Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas – Details, episodes & analysis

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @AvivaKlompas.

The day after New York City elected its first openly anti-Israel mayor, many Jews in America’s largest Jewish community are asking the same question: what now?

In this episode, Michael Rapaport joins Aviva to talk about what Mamdani’s win reveals about the political and cultural shifts happening in New York — and what it means for Jews everywhere.

They trace Rapaport’s unexpected journey from actor and comedian to one of the most outspoken Jewish voices in America, and why he refuses to stay silent in the face of hate. Together, they unpack the silence of celebrities after October 7, the self-defeating choices of Jewish voters, and the growing divide between pride and fear in public Jewish life.

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @AvivaKlompas.

Eli Sharabi spent 491 days in Hamas captivity — hidden in homes, held in tunnels, and forced to survive the unthinkable. When he finally emerged, Israel rejoiced, but his freedom came with unbearable news: his wife and daughters were among the victims of October 7.

In this powerful conversation, Eli reflects on life before the massacre, the will to survive, and what it means to rebuild after loss. He also speaks about the moral clarity that came from witnessing Hamas up close and why confronting that ideology is central to any hope of peace.

Eli’s memoir, Hostage, has become a global phenomenon — the fastest-selling book in Israel’s history and a #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller. In this raw and unflinching firsthand account, Sharabi offers an unprecedented look inside Hamas captivity, chronicling the starvation, isolation, brutal beatings, and psychological torment he endured — and the extraordinary will to survive that carried him through.

Guest Bio

Eli Sharabi is a former hostage who survived 491 days in Hamas captivity following his abduction from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023. Sharabi became a global advocate for the remaining hostages, meeting with world leaders like US President Donald Trump, speaking at the United Nations, and sharing his story with audiences around the world. His memoir,  Hostage, the first published account by a released Israeli hostage, became an instant number one bestseller in Hebrew (the fastest selling book in Israeli history) and an instant New York Times (US) and Sunday Times (UK) bestseller.

Born in Tel Aviv to Yemenite and Moroccan parents, Sharabi moved to Be’eri as a teenager and later married Lianne, a British woman with whom he shared two daughters, Noiya and Yahel, aged sixteen and thirteen. A longtime resident of Be’eri, Sharabi served as the Kibbutz’s business manager, as well as the Chief Financial Officer of the Kibbutz, Be’eri Printing, and other private companies in Israel. Sharabi continues to work tirelessly as leading advocate for raising awareness of the October 7th atrocities. 

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.

For nearly a year and a half, Keith Siegel lived through the unimaginable. An Israeli American originally from North Carolina, Keith and his wife, Aviva, were taken hostage from their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7. Aviva was released during a ceasefire in November 2023, but Keith remained in Gaza for 484 days. He was shuttled between more than 30 hiding places — sometimes held with fellow captives, other times left for months entirely alone. In this episode, Keith opens up about what it was like to endure those 484 days. 

Keith’s Pancake Recipe

Ingredients:
2 cups (450 ml) buttermilk
½ cup (90 ml) oil
2 cups (80 g) flour
2 eggs
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda


Preparation:

Mix the wet ingredients - buttermilk, oil, and eggs.
In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients - flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
Gently fold the wet and dry mixtures together until just combined, then let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes.
Lightly grease a hot pan with oil and pour in a full ladle of batter for thick pancakes. Cook for about 2 minutes or until bubbles form on the surface. Flip and cook for a short time on the other side.
Serve with real maple syrup on top.

In this episode of Boundless Insights, host Aviva Klompas sits down with Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, to dissect Amnesty International’s controversial report accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

They discuss the report's claims, the implications of Amnesty’s decision to lower the threshold for proving genocide, and the far-reaching consequences of these accusations on Israel and the global narrative. The episode also touches on why genocide accusations resonate so deeply for Israel and what’s at stake in the war of words surrounding this.

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Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken the stand in his long-running corruption trial, facing charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust. His testimony comes as Israel battles a multifront war now in its 14th month, deepening political divides.

To his supporters, the trial is a politically motivated effort to remove him from power; to his critics, it’s a critical test of Israel’s legal system and its ability to hold leaders accountable.

Joining us to break it all down is Tomer Naor, Head of the Legal Department at The Movement for Quality Government in Israel. We’ll unpack the details of the case and its far-reaching implications for Israel’s politics, society, and legal system.

Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

Guest Bio:

For over a decade, Tomer Naor has been a central figure at The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, one of the country’s leading grassroots organizations. As Head of the Legal Department for the past five years, he has led landmark Supreme Court cases, championing democracy, transparency, and good governance, particularly during Israel’s recent constitutional crisis.

Recognized as one of the Hebrew University’s “40 Promising Graduates Under 40” and The Marker’s “40 Under 40,” Tomer is a prominent voice on law, politics, and civil society. He is a frequent media commentator, a sought-after lecturer, and actively involved in social initiatives across Israel.

Tomer holds law degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Northwestern University, in partnership with Tel Aviv University. He is also a father, educator, and dedicated social activist.

Syria’s collapse didn’t happen overnight. Born from the colonial borders of post-World War I, Syria has long been a fractured country, divided by sectarianism, tribal rivalries, and decades of brutal dictatorship. For years, Bashar al-Assad’s regime seemed untouchable, propped up by foreign support from Iran and Russia.

Now, in a sudden and decisive turn, Assad’s regime has fallen—an event few predicted and one with profound consequences for the region. Rebel factions, some with extremist ties, are vying for control, and Syria’s neighbors are jockeying to fill the power vacuum.

How did we get here? What does Assad’s collapse mean for Syria’s future, and how might this moment reshape the Middle East?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to Washington and a leading expert on the region, to explore the history that led to Assad’s fall and what comes next for Syria, its people, and its neighbors.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others.

Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

The Assad regime has collapsed, marking a historic turning point in the Middle East. Long a cornerstone of Iran’s Axis of Resistance, Syria now stands at a crossroads. Rebel forces have delivered a major blow to Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia—while raising alarms about the rise of new jihadist groups.

For Israel, the resulting power vacuum introduces new security challenges, especially along its northern border. In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, Middle East strategist and former IDF spokesperson, to break down the fallout from Assad’s collapse, its impact on Israel, and what lies ahead for the region.

Guest Bio:

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on the Middle East. He served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for 24 years as a combat commander in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. He also served as a military diplomat, foreign relations expert, and international spokesperson. He recently retired as lieutenant colonel. Jonathan was the first Israeli officer to be seconded to the United Nations (UN), during which he provided military and strategic analysis for UN peacekeeping forces. He has directed social media and public diplomacy efforts and has extensive on- and off-camera experience from his years as a spokesperson.

Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

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Diplomacy is often seen as the key to resolving conflicts, but can it succeed without the strength to back it up?  Host Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren, Israel's former Ambassador to the United States, to explore the interplay between diplomacy and power.

Dr. Oren shares his insights on America's reluctance to demonstrate its strength and its growing aversion to military engagement. He discusses how these tendencies have shaped global perceptions of U.S. leadership, the mixed messages they send to allies, and the ripple effects on conflicts like the ongoing war Israel is fighting.

Together, they unpack questions at the heart of modern diplomacy: How can nations balance the use of force with the pursuit of peace? What role does trust play in sustaining alliances? And what does America’s approach to diplomacy signal for its future role on the global stage?

This is a thought-provoking conversation about the limits of diplomacy, the necessity of strength, and the challenges facing Western leadership in an increasingly volatile world.

Additional Resources:

Dr. Michael Oren’s book Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide

Dr Oren: The Diplomatic Whiplash of Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump

Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

We’re discussing one of Israel’s most contentious debates: the military draft exemption for the ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, community. Since Israel's founding, Haredim have been largely exempt from mandatory military service, a policy initially intended for a small group of Torah scholars but now encompassing tens of thousands of men.

With Israel facing a multifront war and a strained IDF, the debate over this exemption has shifted from one of fairness to one of sustainability. How is this impacting Israeli society, the military, and the future of the State? Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren to unpack the historical roots, current tensions, and broader implications.

Key Topics Covered:
-The history of the Haredi draft exemption
-How the IDF’s manpower shortages and increasing demands on reservists are fueling resentment toward the Haredi community
-The role of Israel’s Supreme Court in pushing for draft reforms
-Broader implications for Israeli society, national security, and economic sustainability

Learn more about Boundless: https://boundlessisrael.org/

Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, to discuss the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

After more than a year of conflict, including near-daily attacks that displaced tens of thousands of Israelis in the north, the proposed ceasefire introduces a 60-day transition plan that would put a halt to the fighting and see Lebanese troops deployed in southern Lebanon to keep Hezbollah away from Israel's border.

Aviva and Dr. Oren discuss the details of the agreement and tackle several pressing questions including: Who is behind the deal? Can displaced Israelis safely return to their homes? What are the odds this fragile truce will hold?

Key Topics:
-Details of the ceasefire agreement 
-Internal and external pressures that may have contributed to the agreement
-The role of international actors in overseeing the agreement
-The willingness of Israelis to return to their homes