Peter Beinart is one of the most provocative voices in Jewish public life today—a journalist, commentator, and professor who critiques long-held assumptions about Israel, Zionism, and Jewish identity.

In this episode of People Jew Wanna Know, Margarita pushes Peter on everything from Zionism's purpose to the future of a binational state.

Follow Peter on X @PeterBeinart and on Instagram @Peter_Beinart

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

09:34 Peter's upbringing & how it shaped his view of Israel

11:59 If Jews don't need Zionism, what do they need?

16:05 Peter's vision for a binational state

23:00 How can we unwind the conflict?

33:58 What has prevented Palestinians from establishing their own society given the billions in aid they've received?

41:29 Peter's message to Jewish people

42:50 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

In this solo episode, Margarita unpacks her trip to Scotland & Ireland which turned out to be way more complicated than frolicking through fields and drinking Guinness. She explores the current atmosphere toward Jews in both countries, weaves in a sharp look at the history of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and shares the unexpected moment she actually needed the Heimlich (teehee).

For exclusive content, follow the pod @peoplejewwannaknow on Instagram & TikTok

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, Palestinian-American activist and leader of Realign For Palestine, closes the Goy You Will Enjoy season.

Realign For Palestine aims to cultivate a new generation of Palestinian voices committed to a two-nation solution, nonviolence, and radical pragmatism.

Follow Ahmed on X and Instagram @afalkhatib and support Realign For Palestine at https://realignforpalestine.org/

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

04:54 What is Ahmed working on & how is it going?

13:40 Ahmed's upbringing & disillusionment re: the Free Palestine movement

28:50 Appearance on Jubilee's Middle Ground

35:30 "What did they think would happen attacking Israel with the most right-wing government it's ever had?"

37:45 The harm of right-wing Jewish activism & inability to criticize Israel

41:25 Why growing a Muslim majority for Realign For Palestine is no longer the strategy

48:00 "The pragmatists need wins."

49:29 Israel will be a pariah state if it occupies all of Gaza according to Ahmed

51:39 What can Jews do to help?

01:01:00 Ahmed's question to Margarita about anything Jewish

01:04:24 Closing Remarks

This is a PSA to vote for Margarita, who has been nominated for the Z3 Bridge Builder Award!

The Z3 Bridge Builder Award recognizes individuals who are working to bridge divides within the Jewish people—between communities, across ideologies, between the Diaspora and Israel and more.

If Margarita wins, she will use the funds to create, for the first time, video podcast episodes! Your People Jew Wanna Know experience is about to get that much better!

VOTE HERE: https://a.cstmapp.com/gallery/999958/280732/757203924?lc=en-us

Thanks so much!

U.S. Army Veteran and Muslim American, Dan Khan, joins the Goy You Will Enjoy season to share his powerful story of building bridges between Muslim and Jewish communities.

Together, we explore big questions: Has Islam been hijacked? When is it worth forming coalitions with people you fundamentally disagree with? And what does it really take to create understanding across deep divides?

Follow Dan on Instagram: @its_dankhan

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:27 On Dan's upbringing, career & interfaith marriage

12:03 Has Islam been hijacked?

16:26 Dan's experience serving in the U.S. Army

23:10 What is American Peace Committee? How do we build bridges with non-Jews?

30:15 Some people are just lost causes

31:38 Demoralization of society & positive reinforcement

35:35 Building coalitions with those you don't agree with

41:08 Dan's question to Margarita about anything Jewish

48:11 Closing Remarks

Melissa Mott, Executive VP of Education Strategy & Programs at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, joins Goy You Will Enjoy for a candid and powerful conversation on the state of antisemitism, Holocaust education, and Jewish identity today.

With a decade at the ADL, and a career rooted in truth-telling and impact, Mel brings clarity, urgency, and no BS to her episode. This is the one Jew need to hear.

Check out the Simon Wiesenthal center at www.wiesenthal.org and follow them on Instagram @simonwiesenthalcenter

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

04:10 Mel's journey to become an educator & Holocaust expert

08:45 Non-Jews raised around Jewish communities often develop more positive views of Jews

12:50 How Margarita met her first Asian person

14:24 What is the work of the Simon Wiesenthal Center?

16:09 What is and is not working in combatting antisemitism?

24:30 Will Jewish orgs ever figure it out or should we assume "it's not coming?"

26:59 Has Mel been able to change hearts & minds?

30:10 What is it like for Mel to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community?

31:58 Mel's experiences in Israel

33:26 What has resonated with Mel from Jewish culture?

36:33 Mel's question to Margarita about anything Jewish

45:04 Closing Remarks

Iconic content creator, Chris Caresnone (The Babka King), joins us on the Goy You Will Enjoy season to discuss building bridges through his love of culture, food, and humor.

In this conversation, Margarita and Chris discuss his career, his POV on the current rise of Jew hatred, and the importance of having positive energy.

Follow Chris on Instagram @chriscaresnone and check out his website www.caresnone.com

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:20 How did Chris get into content creation?

06:10 Chris' response to antisemitic remarks on his videos

19:35 Chris' experience with Jewish people & his POV on energy

24:31 "I can create my own narratives, and I had to work through that idea myself."

26:25 Discussing Anti-Zionism

30:29 "If every single person stopped going to MAGA rallies, would it exist?"

34:45 On the importance on seeing positivity vs. negativity

39:35 Chris' question to Margarita about anything Jewish

42:52 Closing Remarks

Gaza-born peace and human rights activist, Hamza Howidy, joins the Goy You Will Enjoy season to share his incredible story and commitment to fostering peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

In this episode, we hear the crazy, unfathomable stories of Hamza's escape from Hamas imprisonment and torture, how his family discovered a Hamas tunnel under their house, and much more.

Follow Hamza on X @HowidyHamza and on Instagram @hamzahowidyy

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

04:56 Hamza's Gaza upbringing & the path to deradicalization

07:30 "I was an antisemite"

09:00 What is the current sentiment of Palestinians? Are polls accurate?

15:38 How was Hamza released after being imprisoned by Hamas?

16:40 How can Palestinians stand up to Hamas?

21:40 Hamza's recommended Pro-Palestinian organizations to support

23:03 Advice to Jewish people from Hamza

24:30 How has Hamza's perception of Jews change over time?

25:21 Margarita's experience at Israel Day Parade

30:00 Has Hamza been inside a Hamas tunnel?

32:54 Why did many Jews not support the second ceasefire deal?

35:40 Qatar's role in releasing Edan Alexander

38:00 Hamza's question to Margarita about anything Jewish

46:12 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

People Jew Wanna Know welcomes popular Christian-Lebanese activist, Jonathan Elkhoury, on the pod. We learn about his remarkable story and his take on the current situation in Israel since he lives there.

Jon reflects on his years of activism, what he wishes he knew sooner, and offers useful tips for how to create allies.

Follow Jon on Instagram @Jon_Elk and on X @Jonathan_Elk

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:45 How Jon ended up in Israel & his advocacy work

07:50 Why did Jon go into activism & his life post-Oct 7

17:26 How has Jon's perception of Jews & Israel changed?

20:56 Our story is being rewritten - how can we tell the true story to non-Jews?

29:20 What does Jon wish he knew sooner about Israel activism?

38:45 What does Jon connect to in Jewish culture?

40:21 Jon's question to Margarita about anything Jewish

45:50 Closing Remarks

Margarita interviews Mer Hersam - an influencer education and advocacy expert living in Washington DC. Mer is an ally who has done tremendous work to combat antisemitism and harmful anti-Israel rhetoric online, as well as being involved in the restoration and preservation of TikTok. In this episode, Mer talks about her background, why she felt compelled to speak up for the Jewish people, her trip to Israel post-Oct 7th, and much more.

Follow Mer on Instagram @merhersam and on TikTok @mer.money

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:43 From modeling to activism - Mer's path

07:15 On saving TikTok & working on the presidential campaign

11:51 Mer's experience with the Jewish community & visiting Israel post-Oct 7

18:30 Has Mer witnessed antisemitism?

21:00 What has worked for changing people's minds?

27:21 Has Mer's perception of Israel/the Jewish people changed?

30:55 What resonates with Mer from Jewish culture?

32:55 Can we combat antisemitism in a major way in the next 4 years?

34:46 Margarita's question for Mer & Mer's question for Margarita

41:42 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination