The OCU Chronicle Podcast

Maya Vorobyov grew up with a deep appreciation for Jewish identity and resilience. She grew up straddling between being secular and deeply Zionist, immersing in Israeli life yet aware of the fragility of Jewish freedom. Her early work producing IDF delegations abroad exposed her to the importance of strengthening ties between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide and ultimately shaped her path....

Shawna Wexler opens up about breaking into Hollywood, navigating challenges and mentoring the next generation of entertainment professionals. With a 21-year career in the industry starting at CAA in the mailroom, Shawna has represented comedians crossing into television and film. After five years, Shawna earned her promotion to agent - one of the youngest to do so at the time. She later joined Bri...

by Jordan Lubowitz Stories have always been at the heart of Ben Berkowitz’s life. As a kid, he would drag his twin brother Max to comic book stores and fill sketchbooks with superheroes born from his imagination. What began as a childhood passion grew into a vision shaped by lessons from his family’s small business and strengthened by his bond with Max. That vision became Not A Billionaire, the cr...

by Romy Peretz Raina Penchansky, co-founder and CEO of Digital Brand Architects, has spent the past fifteen years championing creators as the new voices of culture. “Anything that’s disruptive to the status quo is always going to get pushback,” she told us, reflecting on the early days of convincing brands to take influencers seriously. In this interview, Raina shares how she built DBA into the in...

by Gabby Ostroff From hosting a Shabbat dinner with the goal of bringing Jews together in New York post October 7th, Josh Kadden never would have imagined leaving his job in tech to spearhead the launch of the Nova Music Festival Exhibition , one of the leading acts to preserve the memory of the Nova Festival—and “the moment music stood still.” The exhibit quickly became a nationally recognized tr...

by Yasmeen Ohebsion With a background in political communication and security policy, Mosheh Oinounou, the former executive producer of CBS Evening News and the founder of Mo News , discusses how his career in mainstream media led to the creation of his fast growing news platform. What started as a social media project designed to provide reliable information to a close circle of family and friend...

by Rachel Pournazarian From filming YouTube videos with two little kids to becoming the founder of a media company with over 6.5 million followers, Valeria Lipovetsky’s story is one of self-growth and staying grounded, admits the whirlwind of social media. In this conversation, Valeria reflects on her upbringing as a Russian-born Jew, who was raised in Israel and how her identity evolved as she mo...

In today’s media landscape, versatility isn’t optional—it’s essential. Just ask Jacki Karsh. With a passion for storytelling, the multimedia journalist has built a multi-dimensional career that bridges traditional reporting, legal analysis, and digital media. Her path—from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism to on-the-ground breaking news coverage—reflects her commitment to staying...

In this timely and deeply resonant conversation, Mandana Dayani sits down with acclaimed author Dara Horn to explore themes of identity, resilience, and remembrance.  Horn, whose powerful work " People Love Dead Jews " sparked widespread reflection and later became the basis for her bestselling book of the same name, shares her perspective on how antisemitism manifests today—especially in the wake...

by Ben Sherman, Longhorn Students for Israel Co-Founder Long before Ari Ackerman began using his platform to reach millions online, he was shaped by a deeply personal legacy. His grandfather was one of the early architects of the modern State of Israel, and his mother’s home “felt like a Jewish catering hall” because of how often she hosted events. All of this instilled in him the belief that Juda...

by Maia Cukierman As an author, podcast host, and founder of Zibby Media , Zibby Owens’s multi-faceted approach to publishing gives her a unique insight—and invaluable perspective. Whether learning how to handle rejection in the literary world (insight shared by bestselling author of Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom) or reimagining media for Gen Z, she remains committed to her storytelling roots....

by Yasmeen Ohebsion From Broadway stages to his podcast “ Being Jewish with Jonah Platt ,” Jonah Platt has spent much of his career using storytelling as a way of connecting with others. Recently, that instinct has taken on a new urgency. October 7 reshaped his priorities and deepened his commitment to Jewish advocacy. Known for his work as a writer, performer, and producer, Platt has recently ste...

At a time when college campuses are grappling with the tension between free speech and the rise of hate-fueled rhetoric, the question of how to protect Jewish students has moved to the center of national debate. For Representative Dan Goldman (NY-10), the stakes are both political and personal. The Congressman has emerged as a prominent advocate for clearer policies, stronger protections, and grea...

Mandana Dayani and actress and activist Debra Messing sat down with Steve Leder, Senior Rabbi at Wilshire Boulevard Temple of Los Angeles, to understand the roots of prejudice, the resilience of the Jewish community, and how we can all join in on the fight to combat antisemitism. Rabbi Leder is an acclaimed author and thought leader, and has always led by example,  facilitating conversations about...

Mandana Dayani and actress and activist Debra Messing sat down with Steve Leder, Senior Rabbi at Wilshire Boulevard Temple of Los Angeles, to understand the roots of prejudice, the resilience of the Jewish community, and how we can all join in on the fight to combat antisemitism. Rabbi Leder is an acclaimed author and thought leader, and has always led by example,  facilitating conversations about...