Shows
Taking Back the NarrativeHistory of Middle East Terrorist Organizations Featuring Matan Zimman | Season 4: Episode 3Hamas and Hezbollah are both predominately in the news today post-the Jewish genocide on October 7th, 2023, from where did those terrorists emerge? Who is really pulling the financial strings? Is there a difference between Sunni and Shi'ite terrorism? How was the Soviet Union tied to the Arab occupiers in Israel, and why is it important to know about the Muslim Brotherhood. All the above is expertly answered by Matan Zimman, a former IDF soldier and a current student at Reichman University in Israel where he is focusing on government and counter-terrorism studies. 2025-04-121h 42Taking Back the NarrativeUkraine Explained & Exposed; In Conversation with Rivkah Aubrecht | Season 4: Episode 2Welcome to this dynamic episode where the real truth about Ukraine is revealed. Rivkah Aubrecht and I push aside the PC curtain to discuss how Ukraine was originally created and by whom, the entrenched antisemitism there for centuries, and what actually led to this war in Ukraine. The media has you believe that it is evil Putin vs. innocent Zelensky. Are those the only two players involved? What happened in 1991? 2014? 2014 - 2022? And who helped Ukraine cross the infamous 'red line' repeatedly? Was Crimea ever actually 'stolen'?www.tbtnisrael.com2025-04-022h 02Taking Back the NarrativeIs the Trump Gaza Deal Kosher for Israel?TBTN (Taking Back the Narrative) is thrilled to welcome back Mark Kennedy, who appeared as a guest last season. Together, we discuss in-depth the Trump Gaza deal, as it now stands, and all the accompanying issues at play. www.tbtnisrael.com2025-02-252h 07Taking Back the NarrativeZionism & Politics: Unpacked; Featuring Leora Levy | Season 3: Episode 10Leora Levy has been a leader in many aspects of her life: she was one of the first female traders on Wall Street after graduating college in 1978. Within politics, Leora's professional pathway has been equally as impressive, most recently having served as the Connecticut RNC National Committeewoman, and in 2022, Leora was the Republican nominee for the Senate race against the long-standing Senator Blumenthal. These are just some of her numerous political accomplishments, so it was no surprise that I was going to invite Mrs. Levy to speak on the Taking Back the Narrative podcast. Born in Cuba to...2024-11-211h 30
Long Shot Leaders with Michael SteinUnraveling history and myths, the battle for truth about Israel and Zionism with Laureen Lipsky.Laureen Lipsky is the CEO and Founder of Taking Back the Narrative, a Zionist education initiative. Her unique background includes a 20-year period of being anti-Israel, influenced by media and certain Jewish organizations using antisemitic language. In 2014, her views shifted after she was shocked by anti-Israel narratives on CNN during the first Hamas war. This sparked her commitment to learning and teaching accurate Jewish history, non-antisemitic terminology, and the importance of Israel as the Jewish homeland. Laureen’s op-eds have appeared in outlets like The Federalist, American Thinker, and JNS. Her organization, Taking Back the Na...2024-11-081h 10Taking Back the NarrativeGeo-Politics: The Reality Behind the Headlines Featuring Mark Kennedy | Season III: Episode 9What drew me to establish a friendship with Mark Kennedy, a Jewish political guru, through Facebook, was his well-informed, almost insider-esque, take on all things foreign policy and politics. For years, Mark and I would talk about U.S. politics, the Middle East, and all other hotspots world-wide, to the point where I knew I had to have Mark on as a featured guest on the Taking Back the Narrative podcast. Join us as we weave from where things stand in Israel today - from the North, Gaza, Eilat, hostage rescue progress, to Iran. We also broach t...2024-09-282h 12Taking Back the NarrativeHas the West Fallen? Can It be Saved? Featuring Kenneth Abramowitz | Season III: Episode 8The terrorist attack on 9/11 was a pivotal point for Kenneth Abramowitz, the Founder of Save the West (savethewest.com). Though it too, was for many, Kenneth branched out from his long-term career in health care consulting to alert the public about the dangers of nefarious elements targeting Western civilization - from China to Islam to the Democrats in America. Kenneth is one of the few worldwide who have been such a strong voice on the need to save the West - from the initiative's very informative website to astute webinars, and the numerous speeches to groups - a...2024-09-192h 08Taking Back the NarrativeTaking Strong Action Against Jew Hate Featuring Rebecca Harary | Season III: Episode 7It was an absolute honor to have on Rebecca Harary, who is not only the President & Founder of CASEPAC (Combating Antisemitism Everywhere PAC), but is also the Co-President of the America First Club. Rebecca is the type of person that sees a problem or a need, and finds an effective solution - from helping found a school for autism in Brooklyn, to running for political office in NYC to address immediate concerns of constituents, to going straight to the top within the Federal government in not only addressing the vile virus of Jew-hate, but working within the s...2024-09-112h 01Taking Back the NarrativeThe Illegality of On Campus Antisemitism Featuring Shabbos KestenbaumIt was a true honor to have had on Shabbos Kestenbaum, a proud Zionist who is the bearer of many titles: a student activist and a media contributor; a lead plaintiff against Harvard University, and a lecturer on combating Jew hatred. Shabbos is an Orthodox Jew who planned on pursuing his collegiate goals of studying religion at Harvard Divinity School. Even prior to the Jewish genocide on Oct. 7th, the school was rife with anti-Israel hate, as Shabbos says in the episode, "one would think no other country exists (for them) aside for 'Palestine.'" But the s...2024-08-201h 09Taking Back the NarrativeJews Need New Leadership with Brandon Weaver; Passionate Zionist & Political Observer | Season III: Episode 5Brandon and I get into the weeds of why both American Jewish leadership has failed Jews in America and in Israel, and why Israeli leadership needs a complete overhaul. The sorry excuse for leadership has jerked Israel down a path of capitulation to the needs of the antisemitic West, has fueled the ease of terrorism against Jews in the Jewish homeland, and even during this war, this across the board Jewish leadership is not truly understanding the broad scope of enemies; no, it is not just Hamas that needs to be eliminated. This episode is not for t...2024-05-302h 16Taking Back the NarrativeLone Soldiers, Politics, & Understanding the Hasidic Mindset; Featuring Lilly SchwartzLilly Schwartz, a Program & Resource Coordinator at Nevut (https://nevut.org/), was instrumental on the podcast to share the importance of lone soldiers and their role in the IDF. What motivates someone to join the army that does not have to? What are the challenges? As a former lone soldier herself, Lilly answers all these questions and much more! We also touched upon politics (of course), and our visions for a safer Israel. Lilly is also proudly married to a former Satmar, and lone soldier. She is close to her in-laws and extended family; thus, we...2024-05-032h 19Taking Back the NarrativeIsrael & America Today, through the Lens of Politics & Psychology with Daniella Bloom; Psychotherapist & best-selling author; National Ambassador of JEXITNo one can make sense of the senseless that happened on October 7th. One cannot comprehend the mass murder in horrific ways of 1200 people and the taking hostage of so many innocents. Join Daniella and I as we weave through dissecting the policies and politics of both Israel and the U.S, what needs to be done to ensure safety, and what fuels Jew-hate.Daniella provides an inside take into the resiliency and humanity of the Israeli people, the shifting perspective of the newly ‘awake’ in both countries, and how we can steer our children on a...2024-04-182h 28Taking Back the NarrativeThe Root Causes of the October 7th Genocide: Discussing in Depth the History of Muslim Terrorism & Weak Israeli Policies with Kobi Koren, International Relations ExpertIt was an honor to speak with Kobi Koren, who is not only an expert on International Relations, but also has extensive knowledge on the history of the Middle East, and the Jewish people. Together, Kobi and I discussed the history of Muslim terrorism going back centuries, and addressed what many others seem to miss: just 'freeing Gaza from Hamas' will not do much long-term for Israel's security. To understand what is happening today towards Israel is to also understand the second half of the Ottoman Empire and of course the British Occupation. And for 75 years, Israel h...2024-03-312h 44Taking Back the NarrativeSeason III; Episode 1 - Delving Into the Post-October 7th Genocide Reality: Featuring Naomi Reinharz, CEO of the American Society of the University of Haifa162 days since the barbaric genocide against Israelis, the Jewish world is still coming to grips with our new reality. Hate coming from all directions, our very homeland in potential jeopardy of survival long-term, and the incomprehension of our missing people, stolen by Arab occupiers in Gaza. It has also been 162 days of sheer resilience of Israelis, the strength of the Jewish people, and renewed resolve for security. It is an honor to feature Naomi Reinharz in the first episode of Season III. Naomi has been a pillar in the Jewish world for over two decades, her Zionism ru...2024-03-122h 11
Jewish Diaspora ReportTaking Back the Narrative with Zionist Education | Jewish Diaspora ReportJewish Diaspora Report - Episode 70 On this episode of the Jewish Diaspora Report, Host Mike Jordan interviews CEO and Founder of "Taking Back the Narrative", Laureen Lipsky about her journey from not knowing that she was Jewish to a Pro-Israel activist and Zionist Educator.Taking Back the Narrative Links:www.tbtnisrael.comIG: takingbackthenarrative_israelhttps://takingbackthenarrative.buzzsprout.comThe opinions expressed in this publication are those of the guest and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the JDR Podcast or its Host and s...2023-08-1341 minTaking Back the NarrativePersian Jewish Pride: From Babylonian Times to Post-Iranian Revolution; Featuring Sharon Nik | Season II: Episode 8The audience is in for an in-depth look at Persian Jewry as shared by Jewish Iranian community leader & activist, Sharon Nik, whose family on both sides spans thousands of years in Iran. Jews first came to Iran as part of the Babylonian Exile, and it was Cyrus the Great who later freed all slaves in Persia, including Jews, and established the Persian Empire. Under Cyrus, Jews were free to return to Israel, but many stayed behind and became thriving members of the then new society. When Islam took over Iran, many centuries later, the treatment of...2023-08-011h 12Taking Back the NarrativeYemenite Jews: A Strong & Enduring Presence in the Gulf; Featuring Matan Zimman & Tuvia Sulami | Season II: Episode 7It was an absolute honor having on Matan and his family friend, Tuvia, a Yemenite Jew whose family arrived back in Israel in 1925. One of the greatest misconceptions in circulation is that Yemenite Jews are all converts. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just like Ashkenaz Jews are not Khazars. Many Jews left Israel after the destruction of the first Temple in 586 BCE. Some Jews headed west into North Africa, others ventured into what is now Saudi Arabia, while another group migrated into what is now called Yemen, or, for a long time, the so...2023-07-211h 31Taking Back the NarrativeSyrian Jewry: Jewish Strength from the Second Temple Era to Israeli Liberation; Featuring Adela Cojab | Season II: Episode 6It was an honor to speak with Jewish activist Adela Cojab about the very deep history of Syrian Jews. A proud Diaspora community first emerged in Syria after the destruction of the First Temple. After the Crusaders first invaded Israel, one of every three residents of Damascus were Jews. The oldest synagogue in the world is located in Syria and was built in 244 AD. In follow-up waves, Jews fleeing from the Spanish Inquisition arrived to Syria. Adela explains the differences between the two major Jewish communities that existed in Syria, which traditions are uni...2023-07-121h 00Taking Back the NarrativeBukharian Jews: The Journey from Israel to Iran, and the Silk Road; Featuring David Milov | Season II: Episode 5Bukharian Jews have a fascinating history - from their journey to the Persian Empire from Israel, and all along the Silk Road, until ending up not just in Uzbekistan, but throughout other parts of Central Asia such as Tajikistan and Dagestan. Please join the guest of honor, David Milov, as he shares the rich history of his community, the unique customs, delicious sounding dishes, and where the Bukharian Jews today see themselves, as part of the larger Jewish world. Additionally, we tackle Muslim-Jewish relations in Uzbekistan, the effects of Communism, and the importance of a str...2023-07-031h 06Taking Back the NarrativeJewish Chutzpah: The Ashkenaz Journey from Russia to Argentina and China; Featuring Barbara Krystal | Season II: Episode 4I am thrilled to have on Barbara Krystal, Taking Back the Narrative's Director of Educational Outreach. Barbara poignantly shares her family's history of how they immigrated from Russia to Argentina. Members of my family ended up in Argentina due to the Czar's pogroms in the beginning of the 20th century, and thanks to Barbara, we learn about the multiple waves of Jewish immigration to that region. Barbara goes into great detail about the fabric of Jewish society in Argentina throughout the centuries (we even touch upon Jewish cowboys and pirates!), and the complex relationship between Is...2023-07-021h 30Taking Back the NarrativeBringing the Moroccan Jewish Experience (historical & cultural) Into the Forefront; Featuring Jonathan Karten | Season II: Episode 3Take a deep-dive into the rich fabric of Jewish history in Morocco with special guest, Jonathan Karten, the CEO & Founder of the Iftach Group. The first Jews who arrived to Morocco were those who left Israel after the destruction of the First Temple. Then there were Amazigh Jews, which was a result of the very close bond the native population had with the newly arrived Jewish population, and the third wave of Jews in Morocco resulted from Sephardic Jews who were escaping the Inquisition after 1492. Join us, as Jonathan describes in detail his family history in Morocco, t...2023-06-161h 02Taking Back the NarrativeA Deep Dive Into the History of Cochin Jews: India's Oldest Jewish Community; Featuring Thapan Dubayehudi | Season II: Episode 2Indian Jews have a fascinating history, in that they are not one group, but several groups with different Diaspora stories. On this episode, I had the honor of speaking with Thapan Dubayehudi, a Professor of Foreign Languages, and also one of 15 members of the Cochin Indian Jewish community who currently remain in India. Thapan delves deeply into the history of Cochin Jews and their actual origins, which unfortunately has been shared and re-shared inaccurately by Jews from outside their community. Thapan also dispels the myth that there had never been antisemitism in India; in fact, during a ti...2023-05-241h 22Taking Back the NarrativeThe Sorry State of On-Campus Zionism Education; Featuring Marlene Artov | Season II: Episode 1The most common type of antisemitism these days comes in the form of anti-Zionism. This particular type of Jew-hatred is not just manifested online, within certain political parties, during anti-Israel marches and protests, but most increasingly on college campuses. And it does not remain on college campuses; it then spirals out of hand when college kids enter post-college life. These lies then spread into the media, into the halls of Congress, in popular culture, and is passed down to the next generation. Are Jewish groups who claim they are pro-Israel equipped to handle the necessary education needed t...2023-05-221h 21Taking Back the NarrativeWhy Zionism Education Needs an Overhaul: Featuring Naya Lekht; Part IIIn part II of the Why Zionism Education Needs an Overhaul episode, featuring Naya Lekht, a passionate and informative Zionist, and the Director of Education at Club Z, we tackle topics such as 'does politics belong in Zionism education,' and 'does religion?' We also emphasize what upcoming and established Zionism educators ought to be sharing, and look back on both the effective methodologies and mistakes we have made along our Zionism education journey. 2022-11-161h 02Taking Back the NarrativeWhy Zionism Education Needs an Overhaul: Featuring Naya Lekht - Part IAs pro-Israel organizations are multiplying, antisemitism is skyrocketing. Something is off. Tune in to a dynamic discussion between Naya Lekht, a passionate and informative Zionist, who is the Director of Education at Club Z, and myself. We delve deep into why the Zionism education space has largely been ineffective, what information is actually needed to be shared with both those who are Zionists and those who are not informed properly of the truth. When Zionists do not know history, proper historical-based terminology, and what the propagandists spew scarily effectively, it actually does more damage. 2022-10-261h 39Taking Back the NarrativeIsrael & Africa: Both a Complex and Promising Relationship: Featuring Olga Meshoe WashingtonWhat is the status of modern Christian Zionism? Does it come from an earnest place? Olga Meshoe Washington digs deep into this topic that is widely discussed among the Jewish community. Olga also lends her impressive background - both through work efforts (Club Z, IBSI), and through strong family ties - to educate both myself and the audience on the very complex relationship which exists between many African nations and Israel. Olga provides an eye-opening description of history, politics, and how propaganda was able to seep into legislative and diplomatic decisions. Additionally, Olga and I de...2022-10-201h 21Taking Back the NarrativeJews & Muslims: Can the Abraham Accords Transcend History?: Featuring Rabbi Dr. Elie AbadieTaking Back the Narrative is honored to feature in this episode Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie, a TBTN Advisory Committee Member, who is currently the Senior Rabbi, Jewish Council of the Emirates - Sharei Mizrah, among other notable titles. Rabbi Abadie's fascinating family history weaves together the movement, including accomplishments and tribulations, of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewry. Today, he makes his home proudly in Dubai, completing the circle of Jewry in Arab lands - from Jews who were often treated as second class citizens and later expelled, to now proudly expanding Jewish communities in certain Gulf countries. 2022-10-031h 17Taking Back the NarrativeJewish Victimization: How to Prevent It Physically & Spiritually; with Aaron Hadida | Episode 7Jews have an unfortunate reputation as victims - from the end of the Holocaust, that description has especially hard stuck. Lately, with antisemitic attacks on the rise, many Jews themselves have velcroed onto that descriptor. But, does it have to be that way? Tune into the informative and deep-dive conversation Aaron Hadida, a second-time guest, and I have about overcoming Jewish victimization - both physically and spiritually. We also tackle, among other subtopics, actions of Jewish organizations, the role of Israel, and cultural shifts in reclaiming strength as a people. And if you are curious...2022-09-051h 07
The Future of JewishFilling in the Historical Gaps About Israel, With Laureen LipskyLaureen Lipsky is the CEO and founder of Taking Back the Narrative, a Zionist education initiative. Her Israel and Jewish-oriented op-ed writing has been featured in The Federalist, American Thinker, Washington Examiner, Algemeiner, Israel Hayom, and Jewish News Syndicate.
The Future of Jewish is a podcast hosted by Joshua Hoffman. In each episode, Joshua is joined by top leaders, thinkers, and doers who are paving the path for a promising Jewish future.2022-08-3059 minTaking Back the NarrativeGrand Mufti: Progression of Jew Hate from Ottoman Arabist to Nazi War Criminal; Featuring Ido ReifDescription: Why the need to focus on a long-deceased Grand Mufti when numerous Imams today are saying that Jews are the sons of apes and pigs, and calling for the death of Jews? It is because Amin al-Husseini (the British Mandate-appointed Grand Mufti) is considered the father of modern terrorism against Jews and Israel. Born into a wealthy Ottoman-era family, al-Husseini was more Arab nationalist and focused his efforts on Arab unification with Syria, to create a pan-Arab nation (along with other areas of the Levant). But the tide quickly turned with the help of th...2022-08-151h 10Taking Back the NarrativeBritish Occupation: How the British Betrayed the Jews featuring Ido ReifThe British pendulum towards the Jewish homeland swung drastically from endorsing the Balfour Declaration in 1917 to lobbing off 78% of the land to create Jordan, and the issuance of the antisemitic White Papers. Ido Reif, in great detail and mastery of history, delves into the reasons behind the actions of the British, the conditions Jews had to live under, and how the British aided and abetted the Arab population through overtly antisemitic policies during the numerous riots against Jews. However, most damning is the British policies which directly implicated their role in the Holocaust. Even today...2022-08-151h 24Taking Back the NarrativeTough Jews: The True Nature of the Jewish Tribe; Featuring Aaron HadidaFor too long, the false narrative surrounding the Jewish people is that Jews are 'weak.' That misconception does a massive disservice to the true nature of the Jewish people - from being a force to deal with against the Romans, to holding back Crusaders at the Battle of Haifa in 1100 AD, to forming powerful resistance groups during WWII who were instrumental in rescuing numerous fellow Jews during the Holocaust, and of course the strength of the IDF -- Jews are a tough people. This episode features Aaron Hadida, the 'Bear Jew' and the epitome of Jewish...2022-08-151h 26Taking Back the NarrativeAmerican Jewry: How Did 'We' Get Here on Israel? Featuring Ariel GrunbergThis episode explores our respective journeys to being pro-Israel. And, thanks to Ariel's geo-strategic expertise, we delve into the historical and current issues driving the changing landscape of both domestic and international relationships regarding the Jewish homeland.2022-08-151h 22Taking Back the NarrativeFuture of Jewish featuring Joshua Hoffman (Founder of Izzy TV & Future of Jewish)Judaism and Jews are firmly rooted in a proud 5,000 year history, and thus, when describing anything Jewish, one focuses on the past. Joshua Hoffman, the Founder of Izzy - Stream Israel, realized that he could utilize the wisdom of Jewish history, spirituality, and philosophy to help shape the future of Jews. Future of Jewish is an important initiative that encourages Jews to think deeply about the Jewish ethos and peoplehood, and how best to improve ourselves for generations to come. Joshua and I delve into numerous topics - are we as a people too...2022-08-101h 12