The Long Path Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Content Advisory: Please note that this episode discusses challenging themes including graphic description of wartime deaths.

Listen as we launch a special series of conversations between Z3 founder and podcast host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman and Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a passionate activist for Gazans and Palestinians. Amitai served in the IDF from 2005-2009 in Gaza, while Ahmed is an outspoken voice for the future of the Palestinian people. In 2015, he started an not-for-profit organization whose goal was to build an internationally-run, Israeli-approved airport airfield to facilitate the movement of people in and out in cargo without Hamas having any control over the facility.

Chapters: (00:00) Episode Preview and Host Intro (03:45) Ahmed's Life Growing up in Gaza and the U.S. (08:15) Ahmed's Work in Non-Profit for Gaza and Professional Life (10:55) October 7th and its Aftermath (19:45) Hamas' Goals (24:29) Global Reaction that Spurred Ahmed to Advocacy (27:54) IDF Airstrikes on his Family (34:14) Gaza Views on Israel (41:30) Intifadas and Failed Peace Deals (49:12) Reimagining Right of Return (59:45) Self-Determination and Coexistence

In this powerful episode, Ahmed shares his personal journey through immense loss and ongoing conflict. Having lost 31 family members in Gaza since October 7th, Ahmed speaks about his deep pain and how it fuels his commitment to advocating for peace and understanding. He reflects on the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the challenges of maintaining humanity amidst tragedy, and his hope for restoring mutual respect and cooperation. Tune in to hear Ahmed’s heartfelt message on navigating grief and striving for a balanced path forward.

We are deeply grateful to Ahmed for joining us in this difficult but crucial conversation in these times of deep division and strife.

About our guest:

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib is an American writer and analyst who grew up in Gaza City, having left in 2005 as a teenage exchange student to the United States. He writes extensively on Gaza’s political and humanitarian affairs and has been an outspoken critic of Hamas and a promoter of coexistence and peace as the only path forward between Palestinians and Israelis. Alkhatib is a resident senior fellow with the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in intelligence and national security studies. His writing has been published in US, and Israeli outlets and his opinions and comments have been featured in the international press.

In the latest Z3 Project podcast, Dror Stein, of Z3, steps in as host for this episode where she speaks with Mickey Bergman, expert in international hostage negotiations with hostile actors, about his career in negotiating for the release of political prisoners worldwide. They discuss how emotional intelligence and empathy play a crucial role in these high-stakes negotiations as Bergman shares his experiences from his new book “In The Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad”. Listen now to learn more about the unseen machinations of international hostage situations and how his work has been affected in our post-October 7th world. About Mickey Bergman: Mickey Bergman directs Global Reach and the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, non-governmental, non-profit organizations that negotiate the release of political prisoners and hostages around the world. A special-operations veteran of the Israel Defense Forces, he has spent the past decade freeing Americans from some of the most complex and insulated countries on earth, including Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela, Syria, Gambia and Sudan. He is an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service, where his graduate courses focus on the art of emotional intelligence in international relations. He was nominated for the 2019 and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize alongside former Governor Bill Richardson. Follow Z3 here: Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project/ Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_Project Website - z3project.org/

Delve into a captivating conversation between Amitai Fraiman, head of Z3 and our podcast host and guest David Hazony explore the dynamic landscape of Jewish identity and culture in Israel and the diaspora. Focusing on Hazony’s recently published book in collaboration with Adam Bellow “Jewish Priorities”, they discuss how fresh perspectives and innovative approaches are shaping the future of American Jewish identity, and about the transformative potential of secular Jewish mass movements in reclaiming tradition From the importance of investing in intellectual engagement to the value of collaborative partnerships, Hazony offers compelling insights into revitalizing Jewish life across the diaspora. Gain valuable insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities facing the global Jewish community, and discover how partnerships can drive positive change. Don't miss this enlightening discussion on shaping the future of Jewish culture and resilience. Follow Z3 here: Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project/ Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_Project Website - z3project.org/

In this episode of the Z3 Podcast, Rabbi Amitai Fraiman, our host and head of Z3, is joined by Former Member of Knesset Michal Cotler-Wunsh, who is currently an Israeli special envoy to combat antisemitism. Join them as they delve into the urgent topic of combating antisemitism in today's world. From reclaiming identity to fostering unity and agency, Michal provides powerful insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by Jewish communities globally. Discover how hope, courage, and collective action are driving the fight against antisemitism in all spheres, and learn how individuals and communities can come together to make a meaningful difference. About our guest: Michal Cotler-Wunsh is a prominent public speaker, researcher, and independent policy and strategy advisor on intersecting issues of antisemitism, law, human rights, and Zionism. Michal’s focus on process, transparency, and accountability, continues to inform and guide her in the role of Israel’s Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism, engaging local and global partners around the shared responsibility to comprehensively identify and address the rise and mainstreaming of ever-mutating antisemitic hate. Michal was a Member of Israel’s 23rd Knesset and served as the first Knesset Liaison to the Issue of the International Criminal Court (ICC), was co-chair of the Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Friendship Group, was a member of several interparliamentary working groups, and Chair of the Caucus for Ethiopians in Israel. She received her LL.B. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and her LL.M. from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Follow Z3 here: Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project/ Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_Project Website - z3project.org/

In this episode of the Z3 Podcast, Rabbi Amitai Fraiman, our host and head of Z3, is joined by Yossi Ben Harush, a Jewish academic and educator. Together, their discussion delves into the evolving landscape of the Religious Zionist movement in Israel. They uncover the delicate balance between religious observance and secular activities, and the debate between ideology and sociology in guiding individual lives. Hear more about how recent events have prompted a reevaluation of ideological narratives within religious Zionist communities, leading to anticipation of significant societal shifts. All this and more in this episode. About our guest: Yossi Ben Harush is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Jewish Thought at Ben Gurion University and writes about Hasidism in the Land of Israel at the beginning of the 20th century. A faculty member in the Shalom Hartman Gap Year Program, Havrutah, Yossi recently returned to Israel from New York with his family, where he taught at SAR High School. Yossi lives in Jerusalem with his wife and three children. Follow Z3 here: Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project/ Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_Project Website - z3project.org/

In this episode of the Z3 Podcast, Rabbi Amitai Fraiman, our host and head of Z3, is joined by Roger Studley, the founder of Berkeley Moshav, a growing Jewish cohousing community in Berkeley, California.

Together they explore what are the essential ingredients of a thriving Jewish community and how to break down barriers to accessing Jewish life. Roger talks about what it’s like to be building a new kind of Jewish village in urban America through the cohousing model, and about how members are partners in co-creating the Jewish life they want for themselves through shared responsibilities and community gatherings. They discuss how incorporating Jewish expression in your daily life is made much easier when it’s already an integral part of your home and community, and share how Jewish tradition and cohousing share similar approaches to creating that shared community. All this and more in this episode. Meet Roger Studley: Roger is is the original convener of the Berkeley Moshav project. He is a certified cohousing consultant, trained by the 500 Communities program, and serves on the National Advisory Council for the Cohousing Association of the U.S. Roger also serves as a community advisor for Hakhel, the international incubator of Jewish intentional communities, and has contributed to all six of its Jewish Intentional Community Conferences. He is married to Rabbi Chai Levy of Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley, CA. Follow Z3 here: Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project/ Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_Project Website - z3project.org/

In the latest Z3 podcast episode Rabbi Amitai Fraiman, our host and head of Z3, is joined by Dr. Mijal Bitton, who serves as the Rosh Kehilla (communal leader) of the Downtown Minyan community in Lower Manhattan.

Examining the effects of the Oct. 7 massacre on the Jewish communities in Israel and America, they dig into what the role of grief plays in the Jewish response to tragedy and how it can connect us and also empower us to action. They also discuss the ways in which different types of support are needed for different areas of communities: how do we support Israelis who were directly impacted and still suffer accutely? How do we support young people on campuses who are now facing rising levels of antisemitism? All this and more in this episode. More about Dr. Mijal Bitton: Mijal is a Visiting Researcher at NYU Wagner and the Director of the first national study of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews in the United States. She earned her doctorate from New York University, is an alumna of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship, and was featured in the New York Jewish Week’s “36 under 36” in 2018 as a “public intellectual” with ‘public values.” Mijal is a fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, a Sacks Scholar, a Maimonides Fund fellow, and a New Pluralist Field Builder. Follow Z3 here: Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project/ Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_Project Website - z3project.org/

In the latest Z3 podcast episode Rabbi Amitai Fraiman, our host and head of Z3, is joined by Professor Yuli Tamir, the President of Beit-Berl Teachers' Training College and an adjunct professor at the Blavatnik School of Government Oxford.

Israel was already in a state of commotion when the October 7th massacre occurred. There had been 39 weeks of demonstrations about the democratic reform occurring in Israel, and Amitai and Yuli discuss the public’s reaction to the crisis and how the demonstrations changed. How did Arabs in Israel respond to the massacre, and what tensions do they now feel during the war in Gaza where they feel pulled in different directions? And how can Jews and Arabs both pursue the right to self-determination? All this and more in this episode. More about Prof. Yuli Tamir: In the past, she was a deputy speaker of the Israeli Parliament (the Knesset) and served as Israel's Minister of Immigration and Minister of Education representing the Labor party. In this capacity she led a comprehensive school reform, rising teachers' salaries and introducing innovative patterns of teaching. Tamir is also the author of three books, as well as of numerous articles in the fields of moral and political philosophy, philosophy of education, feminism and human rights. She is the editor of Democratic Education in a Multicultural State (Blackwell) and, Moral and Political Education together with Professor Stephan Macedo (New York University Press). As well, she served as the president of Shenkar College of Art, Design and Engineering (2000-2010).

Follow Z3 here:

Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project

LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project

Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project

Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_ProjectWebsite - z3project.org

In this Z3 podcast episode, Rabbi Shai Held meets with our host and the head of Z3 Rabbi Amitai Fraiman to discuss the emotional and spiritual impact of the war in Gaza on the Jewish community. Rabbi Held is a philosopher, theologian, and Bible scholar who has been named multiple times by Newsweek as one of the fifty most influential rabbis in America, and by the Jewish Daily Forward as one of the fifty most prominent Jews in the world. Together, they explore finding hope and inspiration through a religious lens, while also examining the ways that Jewish tradition struggles in navigating the ethics of power and war. Rabbi Held is president and Dean of the Hadar Institute, which he co-founded in 2006, and his contributions to Jewish education were recognized with the prestigious Covenant Award for Excellence. Rabbi Held is the author of Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence (2013) and The Heart of Torah (2017). His next book, Judaism is About Love, will be published by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux in 2024. Follow Z3 here:

Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project

LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project

Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project

Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_ProjectWebsite - z3project.org

In this Z3 Podcast episode, Rabbi Amitai Fraiman, our host and head of Z3, talks with Rabbi Dr Shmuly Yanklowitz about the state of American Jewry in light of the October 7th massacre and the ensuing war. They talk about difficult moments and the most pressing issues facing humanity both locally and globally in the wake of the war, as well as touching on themes of universal humanity, how to find allyship, feelings of abandonment by the non-Jewish world, as well as how to find a sense of security and rootedness in Jewish identity. Rabbi Yanklowitz received a Masters from Harvard University, a Masters from Yeshiva University, and his Doctorate from Columbia University. He was ordained as a rabbi by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, along with 2 private ordinations in Israel. He serves as the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (a global Jewish learning and action center). He has twice been named one of America’s Top Rabbis by Newsweek and has been named by The Forward as one of the 50 most influential Jews and one of The Most Inspiring Rabbis in America. Rabbi Yanklowitz is the author of 23 books on Jewish ethics and his writings have appeared in outlets as diverse as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Guardian, and the Atlantic among many other secular and religious publications. He has served as speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and a Rothschild Fellow in Cambridge, UK. Connect with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz here: Facebook - facebook.com/RabbiShmulyYanklowitz Instagram - @rabbishmuly Twitter - @RavShmuly Follow Z3 here: Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project/ Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_Project Website - z3project.org/