This episode of Sababoosh features a conversation with Alex Rif on the struggle for full belonging among Russian-speaking Israelis. Examination of conversion demands, marriage barriers, burial restrictions, and the cultural stereotypes that shaped her book More Jewish Than You.

In this episode, Jake speaks with Daniel Brill, founder of the Israeli a cappella group Rabotai, about the unique soundscape of religious weddings, and celebrations in Israel. Together they explore how a cappella has become the heartbeat of so many Israeli simchas. From spontaneous harmonies under the chuppah to the creative energy of Israel’s religious music scene, this conversation reveals the blend of spirituality, artistry, beatboxing, and pure human voice that defines these moments of celebration.

In this episode of Sababoosh, I sit down with Assaf Gil, the creative force behind some of Israel’s most iconic reality shows, including Chatunami and Baby Boom. These programs have become part of the fabric of Israeli life, sparking conversation, laughter, and tears around the country.

Assaf takes us behind the scenes of how these shows capture the intensity of human emotions - from the highs and lows of relationships to the drama and joy of welcoming new life. He explains why Israeli audiences connect so deeply with these stories and how reality TV has become more than entertainment: it’s a mirror reflecting love, family, and society itself.

Through insider knowledge, Asaf reveals how reality television in Israel isn’t just watched - it’s felt, discussed, and remembered, shaping cultural moments and collective experiences along the way.

When people think about Israel’s diversity, the Druze community isn’t always the first that comes to mind. And yet, the Druze - about 140,000 citizens in Israel - are a vital thread in the country’s fabric. They serve in the army at some of the highest rates, live mainly in the Galilee and Carmel regions, and hold a faith that’s at once ancient, private, and deeply philosophical. You can’t convert to it, and its beliefs — like reincarnation and the unity of all existence — have been passed down quietly for nearly a thousand years.

My guest this week, Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, embodies so much of that mix of tradition and change. She’s the first non-Jewish woman to anchor the news in Hebrew on a main channel, the first Druze woman in the Knesset, and later, the first non-Jewish Israeli to serve as a senior emissary for the Jewish Agency. Her story is about breaking barriers, but also about staying rooted.

We talked about what loyalty means to a community that doesn’t seek its own homeland, how Druze identity and Israeli identity intertwine, and how women in her society are finding new ways to lead. Gadeer also shared how she’s using her voice now - especially after October 7th - to rebuild trust, speak to audiences in Arabic and English around the world, and show the many faces of what it means to be Israeli.

This episode isn’t just about one remarkable woman; it’s about a people who see faith as quiet strength, and belonging as an act of choice.

Welcome back for our Season 4 premiere!

For more than a century, the kibbutz has stood as one of Israel’s most iconic — and idealistic — experiments. Born from socialist and Zionist dreams in the early 20th century, the kibbutz movement sought to build not just a place to live, but a new kind of society — one built on equality, community, and shared purpose.

In its early days, life on the kibbutz meant shared meals, collective work, and a vision of remaking the Jewish people through labor and cooperation. Over the years, that vision has evolved — shaped by war, economic change, and generational shifts — but the questions it raises about community, identity, and meaning still echo in Israeli life today.

Our guest today, Muki Tsur, has spent a lifetime exploring those questions. A historian, writer, and one of the foremost thinkers on the kibbutz movement, Muki is himself a longtime member of Kibbutz Ein Gev, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. He’s written and edited dozens of works on Zionist thought, pioneering life, and the moral and spiritual vision behind the kibbutz ideal.

Few people have both lived and studied this story as deeply as he has. In our conversation, we’ll talk about how the kibbutz began, how it changed, and what its legacy means for Israel today.

For so many young Israelis, finishing the army isn’t just the end of one chapter — it’s the beginning of another. Within weeks of trading uniforms for backpacks, thousands set off across South America, India, the Far East, or even closer to home, searching for freedom, identity, and sometimes a bit of healing. What is it about post-army travel that makes it such a defining rite of passage in Israeli life? And what does this journey reveal about Israeli culture itself?

Today on Sababoosh, we’re diving into one of the most iconic rites of passage in Israeli life: the post-army backpacking trip.

To help us unpack this cultural phenomenon, we’re joined by Professor Chaim Noy. His doctoral research examined the travel narratives of Israeli backpackers. Professor Noy is the Chair of the School of Communication at Bar-Ilan University, now in his fifth year in that role. He previously served as Chairperson of the Israeli Communication Association, and before that, spent several years as a tenured associate professor at the University of South Florida.

Our guest has taken the Jewish music scene and social media feeds around the world by storm. DJ Raphi is more than just a DJ; he’s an entertainer, educator, and cultural innovator. With his high-energy mixes, choreographed dances, and viral videos, he’s managed to take Jewish tradition and give it a beat that resonates with a global audience.

What makes DJ Raphi so unique is the way he bridges worlds. On one hand, his work is deeply rooted in Jewish identity and Israeli culture. On the other, it’s playful, international, and perfectly tuned to the way people consume music and media today. It’s no wonder that his videos have racked up millions of views (700 million to be more exact), inspiring kids, families, and communities from Jerusalem to Johannesburg, from New York to Sydney.

In this episode, we’ll talk about how Raphi went from experimenting with beats in his bedroom to becoming one of the most recognizable Jewish performers online. We’ll explore what drives his creativity, how he sees the role of music in connecting people to Jewish and Israeli life, and what it means to bring joy and energy to a world that often feels heavy.

So whether you’ve danced to one of his Purim remixes, watched a holiday music video with your kids, or are just discovering him now, you’re in for a treat.

BIO

Widely renowned DJ and performer DJ Raphi, also known as Raphael Nathan, is globally recognised for his energetic dance performances and mindblowing dance covers of family memory building hits.

DJ Raphi's content has become a staple in hundreds of thousands of homes and classrooms worldwide, combining catchy music, animations, and basic English instruction to engage children in learning through movement. 

DJ Raphi has reached a significant milestone by surpassing 1.2 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and achieving over 700 million views on his videos, and is taking his talents to the big stage, in nationwide tours planned across the US, UK and Australia.

As an internationally recognized entertainer and YouTube star, DJ Raphi has gained fame for his dynamic performances and entertaining content. He is known for high-energy shows that incorporate cool animation and graphics. His YouTube channel features easy-to-follow dance tutorials set to popular song covers and his own original music. Currently, the channel is averaging 1,000,000 views per day. This ability to engage, rap, dance and teach through his videos has made him a go-to resource for dance enthusiasts, teachers and parents worldwide.

As DJ Raphi continues his incline in the family entertainment space, through partnerships and collaborations with well-known companies, you can expect to see his global touring schedule grow rapidly, giving fans around the world a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch, dance, sing and even meet DJ Raphi, LIVE!

In this episode of Sababoosh, we’re hitting the road with Yair Agmon. Yair is a writer, filmmaker, and storyteller whose work captures the beauty and contradictions of Israeli life. You may know him from his show on Kan and his unforgettable short films, where everyday encounters turn into windows onto the soul of Israel.

In this conversation, we’re diving into the world of tremping (hitchhiking in Israel). It’s more than just a way to get from point A to point B; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Tremping has shaped friendships, inspired stories, and revealed the unique texture of Israeli society — its openness, risks, humor, and deep sense of shared destiny.

So buckle up, or maybe stick out your thumb (or index finger in Israel) as we explore the stories of the Israeli road with Yair Agmon.

In this episode of Sababoosh, we’re diving into the fascinating, quirky, and sometimes surprising world of the Hebrew language — from ancient roots to modern slang. Our guest, Elon Gilad, is a journalist, author, and language enthusiast whose work explores how Hebrew evolved , adapted, and reinvented itself over thousands of years. We’ll talk about the revival of Hebrew, the forces that shaped it into the language spoken in Israel today, and the influences that keep it alive and ever-changing. Whether you’re a native speaker, a learner, or just curious about how language reflects culture, this conversation will give you a deeper appreciation for Hebrew and maybe even teach you a few new words you’ll want to try out.

In this episode, we explore the rich and often overlooked middle ground of Jewish life in Israel—beyond the binary of Haredi and secular. Our guest, Rabbi Noga Brenner Samia, offers a deep and nuanced look at pluralism in Israeli society, where many are forging meaningful Jewish identities outside traditional categories.

As the Executive Director of Hillel Israel and a leading voice in the pluralist movement, Rabbi Brenner Samia sheds light on how Reform Judaism in Israel is growing—creating vibrant, inclusive communities rooted in Jewish values, egalitarianism, and social justice. She also discusses Hillel Israel’s role in empowering college students to explore Jewish life on their own terms, fostering curiosity, community, and a strong sense of belonging.

Together, we examine what it means to live a Jewish life in Israel today, the evolving role of non-Orthodox movements, and why expanding the definition of Jewish identity is vital to the country’s future.

To learn more about Hillel Israel, visit their website.

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