The untold stories and real issues facing Israel and the Jewish community in Australia and around the world.

The untold stories and real issues facing Israel and the Jewish community in Australia and around the world.

Behind The Headlines

Behind The Headlines is your gateway to the untold stories and real issues facing Israel, the Jewish community in Australia and around the world. Hosted by Adam Slonim, the show invites guests from across the globe to explore the background, facts, and complexities behind the headlines, giving listeners a deeper insight and understanding of the challenges and opportunities that shape Israel and Jewish life today. Whether it’s examining the situation in Israel, uncovering the realities of global Jewish communities, dissecting Government and society’s changing attitudes, or discussing the pressing issues that affect us all, Behind The Headlines will provide insightful and engaging conversations that go beyond the surface.

About the Host

Adam Slonim is a seasoned commentator with a deep passion for Jewish community issues and Israeli affairs. Adam has served in community positions over many years and co-founded Labor Friends of Israel. He has taken a number of Australian Missions to Israel. He is the Managing Director of the Blended Learning Group, focusing on teaching Emotional Intelligence, and consults in Artificial Intelligence. Adam brings a wealth of experience in public engagement and education, having worked extensively with organisations and forums focused on the Middle East and global Jewish issues. Adam’s thoughtful, informed approach ensures that Behind The Headlines offers listeners meaningful, nuanced discussions on the stories that matter most.

Behind The Headlines is your gateway to the untold stories and real issues facing Israel, the Jewish community in Australia and around the world. Hosted by Adam Slonim, the show invites guests from across the globe to explore the background, facts, and complexities behind the headlines, giving listeners a deeper insight and understanding of the challenges and opportunities that shape Israel and Jewish life today. Whether it’s examining the situation in Israel, uncovering the realities of global Jewish communities, dissecting Government and society’s changing attitudes, or discussing the pressing issues that affect us all, Behind The Headlines will provide insightful and engaging conversations that go beyond the surface.
About the Host
Adam Slonim is a seasoned commentator with a deep passion for Jewish community issues and Israeli affairs. Adam has served in community positions over many years and co-founded Labor Friends of Israel. He has taken a number of Australian Missions to Israel. He is the Managing Director of the Blended Learning Group, focusing on teaching Emotional Intelligence, and consults in Artificial Intelligence. Adam brings a wealth of experience in public engagement and education, having worked extensively with organisations and forums focused on the Middle East and global Jewish issues. Adam’s thoughtful, informed approach ensures that Behind The Headlines offers listeners meaningful, nuanced discussions on the stories that matter most.

A gripping, inside-the-storm conversation with Australian Jewish News editor Gareth Narunsky that exposes what has really been happening in Australia before and since the Bondi attack — including two revelations that left even us stunned.

A gripping, inside-the-storm conversation with Australian Jewish News editor Gareth Narunsky that exposes what has really been happening in Australia before and since the Bondi attack &mdash; including two revelations that left even us stunned.

EP55.  Shocking revelations about Bondi  - with Gareth Narunsky

In this episode of Behind The Headlines, I’m joined by Michael Oren — historian, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, and one of the most thoughtful and experienced interpreters of Israel’s place in the world — for a wide-ranging and deeply honest conversation about war, diplomacy, October 7, the moral confusion of the West, and what it actually takes to pursue peace in a region that resists simple stories.

In this episode of Behind The Headlines, I&rsquo;m joined by Michael Oren &mdash; historian, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, and one of the most thoughtful and experienced interpreters of Israel&rsquo;s place in the world &mdash; for a wide-ranging and deeply honest conversation about war, diplomacy, October 7, the moral confusion of the West, and what it actually takes to pursue peace in a region that resists simple stories.

EP54. Michael Oren - Israel at War & Peace, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

In this urgent and unflinching conversation, Peter Wertheim, one of Australia’s most experienced Jewish communal leaders, confronts a question many would rather avoid: why does antisemitism feel different now? From the chilling chants outside the Sydney Opera House to the terror of Bondi, from the failures of cultural institutions to the silence of political leaders, Wertheim dissects how hatred once confined to the margins has seeped into mainstream Australian life — often disguised as activism, moral righteousness or “free speech.” Calm, forensic and deeply human, this is a must-listen episode about fear, courage, and what it will take for Australia to face a problem it can no longer explain away.

In this urgent and unflinching conversation, Peter Wertheim, one of Australia&rsquo;s most experienced Jewish communal leaders, confronts a question many would rather avoid: why does antisemitism feel different now? From the chilling chants outside the Sydney Opera House to the terror of Bondi, from the failures of cultural institutions to the silence of political leaders, Wertheim dissects how hatred once confined to the margins has seeped into mainstream Australian life &mdash; often disguised as activism, moral righteousness or &ldquo;free speech.&rdquo; Calm, forensic and deeply human, this is a must-listen episode about fear, courage, and what it will take for Australia to face a problem it can no longer explain away.

EP53. Antisemitism, & Moral Panic - where to Australia? Peter Wertheim tells us

Following the tragedy of Bondi, I interview Labor insider and podcaster, Stephen Donnelly on how the ALP has failed the Australian Jewish community and what can be done to repair the relationship.

Following the tragedy of Bondi, I interview Labor insider and podcaster, Stephen Donnelly on how the ALP has failed the Australian Jewish community and what can be done to repair the relationship.

EP52. Has Labor failed the Jewish community - Stephen Donnelly

Luke Walladge is a political operative, insightful observer, and raconteur. In this Episode, we tour widely across the political landscape to seek understanding of the forces of change shaping our world.

Luke Walladge is a political operative, insightful observer, and raconteur. In this Episode, we tour widely across the political landscape to seek understanding of the forces of change shaping our world.

EP50. The Australian and Western political landscape with Luke Walladge

Dave Rich is the Policy Director at the UK's Community Security Trust. He discusses the disturbing experiences of the UK Jewish Community since Oct 7th, and how Antisemitism has changed the face of UK politics.

Dave Rich is the Policy Director at the UK's Community Security Trust. He discusses the disturbing experiences of the UK Jewish Community since Oct 7th, and how Antisemitism has changed the face of UK politics.

EP49. UK Antisemitism with Dr Dave Rich 

Mike Kelly has just spent a week with the Military Leadership Council on the ground inside Gaza and Israel and talks to us about what he saw and heard. This is a hard-headed assessment of the realities of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict

Mike Kelly has just spent a week with the Military Leadership Council on the ground inside Gaza and Israel and talks to us about what he saw and heard. This is a hard-headed assessment of the realities of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict

EP48. On the ground inside Gaza with (Col ret) the Hon Mike Kelly

The Scalon Foundation has been mapping Australia's Social Cohesion for many years. Is it cracking or holding up in the last two years? I explore this with Scanlon Executive Director, Anthea Hancocks. The answers may well surprise us all.

The Scalon Foundation has been mapping Australia's Social Cohesion for many years. Is it cracking or holding up in the last two years? I explore this with Scanlon Executive Director, Anthea Hancocks. The answers may well surprise us all.

EP47. Is Australia's social cohesion fraying -with Anthea Hancocks of the Scanlon Foundation

The newly released Crossroads 2025 survey, led by Prof Andrew Markus of Monash University, is the most comprehensive portrait yet of what Australians really think about Jews, Israel, and the fault lines of social cohesion in a post–October 7 world. It reveals a nation that remains broadly tolerant but increasingly confused — where antisemitic attitudes are still rare, yet ignorance and polarisation are rising, especially among the young. We’ll ask what’s driving this moral drift: media, education, ideology, or fatigue — and what it means for Australian democracy when reason gives way to reflex.

The newly released Crossroads 2025 survey, led by Prof Andrew Markus of Monash University, is the most comprehensive portrait yet of what Australians really think about Jews, Israel, and the fault lines of social cohesion in a post&ndash;October 7 world. It reveals a nation that remains broadly tolerant but increasingly confused &mdash; where antisemitic attitudes are still rare, yet ignorance and polarisation are rising, especially among the young. We&rsquo;ll ask what&rsquo;s driving this moral drift: media, education, ideology, or fatigue &mdash; and what it means for Australian democracy when reason gives way to reflex.

EP46. Unpacking the Crossroads25 Survey with Prof Andrew Markus

I interview Michael Scott on his new book, A Light Still Burns: Israel and the Values Worth Defending, and review how the War against Israel has taken its toll on Western civilisation. 

I interview Michael Scott on his new book, A Light Still Burns: Israel and the Values Worth Defending, and review how the War against Israel has taken its toll on Western civilisation.&nbsp;

Behind The Headlines

Follow the podcast:

42 clip(s) in playlist

Behind The Headlines

Follow the podcast:

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42 clip(s) in playlist