The Radical Movement Rallying Around Mark Ruffalo
Israeli actor and Fauda co-creator Lior Raz recalls receiving desperate calls from family members hiding in a bomb shelter as Hamas terrorists attacked communities across southern Israel on October 7.
Lior eventually made his way south, where he helped evacuate Israelis who were still sheltering amid terrorist attacks and rocket fire.
For Lior, whose work has brought Israeli stories to millions of viewers around the world, October 7 was a reality happening to his own family in real time (as it was for millions of Israelis and Jews).
Israeli actor and Fauda co-creator Lior Raz recalls receiving desperate calls from family members hiding in a bomb shelter as Hamas terrorists attacked communities across southern Israel on October 7.
Lior eventually made his way south, where he helped evacuate Israelis who were still sheltering amid terrorist attacks and rocket fire.
For Lior, whose work has brought Israeli stories to millions of viewers around the world, October 7 was a reality happening to his own family in real time (as it was for millions of Israelis and Jews).
Ireland’s national soccer team will move forward with its Nations League fixtures against Israel after a “significant majority” of players voted to play. The decision followed hours of internal discussions and mounting pressure on the team to boycott Israel. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad, saying that participating would conflict with his personal principles.
The remaining players will wear black armbands “in recognition of all lives lost in the conflict.” They also plan to skip the traditional pre-match handshake and exchange of pennants with the Israeli team.
The historical irony is that in 1939, Irish national team players gave the Nazi salute before facing Germany in Bremen. Nearly nine decades later, Israeli athletes are again being singled out for political treatment simply because of the country they represent. Whatever one’s views on the war, athletes should not be turned into proxies for governments or conflicts. Sport should be a place for competition and connection, not collective punishment based on nationality.
Ireland’s national soccer team will move forward with its Nations League fixtures against Israel after a “significant majority” of players voted to play. The decision followed hours of internal discussions and mounting pressure on the team to boycott Israel. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad, saying that participating would conflict with his personal principles.
The remaining players will wear black armbands “in recognition of all lives lost in the conflict.” They also plan to skip the traditional pre-match handshake and exchange of pennants with the Israeli team.
The historical irony is that in 1939, Irish national team players gave the Nazi salute before facing Germany in Bremen. Nearly nine decades later, Israeli athletes are again being singled out for political treatment simply because of the country they represent. Whatever one’s views on the war, athletes should not be turned into proxies for governments or conflicts. Sport should be a place for competition and connection, not collective punishment based on nationality.
We are proud to announce our new named sponsor, The Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Philanthropic Fund , as part of our Vanguard initiative.
The Ira Gershwin Vanguard Initiative is committed to educating the next generation of entertainment industry leaders about the challenges facing the Jewish people today.
Through engaging conversations with Jewish thought leaders, networking events, and mentorship opportunities with entertainment industry leaders, we create a space to explore these challenges and develop meaningful strategies for taking action against antisemitism and anti-Israel hatred.
Participants leave not only better informed, but equipped with practical strategies to respond to misinformation, engage constructively, and lead within their professional networks.
Last week’s event brought together almost 200 entertainment professionals to the home of Blair and David Kohan to to discuss: The Stories We Fight to Tell: Navigating a Changing Industry, Creative Risk, and the Challenge of Bringing Jewish and Israeli Narratives to the Screen. For this special event, we partnered with the Jewish affinity group of the WGA.
Featured in conversation:
David Kohan — Writer, Showrunner (Will & Grace, Mid-Century Modern)
Jamie Denbo — Writer, Producer (Grey’s Anatomy, Rebel, American Princess)
Leslie Schapira — Writer, Producer (Creature Commandos, Poppa’s House, and Vice-Chair, WGA Jewish Writers Committee)
Jeff Astrof — Writer, Producer, Showrunner (Friends, Trial & Error, Stumble, Shit My Dad Says)
Moderated by Ron Rappaport — Writer/Producer (Country Comfort [Netflix], Anger Management [F/X], Birthright [Leviathan])
We are proud to announce our new named sponsor, The Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Philanthropic Fund , as part of our Vanguard initiative.
The Ira Gershwin Vanguard Initiative is committed to educating the next generation of entertainment industry leaders about the challenges facing the Jewish people today.
Through engaging conversations with Jewish thought leaders, networking events, and mentorship opportunities with entertainment industry leaders, we create a space to explore these challenges and develop meaningful strategies for taking action against antisemitism and anti-Israel hatred.
Participants leave not only better informed, but equipped with practical strategies to respond to misinformation, engage constructively, and lead within their professional networks.
Last week’s event brought together almost 200 entertainment professionals to the home of Blair and David Kohan to to discuss: The Stories We Fight to Tell: Navigating a Changing Industry, Creative Risk, and the Challenge of Bringing Jewish and Israeli Narratives to the Screen. For this special event, we partnered with the Jewish affinity group of the WGA.
Featured in conversation:
David Kohan — Writer, Showrunner (Will & Grace, Mid-Century Modern)
Jamie Denbo — Writer, Producer (Grey’s Anatomy, Rebel, American Princess)
Leslie Schapira — Writer, Producer (Creature Commandos, Poppa’s House, and Vice-Chair, WGA Jewish Writers Committee)
Jeff Astrof — Writer, Producer, Showrunner (Friends, Trial & Error, Stumble, Shit My Dad Says)
Moderated by Ron Rappaport — Writer/Producer (Country Comfort [Netflix], Anger Management [F/X], Birthright [Leviathan])
Wayne Rooney has discovered a deeply personal connection to Jewish history: his maternal grandmother’s family were Polish Jews.
The former England football star explores those roots in The Real Rooneys, visiting Auschwitz with his family after his 10-year-old son developed an interest in World War II. At a time when Holocaust memory is increasingly challenged and distorted, stories like Rooney’s help keep that history personal, visible, and alive.
Wayne Rooney has discovered a deeply personal connection to Jewish history: his maternal grandmother’s family were Polish Jews.
The former England football star explores those roots in The Real Rooneys, visiting Auschwitz with his family after his 10-year-old son developed an interest in World War II. At a time when Holocaust memory is increasingly challenged and distorted, stories like Rooney’s help keep that history personal, visible, and alive.
Israeli soccer player Manor Solomon was put in the uncomfortable position of being grilled about the Israel-Hamas war by an Austrian journalist.
Solomon is an athlete, not a government official or political spokesperson. Israeli athletes should not be singled out and expected to answer for the actions of their government simply because of their nationality.
Sports should bring people together, not become another arena for political litmus tests targeting Israelis.
Israeli soccer player Manor Solomon was put in the uncomfortable position of being grilled about the Israel-Hamas war by an Austrian journalist.
Solomon is an athlete, not a government official or political spokesperson. Israeli athletes should not be singled out and expected to answer for the actions of their government simply because of their nationality.
Sports should bring people together, not become another arena for political litmus tests targeting Israelis.
Gal Gadot is turning one of the Jewish world’s highest honors into direct support for Israelis still carrying the trauma of the past three years.
After being named the 2026 Genesis Prize laureate, the Israeli actress will distribute $3 million to around two dozen organizations providing mental health and trauma care, including United Hatzalah and Make-A-Wish Israel. “After three years of war, loss, and extraordinary hardship, I believe recovery starts from within,” Gadot said.
Gal Gadot is turning one of the Jewish world’s highest honors into direct support for Israelis still carrying the trauma of the past three years.
After being named the 2026 Genesis Prize laureate, the Israeli actress will distribute $3 million to around two dozen organizations providing mental health and trauma care, including United Hatzalah and Make-A-Wish Israel. “After three years of war, loss, and extraordinary hardship, I believe recovery starts from within,” Gadot said.
Absolute Icon.
Maybeline jas chosen Israeli model Daniella Halfon to be the face of their international campaign, set to appear in 110 countries. 🌎
Congratulations to Daniella. We know you will make Israel proud 🇮🇱♥️
Absolute Icon.
Maybeline jas chosen Israeli model Daniella Halfon to be the face of their international campaign, set to appear in 110 countries. 🌎
Congratulations to Daniella. We know you will make Israel proud 🇮🇱♥️
Film and television have such power that they can build bridges between nations and groups in conflict zones.
Season 5 of Fauda, an Israeli TV series that covers the Middle East conflict through the eyes and experiences of Israeli elite special forces, has reached number one in Lebanon. On October 8, 2023, Hezbollah attacked Israel’s northern communities and dragged Lebanon into a war it was never a part of.
Two countries divided by war are now watching the same story, proving that culture can cross borders even when politics cannot.
Film and television have such power that they can build bridges between nations and groups in conflict zones.
Season 5 of Fauda, an Israeli TV series that covers the Middle East conflict through the eyes and experiences of Israeli elite special forces, has reached number one in Lebanon. On October 8, 2023, Hezbollah attacked Israel’s northern communities and dragged Lebanon into a war it was never a part of.
Two countries divided by war are now watching the same story, proving that culture can cross borders even when politics cannot.
