IsraelCast

Israel has recently been making major strides in the culinary world. Israeli cuisine has become increasingly popular, and the country has produced some of the world's most prestigious chefs. And Israel's culinary reach will only expand with the upcoming opening of the Galilee Culinary Institute (GCI by JNF), Jewish National Fund-USA's cutting-edge new culinary school. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Mitchell Davis, host of GCI by JNF's podcast, "What's Burning," to discuss the important role food plays in society, how Israeli cuisine has evolved over the years, and how GCI by JNF will revolutionize the culinary world.

The relationship between Christians and Israel has always been a complex one with varying perspectives and relationships with the State of Israel as well as vastly different histories with both Jews and Israel. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Rabbi Dr. Daniel Friedman, a leading expert in Christian-Israeli relationships, to discuss the relationships between different Christian sects and Israel. Friedman discusses the role Christianity has in America's consistent support of Israel, how a break in the Presbyterian Church led to them officially adopting a less pro-Israel stance, and why it's important to have allies we may disagree with on other issues.

Over the last two years, Jewish National Fund-USA has had incredible success pivoting away from traditional fundraising methods and focusing on their partners’ (donors) needs, making thousands of wellness calls to check up on people and launching virtual tours of Israel for people who wanted to see their ancestral homeland from the comfort of their own home. Now, under CEO Russell F. Robinson’s leadership, JNF-USA is stronger than ever, with a vast array of programs and initiatives for the land and people of Israel. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Robinson to discuss the importance of teen travel to Israel, his excitement about bringing JNF-USA’s upcoming $350 million World Zionist Village to fruition, and the importance of JNF-USA’s Conversations on Zionism and why we need to keep the discussion going.

AJ Edelman is an Israeli Olympian and Israel’s first sliding sport Olympian. He is now the captain of the Israeli bobsled team. A lifelong athlete who started out as a hockey goalie, he is now a five-time Israeli national champion who aims to raise Israel’s profile in Winter Olympic sports. Equally important, he’s a Modern Orthodox Jew trying to inspire Israelis and others to accomplish the impossible.

Jewish National Fund-USA ensures that no member of Israeli society is left behind, from its state-of-the-art rehabilitative facility in the Negev to Special in Uniform, which integrates teens with disabilities into the Israel Defense Forces. In recognition of Jewish Disability, Acceptance, Awareness, and Inclusion month, host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Yossi Kahana, the director of JNF-USA’s Task Force on Disabilities, to talk about JNF-USA’s work supporting people with disabilities, what he’s learned in his 20+ years of experiences working with disabled Israelis, and the importance of making sure nobody gets left behind.

With plans to open in early 2023, Jewish National Fund-USA’s Galilee Culinary Institute (GCI by JNF) is set to revolutionize the culinary arts. Located in Kiryat Shmona in Israel’s fertile Galilee region, GCI by JNF is a 12-month, community immersion and intensive culinary arts program designed specifically for students to acquire a combination of practical culinary skills and a broad understanding of the major themes moving the food world today. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with the CEO of GCI by JNF, Nathan Hoffman, to discuss the culinary scene in Israel’s north, how GCI by JNF plans to transform the industry, and why he loves living in Tzfat.