On Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Margarita interviews Holocaust survivor - Miriam Griver. Miriam lived through the Holocaust as a child, and she talks about her family's brave, unbelievable story of survival.

Miriam's father survived years in Auschwitz followed by the Death March. Miriam and her older sister hid in the trash in their ghetto to save themselves.

Miriam reflects on her life, tells us how she channeled her story into an incredibly successful career of Jewish philanthropy, and leaves us with a powerful message to future Jewish generations.

On Yom HaShoah, consider donating to The Blue Card fund which supports Holocaust survivors in need -https://bluecardfund.org/

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

04:03 Miriam's impressive career & life in Israel

10:03 The story of Miriam's family during the Holocaust

36:50 Miriam's reflections on living in Israel post Oct 7th

42:02 Miriam's message to young Jewish people

Estie Rose and Shari Ungerleider from JScreen join People Jew Wanna Know to discuss Jewish genetic diseases. JScreen is a non-profit on a mission to give every adult in the US access to preventive genetic testing and counseling.

In this insightful conversation, they discuss the history of Jewish genetic conditions, what options are available to genetic carriers who want to have children, and how the observant Jewish community views reproductive care. Jscreen is doing vital work in helping form healthy, Jewish families.

Check out Jscreen at jscreen.org and follow them on Instagram @getjscreened

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:15 Faces of JScreen - The story of Estie & Shari

09:04 How many families are affected by Jewish genetic diseases every year?

12:30 What options are there for carriers of Jewish genetic diseases who want to have children?

14:42 How does the observant Jewish community view reproductive care?

18:50 On autism

20:21 What is JScreen? History of Jewish genetic diseases

27:15 Health insurance SUCKS!

28:20 Are there any emerging discoveries in Jewish genetics?

34:28 A message to aspiring Jewish parents

35:09 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Rapper and producer, Westside Gravy, joins People Jew Wanna Know podcast to reflect on his career, his music, and his Black/Jewish/Russian-speaking identity.

This conversation takes a surprising turn when Margarita and Gravy dive into the legacy of his grandfather, Mikhail Shufutinsky, who is a famous Russian singer. Gravy talks about his upbringing and how it inspired his music. They also discuss BLM and Gravy's reflections on the black community.

Check out Westside Gravy anywhere you get your music and follow him on Instagram @westsidegravy

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

04:08 On Westside Gravy's upbringing & career

05:33 Gravy's Black/Jewish/Russian-speaking identity & how he made Aliyah

08:35 Response to Gravy's music post Oct 7th

10:28 Gravy's take on black/Jewish relations, issues with BLM, & Margarita's experience in Minneapolis

25:52 Gravy's Russian-Jewish identity & the influence of Mikhail Shufutinsky

36:00 Westside Gravy's message to us

41:15 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Stephanie Butnick joins People Jew Wanna Know to chat all things Jewish life, lifestyle, and her new project - Golda.

After 13 years at Tablet Magazine, 10 of which Stephanie co-hosted Unorthodox Podcast, Golda is her latest endeavor.

In this lighthearted and uplifting episode, learn about "the what, the why, and the stuff" from Stephanie.

Follow Stephanie Butnick on Instagram @sbutnick and @goldaguide . Subscribe to Golda at www.goldaguide.com

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:07 The beauty of Hamantaschen & Stephanie's career path

06:44 What is Golda?

11:30 Unorthodox Podcast

15:50 Best kept secrets of podcasting

20:44 How Margarita put up a mezuzah

26:20 What is Stephanie optimistic about?

33:41 What will the Jewish community look like in 50 years?

41:26 Influencer compensation - the good, the bad, & the ugly

48:38 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Margarita chats with Liz Glazer - award-winning standup comedian, actor, writer, and recovering lawyer.

They discuss only the most relevant things to comedy & law - knocking on wood, taking molly, being married to a Rabbi, and eating horse meat. This episode is 100% Halachically questionable.

Follow Liz on Instagram @lizglazer and check out her website dearlizglazer.com . Listen to Liz's podcast, Together We're Straight, anywhere you get your podcasts.

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

04:28 Knock On Wood & Liz's story

9:00 What did Liz learn from practicing law before pivoting to comedy?

14:00 The story of how Liz did Molly

19:47 Margarita's story about negotiating at work & school

25:05 On being married to a Rabbi

30:39 Life as a comedian post Oct 7

35:53 HORSE MEAT

42:40 Liz's podcast - Together We're Straight

45:53 Liz's message to the Jewish world

48:34 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

This week, Margarita chats with Samuel J. Hyde who is a writer and intellectual based out of Tel Aviv, Israel. He is also a fellow at The Jewish People Policy Institute.

Samuel is an expert on the Israeli Palestinian conflict, specializing in Radical Islamism. In his highly intelligent, clear, and no BS way, Samuel breaks down exactly what's preventing us from finding peace and what steps we can take to get there.

Follow Samuel J. Hyde on Instagram @samuelj.hyde to keep up with his writing and work.

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

06:00 Samuel's upbringing & the path to becoming a researcher/expert on the Middle East

12:00 On The Jewish People Policy Institute

14:56 The influence of Radical Islamism & how it makes a zero-sum game in establishing peace with Israel

27:35 "We need to be sober about the Issue" - there's no peace while Jihadism exists

28:38 How Saudis & Emirates deradicalized their education systems

33:30 "The frameworks for peace are not there on the Palestinian side"

36:00 There was no dissent or opposition from Palestinians when peace deals were rejected

36:50 A discussion on the West Bank settlements & why they're bad for Israel

51:33 What has Samuel changed his mind on?

56:53 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Raizel and Dani Namdar from That Jewish Family join People Jew Wanna Know Podcast to reflect on their 3+ years of nomadic travel visiting 35 countries.

As a Chasidic family, Raizel, Dani, and their kids are breaking stereotypes about the observant Jewish community and inspiring thousands all over the world to make the leap and enjoy travel.

Follow That Jewish Family on all social platforms @ThatJewishFamily

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

04:03 Who is That Jewish Family & why did they start their channel?

06:32 Raizel & Dani's unconventional dating story

10:25 Has That Jewish Family inspired other Orthodox/Hasidic people to travel?

12:55 Trip to Fiji & keeping kosher in remote places

17:00 "On the other side of fear is freedom"

18:30 Has That Jewish Family experienced antisemitism on their travels?

26:06 What has inspired Raizel & Dani from non-Jewish communities all over the world?

30:30 On the minimalism of travel

31:53 What's next for That Jewish Family now that they have a home base?

34:00 Next travel destination for That Jewish Family

35:23 How Margarita went to see the Ohel of Levi Schneerson

38:50 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Adam Scott Bellos, an entrepreneur, political commentator, social media figure, and ardent Zionist joins People Jew Wanna Know Podcast to drop some hot takes on the current landscape for American Jews.

Adam has grown on social media for his ardent criticisms of organizations like ADL and JNF, as well as criticisms of Jewish activists and influencers.

His provocative and controversial commentary challenging the organizations and people who claim to protect us makes you wonder - but does he have a point?

While Margarita does not agree on numerous things with Adam, this thought-provoking episode revisits the age old question: Are we Jews first and American second?

Follow Adam Scott Bellos on Instagram @adamscottbellos_

Follow The Israel Innovation Fund @t.i.i.f

Follow Wine On The Vine @wine_on_the_vine

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

09:00 Who is Adam Scott Bellos & what does he work on?

12:32 Adam's criticism of Jewish nonprofits & influencers

15:50 "If you can't write checks, you do not matter"

20:14 The disconnect between American Jews & Israeli Jews

21:00 "I'm sick of hearing about the f*cking Holocaust"

25:00 Should all Jews live in Israel?

26:11 On the 4 types of Jews during the Roman Empire & how it relates to today

38:35 Would the issue be fixed if Jewish orgs ran like a for-profit business instead of nonprofit?

49:10 "The world will only see you as a Jew. Get over it."

50:50 On The ADL Antisemitism Policy Paper

53:00 Where the money could go instead of funding executive salaries - what are the solutions?

59:34 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination