"Bad Jews." It’s a label thrown around all too often, deepening divides and alienating those seeking connection. For actor, advocate, and podcaster Jonah Platt, it’s time to retire the term and focus on what actually strengthens the Jewish community: radical inclusivity.

In this episode, the host of the award-winning Being Jewish with Jonah Platt podcast joins Jay to discuss his journey from the stage to becoming a leading voice for Jewish pride. They dive into the complex history of Jews in Hollywood—exploring why authentic representation remains a struggle—and why "coloring outside the lines" is the best way to build modern Jewish institutions. Plus, Jonah breaks down his "Mosaic Shabbat" initiative and shares details on his upcoming film, The Mensch.

Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:33 Being Jewish with Jonah Platt’s successful first season

3:04 Are Jews in Hollywood comfortable being outwardly Jewish?

11:35 The value of accurate Jewish culture in TV and film

17:04 Why are Jews calling other Jews “Bad Jews”

21:38 Balancing making new Jewish projects and investing in classic Jewish institutions

25:18 Jonah’s next project, The Mensch

28:52 Goodbye and Outro 

For video episodes, watch on⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation⁠⁠

Stay in touch:

X:⁠⁠ @JayRuderman⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ @RudermanFdn⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠ Jay Ruderman⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠ All About Change Podcast⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠⁠

To learn more about the podcast, visit⁠⁠ https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/⁠⁠

Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

There is a notion that observant Jews don’t have a chance to be professional athletes. The notion that Shabbat is an impediment and a sheer lack of role models make it hard for young athletes to find their way to elite sport.

AJ Edelman is one of the trailblazing athletes working to change those conditions. Without any of the supports offered by the classic winter-olympic pipeline, he taught himself the dangerous art of skeleton from watching YouTube videos and went on to compete for Israel in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Since then, he has built out the Israeli bobsledding program, recruiting athletes and sponsors, and pushing his team to reach the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Jay and AJ discuss the challenging logistics of building an Olympic program from scratch, and the unique set of restrictions and responsibilities AJ feels as a chosen representative of the State of Israel.

Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

2:35 How AJ became a sled athlete and chose Skeleton and Bobsled

9:14 Has AJ always wanted to be an advocate for the Jewish people?

12:04 AJ loves to inspire the next generation

14:50 Activism as a national athlete

18:35 How do other athletes relate to AJ’s activism?

22:52 How do fans relate to AJ’s activism?

24:53 Campaigns to bar Israel from international athletic competition

29:27 What would making the 2026 Olympics mean to AJ and Israel

32:49 Outro and goodbye

For video episodes, watch on⁠ ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation⁠

Stay in touch:

X:⁠ @JayRuderman⁠ |⁠ @RudermanFdn⁠

LinkedIn:⁠ Jay Ruderman⁠ |⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠

Instagram:⁠ All About Change Podcast⁠ |⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠

To learn more about the podcast, visit⁠ https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/⁠

Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Abraham Hamra knows the historic plight of the Jewish diaspora better than most. At six years old he was separated from much of his family, unsure if he’d ever see his grandparents again. 

He was among the last Jews left in Syria, and just a year after announcing Jews could leave Syria for the US, the Assad regime reversed course, and said the remaining Jews were stuck. Abraham and his family were trapped.

Eventually, the policy was reversed and Abraham was able to reconnect with his family in the US, and eventually with the rest of his extended family living in Israel.

Now, alongside a successful career as a lawyer, Abraham advocates for Israel on social media and on the streets of New York. He speaks widely about not letting Jews get bullied anymore, and he lives what he preaches. It’s time to hear some motivation from one of the strongest — and loudest — Jewish voices in America.

Abraham and Jay talk about how, in America, Abraham has grasped and now wields Jewish strength, how he teaches other Jews to do the same. Abraham shares about the support he has received from his professional colleagues, and the shocking lawsuit he has had to file to protect his reputation.

Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:19 How do Abraham’s colleagues feel about hist social media presence and activism?

3:31 Coming at anti-semitism from a Jewish-Arab POV

6:42 Abraham’s lawsuit against Al-Jazeera

13:47 Beit Debate

17:58 Goodbye and Outro

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

[Episode Recorded on September 11, 2025]

Lizzy Savetsky is an influencer who has been a staple of pro-Israel social media since October 7th, 2023. 

Prior to October 7th, Lizzy had advocated for Israel alongside other causes, including supporting Jewish women who experienced miscarriages and sobriety, but after October 7th,  she turned her focus entirely to Israel advocacy. At first this change in content cost Lizzy tens of thousands of followers and management, only for her following to balloon with her strong commitment to her values.

Lizzy has experienced many costs and unseen benefits from sticking to her values and advocating for Israel. She and Jay discuss those changes in her life through the lens of “finding your no” in activism, a topic Jay writes about in his book Find Your Fight.

Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

For video episodes, watch on⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Episode Chapters

Stay in touch:

X:⁠⁠ @JayRuderman⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ @RudermanFdn⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠ Jay Ruderman⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠ All About Change Podcast⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠⁠

To learn more about the podcast, visit⁠⁠ https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/⁠⁠

Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Kerry Brodie is the founder and Executive Director of Emma’s Torch, a non-profit social enterprise that provides refugees with culinary training and employability, equity and empowerment training. Kerry came up with the idea for  Emma’s Torch while volunteering at a DC homeless shelter and made the connection between refugees looking for employment, and reports of understaffing in restaurants. 

Since its founding in 2016, Emma’s Torch has locations in New York City and recently opened in Washington D.C. and students of the culinary program have gone on to work all over in the restaurant industry. 

Kerry and Jay talk about America’s history as a nation of refugees and how the organization is managing the current backlash that refugees in America and other countries are facing.

Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

For video episodes, watch on⁠ ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation⁠

Stay in touch:

X:⁠ @JayRuderman⁠ |⁠ @RudermanFdn⁠

LinkedIn:⁠ Jay Ruderman⁠ |⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠

Instagram:⁠ All About Change Podcast⁠ |⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠

To learn more about the podcast, visit⁠ https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/⁠

Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Kalina Silverman is a documentary journalist, entrepreneur, speaker, and creator of Big Talk — an award-winning viral media project that highlights meaningful conversations to foster empathy and human connection.

Over the years, people worldwide have shared how Big Talk transformed their lives—from reconnecting with estranged family members and finding love to opening up at work, overcoming depression, finding hope after experiencing loss, and discovering their true purpose. Inspired by this impact, Big Talk evolved into a global initiative to help people connect more openly and meaningfully.

Part of The Ruderman family foundation’s mission statement is “we work to end the stigma surrounding mental health and promote emotional well-being for all” and Kalina is an ally in that project, working on her own towards that same end.

Jay and Kalina talk about how we must connect with each other to make sure we can support each other in hard times, and much much more.

Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:15 The state of loneliness in 2025

2:41 Big Talk — a grassroots global movement

5:40 Talking to people about difficult subjects

12:09 Stopping the rush of life to talk to people

14:58 Kalina’s new book and recognizing your own impact

21:27 Leaving journalism to make Big Talk

24:57 Losing federal funding 

27:12 Goodbye

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Tracy-Ann Oberman is a British actress. She gained prominence for her role as Chrissie Watts in the long-running British soap opera "EastEnders." Oberman has appeared in numerous television shows, including "Doctor Who," "Friday Night Dinner," and "Toast of London."

Tracy-Ann is passionate about Jewish rights and uses her platform to speak about these issues and has been doing so for decades. In 2025, she was awarded an MBE for services to Holocaust Education and Combatting Antisemitism.

In a tweet announcing the award, she wrote that her “recent production of The Merchant of Venice 1936—is driven by a commitment to Holocaust education and challenging antisemitism through storytelling. As well as bringing communities together through shared understanding. This recognition is deeply meaningful and I’m grateful to all who have supported this journey.”

We discuss Tracy-Ann’s fearless commitment to publicly defending jews wherever she can, and the way she has combined her activism with her art in The Merchant of Venice 1936.

Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:22 Early influences and defining moments

4:01 The rise of antisemitism 

8:16 Courage in advocacy 

12:41 A new perspective on The Merchant of Venice 1936

24:09 Fortitude in activism 

28:00 Conclusion

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Mercy Kafotokoza is a Malawian nurse, midwife and public health professional with a Master’s in Public Health. She is also a mother of three and a passionate advocate for equity, compassion and the power of proximity.

As a young girl, Mercy experienced the heartbreak of losing her uncle to a preventable condition. She is now the founder of Wandikweza, a community-led organization delivering health with dignity directly to people’s doorsteps. At Wandikweza, no community is too remote to get help, and her strength touches me from across the world.

We discuss Mercy’s journey of service, her strategic partnerships that foster trust in nurses, and the obstacles that she has faced as a woman in a leadership position.

Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:17 Personal loss shaped Mercy’s career choices

4:04 The state of healthcare in Malawi

9:13 Bringing healthcare to the people

11:10 Community health workers and nurses on bikes

17:05 Women’s health and female empowerment

22:04 What inspires Mercy

25:40 Goodbye and outro

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation
To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Gene Baur is the founder of Farm Sanctuary, a place of rescue, refuge, and adoption for hundreds of farm animals each year. Farm Sanctuary shelters enable visitors to connect with farm animals as emotional, intelligent individuals.

Gene has also led campaigns to change laws about animal treatment and taken undercover photographs of farms, stockyards, and slaughterhouses, documenting deplorable conditions. His pictures and videos exposing factory farming cruelties have aired nationally and internationally, educating millions about the plight of modern farm animals, and his rescue work inspired an international farm sanctuary movement.

Once called “the conscience of the food movement” by Time magazine, Gene walks the walk and talks the talk when it comes to food and animal rights. Jay and Gene discuss the political and cultural steps that will bring about the end of factory farming and a healthier approach to animals and food.

Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:05 The state of veganism 

6:18 Cultural shifts around factory farming and veganism

14:58 Gene’s three paths of activism

17:44 Gene’s legislative successes

22:25 Accepting people where they are in their journeys

25:36 Thank you and goodbye

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Today, IndiJewnous activist Lani Anpo joins Jay on the show. Lani is an influential advocate for global Indigenous and Jewish communities. A multi tribal Native American Jew, Lani passionately champions the rights and stories of marginalized groups with a focus on protecting Indigenous sovereignty, promoting self-determination, and preserving history and culture.

Jay and Lani unpack the centuries-old playbook of “othering” and expose how its tactics are being revived and weaponized today. They confront how the history of Native American erasure is used to invalidate Jewish connection to ancestral land, and why this dangerous pattern poses a direct threat to Indigenous rights globally.

Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

0:55 Lani’s Jewish and Native identities

3:36 Hollow land acknowledgements 

5:31 Colorism

12:25 Acceptance in the each community

14:56 Indigenous erasure 

21:45 Allyship

23:33  Hope for the future and goodbye

For video episodes, watch on⁠ ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation⁠

Stay in touch:

X:⁠ @JayRuderman⁠ |⁠ @RudermanFdn⁠

LinkedIn:⁠ Jay Ruderman⁠ |⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠

Instagram:⁠ All About Change Podcast⁠ |⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠

To learn more about the podcast, visit⁠ https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.