In this latest episode of Jamie in the Rova, I run into Michelle Ahdoot, an Iranian-Jewish activist, mother, and one of the voices helping shape how Jews show up in the world right now.
We grab a drink, walk through the Old City, talk about family, identity, and the moments in history that feel uncomfortably familiar. And, as always, we end where every Jamie in the Rova episode leads… on the rooftop of the Aish Dan Family World Center, overlooking the Western Wall.
In this thoughtful and honest conversation, Michelle shares what it’s like to carry the memory of why her parents fled Iran, and how that history shaped her response to October 7. She talks about watching antisemitism surface on college campuses, why activism felt less like a choice and more like a responsibility, and how building community became a lifeline rather than a slogan.
Along the way, we talk about Jewish unity, generational responsibility, and what it means to stay loud, loving, and human in a moment that demands courage. Michelle reflects on the idea that “activism is the antidote to despair,” and how action, even imperfect action, can turn grief into purpose.
And when we reach the roof, looking out over the place where so many prayers have risen for thousands of years, Michelle shares a hope for unity that feels both deeply personal and urgently collective.
If you’re looking for a conversation that’s real, grounding, and quietly strengthening, come take this walk with us.
00:00 A chance run-in and a coffee in the Old City
01:13 Growing up Iranian-Jewish and finding your voice
02:22 College campuses after October 7
04:25 What End Jew Hatred actually does
05:58 When the alarm bells started ringing
08:23 Why preparation before crisis matters
09:08 “We are family,” identity and unity
10:20 The center of the universe: the rooftop
12:05 Where unity has to begin
Subscribe for more conversations with trailblazing leaders who are changing the world from Jerusalem and beyond.
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Jamie Geller is the Chief Communications Officer and Global Spokesperson for Aish. As a key member of Aish's senior executive team, she brings extensive experience in building a media empire that influences millions daily. An award-winning producer, eight-time bestselling author, and media and marketing executive, Jamie’s career spans renowned networks including HBO, CNN, and the Food Network, where she earned numerous awards as a producer and marketing executive.
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Michelle Ahdoot is a leading Jewish civil rights activist and the Director of Programming and Strategy at End Jew Hatred, an international grassroots movement dedicated to systemic change. An Iranian Jewish woman whose perspective is deeply shaped by her family’s history of displacement, Michelle is a prominent voice in modern Zionism and was recently named one of Hadassah Magazine’s "18 American Zionist Women You Should Know." With a background in finance from NYU Stern and years of leadership within the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), she combines strategic expertise with frontline activism to mobilize communities and advocate for the civil rights of the Jewish people globally.
Follow Michelle on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michahdoot | https://www.instagram.com/endjewhatred/
X: https://x.com/endjewhatred
Website: https://www.endjewhatred.com/
