Four Cubits

In this episode, Jeff and Eli discuss the election of Donald Trump and what that means for people who care about prejudices like racism, sexism, and Islamophobia.

Show Notes:

For Jeff's friend's book, click here.

For more on the Southern Poverty Law Center, click here.

To see Bernie Sanders' appearance at Liberty University, click here.

In this episode, Eli talks to Professor Zachary Braiterman about the legacy of Elie Wiesel. This interview is then followed by an in-depth conversation between Jeff and Eli on the subject of ethics, the Holocaust, and Wiesel's refusal to criticize the State of Israel. 

Show Notes:

To read more about Elie Wiesel's life and work click here.

To read more from Professor Braiterman click here.

To read Max Blumenthal's blistering critique of Elie Wiesel click here.

In this episode, Jeff and Eli talk a little bit about American politics before they dive into a discussion of Steven Salaita, Zionism, and Jewish-American identity.

Show Notes:

Dr. Salaita's lively Twitter account.

The Jewish Daily Forward's exposé on the Jewish-American non-profit colossus. 

In this episode, Jeff and Eli discuss Barry Freundel, Marc Gafni and the dynamics of sexual scandal in the religious world.

Show Notes:

Mark Oppenheimer's New York Times piece on Marc Gafni.

The Huffington Post piece on the anniversary of Barry Freundel's arrest.

In this episode, Jeff and Eli lay out the New Atheist argument against Islam in four parts. They then examine the weaknesses in the argument and explore their differences on the boundaries that ought to be imposed on would-be critics of religion.

Show Notes:

To see Bill Maher and Sam Harris go at it with Ben Affleck on Real Time click here.

To read Glenn Greenwald's criticism of Sam Harris and the New Atheists click here.

To read Graeme Wood's recent controversial article in The Atlantic click here.

To read Haroon Moghul's response to Wood's article click here.

In this episode, Eli talks to Edina Lekovic, Director of Policy and Programming at the Muslim Public Affairs Council. They talk about the recent murders in Chapel Hill, the definition of Islamophobia, President Obama's relationship to the American Muslim community, the 2011 study by the Center for American Progress, and antisemitism that is couched in Islamic language.

Show Notes:

For a nice introduction to Islamophobia click here.  

To learn more about Edina's organization click here.

For some background on New Ground click here.

To read "Fear Inc." click here.

In this episode, Jeff and Eli discuss the attacks on Charlie Hebdo and the Kosher market in Paris. They examine each other's definitions of terrorism, discuss whether the actions of states can properly be called terrorism, and touch on the issue of freedom of speech.

Show Notes:

Wikipedia on the definition of terrorism: Terrorism

Eli's article for Jewschool: New Teams

In this episode, Jeff and Eli are joined by Rabbi Sara Zacharia to conclude their discussion about the role of women in Judaism.

Show Notes:

To read Rabbi Pamela Barmash's Teshuva click here.

To see evidence that Daniel Gordis lost his mind click here.

To learn more about JTS click here.

To learn more about Ziegler click here.

In this Episode, Jeff and Eli are joined by Dr. Batya Ungar-Sargon, staff writer for Tablet, to continue the discussion about women and Judaism.

Show Notes:

To read Batya's piece on Yeshivat Maharat, click here.

For more on the Maharat program, click here.

In this episode, Jeff and Eli talk about the role of women in the Jewish world. They touch on the legal status of women in Jewish law, leadership positions, and ritual participation and talk about the paradox posed by progressive forms of Orthodoxy.

Show Notes:

To learn more about Avi Weiss's seminary for training Orthodox women to be Rabbi-like leaders click here.

To learn more about Egaladox Judaism click here.