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
