Jonny Gould's Jewish State

Find more from Jonny here. This is Survivor, an animated film created by puppeteer and cartoonist, Zoom Rockman. It's the story of Auschwitz and Dachau survivor, Ivor Perl BEM, based upon his Holocaust memoir, Chicken Soup Under The Tree. The first screening in London took place in November 2024 and you'll hear Ivor and Zoom reflect on the movie and why it's so important. I’ve had the privilege of having a one-to-one conversation with Ivor at his London home, where he shared his harrowing experiences and reflected on the reawakening of antisemitism today. This is a Lemon Soul film, in loving memory of Jonny Zucker, an inspirational teacher, fantastic children's author, who celebrated reading among kids and envisioned educational ideas such as this movie. The stirring title music was composed and performed by Erran Baron Cohen, who produced musical accompaniment on the night. Listen to the story of Survivor. Find more from Jonny here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Damari, who's 28, is a joint UK and Israeli citizen and the only living remaining British national held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. On the morning of October 7th, 2023, Emily was in her home on Kibbutz Kfar Azza, 2 miles from the Gaza border, when terrorists entered her house. Her beloved golden cockapoo Choocha was shot dead, Emily was shot and left with severe injuries. She was then blindfolded and kidnapped in the back of her own car and driven into Gaza. Emily's captivity is now well over a year long. Emily's mother Mandy, 63, is a Brit, born in Surrey and grew up with her parents and three brothers in Beckenham, Kent. She visited Israel on holiday aged 20 where she met and fell in love with her husband. Emily is the youngest of four siblings and her mother Mandy says, "her unforgettable smile and cheeky and quick sense of humour light up every room she enters." Emily is a massive Spurs fan and would often plan trips to the UK around a concert or a Spurs game. Tottenham fans have recently initiated the #ShesOneOfOurOwn campaign in her honour. Mandy faced the UK media at a London news conference with an impassioned mesage,🎗️Bring Emily Home. Listen now. She's joined by Lord Stuart Pollak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jotam Confino is one of Israel’s brightest young journalists. Both disciplined and intrepid, Jotam brings together old school standards with open source leads which surround us all on the socials today.  The key is to discern which video is real, which source reliable. That’s journalism.  Originally from Denmark, Jotam made Aliyah (the Jewish ideal of return) because he wanted to live and work in Israel as a journalist. His career only really began when he moved there in February 2018, when he was 27.  He holds an MA in Security and Diplomacy and a BA in International Studies.  You’ve seen him writing and broadcasting in The Telegraph, CBS News, BBC, USA Today, Haaretz, The Sun, Daily Mail, Good Morning Britain, Sunday Express - and now Jonny Gould’s Jewish State.  He doesn’t shirk the trolls on social media either. He’s Happy to debate online.  And we got together while he was here in London on a book tour.  “Netanyahu’s Israel: Rise of the Far Right” is a collection of interviews with key figures since 1996, and offers the reader a rare look behind the scenes of some of Israel’s most historic moments of recent decades. It’s on Amazon.  Let’s talk about being a Jewish and Zionist journalist. In the overwhelming anti-Israel tirade of mass media, has his commitment to objective reporting relented into defending Israel? Is there anything wrong with that?  What are the tunnels like?  And Netanyahu: can he survive to the end of his term, could he ever win without the right wing of his coalition?  Oh, and will the new Trump Administration turn the tide for Israel. Are the mullahs day’s numbered in Iran?  Let’s meet Jotam Confino. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is proudly supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Epstein is one of the most significant cultural figures in Anglo Jewry’s 20th century.  Midas Man is the fifth Beatle's story. Also from Liverpool, Brian saw the fledgling Fab Four performing at the Cavern one lunchtime, was bedazzled by them and went about masterminding their rise to global fame. He crafted their image, secured their first record deal, and so heralded the British cultural invasion of America. Brigit Grant wrote the screenplay for "Midas Man” highlighting his journey from family department store heir to one of the most influential music managers of all time. But behind the glitz and glamour was a man seeking acceptance and love, but not able to get it.  Midas Man peels back the curtain on the swinging '60s, the triumphs, heartbreaks, and secrets of the man who changed the face of music forever. Brigit popped round my house, we put the kettle on and had a good chat about Brian and the movie. Jonny Gould's Jewish State is supported by Dangoor Education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices