What’s going on inside the American right when open antisemitism, Holocaust revisionism, and “Groyper” culture are suddenly on center stage?In this episode, I sit down with Kimo Gandall — former chair of the California College Republicans and a Harvard Law–trained attorney active in GOP politics — to unpack the Nick Fuentes / Tucker Carlson moment, the Heritage Foundation backlash, and why some Republican leaders (like JD Vance and Trump) seem so reluctant to clearly draw red lines.We dig into the deeper questions underneath the headlines: economic precarity for young men, the rise of incel and “America First” subcultures, the limits of classical conservatism, and whether liberal pluralism still offers Jews (and everyone else) the safest framework for living with deep differences.In this conversation, we discuss:Why Nick Fuentes and the Groypers are resonating with young right-wing men online and on campusThe Tucker Carlson–Fuentes interview and the Heritage Foundation controversyJD Vance, Trump, and why GOP elites are so hesitant to forcefully condemn explicit antisemitismHow “everyone is Hitler” rhetoric on the left helped normalize Nazi talk on the rightIncels, masculinity, and the economic + social anxieties of Gen Z menLiberalism vs. particularism: can strong religious identities and pluralism coexist?What Jews should (and shouldn’t) learn from rising antisemitism on the rightWhy censorship backfires, and what a healthier “marketplace of ideas” might look likeAbout my guest:Kimo Gandall is the former chairman of the California College Republicans, a recent graduate of Harvard Law School, and an attorney based in Texas who works closely with college Republican organizations and GOP campaigns.To read the article we referenced: https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-far-rights-college-crusade🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Hit subscribe, leave a comment, and share this with someone trying to make sense of the new right.#tuckercarlson #tuckercarlsontonight #gop #maga #conservativepolitics #jewishpodcast #israelusrelations #freespeech #republican

In this episode, I sit down with Zahava Feldstein, creator of Rabbi’s Daughter Rebellion, who describes herself as a “reformed anti-Zionist Jew.” We trace her journey from growing up as a rabbi’s kid in the American South and thriving in feminist Jewish day school, to becoming a staunch anti-Zionist at Scripps College through SJP/JVP organizing, critical race theory and ethnic studies — and then the moment it all began to crack when she sat down with her dad and the Encyclopedia Judaica and re-encountered Jewish history on its own terms.Along the way, we dig into why so many Jewish students are pulled into anti-Zionist spaces, why Hillel and Chabad feel so different on campus, how critical race theory gets mis-applied to Jews and Israel, and what it might look like to create psychologically safe spaces for Jewish students who are questioning Zionism without losing their Judaism.In this conversation, we discuss:Zahava’s story: rabbi’s daughter, feminist day school kid, then SJP/JVP organizerHow Palestinian ethnography, ethnic studies, and critical race theory shaped her anti-ZionismThe moment she realized her professors’ frameworks didn’t know or care about JewsWhy she now calls herself a “reformed anti-Zionist” rather than a simple Zionist or anti-ZionistThe California ethnic studies mandate, CRT, and where Jews fit (or don’t)How anti-Zionist spaces use “anti-normalization” to shun Hillel and campus rabbisWhy Chabad often feels “apolitical” and safe for radical left anti-Zionist JewsThe difference between criticizing Israel and erasing Jewish history and peoplehood“Right to exist” vs “need to exist” — reframing the core question about IsraelHow Jewish education often fails students on Israel, power, race, and empireWhy so many Jewish studies departments are unequipped to answer ethnic-studies-style attacks on JewsAdvice for rabbis, parents, and educators trying to support Jewish students on campus todayIf you’re a Jewish high school or college student, a parent, rabbi, educator, Hillel/Chabad professional, or just someone trying to understand anti-Zionism, Zionism, and critical race theory in the post–October 7 campus world, this episode is for you.➡️ See More From Zahava FeldsteinIf you want to dive deeper into Zahava’s work, writing, and research, check out the links below:🔗 LinkedIn ProfileZahava Feldstein — PhD Student in Antisemitism Studies (Gratz College), MA Stanford, MA University of ChicagoConnect with her professional updates here:  / zahava-feldstein  ✍️ Substack: “Rabbi’s Daughter Rebellion”Her long-form audio-essays on identity, ideology, antisemitism, and Jewish life:https://zahavafeldstein.substack.com/🔥 Related Post: “What the f** is campus antisemitism?”*A highly relevant piece if you enjoyed today’s conversation:https://zahavafeldstein.substack.com/...#palestine #israel #sjp #JewishStudents #campus #criticalracetheory

Dalia Al-Aqidi — Baghdad-born journalist, activist, and current challenger to Rep. Ilhan Omar — joins me to discuss her extraordinary life: growing up under Saddam Hussein, fleeing Iraq, decades reporting from war zones, and why she distinguishes Islam from Islamism. We dive into her fight against anti-Semitism, her views on immigration and U.S. foreign policy, and her perspective on Ilhan Omar, Al Jazeera, and the future of the Middle East.#Chapters

0:00 Welcome & who is Dalia Al-Aqidi0:41 Baghdad upbringing; parents in Iraqi theater1:20 Fleeing Iraq (1988) & joining the opposition1:44 Radio Free Iraq and activism1:52 Chris Stevens’ influence & immigrating to the U.S.2:33 Life in America; 37 years in journalism3:00 Covering wars from Iraq to Afghanistan4:04 Cultural vs. religious Islam; women under dictatorship7:02 Anti-Jewish indoctrination in the Middle East9:00 Why progressives avoid criticizing radical Islam11:26 Islam vs. Islamism & the “Islamophobia” label14:12 Muslim Brotherhood’s influence in the West16:09 Why some immigrants import illiberal politics18:18 Risks for Muslim dissidents; community pressures21:05 Immigration, liberal ideals & “ideological tests”24:12 Borders vs. legal immigration28:07 On nation-states, borders, and sovereignty30:26 Community ties across faiths31:32 Concerns about Ilhan Omar, CAIR, and Turkey34:12 Al Jazeera Arabic vs. English38:05 Minneapolis issues: safety, economy, campus anti-Semitism40:13 Voting by issues; thoughts on Trump & Biden42:25 The Abraham Accords & Middle East peace46:02 Dalia’s post-Oct 7 trip to Israel49:01 Misconceptions about Jews & Israel in Arab media52:24 Advice for Israel & American Jews combating hate57:19 Where American Jews fit politically now59:20 Building a centrist “decency coalition”1:00:02 Pro-life vs. pro-choice nuance1:01:23 Can she win a deep-blue district?1:02:10 Closing remarksKey topics: Iraq, Saddam Hussein, Ilhan Omar, Islam vs. Islamism, Muslim Brotherhood, Al Jazeera, anti-Semitism, immigration policy, Chris Stevens, Qatar, Hamas, October 7, Abraham Accords, Israel, centrism.#islam #islamism #iraq #ilhanomar #zohranmamdani #israel #muslim 🎙 Guest: Dalia Al-Aqidi 🎙 Host: Rabbi Daniel Levine If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share to support the show.💬 Comment with questions for a follow-up episode.

Rep. Don Bacon: Conservatism vs. Populism, Israel, Anti-Semitism, Immigration & the GOP’s FutureFormer Air Force Brigadier General and five-term Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) joins us to talk candid conservatism: calling out Trump and the populist right, defending liberal-democratic norms, Israel and anti-Semitism on campus, immigration policy, faith in public life, and what’s next for the Republican Party.If you value nuanced, good-faith conversations, hit Like and Subscribe—it helps us bring on high-caliber guests like Rep. Bacon.Guest: Rep. Don Bacon — 30 years USAF; member of Congress, Nebraska’s 2nd District.Chapters00:32 Who is Don Bacon? Air Force → Congress; NE-0201:01 Why he critiques Trump & the populist right02:05 Values over tribalism: January 6, Ukraine, tariffs03:11 Faith, Constitution, and old-school conservatism05:00 Congress, Article I, and executive overreach07:00 Early connections to Jews & Israel; Genesis 12:309:05 First trip to Israel, Yad Vashem, and “never again”11:15 Missile defense cooperation & deterrence12:17 Why support for Israel is fraying (left & right)15:18 Conservatives vs. national populists20:07 Policy tells: free markets, trade, Ukraine, Israel21:28 Post–Oct 7: bipartisan support & where it slipped23:18 The real value of U.S.–Israel ties (intel, tech, industry)30:00 Faith in public life & pluralism33:22 Anti-Semitism Awareness Act & speech on campus37:36 Immigration: stop illegal inflow, expand legal pathways40:24 Why he’s retiring from Congress (and what’s next)42:48 The GOP after Trump: the coming contest43:41 Final thoughts: issue-by-issue integrityKey topics & SEODon Bacon interview, conservative vs populist right, Trump criticism, January 6, Ukraine aid, Israel support, Iron Dome, anti-Semitism on campus, free speech, Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, immigration reform, evangelical faith and politics, future of GOP, liberal democracySupport the show• Subscribe + comment with your biggest takeaway• Share this episode with a friend who follows U.S.–Israel policy#tuckercarlson #stevebannon #maga #conservatism #israel #antisemitism #immigration #gop #politics #liberaldemocracy

Chabad, Zionism & the Sixth Rebbe: Rabbi David Eliezrie with Rabbi Daniel LevineWelcome back! I share a quick update on the podcast’s fast growth and my Los Angeles Jewish Journal feature, then dive into a wide-ranging conversation with Rabbi David Eliezrie Chabad/Lubavitch about his new book Undaunted—the gripping story of the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the “Frierdiker Rebbe” who defied Czarist Russia, Soviet communism, and Nazism, built clandestine yeshivot across the USSR, and helped reimagine American Judaism.We unpack Chabad history and philosophy, women’s learning, the “Rebbe-as-Moshiach” debate, Chabad’s nuanced stance on Zionism/State of Israel & IDF, and how outreach reshaped the American Jewish landscape.Next week’s guest: Rep. Don Bacon—on bipartisan support for Jews and Israel.⏱️ Chapters00:00 Intro & Jewish Journal shout-out00:33 Next week: Congressman Don Bacon00:59 Guest intro: Rabbi David Eliezrie & Undaunted02:45 What is Chabad? Origins, Baal Shem Tov → Alter Rebbe (Chabad = Chochmah-Binah-Da’at)07:50 Russia 1880s–1930s: pogroms, revolution, Soviet crackdown on religion14:10 Underground yeshiva network & the “covenant of mesirut nefesh”21:00 America 1940: “America is nisht andersh”—changing U.S. Judaism25:10 Outreach vs. “fortress Judaism”29:20 Women’s Torah/Talmud learning in Chabad35:10 Zionism then & now: Religious Zionists, Haredi separation, Chabad’s middle path46:05 Army/service, apolitical posture, security red lines53:40 Moshiach question—myth vs. mainstream Chabad belief57:20 Why no successor after the 7th Rebbe? Ideas - personality cult1:04:50 Modern challenges, engagement without assimilation1:10:40 Key legacy of the Sixth Rebbe & today’s relevance🔑 Key Topics & TakeawaysSixth Rebbe’s resistance: clandestine Torah education under Soviet rule; survival and global rebuilding.Chabad philosophy: intellectual Hasidut; personal responsibility; outreach as a religious imperative.Women & learning: Chabad’s support for advanced study for women, including Talmud & Chassidus.Zionism & Israel: non-partisan engagement, national security emphasis, robust participation in IDF/community life.American Jewish renaissance: day schools, youth outreach, and why Chabad became a primary gateway for Jewish return.📚 ResourcesUndaunted by Rabbi David Eliezrie on AmazonLA Jewish Journal feature: “Rabbi Daniel Levine Wants to Have a Civil Dialogue.”👤 Guests & HostGuest: Rabbi David Eliezrie — Chabad rabbi, author, lecturer.Host: Rabbi Daniel Levine.👍 If you found this valuableLike, subscribe, and share with a friend.Drop your questions for Rep. Don Bacon in the comments for next week’s episode.🔎 SEO Keywords (stuffed naturally above, listed here for discovery)Chabad, Lubavitch, Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Frierdiker Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, Rabbi David Eliezrie, Undaunted book, Soviet Jews, underground yeshiva, Hasidic philosophy, Tanya, women learning Talmud, Chabad and Zionism, Religious Zionism, Haredi, IDF, Israel security, American Judaism, Jewish outreach, kiruv, Los Angeles Jewish Journal, Rabbi Daniel Lavine podcast.#Hashtags#chabad #lubavitch #jewishhistory #Zionism #israel #SovietJews #Hasidut #womenactivists #moshiach #jewishpodcast #undaunted #RabbiDanielLavine #RabbiDavidEliezrieJewish History, Politics, Israel, Antisemitism, and Zionism - I cover it all.Politics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6QupJZ1HLY&list=PLQ3aQmFcYiCqqL-GSNw6NhSZWOvzaDdIKJewish History: https://youtu.be/1u4jHoZ8stM?si=0jZP4uhXlVEg2NOTAntisemitism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCgnEZ1d24Q&list=PLQ3aQmFcYiCqkU_aPIJGbE1xTKEbkh8euFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.levine.31/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbidaniellevine/#Israel #Rabbi #Jewish #WhatisZionism #DoJews?

Ancient Israel archaeology with UCLA’s Prof. Aaron Burke: origins of the Israelites, the Merneptah Stele (1207 BCE), Exodus debates, when the Hebrew Bible becomes history, Canaanite roots, Asherah worship, idols & child-sacrifice polemics, Judges → monarchy, King David & Solomon, and how archaeology is weaponized in today’s Zionism vs. anti-Zionism discourse. Clear, evidence-based, and faith-sensitive.What you’ll learn:• Earliest “Israel” in the record (Merneptah Stele)• Cultural memory vs. history in Torah/Nevi’im• Israelite identity emerging from Canaanite society• Household religion (Asherah figurines), reforms of Hezekiah/Josiah• Did David & Solomon exist? What the data say• Why archaeology matters in modern politics and the Israeli/Palestinian conflictWatch, subscribe, and share if you love Hebrew Bible, Near Eastern history, and real archaeology.#AncientIsrael #Archaeology #HebrewBible #MerneptahStele #Exodus #Canaanite #Asherah #KingDavid #Solomon #Zionism #AntiZionism #UCLA #AaronBurke #BiblicalStudiesJewish History, Politics, Israel, Antisemitism, and Zionism - I cover it all.Politics:    • Should Jews Abandon the Democratic Party? ...  Jewish History:    • Law, Revolution, and the Messiah w/ Zevi S...  Antisemitism:    • To Be a Pro-Israel Student Leader — A Conv...  Facebook:   / daniel.levine.31  Instagram:   / rabbidaniellevine  #Israel #Rabbi #Jewish #WhatisZionism #DoJews?

Congressman Mike Lawler on Antisemitism, Higher Ed, and the Antisemitism Awareness ActCongressman Mike Lawler has been one of Congress’s most outspoken advocates for the Jewish community and a lead champion of the Antisemitism Awareness Act. In this conversation, we dig into campus culture, Title VI enforcement, free speech concerns, bipartisan coalition-building, and what meaningful accountability for universities should look like.Also joining is Adam Fox, an activist helping build congressional support for the Act.If you find this valuable, please like, subscribe, and share.What we coverWhy antisemitism surged on campus post-10/7 and how institutions respondedWhat the Antisemitism Awareness Act does (and doesn’t) doTitle VI enforcement: where the “teeth” come from for public and private universitiesFree speech vs. civil rights obligations on campusAntisemitism on the left and right—and how leaders should respondThe path forward for bipartisan supportChapters00:00 Intro00:02 Why Rep. Lawler made this a priority02:22 Pre-10/7 trends and campus accountability04:00 Antisemitism Awareness Act—core goals06:07 Building bipartisan support (with Rep. Josh Gottheimer)08:24 Senate roadblocks & executive enforcement context10:18 What “teeth” look like: Title VI, funding, and accountability12:02 Free-speech concerns & IHRA examples14:20 Can students still say X? Speech vs. consequences16:49 On-the-ground campus climate after 10/718:39 Leadership, moral clarity, and holding institutions to account22:49 Antisemitism on the right—condemnation and boundaries25:36 Where the bill stands now & language refinements27:30 Closing thoughts and next stepsWe discuss how the bill aims to clarify the definition of antisemitism for Title VI enforcement, strengthen accountability for colleges and universities, and navigate legitimate free-speech concerns while protecting students’ civil rights.#Antisemitism #highereducation #FreeSpeech #titlevii #IHRA #congress #MikeLawler #CampusClimate #civilrights #jewishcommunity #zionism #jewishreligion #rabbi #israel #antisemitismawarenessactSupport & connectSubscribe for more conversations: 👍 🔔Share this episode with a friend or colleagueJewish History, Politics, Israel, Antisemitism, and Zionism - I cover it all.Politics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6QupJZ1HLY&list=PLQ3aQmFcYiCqqL-GSNw6NhSZWOvzaDdIKJewish History: https://youtu.be/1u4jHoZ8stM?si=0jZP4uhXlVEg2NOTAntisemitism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCgnEZ1d24Q&list=PLQ3aQmFcYiCqkU_aPIJGbE1xTKEbkh8euFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.levine.31/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbidaniellevine/#Israel #Rabbi #Jewish #WhatisZionism #DoJews?

Is Reform Judaism losing its soul—or finding a new one?I’m back after the holidays + semester kickoff with a 🔥 conversation you do NOT want to miss. I sit down with Rabbi Sam Stern (Topeka, KS)—some jokingly call him the Chief Rabbi of Kansas—to unpack a growing shockwave: the rise of anti-Zionist rabbis in liberal movements (Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist). How did we get here? Should rabbinical schools have a Zionism litmus test? And we square off over the big one: Does Reform Judaism actually have a future?Along the way we get into:Why some rabbinical campuses feel “cool-to-hostile” on IsraelPost-denominational Judaism vs. movement loyalty (and why Chabad changed the game)Liturgy wars: innovate or keep the text and reinterpret?Particularism is back—are young Jews craving more Jewish specificity, not less?Politics, social justice, and what rabbis should/shouldn’t say from the pulpitIf you care about Judaism, Israel, or the future of Jewish leadership, this one will make you think (and probably argue in the comments).Chapters00:00 Welcome back + why I’ve been posting less02:10 Who is Rabbi Sam Stern?05:20 The rise of anti-Zionist rabbis—what changed?12:40 Should HUC/RRC/others require a Zionism baseline?18:55 Is Reform Judaism still relevant—or already post-denominational?27:30 Particularism vs. universalism (what Gen Z actually wants)36:40 Liturgy: edit the siddur or reinterpret tradition?49:10 Campus life, advocacy, and the Israel conversation58:30 Where do we go from here?If you’re new: subscribe for weekly deep dives.If you’re not: drop a comment—Should rabbinical schools screen for Zionism? Yes/No and why.#judaism #Zionism #reformjudaism #jewishpodcast #israel #jewishidentity #HUC #rrc #conservativejudaism #AntiZionism #Campus #liturgy #PostDenominational #KansasRabbi #RabbiSamStern

“Paid Protesters?” Inside the Dark-Money Machine Fueling Anti-Israel Rallies (w/ Nate Freriedman)

Are today’s protests as “grassroots” as they look—or is there a professionalized, well-funded network behind the megaphones? Journalist Nate Freriedman breaks down how coordinated organizers, nonprofit money, and foreign influence shape what you see in the streets—plus why gatekeepers try to shut down on-camera conversations.We cover: alleged “professional protesters,” university encampments, funding pipelines, the People’s Forum, how narratives jump from one cause to the next, Neturei Karta optics, and why legacy media won’t touch certain stories. I also joined Nate on his channel to dig into Neturei Karta—highly recommend you watch that next.👉 Watch Nate’s show & investigations:    / @natefriedman97  👉 Subscribe for more conversations like this:    / @rabbidaniellevine  🔥 Highlights & Timestamps0:00 What did you think about yesterday’s strike?0:06 Who is Nate Freriedman & why he’s everywhere right now0:12 How he investigates protests & catches coordinated blocks on interviews1:00 The “professional protester” pattern—repeat faces city to city1:12 When optics cross a line (Hamas/Hezbollah symbolism)2:03 Is this organic—or a top-down operation?3:02 UC campus encampments, “green vest” coordinators & anti-normalization4:44 How many are actually paid? Who pays? (nonprofits, pass-throughs)8:44 People’s Forum, funding pipelines & organizing playbooks10:21 Why foreign influence campaigns love U.S. protest culture12:06 Talking Soros without conspiracies—what the grants actually do14:54 Why issues “bleed” together (BLM → Palestine → ICE, etc.)17:26 How unions/strikes get opportunistically rebranded20:06 Why Gen Z is shifting right (or fleeing the radical left)24:05 Street interviews that upset legacy narratives26:00 Patriotism, debate, and what the U.S. can learn from Israel29:53 2024 vibes: Jews, safety, and political realignment33:55 Homelessness NGOs & the incentives problem35:29 Neturei Karta: who they are and why media amplifies them37:07 What’s broken in mainstream media?40:27 Re-intro & close🧭 Keywords (SEO)paid protesters, professional protesters, anti-Israel protests, protest funding, dark money, People’s Forum, Roy Singham, CCP influence, George Soros grants, SJP, Columbia protests, campus encampments, Neturei Karta, media bias, street interviews, journalism, Israel, Gaza, free speech, NGOs, non-profit pass-throughs, Tides, Alliance for Global Justice‪@NateFriedman97‬ Hashtags#natefriedman#paidprotesters #israel #protests #journalism #CampusProtests #MediaBias #freespeech #netureikarta

Love him or hate him, you’ve probably heard of Shabbos Kestenbaum —the Harvard student who made waves with his RNC speech and lawsuit against Harvard over campus antisemitism. In this episode, we go beyond the viral clip. We dig into the Jewish establishment—Hillel, Chabad, ADL, AJC, Federations—what’s working, what’s broken, and where donors should (and shouldn’t) put their money. We also talk about why some Jewish students are drifting right politically, how to build strong Jewish identity without “anti-antisemitism” PowerPoints, and what real campus support looks like.If you care about Jewish life on campus, Israel/Zionism education, and institutional accountability, this one’s for you.Timestamps0:00 Intro0:05 The RNC speech everyone saw1:14 “Tonight we fight back” — policy lines that lit up the room2:10 Why Shabbos agreed to come on: a frank look at Jewish orgs3:48 Pluralism vs. clarity: Hillel & Chabad on campus10:51 The “combating antisemitism industrial complex” critique14:25 Building strong Jews vs. anti-antisemitism trainings16:31 Are legacy orgs pivoting—or just protecting access?20:57 “Access culture,” White House invites, and speaking freely23:27 What donors should do now (and what to stop funding)31:00 Where Hillel fits when lines need drawing34:04 Leadership failures and the Claudine Gay moment37:26 Boundaries, inclusion, and campus red lines39:06 The decision to speak at the RNC41:53 Closing inviteWe coverWhy many students (even left-leaning) feel safer with a tougher federal approachThe case for funding local campus work directlyMetrics that actually show impact (beyond emails and galas)Clear red lines on campus without shutting doors to studentsIf you enjoy this convo👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe for more honest, nuanced Jewish campus content.Share this with a friend who’s involved with campus Jewish life or communal philanthropy.#republican #shabbos Jewish History, Politics, Israel, Antisemitism, and Zionism - I cover it all.Politics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6QupJZ1HLY&list=PLQ3aQmFcYiCqqL-GSNw6NhSZWOvzaDdIKJewish History: https://youtu.be/1u4jHoZ8stM?si=0jZP4uhXlVEg2NOTAntisemitism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCgnEZ1d24Q&list=PLQ3aQmFcYiCqkU_aPIJGbE1xTKEbkh8euFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.levine.31/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbidaniellevine/#Israel #Rabbi #Jewish #WhatisZionism #DoJews?