SAPIR Conversations

The assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin 30 years ago, in November 1995, marked a major turning point in the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Now, three decades later, the likelihood of a safe and secure Israel coexisting alongside an independent Palestinian state appears increasingly more remote.Despite growing international pressure, Israeli support for a two state-solution continues to drop while skepticism that peace is achievable continues to grow. In the shadow of the October 7th attacks and a two-year long war in Gaza, is lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians possible? Is There a Realistic Future for the Two-State Solution?On November 17, SAPIR hosted a debate on this question on the plenary stage of the Jewish Federations of North America's General Assembly in Washington, D.C.Speakers:Tamar Ish-Shalom, Israeli journalist & host of Jewish CrossroadsDr. Michael Koplow, Chief Policy Officer, Israel Policy ForumJohn Podhoretz, Editor, Commentary MagazineMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/track/theo-gerard/monsieur-groove

Of Israel’s many achievements since October 7, none perhaps was as unforeseen as the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange reaching an all-time high two years since the start of the war. While this reflected the resilience and dynamism of the start-up nation, there are troubling signs ahead for Israel’s economy: the high cost of war; stagnant economic sectors; bureaucratic malaise; high population growth; and more. Can Israel make the adjustments and double its GDP over ten years? Can Jews in the Diaspora help it get there?Israeli venture capitalist Michael Eisenberg joined SAPIR Editor-in-Chief Bret Stephens for a conversation about what it will take for Israel to become a trillion-dollar economy.Watch this SAPIR Conversation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S4BQEQynhM Read Michael Eisenberg’s essay: https://sapirjournal.org/money/2025/building-israels-trillion-dollar-economy/ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/theo-gerard/monsieur-groove

Why does the stereotype about Jews and money endure? Is Judaism a contractual or covenantal religion? Is Jewish life today too expensive? Should the cost of Jewish education be offset by philanthropic giving or public funding?  Join Bret and Rabbi Wolpe for a wide-ranging SAPIR Conversation on these questions and more, which are featured in the newly released issue of the journal on Money. Dive into the issue at sapirjournal.org/issues/money.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/theo-gerard/monsieur-groove

Kathy E. Manning, former U.S. Representative and board chair of the Democratic Majority for Israel, champions the compatibility of Zionism with Democratic values. Yehuda Kurtzer, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute, stresses the necessity of liberal Zionism within the American left, advocating for outreach. In contrast, journalist James Kirchick argues that Zionism is losing ground due to ideological shifts, while Batya Ungar-Sargon highlights the left's hostility towards Jewish nationalism. The conversation delves into contemporary political dynamics and the role of media and academia.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Robert P. George, a prominent Catholic legal scholar from Princeton, tackles the complexities of Jewish chosenness amidst rising antisemitism. He emphasizes that undermining the bond between God and the Jewish people contradicts Christian beliefs. George explores the implications of Pope Benedict's stance against supersessionism and reflects on the unique status of Judaism in Christianity. He also addresses the contemporary campus climate, advocating for open dialogue and free speech while confronting uncomfortable truths.

Rabbi Adam Mintz, founder of Project Ruth, and Rabbi Noa Kushner, a pioneering voice in American Jewish life, engage in a compelling conversation about conversion and the nature of chosenness. They discuss the surge in conversion interest following recent events, the evolving acceptance within families, and the blend of identity perceptions in America. The rabbis dive into the dynamics of welcoming converts, the motivations behind conversion, and the intricate dialogues on community and identity in Judaism. Their insights promise to challenge and inspire anyone curious about Jewish life.

Michael Oren, a historian and former Israeli ambassador, delves into Israel's identity as the 'chosen nation' in a nuanced discussion. He explores the secular roots of Zionism and how the Six-Day War transformed Israel's character. Oren criticizes global antisemitism linked to Israel's scrutiny and debates the impact of far-right politics on its image. He addresses humanitarian strategies in Gaza and the complexities of U.S. relations, emphasizing the importance of dialogue with progressive American Jews while maintaining core commitments.

Today marks a new chapter as we re-launch the podcast, SAPIR Conversations, with even more discussions and double the hosting power. Moving forward, Rabbi David Wolpe - scholar-in-residence at the Maimonides Fund, Max Webb Emeritus Rabbi of Sinai Temple, prolific author, writer, and longtime SAPIR contributor - will join Bret Stephens as co-host of SAPIR Conversations. Bret will continue to host live virtual conversations with SAPIR authors. Rabbi Wolpe will bring on different voices beyond the pages of SAPIR to explore some of the most pressing issues affecting the Jewish people.In today's episode, Stephens and Wolpe tackle the issue of Chosenness. How was the concept perceived throughout Jewish history and how is it interpreted in Jewish liturgy? Is chosenness a status or a calling? Does it create burdens or standards? And how how Bret Stephens respond to non-Jewish friends when asked for his understanding of chosenness?Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/theo-gerard/monsieur-groove

Bret Stephens, Editor-in-Chief of SAPIR and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, and Mijal Bitton, Maimonides Fund scholar, engage in a heartfelt discussion following the tragic murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. They delve into the urgent need for open dialogue within the Jewish community and the dangers posed by increasing political violence. The conversation emphasizes transforming campus discourse to promote diverse viewpoints and the importance of humility and curiosity in understanding opposing perspectives, all while reflecting on communal responsibility and civil engagement.

Twelve days of war between Israel and Iran sparked passionate debates about the future of the Islamic Republic. How did Israel’s strikes impact the stability of the regime? What are the implications of the war on Iranian dissidents, opposition figures, and everyday Iranian citizens? And what does the historically fractious Iranian diaspora hope for in the weeks and months ahead?To answer these questions and more, on July 3, SAPIR Institute Director Chanan Weissman moderated a conversation between SAPIR contributors and prominent Iranian-American activists – Roya Hakakian, an acclaimed writer and author, Mehdi Yahyanejad, a tech entrepreneur who founded methods to bypass censorship in Iran.