THE ISRAELI - JEWISH CONFLICT

Conscious Support

A conversation with Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO of the Rabbinical Assembly and of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in north America, about Israel’s decision to go to war against Iran, alongside the United States, the widespread perception in America that Israel somehow pulled the U.S. into a war that wasn’t really its own, and the way American Jews are relating to this war against one of Israel’s most determined enemies. We also talk about the deeply controversial legislation being pushed forward by Israel’s government - legislation that threatens the country’s democratic future- as well as the government’s support for a bill that would make mixed-gender prayer at the Western Wall a criminal offense, punishable by up to seven years in prison. Despite the painful issues that came up in our conversation Rabbi Blumenthal expresses a deep sense of hope.

An Active Struggle

A conversation with Mike Prashker - Initiator and Co-founder of The London Initiative, which promotes liberal democracy in Israel by building networks between Jewish and Israeli leaders. On the struggle for Israel’s democratic identity- a struggle that grows increasingly difficult and complex over time, and which demands the active participation of World Jewry.

Bridging The Gaps

Rav Claudia Kreiman of Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, MA, engages with a wide range of perceptions about Israel, striving to embrace all of them. This is not always easy - especially as she is Israeli herself (born in Chile) and deeply liberal in her views. An honest conversation about spiritual leadership in times of division and distress.

The 4th episode - The Progressive Betrayal

In the fourth chapter of the Israeli-Jewish Conflict, I speak with Jeremy Leibler, President of the Zionist Federation of Australia. The community, which numbers 120,000 Jews, strongly preserves its roots - Holocaust survivors who found refuge and a home in Australia. Since October 7th, they have been dealing with antisemitic and anti-Israeli attacks, a feeling of betrayal from the progressive left in Australia, and an internal community discussion regarding the way Israel is managing the war.  This is a conversation about a very liberal Jewish community whose support for Israel has only grown stronger.

A painful conversation with a Jew in pain

In the third episode of the The Israeli - Jewish Conflict podcast, UCLA Professor David Myers, who explores Jewish history and culture, speaks candidly about the about the complexity of a man who supports Israel, feels connected to it, and once even considered making Aliyah, yet in the past two years has felt increasingly alienated from the moral standards the country has displayed in light of the war in Gaza. “The claim that Israel guarantees the security of Jews around the world is now in question,” he says, “not only because of October 7, but because Israel’s actions have fueled antisemitism worldwide.” Myers calls for reexamining new models of connection between Israel and world Jewry, especially among younger generations: “Perhaps Israel no longer needs to be so central to Jewish education in the United States.” A painful conversation with a Jew in pain.