Chosen Links by Boaz - The Podcast!

(EDITOR NOTE – This episode was filmed on 04/02/25. During this time, Boaz Hepner was sleeping at UCLA hospital, during a 13 day hospitalization of his child. Running home to do this episode was surreal, though a welcome break)"Resilient" is an award-winning documentary that explores the widespread PTSD in Israel following October 7th. Boaz speaks with 13 guests—including filmmaker Chava Floryn, participants of the film, and experts on trauma and resilience—to unpack its powerful message and the stories behind it.*Correction: In this episode, it was incorrectly stated that Chava Floryn is not a filmmaker. In fact, Chava is an award-winning documentarian with over 100 short films to her name, including a TV pilot and three documentaries. Her most recent film, Resilient, has won 7 awards to date—5 for Best Picture, 1 for Best Musical Score, and 1 for Best Cinematography.Boaz was joined by:Soraya Deen – CEO, Muslim Women SpeakersChava Floryn – Filmmaker, Author, Somatic HealerBarbara Heller – Actor, Writer, PodcasterPeter Himmelman – Musician. Author. Visual ArtistMaayan Hoffman – Executive Editor, ILTV News & Correspondent, The Media LineRabbi YY Jacobson – World Renowned SpeakerRona Lalezary – Mindset Trainer and International Public SpeakerMicki Lavin-Pell – Marriage, Family, Sex and Trauma TherapistOr Meir Ooliel – Musician and October 7 SurvivorOrli Peter – CEO, Israel Healing InitiativeHoward Rosenman – ProducerGil Troy – Author of ''To Resist the Academic Intifada''Tehran Von Ghasri – Comedian & Social CommentatorTimestamps:0:02:46 – Guest Introductions Begin0:17:05 – End of intros0:18:06 – Boaz asks Chava: “Why did you go make a documentary after Oct 7?”0:25:59 – Gil Troy gives historical context for Israel’s resilience0:29:46 – Rabbi YY Jacobson on discussing trauma with children0:34:13 – Gil chimes in0:36:41 – Peter Himmelman on Jewish strength through humor and history0:40:05 – Gil exits; Micki on healing through helping0:43:48 – Peter and Orli Peter: “Is empathy love, or something else?”0:49:18 – Boaz (as a nurse): “How do you stay empathetic without burning out?”0:50:01 – Maayan & Chava on trauma programs from IDF and government0:55:43 – Boaz to Or: “Do survivors like you feel seen by the system?” (+Chava, Maayan, Orli)1:02:57 – Rona chimes in1:04:24 – Or opens up about needing therapy1:06:10 – Tehran chimes in1:09:53 – Soraya chimes in1:13:50 – BREAK1:14:47 – Boaz to Soraya: “Why join a Jewish-centered conversation?”1:21:23 – Tehran chimes in with Peter1:27:00 – Maayan on her deep bonds with non-Jewish allies1:30:55 – Boaz to Barb: “How do we process grief without imploding?”1:39:41 – Micki chimes in1:41:38 – Chava on a family visiting LA post-trauma1:45:24 – Or recounts his October 7th survival story1:56:14 – Tehran and Peter chime in2:01:35 – Soraya chimes in2:03:07 – Tehran to Soraya: messaging of love from Muslim allies2:07:04 – Peter’s story about an Uber driver from India2:09:00 – Rona on Mental Health Is Real2:14:05 – Howard Rosenman speaks2:19:40 – Final thoughts: “What gives you hope?”2:29:25 – Boaz final thoughts

(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 02/19/25. Tragically, on 04/20/25, guest Christian Gribneau died unexpectedly.)After a 3-part series on the diversity of the Jewish population, Boaz Hepner spoke to a panel of Wikipedia experts. A wide array of investigative journalists, Wikipedia editors, and more, this conversation was about the assumed role of Wikipedia's neutrality, and how far it appears to have veered from that path. Especially when analyzed by its stance on the Israel/Palestinian conflict, and Zionism.Panelists:-- Dr. Shlomit Aharoni Lir – University of Haifa-- Aaron Bandler – Jewish Journal-- Yfat Barak-Cheney – World Jewish Congress-- Jordan Cope – StandWithUs-- Christian Gribneau – Justapedia Foundation-- Mathilda Heller – The Jerusalem Post-- Ohad Merlin – The Jerusalem Post-- David Swindle – The Algemeiner-- Jonathan M Weiss – Wikipedia Editor-- Betty Wills – Justapedia Foundation-- David Wiseman – Online Reputation ExpertChapters:3:27 – Bios11:43 – Boaz reads listener-Wikipedia exchange17:57 – Jonathan on current editing activity19:26 – Jordan asks about left-right balance22:55 – Dr. Shlomit expands on Hamas coverage25:45 – Wikipedia vs Al Jazeera?27:57 – Consensus sources explained29:05 – Is JPost a “trusted” source?35:48 – When did bias begin?39:01 – David on his investigations40:21 – Dr. Shlomit: pre/post-October 753:41 – Ohad gives Eurovision example55:08 – Jordan on legal liability56:40 – Betty on lawsuits58:27 – Anonymity and accountability1:02:01 – Mathilda replies1:03:13 – Betty on Wikipedia's monopoly1:03:55 – Dr. Shlomit: sue Google, not Wikipedia1:05:15 – David: no clear solution1:07:24 – Betty on Justapedia as alternative1:10:27 – Aaron clarifies Section 2301:13:29 – Yfat: “train has left the station”1:15:51 – Christian offers optimism1:17:51 – Break1:18:23 – Return1:18:52 – Bible as a source?1:19:38 – Aaron on the Wikipedia "Blacklist"1:21:42 – David replies1:22:26 – Arabic Wikipedia discussion1:23:47 – Banners since Oct 71:25:30 – Day 1 confirmation1:26:54 – Jordan: recent changes1:28:10 – Betty on school radicalization1:30:30 – Farewell to Jordan1:31:02 – Wikipedia as a movement1:33:44 – Wikipedia vs UNRWA1:35:19 – Fixing Wikipedia?1:36:10 – Christian on article visibility1:39:12 – Yfat: digital literacy1:41:39 – Risks of AI as solution?1:43:15 – Betty: Wikipedia mirrors media1:44:26 – Jon: Wikipedia reflects public bias1:45:08 – Did Wikipedia change over time?1:46:40 – David on antisemitism's rise1:47:27 – Betty on universities1:47:52 – Wikipedia-critical article downgraded1:49:52 – Mathilda on editor bans1:53:20 – Aaron responds1:56:19 – Boaz summarizes1:58:42 – Are foreign actors involved?2:03:03 – Can editors be less anonymous?2:05:07 – Shlomit: anonymity = no accountability2:08:20 – David explains “sock/meat puppets”2:09:42 – Jon replies2:10:20 – Canvassing on Wikipedia2:11:07 – Jon elaborates2:12:13 – Yfat replies2:13:50 – Boaz lightens the mood2:14:32 – Final thoughts: How do we fix bias?Final Answers:2:16:03 – Ohad2:19:17 – David Wiseman2:21:07 – Mathilda2:23:18 – David Swindle2:24:47 – Christian2:27:32 – Betty2:29:53 – Jon2:32:13 – Yfat2:33:18 – Dr. Shlomit2:37:54 – Aaron2:40:49 – Boaz's final thoughts2:44:48 – Goodnight​

(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 01/05/25)As a natural follow-up to the conversation with Black Jews, Boaz Hepner and Nate Looney gathered 14 Jews of color from a variety of different backgrounds, and had a conversation about their lived experiences. Not everyone labeled themselves the same way, and not everyone even wants to be labeled. A great conversation, showing just how eclectic and diverse the Jewish community actually is.When asked to provide a label, this is how each guest self-identified:Amy Albertson "Chinese-American Jew" Lani Anpo "Native American Jew or Indijewness"BournRich - "A Jew living the African American experience"Emily Bowen Cohen - "Muscogee-Jewish"Jenny Cohen - "Mexican Jew"Abraham Hamra - "Syrian Jew"Eliana Jolkovsky - "Korean-American Jew"Mari Katz O'Leary - "Hispanic Jew"Iola Kostrzewski - "Black Sephardic Jew"Aimee Lacaden - "Pacific Islander, European, Jewish"Matthew Nouriel - "Iranian Jew"Tabby Refael - Iranian American Jew"Raymond Roker - "Bahamian-American & Ashkenazi"Elizabeth Younger - "Choctaw Native American Jew"

(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 12/01/24)An essential conversation with leaders of the Black Jewish community. My second time with Nate Looney as co-moderator, as we sat with 7 amazing people, some of whom would call themselves Black Jews, and some of whom would avoid the label altogether. The 7 of them had a fantastic conversation with us, as we described their lived experiences and identities.Join us as we spoke with:Biggah - Online EducatorChaya Lev - Dancing VibemakerRachel Moon - Social Media Influencer and ActivistApril Powers - Global Head of DEI, AntisemitismDr. Yehudah Pryce - Licensed Clinical Social WorkerElisheva Rishon - That Modest Fashionista Thought LeaderAshira Solomon - Host of the Black and Jewish Podcast

David Bowie sang, "We can be heroes, just for one day." But imagine being a hero every day. For an act that costs you no money, and just a little time. Organ donation. It's something we don't think about enough, but why?Did you know you could donate stem cells or bone marrow and be back to work the next day? Did you know you could donate just a part of your liver, and it will grow back? Did you know that if you donate one of your kidneys, if you ever need one yourself, OR if a family member does, you'll all be on the top of the list? And those are just the ones you can donate while still alive and healthy!Not all of us become doctors and nurses to save lives (okay, I did), but these are tangible things we can do with little downside, but all of the upside in the world for the person on the receiving end.I sat with 8 incredible individuals discussing their roles in this adventure:Jay Feinberg, Leukemia survivor, and Founder + CEO of Gift of Life Marrow Registry.Mike Gabler, heart valve specialist (and winner of CBS's Survivor).Bonnie Lilien, kidney recipient (from Rabbi Jason Weiner).Dr. Nick Nissen, liver transplant surgeon at Cedars Sinai.Scot Pollard, NBA champion, and recent Heart transplant recipient.Dr. Laurel Schramm, pediatrician, and recent liver donor.Rabbi Jason Weiner, kidney donor (to Bonnie Lilien) and head Chaplain at Cedars Sinai.Abraham Zilkha, 2 time donor to the same recipient via Gift of Life.And for easy reference, here are the 2 sites to signup:Gift of Life (Bone Marrow Registry) https://www.giftoflife.org/Renewal (Kidney donation) https://www.renewal.org/At the very least listen to this enjoyable conversation, and see if it inspires you. I bet it will.

(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 10/10/24)Some say that the Jewish and Black communities share such a deep history that their bond is unbreakable. We marched together during the Civil Rights Movement, but where are we today?For the first time, I had the pleasure of filming with a co-moderator—Nate Looney, who kept me on track and guided the conversation brilliantly.Enjoy the discussion with these 12 powerful Black voices, both Jewish and non-Jewish.

(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 8/21/24)Truthiness. A word made famous by Stephen Colbert. But the TRUTH is, that what I see as fact, someone else sees as fiction. And vice versa. How do we navigate our news, especially in this digital world, with any confidence?I had the pleasure of speaking to these 6 people, who continue to contribute their expertise to the world of fact versus fiction.

No doubt, I will be criticized by left-wing, anti-Israel people for having Palestinian guests who don't walk the usual anti-Israel and frequently pro-Hamas line. I will also be criticized by right wing, pro-Israel people for giving a voice to Palestinians who also have criticisms and complaints about Israel. But this is how we move forward, this is how we make progress, and these brave Palestinians have my respect and gratitude for their time, empathy, thoughtfulness, and self-sacrifice in this wonderful episode. As much hate as I will receive for doing this, they receive it tenfold.They just want peace, a true peace, a 2-state solution, not a river to the sea intifada, and I hope you'll take the time for this wonderful conversation.