This conversation features Maia Ipp, a contributing editor at Jewish Currents focusing on memory and heritage, and Menachem Kaiser, author of Plunder, delving into the complexities of inherited trauma. They explore the film 'A Real Pain,' discussing its portrayal of generational struggles with Holocaust memory. Key themes include the emotional weight of visiting memorials, the commercialization of Holocaust narratives, and how humor intersects with Jewish identity. The dialogue invites deeper engagement with history while celebrating cultural richness in Poland.

Naomi Klein, bestselling author and professor, and Hala Alyan, acclaimed author and clinical psychologist, engage in a profound conversation about emotions in the Palestinian liberation movement. They explore how grief and rage influence political discourse and the need for emotional diversity within movements. The duo examines the weaponization of trauma in mourning practices, the psychological toll of state narratives, and the importance of recognizing and metabolizing emotions to empower communities. Their insights highlight the intricate connection between personal feelings and collective action.

Join historian Stephen Wertheim, Arab American Institute's Maya Berry, and national security reporter Spencer Ackerman as they dissect the foreign policy visions of Trump and Harris ahead of the 2024 election. They delve into how recent events in Gaza are reshaping voter sentiments, particularly among Arab and Muslim Americans. The trio also examines the bipartisan consensus on military dominance, the electoral implications of U.S. foreign policy, and the shifting dynamics in the Democratic Party's stance on Israel and Palestine.

In a captivating discussion, Mari Cohen, an associate editor at Jewish Currents, E. Tammy Kim from The New Yorker, and anti-caste activist Prachi Patankar dissect the intricate ties between various organizations and the ADL. They explore how the Hindu American Foundation mimics ADL's model while pushing Hindutva agendas, and the Asian American Foundation's efforts against racism rooted in similar frameworks. The trio also navigates the identity politics of South Asian Americans and the ADL's current legitimacy crisis, reflecting on advocacy in a complex sociopolitical landscape.

Ta-Nehisi Coates, one of the most celebrated American political writers of our time, devotes much of his new book, The Message, to a withering and deeply personal critique of Israel’s oppression of Palestinians. On this bonus episode of On the Nose—a recording of an online event for Jewish Currents members, co-sponsored by the Beinart Notebook and the Foundation for Middle East Peace—editor-at-large Peter Beinart speaks with Coates about his time in Israel and the West Bank, the silencing of Palestinians in American media, and what it means when nationalism’s victims become its adherents.Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).Texts Mentioned and Further Reading:The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates“Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” Martin Luther King, Jr.Our American Israel by Amy KaplanThe Riot Report, directed by Michelle Ferrari“The Case for Reparations,” Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Atlantic“One Year of War in the Middle East,” Pod Save the WorldThe Yellow Wind by David Grossman“Obama on his criticism of Israeli settlements: ‘I’m basically a liberal Jew,’” Avery Anopol, The Hill“US media talks a lot about Palestinians—just without Palestinians,” Maha Nassar, +972 MagazineTa-Nehisi Coates interview on CBSBlack Panther graphic novels by Ta-Nehisi CoatesMakdisi Street podcast“Ta-Nehisi Coates: I Was Told Palestine Was Complicated. Visiting Revealed a Simple, Brutal Truth,” Democracy Now!

On this episode of On the Nose—recorded live at Jewish Currents’s daylong event on September 15th—editor-in-chief Arielle Angel speaks with a panel of authors, scholars, and activists about the movement for Palestinian freedom in the wake of Israel’s genocide. Noura Erakat, Fadi Quran, Dana El Kurd, Amjad Iraqi, and Ahmed Moor discuss the challenge of Palestinian unity under Israel’s program of fragmentation, the resurgence of the two-state solution and decline of the coexistence paradigm, American Jews’ role in organizing their communities against Zionism, and the task of imagining a liberated future.Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).Texts Mentioned and Further Reading:Polarized and Demobilized: Legacies of Authoritarianism in Palestine by Dana El KurdJustice for Some: Law and the Question of Palestine by Noura ErakatAfter Zionism: One State for Israel and Palestine, edited by Anthony Loewenstein and Ahmed MoorHamas Contained: The Rise and Pacification of Palestinian Resistance by Tareq BaconiPolling by Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research“Zionism Killed the Jewish-Muslim World,” Ariella Aïsha Azoulay, JacobinProtocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions1968 Palestinian National Charter“How Durham, North Carolina, became the first US city to ban police exchanges with Israel,” Zaina Alsous and Sammy Hanf, Scalawag

In this engaging discussion, renowned writer Dionne Brand, celebrated for her exploration of colonial narratives, teams up with Adania Shibli, who examines themes of home and empire impact. They delve into reimagining belonging beyond nation-states, confronting colonial erasures of everyday life. The conversation also critiques the failures of liberal democracy, especially in the context of Israeli-Palestinian tensions. Brand and Shibli highlight the transformative power of writing, calling for collective narratives that foster liberation and challenge oppressive legacies.

Aslı Bâli, a scholar on left internationalism and neocolonialism, joins Aziz Rana, who examines global solidarity movements. They discuss the historical context of Third Worldism and its impact on contemporary movements, particularly concerning Palestine. The conversation highlights the importance of forming alliances against imperialism, explores the legacies of decolonization, and critiques the limitations of nation-states. They emphasize the need for transformative political action to confront ongoing neocolonial structures and foster genuine equity.

Candace Owens, a far-right commentator known for her divisive opinions, joins Tucker Carlson, a prominent television host, and Max Blumenthal, a journalist focused on international relations. They delve into the troubling intertwining of anti-Israel sentiment and antisemitism in current discourse. The conversation navigates the complexities of antisemitism in America, the risks within leftist movements, and the importance of building solidarity amidst fear narratives. They also discuss the distinction between Jews and Zionists, highlighting the need for nuanced allyship in political activism.

In a gripping discussion, Tareq Baconi, author of 'Hamas Contained,' unpacks the shocking assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s leader. They delve into the motivations behind the attack and its timing amid fragile ceasefire negotiations. Public reaction to his death reveals deep divisions in Palestinian politics, raising questions about Israel’s strategies. Furthermore, the intricacies of military versus political leadership within Hamas are explored, alongside the urgent need for Palestinian unity and international involvement in the ongoing conflict.