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Today’s Episode: 

On today’s episode we are joined by Sarah Hurwitz, author of the new book  As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story From Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us. It is an urgent exploration of how antisemitism has shaped Jewish identity and how Jews can reclaim their tradition. Sarah was a senior speechwriter in the White House under President Obama, including as Chief Speechwriter for Michelle Obama from 2010-2017.

(00:00) Introduction

(05:30) How American Jews identify with Judaism

(08:35) Sarah’s Jewish journey

(11:36) Why “cultural Judaism” isn’t enough

(13:00) What prompted Sarah to write As a Jew

(18:00) The phenomenon of antizionist Jews

(25:12) Blaming Jews for antisemitism 

(29:00) Normalizing Israeli history

(33:08) How Jewish kids will experience Israel

(38:47) Antisemitism on the Right

(40:35) Using Jewish wisdom in modern American life 

CREDITS:

ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor

ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive Producer

MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor

MARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional Editing

MAYA RACKOFF - Operations Director

GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research

YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer