What does Theodor Herzl have to do with dodgeball, and why does it matter for Jewish advocacy today?

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Naya Lekht sits down with Nicole Bernstein, co-founder of PeerK12, to explore the state of Jewish grassroots leadership in the U.S. From the playground to the political arena, Naya and Nicole examine how Jewish identity, Zionism, and antisemitism intersect in education, activism, and community building.

While the two find much common ground—especially in their commitment to Jewish continuity and empowerment—they diverge on key questions of strategy, language, and the future of Jewish advocacy. Can we unify without uniformity? Is the model of “big tent” Judaism still viable? What does effective grassroots leadership look like in a time of rising antisemitism and ideological division?

Clarifying the complex. Step into my classroom.