Michael Lucas wears many hats. Rising through the adult entertainment industry to become one of the top performers and producers, Lucas is also a passionate documentarian and lifelong activist. He has also, despite growing up in the antisemitic Soviet Union, been very connected to his Jewish heritage, and has always advocated for the State of Israel. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Lucas to discuss how he got into the entertainment business, the antisemitism he faced while trying to document Israel’s LGBT life, and his support for Israel in the face of potential boycotts.

Michael Lucas, Founder of Lucas Entertainment & Israel Advocate

It is more important than ever to find reliable news sources who can report the facts accurately. Since 2010, Tazpit Press Service (TPS) has been the only Israeli newswire agencies, now reaching over 10 million people worldwide and distributing over 5,000 articles per year. On this week’s episode, host Steven Shalowitz speaks once again to Amotz Eyal, Founder and CEO of TPS, this time in the agency’s Jerusalem office, to discuss TPS’ news operations, media bias from other newswires, and his memories of October 7.

Amotz Eyal, Founder and CEO of TPS

On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented wave of attacks on Israel Envelope communities, murdering men, women, and children with no remorse, taking hostages, and destroying the land that Israeli pioneers worked so hard to develop. Four months later, even as people still mourn their losses and pray for the safe return of loved ones, these communities are starting to rebuild. On this special IsraelCast episode, host Steven Shalowitz tours Kibbutz Be’eri, a small community located about five kilometers from Gaza, with longtime community member Rami Gold, who recounts his memories of October 7 and describes both the current environment of the Kibbutz and his community’s rebuilding efforts.

Rami Gold, Kibbutz Be'eri Resident

One of Jewish National Fund-USA’s valued affiliates, the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites (SPIHS) works tirelessly to preserve Israel’s history. In its 40-year existence, SPIHS has helped preserve over 180 sites around Israel, operating several directly as museums open to the public. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with SPIHS President and former Israeli Supreme Court Vice President Elyakim Rubinstein to discuss the importance of commemorating a nation’s history, what SPIHS has done to support Israelis post-October 7, and Israel’s fight for legitimacy on the international stage.

Judge Elyakim Rubinstein, Former Attorney General of Israel, Supreme Court Judge, and President of the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites (SPIHS)

Originally from a small Christian community in Lebanon, Jonathan El Khoury is now a prominent Israeli activist, working tirelessly to promote ties between Israel and the minority communities in them. His Reservists on Duty project has defended Israel from its detractors on college campuses across the United States, and El Khoury himself has supported the empowering of Israeli Christians and Muslims to enlist in the IDF. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with El Khoury to discuss growing up in and being forced to leave Lebanon, adjusting to life in Israel, and his thoughts on the October 7 attacks.

Jonathan Elkhoury, Israeli-Lebanese Christian speaker, LGBTQ+ activist, public diplomacy adviser, commentator and advocate for Israel

For over 2,000 years, Jews have survived and often thrived under extremely difficult circumstances. Author Gidi Grinstein believes the heart of Jewish continuity lies in our ability to adapt to our environments, as well as constant balance our community manages to strike between modernity and tradition. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Grinstein to discuss the interplay between orthodox and reforming Jewish communities, how that interplay has been critical to the Jewish People’s success, and how Israel simultaneously puts Jews in a position of power and vulnerability.

Gidi Grinstein, President and Founder, Reut Institute

Founded in 1993, Jerusalem Venture Partners has created and invested in over 165 companies in Israel, Europe, and the United States and now manages over $1.6B from some of the world’s leading international sovereign funds. Its success led to the founding of Margalit Startup City, whose model is based on specialized “Centers of Excellence” around the world, including Margalit Startup City Galil, a groundbreaking food and ag-tech platform supported by Jewish National Fund-USA. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Dr. Erel Margalit, Founder and Executive Chairman of JVP and Margalit Startup City Galil, to discuss the strategy behind JVP, the growing food-tech in the Galilee, and how Margalit Startup City Galil is poised to capitalize on the region’s opportunities.

Erel N. Margalit, PhD  Founder and Executive Chairman, Jerusalem Venture Partners

In “2048: The Rejuvenated State”, Ambassador Michael Oren sets out his vision for Israel in honor of Israel's 75th Independence Day 25 years in the future. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Ambassador Michael Oren live from JNF-USA’s Global Conference to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Israel discussed in his newly-released book and the impact of the October 7 on the future of the State of Israel.

Ambassador Michael Oren, Statesman, Historian, Soldier, and Author

Started in 2014 in the wake of ISIS’ rise to power, the Philos Project seeks to promote positive Christian engagement in the Near East by creating leaders, building community, and taking action in the spirit of the Hebraic Tradition. Primarily focused on supporting persecuted Christians in the Middle East, the project also aims to strengthen the relationship between Christians and Israel. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Luke Moon, Deputy Director of the Philos Project, to discuss its creation, the history of Christians in the Near East, and the importance of discussing difficult issues.

Luke Moon, Deputy Director, Philos Project

As Israel enters the ground invasion phase of its war with Gaza, public perception of Israel has fallen in the eyes of many, especially younger people who don’t have all the facts. In addition, international bodies like the United Nations and European Union have skewed pro-Arab to the detriment of Israeli lives. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Ruth Wasserman Lande, a former Israeli Knesset member, to discuss the hypocrisy of protesters supporting those whose values diametrically oppose they’re own, how Israel values Palestinian lives more than their own government, and Iran’s involvement in the attacks.

Ruth Wasserman Lande, Former member of Knesset and founder and co-chair of the Knesset Caucus for the promotion of the Abraham Accords

While Western leaders have near-universally backed Israel in the wake of Hamas’ horrific attacks, a shocking number of people have expressed support for Hamas, levelling the same false accusations against Israel they usually do. One thing often said is that Israel is an “Apartheid State” and will compare Israel’s requirement for self-defense to South Africa. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with South African activist Olga Meshoe Washington to discuss her journey to  becoming an advocate for the State of Israel, the history of Africa’s relationship with Israel and Jews, and why calling Israel apartheid is a ridiculous accusation that trivializes her people’s history.

Olga Meshoe Washington, COO, Club Z

With so many voices speaking out against the Jewish State, it’s gratifying to meet an unexpected ally. Yahya Mahamid was raised by his Arab community to hate Israel and everything it stands for, but through meeting other Israelis, he learned that everything he was taught was wrong. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Mahamid to discuss his journey to supporting Israel, the backlash he faced for it in his Arab community, and his thoughts on the recent terrorist attacks and subsequent war.

Yahya Mahamid, Arab Israeli Zionist, educator, and Israel advocate

Hamas’ recent brutal and unprovoked attack has primarily been focused on Israel’s Gaza Envelope region. But how has this attack affected the rest of the country? Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum to discuss the current environment in Jerusalem, organizing support from the international community, and the special resilience of the Jewish people. She also discusses Hamas and the fundamentalist nature of their regime, and how this a clear battle between good and evil.

Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Deputy Mayor, Jerusalem

In the wake of the unprecedented, unprovoked, and horrific attacks by Hamas from Gaza on civilian communities in Israel, Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Middle East expert Jonathan Schanzer, author of Gaza Conflict 2021: Hamas, Israel, and Eleven Days of War, the history of Hamas and its conflict with other Palestinian factions, and the future of policymaking regarding Israel and Hamas. The two discuss Israel’s intelligence failure, Iran’s fingerprints and its Ring of Fire strategy to strangle Israel, the broader regional picture and what this may mean to the conversations with Saudi Arabia, and what to look for in the coming days and weeks, especially vis a vis the possibility of a multi-front conflict.

Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, Senior Vice president for research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)

At the height of the Yom Kippur War, when Israel was at its lowest, famed poet and singer Leonard Cohen visited the country and did a series of performances that raised the spirits of a nation. Almost 50 years later, journalist and author Matti Friedman took a deep dive into Cohen’s impromptu tour with Who by Fire: War, Atonement, and the Resurrection of Leonard Cohen, which chronicles Cohen’s also delves into Cohen’s spiritual and professional crisis and reawakening. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Friedman once again to discuss his research on Leonard Cohen, Israel’s attitude during the Yom Kippur War, and the importance of Cohen’s appearance in boosting soldiers’ morale.

Matti Friedman, Journalist & Author

As artificial intelligence continues to increase in popularity, everyone is figuring out how to use AI to improve lives. And Israel is no exception. For Israeli embryologist Daniella Gilboa, co-founder and CEO of fertility treatment center AIVF, AI has been used to increase the success rate of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), making it easier for women who want children to conceive. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Gilboa to discuss the IVF process, how artificial intelligence improves that process, and why the human element is still necessary.

Daniella Gilboa, Co-founder and CEO of fertility treatment center AIVF

Colonel Richard Kemp is no stranger to conflict. For over 30 years, Colonel Kemp has commanded troops in hostile territory and been at the forefront of the battle against terrorism. Now, Kemp also advocates for Israel, often in places where Jew hatred runs rampant, from college campuses to news outlets. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Colonel Kemp to discuss the relationship between the British and Israeli military, his experiences advocating for Israel on college campuses, and where he thinks anti-Israel bias comes from.

Colonel Richard Kemp CBE

Dr. Shelley-Anne Peleg, Expert in archeology and conservation in Israel

For Ben M. Freeman, Jewish Pride is a movement long overdue. In his first book, Freeman discussed the need for a Jewish Pride movement similar to ones other minority groups have had. His latest book, Reclaiming our Story: The Pursuit of Jewish Pride, goes even deeper, delving into the impact of Jew-hate on Jews, the long history of internalized anti-Jewishness, and how to reclaim our identity and break the cycle. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Freeman to discuss his new book, the three types of internalized anti-Jewishness, and the perils of letting the non-Jewish world define our identity.

Ben M. Freeman, Founder of the modern Jewish Pride movement. Leader, Thinker, Educator

Positively singular in its goal of making complex information about the Middle East digestible and accessible, the Alma Research and Education Center has been educating people around the world on the in-depth geo-political situations Israel faces every day, offering field briefings at various lookout posts along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and Syria as well as lectures and workshops around the globe analyzing the developments in Israel’s border conflicts. Host Steven Shalowitz sits down with Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Sarit Zehavi, Founder and President of the Alma Research and Education Center, on her motivation for founding Alma, reaching the broadest audience possible, and how the truth is the best weapon they have.

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