מתחילים מחדש עם דבי מצקין Restart with Debbie Matzkin

This week on Restart with Debbie I had the joy of welcoming back my dear friend Yehuda Lapian, and my heart is still full. 🇮🇱 Yehuda was born in Manhattan like me, raised in Jerusalem, and today he lives here in Tel Aviv, bridging his traditional Zionist roots with modern Israeli life. He shared so much with me. He told me about serving 179 consecutive days of reserve duty in Gaza and Lebanon, abo...

Get ready to have your reality completely challenged. In this breathtaking episode of ReStart, I sit down in my home with a truly brilliant mind and a dear friend, Dr. Francisco Gil-White. Francisco is a political anthropologist, historian, investigative journalist, and the founder of The Management of Reality. Honestly, I left this conversation in a total state of shock, and I think you will too....

What does it truly take to build an empire from scratch? 🥐✨ In the latest episode of my podcast, Restart , I sat down with the incredible Dudu Outmezgine for a conversation that touched my heart. Dudu shared how he started with nothing but a burning passion to bring the excellence of Paris to Israel. We talked about the struggles, the lack of support along the way, and why he stays true to the c...

This week on Restart with Debbie, I had the honor of welcoming Danielle Chetrit into my home in Israel, a powerful voice from San Francisco and the founder of Malca Productions. Danielle shared her journey growing up in a deeply Zionist home, and how everything changed after October 7. What began as a response to rising antisemitism in the diaspora became a movement bringing some of the strongest...

This week on Restart with Debbie, I sat down with a creator whose identity itself tells a powerful story - Esco! Born and raised in South Florida to parents from the Dominican Republic, my guest grew up at the intersection of cultures — Jewish roots, Latin heritage, and a deep connection to Israel. She described her identity as a “mishmash,” a blend that became her compass for everything she does...

This week on Restart with Debbie, I sat down with Tal, a young creator whose story stopped me in my tracks. What started as a simple moment on his 18th birthday — trading photography for a scooter in the south of France — turned into a life-changing decision: traveling the world through 40 countries with zero dollars, relying only on creativity, courage, and human connection. Tal shared how exchan...

This week on Restart with Debbie , I welcomed one of Israel’s most beloved voices and one of my closest friends of over forty years, Dudu Fisher. In this deeply personal conversation, Dudu takes us through the journey of his life: from singing secretly in yeshiva while listening to Elvis Presley, to becoming a cantor, a Broadway star, and a cultural bridge between Jewish communities around the wor...

This week on Restart with Debbie , I sat down with Hallel Silverman, for a powerful and honest conversation about activism, identity, and what it really means to show up as a Jew today. We talked about working with teenagers and college students, building confidence instead of fear, and why education alone isn’t enough, we also need tools. From teaching young people how to protest safely and artic...

This week on Restart with Debbie, I sat down with two remarkable young leaders, Yocheved Kim and Sammy Yahood, whose paths crossed through tragedy and transformed into purpose. We spoke about courage, Jewish identity, faith, and what it means to stand strong in a world that often asks us to shrink. From confronting hatred and media distortion, to rediscovering pride, values, and responsibility, th...

This week on Restart with Debbie , I had the joy of sitting down with Jake — a young, inspiring soul who packed up his life in Wisconsin and chose to begin again in Tel Aviv. Jake arrived in Israel right in the middle of COVID, with no clear plan and a very open heart. What followed was a journey of learning Hebrew, falling in love, finding his place, and eventually opening a bicycle shop in the h...

In this episode, I sat with Micah and we went straight into the hard questions: What is the real difference between antisemitism and Islamic fanaticism? Why has Israel spent decades protecting people who now deny its right to exist? And how do we empower our youth to fight not with anger, but with identity? We talked about army service, resilience, Zionism, living with purpose in Israel, and why t...

In this week’s episode, I had the privilege of hosting Yuval Malka. A retired police officer, former Head of Intelligence for the Israeli Border Police, and a panelist on Israeli Channel 14. Beyond his impressive resume and his studies in the Israel Police Command and Staff Course, Yuval brings a depth of experience and perspective that you can truly feel. Our conversation went far beyond titles....

This week on Restart with Debbie, I sat down with Ronn Torossian, a brilliant Entrepreneur and Jewish communal leader who understands Israel in a way the world often struggles to see. From Sephardic Syrian-Jewish traditions to Tel Aviv’s energy, from viral war-time content to the responsibility of shaping public opinion, Ronn brings a perspective that is raw, honest, and deeply rooted in identity....

This week on Restart with Debbie , I had the absolute honor of sitting down with one of the most powerful, passionate, and inspiring women I know — Judge Trudy Stern , from New York. Trudy isn’t just a judge; she’s a leader, a mother, a grandmother, and a proud Jewish activist whose work through NORPAC has shaped the U.S.–Israel relationship for over two decades. Together, we spoke about her perso...

Hi my loves, welcome back to Restart! In this inspiring episode, I sit down with my cousin the world-renowned architect Kobi Karp, for a beautiful and personal conversation about life, design, and the meaning of home. From his early days in Hadera and Minneapolis to shaping skylines across Miami, Dubai, and beyond, Kobi shares how culture, light, and emotion guide his architectural vision. We talk...

Hi, my loves 💖 Welcome back to Restart ! In this special episode, I had the joy of hosting my dear friend Rami once again at my home in Tel Aviv. Together with Lucy, we laughed, cooked, and shared from the heart about life after the war, what it means to live in Israel today, and the flavors that keep us grounded. We spoke about resilience, the beauty of simple food (yes, sabich is still our favo...

In this very special episode of Restart , I had the honor of hosting Kayam Boccara once again. After a long lecture tour across the United States, Kayam returned to share not only his incredible personal story, but also the powerful experiences he had meeting Jewish communities abroad. From the battlefield in Gaza to months of rehabilitation, and now standing as a voice of hope and resilience, Kay...

In this heartfelt episode of Restart, I had the incredible honor of welcoming my dear friend Diego Santos, an amazing journalist with deep roots in storytelling. We dove into his eye-opening journeys - from Indonesia’s tsunami to today’s challenges in Israel and discussed how social media has changed journalism forever. Diego shared powerful reflections on truth, ethics, and the incredible spirit...

In this moving episode of Restart , I sat down with Denise Bar-Aharon, the heart behind Make-A-Wish Israel . We talked about the magic of granting wishes for children with critical illnesses, and how one moment of hope can spark strength, healing, and even miracles. Denis opened my eyes—and will open yours—to the real power of dreams. Sometimes, the wish isn’t just for joy. It’s a wish to live.

In this heartfelt episode of Restart , I sit down with the wonderful Rami—an Aussie chef who made aliyah and turned his passion for food into a mission. From high-tech in Australia to hummus in the Shuk, Rami shares his incredible journey of finding home, purpose, and joy right here in Israel. We talked about what food means to us, why sharing a plate is more than just a meal, and how cooking conn...

In this special episode of Restart , I sat down with Luai Ahmed , a brave and thoughtful voice who shared his personal journey from Yemen to Israel — and how everything he believed about the Jewish people was completely transformed. Luai was taught that being Jewish meant causing harm. But through real relationships, travel, and honest conversations, he discovered the opposite: a people rooted in...

In this episode of “Restart,” I am honored to host Terry Newman, an entrepreneur, investor, and geopolitical strategist. Terry shares his insights on the current global crises and the necessity for a significant restart in our thinking and actions, particularly in relation to Israel. We delve into topics such as the transformation brought by technological advancements, the historical context of an...

In this very special episode of Restart , I had the honor of speaking with Tal Brody — an Israeli legend, an athlete who didn’t just play basketball, but changed the story of Israeli sports and pride forever. We spoke about the unforgettable night of 1977 when Maccabi Tel Aviv shocked the world by beating the Soviet Union’s team in Belgium — a team that was considered unbeatable. Tal shares how th...

Hey everyone! In this episode of “Restart,” I sat down with the amazing Lihi Griner, who I had never met before but turns out is a big star in Israel! 🎉 We dived into everything from her hilarious run-ins with the law (seriously, a cop drama!) to her heartwarming career as a doula. We had a blast chatting about life, laughter, and the wild world of reality TV. This episode is packed with laughs,...

Welcome back to another episode of “Restart with Debbie Matzkin!” Today, I’m super excited to dive into a topic that’s close to my heart: how food, routine, and those special moments in our lives all come together.   Join me and my wonderful guest, as we chat about the little things that make our days brighter—like starting our mornings with a delicious breakfast or enjoying a cozy dinner with fri...