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On October 7, Hamas terrorists stormed the Nova Music Festival in southern Israel. Among those taken hostage was Elkana Bohbot, who was working for the festival that morning. Before he was captured, Elkana called his wife Rebecca to tell her he was staying behind to help the wounded. He promised her he would come home. That was their last conversation.

In this episode, Rebecca shares who Elkana is as a husband and father – a man of joy, bravery, and kindness who never left anyone behind. She describes the pain of raising their son, who was just three years old when his father was taken, and how she explains his absence to him now.

Rebecca shares what she’s learned of Elkana’s condition in captivity and opens up about why she chose to start speaking out publicly, despite fears it might jeopardize his chances of release. This is a heartbreaking and deeply human conversation about the fight to bring Israel’s hostages home.

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Tel Aviv – Israel’s cultural and commercial heart – was rocked by direct missile strikes from Iran. In this episode, Aviva sits down with Deputy Mayor Asaf Zamir to discuss how the city is recovering from the attacks.

They explore what it felt like on the ground during the missile strikes, the challenges of rebuilding homes and lives, and whether Tel Aviv’s trademark confidence has been shaken. Asaf reflects on the emotional toll on residents, the scale of destruction, and Tel Aviv’s unique place in Israeli society – both as a symbol of defiance and as a hub of solidarity for the families of hostages still held in Gaza.

Guest Bio

Asaf Zamir is the First Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo and former Consul General of Israel in New York. A longtime public servant, Zamir previously served as a Member of Knesset for the Blue and White party and as Israel’s Minister of Tourism.

He began his political career in Tel Aviv, where he became the youngest Deputy Mayor in the city's history and has since led efforts on urban development, education, transportation, and LGBTQ+ rights.

A graduate of Tel Aviv University and the Sorbonne, Zamir is known for his commitment to strengthening civic life in Israel and deepening ties with Jewish communities abroad. He lives in Tel Aviv with his wife, actress Maya Wertheimer, and their two children.

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Aviva Klompas sits down with Jonah Platt to unpack what Zohran Mamdani’s rise means for New York and the broader Jewish community.

Mamdani, a 33-year-old socialist state legislator, is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor. His positions on Israel, refusal to condemn extremist slogans, and calls to arrest Israeli leaders have sparked alarm among many Jews.

Jonah shares his reaction to Mamdani’s win, whether this signals a deeper shift within the Democratic Party, and what it says about the political climate in America’s largest Jewish city. They discuss how the Jewish community should respond, what it’s like being an outspoken Jewish voice in Hollywood today, and why these conversations have become personal – even within his own family.

Guest Bio:

Jonah Platt is a trusted voice in the modern conversation on Jewish identity, culture, and current events. A true entertainment multi-hyphenate, Jonah has acted in prestige projects from Hollywood to Broadway (Wicked), written for many TV comedies, and is currently producing his first feature film, The Mensch, in which he will co-star alongside Ginnifer Goodwin. He is also a singer, musician, vocal arranger, director of improv and theater, and is currently co-writing the musical adaptation of Lois Lowry’s best-selling novel, The Giver. Jonah has written for Variety, Times of Israel, and USA Today. He’s appeared as an expert on NewsNation, Fox News Digital, and more.

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New research from Boundless shows that 40% of Americans don’t know that dozens of hostages are still being held by Hamas. And it’s clear from released hostages that those who remain are being starved, tortured, humiliated and denied medical care.

In this episode, host Aviva Klompas speaks with Idit Ohel, whose son Alon was kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on October 7. Alon arrived just half an hour before the massacre.

Idit shares what life has been like since Alon’s abduction and how she is fighting to keep his name and humanity front and center. This conversation is a reminder that behind every hostage is a life, a family, and a story the world must not ignore.

Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

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Ethel Berdah’s apartment in Tel Aviv was destroyed by an Iranian missile less than two weeks ago. In this episode, Ethel joins Aviva Klompas to share what it’s like to lose everything in an instant and how she’s navigating life in the aftermath.

Originally from France, Ethel moved to Israel to build a life, never imagining she’d be caught in the crosshairs of a war between regional superpowers. Her story offers a rare, personal glimpse into the human cost of living under the threat of Iranian attack.

Guest Bio:

Ethel Berdah is 41, originally from France, and has been living in Tel Aviv since 2012, after spending a few years in New York. She arrived just weeks before Operation Pillar of Defense, when rockets began firing at the city for the first time in decades — and chose to stay. She works in high tech at Mavens, a Zynga/Take-Two company, and lives with her husband and their dogs. Over time, her family joined her, and together they’ve built a life rooted in Israel.

She has lived through many conflicts over the years, but October 7 marked a moment when her commitment to this country became unshakeable. Most recently, her apartment was destroyed by an Iranian missile during the latest escalation.

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On the night of June 21, the United States launched direct military strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure for the first time in history. Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—long considered untouchable—were hit with precision by American forces. President Trump called the strikes a “spectacular military success” and declared that Iran’s key nuclear sites had been “completely and totally obliterated.”

Host Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States and one of the leading voices on U.S.–Israel strategy. Together, they explore what finally pushed the U.S. to act, whether this strike has truly neutralized the nuclear threat, how Iran is likely to respond, and whether America is prepared to go further if needed.

This episode offers essential insight into one of the most consequential military decisions in decades—and what it means for the future of the Middle East.

Referenced in the episode:

Iran Pulled the Trigger: Revisiting a Dirty Harry Moment

Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide

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As Israel engages in open warfare with Iran, Israel’s most senior envoy in Washington is in a different war zone—battling for U.S. support and moral clarity in the face of escalating threats.

Host Aviva Klompas sits down with Ambassador Yechiel Leiter to discuss the Iranian threat, the state of U.S. support, and what it will take to achieve victory. The conversation turns deeply personal as they discuss the recent murder of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and the profound loss of Ambassador Leiter’s son, Major Moshe Leiter, during combat in Gaza.

Ambassador Leiter reflects on his role as a bridge between Israel and the U.S. and the principles guiding Israel’s war effort—both on the battlefield and in the diplomatic arena.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Yechiel (Michael) Leiter was appointed Israel’s Ambassador to the United States in January 2025. A longtime public servant, he has served as adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Chief of Staff to then-Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and held senior roles in the Ministries of Education and Transportation. He holds a PhD in political philosophy and is the author of a Cambridge University Press book on John Locke and the Hebrew Bible. Ambassador Leiter is a father of eight. His eldest son, Maj. Moshe Yedidya Leiter—a doctor, special ops commander, and father of six—was killed in Gaza in November 2023.

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For years, the conflict between Israel and Iran played out in the shadows—through proxies, cyberattacks, and covert operations. Now it’s an open war. Iranian missiles have struck Israeli cities. Israel is hitting back deep inside Iranian territory.

In this episode, host Aviva Klompas speaks with Yair Lapid, Israel’s former Prime Minister and current Leader of the Opposition, about the scale and significance of this war. They explore the military campaign, the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program, and whether Israel can achieve its stated goals without broader international support.

Lapid offers insight into Israel’s strategy, evaluates the government’s response, and reflects on the role of the United States, regional allies, and the international community.

Guest Bio:

Yair Lapid served as Israel’s 14th Prime Minister and currently leads the opposition in the Knesset. He is the founder of the centrist Yesh Atid party and has held key roles including Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, and member of the Security Cabinet. Known for his focus on diplomacy, civil rights, and security, Lapid remains one of Israel’s most prominent political figures.