Raised by a single mother, Congressman Ritchie Torres overcame poverty, personal trauma, and systemic barriers to forge a path of advocacy and leadership.

Torres shares his inspiring journey, which began in public housing in the Bronx. His civic interest guided him into politics, and he now serves in the U.S. Congress as one of the first openly gay congressmen of color. He reflects on his dedication to housing reform, his progressive yet independent voice in American politics, and the transformative impact of a visit to Israel.

Drawing inspiration from civil rights leaders who fought for the rights of Black Americans, Torres draws powerful parallels between the historical struggles of Black Americans and the Jewish people. His bold advocacy for Israel and his fight against rising antisemitism have come at great personal and professional cost. Yet, he continues to champion Israel and the Jewish community with unwavering conviction, believing that silence is never an option in the face of hate.

Listen in on this live conversation with Gil and Congressman Torres as they thoughtfully discuss one of the most controversial topics in American politics.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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As an engineering student, Yariv Bash dedicated countless hours to hands-on work, sacrificing top grades in order to open doors for out-of-this-world opportunities.

After co-founding SpaceIL, Yariv and his team entered the Google Lunar XPrize competition on little more than a whim and a little bit of whiskey. They built and launched Beresheet, the first private interplanetary robotic mission to the moon. Although the landing proved unsuccessful, it did not deter investors from supporting Yariv's subsequent ventures, including his groundbreaking work in the drone delivery space and the establishment of FlyTrex, an on-demand drone delivery service.

While Yariv’s career is punctuated by soaring success, he also experienced a literal rock bottom.

Join Gil as he delves into Yariv's remarkable achievements, setbacks, and unwavering resilience.

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel’s unique culture, diversity, richness and complex reality. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

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Want to continue the story?

Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.org

Did you enjoy this episode?

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Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

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Ashager Araro's reverence for dreams extends far beyond mere aspirations or poetic musings; for her, they hold profound significance embedded in Israel’s history, her ancestral roots, and her personal journey.

Born in Ethiopia, Ashager’s family yearned for a life in Jerusalem for generations. However, upon reaching their longed-for destination, the reality was far from their dreams. Struggling against social isolation and racial prejudice as a Black Jew, Ashager's parents fostered a fierce determination within her and helped her practice empathy toward her peers. This unwavering sense of self fueled her dream of a more equitable Israel, and she emerged as a champion for ethnic minorities, particularly for her own Ethiopian community.

Ashager went on to create Battae — Amharic for “home”— which serves as a sanctuary where fellow African Jews can find community and celebrate the richness of their heritage through food, dance, and education.

Join Gil as he gains a deeper understanding of Ashager’s remarkable story, how she utilizes her online reach, and endeavors to help Gil master his very first word in Amharic: "ameseginalehu" (Thank you).

More about storymarkTM

storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit whose mission is to empower leaders to engage their networks in meaningful Israel experiences, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Israel's unique culture, diversity, and complex reality, which they carry back into their own lives and leadership roles. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.

storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer and Editor is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.

Connect with storymark

Want to continue the story?

Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.org

Did you enjoy this episode?

Help us spread the storymark word!

Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Want to see the faces behind the voices?

Follow us on Instagram: @storymark

Want to say hello or recommend a guest?

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.