On today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten an interview with Israel activist Rabbi Avi Schwartz. Schwartz’s latest project is called “The Zionist Minute,” a series of short educational video segments made by high profile figures on what Zionism means to them. In addition, Schwartz, whose father was a Palmach war hero in Israel’s War of Independence, discusses how he is educating teens to be future Zionist leaders in the footsteps of the Palmach’s teachings and traditions.

Photo Credit: Flickr / zeevveez

On today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, an interview with JJ Sussman, International Director at Gesher, an organization which facilitates respectful dialogue between all diverse segments of Israeli society. Sussman discusses how his organization has shifted its model as a result of Coronavirus where physically bringing people together is nearly impossible. Sussman talks about the relevance of Gesher’s work, especially now as Jews around the world are getting set to commemorate Tisha B’Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, which symbolizes disunity. The goal is that one day soon, there will be Ahavat Chinam – unconditional love between Jews, as opposed to baseless hatred.

On today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, an interview with author Jodi Samuels upon the release of her new book Chutzpah, Wisdom, and Wine. In the book Samuels shares her journey from Johannesburg to Jerusalem via New York, as a community leader, world traveler, special needs advocate, outreach initiator – hosting hundreds of people in her home for events and Shabbat meals, and much more!

On today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, a very special interview with Ashager Araro, the founder of Battae (“my house” in Amaharic), the Ethiopian Israeli Heritage Center in Tel Aviv. Araro, who was born in the desert as her parents literally walked to Israel on foot from Ethiopia, with her mom being nine months pregnant, shares her family’s heroic personal story of Zionism. Like many new ventures Battae, which opened in 2019, is suffering the pinch caused by the Coronavirus, and as a result Araro has founded a campaign in order to continue her mission to educate about Ethiopian Israeli heritage.

Photo Credit: Benny Vainer

On today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, an interview with Joseph Gitler, Founder and Chairman of Leket, Israel’s National Food Bank. During the Corona crisis, the organization had to adjust its model in order to provide thousands of prepared meals for those in need, including those vulnerable populations who couldn’t leave their homes. For the past 17 years Leket has rescued immeasurable amounts of food to assist the hungry throughout the country.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons / Colenyj

On today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, a very special interview with David Angel, Director of Strategic Partnerships for Ogen, an Israeli non-profit which lends money to those in need through donations and impact investments. The organization has raised over $30 million to help small businesses and others struggling under the Coronavirus pandemic. Plus in the second half of the show – all the latest news from Israel. Will Israel apply sovereignty to Judea and Samaria on July 1? The verdict is still out.

As predicted by the Biblical commentator Rashi centuries ago, Israel this week was accused by an EU leader of violating the Seventh Commandment of “Thou shalt not steal,” because of the current plan to apply sovereignty in parts of Judea and Samaria. But as the famous commentary suggests, the Bible begins by describing how G-d created the world in order to show that he gave out all of the lands on earth as he saw fit – giving the Land of Israel, including Judea and Samaria, to the Jewish people. Listen to today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, and hear for yourselves, how the ancient text comes to life in our times with outside forces accusing the Jews of being thieves and bandits in our own land.

On today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, an interview with Daniel Gindis one of the founders of Tel Aviv’s Kerem House – a unique facility for immigrants and native-born Israelis to gather for social events, Shabbatot, or to launch their careers using space provided by the facility. The Kerem House serves as a unifying social initiative which brings Tel Avivians together from all religious or cultural backgrounds. Also on the show, the latest news from Israel including how one well-known Israeli used his influence to help the UAE pen an op-ed against Israeli policy. No, that’s not a Purim Shpiel.

On today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten an interview with well-known educator Rabbi Uri Pilichowski from Mitzpe Yericho. Pilichowski and a group of leaders from Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria released a statement this week encouraging Israel to move forward with the application of sovereignty despite reservations about the Trump administration’s “deal of the century.” The group stressed that they feel President Trump and his team are the best friends Israel has ever had in the White House, and therefore Israelis should be grateful for their support.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia / The White House from Washington, DC

With US cities on fire as a result of rioting and looting following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, anti-Israel groups are doing their best to compare or even blame the Jewish State for Floyd’s death and the state of race relations in the US. At the same time, Jewish stores and businesses were ransacked in Los Angeles, along with graffiti calling on Americans to “kill the Jews.” The events of the past few days show that the phenomena of the Jewish scapegoat is alive and well. All of this and the latest news from Israel on this week’s edition of Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten.

Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston