Jonny Gould's Jewish State

Find all of Jonny's writing and podcasts on his Substack.

It’s year four of our Schools Podcaster of the Year Award, presented by Dangoor Education — a project close to my heart because it’s about encouraging the next generation to think seriously about journalism, storytelling, and the power of asking the right questions.

Today’s young people are growing up in a world saturated by TikTokers, YouTubers, influencers and instant opinion. News and current affairs reach them faster than ever, often through the pressure and noise of social media.

Real journalism still matters. The heavy lifting of inquiry, accuracy, courage and curiosity remains fundamental to our democracy and freedoms. And this award is our way of encouraging high-minded journalistic ambition in the next generation.

All three of our winners today come from North West London Jewish Day School.

First, Maya Ryz and Leonore Gould quiz Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs.

Jason's built an accomplished screen career, from Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter to acclaimed roles in The Patriot, Star Trek: Discovery and The OA, combining intensity, wit and remarkable range.

Then Sarah Amsellem gets to grips with her cousin, Nathan Trochet.

Jonny Gould's Jewish State proudly supports our North West London Jewish Day School Podcaster of the Year.
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Help Jonny continues to make his podcasts by ⁠supporting him here⁠.

Born to a family who lived in a one-bedroom basement apartment in Soviet Ukraine, denied opportunity because he was Jewish, and starting out at the bottom of a steel mill, Eduard Shyfrin went on to build a vast business empire — but that’s only part of his story.

In this episode, he takes us from Soviet hardship and discrimination to music, memory, reinvention and Jewish identity, revealing how a boy shaped by love, discipline and adversity became a profound Jewish thinker and entrepreneur.

He's also a musician and a determined smoker!

Don't miss this out-of-the-box conversation on kabbalah, data and philosophy with Eduard Shifryn.

Help Jonny continues to make his podcasts by supporting him here.

Jonny Gould's Jewish State is supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, promoting philanthropy.
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Find all of Jonny's podcasts and writings on his Substack pages.

The October 7th War aka the 47 year long Iran Israel War is reaching a head. The head of the snake is being cut off.

This is a collage of soundbites, news conferences and parliamentary statements which tell the story of how this decisive leg of the war started in the early hours of Saturday morning, the 28th February 2026.

It also underscores the ideological schism that exists between Britain and Europe and on the other hand the United States.

In this episode, we'll hear from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, British opposition leader of the Conservatives Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK party leader, Nigel Farage.

Think about supporting Jonny's work and find all his episodes and appearances on TV at buymeacoffee.

Jonny Gould's Jewish State is supported by Dangoor Education and UK Toremet, supporting philanthropy.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find all of Jonny's podcasts and writings on my Substack and help me by buying a coffee.

In this conversation, we meet Rawan Osman - a woman of Syrian and Lebanese heritage who grew up in a world where the "Jew" was the ultimate, untouchable enemy.

Rawan’s worldview shattered during an everyday trip to a grocery store in
Strasbourg. What started as a visceral panic attack at the sight of Hebrew turned into a life-altering epiphany. "That gentleman converted me from an enemy to an ally simply by deciding to be kind," she says.

It wasn’t just a change of heart; it was a total identity reset. From the
discovery of her Mizrahi Jewish blood to the "chutzpah" of a tradition that encourages you to argue with God, Rawan deconstructs the patterns of prejudice with unflinching clarity.

But what is the personal cost of choosing conviction over comfort? How do you rebuild an identity when your family and friends remove themselves from your world?

Rawan offers a roadmap for finding truth in a region defined by shadows. This isn’t just a conversion story, it’s a wake up call for the future of the Middle East.

Join us for the story of Rawan Osman!

Find all of Jonny's podcasts and writings on my⁠ Substack⁠ and help me by ⁠buying a coffee⁠.
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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.
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