Identity/Crisis

After the single largest attack on Israeli civilians in its history, Israeli music has taken on the complicated, often conflicting feelings of the country itself. This week, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with Lior Zaltzman, deputy managing editor of Kveller, about how Israeli music has been used to express the emotions of the country throughout history, and the ways it has changed since October 7. A playlist of the songs discussed in this episode can be found at the link below.  Episode Playlist  Ruach Halochamot Tenatzeach (youtube)  Sponsor a podcast episode  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS  

Unlike past wars, the war in Gaza has been surrounded by so much media noise that even talking about it can feel paralyzing. As death counts rise, fear and anger breeds, and the endless news cycle drones on. In this week’s episode, Yehuda Kurtzer reflects on his 3 trips to Israel since the start of the war, the changes he’s witnessed in Israeli society, and how he is cutting through all the noise. You can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.   JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS  

The months since October 7th have brought tremendous grief, loss, uncertainty, and fear to North American Jewish communities. Jewish community leaders are working tirelessly to support their communities through these trying times. In early February, alumni of The Wexner Foundation’s fellowships for Jewish professional leadership gathered at their annual conference. This week’s guest host, Maital Friedman, spoke with seven of these leaders about the challenges they’re facing, the questions they’re asking, and how they are forging a path forward.   Guests featured on this episode:Ilana Aisen, CEO of JProJacob Feinspan, Executive Director of Jews United for JusticeErica Frankel, Executive Director of the Office of Innovation and co-founder of Kehillat HarlemRachael Fried, Executive Director of JQY (Jewish Queer Youth)Dalit Horn, Executive Director of the Vilna ShulDaniel Olson, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Research at the National Ramah CommissionAdam Weisberg, Executive Director of Urban AdamahYou can now sponsor an episode of Identity/Crisis. Click HERE to learn more.JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS 

Yael Kanarek and Tamar Biala discuss their project Toratah, which regenders the Bible, offering a matriarchal structure and female characters. They explore the process of regendering the Torah, the new perspectives it reveals, and the challenges it poses. They also touch on reactions to their teachings and the importance of creating an inclusive understanding of the text. The podcast delves into translation choices in the regendered version and discusses the shift in perspective while working on Toretta, which can be expressed through various mediums.

As Israeli society grapples with the aftermath of October 7th, Rabbi Tamar Elad-Appelbaum is among the religious leaders rising to the challenge of providing spiritual, pastoral, and psychosocial support to evacuees, wounded soldiers, families of hostages, and others affected by the trauma of the attacks and the war. In this week's episode, she joins Yehuda Kurtzer to discuss her recent experiences and personal insights as a rabbi navigating communal grief, maintaining a spiritual position towards peace, and digging into the Jewish tradition for answers. Tamar’s rabbinic work was highlighted on NPR’s Morning Edition.   Sponsor a podcast episode  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS  

This week, Identity/Crisis is excited to share the first episode of Hartman’s newest podcast: TEXTing with Elana Stein Hain. On each episode Elana delves deeply into the issues of our day through the lens of classical Jewish texts, in conversation with Hartman scholars Christine Hayes, Yonah Hain, or Leora Batnitzky.   In this first episode of TEXTing, Elana and Christine turn to the Talmud in tractate Hagigah to address the shock, disbelief, alienation, and despair Jews around the world are experiencing in the wake of October 7 and throughout the subsequent Israel-Hamas War.  We are grateful to the Walder Charitable Fund and Micah Philanthropies for their generous support of TEXTing.  This episode is also sponsored by Erica Schacter Schwartz  Episode Source Sheet  You can now sponsor an episode of TEXTing. Click HERE to learn more.  JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE HARTMAN IDEAS  

This podcast explores the complexities of Jewish identity and the concept of collective belonging. It discusses the tensions and complexities of Jewish identity, the interplay between Genesis and Exodus in Jewish identity, the importance of loyalty in Judaism, and the need to consider context in conversations about the Jewish people. It also reflects on the changing dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and emphasizes the complexity of Jewish thinking and loyalty to the Jewish people.

Mark Oppenheimer, an expert in the relationship between Jews and American universities, discusses the changing perspective on elite universities and the experiences of Jewish students. They explore anti-Semitism, the dynamics of power structures, the trade-off between safety and free speech, the evolution of college culture and Jewish life, and the political implications of college campus trends.

The podcast explores the evolution of human rights, the influence of religious traditions, and the failures of international bodies. It discusses the history of human rights, focusing on Zionism and the Jewish people. The emergence of the human rights industry, the need for reform in international bodies, and the complexities of addressing human rights catastrophes are also explored.

In this final episode, the host reflects on key moments from past episodes, including concerns over Israel's democracy, the devastation of October 7, and the subsequent war. They explore the growing divide between North American and Israeli Jews, the Israeli protest movement, managing differences within Jewish communities, teaching about the Jewish community and ethics of war, and express nervousness about the future while finding optimism in democracy protests.