Rabbi Uri Regev on Israel’s Battle for Religious Freedom, Civil Marriage, and Equality

Rabbi Uri Regev on Israel’s Battle for Religious Freedom, Civil Marriage, and Equality

In this episode of the Tel Aviv Diary Podcast, Marc Schulman speaks with Rabbi Uri Regev, President of Hiddush — Freedom of Religion for Israel — about one of the most important internal battles shaping the future of the Jewish state: the struggle over religion and state. Rabbi Regev, a Reform rabbi, attorney, and longtime legal advocate, discusses his journey from Tel Aviv to the leadership of Israel’s religious freedom movement, the continuing fight for civil marriage, civil burial, gender equality, and the right of Israelis to live free from religious coercion. The conversation also examines the growing power of the ultra-Orthodox parties, state funding for schools that do not teach core curriculum, the draft crisis, and the impact of October 7th and the war on Israeli attitudes toward faith, politics, and democracy. At its heart, this is a discussion about whether Israel can still fulfill the promise of its Declaration of Independence: liberty, justice, equality, and freedom of religion and conscience for all. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe [https://marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Inbar Harush on Israel’s Service Crisis, the Haredi Challenge, and Why She Believes Gadi Eisenkot Can Repair the Country

n this episode of Tel Aviv Diary, Marc Schulman speaks with Inbar Harush, one of the leading voices behind the movement for “Service for All” in Israel and a key figure in shaping Yashar’s policy platform under Gadi Eisenkot. Harush, a former CEO of Aharai and former adviser to Defense Minister Benny Gantz, lays out one of Israel’s most urgent structural crises: the erosion of the “people’s army.” She explains how, even before October 7, only a shrinking share of Israel’s 18-year-olds were serving in the IDF, and why the current demographic trajectory threatens the very foundation of mandatory service. The discussion moves from Ben-Gurion’s original vision of a national army to the present reality in which large parts of Israeli society—especially the Haredi community—stand outside the service framework. The conversation then turns to the Haredi draft crisis. Harush describes the autonomy built over decades between the state and ultra-Orthodox institutions, the vast public funding that sustains it, and the way the system has allowed communities to avoid military or civil service while remaining largely outside the reach of the state. She argues that the only serious answer is a new national authority responsible for mandatory service for all Israelis—military service where possible, and meaningful civil service where not. Harush also discusses why October 7 changed the debate, why partial solutions have failed, and why she believes integration into the IDF can be done without erasing Haredi identity. Drawing on successful pilot programs, including intelligence tracks and Haredi hesder-style yeshivas, she argues that with the right structure, budgets, and political will, real change is possible. Finally, Marc and Inbar discuss her decision to join Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party. Harush explains why she sees Eisenkot as a leader capable of restoring trust, rebuilding state institutions, and moving Israel back from tribal fragmentation toward a shared civic identity. It is a conversation about military service, education, political leadership, and the future of the Israeli state. #Israel #TelAvivDiary #IDF #Haredim #GadiEisenkot #Yashar #InbarHarush #October7 #IsraeliPolitics #ServiceForAll #BenGurion #NationalService #IsraeliSociety #Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe [https://marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Pain, Healing, and the Search for Human Dignity: A Conversation with Avi Shahaf

In this episode of Tel Aviv Diary, Marc Schulman speaks with author Avi Shahaf about his new book, Pain and Healing: Testimonies from the Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families Forum [https://amzn.to/3PTwgYN]. Shahaf, a former organizational consultant who has spent years studying narrative research and human dignity, interviewed Israeli and Palestinian members of the Bereaved Families Forum—people who lost loved ones in the conflict yet chose reconciliation over revenge. The conversation moves from the deeply personal stories in the book to broader questions facing Israeli society today: whether people-to-people encounters can still matter in an age of separation, whether dignity can be restored in Israeli schools and public life, and why some Israelis have chosen to leave the country since October 7. At the center of the discussion is a difficult but vital question: in a society marked by pain, fear, and anger, where can hope still be found? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe [https://marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Gaylen Ross on Sapiro v. Ford: The Jewish Lawyer Who Took on Henry Ford — Plus Israel’s Political and Strategic Crossroads

In today’s hybrid episode of Tel Aviv Diary, Marc Schulman opens from Tel Aviv on Friday, June 5, with a wide-ranging assessment of Israel’s current political and strategic moment. He discusses the rising political momentum behind former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, the shifting opposition landscape, Netanyahu’s continued hold on power, and the growing concern over Israel’s standing in the United States. Marc also examines the ongoing war in Lebanon, the strain on the IDF after prolonged combat and reserve duty, the uncertain U.S.-Iran track, and the growing challenge posed by violent ultra-Orthodox protests against state institutions. In the second half of the episode, Marc speaks with filmmaker Gaylen Ross, director of Sapiro v. Ford: The Jew Who Sued Henry Ford. Ross discusses the remarkable and largely forgotten story of Aaron Sapiro, the Jewish lawyer who took on Henry Ford after Ford’s newspaper, The Dearborn Independent, made him a central target of its antisemitic campaign. The conversation explores Ford’s obsession with Jews, Sapiro’s role in the American cooperative farm movement, the risks of bringing a libel suit against one of the most powerful men in America, and the historical importance of the apology and the closing of Ford’s antisemitic publishing operation. Ross also reflects on documentary filmmaking, forgotten figures in Jewish history, and how stories like Sapiro’s can bring the past vividly into the present. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe [https://marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Israel, American Jewry, and the Future of U.S. Support — A Conversation with Owen Alterman

In this wide-ranging episode of Tel Aviv Diary, Marc Schulman sits down with veteran journalist, analyst, and i24NEWS broadcaster Owen Alterman for an in-depth discussion of one of the most important questions facing Israel today: the changing relationship between Israel and the United States. Drawing on his years of research and writing on American Jewry, demographics, and public opinion, Alterman examines how support for Israel has evolved over the last two decades and why many of the trends now worrying Israeli leaders were visible years ago. The conversation explores the origins and evolution of the BDS movement, the demographic transformation of the American Jewish community, and the growing influence of Americans who identify as having no religious affiliation. Schulman and Alterman delve into the dramatic shifts taking place among younger Americans, particularly on college campuses, and discuss the role of social media, academia, and changing demographics in shaping attitudes toward Israel. They debate whether Israel’s declining standing among younger generations is primarily the result of Israeli policies, broader societal changes within the United States, or forces beyond Israel’s control. The discussion also examines the growth of the Muslim population in the United States, the decline of evangelical influence, and the challenges facing traditional pro-Israel advocacy efforts. Throughout the conversation, both men wrestle with a difficult question: can Israel reverse these trends, or is it confronting a long-term structural shift in American society? The conversation then turns to current events, including the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, Hezbollah’s increasingly sophisticated drone attacks, and the mounting casualties suffered by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Schulman expresses concern that Israel is becoming trapped in another prolonged conflict without a clear strategy for victory, while Alterman argues that Israel’s growing dependence on Washington is limiting its freedom of action. The two discuss President Trump’s handling of Iran negotiations, the possibility of a new agreement with Tehran, and the extent to which Israel’s leadership can influence American policy at a time when public support for Israel appears to be weakening. Despite the sobering subject matter, the episode concludes with a thoughtful reflection on Israel’s resilience and identity. Borrowing from the historical contrast between Athens and Sparta, Schulman and Alterman debate what kind of society Israel seeks to be and whether the country can preserve its democratic and civilian character while confronting mounting security threats. It is a candid, intellectually rich conversation about demographics, diplomacy, war, public opinion, and the strategic challenges that may define Israel’s future for decades to come. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe [https://marcschulman.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]