Yalla, Let's Go!

About Yalla, Let's Go!

Exploring what it really means to make Aliyah and build a life in Israel: the good, the challenging, and everything in between.

Publisher

Erica Marom, Abbey Onn

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Feb 2026

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

20 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   Danielle Yablonka, Miss Israel and Miami-Born Activist, on Losing Her Modeling Career for Speaking Up, Why Tel Aviv Is Holier Than Jerusalem, and Firing the Therapist Who Told Her Not to Make Aliyah

   Danielle Yablonka, Miss Israel and founder of DY Judaica, on how October 7th ended her modeling career and why Tel Aviv is holier than Jerusalem. On this episode of Yalla, Let's Go!, Erica Marom and Abbey Onn talk with Danielle Yablonka, a Miami-born model and pro-Israel content creator who made aliyah through Masa and spent her first months teaching English in Rishon LeZion during wartime. She explains how the Miss Israel pageant works, how she went from first runner-up to Miss Israel, and what it means to represent Israel at the 75th Miss Universe in Puerto Rico. She also talks about the Zionist thirst trap, the Spanish Inquisition necklace behind DY Judaica, dating in Tel Aviv, and her aliyah advice, from Nefesh B'Nefesh to proving your Judaism. Danielle's grandparents were Holocaust survivors, and she traces her activism back to them. After October 7th, her modeling work stopped. When she moved to Israel, she taught English to elementary school students while sirens sent the school to shelters. KEY TOPICS 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Meet Miss Israel Danielle Yablonka 02:22 - Danielle's Life Story: Miami to Miss Israel 02:41 - Holocaust Survivor Grandparents, BBYO and StandWithUs 03:15 - Campus Antisemitism and Pro-Israel Social Media 03:59 - Making Aliyah After October 7th 05:04 - How October 7th Ended Her Modeling Career 07:09 - How the Miss Israel Pageant Works 08:34 - From First Runner-Up to Miss Israel 09:37 - Miss Universe Training in Miami and New York 10:24 - Security and Antisemitism at Miss Universe 12:03 - Imposter Syndrome as a New Olah 13:09 - Teaching English in Rishon LeZion During Wartime 14:50 - The Zionist Thirst Trap and Full-Time Activism 16:44 - DY Judaica's Spanish Inquisition Necklace 18:31 - Dating in Tel Aviv: 50 First Dates 19:51 - The Tel Aviv Beach Moment Behind Her Aliyah 20:39 - Why Hardship Makes Israelis Happier 22:58 - Aliyah Advice: Nefesh B'Nefesh and Proving Judaism 24:12 - Fire Your Therapist, Find Your Support 25:12 - Why Tel Aviv Is Holier Than Jerusalem 27:05 - Rapid Fire: Bissli, Achla and Shabbat RESOURCES Follow Danielle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielleyablonka/ Follow Danielle on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danielleyablonka Subscribe to Yalla, Let’s Go here: https://www.aleph.vc/yalla-lets-go Learn more about Aleph: aleph.vc Sign up for Aleph’s monthly email newsletter: https://newsletter.aleph.vc/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@yallaletsgopodcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yallaletsgopodcast/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yallaletsgopodcast Follow Aleph on Twitter: https://x.com/aleph Follow Aleph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aleph-vc/ Follow Aleph on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleph.vc/ CREDITS Hosts: Erica Marom, Abbey Onn Executive Producer: Sarah Bard Producer: Sofi Levak, Dalit Merenfeld Video and Editing: Nadav Elovic Music and Creative Direction: Uri Ar Content and Editorial: Jackie Goldberg Design: Nimrod Sapir

2. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Dr. Leigh Livne, Shark Scientist and Admin of Belle Aviv, on Moving to Israel for the Food, Converting to Judaism in Tel Aviv, and the Pregnant Sharks of Hadera

   Why do sharks gather off Israel's Mediterranean coast? Shark scientist Dr. Leigh Livne studies them at Hadera, and her research on pregnant sharks made it into Sir David Attenborough's BBC series Asia. She also converted to Judaism, made aliyah, and runs Belle Aviv, Tel Aviv's nearly 35,000-member community for women. On this episode of Yalla, Let's Go!, Erica Marom and Abbey Onn talk with Leigh about sharks in Israel, converting to Judaism, building a community, and building a life here. Leigh grew up in an American military family, left the U.S. at 17 for a decade of study in England, and moved to Israel in 2014 for a PhD in marine science after an Israeli postdoc (and his cooking) convinced her to come. She explains what's really happening at the Hadera power and desalination site, how she and her research partner, Aviad, catch, rope, and sample adult dusky and sandbar sharks alongside the boat, and how she got a black eye at 39 weeks pregnant. She also opens up about her two-year Orthodox conversion with Rabbi Ariel Konstantyn at the Tel Aviv International Synagogue, making aliyah in 2020, and turning Belle Aviv from a Facebook group into a company. Plus: whether sharks actually want to eat you. (They don't.) Subscribe for more conversations with people who live, work, build, and stay in Israel. KEY TOPICS 0:00 - Intro 1:28 - Welcome & Pulse Check: Abbey's Hadera Shark Swim and the Fishing Hook 3:40 - Meet Dr. Leigh Livne: Shark Scientist and Belle Aviv Admin 4:15 - Life Story in a Minute: Military Family, 10 Years in England, PhD in Israel 5:05 - Why Israel? An Israeli Postdoc and the Food 6:34 - Sharks in Israel: The Hadera Power Plant, Desalination, and Warm Water 7:31 - Tagging Dusky and Sandbar Sharks — and the One Male Who Keeps Coming Back 8:03 - Sir David Attenborough, BBC's Asia, and "All the Sharks Are Pregnant" 8:37 - How Shark Researchers Catch, Rope, and Sample Sharks 9:43 - Shark Research Injuries: A Severed Tendon and a Black Eye at 39 Weeks Pregnant 9:57 - Doing a PhD in Israel as an Immigrant: Funding and Mentors Dan Tchernov and Shai Einbinder 11:16 - Why She Chose to Convert to Judaism 13:07 - Orthodox Conversion at Tel Aviv International Synagogue and Making Aliyah in 2020 13:58 - Belle Aviv: How Tel Aviv's Women-Only Facebook Group Began 15:41 - "Military Operation": Cleaning Up Belle Aviv With 24 Moderators 16:23 - From Facebook Group to Company: Monetizing Belle Aviv 17:42 - Belle Aviv's First In-Person Signature Event 18:51 - Has She Ever Considered Leaving Israel? Europe, Asia, and Staying Put 20:14 - What She Loves Most About Israel: The Food 20:39 - Aliyah Advice: Calm Down and Believe in Yourself 22:24 - Finding Home: Too Much for England, a Puppy in Israel 22:53 - At 80, Looking Back: A Shark Career That Only Happened in Israel 23:40 - Shark Myth Busted: Do Sharks Want to Eat You? + Rapid Fire #Sharks #Israel #Aliyah #DavidAttenborough #YallaLetsGo RESOURCES Follow Leigh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-livne-48357340/ Subscribe to Yalla, Let’s Go here: https://www.aleph.vc/yalla-lets-go Learn more about Aleph: aleph.vc Sign up for Aleph’s monthly email newsletter: https://newsletter.aleph.vc/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@yallaletsgopodcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yallaletsgopodcast/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yallaletsgopodcast Follow Aleph on Twitter: https://x.com/aleph Follow Aleph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aleph-vc/ Follow Aleph on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleph.vc/ CREDITS Hosts: Erica Marom, Abbey Onn Executive Producer: Sarah Bard Producer: Sofi Levak, Dalit Merenfeld Video and Editing: Nadav Elovic Music and Creative Direction: Uri Ar Content and Editorial: Jackie Goldberg Design: Nimrod Sapir

3. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Abbey Onn, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Nevo, on Why One in Three Olim Leave Israel, Raising American Kids for the Israeli Army, and Her Fight to Bring Family Back from Gaza

   In this special episode of Yalla, Let's Go!, Erica Marom turns the microphone on her own co-host — Abbey Onn, Executive Director and co-founder of Nevo Network, the fellowship and professional community that has become the leading network for olim in Israeli high tech. Abbey moved from Fairfax, Virginia to Herzliya 11 years ago, and for the first time she is the one in the guest seat. Abbey traces her path from directing Hillel's Hurricane Katrina response — 3,000 Jewish students rebuilding the Gulf Coast — to leadership development at Harvard's Kennedy School, to a hard professional landing in Israel with two toddlers and no network. She explains the data point that built Nevo: one in three English-speaking olim leave within three years, and how Nevo pushed retention above 90%. She also speaks, with extraordinary clarity, about October 7th, when five members of her family were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and about the months she spent as the English-speaking voice of the hostage families — speaking to Secretary of State Blinken, leading the Zoom with President Biden, and meeting with 17 senators. The conversation continues with: From Fairfax to Herzliya: Hillel, Brandeis, Harvard, and 17 suitcases Telling Michael Eisenberg his idea was wrong — and pitching him Nevo instead Why one in three English-speaking olim leave, and how Nevo changed the number The Herzog Prize and a government grant to expand beyond tech October 7th: Carmela and Noya Dan, and the fight to bring Ofer, Sahar and Erez home Raising Israeli-American kids, and preparing an American son for the IDF Why she sends her Israeli kids to American summer camp Loving Israel and doubting the decision, at the same time Aliyah advice: learn Hebrew, then go meet people for coffee This is an honest, unguarded conversation about belonging, advocacy, and what it costs — and gives — to build a life here. Subscribe for more conversations with people who live, work, build, and stay in Israel. #AbbeyOnn #NevoNetwork #Israel #Aliyah #OlimInTech #IsraeliTech #October7 #NirOz #Hostages #YallaLetsGo #LifeInIsrael #Herzliya #JewishIdentity #MakingAliyah #IsraeliAmerican KEY TOPICS 0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Meet Abbey Onn: Yalla, Let's Go! Co-Host in the Guest Seat 2:12 - From Fairfax, Virginia to Israel: Brandeis, Hillel, and Hurricane Katrina 3:42 - Why She and Oded Made Aliyah: Family, Pace of Life, and 15 Feet of Boston Snow 6:55 - Running a Nonprofit While Raising Two Toddlers in a New Country 7:25 - Meeting Michael Eisenberg of Aleph and the Idea That Became Nevo 8:48 - Telling Michael Eisenberg His Idea Was Wrong 9:12 - One in Three English-Speaking Olim Leave Israel Within Three Years 9:56 - Building Nevo Network: From 66% Retention to Over 90% 10:24 - Why Nevo Focuses on Tech, and Why Doctors Are Next 11:17 - Winning the President's Award for Extraordinary Impact on Olim 11:48 - Why Belonging Is the One Thing Olim Are Missing 12:24 - How to Get Involved With Nevo Network 12:41 - Raising Kids in Israel: A Children-Led Society 13:51 - Small Kids, Small Problems: Preparing an American Son for the IDF 15:22 - Raising Israeli-American Kids Between Two Identities 16:16 - Hebrew With Each Other, English With Ima: Language at Home 17:30 - Why She Sends Her Israeli Kids to American Summer Camp 19:04 - October 7th: Five Family Members Taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz 21:10 - The Video of Erez and the Phone Call That Changed Everything 22:25 - Speaking to Secretary of State Blinken and Leading the Zoom With President Biden 24:07 - Losing Carmela and Noya Dan, and the Fight for the Hostages 26:36 - The Weight of Passing This Jewish Legacy to Her Children 27:24 - How She Told Her Kids the Truth About October 7th 29:32 - A Heart Connection She Can't Explain, and the Doubt She Carries 30:35 - Why She Feels Safer and More Herself in Israel Than in the US 31:57 - Would She Ever Move Back to America? 33:00 - Aliyah Advice #1: You Cannot Stay in Israel Without Hebrew 33:55 - Aliyah Advice #2: Your Full-Time Job Is Meeting People for Coffee 34:54 - At 120, Looking Back: A Life Lived Outdoors 35:26 - Rapid Fire: Prichiot, Lidaskes & Nachsholim RESOURCES Follow Abbey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbey-onn/ Subscribe to Yalla, Let’s Go here: https://www.aleph.vc/yalla-lets-go Learn more about Aleph: aleph.vc Sign up for Aleph’s monthly email newsletter: https://newsletter.aleph.vc/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@yallaletsgopodcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yallaletsgopodcast/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yallaletsgopodcast Follow Aleph on Twitter: https://x.com/aleph Follow Aleph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aleph-vc/ Follow Aleph on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleph.vc/ CREDITS Hosts: Erica Marom, Abbey Onn Executive Producer: Sarah Bard Producer: Sofi Levak, Dalit Merenfeld Video and Editing: Nadav Elovic Music and Creative Direction: Uri Ar Content and Editorial: Jackie Goldberg Design: Nimrod Sapir

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.4 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

13 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.