On the second anniversary of October 7th, host Tami Sussman sits down with Nova Festival survivor Natalie Sanandaji, an Iranian-American Jewish woman who narrowly escaped the Hamas attacks.

Natalie discusses her transformation from New York real estate professional to full-time advocate fighting antisemitism, her unique perspective as someone with both Israeli and Iranian heritage and why she believes this conflict extends far beyond Israel and Palestine.

She opens up about survivor's guilt, the responsibility she feels to speak for those who can't, and the surprising support she's received from the Iranian diaspora.

Tami and Natalie discuss the vital importance of bearing witness, the broader threats to women and minorities and why breaking out of echo chambers is essential for meaningful change.

Follow Natalie and her incredible work:

https://www.instagram.com/natalie.sanandaji/?hl=en

Footage of Natalie being reunited with Moshe Saati who saved her life on Oct 7:

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/12/21/exp-nova-festival-reunion-will-ripley-pkg-122112aseg2-cnni-world.cnn

A special thank you to the National Council of Jewish Women

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At Australia's largest congregation, Emanuel Synagogue, a historic transition is underway as the High Holy Days approach. Longstanding Senior Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins has announced he is passing the metaphorical shofar to Rabbi Jacqueline Nino. Tami and Dash sat down with this wise and inspiring rabbinic duo to discuss legacy, leadership, and how Jeffrey has played 'the long game.'

Oh, and Tami and Dash have an announcement of their own!

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Tami and Dash sit down with chef, author, influencer and newly minted award-winner Ellie Bouhadana. From the kitchen to the page, Ellie has been cooking up more than focaccia. Catch a glimpse of Ellie's table :)

Articles relevant to today's episode:

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/the-best-jewish-australian-books-of-the-past-year

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/writer-awards-celebrate-talent-in-face-of-discrimination

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In the middle of the upcoming Jewish High Holy Days, SHIR Australian Jewish Music Festival is returning to stages in Sydney and Melbourne. This year's theme, Songs of Strength, will see Jewish music ranging from musical theatre to pop, liturgical to the latest releases from Israel - including the song that propelled Yuval Raphael to second place at Eurovision, New Day Will Rise.

But behind this celebration lies a more complex story. What does it mean to create music when your very identity has become controversial? In this raw conversation, Australian music icon Deborah Conway and SHIR festival director Ben Adler reveal the personal and professional costs of being Jewish artists in post-October 7th Australia - from cancelled performances and security concerns to the artistic defiance that keeps them creating.

Articles related to this week's episode:

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/if-i-have-to-pick-a-hill-to-die-on-exposing-antisemitism-among-the-good-is-the-one

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/extreme-intolerance-deborah-conway-on-the-pro-palestinian-protestors-who-wouldnt-let-her-sing

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/deborah-conway-in-conversation-with-ramona-koval

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/australian-music-video-goes-viral-in-support-of-israel

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/chutneys-debut-album-is-a-klezmer-tasting-jar

More information about SHIR:

https://www.shir.com.au/

And about Deborah and Ben's music and upcoming shows:

https://www.deborahconway.com/

https://www.chutneyband.com/

You won’t regret subscribing to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.au

Tami and Dash on Instagram: tami_sussman_bits and dashiel_and_pascoe

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After welcoming over one million visitors since opening its doors in 1992, the Sydney Jewish Museum is embarking on an ambitious and brave transformation that speaks directly to our tumultuous present moment.

Senior Curator Shannon Biederman shares a curator's perspective on navigating the delicate balance between preserving Holocaust testimony and celebrating living Jewish culture in the post-October 7 age.

The week's episode is sponsored by the Sydney Jewish Museum

Articles related to this week's episode:

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/expanded-sydney-jewish-museum-aims-to-challenge-prejudice-with-pride

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/sydney-jewish-museum-to-build-new-cultural-centre-in-major-expansion

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/video-sydney-jewish-museum-immortalises-holocaust-survivors-3d-technology

More information about the redevelopment:

https://capitalappeal.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/

Submit your 'Chai-lights'

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Tami and Dash sit down with the incomparable Alexis Fishman: one of Australia’s most dynamic Jewish performers.

Ahead of her upcoming performance in Anne Being Frank (presented by Monstrous Theatre, Neil Gooding Productions and The Shalom Collective) Alexis talks about the politics of Jewish representation on stage and what it really takes to sustain a creative career across Australia and New York.

The interview is candid, cheeky and full of some great "Ashamed to Admits"

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/alexiss-musical-journey-new-york-amy-beyond

Buy tickets to Anne Being Frank here:

https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/theatre/anne-being-frank

Did you know Tami and Alexis are different people?

Tami: https://www.instagram.com/tami_sussman_bits/?hl=en

Alexis: https://www.instagram.com/alexis_fishman/?hl=en

You won’t regret subscribing to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.au

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In this episode, Tami sits down with illustrator, author and all-round creative powerhouse Beck Feiner for a conversation that’s equal parts Jewy, chewy and a little bit shamey. Tami and Beck cover the full spectrum: from having proud Jewish mums and to online dating, Jewish weddings (and divorces) to why Jewish South African immigrants often find themselves the butt of jokes. They also tackle a thornier question: in the current climate, are Jewish-themed picture books still commercially possible? As always, expect a mix of light, shade and the kind of honesty that makes us just a little bit ashamed to admit…

Book tickets to Jewish &

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/events/jewish-2

Beck’s website:

www.beckfeinercreations.com

Articles adjacent to this episode:

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/should-i-say-im-jewish-on-my-dating-profile

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/my-renewed-hope-for-a-changing-south-africa

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/orthodox-women-begin-sex-strike-against-divorce-refusal

Tami and Dash on Instagram: tami_sussman_bits and dashiel_and_pascoe

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Tami and Dash are joined by Aussie actor and influencer Jakey Parry, who now serves in the IDF and has garnered a large following from his funny, insightful and moving videos about being a new immigrant and learning Hebrew in Israel.

Take the TJI Quiz

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/quiz/tji-quiz-55

More from Jakey on TJI

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/i-have-learned-orthodox-actor-is-not-an-oxymoron

Jakey's Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jakey_parry/

Tami and Dash on Instagram: tami_sussman_bits and dashiel_and_pascoe

You won’t regret subscribing to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.au

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