Identity/Crisis

Did Yiddish ever really die? On this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer sits down with Rukhl Schaechter, editor of the Yiddish Forverts, to explore the surprising renaissance of the Yiddish language—from new dictionaries and online media to Duolingo learners and Hasidic vernacular. Together they discuss what is drawing people back to the language, how Yiddish carries culture across generations, and why so many Jews are using it to seek connections to their roots in a moment of renewed searching. You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS 

What does it mean to defend liberal democracy in a world shaped by power, domination, and moral compromise? In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with Washington Post columnist and author of The Case for American Power, Shadi Hamid, about whether liberal societies can wield power without betraying their own ideals. From Trump’s approach to Venezuela to the war in Gaza, their conversation asks whether restraint, morality, and democratic purpose can guide power in a fractured political moment. You can find Shadi's book, The Case for American Power, HERE You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS  Here’s more from the Shalom Hartman Institute this week: Listen to young Israeli changemakers from our Hazon program on the Canadian Jewish News's North Star podcast.

Who pays the price for identifying antisemitism? In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with journalist and Canadaland host Jesse Brown about his recent series What Is Happening Here and his decision to investigate the rise of anti-Zionism and antisemitism in Canada. Together, they examine why media and political institutions have struggled to respond and what it costs to name these realities publicly. We're grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supporting the Shalom Hartman Institute's digital work, including Identity/Crisis.   You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS  Here’s more from the Shalom Hartman Institute this week: If you read our journal Sources, complete our reader survey by January 15. Learn more about the Kogod Research Center, whose scholars develop the ideas of the Hartman Institute.

Why have universities become flashpoints for broader cultural and political battles and what can higher education do to repair a fractured public sphere? In a conversation recorded live at the Vilna Shul in Boston, Yehuda Kurtzer and Harvard president Alan Garber reflect on leadership in a moment of crisis—exploring free speech and protest, institutional neutrality, and the rise of antisemitism on campus. As a university president and a Jew, Garber shares what worries him about the current moment, what gives him hope, and what it will take for universities—and the country—to move forward. We're grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supporting the Shalom Hartman Institute's digital work, including Identity/Crisis.   You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS    Here’s more from the Shalom Hartman Institute this week: Learn more about and apply to the Hevruta Gap-Year Program. Learn more about and register for our 2026 Rabbinic Torah Seminar.

How do ideas travel—and what happens when they cross borders? In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer sits down with author and historian Adam Ferziger to explore how liberal and moderate forms of Judaism, forged in North America, took root in Israel and helped shape a distinctly Israeli religious center. Drawing on Ferziger's new book Agents of Change, the conversation examines education, power, backlash, and belonging—and asks what it really means for Jewish ideas to be “imported,” translated, and transformed in a sovereign Jewish society.  We're grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supporting the Shalom Hartman Institute's digital work, including Identity/Crisis. You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS 

This episode was originally released on December 24, 2024   The relegation of Hanukkah merchandise to a tiny corner of the grocery aisle can cause Jews to feel excluded or marginalized by the Christmas holiday season. But the impact of Jews on the history and culture of secularized Christmas is deeper than you might think. In this exciting Yuletide episode of Identity/Crisis, host Yehuda Kurtzer and American composer and music commentator Rob Kapilow sit down at the keyboard to better understand the relationship between Jews and Christmas through the holiday music that Jewish composers have contributed to the canon. We're grateful to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for supporting the Shalom Hartman Institute's digital work, including Identity/Crisis.   You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS 

In this engaging discussion, guest Claire Sufrin, Director of Research at the Shalom Hartman Institute, interviews Yehuda Kurtzer, a thought leader on Jewish communal life. They explore the fragility of the Jewish 'big tent' in the wake of trauma, emphasizing the need for clearer values and a commitment to care. Yehuda advocates prioritizing community obligation over political identity, while dissecting the difference between inclusion and platforming diverse views. Their conversation offers insights into rebuilding connections and navigating shifts in affiliation after crisis.

Terrence Johnson, a prominent scholar and author specializing in Black–Jewish relations, joins to unpack the complexities of this vital alliance. He discusses the historical ruptures since 1967 and analyzes how changing leadership has impacted collaboration. Johnson explores the narratives of vulnerability and power, emphasizing the need for intimate dialogue to bridge understanding. He also addresses the influence of media on public empathy regarding Black suffering and critiques how competing vulnerabilities shape perceptions. Ultimately, he advocates for mutual self-critique to foster renewed partnerships.

Yehuda Kurtzer, a scholar and thought leader on Jewish life, delivers insights from a live talk in NYC, emphasizing a fresh vision for American-Jewish politics. He critiques the limitations of historical analogies for understanding today's challenges, warning against the erosion of institutions vital for Jewish flourishing. Kurtzer introduces four guiding values—covenant, compromise, sacrifice, and kindness—arguing they are essential for fostering political engagement and a resilient democracy. He advocates for a reinvigorated collective Jewish identity in America.

Join Yair Rosenberg, a Staff Writer at The Atlantic, as he delves into the alarming rise of antisemitism in America. He discusses the troubling impact of Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes in mainstreaming extremist ideas. From the generational loss of Holocaust memory to the way populism cultivates conspiracies, Yair sheds light on why young Americans are increasingly receptive to these narratives. He also warns against simplistic connections between conservatism and antisemitism, urging for nuanced understanding and coalition-building among communities.