Beneath the surface, Israel is fighting for the soul of its religion — and most of us don't even see the battle lines.
In this episode of Madlik Disruptive Torah, Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz are joined by Professor Adam S. Ferziger to explore the quiet revolution reshaping Israeli Judaism. Drawing on his new book, Agents of Change, Ferziger reveals how American Modern Orthodoxy—its values, institutions, and worldview—has profoundly influenced Religious Zionism and the broader Israeli religious landscape. From the tension between nationalism and modernity to the emergence of a new Israel-born generation, we uncover the cultural, political, and spiritual crossroads Israel now faces. Beneath the surface, Israel is fighting for the soul of its religion—and American Jews are playing a bigger role than anyone expected.
Key Takeaways
- American Modern Orthodoxy Has Become a Quiet Force in Israeli Judaism
- Israeli Religious Zionism Is Splitting Into Two Distinct Paths
- Israel's Next Generation of Leaders Will Be Religious — But Neither Haredi or National Religious
Timestamps
- [00:00:00] Jacob returns from exile with wealth, family, and a new identity; exile reframed as productive, not just punishment.
- [00:01:00] Intro to Professor Adam Ferziger and his book Agents of Change about American Jews reshaping Israeli Judaism.
- [00:02:00] Host sets the frame: modern Orthodoxy's influence on Israeli religious life, education, feminism, and LGBTQ inclusion.
- [00:03:00] Ferziger's personal story: gap year yeshiva, Aliyah in 1987, building family and rabbinic life in Kfar Saba.
- [00:04:54] Early political snapshot: the failed "Meimad" experiment and how Anglo moderates felt marginal and deviant.
- [00:06:36] Shift in the 2000s: religious-Zionist camp diversifies; modern Orthodox voices gain legitimacy and visibility.
- [00:09:05] Explaining American Modern Orthodoxy: Torah plus general culture, YU, day schools, Rav Soloveitchik's synthetic model.
- [00:14:10] Rise of "Hardal": nationalist-Haredi style religiosity, stricter halakha, and a more redemptive, messianic Zionism.
- [00:21:45] The "agents of change": eight American rabbis/educators whose Israeli students indigenize and radicalize their ideas.
- [00:34:15] Why this matters beyond religion: "Israeli Judaism" and how moderate Orthodox trends may shape Israel's future leadership.
Links & Learnings
Sign up for free and get more from our weekly newsletter https://madlik.com/
Sefaria Source Sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/692993
Transcript here: https://madlik.substack.com/
Adam Ferziger's Book https://nyupress.org/9781479817559/agents-of-change/
