Kai Lemel

I am entirely Ashkenazi Jewish from both sides.  My father's family has been in Jerusalem for something like 9 generations.  My mother was born in Riga in the USSR, her mother was from Kiev, and my mother's grandparents actually met each other and settled together after the Holocaust.  They were the only survivors in their whole families; both of their previous spouses and children were murdered.

I grew up in a secular Jewish home.   However, my home had very strong pro-Semitic values and a very strong connection to our country (Israel).  I speak Hebrew at home and am an extremely proud Jew.

I found out about TPF through Jewish kids talking about it at University sometime last year and then I looked into it.

My experience with TPF has been outstanding.  I prepare by carefully watching and learning the contents of the podcast and learning the contents of the podcast and then discussing that content extensively.  It is super-beneficial as I leave each week with far more knowledge about these hyper-relevant topics than I would have otherwise had.  My podcast mentor is Rabbi Naftali Silver (of the Sephardi Hebrew Congregation of Cape Town).  We have a great relationship that has enhanced my educational capacity significantly.

It's very tough to select a favorite speaker as there are so many incredible speakers providing so much value.  However, my favorite series has been the PRO-Semitism Course which delves into intricacies of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that very few know about.

Today, I stand very strongly in my Jewish identity.  I am extremely proud and grateful to be Jewish.

I am currently on a trip with the Jewish organization Ohrsom (ed. note: sounds like "Awesome," Ohr Somayach's South African branch).  We were supposed to have a trip to Israel, but due to the war with Iran, had to postpone at the last minute.  Now we are in the Kruger National Park (in NE South Africa).

My experience after October 7 has been challenging.  It was heartbreaking to see the devastation and it was especially hard for my father who is Israeli; all his family is there.  All in all, it has made my strength and pride in my religion even stronger.

“Massively beneficial, educational and thought-provoking to the highest degree.”