Explore every episode of the podcast Jewish Crossroads: Jewish Identity in Times of Crisis
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jewish Courage in the Face of Antisemitism | 12 Jan 2025 | 00:42:21 | |
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 Harvardâs antisemitism advisory group, realizing their vital recommendations would go unheeded. | |||
| Nicole Krauss: Writing, Identity, and the Struggle to Speak After October 7th | 26 Jan 2025 | 00:55:05 | |
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 todayâs literary climate, it will still be possible to publish books that explore Jewish identity and Israelâand why a young Nicole Krauss wouldnât stand a chance in todayâs 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 âJewish chainsââthe 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? | |||
| Why Are Young Jews Turning Away from Israel? Rabbi Ammi Hirsch on the Crisis of Jewish Identity | 09 Feb 2025 | 00:48:24 | |
Itâs not every day that a Yom Kippur sermon goes viralâbut Rabbi Ammi Hirschâs 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 Olamârepairing the worldâthat theyâve forgotten Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh lazehâthat all Jews are responsible for one another? If you would like to be in touch with us contact: jewishcrossroadspod@gmail.com Tamar on X: https://x.com/tamarishshalom Rabbi Ammi Hirsch: https://x.com/ammihirsch/ | |||
| Antisemitism as Cultural Sadism with Professor Susannah Heschel | 23 Feb 2025 | 00:51:00 | |
For the past 16 months, U.S. campuses have been rocked by protests, encampments, and confrontations, with university leaders often struggling â or outright failing â 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. If you would like to be in touch with us contact: jewishcrossroadspod@gmail.com Tamar on X: https://x.com/tamarishshalom | |||
| Jewish Philanthropy After October 7 | 09 Mar 2025 | 00:36:19 | |
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 institutionâs interim Chair. In our latest podcast, she discusses the critical importance of maintaining a Jewish presence in key positions: âEither you have a seat at the table, or youâre on the menu.â 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 â 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 â individuals who hadnât 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 Tamar on X: https://x.com/tamarishshalom | |||
| Why Progressives Failed The Test of October 7 with Joshua Leifer | 25 Mar 2025 | 01:00:06 | |
When Joshua Leiferâs book Tablets Shattered was released, it was clear he wasnât 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 â 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 todayâs polarized environment, the moral test of October 7th, and why he believes many of his progressive allies failed it â leading him to reassess his affiliations while holding firm to his core political beliefs. | |||
| Special Pesach Episode with Rachel Goldberg-Polin | 06 Apr 2025 | 00:53:28 | |
This special episode of Jewish Crossroads is released ahead of Passover â 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 sheâs found in prayer, in community, and in her sonâs own words â shared in captivity to help others survive. Rachel speaks with honesty about Hershâs life and death, while continuing to fight for those still living in darkness. She challenges the governmentâs 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 Tamar on X: https://x.com/tamarishshalom | |||
| Former Obama Speechwriter Tackles Antisemitism | 19 Apr 2025 | 00:42:41 | |
In this episode of Jewish Crossroads, we sit down with Sarah Hurwitzâformer chief speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama and senior speechwriter for President Barack Obamaâto 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 Judaismânot through traditional religious practice, but through a deep engagement with Jewish texts, history, and ideas. She challenges the concept of âcultural Judaism,â 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 Sarahâs 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 Tamar on X: https://x.com/tamarishshalom | |||
| What it Means to Lead in a Moment of Profound Crisis with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl | 04 May 2025 | 00:38:44 | |
In this episode of Jewish Crossroads, Tamar sits down with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl â 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 â 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. Tamar on X: https://x.com/tamarishshalom | |||
| The New Jew with Guri Alfi and Moshe Samuels | 18 May 2025 | 00:36:55 | |
In this episode, Tamar sits down with Guri Alfi and Moshe Samuels â the creative minds behind The New Jew, a groundbreaking Israeli documentary series exploring Jewish life in America. Guri, one of Israelâs most beloved comedians, and Moshe, an acclaimed director and producer, arenât American Jews themselves. But over the last few years, theyâve immersed themselves in the hopes, challenges, and transformations of American Jewry.
This episode was recorded in March 2025, and reflects events and sentiments from that time.* | |||
| Dan Senor, Call Me Back | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:55:32 | |
In this episode, Tamar reflects on a Friday night dinner that took an unexpected turn â a conversation about how one podcast has become a lifeline for American Jews navigating an era of upheaval. Call Me Back, hosted by Dan Senor, is no longer just a podcast. Itâs a ritual, a cultural touchstone, and for many, a new pillar of Jewish identity. Dan Senor joins Tamar to unpack how Call Me Back rose to prominence in the American Jewish world, and why its impact goes far beyond politics or news. Itâs about belonging, about searching for clarity in chaos, and about the dialogue between Israel and the Diaspora that now feels more urgent than ever. If youâd like to be in touch with us, contact: jewishcrossroadspod@gmail.com | |||
| Settler-colonialism with Adam Kirsch | 24 Jun 2025 | 00:32:27 | |
In the latest episode of Jewish Crossroads, Tamar sits down with acclaimed writer Adam Kirsch to unpack the most important concept you've probably never fully understood: settler colonialism. From campus encampments to the terror attack on embassy staff in D.C., and even the shocking celebration of October 7th by some academics â this is the lens that explains it all. Kirsch offers one of the clearest, most incisive explanations of the ideology fueling todayâs most alarming movements. If you want to make sense of this moment, donât miss this essential conversation. If youâd like to be in touch with us, contact: jewishcrossroadspod@gmail.com | |||
| Iranians After War, "The Soul of a Society" with Roya Hakakian | 29 Jun 2025 | 00:53:42 | |
In this episode of Jewish Crossroads, Tamar speaks with Roya Hakakian, the acclaimed Jewish Iranian-American writer, journalist, and poet. While the headlines say "ceasefire," nothing truly feels at rest. Tensions between Israel and the Iranian regime remain thick in the air, and the deeper currents shaping the region are still in motion. Thatâs why Roya is the perfect guest. With the insight of someone who lived through Iranâs revolution and exile, she offers a perspective that goes beyond geopolitics. Roya doesnât just analyze events, she gives voice to the people living through them â to questions of identity, memory, and truth. This conversation is essential if you want to understand not just the facts on the ground in Iran, but the soul of a society. If youâd like to be in touch with us, contact: jewishcrossroadspod@gmail.com | |||
| The Voice That Rose After October 7 â Dr. Mijal Bitton | 13 Jul 2025 | 00:30:55 | |
In this episode of Jewish Crossroads, Tamar speaks with Dr. Mijal Bitton â scholar, spiritual leader, and one of the clearest voices to cut through the fog of antisemitism after October 7. In the wake of atrocity, as places that once stood for justice went silent, Dr. Bitton stood up. Her words â fierce, unsparing, heartbroken â echoed across a shaken Jewish world. This conversation explores what it means to fight for Jewish dignity in an era of erasure â to call out hatred without flinching. It is a discussion of faith, identity, memory, and what it means to lead when the cost of silence is too high. But Dr. Bittonâs power doesnât spring only from moral courage. It comes from depth. As a Latina Sephardic Orthodox woman, as a scholar of American Jewish life, and as a leader rooted in both tradition and the city streets of contemporary America, she offers a lens unlike any other. | |||
| First Female Orthodox Rabbi Tackles Antisemitism Post-October 7th | 27 Jul 2025 | 00:46:40 | |
In this episode of Jewish Crossroads, Tamar sits down with Rabbi Sara Hurwitz â trailblazer, teacher, and one of the most courageous voices reshaping the boundaries of modern Orthodoxy. From a young age, Rabbi Hurwitz felt called to public service in the world of Torah, but there was no roadmap for a woman to walk this path. In 2009, her ordination by Rabbi Avi Weiss and Rabbi Daniel Sperber marked a historic and controversial turning point, igniting debate across the Orthodox world. Yet Rabbi Hurwitzâs story is not one of confrontation, but of transformation. | |||
| Biden, Harris, and the Middle East: Behind the Scenes with Ilan Goldenberg | 24 Aug 2025 | 00:52:36 | |
In this episode of Jewish Crossroads, Tamar is joined by Ilan Goldenberg, Senior Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at J Street. Goldenberg served in both the Obama and Biden administrations and has a profound understanding of Israel, the Middle East, and the American Jewish community. His perspective is shaped not just by his years in policy, but by a personal biography that bridges worlds. | |||
| âMAGA leftistâ, Batya Ungar-Sargon on Jew-Hatred | 21 Sep 2025 | 00:40:56 | |
In this episode, Tamar Ish Shalom sits down with journalist and commentator Batya Ungar-Sargon, whose journey from progressive to outspoken critic of âwokeâ culture has made her one of the most provocative voices in American political discourse. Batya is the author of two books (a third on Jews and the left is in the works) â Bad News: How Woke Media Is Undermining Democracy and Second Class: How the Elites Betrayed America's Working Men and Women. She calls herself a âMAGA leftistâ and an enthusiastic supporter of Donald Trump, while at the same time insisting that the voices of ordinary Americans be part of the national conversation. Agree or disagree with her, Batya challenges assumptions about media, politics, and democracy itself. Tamar and Batya discuss her unlikely trajectory, the blind spots of American elites, and why talking about class is so often avoided. Join us for a conversation that will make you stop, think, and maybe even rethink. If youâd like to be in touch with us, contact: jewishcrossroadspod@gmail.com | |||