Jewish Crossroads: Jewish Identity in Times of Crisis – Details, episodes & analysis

Rabbi David Wolpe, one of the most influential rabbis in the U.S., a brilliant and fascinating thinker, made headlines this year after stepping down from Harvard’s antisemitism advisory group, realizing their vital recommendations would go unheeded.

In this conversation, he shares his thoughts and experiences—what is Jewish courage today? Where did he go wrong in believing antisemitism was his father’s generation’s problem? What did a conversation with a student and former IDF soldier reveal about the alarming campus climate? Why doesn’t he recommend every Jew attend Harvard, and how do the Gilmore Girls fit into all of this?

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Nicole Krauss is one of the most brilliant and influential American writers of our time. In an intimate and thought-provoking conversation with Tamar Ish Shalom, she opens up about the challenge of finding the right words for the open letter she wrote to the Israeli public after October 7th. She shares her deep concerns about whether, in today’s literary climate, it will still be possible to publish books that explore Jewish identity and Israel—and why a young Nicole Krauss wouldn’t stand a chance in today’s world.

In this compelling discussion, Krauss delves into the prophetic dimension of one of her novels, which depicts the daily reality of missile attacks in Tel Aviv before October 7th, and examines the profound self-denial ingrained in Israeli society. She reflects on why the Jewish American characters in her books are repeatedly drawn to Israel and explores the deep urge to break free from the ‘Jewish chains’—the constraints we, as Jews, have been taught to impose upon ourselves.

Krauss also shares a personal dilemma as a mother: what should she say to her eldest son, who traveled to Paris wearing a bracelet with Jewish symbols? 

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It’s not every day that a Yom Kippur sermon goes viral—but Rabbi Ammi Hirsch’s did. His powerful message struck a nerve across generations: Why are so many young Jews distancing themselves from Israel? Have we raised a generation so committed to Tikkun Olam—repairing the world—that they’ve forgotten Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh lazeh—that all Jews are responsible for one another?

In this gripping conversation, Rabbi Hirsch—one of the most influential voices in American Judaism—breaks down the forces shaping Jewish identity today, from campus protests to generational shifts in Zionism. A former IDF tank commander and longtime leader of Reform Judaism, he doesn’t hold back.

A must-listen episode for anyone who cares about the future of Jewish identity and Israel-Diaspora relations.

If you would like to be in touch with us contact: jewishcrossroadspod@gmail.com

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For the past 16 months, U.S. campuses have been rocked by protests, encampments, and confrontations, with university leaders often struggling – or outright failing – to respond. But one Ivy League school took a different path, leading to a different outcome. Dartmouth stands out for something rare: a sense of hope.

At the center of this story is Professor Susannah Heschel, a leading scholar of Jewish Studies and the daughter of the legendary Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel – one of the great moral voices of the 20th century. In this conversation, she shares what happened at Dartmouth, why it worked, and what it reveals about this moment in history.

We also explore her powerful argument that antisemitism isn’t just hatred – it’s cultural sadism. What does that mean? And why does her father’s legacy feel more urgent than ever?

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Julie Platt, a prominent leader in the American Jewish community, currently serves as Chair of the Jewish Federations of North America. Following the tumultuous congressional hearings and the subsequent resignations of the President and Chair of the University of Pennsylvania, Platt was appointed as the institution’s interim Chair. In our latest podcast, she discusses the critical importance of maintaining a Jewish presence in key positions: “Either you have a seat at the table, or you’re on the menu.” Platt shares her experience of being inundated with hate mail after accepting the interim role and reflects on the weight of leadership in turbulent times. 

She also unveils an unexpected Jewish connection in Wicked – the beloved musical and film produced by her husband, Marc Platt. Beneath its dazzling spectacle lies a deeper resonance, one intertwined with Jewish history and identity in ways most audiences never realize.

Additionally, Platt expresses her deep disappointment with many Hollywood stars following October 7, but also highlights those whose unwavering support profoundly moved her. We examine the extraordinary mobilization of Jewish federations in support of Israel after October 7 and the emergence of new philanthropists – individuals who hadn’t previously donated to Jewish or Israeli causes but have now stepped up to the plate. Join Tamar for an incisive conversation with a woman whose tireless dedication continues to inspire the community.

If you would like to be in touch with us contact: jewishcrossroadspod@gmail.com

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When Joshua Leifer’s book Tablets Shattered was released, it was clear he wasn’t pulling any punches. A fierce critique of the Jewish establishment, a personal reckoning with American Jewish identity, and a progressive take on Israel that refuses easy answers – the book was bound to provoke strong reactions. But no one expected his Brooklyn launch event to be canceled at the last minute because his guest, a Reform rabbi, was a Zionist. In this episode, Leifer joins Tamarto unpack that surreal moment and the deeper tensions it exposed. With sharp insight and unflinching honesty, he delves into the struggles of being a progressive Jew in today’s polarized environment, the moral test of October 7th, and why he believes many of his progressive allies failed it – leading him to reassess his affiliations while holding firm to his core political beliefs.

This special episode of Jewish Crossroads is released ahead of Passover — the holiday of freedom. But for 59 Israeli families, true freedom still feels painfully out of reach.

Tamar speaks with Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the American-Israeli mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was kidnapped and murdered by Hamas. Rachel has become one of the most powerful and persistent voices in the global campaign to bring the remaining hostages home.

In this conversation, we discuss her grief, the moral clarity that sustains her, and the strength she’s found in prayer, in community, and in her son’s own words — shared in captivity to help others survive.

Rachel speaks with honesty about Hersh’s life and death, while continuing to fight for those still living in darkness. She challenges the government’s refusal to act, honors the voices of the diaspora, and asks us all: What kind of people will we be in this moment?

If you would like to be in touch with us contact: jewishcrossroadspod@gmail.com

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In this episode of Jewish Crossroads, we sit down with Sarah Hurwitz—former chief speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama and senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama—to discuss her upcoming book, As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us.

Sarah opens up about how a personal breakup sparked an unexpected intellectual and emotional journey into Judaism—not through traditional religious practice, but through a deep engagement with Jewish texts, history, and ideas. She challenges the concept of “cultural Judaism,” advocating instead for a more informed, substantive connection to Jewish heritage.

We also delve into how centuries of antisemitism have shaped Jewish self-perception, and hear Sarah’s candid and deeply disappointed reflections on how her alma mater, Harvard University, has responded to recent events.

If you would like to be in touch with us contact: jewishcrossroadspod@gmail.com

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In this episode of Jewish Crossroads, Tamar sits down with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl – Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York and one of the most influential spiritual leaders in America today. Rabbi Buchdahl leads one of the largest and most vibrant congregations in the country, but what truly sets her apart is her ability to connect across lines of age, identity, and ideology. 

With honesty and grace, she tackles some of the most pressing questions facing Jews today: What does it mean to lead in a moment of profound crisis? How do we maintain Jewish unity in a time of growing fragmentation? And what role does faith play in coping with a world that can feel increasingly chaotic – and, at times, hostile?

In this wide-ranging conversation, Rabbi Buchdahl opens up about the responsibilities of leadership, the shifting terrain of American Jewish life, and how we can meet this moment with courage, compassion, and clarity.

* The episode was recorded in February 2025, and therefore any recent events, such as attacks, align with that timeline. 

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In this episode, Tamar sits down with Guri Alfi and Moshe Samuels – the creative minds behind The New Jew, a groundbreaking Israeli documentary series exploring Jewish life in America. Guri, one of Israel’s most beloved comedians, and Moshe, an acclaimed director and producer, aren’t American Jews themselves. But over the last few years, they’ve immersed themselves in the hopes, challenges, and transformations of American Jewry.

Their journey began with a mission: to bridge the growing gap between Israeli and American Jews. That mission took shape in The New Jew, a humorous, heartfelt exploration of Jewish identity across the ocean. Now, after October 7, they’ve returned to the U.S. to ask deeper, harder questions – filming a new season in a very different world.

Tamar speaks with them about what’s changed since their first trip, what surprised them most in Jewish America after October 7, and what Israelis still don’t understand about their American cousins. With insight and candor, they reflect on the shifting relationship between the two largest Jewish communities in the world – and what it means to be part of a global Jewish story in a time of crisis and reconnection.

This episode was recorded in March 2025, and reflects events and sentiments from that time.*

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