PODCAST

What Came After

Manya Marcus

Stories of how people’s lives changed on and after October 7, 2023

society & culture personal journals

All Episodes

49:29

"They Are The New Survivors"

What Came After ·

2026/01/22

This past fall, I sat down with Nadine Greenfield-Binstock, a longtime Jewish communal professional who has devoted her career to strengthening Jewish life as well as Israel advocacy. After more than 20 years working with the American Jewish Committee, Nadine reflects on the AJC’s role in building bridges—both within the Jewish community and beyond it. She also speaks candidly speaks about the devastating night that Yaron Leschinsky and Sarah Milgrim were murdered at an AJC event in Washington, DC

45:27

“Why Am I Living In America?"

What Came After ·

2026/01/11

In September 2025, I sat down with Aryeh Schwartz, a professional photographer based in Washington, DC. Aryeh was working at the Capital Jewish Museum on the night that Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Leschinsky were murdered. Aryeh is also the founder of Winsidr.com, a leading outlet for in-depth WNBA coverage. In this conversation, Aryeh reflects on the night Sarah and Yaron were killed and its aftermath. He also reflects on the unexpected ways his work in WNBA journalism has shifted since October

38:42

“Why Do We Start So Late?”

What Came After ·

2025/12/21

Earlier this year, I traveled to Princeton, New Jersey to meet with Lynne Azarchi and Harlene Lichter Galen, authors of Countering Antisemitism: A How‑To Guide for Youth (8–18), Families and Educators. The two met while working on anti-bias programming in a New Jersey after-school setting and, during the height of COVID, began noticing a troubling rise in antisemitic bullying and bias targeting younger students. In this episode, Lynne and Harlene reflect on their personal encounters with

43:34

"Adults In The Room: Where Are You?"

What Came After ·

2025/12/11

Earlier this year, I sat down with Alissa Zeffren, a Tanach and History teacher at Ida Crown Jewish Academy outside Chicago and the director of NILI, the women’s division of the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel. Alissa also leads the Chicago chapter of Student to Student (STS), a program that trains Jewish teens—across Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox backgrounds—to present about Judaism in non-Jewish public and private school classrooms, working to combat antisemitism one classroom at a time. Our guest

51:03

"We Want It To Come From Us"

What Came After ·

2025/12/01

This past July, What Came After sat down with Kelly Shapiro, an engineering student at Rutgers University who founded the club Students Stand With Israel in the aftermath of October 7th. Kelly discusses her path into student government as antizionism and antisemitism surged on campus, and she reflects on the fear many Jewish students feel about speaking up—often out of concern that they lack an encyclopedic grasp of the conflict. She also shares her own experiences with intimidation since becoming

42:26

"A Really Great Day For Another Proud Jew"

What Came After ·

2025/11/24

This past September, What Came After traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Rabbi David Wolkenfeld, the rabbi of Ohev Shalom. Rabbi Wolkenfeld, who began his tenure only a few months before October 7th, reflected on the unique challenges of stepping into leadership in the shadow of that day.He spoke about the wide range of pastoral needs that emerged within his new congregation—from helping people reclaim spaces for Jewish joy after tragedy to supporting families across multiple generations who

51:43

"The Most Meaningful Thing I Did"

What Came After ·

2025/11/19

Earlier this week, I visited the Nova Exhibition in my hometown of Chicago. Even though I had visited the Nova site just four months after October 7th, I sensed that this experience would be more intense. I was right. And that intensity is part of what makes the exhibit so important.After viewing the exhibit, I sat down with Doron Mizrahi. Doron, now 27, attended the Nova festival. He witnessed what he repeatedly describes as a “horror show”—a phrase that, as you’ll hear, is nothing if not an

39:51

"The Ultimate Slur"

What Came After ·

2025/11/18

Welcome back to What Came After. You’re about to hear the second part of my interview with Dr. Devin Naar, a professor of Sephardic Studies in Seattle. When Devin and I first spoke a few months ago, we were trying to understand how to approach a set of topics about which we think and feel very differently. At one point, he asked me, “Where are you holding with the g-word?”—a question that, for most Jews since October 7th, needs no explanation. For many Jews, the accusation of genocide against Israel

80:56

"The Friendship Remains The Highest Value"

What Came After ·

2025/11/12

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

40:05

"Being Jewish Actually Does Come At A Cost"

What Came After ·

2025/11/10

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

41:35

“Trust The Person Who Says ‘I’m Confused’”

What Came After ·

2025/11/05

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

36:29

"Nobody Else Has To Pay Such A High Price For Being...

What Came After ·

2025/11/03

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

45:11

"We Are Always Going To Be Treading Water"

What Came After ·

2025/10/29

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

39:15

"Addicted To The Compassion"

What Came After ·

2025/10/27

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

52:17

"A Tsunami of PTSD Is Coming"

What Came After ·

2025/10/22

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

43:12

“I’m Speaking On Behalf Of Those Who Are Still In...

What Came After ·

2025/10/13

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.⁠⁠ 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 Listen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

41:47

“Maybe There Is Something Left”

What Came After ·

2025/09/14

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

17:23

"I Invite You All To Come"

What Came After ·

2025/09/07

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

34:28

"The Diaspora Is An Opportunity"

What Came After ·

2025/08/31

Ruth Dureghello was born in Rome on July 5, 1967. She earned a law degree from the University of Rome La Sapienza and went on to pursue a career in entrepreneurial activities. Married with two children, Ruth led the “For Israel” party as its presidential candidate for the Council of the Jewish Community in Rome in 2015. She won 44.08% of the total vote and, following the Council’s recommendation, became the first woman to serve as President in the history of the Roman Jewish Community. Re-elected

24:11

"What Happens In The Souls Of The West"

What Came After ·

2025/08/24

Listen to our conversation with EL-NET CEE (Central and Eastern Europe) featuring:Anna Miszewska, Deputy Director Joanna Olszewska, Project Manager Marta Kubica, CEO Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Managing Producer: Maya Zanger-Nadis Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "Old Polish Tango in Hebrew" by Olga Mieleszczuk Listen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠

57 results

What Came After

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

Voices of Life

APG Mannheim

Promo Estereo Podcast

Promo Estereo

Talking Timelines Podcast

Talkingtimelines

גיקונומי

ראם שרמן ודורון ניר

Drømmefanger

Drømmefanger