What does it mean to be Ethiopian, Israeli, and American — all at once?
Richard Taite sits down with Tali Aynalem, a former IDF soldier, Ethiopian Israeli American writer, and social media influencer whose videos about Jewish identity, Israel, and history have reached millions.
Tali shares her remarkable story: growing up in Israel, moving to Oregon at age 10, serving in the IDF as an admin worker with the Givati Brigade combat unit stationed along the Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, and Judea and Samaria, and returning to the United States — before October 7th changed everything.
She and Richard discuss what it felt like to lose close friends overnight to ideology, why she finally decided to speak out, how she stays optimistic in a climate of rising antisemitism, and what she believes the world gets wrong about Israel and Jewish identity.
Tali also opens up about her new Substack, her decision to date exclusively within the Jewish community, and why she believes being Jewish — proudly, openly, and without apology — is the only answer to the moment we're in.
Follow Tali Aynalem on Instagram and subscribe to her Substack for weekly essays on Jewish identity, history, and culture.
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