Identity/Crisis

What does Zohran Mamdani’s rise reveal about the shifting power, politics, and identity of New York City’s Jews?  As New York stands on the verge of electing its first anti-Zionist mayor, on Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer and political strategist Howard Wolfson explore what happens when the Jewish community, who once defined New York’s political center of gravity, finds itself on the outside looking in. 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 

Last week on the Jewish Broadcasting Network, Shalom Hartman Institute presidents Yehuda Kurtzer and Donniel Hartman joined journalist Abigail Pogrebin for a live conversation reflecting on this pivotal moment: the immense Israeli public effort to bring the hostages home, the roles of Trump and Netanyahu in current and future politics, and the dueling priorities of Israeli and American Jews. As the ceasefire went into effect and all remaining living hostages and some of the fallen returned to Israel, Yehuda and Donniel celebrated with cautious optimism and offered a hopeful vision for reconstructing Jewish life.

Join David Zvi Kalman, a scholar and technology commentator, as he unpacks the ethical dilemmas AI poses for Jewish life. He emphasizes the risks of dehumanization and the amplification of antisemitism through AI. Kalman advocates for Jewish communities to catch up with technology while preserving human dignity. He warns against using AI for sermon creation to maintain communal trust and suggests that religious leaders should foresee tech trajectories to shape ethical responses. This insightful conversation blends ancient wisdom with modern challenges.

What is at stake when Holocaust memory fades—or worse, loses its relevance?  This week on Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with Anita Friedman — daughter of survivors, renowned educator, and executive producer of the new film Among Neighbors — about the future of Holocaust education, the dangers of “Holocaust fatigue,” and how storytelling can help make Holocaust memories relevant for generations to come.   Register for the Sapir Debate HERE.   Learn more and register for our Winter Leadership Conference HERE.   You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS 

In this episode of Arc: The Podcast, Mark Oppenheimer sits down with Yehuda Kurtzer to discuss the aesthetics of yarmulkas, the crisis facing clergy-members, and how the war in Israel is changing American Jewry.   You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS 

Ethan Tucker, president of the Hadar Institute and expert in Jewish law, discusses the challenges of praying ancient texts in today's political climate. He emphasizes the importance of sincerity in prayer and how reinterpretation can bridge tradition with modern egalitarian values. Tucker shares insights on reframing divine kingship as a consent model and argues for preserving difficult texts for collective solace. He also addresses the dynamic between personal and communal prayers while exploring diverse approaches to egalitarianism in liturgy.

Does Benjamin Netanyahu need Hamas — and even this war —for political survival?  This week on Identity/Crisis, following Israel’s puzzling strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, Yehuda Kurtzer and Michael Koplow, Chief Policy Officer at Israel Policy Forum, try to get inside Netanyahu’s head and understand the ways in which he and Hamas may be inextricably linked. You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS 

In this enlightening discussion, Sarah Hurwitz, author of 'As a Jew', shares her journey of transforming a superficial Jewish identity into a profound connection with her heritage. She tackles the complexities of Jewish narratives in modern education, shedding light on parental concerns about historical understanding. Delving into themes of assimilation and community, Sarah emphasizes the significance of embracing authentic Jewish traditions for continuity. The conversation also explores how historical memory shapes present identities and the relevance of unique rituals like Sukkot in today's world.

Who gets to decide someone’s Jewish status, and what happens when that status comes into conflict with someone’s identity? This week on Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer sits down with Christine Hayes, Sterling Professor Emerita of Religious Studies at Yale and Hartman Senior Fellow for a provocative conversation about intermarriage, Jewish adjacency, and the boundaries of community and belonging. Check out Yehuda’s substack HERE Learn more about Hartman’s Hevruta Gap-Year Program HERE Learn more about the Edward Fein Winter Student Seminar HERE You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS 

Franklin Foer, a journalist and author known for his insights on Jewish issues, joins Sarah Hurwitz, a former White House speechwriter and author of a self-discovery memoir. Together, they delve into the pressing anxieties facing American Judaism today. They examine the fears surrounding its future, the metaphors of illness reflecting the community's state, and the importance of adapting traditions in a changing world. Their engaging conversation touches on the balance between cultural assimilation and preserving Jewish identity amid rising anti-Semitism.