What Gives? The Jewish Philanthropy Podcast

Episode 76 of What Gives?—the Jewish Philanthropy Podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, Andrés speaks with Eugene Kandel, former Chair of Israel’s National Economic Council, chairman of the Board of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and founder and chairman of the Israel Strategic Futures Institute. Over decades of advising Israeli governments and institutions, Eugene has become one of the leading voices thinking strategically about Israel’s political, economic, and social future.

In this wide ranging conversation, Andrés and Eugene explore the deep internal divisions shaping Israeli society, the tension between Israel’s Jewish and democratic identities, and the demographic and political forces reshaping the country’s trajectory. They reflect on why polarization has become so dangerous, what October 7 revealed about Israel’s vulnerabilities, and why Jews around the world should be paying close attention to what comes next.

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Episode 75 of What Gives?—the Jewish Philanthropy Podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, Andrés speaks with Zack Bodner, CEO of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto and founder of the Z3 Project. Zack has spent more than a decade reimagining what a Jewish community center can be in an era of polarization, loneliness, and rapidly shifting modes of belonging.

Recorded in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, the conversation begins with a reflection on communal resilience and leadership in painful moments. Andrés and Zack explore what it means to build “town square” institutions that can hold difference without losing their core values, including how to think about boundaries, platforming, and creating brave spaces for hard conversations. They also discuss Silicon Valley’s culture of experimentation, the evolving role of JCCs, and how projects like Z3 aim to generate ideas, convene diverse voices, and help shape the Jewish future.

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Episode 74 of What Gives?—the Jewish Philanthropy Podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, Andrés speaks with Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation and author of the book Find Your Fight: Make Your Voice Heard for the Causes that Matter. Jay has spent years pushing institutions, media, and communities to think more seriously about representation, access, and belonging for people with disabilities.

Drawing on Jay's decades of advocacy and the ideas at the heart of his book, he reflects on how leaders and institutions can move from good intentions to meaningful action. Together, Jay and Andrés explore why authentic representation matters, how philanthropy can drive systemic change, and what it really takes to build a more inclusive Jewish and civic life.

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Episode 73 of What Gives?—the Jewish Philanthropy Podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, Andrés speaks with Ronen Koehler, a former submarine commander and a leader of Brothers and Sisters in Arms.

We recorded this conversation during Israel’s war with Iran, with Ronen joining us from inside a public shelter in Tel Aviv. He reflects on the urgent, grassroots work of transforming neglected public shelters into safe and humane spaces, the evolution of Brothers and Sisters in Arms since October 7th, and the leadership lessons he carries from military service to civil society. It’s a conversation about resilience, responsibility, and the power of citizens to step up when systems falter.

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Episode 72 of What Gives?—the Jewish Philanthropy Podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, Andrés speaks with Dr. Keren Fraiman, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, and Dr. Sivan Zakai, Professor of Jewish Education at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and director of the Children’s Learning About Israel Project. Both are leading researchers in Jewish education whose work examines how young people form their understanding of Israel, identity, and Jewish life. And both are recent recipients of the Ilia Salita Excellence in Research Award for the work they’ve done in this field.

In this conversation, we explore their latest findings, what Jewish children are really learning and feeling, and how funders and educators can better support honest, nuanced approaches to Israel education in today’s climate.

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