The Actual

In this episode of The Actual, my guest is Will Nemesh, Mayor of Waverley, home to Bondi Beach, and member of Sydney’s Jewish community. Will shares how he found himself leading Waverley Council through one of the most devastating periods in recent Australian history. Will describes how the events at the Bondi massacre challenged him personally and as a leader. He reveals what his council has done so far, from supporting local businesses to strengthening social cohesion and combating antisemitism, as well as what the Jewish community should know about the ongoing council work to support Bondi and more. 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.

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.

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.

On this episode of The Actual, Judith Levitan from Royal Commission Legal Aid Service explains what the Royal Commission is, how the process works, why it matters, and how Australians can make a submission if they have experienced or witnessed antisemitism or have noticed changes to social cohesion. She clarifies the role of the Royal Commission, especially in understanding how submissions help move Australia forward. For quick information and legal support, you may visit: nationallegalaid.org.au/national-services/rcasc-legal-help. You can also contact RCASC Legal Help directly: 1800 976 198 or rcasclegalhelp@nationallegalaid.org.au. 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.

In this episode of The Actual we are joined by Robert Goldshaft, the CEO of Mosaic Living, to better understand community living for Jewish seniors in Australia. Mosaic Living is a not-for-profit organisation and one of the largest providers of affordable housing for Jews. Originally established to support Holocaust survivors, it continues to serve the Jewish community by offering independent living environments that balance privacy with strong community support. Robert explains how their model works from affordable entry structures to rental options and how they maintain below-market living costs while ensuring residents feel secure and supported. Mosaic Living creates spaces where residents can remain independent while still being part of a close-knit community. This conversation is about the role of community in aging and how connection, familiarity, and shared identity can shape a better quality of life for the elderly. 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.

In this episode of The Actual we are joined by Stephen McAlpine, a Christian cultural commentator, public theologian, and former pastor of nearly three decades. Stephen describes the impact on Australia of the ongoing rise of disinformation and antisemitism following October 7, and what it reveals about the deeper fractures in the West. Stephen reveals his perspective from years of working with churches and faith-based communities, as we explore faith at this time, the role of Christianity in shaping how we see others, and how Jewish and Christian communities are responding with a desire for understanding. We also reflect on how we choose to stand for truth while still building bridges in an increasingly divided world. 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.

In this episode, I’m joined by Australian-Iranian patriot and activist Ali for his third appearance on the The Actual to dissect the rapidly evolving situation in Iran and the global implications of the ongoing war. Since our last conversation, there have been significant developments, including the death of Khamenei, military interventions, growing pressure on the Islamic regime, and the critical question of whether these actions will lead to sustainable change. Ali emphasises that the optimal outcome would involve a complete dismantling of the IRGC to create an opportunity for Iranians to move toward a free, democratic, and sovereign state determined by the will of its people. 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.

In this episode of The Actual, author and editor Lee Kofman reflects on writing, identity, and Jewish life in the aftermath of October 7 2023. She examines the surge of disinformation, antisemitism, and the pressure placed on Jewish voices in public discourse. Lee describes co-editing Ruptured, an anthology documenting Jewish women’s lived experiences post October 7, and felt the urgency of recording history as it was still unfolding. She shares the emotional cost of writing without a sense of distance, whilst also addressing the damaging “good Jew/bad Jew” binary, and the loss of nuance around the term 'Zionism'. This episode is a call to amplify Jewish narratives and to recognise that confronting antisemitism is not solely a Jewish issue, but a societal responsibility requiring collective action. 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.

In this episode of The Actual, we speak with Chavi Block-Israel, an educator, writer, and founder of The Empowered Jew, about surviving the Bondi terror attack whilst shielding her infant son with her body. Chavi takes us inside the moments during and after the attack, how her mind narrowed under threat, how instinct took over, and how motherhood was central to her experience. We explored the psychological protections that emerge in the terror, the lasting impact of collective trauma, and why silence is no longer possible in the face of rising antisemitism and 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.

Iranian activists Ali and Amin were invited onto The Actual to explain how a series of economic and political pressures in Iran escalated into a nationwide uprising in late December 2025. They break down the factors that have led to a revolution where the Iranians demand the removal of the Islamic regime. The conversation also provides historical context on Iran’s political system since 1979 and how past protest movements and failed reform efforts have shaped the current response. 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.

In this episode, activist Tamar Paluch talks about Ruptured, the collection of essays she co-edited with author Lee Kofman that documents how Jewish women experienced and responded to events following the terror attacks on October 7 and beyond. Tamar explains how the book provided a way for women to write through grief, record their memories in real time, and take back ownership of their stories during a moment when Jewish voices were being pushed aside. This conversation speaks to why written records and documentation matters so deeply in Jewish life, what it means to live history as it’s unfolding, and how the act of writing helped bring light back into a very difficult period. 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.

Violinist, composer, arranger, and founder of CHUTNEY, Ben Adler joins The Actual to discuss the way music becomes an emotional communicator and how Jewish identity and community have shaped his work. He describes why carefully designed concerts can move people from despair to hope to jubilation, and how SHIR concerts are deeply thought through to create a truly transformational experience. Ben shares his journey from classical training to leading CHUTNEY, Australia’s leading Jewish ensemble, where their musical creations support the Jewish community to feel connected and to hold one's head up high in difficult times. 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.

Returning as a guest on The Actual, Michael Scott CSC, founder of The 2023 Foundation and author of his recently released book A Light Still Burns: Israel and the Values Worth Defending reflects on the rise of disinformation and anti-Semitism in the wake of October 7 2023. Drawing from more than 30 years of military service and his time living in Israel, he shares how these experiences shaped his mission to defend truth, uphold Western values, and inspire others to stand against hate through education and action.