Raised by a single mother, Congressman Ritchie Torres overcame poverty, personal trauma, and systemic barriers to forge a path of advocacy and leadership.

Torres shares his inspiring journey, which began in public housing in the Bronx. His civic interest guided him into politics, and he now serves in the U.S. Congress as one of the first openly gay congressmen of color. He reflects on his dedication to housing reform, his progressive yet independent voice in American politics, and the transformative impact of a visit to Israel.

Drawing inspiration from civil rights leaders who fought for the rights of Black Americans, Torres draws powerful parallels between the historical struggles of Black Americans and the Jewish people. His bold advocacy for Israel and his fight against rising antisemitism have come at great personal and professional cost. Yet, he continues to champion Israel and the Jewish community with unwavering conviction, believing that silence is never an option in the face of hate.

Listen in on this live conversation with Gil and Congressman Torres as they thoughtfully discuss one of the most controversial topics in American politics.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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As an engineering student, Yariv Bash dedicated countless hours to hands-on work, sacrificing top grades in order to open doors for out-of-this-world opportunities.

After co-founding SpaceIL, Yariv and his team entered the Google Lunar XPrize competition on little more than a whim and a little bit of whiskey. They built and launched Beresheet, the first private interplanetary robotic mission to the moon. Although the landing proved unsuccessful, it did not deter investors from supporting Yariv's subsequent ventures, including his groundbreaking work in the drone delivery space and the establishment of FlyTrex, an on-demand drone delivery service.

While Yariv’s career is punctuated by soaring success, he also experienced a literal rock bottom. 

Join Gil as he delves into Yariv's remarkable achievements, setbacks, and unwavering resilience.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Ashager Araro's reverence for dreams extends far beyond mere aspirations or poetic musings; for her, they hold profound significance embedded in Israel’s history, her ancestral roots, and her personal journey.

Born in Ethiopia, Ashager’s family yearned for a life in Jerusalem for generations. However, upon reaching their longed-for destination, the reality was far from their dreams. Struggling against social isolation and racial prejudice as a Black Jew, Ashager's parents fostered a fierce determination within her and helped her practice empathy toward her peers. This unwavering sense of self fueled her dream of a more equitable Israel, and she emerged as a champion for ethnic minorities, particularly for her own Ethiopian community.

Ashager went on to create Battae — Amharic for “home”— which serves as a sanctuary where fellow African Jews can find community and celebrate the richness of their heritage through food, dance, and education.

Join Gil as he gains a deeper understanding of Ashager’s remarkable story, how she utilizes her online reach, and endeavors to help Gil master his very first word in Amharic: "ameseginalehu" (Thank you).

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel's unique culture, diversity, and complex reality, which they carry back into their own lives and leadership roles. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Today, Uri Buri’s eponymous restaurant “Uri Buri” has garnered international acclaim - but his culinary journey began just steps from home, on Israel’s stunning seaside. Deeply influenced by his family’s tradition of hosting guests from around the world, Uri cultivated a lifelong passion for cooking and community. So, fueled by ambition from a young age, Uri decided to leave school early and pursue his culinary dreams. 

Traveling the globe in a Volkswagen van, Uri spent several years delighting customers with fresh, inventive flavors that would become his signature. Eventually, seeking stability and a place to build a family, Uri opened his restaurant in the historic and culturally rich city of Akko.

In this episode, Uri reflects on a harrowing period in his life and career, revealing an unflappable optimism and resilience. Join Gil as he explores Uri’s insights about his unwavering convictions, commitment to community, and the power of food.

~~

More about storymark

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Pioneer. Trailblazer. Groundbreaker. These words epitomize today’s guest, Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh. As a member of Israel's Druze religious minority, Gadeer stands out as a symbol of courage, breaking barriers for Druze women and other Israeli minorities alike. Her groundbreaking achievements include being the first non-Jewish anchorwoman to deliver the evening news in Israel—a feat rooted in her lifelong passion for journalism, which began at the tender age of 12. Gadeer was also the first Druze woman elected to the Israeli Knesset. 

In this storymark spotlight episode, Gil delves into Gadeer's remarkable political journey, explores her unwavering commitment to Israel's land beyond politics, and digs into the possibility of her future candidacy.

More about storymark™

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Growing up as a Palestinian in Israel, Nuseir Yassin grappled with the complexities of his identity, often feeling adrift between two worlds. It wasn’t until he reached Harvard University, 5,500 miles away from home, that he encountered his first Jewish friend. Despite his new location, the weight of Nuseir’s identity remained palpable, presenting challenges to fitting in that mirrored those faced back in Israel. 

After graduating from Harvard, Nuseir worked for a startup in New York City. However, he soon realized he was trading years of his life for a paycheck. Motivated by a desire to find purpose in his work, Nuseir left New York for Kenya and staked his future on the internet.

In 2016, he launched Nas Daily, a daily vlog featuring one-minute videos showcasing people from around the world. He gained worldwide recognition and skillfully integrated social and political stories into his work. 

Join Gil in this live conversation with Nuseir as they delve into his unique journey, and explore how current events have changed the way he identifies.

More about storymark™

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality.For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek Marketing Team.

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When deciding which professional path to pursue, Tzipi Livni defied the expectations set by her politically active parents and initially chose a career in law. But sometimes a calling transcends pragmatism, and when Israel found itself split down the middle and rife with tension Tzipi was compelled to change direction and run for office.

Tzipi amassed an impressive array of political roles, most famously, Israel’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Justice. Each position was accompanied by a chorus of both praise and criticism for the policies she upheld and decisions she made. Reflecting on significant moments during her tenure, Tzipi concedes that the strategic implementation could have been better. Nonetheless, she affirms her decisions, which were all informed by an unwavering commitment to achieve equity and peace.

Join Gil and 100 itrek participants in this captivating live conversation, where Tzipi’s indomitable spirit and steadfast determination truly shine, cementing her as an undeniable force to be reckoned with.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Seth Siegel has a penchant for following his curiosity and doing the unexpected. As a serial entrepreneur, Seth seamlessly moves from one endeavor to the next. This agility led to a diverse range of experience, from practicing law to licensing trademarks, and from writing an award-winning book on the global water crisis to producing a Broadway show. This unconventional career trajectory may have made his stability-oriented father nervous, but Seth achieved wide success across industries, and is a shining example of forging one's own path.

Join Gil as he queries Seth on his approach to business, investment in the arts, and why he believes the solution to the global water crisis can be found in Israel. 

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Laura Hassner intentionally sought out educational experiences in unfamiliar environments so she could stretch herself personally and intellectually. From opting into a multilingual school setting, to embarking on foreign exchange experiences in Chile and England, Laura truly considers the world her classroom. 

Eager to introduce a global mindset to students, Laura landed her dream job at Berkeley as builder of an entrepreneurship program called The Berkeley Changemaker®. The program empowers students to develop their leadership skills, and to utilize their education and talent to create positive change both locally and globally.

Be inspired as Gil and Laura recount her leadership journey and the personal loss that clarified her purpose.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Tom Cohen's love for music has deep roots that can be traced back to his childhood home, where he and his parents listened to a wide variety of genres without judgment. This impartiality would prove invaluable as Tom later developed his own sound. 

As the founder and head conductor of the Jerusalem Orchestra East and West, Tom creates a new, integrated musical experience that blends sounds from the East and West, old and new. His innovative approach transcends pre-existing limitations in Israeli classical music and allows audiences to overlook cultural and political conflicts — if only for a few hours.

Enjoy Gil and Tom’s repartee about the gift of music, labor justice, and how even small acts of change can have worldwide impact.

More about storymark™

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.