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When the air raid sirens stop, the physical threat may pause—but the invisible weight of trauma begins. In Sderot, less than a mile from the Gaza border, mental health inquiries surged by an astonishing 500% following the events of October 7th.In this episode of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance sits down with Dr. Inon Ivgi, psychologist and founder of Makshivim. Based in Sderot, Dr. Ivgi leads a network of over 1,200 professionals providing crisis intervention and long-term psychological recovery. He breaks down what it truly means to live in a constant state of emergency, how caregivers protect their own mental health while treating others, and how Israelis draw on "pain and hope together" to build long-term resilience. -- Key Topics: - Mokshavim grew from 10 volunteers in 2019 to a network of more than 1,200 professionals; Ivgi said calls rose from 10-15 per day to about 7,000 daily after October 7. - Ivgi describes the acute strain on Sderot residents and on mental-health professionals who were themselves living through danger and uncertainty. - In the immediate emergency, people may rely on familiar routines and survival-focused coping; Ivgi emphasizes seeking professional treatment later to process trauma. - Therapists need support and their own treatment, including guidance and opportunities to share and process feelings. - Ivgi frames resilience not as a happy ending, but as learning to hold pain and hope together and to find ways to function amid uncertainty.He recommends building meaning and hope through personal, family, and community support. - Makshivim’s Iron Mental Foundation program supports reservist families through 18 meetings: 12 for children and six for parents, with follow-up over a year. - Ivgi says diaspora support can include sharing Israelis’ experiences, donations, collaborations, and making mental-health care more accessible. -- Follow Dr. Inon Ivgi and Makshivim: https://makshivim-il.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/makshivim/ https://www.facebook.com/makshivim.listener https://www.facebook.com/inon.ivgi.2025/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/inon-ivgi/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

How did an Orthodox Jewish senator from Connecticut reshape the American political center?In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," host Brad Pomerance sits down with Rob Schwartz, former chief of staff to Senator Joe Lieberman and producer of the documentary "Centered." Schwartz takes us behind the scenes of Lieberman’s historic 1988 U.S. Senate upset victory over Lowell Weicker, his groundbreaking Vice Presidential nomination in 2000, his close bond and international travels with Senator John McCain, and his steadfast commitment to bipartisanship. -- Key Topics: - Schwartz recalls Lieberman’s 1988 Connecticut Senate upset, including a 30-point polling deficit, a focused TV campaign, and a debate where Lieberman knew Lowell Weicker’s record better than Weicker did. - Lieberman’s Orthodox Jewish observance shaped his schedule: he stepped away for Shabbat, even during the 2000 vice-presidential campaign, and his faith was respected rather than used against him, Schwartz says. - Schwartz recounts the close friendship between Lieberman and John McCain, including their foreign-policy trips, shared hotel rooms, and the humor that marked their bond. - The conversation examines Lieberman’s support for McCain in 2008 and his Iraq War vote; Schwartz says Lieberman later regretted the decision in light of the postwar losses and costs. - After losing the 2006 Democratic primary, Lieberman ran as an independent, remained in the Senate caucus, and supplied a crucial vote during Harry Reid’s leadership. - Schwartz discusses Lieberman’s post-Senate work, including No Labels, and his view that he would have stayed a registered Democrat to help move the party back toward the center. - The discussion considers political polarization, antisemitism, and the difficulty of finding a comfortable political home for Jewish Americans across both parties. - Schwartz describes the film *Centered* and Civics 250, a free curriculum on government, voting, bipartisanship, civility, and conflict resolution, as well as resources for community screenings. -- Follow Rob Schwartz & Hidden Light Institute: https://www.facebook.com/rob.schwartz.562 https://www.facebook.com/hiddenlightinstitute/ https://www.instagram.com/hiddenlightinstitute/ https://www.hiddenlightinstitute.org/ -- Check Out The Documentary "Centered": https://centeredfilm.com/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

Can you believe that three million people, maybe even more, speak "Jewish English"? In this episode of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance welcomes back Professor Sarah Bunin Benor (Hebrew Union College, USC, and the Jewish Language Project) to decode the unique intonations, grammar rules, and surprising origins of words we use every day—from schlep and nosh to modern Hebrew influences. Together they explore the fascinating world of Jewish English. From the Yiddish words hidden in daily speech to regional differences in England and South Africa, Professor Benor breaks down how Jewish English is evolving—shifting from older Yiddishisms toward modern Hebrew terms. -- Key Topics - Linguistic features of Jewish English, including topicalization and intonation - The origins and development of Jewish English as a distinct linguistic continuum - The influence of pop culture, including TV shows like Seinfeld and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, on Jewish language - Variations of Jewish English across different regions such as South Africa, England, and Australia - The impact of historical and social factors on the evolution of Jewish languages and dialects -- Follow Sarah: https://www.jewishlanguages.org/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahbenor/ https://www.facebook.com/sarah.benor https://twitter.com/SarahBenor/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

If two-thirds of Jewish Americans view their Jewish identity through culture or ancestry rather than religion, why do government agencies only track Judaism as a faith or religion? In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," host Brad Pomerance sits down with David Bocarsly, Executive Director of Jewish California, to discuss the historic, unanimous passage of California Senate Bill 1387. California has officially become the first state in the nation to recognize Judaism as an ethnic and ancestral category in state data collection.David addresses the real concerns surrounding government lists of Jewish people, explains how this ethnic data may unlock vital funding opportunities for Jewish social services and medical research, and shares Jewish California's vision to expand this groundbreaking model to the other 49 states as well as the federal government. -- Key Topics: - Redefinition of Jewish identity beyond religion - Legislative process and support for SB 1387 - Implications for health data collection and genetic research - Impact on hate crime statistics and law enforcement - Concerns about data privacy and historical trauma - Potential for federal adoption and nationwide impact -- Follow David: https://www.facebook.com/davidbocarsly/ https://twitter.com/davidbocarsly https://www.instagram.com/davidbocarsly/ https://www.jewishcal.org/team --Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

Is criticism of Israel completely separate from hatred of Jews, or is the world’s oldest prejudice being repackaged? In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," host Brad Pomerance sits down with Rutgers University social psychologist Dr. Kent Harber to break down groundbreaking research tracking over 1,100 Americans. Dr. Harber reveals the shocking data behind how classic anti-Semitic tropes are channeled through modern conspiracy theories to fuel anti-Israel outrage—explaining the 55% statistical bridge that critics try to ignore. -- Key Topics: - The relationship between anti-Semitism and anti-Israel hostility - How conspiracy beliefs serve as a bridge between Jew hatred and anti-Israel attitudes - The role of social media in spreading conspiracy theories - Measurement and distinction between anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment - Implications for policy and social understanding -- Follow Kent: https://www.facebook.com/kent.harber/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kent-harber-785a5a10/ -- Read About The Study Here: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2027-76409-003 -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

For over 1,500 years, the Beta Israel community of Ethiopia lived in complete isolation—convinced they were the last remaining Jews on Earth. In this episode of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance speaks with multilingual content creator, speaker, and Ethiopian-Israeli influencer Brhan Leibman. Brhan shares her family’s astonishing journey from the remote villages of Ethiopia to Jerusalem. She reveals how her mother shockingly discovered her own Jewish identity through a childhood slur, how her family guarded a 400-year-old holy text in the Ge'ez language, and why the popular "rescue" narrative of Operations Moses and Solomon ignores the incredible agency and deadly sacrifices made by Ethiopian Jews themselves. -- Key Topics: - Ethiopian Jewish history and culture - Family stories and migration from Ethiopia to Israel - The significance of Torah scrolls and religious practices - The narrative of rescue and agency in migration - Experiences of Ethiopian Jews in Israel, including challenges and identity -- Follow Brhan: https://www.instagram.com/brhan_leibman/ https://www.tiktok.com/@beyoubrhan https://www.facebook.com/p/Brhan-Worku-Activist-and-Educator-61572150804864/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brhan-worku/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

Only 25 states in America legislatively mandate Holocaust education—and in a post-October 7th world, even those mandates are facing unprecedented pushback, cancellations, and political conflation. In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," host Brad Pomerance speaks with Samantha Abramson, Executive Director of The Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center (HERC) and J-Hub, about the struggle to maintain Holocaust education mandates, how educators handle social media misinformation, and how JHub is creating safe, inclusive spaces for Jewish identity in K-12 classrooms. -- Key Topics: - Legislative success in Wisconsin for Holocaust education - The impact of October seventh on school curricula - The role of Holocaust survivors and their descendants in education - Addressing misinformation and social media influence - Efforts to include Jewish identity and culture in public schools - The creation and goals of J-Hub for K-12 education - Strategies for building relationships with diverse school districts - Challenges and solutions in teaching about sensitive topics -- Follow The Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center: https://holocaustcentermilwaukee.org/ https://www.facebook.com/HERCmilwaukee https://www.instagram.com/hercmilwaukee/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hercmilwaukee/home/ -- Follow J-Hub: https://jhubresources.org/ https://www.facebook.com/jHUBCle -- Follow Samantha: https://www.facebook.com/samantha.abramson.2025 https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-abramson-18683450/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

How does a local Jewish publication thrive in an era where major media outlets are collapsing? And why does a state with just a 1% Jewish population consistently shatter political and cultural expectations?In this episode of Can You Believe?, host Brad Pomerance joins Rob Golub, editor of the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle and founder of SuccessfulJournalism.com. Together, they unpack why smaller heartland Jewish communities often build stronger bonds than massive coastal metro communities—and why shifting from "covering" news to “serving” readers, speaking to their emotions and community connections, might just save local and niche journalism. -- Key Topics: - The importance of serving the community through journalism - How to create emotional connections with readers - Strategies for covering sensitive issues like anti-Semitism and Israel-Gaza - The impact of local culture and Midwest Nice on Jewish communities - The story of Jonathan Brostoff and mental health awareness in journalism -- Follow The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle: https://www.jewishchronicle.org https://www.instagram.com/thewisconsinjewishchronicle https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinJewish https://twitter.com/WIJewish -- Follow Rob: https://www.facebook.com/robgolub https://twitter.com/robgolub https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-golub-4b20191b/ -- To Get A More In Depth Look Into Jonathan Brostoff's Story: Friends say Alderman Jonathan Brostoff’s tragic death came after months of bullying, tied to his Jewish and Zionist identities:https://www.jewishchronicle.org/2024/12/04/friends-say-alderman-jonathan-brostoffs-tragic-death-came-after-months-of-bullying-tied-to-his-jewish-and-zionist-identities/ Diana Vang-Brostoff to speak on suicide prevention, nine months after Alderman Jonathan Brostoff’s death https://www.jewishchronicle.org/2025/09/05/diana-vang-brostoff-to-speak-on-suicide-prevention-nine-months-after-alderman-jonathan-brostoffs-death/ -- Check Out Rob's Site: https://www.successfuljournalism.com/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

Over 75% of American Jews trace their roots back to the massive immigration wave through Ellis Island that ended in 1924. But as generations pass, the living memory of that era is fading.In this episode of Can You Believe?, Brad Pomerance sits down with Professor Joel Dinerstein of Tulane University, author of The Last of the Ellis Island Jews. As one of the few surviving witnesses to that late-era Jewish American migration wave, Joel shares hilarious, heartwarming, and deeply personal stories about growing up in a world filled with Yiddish cadence, cousins clubs, and old-world traditions. -- Key Topics: - The migration wave of Jews from Eastern Europe to America - Impact of immigrant upbringing on Jewish identity - The role of food and family in Jewish culture - The influence of the Holocaust on Jewish American consciousness - The changing landscape of Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn - Generational differences in Jewish experience and memory - The significance of diaspora identity in modern Jewish life - The decline of Yiddish and traditional Jewish communities - The cultural legacy of the last Ellis Island generation -- Buy Professor Joel Dinerstein's Book: The Last Jews Of Ellis Island: A Brooklyn Memoir https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNC3J3V8?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback -- Follow Professor Joel Dinerstein: https://twitter.com/JoelDinerstein https://www.instagram.com/jndprez/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-dinerstein-7611691/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

Adolf Hitler meant for the 1936 Berlin Olympics to be a global showcase of Nazi supremacy. Instead, a group of extraordinary Jewish athletes swept the podiums and took home Olympic hardware—right in front of Hitler himself.In this episode of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance is joined by legendary collector Neil Keller, owner of over 22,000 rare historical artifacts. Neil reveals actual 1936 Olympic gold medals, rare archival photographs, and original family heirlooms that bring these forgotten sports heroes back to life. -- Key Topics: - Neil Keller's collection of Jewish memorabilia - The 1936 Berlin Olympics and Jewish success - Notable Jewish athletes like Yblolya Csak and Helene Mayer - The significance of artifacts like medals, photographs, and star badges - The impact of anti-Semitism and Nazi propaganda - Stories of survival and legacy of Jewish athletes - The role of memorabilia in Holocaust education and remembrance -- Follow Neil: https://neilkeller.com/ https://www.facebook.com/neil.keller.9/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/neildkeller/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

When you walk into a therapy session, you expect a sanctuary—a safe, politically neutral space to process trauma, anxiety, and personal grief. But in the wake of October 7th, that safe space was shattered for many Jewish patients and clinicians. In this eye-opening episode of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance sits down with Dr. Shelly Steinwurtzel, Psy.D., co-founder of Gesher Community Care, to address the growing shift toward "decolonizing therapy" and the anti-Zionist politicization of the mental health field. Together, they confront hard-hitting questions about the current state of psychoanalysis. -- Key Topics: - The impact of October 7th on therapy as a safe space - The concept of decolonizing therapy and its implications - The coordinated efforts to politicize and undermine Jewish therapists - The role of the American Psychological Association in Jewish advocacy - The creation and mission of Gesher Community Care - Intersectionality and its challenges for Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities - The importance of cultural and ethnic identity in therapy - The ethical considerations in politicized therapeutic environments -- Follow Dr. Shelly: https://www.instagram.com/shellbelle710/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochelle-shelly-steinwurtzel/ https://www.facebook.com/shelly.steinwurtzel -- To Contact Shelly or Gesher Community Care: www.geshercampuscare.org Geshercc.org [email protected] -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

"Can Jew Believe?" that the factory from 'Schindler’s List' actually belonged to a Jewish family who had no idea it saved 1,200 lives until decades later? In 1938, the Low-Beer family was forced to flee Czechoslovakia, leaving behind one of Europe’s largest textile empires. Decades after WWII ended, Daniel Low-Beer’s father picked up the book Schindler’s Ark—only to realize the famous factory where Oskar Schindler sheltered 1,200 Jews was his own stolen family property. In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," host Brad Pomerance (who reveals his own family link to Schindler's List) sits down with Daniel Low-Beer to uncover this jaw-dropping story of loss, discovery, and survival. -- Key Topics: - Family history and connection to Czechoslovakia - The impact of WWII and Nazi occupation on Jewish families - Oskar Schindler's role and the factory's history - The post-war communist era and family scattering - Efforts to restore and turn the factory into a museum - The importance of preserving Holocaust history and survivor testimonies -- Support and Follow Daniel Low-Beer: https://arksfoundation.net/ https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B006YVWNXG?ccs_id=9de7c96d-506d-4a57-b33a-c92404a616f2 https://www.facebook.com/daniel.lowbeer/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-low-beer-128747185/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

From the heart of the Pale of Settlement to the devastation of the Second World War to secretly praying behind closed Soviet doors, the history of Jewish life in Belarus is one of survival, resilience, and rich heritage.Join host Brad Pomerance as he talks with Artur Livshyts, leader of the Jewish Religious Union in Belarus, about the deep roots of Belarusian Jews and the modern efforts to preserve historic synagogues and cemeteries for future generations. Artur also shares his extraordinary personal journey—from learning about Judaism in secret in the Soviet Union, to studying Judaism openly in America as a 12-year-old who didn't speak English, to returning home to spearhead the rebirth of Belarusian Jewish life. -- Key Topics - Jewish migration waves into Belarus - Impact of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth - Jewish life during the Soviet era - Holocaust by bullets in Belarus - Revitalization of Jewish heritage and communities --To Learn More About Artur's Mission, Watch Documentary "Memory Embrace: The Brest Jewish Cemetery" Available Below: - English: https://plus.jltv.tv/play/699f4f339e50cb2b41fc3d77/401b16ea-b780-415e-8ee0-786ec176f9b1 - English with Russian Subtitles: https://plus.jltv.tv/play/699f4f339e50cb2b41fc3d77/401b16ea-b780-415e-8ee0-786ec176f9b1 -- Follow Artur: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artur-livshyts-200252134/ https://www.facebook.com/artur.livshyts/ -- Follow The Together Plan: https://www.thetogetherplan.com https://www.instagram.com/thetogetherplan/ https://www.facebook.com/TheTogetherPlan/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial-- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

Before Indiana was even a state, early Jewish immigrants were shaping the American Midwest—as fur traders, lawmakers, and military leaders. Yet, many of these stories have been lost to time. Join host Brad Pomerance and guest Michael Brown, Executive Director of the Indiana Jewish Historical Society as they travel back to 18th- and 19th-century Indiana, the Hoosier state, to highlight four towering Jewish figures who defied the odds and made American history. -- Key Topics - The role of the Gratz brothers in early Indiana land acquisition and trade - Samuel Judah's groundbreaking political career as the first Jewish speaker of a state house - Frederick Knefler's military service and abolitionist stance during the Civil War - Louis Brandeis' roots in Indiana and his rise to the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice - The impact of Jewish immigrants from Prague and their contributions to Indiana's development -- Follow The Indiana Jewish Historical Society: https://www.ijhs.org/ https://www.facebook.com/IndianaJHS/followers https://www.instagram.com/indianajewishhistory/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/indiana-jewish-historical-society/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

In this episode of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance sits down with Ken Marcus, founder and executive director of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under the Law. Marcus—a former Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights —unpacks how anti-Zionism is being weaponized in classrooms, campuses and private institutions. From Berkeley Law groups banning Zionist speakers to private schools expelling bullied Jewish students, learn how litigators are using federal and state laws to fight back. -- Key Topics - History of anti-Semitism in America - The work of the Louis D. Brandeis Center - Legal strategies to combat hate and anti-Semitism - The significance of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition - The concept of the third emancipation and its goals -- Follow Ken Marcus: https://twitter.com/Klmarcus https://www.linkedin.com/in/klmarcus/ https://twitter.com/brandeiscenter -- Follow Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law: https://www.facebook.com/brandeiscenter/ https://www.instagram.com/brandeiscenter/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandeiscenter/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial