The Actual

Ep 31: Bondi: The Place We Returned To with Rabbi Yossi

In this moving episode of The Actual, my guest is Rabbi Yossi Friedman of Rabbi On Demand. Following the terrorist attack in Bondi on December 14 2025, Yossi became a leading grassroots figure helping Jews, Australians from all walks of life, and tourists process the enormity of the attacks through his memorial prayer services at Bondi Pavillion. What emerged in the weeks and months through these services was a spiritual place to grieve who and what was lost, to remember the victims and heroes, to connect with each other, and to remember that unity over division is crucial. Beyond the tragedy itself was the extraordinary humanity that emerged afterwards in response to unimaginable violence. Original music in this episode Kama At Yafa (כמה את יפה) performed by CHUTNEY, from the album Ajar (2024). Courtesy of CHUTNEY/Ben Adler. Used with permission.

Ep 30: "We’re Not Out Of This Yet" with Australian Iranian Patriot, Ali

Four times as a guest on The Actual, Australian Iranian patriot Ali had his social media platform taken down before and after the recording of this episode. Ali shares the realities of the dark forces of terrorism and how we live alongside it, many unaware of the proximity to us. Ali and I continue the broader discussion on the propaganda war unfolding across social media and the continuous silencing of Iranian and Jewish voices. Ali gives insights as to why this is a long war militarily and also psychologically, socially, and digitally. Above all, this episode is about truth and why the duty to keep speaking still matters even in a world increasingly trying to silence those who do. Original music in this episode Kama At Yafa (כמה את יפה) performed by CHUTNEY, from the album Ajar (2024). Courtesy of CHUTNEY/Ben Adler. Used with permission.

Ep 29: Post Bondi - The Promised Land Was the Sound of Children's Laughter with Jessica Chapnik Kahn

My guest on this episode of The Actual is Jessica Chapnik Kahn, an Argentinian–Australian writer, artist, and fellow Bondi survivor. Jessica and I met in the aftermath of the Bondi massacre on 14 December 2025. Jessica and I return to that day reflecting on our different experiences. This discussion is personal and moving as we both explored uncharted territory together, revealing aspects of ourselves we never knew existed. This conversation is deeply connected to the individual experiences, the collective, and how each person holds a part of the greater picture. Original music in this episode Kama At Yafa (כמה את יפה) performed by CHUTNEY, from the album Ajar (2024). Courtesy of CHUTNEY/Ben Adler. Used with permission.

Ep 28: Proudly Jewish in a Time of Rising Hate with Marnie Perlstein

In this episode of The Actual, my incredibly knowledgeable and courageous guest is Marnie Perlstein, a passionate Jewish advocate and one of Australia’s most visible voices in the fight against antisemitism and antizionism. Marnie shares how online and university campus antisemitism in Australia were on her radar years prior to October 7 and why she dedicates her life to speaking publicly on these issues. Marnie has grown a global platform where she highlights conversations on Jewish identity and belonging, misinformation and distortion of truth, and reveals her tools for dealing with online hate. A truly insightful discussion. Original music in this episode Kama At Yafa (כמה את יפה) performed by CHUTNEY, from the album Ajar (2024). Courtesy of CHUTNEY/Ben Adler. Used with permission.

Ep 27: Jewish Identity and the Connective Power of Citizen Cafe Tel Aviv with Tamar Pross

Tamar Pross, the founder of Citizen Cafe Tel Aviv, is my latest guest on The Actual. In this fascinating episode, she shares her deep reflections on Jewish identity and how her global platform Citizen Cafe became a space where people meet, connect, and feel closer to Israeli life through the Hebrew language. Tamar shares her reflections on why Gilad Shalit's story mattered, how this extended to October 7, and the deep threads that bind Jews around the world. She also describes how Citizen Cafe has been a place of support and connection especially following October 7, bringing people together through language and community. Original music in this episode Kama At Yafa (כמה את יפה) performed by CHUTNEY, from the album Ajar (2024). Courtesy of CHUTNEY/Ben Adler. Used with permission.