Breaking the Narrative

What does it mean to be unapologetically Jewish today?

On this episode of Breaking the Narrative, Michelle Dor sits down with Matthew Taub of Unapologetically Jewish to discuss Jewish identity, standing up against antisemitism, and the importance of proudly embracing who you are.

Watch the latest episode of Breaking the Narrative, presented by StandWithUs Canada.

In this special episode of Breaking the Narrative, recorded LIVE from Gaza, we sit down with Eli Wininger, an IDF reservist and Special Forces commander, to hear his firsthand perspective on serving on the front lines of the war against Hamas.Eli’s story extends far beyond the battlefield. In 2025, he ran the Los Angeles Marathon dressed as Batman in honour of Ariel Bibas, the young boy who loved the superhero. He also ran 251 miles over four days to honour the Israeli hostages and raise awareness for those still being held in Gaza.In this conversation, Eli shares his experiences serving in Gaza, the realities of military service, the personal motivations behind his extraordinary endurance challenges, and why he believes it is so important to tell his story.Watch this powerful conversation with an Israeli soldier whose commitment to his country and the memory of the hostages extends far beyond the battlefield.Subscribe to StandWithUs Canada for more episodes of Breaking the Narrative.

This week, Michelle sits down with Nathan Ladovsky, owner of Toronto’s United Bakers – a beloved hub of Jewish food, connection, and community for more than 100 years.

As the fourth-generation owner, Nathan shares his journey into the family business and the story behind a restaurant that has built a lasting legacy in Toronto’s Jewish community. He talks about how United Bakers has evolved with the times while staying true to its traditions and core values, and how the rise in antisemitism has impacted Jewish businesses and the people they serve.

Grab a nosh and tune in for a warm and meaningful conversation about family, food, and Jewish identity.

The podcast is back!

In this episode, host Michelle Dor, Executive Director of StandWithUs Canada, is joined by Thornhill MP Melissa Lantsman, a tireless advocate for the Jewish community and a strong voice against antisemitism.

Michelle and Melissa discuss the critical issue of rampant antisemitism on Canadian campuses, what it means to represent one of Canada’s largest Jewish communities in Parliament, the power each of us has to use to speak up and advocate for change, and more.

This week, Jesse sits down with Simon Wolle, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada, for an important conversation about the rise of antisemitism across the country.

Drawing on the findings of B’nai Brith’s Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, they discuss what the latest data reveals, the factors driving these trends, and the impact they’re having on Canadian Jewish communities. They also explore what governments, community organizations, and everyday Canadians can do to push back against hate and help build a safer future for everyone.

On this week’s episode, Jesse speaks with renowned dancer, singer, and social media activist Montana Tucker. Montana discusses what it meant to wear her now-iconic Grammys dress, adorned with a large yellow ribbon in honour of the hostages taken into Gaza on October 7, as well as the legacy of being the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors. She also reflects on her journey from entertainment influencer to pro-Israel advocate and how using her platform for this work has enabled her to educate millions about antisemitism and Israel.

Watch Montana's documentary, The Children of October 7, available on Paramount+. Featuring interviews with young survivors of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, this powerful documentary shares their firsthand stories of resilience and trauma.

This week, Jesse sat down with Goldie Ghamari, an Iranian-Canadian activist and former MPP. Having immigrated to Canada from Iran as a child, Goldie has spent decades speaking out against the Iranian regime and the IRGC, drawing from her firsthand understanding of the regime’s tyranny.

She speaks with Jesse about the urgency of dismantling the IRGC, the future of Iran, and the Iranian people’s pursuit of freedom. They also discuss the growing problem of extremism in Canada and how rising anti-Western sentiment is creating a dangerous environment for democracy and Canadians alike.

This week, Jesse sat down with Toronto-based artist Taiga Bentley, Owner/Director of Olga Korper Gallery and Founder of the Reframe Arts Fellowship, an immersive arts and culture experience in Israel for Canadian professionals in the visual arts space, in partnership with StandWithUs Canada.

Jesse and Taiga discuss the connection between art and Judaism, how October 7th changed her worldview, and how it inspired her to share her Jewish pride and push back against antisemitism. Taiga also reflects on how, in the aftermath of that day, many in the art world were not welcoming toward pro-Israel perspectives, and how antisemitism has increasingly taken hold in creative communities.

Reframe Arts Fellowship: https://www.reframeartsfellowship.com/

Olga Korper Gallery: https://www.olgakorpergallery.com/

On this episode, Jesse sits down with Natasha Pein, co-founder and Senior Executive Leader of the Stop Antizionism Initiative (stopaz.org) and author of Unmasking Antizionist Tactics: A New Face of Old Hate. Through her work, Natasha examines antizionism as a contemporary manifestation of antisemitism through rigorous research, strategic analysis, and actionable education.

Jesse and Natasha break down what antizionism is, where it came from, and why it has become increasingly socially acceptable today. They also discuss how it impacts student life on campus and what an effective response to it actually requires from institutions.

On this episode, Jesse sits down with a small group of young Israelis hosted by StandWithUs Canada during a week of campus visits, student dialogues, and community events. The group participated in our WordSwap program, which brings Israeli voices to Canadian campuses, countering the reductive and often distorted portrayals of Israelis promoted by antizionist activists on campus. Coming from Druze, Ethiopian, and Argentine backgrounds, they showcase the rich cultural tapestry of Israel and the deep pride they feel for their country.

The group shares their personal experiences from October 7, describing where they were and how that day affected them. They also reflect on what it means to live in Israel today, a nation that endures immense challenges yet sustains a resilient spirit that carries over generations.