Ariel Stachel—Tony winner for The Band's Visit—gets brutally honest about learning to “act” by hiding parts of himself, and what it took to finally stop. We get into his solo show Other, the identity whiplash growing up post 9/11, and why he’s willing to say the uncomfortable things—about activism, platforming, and how Jews should be portrayed in media right now. Margarita and Ariel compare notes and bond over being children of immigrants.

Connect with Ariel on Instagram @ArielStachel Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

1:42 "My acting training was pretending to be other people"

8:38 How has the show Other been received?

11:27 On the experience of having immigrant parents

19:30 Ariel's activism & message to Mamdani

23:46 How should we tell stories about Jews today?

29:50 On "platforming" people you disagree with

33:44 What's next for Ariel?

36:12 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Neil Friedman is the quiet powerhouse behind some of the most important Jewish cinema of the last two decades. As founder of Menemsha Films and ChaiFlicks — the world's largest Jewish streaming platform — he's racked up five consecutive Oscar-nominated films, championed hidden gems from six continents, and turned Bad Shabbos into a $1.5 million theatrical juggernaut at a moment when nobody goes to the movies anymore.

Neil's story is one of Jewish ingenuity, resilience, and work ethic. **Special Promo to get an annual subscription to ChaiFlicks for only $36 for People Jew Wanna Know listeners!**Redemption link: http://www.chaiflicks.com/checkout/subscribe/purchase?code=people36&plan=yearly

Redemption code: PEOPLE36Follow Menemsha Films on IG @Menemshafilms and learn more at menemshafilms.com Follow ChaiFlicks on IG @chaiflicks and learn more at chaiflicks.com Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:15 From Park Avenue lawyer to Hollywood independent

08:40 Why Jewish art house — and trusting his parents' taste

12:20 Launching ChaiFlicks the first week of the pandemic

17:10 Why *Bad Shabbos* worked when *Nobody Wants This* didn't

24:30 The Florida-to-New York release strategy

29:15 Films every young Jew should see

34:50 Israeli TV is the best in the world, pound for pound

38:20 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Moshe Davis was Mayor Eric Adams' Jewish liaison and architect of NYC's first-ever Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism — until he found out via tweet that the Mamdani administration was replacing him. He's the guy who handled everything from synagogue security to the "Israel Bombs Way" street sign vandalism. Moshe has dealt with the good, the bad, and the ugly of Jewish life in NYC post October 7th.

Margarita and Moshe sit down to discuss Moshe's experience and where he thinks Jewish life in NYC is headed. Plus: why antisemitism is less a prejudice and more the world's oldest conspiracy theory — and what that means for how we fight it.

Follow Moshe Davis on X @_moshedavis

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:13 From MJE to City Hall

07:00 What a Jewish Liaison Actually Does

12:30 Building MOCA and the Final Report

18:45 Getting Replaced by a Tweet

24:00 Israel Bombs Way and the Whack-a-Mole Job

29:30 Should Jewish New Yorkers Be Worried

33:00 Why the Orthodox World Isn't Phased

37:30 Antisemitism as a Conspiracy Theory, Not Just Racism

42:00 What's Next & Get Off Social Media, Get Into Politics

44:26 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination