"Chosen Links by Boaz" - Ep 11 Intersecting Identities: Jews of Diverse Racial & Ethnic Backgrounds

"Chosen Links by Boaz" - Ep 15 - Poker Pros: A Dialogue on Israel, Antisemitism & the Game They Love

(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 07/30/25) Boaz had the BEST time speaking to a group of 13 incredible poker pros, including the most recent winner of the WSOP! A conversation about the game itself was incredibly fun, and the second half involved a conversation about Israel and antisemitism, and was quite interesting. Joining Boaz on the show: Ronnie Bardah - Poker Pro, Survivor First Boot Andy Bloch - Poker Pro, MIT Engineer, Harvard Lawyer Albert Destrade - Dating Coach, Entrepeneur, Survivor Loser Ari Engel - Nomadic Poker Pro Amnon "Gutz" Filippi - Poker Pro Jeff Gross - GG Million$ Host, JeffGrossPodcast Mike "The Mouth" Matusow - Poker Pro Eric "E-Wee" Mizrachi - Poker Pro Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi - Hall of Fame Poker Pro Robert 'Whosbad" Mizrachi - Poker Pro Daniel "Kid Poker" Negreanu - Hall of Fame Poker Pro Robbie Strazynski - Cardplayer Lifestyle Founder Melanie Weisner - Poker Pro, Coach 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI] - Intro: "Chosen Links by Boaz" Theme & Credits 08:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=500s] - "How have you had to adapt your gameplay over the years?" - Daniel Negreanu 13:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=795s] - "Women in Poker: Why are the numbers still so low?" - Melanie Weisner & Group 27:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=1635s] - "Is it a boy's club? Do you want your female partner to join you?" - Albert Destrade et al 38:34 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=2314s] - "Is it a red flag to date a poker player? Are you degenerates?!" - Everyone 46:22 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=2782s] - "How will the new Federal Tax law impact your ability to earn money?" Daniel Negreanu et al 48:01 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=2881s] - "How have you changed or matured over the years?" Daniel et al 55:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=3355s] - Jeff Gross leaves 1:04:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=3852s] - "Do you consider yourself as professional poker players gamblers?" Ari Engel et al 1:08:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=4100s] - "Behind the Scenes of the 2025 WSOP Main Event win." - Michael Mizrachi 1:14:57 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=4497s] - PART 2: "Has anyone ever asked you not to show Jewish or Israeli representation?" 1:16:25 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=4585s] - "How do you handle playing with people who publicly protest Israel and Zionists like Dan Bilzerian and Justin Bonomo?" Everyone 1:58:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=7120s] - "How would you try to win the PR war and how do you win this urban war?" - Melanie Weisner et al 2:25:50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=8750s] - Boaz brings it all together and explains why so many of us feel politicall homeless. 2:30:08 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVqjxzuIQdI&t=9008s] - Final optimistic thoughts from each guest... ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

"Chosen Links by Boaz" - Ep 14 - The Abraham Accords: How it Started and What Lies Ahead

(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 05/15/25) Boaz coordinated with Yaara Segal for over half a year to gather a multi-cultural group of experts on the Abraham Accords. Not everyone agreed throughout, but it was a polite, enjoyable and fruitful conversation about what was, what is, and what is likely to happen next. Joining Boaz Hepner on the show: Abdullah Antepli - Director, Polis Center for Politics, Duke University Nir Boms - Co-Director, Regional Cooperation Program, Tel Aviv University Soraya Deen - CEO, Muslim Women Speakers Dan Feferman - Co-Chair, Sharaka. Mideast Affairs Expert Zach Grashin - Writer-Director Ahmed Khuzaie - Political Consultant Chama Mechtaly - Founder & Policy Advisor Alex Plitsas - Director, Counterterrorism Project, The Atlantic Council Ahmed Quraishi - Journalist & Regional Affairs Specialist Yaara Segal - Abraham Accords Expert & MENA Strategy Consultant Marc Sievers - Director, AJC Abu Dhabi Ksenia Svetlova - Executive Director, ROPES Amjad Taha - Politcal Strategist in Middle East Affairs Ethan Winterstein - ICC Geller Senior Fellow 0:00:19 – Boaz introduces the Abraham Accords panel 0:15:25 – Boaz to Amjad Taha: "Where do the Abraham Accords stand after October 7?" 0:20:54 – Boaz thanks Amjad before his exit 0:25:13 – Boaz to Dan Feferman: "What are you doing in Poland and what's next for Sharaka?" 0:34:50 – Boaz asks: "How many of you are Muslim? Any Christians or non-denominationals?" 0:45:05 – Ahmed explains Islamic roots of Muslim-Jewish prayer toward Jerusalem 0:48:28 -- Chama finishes speaking and Dan says goodbye 0:48:56 -- Ethan telling about his experiences with the Geller Fellowship 0:52:23 – Boaz shares personal stories of Muslim solidarity after October 7 0:56:30 – Chama describes her dual Muslim and Jewish heritage 1:02:40 – Chama: “The Abraham Accords created a new foundation for belonging” 1:09:57 – Dan Feferman exits the episode 1:10:30 – Ethan shares post-Oct 7 student experience and UAE-Israel trip 1:16:30 – Boaz to the group: “Is there urgency on the Arab side too?” 1:17:13 – Chama: “The Accords came from fear of extremism post-Arab Spring” 1:21:16 – Ahmed: “Muslim societies need Israel to confront ideological demons” 1:39:30 – Boaz asks: “Are the Abraham Accords a partisan issue?” 1:42:02 – Boaz thanks Chama as she exits 1:48:47 – Zach reports live from Tel Aviv as rocket sirens go off 1:53:38 – Boaz launches lightning round: “Rapid-fire audience questions to the panel” 2:01:02 – Boaz to the group: “Are the Abraham Accords being promoted outwardly?” 2:13:38 – Boaz: “We have 15 minutes left — final questions to each of you” 2:15:09 – Boaz reads question from Owen Zaret: “Are Abraham Accords countries recruiting others?” 2:17:52 – Guests reflect on missed implementation & organizing challenges 2:18:55 – Example shared: UAE mediating indirect talks between Israel and Syria 2:44:25 – Boaz reflects on complexity, diversity, and disagreement 2:45:50 – Boaz invites closing remarks: “20 seconds each — what didn’t you get to say?” 2:46:01 – Final thoughts from Yaara, Ethan, Ambassador Sievers, and Ahmed 2:48:06 – Boaz closes the episode ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

"Chosen Links by Boaz" - Ep 13 - Resilient: PTSD, Trauma and Healing After October 7th

(EDITOR NOTE – This episode was filmed on 04/02/25. During this time, Boaz Hepner was sleeping at UCLA hospital, during a 13 day hospitalization of his child. Running home to do this episode was surreal, though a welcome break) "Resilient" is an award-winning documentary that explores the widespread PTSD in Israel following October 7th. Boaz speaks with 13 guests—including filmmaker Chava Floryn, participants of the film, and experts on trauma and resilience—to unpack its powerful message and the stories behind it. *Correction: In this episode, it was incorrectly stated that Chava Floryn is not a filmmaker. In fact, Chava [https://www.facebook.com/chava.tombosky?__cft__[0]=AZXzw4TUAYNcUj1SHaOsWLrM1M7HJttjkuI8bedKBIeqnPF0uH1MUHoMRfif66N_OXj5klSos1IX-MKxcB7_d5VNXLG7bWEu9Yo3vmr6gJwgdwKrPhAwdC3D_9HR4SGrUMHJEiy3YCEZYgZa81reJb5pEwRWhQysIma0coFiMP93_A&__tn__=R]-R] is an award-winning documentarian with over 100 short films to her name, including a TV pilot and three documentaries. Her most recent film, Resilient, has won 7 awards to date—5 for Best Picture, 1 for Best Musical Score, and 1 for Best Cinematography. Boaz was joined by: Soraya Deen – CEO, Muslim Women Speakers Chava Floryn – Filmmaker, Author, Somatic Healer Barbara Heller – Actor, Writer, Podcaster Peter Himmelman – Musician. Author. Visual Artist Maayan Hoffman – Executive Editor, ILTV News & Correspondent, The Media Line Rabbi YY Jacobson – World Renowned Speaker Rona Lalezary – Mindset Trainer and International Public Speaker Micki Lavin-Pell – Marriage, Family, Sex and Trauma Therapist Or Meir Ooliel – Musician and October 7 Survivor Orli Peter – CEO, Israel Healing Initiative Howard Rosenman – Producer Gil Troy – Author of ''To Resist the Academic Intifada'' Tehran Von Ghasri – Comedian & Social Commentator Timestamps: 0:02:46 – Guest Introductions Begin 0:17:05 – End of intros 0:18:06 – Boaz asks Chava: “Why did you go make a documentary after Oct 7?” 0:25:59 – Gil Troy gives historical context for Israel’s resilience 0:29:46 – Rabbi YY Jacobson on discussing trauma with children 0:34:13 – Gil chimes in 0:36:41 – Peter Himmelman on Jewish strength through humor and history 0:40:05 – Gil exits; Micki on healing through helping 0:43:48 – Peter and Orli Peter: “Is empathy love, or something else?” 0:49:18 – Boaz (as a nurse): “How do you stay empathetic without burning out?” 0:50:01 – Maayan & Chava on trauma programs from IDF and government 0:55:43 – Boaz to Or: “Do survivors like you feel seen by the system?” (+Chava, Maayan, Orli) 1:02:57 – Rona chimes in 1:04:24 – Or opens up about needing therapy 1:06:10 – Tehran chimes in 1:09:53 – Soraya chimes in 1:13:50 – BREAK 1:14:47 – Boaz to Soraya: “Why join a Jewish-centered conversation?” 1:21:23 – Tehran chimes in with Peter 1:27:00 – Maayan on her deep bonds with non-Jewish allies 1:30:55 – Boaz to Barb: “How do we process grief without imploding?” 1:39:41 – Micki chimes in 1:41:38 – Chava on a family visiting LA post-trauma 1:45:24 – Or recounts his October 7th survival story 1:56:14 – Tehran and Peter chime in 2:01:35 – Soraya chimes in 2:03:07 – Tehran to Soraya: messaging of love from Muslim allies 2:07:04 – Peter’s story about an Uber driver from India 2:09:00 – Rona on Mental Health Is Real 2:14:05 – Howard Rosenman speaks 2:19:40 – Final thoughts: “What gives you hope?” 2:29:25 – Boaz final thoughts ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

"Chosen Links by Boaz" - Ep 12 - Wikipedia's War on Truth - The Fight Against Bias Toward Israel

(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 02/19/25. Tragically, on 04/20/25, guest Christian Gribneau died unexpectedly.) After a 3-part series on the diversity of the Jewish population, Boaz Hepner spoke to a panel of Wikipedia experts. A wide array of investigative journalists, Wikipedia editors, and more, this conversation was about the assumed role of Wikipedia's neutrality, and how far it appears to have veered from that path. Especially when analyzed by its stance on the Israel/Palestinian conflict, and Zionism. Panelists: -- Dr. Shlomit Aharoni Lir – University of Haifa -- Aaron Bandler – Jewish Journal -- Yfat Barak-Cheney – World Jewish Congress -- Jordan Cope – StandWithUs -- Christian Gribneau – Justapedia Foundation -- Mathilda Heller – The Jerusalem Post -- Ohad Merlin – The Jerusalem Post -- David Swindle – The Algemeiner -- Jonathan M Weiss – Wikipedia Editor -- Betty Wills – Justapedia Foundation -- David Wiseman – Online Reputation Expert Chapters: 3:27 – Bios 11:43 – Boaz reads listener-Wikipedia exchange 17:57 – Jonathan on current editing activity 19:26 – Jordan asks about left-right balance 22:55 – Dr. Shlomit expands on Hamas coverage 25:45 – Wikipedia vs Al Jazeera? 27:57 – Consensus sources explained 29:05 – Is JPost a “trusted” source? 35:48 – When did bias begin? 39:01 – David on his investigations 40:21 – Dr. Shlomit: pre/post-October 7 53:41 – Ohad gives Eurovision example 55:08 – Jordan on legal liability 56:40 – Betty on lawsuits 58:27 – Anonymity and accountability 1:02:01 – Mathilda replies 1:03:13 – Betty on Wikipedia's monopoly 1:03:55 – Dr. Shlomit: sue Google, not Wikipedia 1:05:15 – David: no clear solution 1:07:24 – Betty on Justapedia as alternative 1:10:27 – Aaron clarifies Section 230 1:13:29 – Yfat: “train has left the station” 1:15:51 – Christian offers optimism 1:17:51 – Break 1:18:23 – Return 1:18:52 – Bible as a source? 1:19:38 – Aaron on the Wikipedia "Blacklist" 1:21:42 – David replies 1:22:26 – Arabic Wikipedia discussion 1:23:47 – Banners since Oct 7 1:25:30 – Day 1 confirmation 1:26:54 – Jordan: recent changes 1:28:10 – Betty on school radicalization 1:30:30 – Farewell to Jordan 1:31:02 – Wikipedia as a movement 1:33:44 – Wikipedia vs UNRWA 1:35:19 – Fixing Wikipedia? 1:36:10 – Christian on article visibility 1:39:12 – Yfat: digital literacy 1:41:39 – Risks of AI as solution? 1:43:15 – Betty: Wikipedia mirrors media 1:44:26 – Jon: Wikipedia reflects public bias 1:45:08 – Did Wikipedia change over time? 1:46:40 – David on antisemitism's rise 1:47:27 – Betty on universities 1:47:52 – Wikipedia-critical article downgraded 1:49:52 – Mathilda on editor bans 1:53:20 – Aaron responds 1:56:19 – Boaz summarizes 1:58:42 – Are foreign actors involved? 2:03:03 – Can editors be less anonymous? 2:05:07 – Shlomit: anonymity = no accountability 2:08:20 – David explains “sock/meat puppets” 2:09:42 – Jon replies 2:10:20 – Canvassing on Wikipedia 2:11:07 – Jon elaborates 2:12:13 – Yfat replies 2:13:50 – Boaz lightens the mood 2:14:32 – Final thoughts: How do we fix bias? Final Answers: 2:16:03 – Ohad 2:19:17 – David Wiseman 2:21:07 – Mathilda 2:23:18 – David Swindle 2:24:47 – Christian 2:27:32 – Betty 2:29:53 – Jon 2:32:13 – Yfat 2:33:18 – Dr. Shlomit 2:37:54 – Aaron 2:40:49 – Boaz's final thoughts 2:44:48 – Goodnight ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

"Chosen Links by Boaz" - Ep 11 Intersecting Identities: Jews of Diverse Racial & Ethnic Backgrounds

(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 01/05/25) As a natural follow-up to the conversation with Black Jews, Boaz Hepner and Nate Looney gathered 14 Jews of color from a variety of different backgrounds, and had a conversation about their lived experiences. Not everyone labeled themselves the same way, and not everyone even wants to be labeled. A great conversation, showing just how eclectic and diverse the Jewish community actually is. When asked to provide a label, this is how each guest self-identified: Amy Albertson "Chinese-American Jew"  Lani Anpo "Native American Jew or Indijewness" BournRich - "A Jew living the African American experience" Emily Bowen Cohen - "Muscogee-Jewish" Jenny Cohen - "Mexican Jew" Abraham Hamra - "Syrian Jew" Eliana Jolkovsky - "Korean-American Jew" Mari Katz O'Leary - "Hispanic Jew" Iola Kostrzewski - "Black Sephardic Jew" Aimee Lacaden - "Pacific Islander, European, Jewish" Matthew Nouriel - "Iranian Jew" Tabby Refael - Iranian American Jew" Raymond Roker - "Bahamian-American & Ashkenazi" Elizabeth Younger - "Choctaw Native American Jew" ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.