12 MAG 2024 · Has October 7 cast a shadow on Yom Ha’atzmaut? In this episode of PROUDLY JEWISH, presented as a panel discussion at Congregation Neveh Shalom with Rabbi David Kosak, Rabbi Eve Posen, and Cantor Eyal Bitton, the three explore what lessons October 7 have taught us about the role Israel plays in our lives and about what Israel means to the Jewish people. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Eyal Bitton or Congregation Neveh Shalom. PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity is also available on https://youtu.be/5bgJKVtj5QA.

9 APR 2024 · Six months after the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, Cantor Eyal Bitton reflects on the significance of October 7 and where we are now. He examines the Free Palestine protests and their impact, the Ceasefire Now campaign, the shift in American support for Israel, the rise in antisemitism, and what lies ahead. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Eyal Bitton or Congregation Neveh Shalom. PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity is also available on https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdCWd_rCSL2hnZPi1xhvl9FY4-KChsMyc.

29 MAR 2024 · Kanye West has espoused views held by the Black Hebrew Israelites. When basketball star Kyrie Irving was suspended for refusing to apologize for antisemitism, Black Hebrew Israelites came to his defence in large numbers outside the Barclay Center. Charles Fain Lehman is Cantor Eyal Bitton's guest as they explore the questions: What do the Black Hebrew Israelites believe? Should Jews view Black Hebrew Israelism as a threat? Charles Fain Lehman is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a contributing editor of City Journal, and a 2023-24 Robert Novak fellow with the Fund for American Studies. https://manhattan.institute/article/how-many-are-the-black-hebrew-israelites This article includes a survey on BHI ideology. https://manhattan.institute/article/how-many-are-the-black-hebrew-israelites  https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/do-black-hebrew-israelites-hate-jews https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/do-black-hebrew-israelites-hate-jews "Take Black Hebrew Israelism Seriously" https://www.city-journal.org/article/take-black-hebrew-israelism-seriously The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Eyal Bitton or Congregation Neveh Shalom. PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity is also available on https://youtu.be/H8s5fDUsRgI.

3 MAR 2024 · Amanda Berman, Founder and Executive Director of the Zioness Movement, joins Cantor Eyal Bitton to discuss how her organization is both progressive AND Zionist. Zioness is a multiracial coalition of Jewish activists and allies who are unabashedly progressive and unapologetically Zionist. They have more than 30 chapters across the country that fight for the advancement of social, racial, economic and gender equality in America and for the inclusion of Zionists in social justice spaces. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience, members of the Cantors Assembly: https://cantorsassembly.org . The Cantors Assembly is an organization of Jewish clergy who lead communities in prayer, ritual, and music, and who are affiliated with the Conservative Movement. URL: https://zioness.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zionessmovement/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zionessmovement/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ZionessMovement The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Eyal Bitton or Congregation Neveh Shalom. PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity is also available on https://youtu.be/K1doUbsduv8.

25 FEB 2024 · Sharaka's Dan Feferman (Israel) and Ahmed Alkhuzaie (Bahrain) join Cantor Eyal Bitton in a discussion of the prospects for peace in the Middle East. What does normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel mean for peace? How likely is it? How do the October 7 massacre and the ensuing war between Israel and Hamas factor in? Sharaka (’Partnership’ in Arabic) is a group of Arabs, Israelis, and others who are working to shape a new Middle East, built on dialogue, understanding, cooperation and friendship. شراكة Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharakangoil Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharakango/ URL: https://www.sharakango.com/ The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Eyal Bitton or Congregation Neveh Shalom. PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity is also available on https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdCWd_rCSL2hnZPi1xhvl9FY4-KChsMyc. ---------- Included video clips: https://youtu.be/edKZbu5OM1c?si=EG6fm6eCULZHMDiN https://youtu.be/Y_u8ghPr3HE?si=sduznunyicUx1g7o

22 FEB 2024 · Tania Shalom Michaelian, of the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites, is Cantor Eyal Bitton's guest in this episode of Proudly Jewish: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity. They discuss the impact of October 7 on Israelis, the resilience of Israeli Jews who survived the heinous attacks, and the importance of appreciating history and heritage in order to build and sustain a people. Michaelian explains how SPIHS' efforts cross into the personal level as they run programs to engage soldiers and evacuees, among others. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPIHS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spihs_israel/ URL: https://my.jnf.org/spihs The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Eyal Bitton or Congregation Neveh Shalom. PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity is also available on https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdCWd_rCSL2hnZPi1xhvl9FY4-KChsMyc.

19 FEB 2024 · In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience, Cantor Eyal Bitton explores the reasons why so many Jews feels so uneasy about many "pro-Palestinian" demonstrations. Why are so many pro-Palestinian protests so disruptive? Aren't activists in the Free Palestine movement that they're not winning the hearts and minds of the general public when they block off highways, when they target shopping malls, museums, and hospitals, when they block access to airports, when they disrupt the Thanksgiving Day Parade, or when they harass people who are Christmas shopping? Cantor Bitton argues that causing such disruptions is intentional and that there is a clear strategy.

12 FEB 2024 · Josh Shron, host of the popular Israel Hour Radio, is Cantor Eyal Bitton's special guest in this episode of PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity. It's a meaningful and engaging conversation, with clips of great Israeli songs, as Josh Shron places the music of Israel post-Oct 7 into three categories: pain and loss, responses to the hostages, and unity. Please visit Israel Hour Radio's playlist: Songs of Operation Swords of Iron | שירי חרבות ברזל https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyzobhsSm2LbxfYUXgBHUlxwYHSH6D5xP&si=LqXmDT1Mf6a4o2xH The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Eyal Bitton or Congregation Neveh Shalom. PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms.

9 FEB 2024 · Howard Lovy is Cantor Eyal Bitton's special guest in this episode of PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity. Lovy is a journalist, book editor, audio producer, podcaster, ghostwriter, who is writing a new book titled "From Outrage to Action: A Practical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism". The conversation looks at the surge in antisemitism following the October 7 massacre, the importance of defining and understanding antisemitism, recognizing it on the Left and on the Right, and the need to confront it and fight it. https://howardlovy.com/ The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Eyal Bitton or Congregation Neveh Shalom. PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms. https://howardlovy.com/ The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Eyal Bitton or Congregation Neveh Shalom. PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity is also available on YouTube.

2 FEB 2024 · Marc Rosenberg, VP of Diaspora Partnerships at Nefesh B'Nefesh, is Cantor Eyal Bitton's special guest in this episode of PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity. Jews are moving from all around the world to Israel even after the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, and even during a time of war. Why? What's motivating them? What role does antisemitism play? Are they running from something? Or are they running towards something? Is moving to Israel the answer for all Jews? What role should Israel play in the lives of American Jews? The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Eyal Bitton or Congregation Neveh Shalom. PROUDLY JEWISH: Conversations on Israel and Jewish Identity is also available on YouTube.