In this powerful episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Academy Award-nominated producer Lawrence Bender — the creative producing force behind Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting, Reservoir Dogs, An Inconvenient Truth and Inglorious Basterds — Joins Jonah for a candid conversation about the film industry’s reckoning after October 7th and the moral weight of telling real stories in the aftermath of tragedy. Bender’s latest project, Paramount+ miniseries Red Alert, dramatizes the true stories of horror, heroism, and hope that took place on October 7th, 2023, the darkest chapter in Israel’s history.

Bender shares what drew him to the series — from his deep personal connection with Israel, to his collaboration with Israeli production company Keshet, to the emotional and logistical challenges of bringing real stories to screen amid an ongoing conflict. He opens up about the silence he witnessed from Hollywood and his peers in the aftermath of October 7th, and reflects on how his Jewish identity has shaped his life and career.

This episode is both an exploration on the power of art and a call to conscience, illuminating how filmmakers like Bender use their craft to bear witness, challenge complacency, and re-humanize the media headlines that shape our world.

In the episode they discuss:

From civil engineer to dancer to Hollywood mega-producer

Growing up in Antisemitic America

The Impact of October 7th and the Birth of Red Alert

Lawrence's Meeting with Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres

Meeting the Real Heroes of Red Alert

Being Quentin Tarantino’s Partner & Inglorious Bastards

The Challenges of Filming in During a War

Selling an Israel-focused Series in Today’s Anti-Israel Hollywood

Mentioned In The Episode:

Lawrence Bender On Instagram

Red Alert on Paramount Plus

Keshet 

Israel Policy Forum

Abu Mazin (Mahmoud Abbas) Believes in a Two State Solution and Opposes Violence

Joc Pederson (Former Dodger)

Domantas Sobonis (King’s Basketball Player)

Jackie Thon on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Duffy Diggs

Hosni Mubarak

Boaz Yakin

Two Distant Strangers - Best Live-Action Short Oscar-Winner

Cops and Robbers short film

Jordana Reuben Yecheil Oct 7 billboards

Lior Chefetz

The Stronghold

Oct. 7 series ‘Red Alert’ a harrowing global reminder of what unfolded in Hamas massacre

Rocket Alerts from Gaza

The Gay Parade in Israel

Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum

Ohad Yahalomi 

Ziv Koren

Actors and directors pledge not to work with Israeli film groups ‘implicated in genocide’

Skip Brittenham Obituary

David Ellison Brings New Direction to Paramount

Shimon Peres

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing,  Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald,  Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb,  YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt