Shows
For Heaven's SakeIsrael's Sovereignty CrisisCan a country survive when tribal loyalty overwhelms collective responsibility? This week on For Heaven's Sake, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi examine something unprecedented: while Israel defends its borders from external threats, it's losing the ability to govern within them. From ultra-Orthodox attacks on IDF soldiers to epidemic crime within and against Arab communities to ministers contradicting national policy—Israel faces a sovereignty crisis from within. - 01:35: Not Iran — Israel’s Internal Sovereignty Collapse- 04:15: Bnei Brak: When the IDF Can’t Enter an Israeli City- 06:00: Murder, Mayhem, and Government...
2026-02-1837 min
Identity/CrisisThe Haredi Draft Crisis — with Yehoshua PfefferThe question of Haredi military service in Israel has always been about more than the army, and the war has made that unmistakable.
On this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer is joined by Yehoshua Pfeffer, a rabbi and public thinker working on questions of Haredi citizenship, work, and service, to unpack why the draft debate has become so volatile since October 7, and why the IDF is more than an institution: it’s a crucible of Israeli identity. Together they explore the fears driving Haredi resistance to the draft, the anger and exhaustion felt across Israeli society, and...
2026-02-171h 02For Heaven's SakeThe Hidden Challenges of AntisemitismAntisemitism is everywhere in Jewish conversation. But what are we missing? Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi zoom out to examine the assault on the Jewish story, the cost-benefit calculus of Jews around their identity, and the abuse of antisemitism discourse within Israel. An exploration of what antisemitism is doing to us—beyond the fear. 02:00 – A New Era of Antisemitism? Old Threat or New Reality06:00 – Anti-Zionism and the Assault on the Jewish Story13:00 – Jewish Identity as Choice: Will Antisemitism Push Jews Away?19:00 – Defiance or Drift? Lessons from Soviet Jewry22:30 – Are We Lett...
2026-02-1138 minIdentity/CrisisPathways to Hope in Israel – with Ayalan Dahan and Yonathan MachlisHope isn’t optimism—it’s the stubborn decision to keep building even when you can’t see the outcome. On this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer sits down with alumni of Hartman’s Hazon leadership program Ayala Dahan and Yonathan Machlis to talk about the civic
work of showing up and how young Israeli activists can draw on hope in the face of political, religious, and communal divides. They explore how a generation builds trust and solidarity and what it means to organize not just against what’s broken, but toward a better society.
To learn more a...
2026-02-1047 minFor Heaven's SakeElection CurrentsIsrael is headed toward elections again, but can either side form a stable government? In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi take a step back to examine the current political climate: the politics of exclusion, the historic unification of Arab parties around domestic issues, and the stalemate that could leave Israel stuck in another cycle of deadlocked elections. They offer a clear-eyed look at where Israeli politics stands—and where it might be headed. 00:00 - Elections in the Shadow of War05:00 - The New Fault Line: Ultra-Orthodox vs. Arab Parties14:30 - Arab Politic...
2026-02-0435 minFor Heaven's Sake843 Days, 12 Hours, 6 MinutesThe hostage clock stopped at 843 days, 12 hours, and 6 minutes. But did the healing begin?Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi reflect on the return of the body of Ran Gvili—the last hostage from October 7th—and what this moment reveals about Israel's wounds, its divisions, and its desperate need for goodness. A meditation on trauma, ritual, and the human need for moments of grace—even when the underlying problems remain.Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkm...
2026-01-2931 minIdentity/CrisisAntizionism and the American Left’s Jewish Problem — with Shaul KelnerAntizionism has become a badge of belonging—and a tool of exclusion. On this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with Shaul Kelner, professor of Jewish Studies and Sociology at Vanderbilt University, about how anti-Zionism operates not only as an argument but as a movement culture—shaping who belongs on the American left and what counts as “moral.” Together, they explore what it would mean to respond with clarity without collapsing every critique of Israel into the same category.
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2026-01-2749 minFor Heaven's SakeTrump's WorldWhat can Israel do when unpredictability becomes U.S. policy?In this episode of For Heaven’s Sake, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi reckon with what it means for Israel to live in “Trump’s world”—where unpredictability isn’t just a style, it’s a strategy that can have life-and-death consequences. They explore how Israel’s political drift and Netanyahu’s lack of a “day after” plan have left a political vacuum the U.S. is now filling, and what it would take for Israel to reclaim a measure of self-determination in an unsteady new order.Watch the...
2026-01-2135 minFor Heaven's SakeIran: When the Story ChangesIran's regime is under pressure—and so are the assumptions that have shaped Western policy for decades. In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi explore the "conceptia" behind the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Jewish theology of power, and the strange silence from progressives as Iran's uprising escalates. For Israelis, this isn't abstract: it's about once again stocking shelters and praying, this time for the Iranian people. Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.
2026-01-1341 minIdentity/CrisisPower, Liberalism, and Moral Responsibility — with Shadi HamidWhat does it mean to defend liberal democracy in a world shaped by power, domination, and moral compromise? In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with Washington Post columnist and author of The Case for American Power, Shadi Hamid, about whether liberal societies can wield power without betraying their own ideals. From Trump’s approach to Venezuela to the war in Gaza, their conversation asks whether restraint, morality, and democratic purpose can guide power in a fractured political moment.
You can find Shadi's book, The Case for American Power, HERE
Yo...
2026-01-1350 minFor Heaven's SakeBennett 2026Is former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett a right-wing ideologue or Israel's great national healer? Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi grapple with this paradox as they examine the only candidate currently ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in national polling. They explore Bennett's extraordinary transformation from an ideological conservative to national unifier, discuss his brief but transformative year as Prime Minister, and consider what his return might mean for Israel's future. Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia...
2026-01-0737 minIdentity/CrisisReporting on Antisemitism When No One Wants to Listen — with Jesse BrownWho pays the price for identifying antisemitism?
In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with journalist and Canadaland host Jesse Brown about his recent series What Is Happening Here and his decision to investigate the rise of anti-Zionism and antisemitism in Canada. Together, they examine why media and political institutions have struggled to respond and what it costs to name these realities publicly.
We're grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supporting the Shalom Hartman Institute's digital work, including Identity/Crisis.
You can now sponsor an episode of I...
2026-01-0651 minFor Heaven's SakeMar-a-LagoDid we learn anything useful about the future of Israel from the Trump-Netanyahu Mar-a-Lago summit? In this episode, recorded just hours after the summit concluded, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi wrestle with the disconnect between Trump's optimistic assurances—"everything's going to be fine"—and the hard realities facing Israel in 2026. They debate whether Iranian regime change is achievable, if Gaza represents an existential or spiritual threat, and what it means when the second stage of victory—the political solution—remains elusive. Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, and other podc...
2025-12-3134 minIdentity/CrisisLive at Vilna Shul: Harvard, Leadership, and Free Speech – with Alan GarberWhy have universities become flashpoints for broader cultural and political battles and what can higher education do to repair a fractured public sphere?
In a conversation recorded live at the Vilna Shul in Boston, Yehuda Kurtzer and Harvard president Alan Garber reflect on leadership in a moment of crisis—exploring free speech and protest, institutional neutrality, and the rise of antisemitism on campus. As a university president and a Jew, Garber shares what worries him about the current moment, what gives him hope, and what it will take for universities—and the country—to move forward.
We'r...
2025-12-3046 minFor Heaven's SakeVanceFor 60 years, Israel has counted on the United States. Is the "special relationship" between the U.S. and Israel now in jeopardy—not from the left, but from the MAGA right? In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi unpack Vice President J.D. Vance's recent troubling statements, the rise of "America First" isolationism, why Israel may need to rethink its dependence on American aid, and what this means for Jews on both sides of the Atlantic. Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, and other podc...
2025-12-2435 minIdentity/CrisisHow Americans Reshaped Israeli Judaism — with Adam FerzigerHow do ideas travel—and what happens when they cross borders? In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer sits down with author and historian Adam Ferziger to explore how liberal and moderate forms of Judaism, forged in North America, took root in Israel and helped shape a distinctly Israeli religious center. Drawing on Ferziger's new book Agents of Change, the conversation examines education, power, backlash, and belonging—and asks what it really means for Jewish ideas to be “imported,” translated, and transformed in a sovereign Jewish society.
We're grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supportin...
2025-12-2350 minFor Heaven's SakeBondi BeachWhat does the horrific attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach mean for the future of Diaspora Jewish life?Australian Jews have built one of the most vibrant, cohesive, creative Jewish communities in the world. Shaped by Holocaust survivors and a deep sense of Zionism, it has become a model for Jewish life in the Diaspora. In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi explore whether small Diaspora communities can thrive in the current environment, and if the post-Holocaust era of Jewish immunity has definitively ended.Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtub...
2025-12-1738 minIdentity/CrisisChristmastime for the Jews (Re-Release)This episode was originally released on December 24, 2024
The relegation of Hanukkah merchandise to a tiny corner of the grocery aisle can cause Jews to feel excluded or marginalized by the Christmas holiday season. But the impact of Jews on the history and culture of secularized Christmas is deeper than you might think.
In this exciting Yuletide episode of Identity/Crisis, host Yehuda Kurtzer and American composer and music commentator Rob Kapilow sit down at the keyboard to better understand the relationship between Jews and Christmas through the holiday music that Jewish composers have c...
2025-12-1659 minFor Heaven's SakeThe State of the Israeli CenterWith elections less than a year away, Israel's political center faces an existential test. What does it stand for—and can it beat Netanyahu?In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi analyze the state of Israel's center and center-left. They trace the historical collapse of the left, the rise of centrist politics under Ariel Sharon, and the post-October 7 reality where moral discourse about Palestinians has disappeared from mainstream Israeli conversation.Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark...
2025-12-1038 minIdentity/CrisisCan the Jewish Big Tent Hold After October 7? with Yehuda Kurtzer and Claire SufrinWhat does it take to rebuild Jewish community after two years of trauma and division? On this special episode of Identity/Crisis, Senior Editor Claire Sufrin turns the tables and interviews Yehuda Kurtzer about his article in the newest issue of Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas, where he unpacks why communities need clearer values and a renewed ethic of care to move beyond crisis. Their conversation offers us a roadmap for belonging, boundaries, and rebuilding connection after October 7.
We're grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supporting the Shalom Hartman Institute's digital work, in...
2025-12-0955 minFor Heaven's SakeThe State of the Israeli RightCan Israel's right-wing reclaim its principles? Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi examine the mainstream Israeli right's evolution from Jabotinsky's ideals of security and dignity to today's personality-driven politics. They explore the critical divide between Prime Minister Netanyahu’s loyalists and principled conservatives, identifying three challenges facing the next right-wing government: articulating affirmative policies, healing internal divisions, and rejecting the false choice between security and morality. Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org. Fo...
2025-12-0338 minIdentity/CrisisWhat Broke the Black–Jewish Alliance? with Terrence JohnsonWhat does it take for Black–Jewish partnerships to flourish in a moment of rising fear, political polarization, and mutual misunderstanding? On this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer and scholar Terrence Johnson discuss the stories we carry — about vulnerability, power, Israel, America, and identity — and why they often fail to translate across racial lines. Together, they explore how demythologizing each other and leaning into deeper, more intimate conversations might reshape the future of Black–Jewish relations.
We're grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supporting the Shalom Hartman Institute's digital work, including Identity/Crisis.
2025-12-0252 min
For Heaven's SakeArabs in the Coalition?With Israeli politics deadlocked, could Arab parties provide the path to a new coalition? Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss the extraordinary political journey of Mansour Abbas, the complexities of Palestinian-Israeli identity, and the future of Israeli democracy. Listen to the Shalom Hartman Institute's new Thoughts and Prayers podcast: https://go.hartman.org.il/Thoughts-and-Prayers-FHS-202Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel.Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.For more ideas from the Shalom Hartman Instit...
2025-11-2636 minIdentity/CrisisCovenant, Compromise, Sacrifice, and Kindness (Re-Release)This episode was originally released on Tuesday, November 26th, 2024
This political moment may cause American Jews to ask: “Where have we seen this before?”
In this episode recorded live in NYC, Yehuda Kurtzer challenges the impulse to reach backwards for old frameworks to describe our current situation, and instead offers a vision for a new era in American-Jewish
politics – one shaped by a culture of compromise and defined by an embrace of kindness.
We're grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supporting the Shalom Hartman Institute's digital w...
2025-11-2549 min
For Heaven's SakeWho's Afraid of a Palestinian State?Who's afraid of a Palestinian state? According to Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi, the answer is: almost every Israeli. In this urgent conversation recorded after the UN Security Council backed President Trump's Gaza peace plan, Donniel and Yossi explore why an entire generation of Israelis has stopped talking about Palestinian statehood—and why their silence may be unsustainable.Listen to the Shalom Hartman Institute's new Thoughts and Prayers podcast: https://go.hartman.org.il/Thoughts-and-Prayers-FHS-202Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel.Past episodes of this show...
2025-11-1942 minIdentity/CrisisCarlson, Fuentes, and the New/Old Antisemitism – with Yair RosenbergWhy are conspiracy theories about Jews surging in the American mainstream — and why are so many young Americans embracing them? In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer and Yair Rosenberg, staff writer at The Atlantic, unpack how Tucker Carlson’s platforming of
Nick Fuentes reveals a broader ecosystem of digital extremism and populist politics that increasingly places Jews at the center of national discontent.
We are grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supporting the Shalom Hartman Institute's digital work, including Identity/Crisis.
You can now sponsor an episode of Ident...
2025-11-1854 minFor Heaven's SakeComing ApartWhat happens when 30% of NYC Jews vote for a candidate others see as antisemitic? In this week’s episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi consider issues of betrayal, tolerance, red lines, and unity in a conversation about whether some positions cross from legitimate dissent into existential threat.From the episode:Rabbi Eliot Cosgrove, “On the Record”Identity/Crisis with Howard WolfsonWatch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel.Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkm...
2025-11-1251 minIdentity/CrisisIsrael 2026: The Next Elections and What’s at Stake – with Tani FrankWhat’s next for Israel’s democracy after years of polarization, war, and political stagnation? In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer talks
with Tani Frank, Director of the Center for Judaism and State Policy at
the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, about Israel’s rapidly changing
political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections. They discuss Benjamin
Netanyahu’s enduring power, the rise of a possible “Zionist alliance,” and the growing demand for political accountability and unity after October 7.
We're grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supporting the Shalom Hartman Institute's digital work, including Ide...
2025-11-1144 minFor Heaven's SakeThe Latest ScandalWhat happens when everything becomes instantly politicized and no institution is safe from attack? Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi dissect how October 7 has transformed Israel's moral landscape, as the Netanyahu government shifts focus from defeating external enemies to waging war against internal opponents.Through the lens of the explosive scandal involving Israel's former top military lawyer, they examine whether Israeli society can survive when accountability becomes partisan, institutions lose legitimacy, and the pursuit of political ends justifies any means.Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel.Past episodes...
2025-11-0537 minIdentity/CrisisRabin, Oslo, and the Road Not Taken — with Yossi BeilinThirty years after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with Yossi Beilin, one of the architects of the Oslo Accords, about the night that changed Israel forever. Together they revisit Rabin’s legacy, the rise of extremism that followed, and ask: what will it take to revive the hope of peace?
We're grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supporting the Shalom Hartman Institute's digital work, including Identity/Crisis.
You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.
Learn...
2025-11-0445 min
For Heaven's SakeMamdaniWhat does the possible election of Zohran Mamdani mean for Jewish identity, Diaspora-Israel relations, and the boundaries of Jewish community?As New Yorkers head to the polls in the coming week to elect their next mayor, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi wrestle with the return of 'conditional acceptance' for Jews in progressive spaces, compare this moment to Jeremy Corbyn's impact on British Jewry, and grapple with the painful reality of Jewish division in the face of perceived threats.From the episode:Rabbi Eliot Cosgrove, “On the Record”Identity/Crisis with Howa...
2025-10-2944 minIdentity/CrisisThe Jewish Paradoxes of Zohran Mamdani — with Howard WolfsonWhat does Zohran Mamdani’s rise reveal about the shifting power, politics, and identity of New York City’s Jews?
As New York stands on the verge of electing its first anti-Zionist mayor, on Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer and political strategist Howard Wolfson explore what happens when the Jewish community, who once defined New York’s political center of gravity, finds itself on the outside looking in.
We're grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supporting the Shalom Hartman Institute's digital work, including Identity/Crisis.
You can now sponsor an episode of Identity...
2025-10-2845 min
For Heaven's SakeDay 13How are Israelis processing the transition from 760+ days of war to a fragile peace?Nearly two weeks into the ceasefire with Gaza, Israeli society is grappling with hope, trauma, and unsettling questions about who actually won. In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi unpack Hamas’ ceasefire violations, Trump's bear hug diplomacy, and why 48% of Israelis believe nobody emerged victorious from this conflict. Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.For...
2025-10-2236 minIdentity/CrisisLive with Abigail Pogrebin: Holding Hope During a Fragile PeaceLast week on the Jewish Broadcasting Network, Shalom Hartman Institute presidents Yehuda Kurtzer and Donniel Hartman joined journalist Abigail Pogrebin for a live conversation reflecting on this pivotal moment: the immense Israeli public effort to bring the hostages home, the roles of Trump and Netanyahu in current and future politics, and the dueling priorities of Israeli and American Jews. As the ceasefire went into effect and all remaining living hostages and some of the fallen returned to Israel, Yehuda and Donniel celebrated with cautious optimism and offered a hopeful vision for reconstructing Jewish life.
...
2025-10-2159 min
For Heaven's SakeAfter the JoyWill this moment of national unity in Israel transcend politics and open new possibilities for transformation after the celebration?Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi reflect on the profound emotional impact of Israel's recent hostage return - a day that united the nation in tears and joy. They explore what this spiritual turning point means for Israeli society's future, the strategic debates around prioritizing lives over military goals, and whether peace can re-enter Israeli discourse after 25 years.Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, an...
2025-10-1737 minFor Heaven's SakeBreathing AgainTwo years and two days after October 7, Israel celebrates a breakthrough. In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi react to the game-changing deal securing the release of all Israeli hostages. From Trump's surprising humanity to Netanyahu's strategic pivot, from the hostage families' brilliant campaign to the far-right's defeat – they explore how Israel has arrived at this transformative moment and what it means for the Middle East's future. Can Israel finally exhale?Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can b...
2025-10-1033 minFor Heaven's SakeA New Era?Can a society traumatized by October 7 learn to hope again?As Trump unveils his Arab supported Gaza peace plan, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi examine why Israelis struggle to embrace hope after October 7. They discuss the plan's moral dimensions, its focus on defeating Hamas while offering Palestinians a future, and what it means to believe in change when your world feels broken.A timely conversation about transformation, just before Yom Kippur.Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel.Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts...
2025-10-0138 minFor Heaven's SakeThe Season of ReckoningCan we maintain the highest ethical standards without betraying national solidarity? As the war in Gaza surpasses 700 days and the High Holidays approach, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi explore what it means to love Israel unconditionally while grappling with the challenges of moral responsibility during time of war. They discuss maintaining ethical credibility while under attack and advocate making space for the "troubled committed"—Jews who refuse to choose between loyalty and ethics—concluding that the hardest questions often come from the place of deepest love.From the episode:“Our season of reckoni...
2025-09-2237 min
For Heaven's SakeSparta NationIn a headline-grabbing speech, Benjamin Netanyahu asked Israelis to embrace life as a “super-Sparta,” cut off from a hostile world— which begs the question: who do Israelis want to be after October 7?In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi unpack the implications of embracing an isolationist strategy: was this merely a pep talk, or the burial of Start-Up Nation for Sparta Nation? What does Sparta really symbolize, and why are even right-wing voters feeling uneasy? With new polls showing 78% of Israelis prefer diplomacy over permanent siege, could a new Israeli identity movement be rising in respon...
2025-09-1741 min
For Heaven's SakeDohaIn striking Hamas leaders in Qatar, Israel is invoking a decades-old principle: enemies of the Jewish people have no sovereign immunity. In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi examine how the 1961 Eichmann Trial, which established the doctrine of universal jurisdiction for crimes against humanity and crimes against the Jewish people, continues to shape modern Israeli thinking and military operations. As day 704 of the war in Gaza unfolds, they grapple with hard questions: is Israel a nation that excels at precise military strikes but struggles with long-term strategic solutions? What does this action mean for hostage n...
2025-09-1130 min
For Heaven's SakeGaza CityIs pushing into Gaza City a necessary step—or a purposeless escalation that jeopardizes hostages, multiplies civilian suffering, and splinters national unity?As Israel weighs an assault on Gaza City, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi debate the IDF chief’s four-part warning—military efficacy, the fate of the hostages, a spiraling humanitarian crisis, and global isolation—and whether this phase risks tearing Israel apart.They revisit lessons from Lebanon 1982 and Yom Kippur 1973, consider if the war’s military purpose lapsed months ago, and ask whether public outrage can still halt an escalation that could endanger t...
2025-09-0333 minFor Heaven's SakeComing Home (Re-release)This episode originally aired on January 16, 2025.A ceasefire deal has just been reached. In the past, Israelis have been united in elation and relief about the return of hostages, even at a high cost to national security. But not this time. Far-right MKs and ultranationalists had vigorously decried the deal, protesting any concession that would allow Hamas to hold on to power, no matter how small. What is behind their bitter dissent, and will this deepen rifts in Israeli society?In this episode, recorded as the deal was still being finalized, Donniel Hartman a...
2025-08-2729 min
For Heaven's SakeBetween Trauma and Torah: Jewish Leadership after October 7What does it mean to lead Jewish communities through crisis? And how can North American Jews navigate complex relationships with Israel during wartime? In a raw and honest conversation recorded live at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem on July 14, 2025, Institute presidents Donniel Hartman and Yehuda Kurtzer tackle difficult questions about Jewish leadership, trauma, and the responsibility to stay "okay" when the world feels broken.Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org....
2025-08-2037 minIdentity/CrisisFuture Tense: What Comes Next? with Yehuda KurtzerThis week, Identity/Crisis is excited to share Hartman’s newest podcast, Future Tense, where rising Jewish leaders drive conversations with scholars from the Shalom Hartman Institute on the most pressing issues facing their generation.
What kind of Jewish future do we want to build – and how do we build something that will last? On this episode of Future Tense, hosts Anna Weiss, Sami Jinich, and Yadid Orlow reflect on their upbringings and share their visions for Jewish life. Together with Yehuda Kurtzer, they explore how values are transmitted and imagine different versions of the Jewish future that...
2025-08-1952 minFor Heaven's SakePower Meets Prejudice: The End of Jewish InnocenceWhat if October 7 didn't only traumatize Israel and Jews worldwide—but actually changed the course of Jewish history? On this special episode of For Heaven’s Sake, Yossi Klein Halevi and Shalom Hartman Institute of North America CEO Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield explore his bold thesis that October 7 marked the end of the post-Holocaust era of increased Jewish security and acceptance. Their wide-ranging conversation tackles antisemitism, Jewish power, generational divides, and the urgent need for a new Jewish story.This conversation was recorded live at the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Jerusalem campus on July 16, 2025.Watch t...
2025-08-1343 minFor Heaven's SakeJudea and Samaria: The Conversation Israel Isn't HavingIn this conversation recorded live in Jerusalem on July 2, 2025, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi confront the explosive question: What future awaits Judea and Samaria, referred to by some as the West Bank and others as the Occupied Territories? In a conversation moderated by Ronit Heyd, Vice President and Director of the Center for Israeli & Jewish identity at the Shalom Hartman Institute, they argue that as Israel emerges from war with Iran and Hamas, this long-frozen conflict is the next moral and political time bomb. They dissect settler violence, the failure of Israeli leadership, and why "it's c...
2025-08-0655 minFor Heaven's SakeFamineThe war with Hamas has now come at a devastating cost. Hunger is penetrating Gaza, and Israelis are now witnessing the humanitarian disaster unfolding on their border, which their government—and the world—have so far failed to properly address.In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi ask, how did it get to this point? Where—between Israel, Hamas, and the international community—does responsibility for this famine lie, and how can Israel do teshuva for its role?Articles referenced in this episode:Matti Friedman's piece in The Free Press "Is Gaza Sta...
2025-07-3042 minIdentity/CrisisHolding it Together – with Donniel HartmanWhat does it mean to be “okay” when your community is not? What is the role of an educator in times of moral emergency? And how can we resist turning loyalty into a litmus test for empathy?
In this far-reaching and emotionally charged conversation recorded live in Jerusalem, Yehuda Kurtzer and Donniel Hartman reflect on what it means to lead the Hartman Institute in a moment of profound trauma.
For the latest issue of our award-winning winning journal Sources, click HERE
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2025-07-291h 02
For Heaven's SakeThe Outsiders Among UsA recent clash between Druze and Bedouins in the Syrian region of Sweida evolved into chaos as Syrian troops, Israeli Druze, and the IDF all entered the fray. For Israelis, the incident is prompting renewed awareness—and fresh questions— about the unusual status of Druze in the Jewish State.This week, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss loyalty, kinship, and “Israeli-ness” as they unpack the nation’s unique relationship with certain minorities and touch on the complicated dilemma that its Palestinian/Arab citizens face as conditions worsen in Gaza.Watch the video version of our podcas...
2025-07-2344 min
For Heaven's SakeWaitingFor the second time in two months, Israel’s government is at risk of collapsing, as Haredi parties threaten to withdraw from the coalition over the conscription of Yeshiva students. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is discussing a “60 day ceasefire” that would return more hostages without a clear end to the war.This week, as Israelis wait and anxiety builds, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi share their perspectives on the many factors that could change the country—and the war in Gaza—in the coming weeks.Listen to the first episode of TEXTing: IRL, Allyship at the Edge HERE...
2025-07-1634 min
For Heaven's SakePariah NationAround the world, Israelis are being harassed, attacked, and condemned for their country’s actions in Gaza, with even Israel’s staunchest allies beginning to reject claims of self-defense. This week, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi unpack why the war with Hamas has brought about such international backlash, and whether Israel can restore its moral credibility. Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.For more ideas from the Shalom Hartman...
2025-07-0936 min
For Heaven's SakeGaza: The End?Since his inauguration, Donald Trump has inserted himself into the core of Israeli politics. He now wants an imminent end to the Gaza war, and Netanyahu seems ready to capitulate, even at risk to his coalition.This week, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi unpack the moral dilemma that an end to the war in Gaza—under these circumstances—would create. Would Hamas continue to control the Strip? Will all the hostages be returned? And if Trump is setting the agenda, is Israel even making a conscious decision to pursue peace?Watch the video version of o...
2025-07-0231 min
For Heaven's SakeWhat Do We Know?The U.S. strikes Iran’s Fordo facility. Trump announces a ceasefire. Netanyahu and Khamenei both claim victory. But beneath all the bluster, it remains unclear if Israel’s 12-day campaign succeeded in neutralizing a nuclear threat.This week Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi try to separate facts from hearsay and speculate on the political future of both Iran and Israel.Watch the video version of our podcast on our Youtube channel. Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.For more...
2025-06-2639 min
For Heaven's SakeA New Era?How many times in Israel’s short and fraught history have we marked the start of a new era, and how does this affect the Israeli psyche over time? In this special episode of For Heaven’s Sake following America’s monumental entry into the war with Iran, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi analyze this not-quite-celebratory moment and weigh their conflicting feelings: exhilaration and exhaustion, triumph and trauma, gratitude and concern.Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.For more ideas from the Shalom Hartma...
2025-06-2231 minIdentity/CrisisThe Sound and the FuryAfter a week of turning our attention to the skies above Israel and Iran, Identity/Crisis is turning to our colleagues on the ground and asking: what is it like to be living in Israel right now – as a parent, as a Palestinian citizen of Israel, as an activist, as an American overseas?
On this week’s special episode, we invite you to cut through the noise as Yehuda Kurtzer elevates the voices of seven staff and faculty of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem: Jordanna Amsel, Shraga Bar-On, Ronit Heyd, Elana Stein Hain, Elhan...
2025-06-1947 min
For Heaven's SakeThe War is RealFour days into the war with Iran, the feeling in Israel has gone from surreal to painfully real, with initial sighs of existential relief giving way to anxiety, grief, and uncertainty. On this episode of For Heaven’s Sake, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss the parallels between this war and past operations, the difference in Israelis’ experiences across the country, and their hopes – and fears – for the days and weeks ahead.Past episodes of this show, and other podcasts from Ark Media can be found at arkmedia.org.For more ideas from the...
2025-06-1734 minFor Heaven's SakeWAR WITH IRANToday is day 616 of Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, and day 1 of a new era for Israel. For Israelis who were jolted out of bed by sirens and Jews around the world who have been glued to the headlines, the first 24 hours of the war with Iran have been surreal, and leave us asking – what happens now?In this emergency episode of For Heaven’s Sake recorded today, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi unpack how we got here, the experience in Israel over the last 24 hours, and the ways Israel and the region will be changed fore...
2025-06-1342 minIdentity/CrisisIs the War Still Worth it?– with Tal BeckerAfter 600 days, is the appetite for continuing the war with Hamas waning among its supporters? This week on Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer sits down with Tal Becker, Shalom Hartman Institute Vice President and former Legal Adviser of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss war strategy, moral obligation, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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2025-05-2959 minIdentity/CrisisA Jewish Paradigm for Caring for the Sick – with Sara LabatonWhat does it mean to care for the sick—not just medically, but morally and spiritually?
In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer invites Sara Labaton, Director of Teaching and Learning at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, to share her essay, Permission and Obligation: A Jewish Paradigm for Care, from the Spring issue of Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas. Drawing from personal experience and Jewish texts, Sara explores the complexities of caregiving and examines the role of doctors, patients, and the community in the healing process.
You can no...
2025-05-0642 minIdentity/CrisisSources: Morality in Times of Fear – with Donniel HartmanDuring times of war, when fear and self-preservation are front of mind, how do we make room for ethics? On this episode of Identity/Crisis, guest host Claire Sufrin, editor of Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas, sits down with Donniel Hartman, President of the Shalom Hartman Institute, to discuss the importance of morality in the Jewish tradition and how ethics should inform our choices. Keep an eye out for Donniel Hartman’s article in the Spring 2025 issue of Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas about Jewish ethics in theory and practice.
2025-03-2543 minIdentity/CrisisGhosts of a Holy WarWhat do we gain and what do we lose when we attribute so much to one specific moment – like the October 7 attack in 2023, or the 1929 Hebron massacre? In a fascinating and difficult conversation about her new book, Ghosts of a Holy War: The 1929 Massacre in Palestine That Ignited the Arab-Israeli Conflict, guest Yardena Schwartz and host Yehuda Kurtzer discuss the roots of the century long conflict, their implications today and how they shape the future of the region.This episode of Identity/Crisis was recorded in front of a live audience as part of Sa...
2025-01-2852 minFor Heaven's SakeIsrael at War – We are Not the SameAfter a year of grief, pain, and war on multiple fronts, the Israeli psyche has been fundamentally transformed. In this special episode recorded live on October 7, 2024, for members of the Shalom Hartman Institute Giving Society, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi reflect on the fragility of the nation, Netanyahu’s rising poll numbers, and a resurgence of existential crisis not seen in Israel since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Stay tuned after the episode to hear Donniel and Yossi answer questions from the live audience. Learn more about our G...
2024-10-0949 minIdentity/CrisisA Nation That Still Can't SleepIn the hours following October 7, 2023, Yehuda Kurtzer reached out to friends and colleaguesin Israel, both expressing his concern and support and asking them to share their personal experiences following Hamas’ deadly attack. He gathered their responses in A Nation That Can’t Sleep, released on October 11. This year, Yehuda reconnected with those same friends and colleagues, inviting them to reflect on the unimaginable year that has since passed. Their interwoven stories reveal the profound struggle to extract meaning from memory as time relentlessly marches forward and history unfolds with unstoppable force.
2024-10-0748 minIdentity/CrisisThe Centre Must HoldAt a time when society feels more divided than ever, Yair Zivan, diplomatic advisor to Yair Lapid and author of the new book, The Centre Must Hold, is advocating for centrism. On this week’s episode, Yair chats with guest host and Shalom Hartman Institute Vice President Justus Baird about topics ranging from the politics around hostage deals to the American two-party divide and shares his vision for a viable path forward. You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more. JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HAR...
2024-09-1742 min
TEXTingLiving with DissonanceThe parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l did everything they could to rescue their son and the other hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 but in the end, they were unable to prevent his murder along with five other hostages.In this special episode, Elana Stein Hain turns to a midrash in Sifrei Bamidbar to consider how to grieve this tremendous loss of life and grasp the seeming senselessness of this tragedy, in conversation with three Israeli scholars at the Shalom Hartman Institute—Tal Becker, Tehila Friedman, and Shoshana Cohen.Ep...
2024-09-0944 minFor Heaven's SakeIsrael at War – Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism, and Anti-Zionist JewsOver the course of the 10-month war with Hamas, anti-Zionist sentiment has been brought to the forefront around the world and also closer to home, within the ranks of North American Jewry.In this session recorded at the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Rabbinic Torah Seminar in Jerusalem on July 11, Yossi Klein Halevi outlines the connections and distinctions between anti-Zionism and classical antisemitism, and how this war is testing the morality of modernJewish power.For more information about our Rabbinic Torah Seminar, visit shalomhartman.org/rts....
2024-08-2157 min
Identity/CrisisSources: Two Students SpeakWith the fall academic semester just around the corner, guest host Claire Sufrin, Editor of Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas, shares two of the winning essays from the first student writing contest in the summer issue, Jewish on Campus.In the first essay, Princeton University senior Stephen Bartell rejects the claim that the Israel-Hamas War can only be understood in black-and-white terms in his piece, Celebrating Simultaneous Truths.In the second essay, Lilah Peck, a junior at UCLA, unpacks what it means to live in a pluralistic Jewish...
2024-08-2027 minFor Heaven's SakeIsrael at War – Nine MonthsRecorded in front of a live audience at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem on Tuesday, July 9, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi analyze Netanyahu’s impact on the hostage negotiations and how persistent fighting in Gaza exposes deep-seated misconceptions about Israel’s military power. JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEASSponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.
2024-07-1036 minFor Heaven's SakeIsrael at War – Israel TomorrowRecorded in front of a live audience at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem on Wednesday, June 26, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss enforcement of the recent Haredi draft law, the need for new elections, and a path toward resolving the Palestinian conflict after the war with Hamas ends.JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEASSponsor an upcoming episode of For Heaven’s Sake. Click here to learn more.Learn more about the Hartman Institute’s Community Leadership Program here.
2024-06-2740 minIdentity/CrisisThe Battle for Liberal Values on CampusAcross the United States, students are rallying and advocating for their perspectives about the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. Campus conversations and environments are becoming increasingly hostile with many Jewish students reporting feeling unsafe. In this week’s episode, Yehuda Kurtzer is joined by Mijal Bitton, research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America and Rosh Kehilla (communal leader) and co-founder of the Downtown Minyan in New York City to probe the term ‘safety’ and how it interacts with the discomfort that a diverse, liberal education should engender. They ask: when is discomfort productive, when is it unproductive, and when d...
2023-12-0552 min
Perfect Jewish ParentsIs Anyone Prepared for These Questions?As the Israel-Hamas war continues and we grapple with the implications and trauma of October 7, parents, caregivers, and educators are fielding increasingly complex questions from children and students. Hosts Joshua Ladon and Masua Sagiv are joined by Elana Stein Hain, Rosh Beit Midrash and Senior Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, and co-host of the award-winning podcast For Heaven's Sake. Together they offer a glimpse into how parents and educators may be thinking through these ethical questions and share some of the Jewish resources and rituals that they turn to for wisdom, comfort, and inspiration.
2023-11-0529 minIdentity/CrisisA Defining War for Young JewsThe events of the past few weeks and war in Israel will be a defining, even identity-shaping, moment for a generation of young Jews. In this week's episode, Yehuda Kurtzer chats with several young Jewish students from the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Hevruta Gap-Year program, an experience for Israeli and North American students to live and learn together. They share the ways the war has already changed their outlooks - from a conviction about future army roles to fear about arriving on college campuses, and they consider their obligations to one another as Jews. Despite all that is changing, they point us towa...
2023-10-2628 minIdentity/CrisisOn Screaming - and Other Radical Ways of Showing UpIn response to the current political moment in Israel, the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America hosted a day-long virtual Teach-In on September 20. This episode is a recording of Yehuda Kurtzer's opening session, where he challenges us to expand our understanding of what Jewish tradition teaches us about how we can respond in times of crisis. In addition to protest, he suggests that blowing shofar, teaching, and fasting are all rituals that transform and mobilize us as individuals and as a community.A source sheet accompanying this session can be found here.JOIN...
2023-09-2157 min
Perfect Jewish ParentsWhat Makes a Book Jewish?What role do books and ritual objects play in cultivating a Jewish home? How do you tell if a Jewish book—for kids or adults—is any good? David Zvi Kalman, Director of New Media for the Shalom Hartman Institute, co-producer of Perfect Jewish Parents, and owner of Print-O-Craft Press joins hosts Joshua Ladon and Masua Sagiv for the final episode of the season. They discuss the idea of “Jewish books" and the nature of play and creativity in Jewish life. Tune in as they take a look back at the inaugural season of Perfect Jewish Parents.
2023-09-0734 minIdentity/CrisisVariations on the ShemaThis is a recorded reading from the author of an essay published in Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas, a publication of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America.In this essay, “Variations on the Shema,” Sam Fleischacker meditates on Judaism’s central prayer and statement of faith. Seen through Sam’s eyes, the Shema becomes the thread that guides a Jew from childhood to adulthood and from place to place. He argues that by seeing the Shema in all the ways that our tradition asks us to look at it, from the Haggadah to our farthest travels, w...
2023-08-1541 minPerfect Jewish ParentsWhy Should Our Kids Care About the Jewish People?Feeling a sense of connection to the Jewish people can be a powerful inheritance, and it can spark questions, frustration or disappointment. What does it mean for us to be connected to, and maybe even responsible for, people in other countries who we don’t know and with whom we might not agree?Tal Becker (Senior Fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem and Legal Adviser of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs) joins Perfect Jewish Parents hosts, Masua Sagiv and Joshua Ladon to talk about the challenges and opportunities of fostering a sense of peoplehood in Jewish ch...
2023-08-1037 minIdentity/CrisisFear, Fury, and the Struggle for Equal Rights in IsraelWe’re bringing you something new this week. We invite you to listen to an audio version of an article that appeared in Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas, a publication of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America.In this article, “Fear, Fury, and the Struggle for Equal Rights in Israel,” Leah Solomon writes about the role that emotions play in Israeli culture and politics, and argues that we must move beyond fear in order to bring a resolution to the conflict. Leah is the Chief Education Officer at Encounter, an organization that educates Jewish leaders about...
2023-08-0127 minPerfect Jewish ParentsMeet the ParentsRaising kids Jewishly adds a layer of responsibility and opportunity to all of the other demands of parenting as parents navigate a wide set of choices about everything from the songs they play during holidays to how they talk to their kids about the Holocaust and antisemitism. For many parents, these aren't just responsibilities; they're a Jewish practice in and of themselves as they aim to support their children in inheriting and contributing to Jewish tradition. To explore these ideas, the Shalom Hartman Institute is launching Perfect Jewish Parents, a new show about the joys and oys of raising children Je...
2023-07-2551 minIdentity/CrisisIntroducing: Perfect Jewish ParentsRaising kids Jewishly adds a layer of responsibility and opportunity to all of the other demands of parenting as parents navigate a wide set of choices about everything from the songs they play during holidays to how they talk to their kids about the Holocaust and antisemitism. For many parents, these aren't just responsibilities; they're a Jewish practice in and of themselves as they aim to support their children in inheriting and contributing to Jewish tradition. To explore these ideas, the Shalom Hartman Institute is launching Perfect Jewish Parents, a new show about the joys and oys of raising children Je...
2023-07-2550 minIdentity/CrisisA Celebration of Leadership at the Shalom Hartman InstituteA few weeks ago, Yehuda Kurtzer was named president of the Shalom Hartman Institute alongside Donniel Hartman. In this conversation recorded live at the Institute in Jerusalem before 125 rabbis from across North America and Israel, Yehuda and Donniel sat side-by-side for the first time as presidents. In a deeply personal and moving conversation, they discuss what they've learned from each other, how their aspirations of Jewish life and peoplehood shape their work and that of the Institute in Israel and North America, and their vision for the role the Institute can play in the world.
2023-07-111h 02Identity/CrisisFrom Liberal Jewish Thought to Liberal Jewish ActionPolitical ideas are often steeped in religious values. In some communities, political action may even be seen as a religious responsibility. In this episode, adapted from a conversation recorded before a live audience during our annual Community Leadership Program at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, guest host Elana Stein Hain (Rosh Beit Midrash at Hartman) spoke with Orly Erez-Likhovski (Director of the Israel Religious Action Center) and Rabbi Rick Jacobs (President of the Union for Reform Judaism) about how liberal values translate into political action, both for Jews in Israel and in North America. As representatives of the Reform moveme...
2023-07-041h 25Identity/CrisisThe Lost Art of PersuasionA commitment to a liberal ethos necessitates a commitment to speaking with “the other”, especially about matters we hold most dear. In this edited recording of the Edward Bronfman Memorial Lecture, delivered in front of a live audience during our annual Community Leadership Program at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, Yehuda Kurtzer and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss the “lost art” of persuasion: How do we stand by our unique values while also practicing pluralism? What would happen if we valued humble, peaceful society over passionate, loud ideas? How can we examine ourselves, within and without, to become better people?
2023-06-271h 10Identity/CrisisFrom Kharkiv to New YorkThe Jewish tradition is full of exhortations to look after the vulnerable—to open up our pocketbooks, our hearts and even our homes to those in need—as well as stories of our own vulnerability, when we were dependent on the generosity and heroism of others. What might it look like to take those exhortations, and those stories, seriously? Last week, Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield, Executive Vice President of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, wrote an article in Tablet about opening up her home this past year to a family of Ukrainian refugees. She joins Yehuda Kurtzer to explore tha...
2023-02-2840 minIdentity/CrisisDavid Hartman z''l On Living a Spiritual LifeShalom Hartman Institute founder Rabbi Prof. David Hartman z”l was a leading thinker among philosophers of contemporary Judaism and an internationally renowned Jewish author. In honor of his tenth yahrzeit (Sunday, 30 Shevat 5773 – February 10, 2013) , we are releasing this archival recording of a 1995 lecture he delivered at the Lion of Judah conference which was followed by a speech from then First Lady Hillary Clinton.
2023-01-3130 minIdentity/CrisisThe Hole in the Center of Israeli SocietyIs it possible for centrist and moderate Israelis, those who believe in a Jewish democratic state, to stand together? Tehila Friedman is a Research Fellow at Shalom Hartman Institute, the host of a new Hebrew-language podcast about Israeli Jewish identity, and a program director for Shaharit, a think tank promoting a new social covenant in Israel. She joins Yehuda Kurtzer to discuss how to build societal infrastructure that allows us to manage our differences without breaking into pieces.Tehila's show, Bemedinat HaYehudim, can be found here.
2023-01-1737 minFor Heaven's SakeResponding to Israel's New RealityHow can Israelis respond constructively to the threat to democracy posed by Netanyahu's new government including ultra-orthodox and ultra-nationalist coalition partners? Donniel Hartman, Yossi Klein Halevi, and Elana Stein Hain ask how Liberal Zionists can reorient themselves, their political alliances, and their conversations to protect Israel as a Jewish and Democratic state.We hope that Hartman has become an intellectual and spiritual home for you to make sense of the present moment. Help us put Jewish ideas into action. Every dollar you contribute will be matched 100%, up to $100,000 this December. https://hartman.tfaf...
2022-12-1439 minIdentity/CrisisTwo Elections and the Path ForwardLast week, Israel returned Netanyahu to power as part of a right wing coalition that will include Itamar Ben Gvir, a racist politician who was the subject of last week's episode. This week, Americans seem poised to return at least one chamber of Congress to the Republican party.In this episode, recorded on Election Day as Americans headed to the polls, Yehuda Kurtzer and Donniel Hartman discuss the crucial importance of Jewish and liberal democratic ideals in both societies, how to continue talking across difference as polarization increases, standing up for what is right even when it...
2022-11-0953 minIdentity/Crisis#62: Foundational Judaism: What is It, and How Do We Teach It?Elana Stein Hain (Shalom Hartman Institute) joins Yehuda Kurtzer to introduce Hartman's newest curricular offering, Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism, a sophisticated yet accessible introduction to Jewish thought for educators and students of all backgrounds. Featured here is an episode of the companion podcast, Conversations for a Thoughtful Judaism, where Hartman scholars Sara Labaton and Tomer Persico speak about the role of Jewish practice in their lives.
Learn more at shalomhartman.org/foundations
2021-07-1544 minIdentity/Crisis#41: Vaccines and PoliticsJournalists Isabel Kershner (The New York Times) and Ben Sales (JTA) join host Yehuda Kurtzer to discuss the successes and failures to date of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Israel, Palestine, and the global Haredi community.
Articles mentioned in this episode: I attended an Orthodox anti-vaccine rally. Here’s what I saw. by Ben Sales in the Jewish Telagraphic Agency
Netanyahu's Two Israels by Yossi Klein Halevi the Times of Israel
Identity/Crisis is produced by the Shalom Hartman Institute in association with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
2021-01-1944 minIdentity/Crisis#39: Mature Jewish SecularismShalom Hartman Institute Research Fellow Micah Goodman joins Yehuda Kurtzer to discuss Israeli secularism's renewed engagement with Jewish tradition, the different dynamics of change in Israel and the diaspora, and his new book, The Wondering Jew.
2021-01-0443 minIdentity/Crisis#36: Politics, Pandemic, and PodcastingGuest host David Zvi Kalman (Shalom Hartman Institute) and Dovid Lichtenstein (The Lightstone Group, Headlines) discuss podcasting, politics, the pandemic, and halacha in the modern world.
2020-12-0738 minIdentity/Crisis#32: Post-Election TorahIn the liminal space between the US election and the declaration of a result, Yehuda Kurtzer and Shalom Hartman Institute Director of Faculty Elana Stein Hain discuss the right relationship between religion and politics, the necessity and limits of political pluralism, and what Torah they're learning for this moment.
2020-11-0949 minIdentity/Crisis#24: Gender, Power, and Covid-19This week's guests are Sheila Katz (National Council of Jewish Women) and Shira Berkovits (Sacred Spaces). The episode was guest-hosted by Sarah Mulhern (Shalom Hartman Institute).
2020-09-0844 minIdentity/Crisis#18: The New Jewish Political CanonFeaturing Julie Cooper (Tel Aviv University) Shaul Magid (Shalom Hartman Institute / Dartmouth University), Daniel Kurtzer (School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University), Sara Hirschhorn (Northwestern University), and Yehuda Kurtzer (Shalom Hartman Institute).
To purchase The New Jewish Canon: https://www.amazon.com/New-Jewish-Canon-Emunot-Philosophy/dp/1644693607
2020-07-051h 11Identity/Crisis#17: Mikvah, Fertility, and the PandemicFeaturing Ruth Balinsky Friedman (Ohev Sholom), Carrie Bornstein (Mayyim Hayyim), Rachel Rosenthal (JTS), and Yehuda Kurtzer (Shalom Hartman Institute)
To register for Hartman's summer programming, go to https://www.hartman.org.il/
2020-06-2356 minIdentity/Crisis#15: Facing AnnexationThis episode features Tamara Cofman Wittes (Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution), Michael Koplow (Israel Policy Forum), and Yehuda Kurtzer (Shalom Hartman Institute).
2020-06-1147 minIdentity/Crisis#12: What Comes Next for Denominational Judaism?A conversation between Rabbi Rick Jacobs (Union for Reform Judaism), Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal (Rabbinical Assembly / United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism), and Yehuda Kurtzer (Shalom Hartman Institute).
Register now for "The Revelation Will Be Digitized" on May 27, a virtual conversation about the future of online Jewish education. Joshua Ladon, Hartman’s Director of West Coast Education, will host Miriam Heller-Stern (HUC-JIR), Daniel Septimus (Sefaria), and Lisa Colton (Darim Online) to explore the questions that emerge for Jewish education in an era of COVID and Zoom. Register at https://updates.hartman.org.il/shavuot-2020.php
2020-05-2151 minIdentity/Crisis#8: Teaching Judaism at home is hard. Here's what you can do.Featuring Rabbi Ethan Tucker (Hadar), Stephanie Ives (Beit Rabban Day School), and Yehuda Kurtzer (Hartman).
Mentioned in this episode:
Shalom Hartman Institute's online iEngage class: http://static.hartman.org.il/dev/uploads/2020/03/iEngage5-_Online-learning-flyer-0320_final.pdf?mc_cid=a64a52da4b&mc_eid=18e469e147&mc_cid=a090cea215&mc_eid=%5bUNIQID%5d
2020-04-2341 minIdentity/Crisis#7: No mosque for Ramadan, no church for Easter, no shul for Passover. Now what?Featuring Rev. Laura Everett (Massachusetts Council of Churches), Maggie Siddiqi (Center for American Progress), and Yehuda Kurtzer (Shalom Hartman Institute).
Mentioned in this episode: https://religionnews.com/2020/04/09/a-holy-week-disrupted-by-death-answered-by-an-honest-easter/
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/17/opinions/coronavirus-faith-leaders-showing-the-way/index.html
2020-04-1437 minIdentity/Crisis#3: How to be a good leader in the middle of a pandemicIdentity/Crisis is a production of the Shalom Hartman Institute.
Music by SoCalled.
The story about Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai mentioned in the first segment can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.33b.5?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
The sermon of Rabbi Nissim of Gerona can be found here: http://static.hartman.org.il/dev/uploads/2020/03/Derashot-HaRan-11.pdf
2020-03-2051 min