In this episode, Shai Davidai sits down with Gregg Roman, Executive Director of the Middle East Forum, to discuss the complexities of the Middle East and its impact on U.S. foreign policy. Gregg shares insights from his personal and professional journey, explores the intersection of Jewish and American values, and explains why the Middle East remains central to global politics. The conversation covers the history and mission of the Middle East Forum, the region’s influence on energy, religion, and geopolitics, and the ongoing challenges facing the U.S. and its allies.

This season is dedicated to Shai’s grandmother, Leah Davidai, who passed away earlier this year. Sponsored in part by Iron Dome Coffee, visit www.irondomecoffee.com and use the code HERE I AM for an exclusive discount just for our listeners.

Guest: Gregg Roman

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Credits:

Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions

Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions

Graphic by Shira Auman

For sponsorship opportunities, please email achi@adamitproductions.com

Consider DONATING to help us continue and expand our media efforts. If you cannot at this time, please share this video with someone who might benefit from it. We thank you for your support! https://givebutter.com/HIA50thEpisode COMING SOON BUY MERCH! SUPPORT ME ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/ShaiDavidai --------- Guest: Melinda Strauss Linktree (all links): linktr.ee/melindastrauss In this Season 5 premiere, host Shai Davidai sits down with Melinda Strauss, a modern Orthodox Jewish creator and author with over 1.5 million followers. Melinda shares her journey from starting a food blog to becoming a prominent voice on Jewish life, faith, and food across social media. The conversation covers her approach to answering questions about Judaism, building inclusive communities, and addressing misconceptions—ranging from kosher food to Jewish identity and cultural appropriation. Melinda emphasizes the importance of curiosity, education, and making personal choices in religious practice, while also discussing the diversity within the Jewish community. This episode is a thoughtful exploration of Jewish culture, social media influence, and the power of sharing authentic stories.

This season is dedicated to Shai’s grandmother, Leah Davidai, who passed away earlier this year. Sponsored in part by Iron Dome Coffee, visit www.irondomecoffee.com for an exclusive discount just for our listeners.

🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode 📢 Follow us on social media: Instagram: hereiamwithshaidavidai https://www.instagram.com/hereiamwith... Tik Tok: hereiamwithshaidavidai / hereiamwithshaidavidai 🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform: RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwiths... Apple Podcasts: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwiths... Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh... #HereIAm #ShaiDavidai #MelindaStrauss #JewishLife #JewishFaith #JewishFood #Kosher #ModernOrthodox #JewishCommunity #JewishIdentity #SocialMediaInfluencer #JewishCulture #JewishHeritage #JewishRecipes #JewishTradition #CulturalDiversity #AskAJew #JudaismExplained #JewishEducation #JewishPride #JewishWomen #JewishCreator #JewishPodcast #JewishQuestions #JewishLearning #JewishVoices #JewishInspiration #JewishCookbook #JewishTikTok #JewishInstagram #JewishInfluencer Credits: Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions Graphic by Shira Auman For sponsorship opportunities, please email achi@adamitproductions.com

Consider DONATING to help us continue and expand our media efforts. If you cannot at this time, please share this video with someone who might benefit from it. We thank you for your support! https://tinyurl.com/HereIAmWithShaiDavidai COMING SOON BUY MERCH! NEW SUPPORT ME ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/ShaiDavidai --------- Guest: Wendy Sachs Link to Documentary: https://www.october8film.com/ Instagram: @wendysachs / https://www.instagram.com/wendysachs Twitter/X: @wendysachs / https://x.com/wendysachs In this episode, Emmy Award-winning producer and director Wendy Sachs joins host Shai Davidai for an insightful conversation. Wendy shares her journey as a secular Jew with a strong Jewish identity, reflecting on her formative experiences at a Jewish day school in Miami and her transformative trip to Israel as a teenager. She discusses her early activism, her passion for journalism, and how her love for Israel shaped her career path. Wendy and Shai dive into the making of her documentary film "October 8th," exploring the personal and political impact of recent events in Israel and the U.S. Wendy recounts her experience on October 7th, the reactions within her professional and social circles, and the challenges of navigating identity, activism, and journalism in today’s climate. The episode offers a candid look at Jewish identity, the complexities of political alliances, and the power of storytelling. 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode 📢 Follow us on social media: Instagram: hereiamwithshaidavidai https://www.instagram.com/hereiamwithshaidavidai?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Tik Tok: hereiamwithshaidavidai https://www.tiktok.com/@hereiamwithshaidavidai 🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform: RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwithshaidavidai Apple Podcasts: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwithshaidavidai/ Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/shai-davidai #HereIAmPodcast #ShaiDavidai #WendySachs #October8thFilm #JewishIdentity #JewishFilmmaker #JewishDirector #JewishProducer #JewishMedia #JewishInfluence #JewishPerspective #JewishNarrative Credits: Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions Graphic by Shira Auman For sponsorship opportunities, please email achi@adamitproductions.com