Blake is a freelance writer, a columnist, and new media director for Jewish Journal. He is also the president and co-founder of The New Zionist Congress. They are a group of students, young professionals, professors, thinkers, and leaders from around the world, who believe in Zionism's mission and its continuity today. Blake was a lifelong progressive Democrat, but when he went to college he was met with antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric coming from the same groups which he previously championed. After finding himself in a bit of an identity crisis, Blake managed to find his calling and became a new fresh voice for a younger generation of Jews in America. Jews have a long history of being persecuted for nothing more than holding a different belief. With antisemitic attacks being at an all-time high, we need more brave voices like Blake. I'm happy he came on the podcast for us to discuss some extremely important and relevant topics. 

Blake and I discussed: 

• What is the future of progressivism?
• What the New Zionist Congress org is all about
• The current political atmosphere on college campuses 
• Why Jews are attacked by both sides of the political spectrum 
• What is Pinkwashing?
• Hiding your Jewish identity when traveling 
• The profound impact summer camp in Oregon had on his understanding of his Jewish identity 
• Populist messaging masquerading as truth 
• The problem with Identity politics 
• Filter bubbles & echo chambers of information on social media

And much, much more...

Blake Flayton 

My Take: The highly politicized climate we find ourselves in steals reason and agency from individuals and lumps us all into groups - it's the most tribal inclination humans possess. We need independent thinkers to steer people away from identity politics, political tribalism, and the mob mentality in which we currently find ourselves. 

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