Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam Jewish 2025 Wrap: Peoplehood, Polarization, and Hope
Dec 31, 2025
Mijal and Noam explore the pivotal themes shaping Jewish life in 2025, reflecting on monumental events like the Gaza ceasefire and evolving sentiments of peoplehood. They discuss the shift from acute crises to chronic challenges, the merging of political extremes, and the emotional exhaustion many feel. Amidst all this, they find unexpected solidarity and resilience within communities. With hope for 2026, they advocate for unity, joy, and investment in deeper, meaningful questions, drawing on Rabbi Sacks’ guidance to build connections and fortify Jewish identity.
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From Acute Crisis To Chronic Condition
- The crisis of 2023 evolved into chronic challenges that require sustained endurance, not one-time fixes.
- Mijal Bitton urges adapting institutions and personal resilience to long-term pressures rather than short emergencies.
That Feeling Is Peoplehood
- Noam Weissman describes a recurring communal feeling: emotional responses are often expressions of peoplehood.
- That shared identity explains why distant events like Bondi Beach hit Jews worldwide so intensely.
Horseshoe Politics And Jew‑Hatred
- Noam argues anti‑Jewish rhetoric now arises from political extremes on both left and right, converging in similar harms.
- He warns against assuming any political tribe is immune to antisemitism.