 24 years of service. Drawing on his dual Israeli-Swedish backg...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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38:30
The Israel Connection: Adeena Sussman
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 working in television to becoming a renowned food writer, her creative process for wri...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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26:52
The Israel Connection: Jewish Education - Cantor Emily Ellentuck and Rina Liebeskind
In this episode, Esti Zenati is joined by Cantor Emily Ellentuck, Director of the Berman-Lipavsky Religious School at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore and Rina Liebeskind, Education Director at Kol Ami Synagogue of Tucson, AZ. They talk about ...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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45:37
The Israel Connection: They're Home!
Esti Zenati is joined by Rabbi Dana Saroken, Jill Suffel, Ben Kreshtool and Amanda Beitman for this celebratory special episode in honor of the release of the last 20 living hostages from Gaza and 4 of the 28 deceased hostages.
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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31:56
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
