Ilana Brandwain-Chodos (1990-95)

The Road from Carmel

Joining Jill and Doron on our 25th episode, the 7th of our second season, to tell us her story is our second Belgian guest, fine jeweler and fellow podcaster Ilana Brandwain.

Ilana was born in Antwerp to Ukrainian parents. She studied French and Russian at Queen Mary University in London, followed by Chinese medicine. Upon returning to Antwerp, she founded a venture that markets the world’s rarest yellow diamond, the Zimmi, named after the region in Sierra Leone in which it is mined. Ilana works right in the heart of Antwerp’s Diamond Centre, from where her podcast grants listeners an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse of the diamond business. She co-founded the world’s only women's group in the historically male-dominated diamond industry. She is married to our dear friend and Carmel contemporary, Elie Chodos, with whom she has two sons.

Hear Ilana talk about how she took herself to Carmel, her father’s perilous professional life, the bedrock her Carmel friends became, starting her own business, and how Carmel broke the ice on a ‘beshert’ first date.

Thank you, Ilana Brandwain, for turning us again to Carmel days!

Personal mentions in this episode:

• Philip Skelker (Headmaster)

• David Pearce (History)

• Elie Chodos

• Rafi Winkler

• Dan Korenblit

• Peter Order

• Viktor Shapiro

• Hayley Kluman

• Janina Wolkow

• Annabel Solomon

• Dina Shotland

• Ben Noah

• Max Brandwain

• Sarit Wideker

• Dubi Wideker

• Mark Sabah

• Rafi Bergerano

• Danny Rubens

Feel free to leave a comment letting us know what you liked about this episode, and rate us on your favorite podcast platform 🙏🏼

To tell us your story, email us at [e-mail] / [e-mail]

Information and tickets for the podcast’s live event in London on Sunday, August 18 are available at https://www.eventcreate.com/e/theroadfromcarmellive - hope to see you there!