What Came After

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The Friendship Remains The Highest Value Nov 12, 2025

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In this episode, I traveled to Seattle back in September to sit down with Dr. Devin Naar, a professor of Sephardic Studies at the University of Washington.

Recording this interview was difficult for me. I’ve envisioned this podcast as a way to chronicle history in real time — to capture, through long-form conversations, the vastness and intensity of the post–October 7th landscape for Jews around the world, and for many others as well.

Until now, the voices I’ve centered have largely been those of self-described Zionists — people who, in the wake of an indescribably cruel and harrowing attack on Israel, have faced a wave of vitriol, intolerance, hostility, and even violence.

But if this project is truly to document this moment in all its complexity, it also has to include non-Zionist voices — and we need to recognize explicitly that there is no single Jewish Community, but- as has always been the case-- Jewish CommunitieS. The word Israel in Hebrew- Yisrael-- means to wrestle. We usually think about this in reference to wrestling with God. But the truth is, we wrestle one another also.

I’m not interested in speaking with anyone who uses a non- or anti-Zionist stance as a rejection of dialogue — as a reason to hurl slogans, to deny the humanity or intelligence of people (like me) who are Zionists, or to justify acts of terror. But as we all navigate what I hope is a post-war reality, I believe that staying engaged — especially with those we perceive as the “Other” — is a skill that those of us who live in a multiplicity of Jewish communities will need to cultivate-- for our civility, for our integrity, and, in some ways, for our survival.

We’ve chosen to present this interview in two parts — exactly as it unfolded. At the end of this first installation, you’ll hear, as I did, that Devin seems unsettled, that there’s more he wants to say. After wrapping up, we turned the microphones back on and continued the conversation, which you’ll hear in part two.

This interview may be challenging to listen to — just as it was challenging for me to record. But I hope you’ll stay with it, and imagine what it might be like to have a similar conversation with someone, maybe someone close to you, who has provoked in you a sense of discomfort or distress or even betrayal over these past two long years.

Credits:

Host and Creator: Manya Marcus

Managing Producer: Eli Akselrod

Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick

Editor 2: Eli Akselrod

Editor: Keren Glicksman

Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Outro Music: Syete dias enserrados by David Haim

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Being Jewish Actually Does Come At A Cost Nov 10, 2025

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This past September, What Came After host Manya Marcus sat down with Jojo and Yoni Kalin, a married couple from Washington, D.C., who were present at the Capital Jewish Museum on the tragic evening of May 21, 2025 — the night two Israeli embassy staffers, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, were murdered by a man who, when apprehended, shouted, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”

Jojo had helped organize the event that night — the American Jewish Committee’s annual Young Diplomats Reception. The theme was “Turning Pain into Purpose,” focusing on humanitarian diplomacy and efforts to build bridges amid the Israel–Hamas conflict. The murders that followed felt unbearably senseless and stood in stark contrast to the spirit of the evening.

In this conversation, Jojo and Yoni reflect on their experiences that night — including their brief, bewildering interactions with the attacker — and how they’ve processed the trauma since.

Jojo, who converted to Judaism, shares how this tragedy deepened her commitment to the Jewish faith and community, even as she wrestles with fears about raising future children in a tradition that can carry such risk. She also speaks about becoming a conversion mentor and her admiration for those choosing Judaism in the wake of October 7th.

Yoni, raised in a progressive Jewish home steeped in interfaith dialogue and activism, describes a growing sense of political homelessness after October 7th, and how he has grappled with what he calls the “hardening of [his] heart” since May 21st — as he comes to terms with the painful realization that, in America in 2025, being Jewish can come at a very steep cost.

Credits:

Host and Creator: Manya Marcus

Managing Producer: Eli Akselrod

Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick

Editor 2: Eli Akselrod

Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Outro Music: Noah · האילנות 41

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Trust The Person Who Says ”I’m Confused” Nov 05, 2025

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This past December, I sat down with Benjamin Rogers, Deputy Director of the AJC Center for a New Middle East. Benjy and I spoke about the future of Israel’s relationships with its Arab neighbors in the wake of October 7, and how he hoped the Abraham Accords will continue to evolve. Benjy discussed Israel’s potential as a strategic partner to countries across the region confronting shared challenges such as economic instability, water insecurity, and climate change. Despite ongoing tensions, Benjy remains hopeful that necessity will continue to drive progress toward normalization and regional collaboration.

He also reflected on the personal impact of tragedy—the May 2025 murders of Israeli Embassy staffers Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky; Benjy felt particularly close with Yaron. Benjy speaks about the evening of the murder, how he and others are processing the senselessness of the tragedy, and how he continues to navigate what it means to live, work, and identify as a Jew in this complex moment in history.

Credits:

Host and Creator: Manya Marcus

Managing Producer: Eli Akselrod

Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick

Editor 2: Eli Akselrod

Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Outro Music: Olam Chesed Yibaneh · Rabbi Menachem Creditor · David Paskin

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Nobody Else Has To Pay Such A High Price For Being Accepted Nov 03, 2025

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This past September, I had the pleasure of traveling to New York City to sit down with Deena Margolies, a staff attorney at the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law. The Brandeis Center—unaffiliated with Brandeis University—provides legal advocacy for individuals affected by Title VI violations, with a particular focus on those targeted for their Jewish or Zionist identity in academic settings, from elementary schools to universities, including students, faculty, and staff.

In our conversation, Deena shares what inspired her journey from entertainment law to civil rights advocacy, where she now represents victims of antisemitism. She explains the scope of Title VI, unpacks the distinction between free speech and harassment, and recounts powerful stories of college students who risked their social standing to defend themselves and their peers. Deena also reflects on why her current work keeps her every bit as busy—and fulfilled—as her earlier legal career.

Please join me for this timely conversation.

Host and Creator: Manya Marcus

Managing Producer: Maya Zanger-Nadis

Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick

Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Outro Music: "Basheket Sheli" by Anat Malamud

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We Are Always Going To Be Treading Water Oct 29, 2025

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This past July, I had the privilege of sitting down with Yossi Held, Executive Director of Stand With Us Midwest. In our conversation, Yossi discussed the dual mission of Stand With Us: to educate the public about Israel and Judaism in order to counter widespread misinformation, and to provide legal support for individuals impacted by antisemitism—particularly in educational settings, from elementary schools to graduate programs.

Yossi reflects on how the small size of the Jewish community leaves it in a constant struggle to stay afloat against antisemitism—an undercurrent that has always existed but has now erupted into an undeniable force in society. He also talks about his personal journey through profound loss and resilience: navigating the aftermath of October 7th while caring for his terminally ill husband. Yossi shares how, in the midst of this storm of communal and personal adversity, his work at Stand With Us became his solace.

Host and Creator: Manya Marcus

Managing Producer: Maya Zanger-Nadis

Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick

Editor: Shira Glicksman

Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Outro Music: "Boom Boom Blossom" by Elijah Aaron

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Addicted To The Compassion Oct 27, 2025

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On September 17, 2025, Manya Marcus spoke with Raphael Herbst, a senior paramedic with Magen David Adom (MDA) and head of its Emotional Resilience Program, at the offices of American Friends of Magen David Adom in New York City.

Raphael discusses MDA’s vital role in Israeli society—from delivering world-class emergency care across the country to leading national responses to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, terror attacks, the 12-day war with Iran, and the October 7, 2023 massacre in southern Israel.

He also highlights MDA’s technological innovations, like using WhatsApp to guide patients before medics arrive and securing blood banks as strategic national assets. Raphael shares his personal journey, including his response to a 2001 terror attack and how it inspired his commitment to fostering emotional resilience among MDA staff through peer-to-peer support.

Host and Creator: Manya Marcus

Managing Producer: Maya Zanger-Nadis

Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick

Editor: Keren Glicksman

Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Outro Music: "Oh My Soul" by Nuriel

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A Tsunami of PTSD Is Coming Oct 22, 2025

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Welcome to What Came After. Today is October 22, 2025. While much remains uncertain in Israel, one thing is clear: the emotional recovery of an entire nation coping with collective trauma will be a long and complex process. In this episode, I speak with several remarkable people from Ripples of Healing, a therapeutic program that helps individuals process trauma through guided immersion in water. It’s a powerful, innovative and effective approach. We'll explore the therapy itself, as well as the personal journeys of several people who've been transformed by it.

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Yitzchak (Itzik) Rabinovitz

An electronic engineer and graduate of the University of Illinois, Itzik immigrated to Israel 47 years ago and has since devoted his career and life to strengthening Israel’s defense — both through his service in the IDF and his work in the defense industry.

He and his wife, Channa, are proud parents of five children and grandparents to 29. During Operation Iron Swords, four of Itzik’s sons and his son-in-law served on active reserve duty, each contributing over 400 days in defense of the nation.

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Tzviki Barkai

Age 37, husband and father of two daughters.

During his military service in Gaza (Operation Cast Lead), Tzviki was shot in the head by a sniper and critically wounded.

After undergoing treatment at Einot Bar, he experienced a profound personal transformation and chose to dedicate his life to helping others heal.

Today, Tzviki serves as the CEO of Advot Marpeh (Ripples of Healing), a nonprofit organization operating within the Einot Bar ecosystem. He leads with deep commitment to expanding care and rehabilitation for trauma survivors.

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Einat Sarfati Cohen

Founder of Einot Bar, Israel’s leading center for growth through crisis.

For the past decade, Einot Bar has been operating as an integrative healing center located in the heart of the Negev Desert, offering innovative programs that combine mind, body, and spirit.

Einat is a mother of three and the founder of the community of Giv’ot Bar, which became a model for sustainable living and regional development that transformed the Negev and the Galilee over the past twenty years.

Since October 7th, Einat has been working tirelessly in Israel and abroad to support soldiers and civilians recovering from trauma. The integrative medical model she developed at Einot Bar has been recognized as a leading approach in Israel for trauma recovery and holistic rehabilitation.

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Host and Creator: Manya Marcus

Managing Producer: Maya Zanger-Nadis

Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick

Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Outro Music: "And The Waves" by Menachem Halevi and Nuriel

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I’m Speaking On Behalf Of Those Who Are Still In Bondage Oct 13, 2025

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Simon Deng is a former slave from South Sudan, human rights activist, public speaker, and professional swimmer. He has lived in the United States since 1989 and has been a leader of the South Sudanese expatriate community since 1993.

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Host and Creator: Manya Marcus

Managing Producer: Maya Zanger-Nadis

Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick

Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Outro Music: "Jerusalem" by Elijah Aaron

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Maybe There Is Something Left Sep 14, 2025

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In February, What Came After sat down with the Chief Rabbi of Poland and native New Yorker, Michael Schudrich. Their conversation was recorded in Warsaw, where Rabbi Schudrich has lived and worked for the past 35 years.

Host Manya Marcus speaks with Schudrich about his personal journey to Poland, how there are many more Jews- or those with Jewish heritage- who live in Poland than anyone realized or expected when Schudrich took his post in 1990, and how Poland’s Jewish community is growing to include more Poles whose Jewish parents, grandparents and great grandparents stayed in Poland after the war and chose not to share with their own families that they were Jewish. Schudrich speaks to the process of self-discovery among these community members, as well as the need for the broader international Jewish community to recognize and support the Jewish life that has not only survived in Poland, but begun to thrive.

Schudrich talks about the Polish response to October 7th, and how, in the wake of the tragedy, more Polish Jews have come out of the woodwork and chosen to live Jewish lives.

Host and Creator: Manya Marcus

Managing Producer: Maya Zanger-Nadis

Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick

Editor: Keren Glicksman

Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Outro Music: "It's Never Too Late" by Elijah Aaron

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I Invite You All To Come Sep 07, 2025

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Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible.

Mino is a Roman entrepreneur and restaurateur with deep roots in the culinary world, shaped by his family’s experience in the industry. He manages two establishments: Casalino Osteria, a kosher restaurant, and a bakery-café, Dolce Kosher. Through his work, he combines tradition and innovation, creating welcoming spaces where people can enjoy great food and hospitality. Beyond the kitchen, Mino is passionate about curating special events and menus that highlight seasonal ingredients and Italian culinary heritage.

Host and Creator: Manya Marcus

Voice Acting: Matt Marcus

Managing Producer: Maya Zanger-Nadis

Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick

Editor: Keren Glicksman

Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Outro Music: "Osim Shuk" by Noa (Achinoam Nini)

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