The world’s response to Hamas’s brutal terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, has exposed a painful reality that many of us never wished to face. In this episode, Daniel Ohana and I explore the moral inconsistencies prevalent in the wake of the Israel-Hamas War. We examine the boundaries of free speech and activism versus performative activism. We relate intersectionality to our understanding of our political identities and argue why it is dangerous. We share conflicts we have faced and our nonnegotiable values.

"A Cry for Moral Consistency" Article

The March for Israel on November 14, 2023, was the largest pro-Israel rally in United States history with over 290,000 people marching peacefully at the National Mall in Washington DC and over 250,000 participating online. The rally aimed to show solidarity with the state and people of Israel, condemn antisemitism, and demand the immediate and safe release of the hostages taken by Hamas. In this episode, Levi D’Amato and Ailee Shanes from the “Two Jews, 10 Opinions” podcast and I reflect on our experiences at the monumental rally. We discuss the struggles we are facing as Jewish student journalists and how far antisemitic media has gone. We share what Jewish pride means to us as well as what the state of Israel represents to the Jewish people worldwide. Thank you to the UF Hillel delegation for this incredible opportunity and Am Yisrael Chai!

A resource list for the Israel-Hamas war

Listen to the Two Jews, 10 Opinions podcast here.

Follow Levi and Ailee on social media:

Over the last century, the media has misled the public by villainizing and politicizing the fight for Jewish survival. The Jewish nation has been threatened since the beginning of time, yet we have prevailed. Many believe that educating themselves through the news and research can give them an understanding of the complicated and lengthy history of the Middle East conflict and by extension, Israel and the Jewish people. What we cannot learn through textbooks is the culture and values surrounding a place and people. Listen as 30 friends from around the world share stories that highlight the beauty of the Jewish people and the Jewish state. From mundane normalities to perspective-shifting occurrences, people who visit Israel feel a strong sense of community and shared identity that they have never experienced anywhere else.

Resources to support the Jewish cause:

IDF

Just One Thing

Tehillim for Soldiers

Free the Hostages

StandWithUs

AIPAC   

The question “Who are you?” has compelled many to set foot into long self-discovery journeys over several years or even decades. But what if it is more simple than we think? In this episode, I break down the concept of inner child and why is it important to understand ourselves and others through it. I reflect on how many people, including myself, find themselves drawn to what they loved doing as a child. Be kind to yourself and remember that everyone is a child inside.

Links: 

"A letter to my younger self" by Ambar Lucid 

Tom Seghi on Baby Kate

Many people deem energy to be a sham or ludicrous while in reality, it is what our entire universe is comprised of. The conceptual idea of this episode has been in the works for over a year and now felt like the right time to talk about it. In this episode, I explore how energy and the 12 Laws of Karma manifest themselves in our daily lives. Each of the laws is profound enough to be explored and internalized on its own.

Silent lovers have been finding their way into my life recently quite often. In this episode, I explain the concept of silent lovers and read letters people wrote me. If you have something nice to say, say it. Let people know how you feel and compliment a new person every day. Collect words of affirmation and praise you receive and look back on it whenever you feel down.

Starting a completely new phase of life unlocked a new level of freedom I had never felt before. In this episode, I speak about the importance of having that freedom and how I have been putting my energy back into myself. Most of what it takes to do everything I dreamed of doing is believing that I can. And now I do.

Please donate to my Sharsheret fundraiser, every dollar counts:

Sharsheret Fundraiser- Half-Marathon

"Do What You Love" Reel

Have you ever been to a concert where everyone in the crowd was nearly identical to each other in appearance and behavior? Have you ever noticed how you feel much more free when listening to coming-of-age music while angrier when listening to rap? Well, Leah Chambers and I have. In this episode, we examine different identities and “eras” created by being a part of a certain audience and whether we should judge an artist by their art. We then discuss how our relationship with music has changed over time and with social media. Leah introduces the concept of decision fatigue and how important it is to actively choose what we consume.

Sources:

They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

“Lew’s Lullaby” by Ritt Momney 

"Auntie Diaries" by Kendrick Lamar 

Musical Influence

How does music affect your brain? | Live Science

The inescapable nature of musicals artists’ influence 

Can You Hear the Music?

The harmful side of music: Understanding the effects of rumination on adolescent mental health