Mael Time With Daniel Mael

In this conversation, Sagiv Asulin, a former Mossad operative, argues that the Iranian regime is entering a clear and accelerating phase of collapse driven by internal decay rather than external military pressure. He points to unprecedented nationwide protests, a young generation that is increasingly secular and openly hostile to clerical rule, and a regime that is steadily losing legitimacy, cohesion, and fear-based control. Reflecting on the lessons of October 7, Asulin discusses how intelligence blind spots forced Israel to reassess long-held assumptions, while also correcting misconceptions about Mossad’s role and limitations. He highlights Qatar’s influence as a major driver of regional propaganda and instability, and concludes that shifts in leadership and strategic thinking are essential as Iran’s old order weakens and the end of the regime moves from speculation to a near-term reality.

At a time when grief is too often turned into spectacle, the Widows of Warriors project offers a radically different model—one rooted in listening, restraint, and respect. In this conversation, Rabbi Moshe Rothschild explains why every decision begins with what the widows themselves ask for, not what looks compelling to donors or cameras. The project prioritizes dignity, mental health, and community, creating space for widows to share the stories of their heroic husbands on their own terms while building sustainable support for their children well into the future. It is a quiet, deeply human approach to healing and remembrance—proving that resilience is not built through display, but through care that lasts.

This episode examines why transparency and accountability are essential to the moral credibility of Jewish charitable organizations. Drawing on public financial filings and documented statements, it explains why asking hard questions is neither smearing nor anti-Jewish, but a necessary responsibility to the community. The discussion challenges the notion that good intentions excuse misleading practices, highlights the lack of consistent oversight in parts of the nonprofit world, and addresses the media’s reluctance to scrutinize influential charities. Ultimately, it argues that true tzedakah depends on honesty, clear governance, and accountability, because trust in charitable giving must be earned through facts, not assumed.

It's the right thing to do.

In this episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes reflects on the mission of the Manhattan Jewish Experience and why Jewish engagement is resurging in the wake of October 7. He explores how moments of crisis have pushed many young, less-affiliated Jews to ask deeper questions about identity, tradition, and belonging, and why education—not slogans—is the key to meaningful connection. Wildes discusses the enduring power of prayer, the spiritual depth of Hebrew, the countercultural appeal of Shabbat as a break from constant technology, and the renewed interest in Kabbalah and mysticism among younger generations. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes that concepts like Israel, Tikkun Olam, and Jewish unity only have substance when rooted in Jewish values and learning, offering a thoughtful, grounded vision for the future of Jewish life.

Rabbi Shai Graucher joins the Mael Time podcast for an unfiltered discussion about his war efforts and the public nature of giving charity.

Turning Mourning into Mission is not a slogan for the Goodman family; it is a lived commitment forged in loss. After the death of Yosef Goodman while serving in the Israeli army, his family confronted a question that haunts so many bereaved families: what comes after the shiva ends and the world moves on. Their answer became Just One Simcha, a quiet but powerful movement dedicated to ensuring that children who have lost a parent still experience the dignity, joy, and communal embrace of a bar mitzvah. In a country where grief is widespread but often carried privately, the Goodmans chose to transform personal mourning into public responsibility, insisting that remembrance must be active, not symbolic. Each bar mitzvah is more than a ceremony; it is a declaration that loss does not erase belonging, and that even in the shadow of tragedy, joy can be rebuilt—one simcha at a time.

On this episode of the Mael Time Podcast, Daniel Mael sits down with Ruby Chen, the father of fallen IDF soldier Itay Chen, for a raw, unsparing conversation about grief, truth, and moral responsibility after October 7. This is not a political talking-point episode. It is a reckoning. Ruby speaks with clarity about what hostage families endured, how political interests distorted their fight to bring loved ones home, and why unity among families mattered more than ideology. He confronts leadership failures head-on, calls for an independent investigation, and challenges both Israel and the diaspora to stop hiding behind slogans and start telling the truth. This is the voice of a father who lost everything—and still insists that Israel must be better than its excuses.Please visit this site to learn about Itay and how you can help honor his memory: www.rememberingitay.com

A quick note on the attempt to investigate 10/7.

In this episode of the Mael Time Podcast, Rabbi Yaakov Menken joins Daniel Mael for a wide-ranging and unflinching conversation about Jewish values, political power, and the limits of unity in an age of rising anti-Semitism. Menken explains the mission of the Coalition for Jewish Values, critiques the ideological drift of legacy Jewish institutions, and argues that communal solidarity built on distortion or silence is not unity at all. The discussion confronts anti-Semitism on both the right and the left, examines the risks of legitimizing extremist voices, and challenges the Jewish community to choose moral clarity over convenience. At a moment when politics increasingly demands loyalty over truth, this conversation insists that Jewish identity cannot survive without honesty, courage, and principled dissent.

Chesed Shel Emes should be private.

In this episode of the Mael Time Podcast, Noam Buskila reflects on his experience as an Israeli soldier and musician navigating war, loss, and recovery. He speaks candidly about bringing his guitar with him to the front lines, using music as a lifeline amid grief, trauma, and the lasting effects of PTSD. Buskila explores how community support, diaspora donations, and a shared Jewish identity help sustain soldiers long after the fighting pauses. More than a personal story, the conversation is a meditation on resilience, mental health, and Jewish pride, capturing how music can bind a wounded people together as one body, one soul.

Naomi Kahn and Meir Deutsch of Regavim join the Mael Time Podcast for a clear-eyed conversation about one of Israel’s most urgent and least discussed crises: the state’s refusal to enforce its own laws. Drawing on Regavim’s on-the-ground work, they explain how selective enforcement has eroded sovereignty, undermined the rule of law, and created facts on the ground that no government statement can undo. This is not an ideological debate but a warning about governance itself. A country that writes laws but declines to enforce them invites chaos, and Kahn and Deutsch lay out why restoring enforcement is not optional but foundational to Israel’s future.

In this explosive Mael Time Podcast episode, Sean Burstyn delivers one of the most honest, unfiltered conversations about Jewish life in America today. From the surge of anti-Semitism on college campuses to the radical forces—left and right—that are shaping public discourse, Burstyn breaks down what’s really at stake for the Jewish community. He shares raw personal stories, sharp legal insights, and a powerful message about identity, pride, and community strength. If you care about Jewish safety, free speech, and the future of Jewish life in America, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.

Shaul Magid joins Mael Time for a thoughtful and challenging conversation about Jewish identity, Zionism, and how October 7th reshaped both Israeli and American Jewish life. Together, he and Daniel Mael explore the shifts taking place inside the Jewish community, the questions emerging around nationalism, and the evolving relationship between Judaism and the State of Israel. It’s a nuanced, honest discussion that offers real insight into one of the most important debates of our time.

Magen David Adom’s Deputy Director, Raphael Herbst, explains how Israel’s national emergency service responded to the unprecedented challenges of recent years, especially the events of October 7th. He highlights how strong leadership, clear vision, and strategic preparedness enabled MDA to operate effectively under extreme pressure. This included building a protected blood facility before the crisis, scaling blood processing by 300%, and working seamlessly with the IDF and Home Front Command to reduce mortality rates among soldiers. Herbst underscores the central role of community engagement, noting that drills, training, and empowering civilians are essential components of national readiness. He emphasizes that Israel’s ability to meet overwhelming medical demand depended not just on operational excellence, but also on widespread cooperation and continued support from Jewish communities worldwide.

There's a case to be made that Nick Fuentes is a gifted troll but not anti-Semitic. What do you think?

The killing of Yasser Abu Shabab exposes a truth about Gaza that the world refuses to confront. Behind the slogans of “resistance” and “liberation” is a society ruled by fear, intimidation and violent enforcement of loyalty to Hamas. Anyone suspected of speaking to Israelis, even for survival, is branded a collaborator and marked for death. Martyrdom is celebrated, dissent is crushed and ordinary people are trapped between an extremist ideology and the daily misery it produces. This conversation pulls back the curtain on Gaza’s real internal war and reveals a political culture built on repression, terror and the destruction of its own people long before it ever fights Israel.

In this conversation, Daniel Mael and Yonatan Green delve into the complexities of Israel's legal system, exploring its historical context, the absence of a constitution, and the evolution of judicial power. They discuss how cultural isolation and limited information contribute to misunderstandings about Israel's legal framework. Green emphasizes the significance of Aharon Barak's influence on the Supreme Court and the implications of judicial activism on democracy. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by Israel in defining its legal identity and the consequences of not having a constitution. In this conversation, Yonatan Green and Daniel Mael delve into the complexities of Israel's judicial system, the implications of judicial reforms, and the ongoing constitutional crisis. They discuss the role of the Israeli Supreme Court, the challenges posed by the lack of a formal constitution, and the impact of recent reforms on democracy in Israel. The dialogue emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of these issues to foster informed public discourse and navigate the political landscape effectively.Check out Yonatan Green's new book: Rogue Justice: The Rise of Judicial Supremacy in Israel

In this episode of the Mael Time Podcast, host Daniel Mael interviews Alon Leichman, an Israeli Olympian and assistant pitching coach for the Miami Marlins. They discuss Alon's journey from playing baseball in Israel to making a name for himself in American baseball, the challenges he faced with injuries, and his experiences representing Israel on the international stage. Alon shares insights into his transition to coaching in Major League Baseball and reflects on the cultural experiences of being an Israeli in the sport. The conversation also touches on recent events affecting Israel and the upcoming World Baseball Classic.