In this episode of The Actual, Michele Goldman, CEO of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies opens up about the impact of disinformation, the rise of anti-Semitism, and what it means to lead a community during times of uncertainty. She shares her insights on advocacy, the importance of interfaith relationships, and the challenges faced by the Jewish community in the wake of recent events. The conversation also touches on the broader societal implications of hate speech and the pressing need for stronger legislative action to protect vulnerable communities.

Original music in this episode: “Kama At Yafa (כמה את יפה),” performed by CHUTNEY, from the album Ajar (2024). Courtesy of CHUTNEY/Ben Adler. Used with permission.

Violinist, composer, arranger, and founder of CHUTNEY, Ben Adler joins The Actual to discuss the way music becomes an emotional communicator and how Jewish identity and community have shaped his work. He describes why carefully designed concerts can move people from despair to hope to jubilation, and how SHIR concerts are deeply thought through to create a truly transformational experience. Ben shares his journey from classical training to leading CHUTNEY, Australia’s leading Jewish ensemble, where their musical creations support the Jewish community to feel connected and to hold one's head up high in difficult times.

Original music in this episode Kama At Yafa (כמה את יפה) performed by CHUTNEY, from the album Ajar (2024). Courtesy of CHUTNEY/Ben Adler. Used with permission.

Arno Michaelis once lived a life consumed by hate. Today, he devotes himself to preventing others from following this path, and recognises the urgent need to confront antisemitism and misinformation. In this deeply moving and fascinating episode of The Actual, Arno shares his journey from violent extremism to healing. His story is one of painful reckoning and hope. Arno now works with Parents 4 Peace, helping families and communities break cycles of hate before they begin.

To support and know more about Parents 4 Peace, visit: www.parents4peace.org.

Returning as a guest on The Actual, Michael Scott CSC, founder of The 2023 Foundation and author of his recently released book A Light Still Burns: Israel and the Values Worth Defending reflects on the rise of disinformation and anti-Semitism in the wake of October 7 2023. Drawing from more than 30 years of military service and his time living in Israel, he shares how these experiences shaped his mission to defend truth, uphold Western values, and inspire others to stand against hate through education and action.

Colonel (Ret.) Michael Scott CSC, Founder and CEO of The 2023 Foundation, joins The Actual to speak about combating antisemitism, terrorism, and disinformation. Drawing on more than 30 years in the Australian Army and his 27 months serving in Israel with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), Michael reveals why he refuses to be a bystander, the ripple effect of his personal action, choices, and how ordinary people can become leaders in the fight against this ancient hatred. This is Part 1 of our two-part conversation with Michael Scott.

To know more about the 2023 Foundation: https://www.2023foundation.org.au/

Mark Leach is the co-founder of Never Again Is Now and a longtime church leader. In this incredible episode of The Actual, he reveals how his earlier years of personal trauma, faith, and later leadership have directly shaped his current responses to the major challenges we face today. We discussed his courageous words and actions and why he keeps standing up to Jew hatred and how this impacts Australia as a whole. Mark also shares his views on the increase in global tribalism. This is a must-listen conversation that you won't want to miss!

To know more about Never Again Is Now, visit: https://www.neveragainisnow.com.au/

What started as one woman’s way of coping with fear and grief, through sharp humour and biting honesty, has since become one of Australia’s fiercest watchdogs for online hate. In this episode, Zara Cooper or more known as @clammy_fraud, shares how her personal response to the attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023, grew into a community-powered digital defence movement. From satirical posts to serious legal submissions, Zara reveals the blurred lines between free speech and hate speech, and why what happens online doesn’t stay online. If you’ve ever felt silenced, targeted, or unsafe in today’s digital world, her story might just make you feel less alone and more empowered.

Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio OAM joins Relationships Under the Microscope to discuss her extraordinary journey from lawyer to rabbi. She shares her experiences as a female leader in the Jewish community, and her reflections on and post the terror attacks on Israel of October 7, 2023. Rabbi Jacki is a humanitarian at heart, and in this episode imparts her insights on faith, community, and leadership during times of crisis.

More than 600 days since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, taking hostages.

In this episode I’m joined by Shoshana Eisner, the powerhouse behind Operation Golda - a grassroots mission launched from her kitchen just days after October 7. What began with a WhatsApp callout for empty suitcases turned into a full-scale relief effort that has since delivered over 26,000 kilos of trauma supplies to Israel and mobilised hundreds of volunteers across Australia. Shoshana opens up about what it means to channel fear into action, and how her Jewish identity became the driving force behind the work. We discuss Australian values and how Australians revealed at the recent federal election that they hate hate and value multiculturalism and care for others in our country.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the Middle East conflict, including war, violence, and humanitarian issues, which may be distressing to some listeners.

In this episode, my guests, Tzachi and Alexis, speak from the heart of a humanitarian crisis that began on October 7, 2023, which continues to reverberate across borders in the Middle East. Reading the names of the remaining hostages and tireless community work, they’ve helped keep the stories of the missing alive. Each hostage held in captivity in Gaza is a person, with a unique world, a family, friends and a future. We discuss how the wait for their return is unbearable, and the belief that until all hostages are home, there can be no true peace, not for Israelis, not for Palestinians, nor for any of us.