People Jew Wanna Know People Jew Wanna Know

On this episode of the podcast, Margarita interviews Micah Siva - chef, dietician and food photographer. Micah recently published an amazing cookbook called Nosh: Plant-Forward Recipes Celebrating Modern Jewish Cuisine. Micah discusses her career, her passion for Jewish life, and the importance of sticking to your values.



Buy Micah's book anywhere books are sold and check out her website noshwithmicah.com

Follow Micah on Instagram @noshwithmicah



What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:35 Who is Micah Siva?

05:34 On Jewish food & what makes food Jewish

09:26 Micah's must make recipe in her cookbook

11:28 On Micah's transition to becoming a Jewish-first recipe writer/content creator & how it has been post Oct 7

20:19 The Shabbat dinner that happened in a Palestinian restaurant in Manhattan

23:16 On "voting with your choices" & Margarita's transition to an Israeli tech company

29:50 Micah's words of encouragement & advice

32:23 On Micah's Jewish upbringing

34:39 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination




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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peoplejewwannaknow/support

Margarita welcomes a friend of over 15 years, Jamie Diamond, onto the podcast! Jamie is a Jewish educator and founder of a new project - Hebrew Name Help. Jamie helps people find their perfect Hebrew names, and in this episode, she helps Margarita find her own Hebrew name. Which one should Margarita pick?



Connect with Jamie Diamond to pick a beautiful Hebrew name @hebrewnamehelp on Instagram



What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:19 Who is Jamie Diamond & why Hebrew Name Help?

05:19 "We call it a Hebrew name, but it's more of a Jewish name"

07:14 It's harder to pick your own name than to be given one by your parents

08:51 Why do Jewish people name kids after family?

10:29 Why is it important for all Jewish people to have a Hebrew name?

11:30 Jamie's 5 options for Margarita's Hebrew name: how the options were selected & the meaning behind each name

18:10 Margarita's thoughts on the 5 options

20:38 Jamie's words of encouragement to the community as a Jewish educator

23:32 Discussing the fact that Oct 7 reinvigorated the community & many Jews chose to step up

25:15 Do Jews have an obligation to fight back or to survive? Margarita's experience with a disgruntled rider on the train

30:40 Margarita's experience being a Hebrew School Teacher - on kids from multi-faith families & varying positions on Israel

34:38 That time Margarita showed a conspiracy theory video about Mount Sinai to her students

36:45 Hebrew School educators have a huge importance post Oct 7

38:00 A story about one of Margarita's favorite students

39:47 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peoplejewwannaknow/support

Grab your popcorn for this one! Margarita brings on Jewish Matchmaker - Shana Tibi to talk all things dating! Shana Tibi is a professional matchmaker specializing in matching Jewish people. Shana works closely with Aleeza Ben Shalom and even helped cast multiple people onto the Netflix show - Jewish Matchmaking. In this episode, Shana shares her story and countless pieces of valuable dating advice. Margarita spills the tea on her own dating life!



Follow Shana on Instagram @shanatibi and learn more about her work at shanaconnects.com



What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

01:41 Who is Jewish Matchmaker Shana Tibi?

06:18 Shana's involvement with Aleeza Ben Shalom & Netflix's Jewish Matchmaking

07:14 How Shana helped cast 3 people on the Jewish Matchmaking show & who they are

09:51 What is happening in modern dating? It feels harder than ever!

11:00 Who pays on the first date? On changing dating norms & philosophies

16:10 Dating is networking, not hunting

18:19 Words of advice for people dating today

23:48 On being realistic re: what you have to offer to a prospective date

27:23 Margarita was almost cast on HBO's First Dates Hotel - what happened there?

31:53 It's good to see a person in different environments - plan unique dates

32:54 On multi-faith couples & the importance of dating Jewish

35:10 A psychic healer in Bali told Margarita she'd meet her husband in 2024

36:50 What is Shana optimistic about?

39:03 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination




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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peoplejewwannaknow/support

This week, we welcome Adiel Cohen to the podcast. Adiel is a viral activist, content creator and IDF reserve soldier who walks us through his experience fighting on the ground immediately following October 7th. Adiel also talks about his experience fighting antisemitism in the diaspora, visiting college campuses, etc. He leaves us with a powerful message of unity.



Follow Adiel on Instagram and TikTok @adielofisrael



What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:01 Who is Adiel Cohen?

04:10 How is Adiel feeling post-October 7th? On Adiel's experience in reserve duty

11:02 Did Adiel engage in active combat?

12:38 On visiting Kfar Aza and Be'eri

15:33 Did Adiel go into Gaza?

16:27 Antisemitism worldwide - what does Adiel find speaking to young Jews?

20:09 Where does Adiel think this is going for Israel?

22:18 What is Adiel optimistic about?

24:04 On the World Expo in Dubai - State of Palestine & Israel exhibits

29:18 On Masada - was it heroism or was it problematic?

33:43 On difficult conversations with Palestinian friends

36:25 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peoplejewwannaknow/support

In 2024, no one would have expected to see violence against Jews akin to what we saw when the Holocaust began. It's more important than ever that Jewish people feel strong, empowered, and know how to defend themselves.



Margarita interviews Chanan Smith - ex-IDF soldier and founder of Magen Protection Solutions, which specializes in employee and team development, as well as expert solutions for workplace violence prevention and conflict resolution. Chanan also offers extensive self-defense training at his school in Boca Raton. In this episode, Chanan breaks down the psychology of attacks and gives countless practical tips on how we can defend ourselves. Chanan also leaves us with a crucial message and a reminder to preserve our Jewish fighting spirit.



Learn more about Chanan's work at https://magenprotectionsolutions.com/ and follow him on Instagram @magenprotectionsolutions and @chanansmith



What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

04:34 Who is Chanan Smith & how did he start Magen Protection Solutions?

07:42 What is Chanan's experience running Magen Protection Solutions? He sees people of all ages & backgrounds

09:46 Most impactful stories Chanan has heard from clients

14:34 Breaking down the psychology of active shooters & why fighting back is so important

19:59 Words of advice to Jewish people experiencing antisemitism & violence

26:39 Margarita's experience at Israel rally

32:19 On normalization of violence against Jewish people & what can Jews do to protect themselves

33:53 "All attacks occur in this way" - breaking down the 3 steps of an attack & how to respond

38:51 "Can I help you?" vs. Margarita's approach she taught to her little brother (lol)

40:31 4 reasons an attack occurs

43:48 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peoplejewwannaknow/support

This episode features a fascinating interview with Professor Ada Taggar-Cohen who founded the only Jewish Studies program in Japan at Doshisha University in Kyoto. Margarita and Ada discuss being Jewish in Japan, her research, and her perspective on the Torah. The episode takes and interesting turn when Ada and Margarita discuss - Is what's written in the Torah unique to the Jews? Was Masada really heroic? What's the deal with the Messiah?



What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:55 Who is Professor Ada Taggar-Cohen?

05:51 How did Ada decide to move to Japan?

07:45 Ada's research - "we have to look at the Torah as an edited text"

09:21 The connection of Zionism to the Hebrew Bible

10:01 The Torah is rooted in the heritage of the Near East - what does this mean?

11:48 Comparison of Hittite texts to the Torah

15:01 On the evolution of Judaism - the ability to choose

15:58 On living in "Temple Times" when the Messiah comes - it's a matter of personal belief

17:19 "The Messiah will come, but not in my times"

19:03 On Holocaust survivors

19:50 Margarita's takes - Messianic Judaism? Modern interpretation of the Torah? What's what?

23:48 Margarita's takes - Heroes of the Holocaust, Masada, & do we have an obligation to fight back?

28:04 On assimilating in Japan as an Israeli person

30:00 The Japanese treat everyone as foreigners - doesn't matter if you are Jewish, Muslim, Christian, etc.

30:38 On the Jewish community in Japan - "there is no antisemitism in Japan"

32:10 The Japanese are pacifists - they have a hard time wrapping their mind around the Hamas/Israel war

33:09 The Japanese are fascinated with the Jewish people

34:03 What is it like teaching Japanese students Jewish Studies?

36:41 Ada's class on Jewish women - who is an inspiring Jewish woman? Guest Nomination

40:18 Closing Remarks
















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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peoplejewwannaknow/support