Here I Am With Shai Davidai

Shai Davidai
  • 4.7 (370)
  • Judaism
  • Updated Weekly

Here I Am with Shai Davidai explores the rising tide of anti-semitism through discussions with the top Jewish voices in this ongoing battle. Shai Davidai, a Professor at Columbia University, became well known for his viral speech against hate towards Jews on Columbia's campus. Since then, he has been an active voice in this controversy. Shai now brings the voices of hope together in this groundbreaking podcast.

  1. Your Kid's Textbook May Be Lying to Them | Rebecca Schgallis & David Litman from CAMERA

    2d ago

    Your Kid's Textbook May Be Lying to Them | Rebecca Schgallis & David Litman from CAMERA

    In this episode of Here I Am with Shai Davidai, Shai sits down with Rebecca Schgallis and David Litman from CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis). They discuss how misinformation and ideological framing can shape public understanding of Israel and the United States, from news coverage to classroom curricula. Rebecca shares what she saw as a former high school history teacher and why she believes K-12 education has become a major front in shaping narratives, especially after October 7. David explains CAMERA’s approach to media accountability and offers practical “red flags” viewers can look for, including selective context, loaded language, double standards, and misplaced agency. Guests: Rebecca Schgallis and David Litman 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://gofund.me/30c00151c BUY MERCH! https://hereiam.threadless.com/ SUPPORT SHAI ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/shaidavidai/about?utm_source=campaign-search-results 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode 📢 Follow us on social media: Instagram: hereiamwithshaidavidai Tik Tok: hereiamwithshaidavidai / hereiamwithshaidavidai 🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform: RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwithshaidavidai/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/here-i-am-with-shai-davidai/id1757483524 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6pI03BMwAuQDbYIy4Zp6ah?si=2bd1c3f8a11c46cd #HereIAmWithShaiDavidai #ShaiDavidai #Podcast #PodcastEpisode #Interview #LongFormConversation #JewishPodcast #JewishVoices #JewishCommunity #JewishIdentity #Zionism #Israel #IsraeliAmerican #Antisemitism #FightingAntisemitism #JewishEducation #K12Education #Education #EducationPolicy #ParentsInEducation #SchoolBoard #Curriculum #HistoryEducation #CriticalThinking #MediaLiteracy #NewsLiteracy #MediaBias #Journalism #JournalismStandards #Misinformation #Disinformation #Propaganda #TruthMatters #Accountability #CAMERA #CommitteeForAccuracyInMiddleEastReportingAndAnalysis #MiddleEast #MiddleEastNews #IsraelInTheMedia #CampusClimate #StudentActivism #CivicEducation #AmericanHistory #WesternCivilization #SocialMediaAlgorithms #PostTruth #AI #Deepfakes #CultureAndPolitics #FreeSpeech #PublicSchools #TeacherTraining #TextbookReview #OppressorOppressed #AntiZionism #JewishSafety #CommunitySupport #StandWithIsrael #SupportJewishStudents #ProtectJewishStudents #FightHate #BeInformed #StayCurious #ListenAndLearn #RebeccaChagall #DavidLittman Credits: Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Allison Fuller, Josh Tepper, Bonnie Berkovits Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions Graphic by Shira Auman

    1h 14m
  2. Your Therapist May Be Making Your Jewish Trauma Worse | Trauma Specialist Dr. Miri Bar Halperin

    May 25

    Your Therapist May Be Making Your Jewish Trauma Worse | Trauma Specialist Dr. Miri Bar Halperin

    In this episode of Here I Am with Shai Davidai, Shai sits down with clinical psychologist, trauma expert, and educator Miri Bar-Halpern for a candid conversation about trauma, identity, and what it means to keep showing up when the world feels unstable. Miri shares how her upbringing in Israel and her family history as a third-generation Holocaust survivor shaped her work, and she explains the difference between resilience and post-traumatic growth, focusing on how values-based action and meaning-making can help people move from surviving to thriving after trauma. They also discuss what many Jews have experienced since October 7, including traumatic invalidation in therapy spaces, academic settings, and public life, and why naming the harm is a key step toward healing. The conversation ends with Miri’s work in radicalization prevention through Parents for Peace, including warning signs for families and why antisemitism can appear across extremist ideologies, making this a powerful episode about mental health, advocacy, and reclaiming agency. Guest: Trauma Specialist Miri Bar-Halpern 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://gofund.me/30c00151c BUY MERCH! https://hereiam.threadless.com/ SUPPORT SHAI ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/shaidavidai/about?utm_source=campaign-search-results 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode 📢 Follow us on social media: Instagram: hereiamwithshaidavidai Tik Tok: hereiamwithshaidavidai / hereiamwithshaidavidai 🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform: RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwithshaidavidai/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/here-i-am-with-shai-davidai/id1757483524 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6pI03BMwAuQDbYIy4Zp6ah?si=2bd1c3f8a11c46cd #HereIAmWithShaiDavidai #ShaiDavidai #MiriBarHalpern #Podcast #Interview #Trauma #MentalHealth #Therapy #Psychology #Resilience #PostTraumaticGrowth #PTSD #TraumaInformed #JewishIdentity #JewishCommunity #Antisemitism #Israel #October7 #TraumaInvalidation #Radicalization #ParentsForPeace #ExtremismPrevention #OnlineSafety #Healing #Advocacy Credits: Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Allison Fuller, Josh Tepper, Bonnie Berkovits Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions Graphic by Shira Auman

    1h 6m
  3. Artists Who Share Every Opinion Are Hurting Their Own Work | Actor & Filmmaker Ari Frenkel

    May 18

    Artists Who Share Every Opinion Are Hurting Their Own Work | Actor & Filmmaker Ari Frenkel

    In this episode of Here I Am with Shai Davidai, Shai sits down with actor, writer, and filmmaker Ari Frenkel for a wide-ranging conversation about Jewish identity, comedy, creativity, and grief. Ari shares what it means to be an “October 8th Jew,” how his Israeli upbringing in America shaped his relationship to Judaism, and why humor and satire can reveal (and trigger) so much in people. They dive into Ari’s long-running digital series “Sorry, Ari,” including the viral episode “The Jews,” and talk about navigating mob mentality, online extremism, and making art that stays human in a volatile time. The conversation then turns to Ari’s feature film “See You on the Other Side,” a romantic comedy inspired by his father’s death and the year of grief that followed, including a search for his father’s former love. Ari reflects on loss, meaning-making, and why creating art can be a way to honor the people we’ve lost. Guest: Filmmaker Ari Frenkel 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://gofund.me/30c00151c BUY MERCH! https://hereiam.threadless.com/ SUPPORT SHAI ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/shaidavidai/about?utm_source=campaign-search-results 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode 📢 Follow us on social media: Instagram: hereiamwithshaidavidai Tik Tok: hereiamwithshaidavidai / hereiamwithshaidavidai 🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform: RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwithshaidavidai/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/here-i-am-with-shai-davidai/id1757483524 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6pI03BMwAuQDbYIy4Zp6ah?si=2bd1c3f8a11c46cd #HereIAmWithShaiDavidai #ShaiDavidai #AriFrenkel #SorryAri #TheJews #SeeYouOnTheOtherSide #JewishPodcast #JewishIdentity #JewishHumor #JewishCreators #JewishComedy #IsraeliAmerican #Israel #Judaism #October7 #October8Jew #Antisemitism #HateAndHumor #Satire #ComedyWithMeaning #Storytelling #IndependentFilm #Filmmaker #ActorWriterDirector #CreativeProcess #ArtOnYourOwnTerms #Grief #GriefJourney #LossAndHealing #RomCom #FeatureFilm #MeaningMaking #MentalHealth #Resilience #Hope #CultureConversation #PodcastInterview #LongFormContent #SupportArtists #IndieCreators #DigitalSeries #ViralVideo #MobMentality #SocialMediaCulture #ArtAndIdentity #PurposeDrivenArt Credits: Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Allison Fuller, Josh Tepper, Bonnie Berkovits Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions Graphic by Shira Auman

    1h 8m
  4. I Stopped the Oppression Olympics and Started Talking About Birth Justice | Advocate Ilana Ygbi

    May 11

    I Stopped the Oppression Olympics and Started Talking About Birth Justice | Advocate Ilana Ygbi

    In this episode of Here I Am with Shai Davidai, Shai sits down with Ilana Ybgi, a doula, life coach, and founder of the Crown Heights Birth Justice Project. Ilana describes herself as a “social justice Jew” and explains what social justice means to her: seeing what is broken, taking responsibility, and becoming part of the solution, even through small but real actions. Their conversation explores Ilana’s work supporting women during birth, and why she views birth as a deeply vulnerable, sacred space where dignity and advocacy matter. Ilana and Shai discuss the wider maternal health crisis in the U.S., including how bias in medical settings can impact care, especially for Black women and Orthodox-presenting women. Ilana speaks about the fear and tension that can come with identity, particularly after October 7, and the personal realities of navigating antisemitism while raising a family. Ilana also shares the mission behind the Crown Heights Birth Justice Project, which brings together women from different communities, including Jewish and Black women, to build trust and connection through honest conversations about birth, support, and shared vulnerability. The episode closes with Shai’s rapid-fire “Here I Am” questions, touching on safety, hope, and why the birth of a baby can be a powerful reminder of resilience and optimism. Guest: Ilana Ybgi 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://gofund.me/30c00151c BUY MERCH! https://hereiam.threadless.com/ SUPPORT SHAI ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/shaidavidai/about?utm_source=campaign-search-results 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode 📢 Follow us on social media: Instagram: hereiamwithshaidavidai Tik Tok: hereiamwithshaidavidai / hereiamwithshaidavidai 🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform: RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwithshaidavidai/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/here-i-am-with-shai-davidai/id1757483524 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6pI03BMwAuQDbYIy4Zp6ah?si=2bd1c3f8a11c46cd Youtube: https://youtu.be/inPw6AOohDw #HereIAm #HereIAmWithShaiDavidai #ShaiDavidai #IlanaYbgi #Podcast #PodcastEpisode #Interview #Doula #BirthWorker #BirthSupport #MaternalHealth #BirthJustice #ReproductiveJustice #MaternalMortality #BlackMaternalHealth #BlackMothers #WomensHealth #HealthcareBias #MedicalBias #PatientAdvocacy #InformedConsent #BirthTrauma #HomeBirth #Midwifery #PostpartumSupport #CommunityCare #Healing #BridgeBuilding #CoalitionBuilding #CommunityDialogue #CrownHeights #Brooklyn #OrthodoxJewish #Lubavitch #JewishIdentity #BlackJewish Credits: Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Allison Fuller, Josh Tepper, Bonnie Berkovits Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions Graphic by Shira Auman

    52 min
  5. The News Is Not Your Friend | Emmy-Nominated Journalist Jacki Karsh

    May 4

    The News Is Not Your Friend | Emmy-Nominated Journalist Jacki Karsh

    In this episode of Here I Am with Shai Davidai, Shai sits down with Emmy-nominated journalist and Karsh Journalism Fellowship founder Jacki Karsh for a wide-ranging conversation about media, misinformation, and Jewish identity in a post–October 7 world. Karsh shares how moving from New York to Los Angeles reshaped her Jewish life, why she believes social media is built to drive engagement rather than truth, and what it means to be “facts-first” when public discourse is increasingly driven by binaries. They discuss the difference between misinformation and disinformation, the pressures that lead major outlets to report before verifying, and how narratives about Jews and Israel often get flattened into simplistic “good vs. bad” storytelling. Karsh explains why she launched the Karsh Journalism Fellowship: to equip journalists (Jewish and non-Jewish) with deeper context and better tools to report on Jewish life, antisemitism, and Israel with accuracy, nuance, and fairness. Guest: Jacki Karsh 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://gofund.me/30c00151c BUY MERCH! https://hereiam.threadless.com/ SUPPORT SHAI ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/shaidavidai/about?utm_source=campaign-search-results 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode 📢 Follow us on social media: Instagram: hereiamwithshaidavidai Tik Tok: hereiamwithshaidavidai / hereiamwithshaidavidai 🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform: RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwithshaidavidai/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/here-i-am-with-shai-davidai/id1757483524 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6pI03BMwAuQDbYIy4Zp6ah?si=2bd1c3f8a11c46cd Credits: Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Allison Fuller, Josh Tepper, Bonnie Kirsch Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions Graphic by Shira Auman For sponsorship opportunities, please email achi@adamitproductions.com

    1h 15m
  6. The Most Defamed Man Running the Anti-Defamation League | CEO Jonathan Greenblatt

    Apr 27

    The Most Defamed Man Running the Anti-Defamation League | CEO Jonathan Greenblatt

    In this episode of Here I Am with Shai Davidai, Shai speaks with Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), about antisemitism, Zionism, and the challenges facing the Jewish community after October 7. Greenblatt shares his personal Jewish story, including his family’s Holocaust and Iranian refugee background, and explains how his path through politics, tech, and entrepreneurship led him to lead one of America’s most prominent anti-hate organizations. Greenblatt breaks down what the ADL does to combat antisemitism and hate, including tracking extremist threats, training law enforcement, legal advocacy, and education initiatives. He also discusses why he argues “anti-Zionism is antisemitism,” how anti-Jewish hatred has evolved over time, and what Jewish institutions and leaders must change in response to today’s cultural and political climate. Guest: Jonathan Greenblatt 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://gofund.me/30c00151c COMING SOON BUY MERCH! SUPPORT SHAI ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/shaidavidai/about?utm_source=campaign-search-results 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode 📢 Follow us on social media: Instagram: hereiamwithshaidavidai Tik Tok: hereiamwithshaidavidai / hereiamwithshaidavidai 🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform: RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwithshaidavidai/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/here-i-am-with-shai-davidai/id1757483524 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6pI03BMwAuQDbYIy4Zp6ah?si=2bd1c3f8a11c46cd #HereIAm #HereIAmWithShaiDavidai #ShaiDavidai #JonathanGreenblatt #ADL #AntiDefamationLeague #JewishPodcast #PodcastEpisode #PodcastClips #JewishIdentity #WhatKindOfJewAreYou #ProudJew #Zionism #Zionist #JewishPride #JewishCommunity #JewishLeadership #JewishVoices #JewishEducation #HolocaustSurvivor #HolocaustEducation #NeverAgain #Antisemitism #StopAntisemitism #FightAntisemitism #AntisemitismAwareness #CombatHate #AntiHate #HateSpeech #Extremism #CounterExtremism #CivilRights #HumanRights #ProtectJewishLives #JewishSafety #CampusAntisemitism #Israel #ProIsrael #IsraelEducation #MiddleEast #IsraelPalestine #TwoStateSolution #JewishHistory #JewishResilience #Diaspora #AmericanJewry #ADLCEO #NonprofitLeadership #Leadership #MoralClarity #CulturalChange #SocialMedia #Section230 #AIandSociety #TechEthics #Disinformation #Propaganda #Democracy #CivicEngagement #HereIAmPodcast Credits: Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Allison Fuller, Josh Tepper Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions Graphic by Shira Auman For sponsorship opportunities, please email achi@adamitproductions.com

    1h 9m
  7. The Man Who Made Jews Laugh Again After October 7th | Satirist Ryan Turkienicz

    Mar 30

    The Man Who Made Jews Laugh Again After October 7th | Satirist Ryan Turkienicz

    In this engaging episode, Shai Davidai sits down with Ryan Turkienicz, co-founder of The Daily Brine, a satirical news platform often described as “the Jewish Onion,” focused on Israel and the Jewish diaspora. Ryan shares how his background in real estate investment and development, combined with years of experience in music, improv, and comedy, set the stage for launching a humor-driven advocacy project in the wake of October 7, 2023, an “activating moment” that pushed him to step up as a Jewish voice. He explains how he and his brother Eric (a practicing lawyer trained at Second City with decades of satire-writing experience) chose satire as a “force multiplier,” not to trivialize tragedy, but to expose hypocrisy and empower a community that had struggled to laugh again. Throughout the conversation, Ryan breaks down the “rules” behind The Daily Brine’s content, including red lines like not punching down, avoiding hate, and satirizing actions and power rather than identity or suffering, while also sharing how the project grew quickly through community support and relatable, accessible humor. Ryan also discusses the tension of being “moderate” in a polarized era, his involvement in Israel President Herzog’s Voices of the People Council (focused on Israel-diaspora relations), and the next chapter for The Daily Brine, including building a more structured writers room and expanding into YouTube. Tune in for a thoughtful look at how comedy, when done with intention, can build resilience, strengthen community, and create a shared language in difficult times. Guest: Satirist Writer Ryan Turkienicz 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://gofund.me/30c00151c COMING SOON BUY MERCH! SUPPORT SHAI ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/shaidavidai/about?utm_source=campaign-search-results 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode 📢 Follow us on social media: Instagram: hereiamwithshaidavidai Tik Tok: hereiamwithshaidavidai / hereiamwithshaidavidai 🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform: RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwithshaidavidai/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/here-i-am-with-shai-davidai/id1757483524 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6pI03BMwAuQDbYIy4Zp6ah?si=2bd1c3f8a11c46cd #HereIAm #ShaiDavidai #Podcast #PodcastEpisode #PodcastInterview #RyanTurkienicz #TheDailyBrine #JewishOnion #JewishSatire #NewsSatire #Satire #Comedy #JewishComedy #Humor #DarkHumor #ImprovComedy #SecondCity #WritersRoom #ContentCreation #SocialMediaStrategy #InstagramGrowth #YouTubeCreators #JewishIdentity #JewishCommunity #JewishDiaspora #Israel #IsraelAndDiaspora #Zionism #Advocacy Credits: Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Naomi Landis, Emma Law-Oppman, Ilana Kalach, Allison Fuller Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions Graphic by Shira Auman For sponsorship opportunities, please email achi@adamitproductions.com

    58 min
  8. I Felt Helpless Watching Israel… So I Started a Business | 24-Year-Old Entrepreneur Justin Yehuda

    Mar 24

    I Felt Helpless Watching Israel… So I Started a Business | 24-Year-Old Entrepreneur Justin Yehuda

    In this inspiring episode, Shai Davidai sits down with Justin Yehuda, the 24-year-old founder and CEO of Iron Dome Coffee—a coffee subscription company that donates 18% of its profits to charities supporting Israel. Justin shares his journey from growing up in a Zionist community in New Jersey to launching a business that unites and empowers pro-Israel supporters through coffee. He opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the impact of October 7th on his life, and his personal connection to Israel, including the loss of his cousin in the war. Justin discusses the importance of standing proudly with Israel, the power of community, and the lessons he’s learned as a young activist-entrepreneur. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about identity, resilience, and making a difference—one cup of coffee at a time. Guest: Entrepreneur Justin Yehuda 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://gofund.me/30c00151c COMING SOON BUY MERCH! SUPPORT SHAI ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/shaidavidai/about?utm_source=campaign-search-results 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode 📢 Follow us on social media: Instagram: hereiamwithshaidavidai Tik Tok: hereiamwithshaidavidai / hereiamwithshaidavidai 🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform: RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwithshaidavidai/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/here-i-am-with-shai-davidai/id1757483524 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6pI03BMwAuQDbYIy4Zp6ah?si=2bd1c3f8a11c46cd #hereiam #shaidavidai #JustinYehuda #IronDomeCoffee #entrepreneurship #SupportIsrael #jewishcommunity #proisrael #youngentrepreneur #CoffeeWithACause #IsraelCharity #jewishidentity #startupstory #inspiringstories #jewishpride #zionisme #jewishdiaspora #charity #businessforgood #resilience #leadership #jewishpodcast #israelsupport #jewishactivism #makingadifference #socialimpact #JewishYouth #jewishleadership #JewishBusiness #coffeelovers Credits: Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Naomi Landis, Emma Law-Oppman, Ilana Kalach, Allison Fuller Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions Graphic by Shira Auman For sponsorship opportunities, please email achi@adamitproductions.com

    56 min
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4.7
out of 5
370 Ratings

About

Here I Am with Shai Davidai explores the rising tide of anti-semitism through discussions with the top Jewish voices in this ongoing battle. Shai Davidai, a Professor at Columbia University, became well known for his viral speech against hate towards Jews on Columbia's campus. Since then, he has been an active voice in this controversy. Shai now brings the voices of hope together in this groundbreaking podcast.

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