This week, Margarita interviews friend and activist - Gabi Schiller. Gabi works for StandWithUs and runs a popular Instagram account @yehudimomrim . In this episode, Gabi walks us through her amazing work with students at StandWithUs and Margarita and Gabi discuss antisemitism in academic settings and beyond.

Follow Gabi on Instagram @yehudimomrim

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:00 Who is Gabi Schiller? On StandWithUs & Yehudim Omrim

07:31 Gabi's journey of self-discovery in 2021 when she questioned Zionism given that the progressive movement didn't support it

08:58 "Have I been lied to?"

12:34 How did Gabi decide to work in Jewish advocacy & activism?

14:00 The antisemitism Gabi experienced in college & the failures of campus Hillels

20:48 Gabi's work with high schoolers - how are they thinking about Israel & Zionism?

26:40 On radicalization of students in schools & universities - how can students defend themselves?

30:42 Margarita's rant on useless conspiracy theories & whataboutisms re: Israel

32:32 On Gabi's Instagram page, Yehudim Omrim, & the stories that have come out of it

36:04 The difference between social media influencers & activists

39:05 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Margarita welcomes Ariel Stein, creator of @ariel.loves and @JewishFamilyMagic to the podcast. With a background in Jewish education, Ariel runs two accounts dedicated to helping families make Jewish living fun and accessible. In this episode, Ariel talks about how she started her accounts, how she's navigating difficult conversations about war with her children, and how she's thinking about college for her kids in light of the antisemitism on campuses. She leaves us with a powerful message on the importance of Jewish joy!

Follow Ariel on Instagram @ariel.loves and @Jewishfamilymagic . Check out Ariel's Jewish holiday guidebooks at JewishFamilyMagic.com !

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:02 Who is Ariel Stein & what is Jewish Family Magic?

07:21 On Ariel's partnerships with major brands like West Elm, Dyson, etc.

11:10 How does Ariel feel about the antisemitism on campus as a mother?

13:48 Is Hillel doing enough to protect students on campus?

23:30 How has Ariel navigated difficult conversations with her kids re: war?

31:40 Positive feedback from followers that Ariel has received

35:08 On Jewish events & the Israel Parade

37:30 On the Nova Exhibit & the importance of Jewish joy

39:48 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination (plus, Ariel talks about her influencer trip to the Bahamas)

Margarita welcomes one of her idols, Modi Rosenfeld, and his husband, Leo Veiga, onto People Jew Wanna Know Podcast! They cover everything from Modi's decades of comedy to his iconic partnership with Leo. Modi shares countless powerful messages about the importance of being a proud Jew. The episode feels like a dream come true for Margarita and is full of warmth and laughter.

Follow Modi Rosenfeld on Instagram @modi_live and check out his website modilive.com . His specials are available on Amazon Prime and Youtube. Follow Leo Veiga on Instagram @leo_veiga_ .

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

05:15 What's the latest for Modi & Leo?

07:12 What has Modi learned after decades of doing comedy?

08:14 On working with your spouse

12:37 Leo's Jewish bubble, being part of the community & Modi's Pause For Laughter Tour

17:13 Reflecting on the people Modi & Leo have met through Modi's podcast "And Here's Modi"

21:43 "Modi loves to shush people"

22:50 What does Modi want to share with young Jewish people?

24:56 Antisemitism in NYC & "Never Again"

27:51 On the Torah having clear guidelines regarding rules of war & the rescue mission of the 4 hostages

30:45 The Nova Exhibit - reflections

35:50 What does Modi mean when he says "the choosing people?"

36:30 What to expect from Pause For Laughter Tour

37:12 How to connect with Modi

38:37 "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time"

40:32 Modi's podcast guest, Dina, who knows how to get an Hermes bag

42:12 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

In honor of Pride Month, we welcome Gay Shabbat onto the podcast! Gay Shabbat is an organization that brings together the young-ish, LGBTQIA+, Jewish community for Shabbat dinner experiences. We discuss how Gay Shabbat came about, their reflections on bringing the queer community together after October 7th, and laugh through the pain of today's world for Jewish people. Enjoy this inspiring, warm and humorous conversation.

Follow Gay Shabbat on Instagram @gayshabbat and check out their site at gayshabbat.org

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:29 What is the origin story of Gay Shabbat & what are they up to?

09:01 Kvelling about the Gay Shabbat community

10:05 On the challenges of being Jewish & queer

12:20 How does Gay Shabbat navigate having Anti-Zionist Jews at their events?

22:57 On 3 Dollar Bill & Eurovision

26:28 On being a queer Jewish woman right now

29:51 The queer community is still centered around cis gay men - what does Gay Shabbat think?

32:24 Back to 3 Dollar Bill

33:59 What's a meaningful experience Gay Shabbat has created?

38:45 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Join Margarita for a completely unique episode - a night at the Opera! Margarita interviews Sara LeMesh who is an opera singer, vocalist and musician. Sara performs 4 Jewish songs and walks us through the fascinating history of Jewish music.

Follow Sara LeMesh on Instagram @sara.lemesh and learn more about her work and upcoming performances at saralemesh.com

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

01:57 Who is Sara LeMesh?

03:25 Sara's Jewish repertoire

06:45 Sara's experience in cantorial school

09:42 What is Jewish music?

12:00 Time to hear Sara sing!

12:05 Song 1: Oyfn Grinem Bergele by Mieczysław Weinberg

15:40 Song 2: Niggun by Shalom Kharitonov

18:29 Song 3: Durme, Durme (Ladino folk song)

23:05 Song 4: Aley Giv'ah by Bracha Tzvira

27:30 Appreciating Jewish music

28:26 What does Sara want to share with Jewish people?

30:04 How to connect with Sara

30:50 Origin of Sara and Margarita's names

33:33 Guest Nomination

Our first video episode is live! Margarita brings magic to your ears, eyes AND hearts and interviews a very popular magician - Alex Voz.

Alex has practiced magic and mentalism for over 20 years, but prior to doing so, he had a corporate career. In this episode, we learn about Alex's fascinating background and see him pull off some amazing magic and mentalism. Even over video Alex is able to create a true sense of magic!

Check out Alex's work on alexvozmagic.com and follow him on Instagram @alexvozmagic

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:18 Who is Alex Voz? From corporate to magic

6:00 How do people learn magic & mentalism?

8:43 "There's something Jewish about magicians" - on Alex's Jewish upbringing

11:57 How do Orthodox Jews feel about magic?

13:27 On magic that stumped even Alex

16:49 Do tricks have plants from the audience?

20:22 Tricks vs. experiments - watch Alex's first "experiment"

22:27 "I want you to think of a number..."

24:50 On reading people & knowing when they lie

29:26 Alex's final trick - time travel (this is WILD)

34:40 Words of advice from Alex

37:30 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

On this episode of the podcast, Margarita interviews Micah Siva - chef, dietician and food photographer. Micah recently published an amazing cookbook called Nosh: Plant-Forward Recipes Celebrating Modern Jewish Cuisine. Micah discusses her career, her passion for Jewish life, and the importance of sticking to your values.

Buy Micah's book anywhere books are sold and check out her website noshwithmicah.com

Follow Micah on Instagram @noshwithmicah

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:35 Who is Micah Siva?

05:34 On Jewish food & what makes food Jewish

09:26 Micah's must make recipe in her cookbook

11:28 On Micah's transition to becoming a Jewish-first recipe writer/content creator & how it has been post Oct 7

20:19 The Shabbat dinner that happened in a Palestinian restaurant in Manhattan

23:16 On "voting with your choices" & Margarita's transition to an Israeli tech company

29:50 Micah's words of encouragement & advice

32:23 On Micah's Jewish upbringing

34:39 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination