Here I Am With Shai Davidai

Anila Ali, founder of the American Muslim Multi-Faith Women's Empowerment Council, joins Shai to share her journey as a Pakistani-American Muslim woman fighting extremism from within. From growing up in Pakistan's Sufi-influenced culture, to witnessing radical ideology infiltrate American mosques after 9/11, to speaking at the March for Israel in front of 300,000 people post-October 7th, Anila has faced death threats, lost family, and received an Iranian fatwa against her. She discusses why 80% of the world's Muslims are non-Arab, how the Muslim Brotherhood hijacked mainstream Islam, and why building authentic interfaith Abrahamic partnerships is the path forward.
Guest: Pakistani Muslim Activist Anila Ali
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Credits:
Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Allison Fuller, Josh Tepper, Bonnie Berkovits
Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions

In this episode of Here I Am with Shai Davidai, Shai sits down with Rebecca Schgallis and David Litman from CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis).

They discuss how misinformation and ideological framing can shape public understanding of Israel and the United States, from news coverage to classroom curricula. Rebecca shares what she saw as a former high school history teacher and why she believes K-12 education has become a major front in shaping narratives, especially after October 7. David explains CAMERA’s approach to media accountability and offers practical “red flags” viewers can look for, including selective context, loaded language, double standards, and misplaced agency.

Guests: Rebecca Schgallis and David Litman

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Credits:
Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Allison Fuller, Josh Tepper, Bonnie Berkovits
Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions
Graphic by Shira Auman

In this episode of Here I Am with Shai Davidai, Shai sits down with clinical psychologist, trauma expert, and educator Miri Bar-Halpern for a candid conversation about trauma, identity, and what it means to keep showing up when the world feels unstable. Miri shares how her upbringing in Israel and her family history as a third-generation Holocaust survivor shaped her work, and she explains the difference between resilience and post-traumatic growth, focusing on how values-based action and meaning-making can help people move from surviving to thriving after trauma.
They also discuss what many Jews have experienced since October 7, including traumatic invalidation in therapy spaces, academic settings, and public life, and why naming the harm is a key step toward healing. The conversation ends with Miri’s work in radicalization prevention through Parents for Peace, including warning signs for families and why antisemitism can appear across extremist ideologies, making this a powerful episode about mental health, advocacy, and reclaiming agency.
Guest: Trauma Specialist Miri Bar-Halpern
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Credits:
Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Allison Fuller, Josh Tepper, Bonnie Berkovits
Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions
Graphic by Shira Auman

In this episode of Here I Am with Shai Davidai, Shai sits down with actor, writer, and filmmaker Ari Frenkel for a wide-ranging conversation about Jewish identity, comedy, creativity, and grief.
Ari shares what it means to be an “October 8th Jew,” how his Israeli upbringing in America shaped his relationship to Judaism, and why humor and satire can reveal (and trigger) so much in people. They dive into Ari’s long-running digital series “Sorry, Ari,” including the viral episode “The Jews,” and talk about navigating mob mentality, online extremism, and making art that stays human in a volatile time.
The conversation then turns to Ari’s feature film “See You on the Other Side,” a romantic comedy inspired by his father’s death and the year of grief that followed, including a search for his father’s former love. Ari reflects on loss, meaning-making, and why creating art can be a way to honor the people we’ve lost.
Guest: Filmmaker Ari Frenkel
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Credits:
Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Allison Fuller, Josh Tepper, Bonnie Berkovits
Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions
Graphic by Shira Auman

In this episode of Here I Am with Shai Davidai, Shai sits down with Ilana Ybgi, a doula, life coach, and founder of the Crown Heights Birth Justice Project. Ilana describes herself as a “social justice Jew” and explains what social justice means to her: seeing what is broken, taking responsibility, and becoming part of the solution, even through small but real actions.
Their conversation explores Ilana’s work supporting women during birth, and why she views birth as a deeply vulnerable, sacred space where dignity and advocacy matter. Ilana and Shai discuss the wider maternal health crisis in the U.S., including how bias in medical settings can impact care, especially for Black women and Orthodox-presenting women. Ilana speaks about the fear and tension that can come with identity, particularly after October 7, and the personal realities of navigating antisemitism while raising a family.
Ilana also shares the mission behind the Crown Heights Birth Justice Project, which brings together women from different communities, including Jewish and Black women, to build trust and connection through honest conversations about birth, support, and shared vulnerability. The episode closes with Shai’s rapid-fire “Here I Am” questions, touching on safety, hope, and why the birth of a baby can be a powerful reminder of resilience and optimism.
Guest: Ilana Ybgi
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Credits:
Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Allison Fuller, Josh Tepper, Bonnie Berkovits
Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions
Graphic by Shira Auman