The Tikvah Podcast

Jeffrey Herf, a historian and analyst of anti-Semitism, delves into the alarming rise of domestic terrorism targeting Jewish individuals in the U.S. He connects recent violent acts to ideological movements, exploring both historical influences and contemporary radicalism. Herf discusses the complex dynamics of anti-Israel sentiment, radical speech on campus, and the repercussions of political rhetoric. He urges a critical examination of these issues, emphasizing the responsibility of society to confront rising antisemitic violence and promote informed discourse.

Matthew Solomson, a federal judge and chief judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, shares insights on balancing deep Orthodox Jewish faith with public service. He discusses the unique role of his court, covering everything from military contracts to the Affordable Care Act. Solomson reflects on his upbringing and the complexities of maintaining identity in a secular world. He also touches on a thought-provoking judicial visit to Israel and the implications of free speech amid political controversies on campuses. His journey exemplifies the fusion of faith and patriotism in the legal field.

Yossi Melman, a prominent Haaretz reporter and an expert on Israeli intelligence, delves into the life and legacy of Eli Cohen, Israel's most celebrated spy. He shares fascinating insights into how Cohen infiltrated Syrian politics by adopting a new identity, showcasing the art of social engineering. Melman discusses the implications of recently uncovered documents that reveal Cohen's daring missions and tragic end. He also highlights the ongoing challenges in Israeli intelligence, emphasizing the need to balance digital signals with human insights, inspired by Cohen’s exceptional legacy.

J.J. Kimche, a Jewish historian and Assistant Professor at the University of Austin, discusses the legacy of Paul Johnson, a British Catholic historian who took a keen interest in Jewish history. Kimche explores why Johnson viewed Judaism sympathetically and how his non-Jewish perspective offers unique insights into Jewish identity. The conversation touches on the complexities of Jewish belief, the evolution of Reform Judaism, and the significance of major historical events like the Holocaust and Zionism, highlighting the value of understanding Jewish history from diverse viewpoints.

Ari Heistein, a business development expert in Israel and former chief of staff at the Institute for National Security Studies, delves into the recent missile strike near Ben-Gurion Airport by the Iran-backed Houthis. He discusses their transformation from a revivalist movement to a guerrilla force and examines their military supply chain supported by Iran. Heistein also highlights the impact of these missile strikes on Israel's tourism and security perceptions, emphasizing the urgent need for vigilance in the face of escalating threats.

Michael Doran, a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, dives into Donald Trump's transformative Middle East policy. He discusses Trump's departure from previous administrations, focusing on Iran and Israel's empowerment. Doran highlights how the Trump era viewed Biden's foreign policy as weak, leading to a maximum-pressure campaign on Iran. The conversation also addresses the shifting American perceptions of Israel, the impact of disillusionment with elite institutions, and the intricate dynamics of U.S. alliances in the region. It's a captivating exploration of the high-stakes chess game in Middle Eastern politics.

Benedict Kiely, a Catholic priest from Canterbury and founder of Nasarean.org, discusses the legacy of Pope Francis and his significant ties to the Jewish community and the Middle East. Kiely reflects on the importance of Catholic-Jewish relations and the challenges faced by Christian communities in the Middle East, especially in Iraq. He also entertains the possibility of Cardinal Pizzaballa becoming the first Middle Eastern pope and its implications for religious dynamics and civilizational priorities. This insightful conversation navigates the complexities of faith in modern times.

Leon Kass, a prominent Jewish scholar known for his insights on bioethics and the Hebrew Bible, dives into the rich narrative of the Exodus. He unpacks how this ancient story shapes Jewish identity, exploring the character of Moses, the power of collective memory, and the moral courage of women in defiance of oppression. Kass reveals the three pillars of the Exodus narrative and discusses how storytelling is crucial for identity formation. He also examines the deeper spiritual transformations that accompany the Israelites' journey from slavery to freedom.

In this engaging conversation, Dara Horn, a celebrated novelist known for her works exploring memory and Jewish identity, discusses her new graphic novel, One Little Goat. She delves into the significance of the Haggadah in preserving collective memory during Passover, framed within a whimsical tale of a family's Seder caught in a time loop. Horn highlights the balance between tradition and American individualism and the rich symbolism of the scapegoat in Jewish culture. The creative collaboration between Horn and an indie comics artist also shines through, bridging history and modern storytelling.

Is the Trump administration pro-Israel? There’s a great deal of evidence to believe it is. It’s given Israel the armaments and rhetorical support it needs to fight on until total victory in Gaza. It has targeted the Houthis in Yemen. It has a record of taking action—economic, diplomatic, and military—against Iran and so has a degree of credibility in countering Israel’s greatest external threat. The president has put champions of the U.S.-Israel relationship in key roles: the secretary of state, the national security advisor, and the secretary of defense are all on the record advocating even closer relations between Washington and Jerusalem. President Trump invited the Israeli prime minister for an extensive, private meeting in the Oval Office, the first such meeting of his second term. The Republican convention last year was perhaps the greatest single spectacle of American Zionism aired in prime time. And yet, there are some who see in the Trump administration an equal measure of signs and portents that it will not strengthen but weaken the U.S.-Israel relationship. There is a current of isolationism within the administration and among its key supporters, combined with a strategic concept that weighs American investment in the confrontation with China against American investment in the Middle East. In senior and subcabinet appointments, as well as in the Trump coalition’s media environment, these voices have a significant presence as well. In addition, there has been a welling up of genuinely anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist passions and enmities from rightwing social media and from Trump-aligned populist figures with large online followings. So what is it? Is the second Trump administration’s conception of an America-first foreign policy pro-Israel or isn’t it? The answer is that the administration contains both of these elements, and it’s the president’s job to manage the tensions between them. That tension—between those who see Israel as an asset to American interests and those who see it as a liability—has been present in every Republican administration since Israel was established in 1948. To discuss what that debate has looked like in the past, Mosaic’s editor Jonathan Silver is joined by the presidential historian Tevi Troy. Troy is a senior fellow at the Ronald Reagan Institute, a senior scholar at the Straus Center at Yeshiva University, and a former deputy secretary of HHS. His most recent book is The Power and the Money: The Epic Clashes Between Commanders in Chief and Titans of Industry.