This week, we look at the intellectual foundations of Jewish social justice. Where did Tikkun Olam come from and how did this obscure Kabbalistic precept take over American Judaism? This week’s guest, Jonathan Neumann, is the author of To Heal the World?: How the Jewish Left Corrupts Judaism and Endangers Israel. He joins Jonathan Silver for a discussion about the history, interpretative strategy, political judgements, and religious implications of a religious tradition coopted by progressive politics. Kikar is brought to you by the Jewish Leadership Conference (JLC). To learn more about the JLC, visit www.jewishleadershipconference.org.

Episode 9: The Jewish Troubles of Tikkun Olam

Kikar brings you great conversations in the Jewish the public square. We broadcast some of the most important figures in Jewish life and public affairs in order to address the vital questions facing the Jewish people. What are the policies and civil institutions that best serve the Jewish communities of the United States and Israel? What role can Jewish ideas play in revitalizing the societies and politics of the West? You’ll hear an extraordinary breadth of subjects, ranging from Zionist thought to the aims of Jewish education, from family formation to the First Amendment, from Israeli security to American federalism and much more. Subscribe to Kikar today to hear Jonathan Silver’s interviews with intellectuals, scholars, rabbis and writers, Jewish communal leaders, soldiers, jurists, and political figures.

Kikar is brought to you by the Jewish Leadership Conference (JLC). To learn more about the JLC, visit www.jewishleadershipconference.org.

News & Politics

As Summer turns to Fall, Jewish students are arriving on college campuses across the United States. On this week’s Kikar, Elliot Kaufman of the Wall Street Journal joins Jonathan Silver to discuss the student politics at the most prominent colleges and universities, where a strategy of political organizing known as “intersectionality” puts Jewish students on the defensive.   Kikar is brought to you by the Jewish Leadership Conference (JLC). To learn more about the JLC, visit www.jewishleadershipconference.org.

Episode 11: Campus Intersectionality and the Jews

"The conflict in the north is a matter of when, not if.” That’s what Federation for Defense of Democracies Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer says about the Iranian military threat to Israel. Over the last several years, Iran has built up sophisticated missile and drone bases throughout Syria, and the threat of war with the Jewish State remains on of their key points of leverage in Iran’s dealings with the West and the Sunni powers. In this episode of Kikar, Dr. Schanzer joins Jonathan Silver to explore FDD’s new report, “Controlled Chaos: The Escalation of Conflict between Israel and Iran in War-Torn Syria.   Kikar is brought to you by the Jewish Leadership Conference (JLC). To learn more about the JLC, visit www.jewishleadershipconference.org.

Episode 10: How Iran Threatens Israel Through Syria

On July 19, 2018, the Knesset amended the Basic Laws, Israel’s fundamental law that serves as its de facto constitution. This addition strengthens Israel’s Jewish identity and legally codifies long-standing Israeli customs. Shabbat is to be a national day of rest. Hebrew is to be Israel’s official language. Jerusalem, Israel’s capital. So obviously consistent with Israel’s civic practices for many years, many people who learned about the Nation-State Law were surprised that these amendments were not already legally protected. And yet, the Nation-State Law has provoked criticism from the Diaspora. What does it really say, and what is behind the fuss? Professor Eugene Kontorovich joins Jonathan Silver to explain the rationale behind the Nation-State Law, discuss how it relates to fundamental Zionist purposes, and whether the its loudest critics are looking for an excuse to “break-up” with Israel. Kikar is brought to you by the Jewish Leadership Conference (JLC). To learn more about the JLC, visit www.jewishleadershipconference.org.

Episode 8: Zionism and Israel’s Nation-State Law

There is no more dangerous military threat to the State of Israel than Iran, whose government regularly issues calls for Israel’s destruction, funds terrorist activity against Israel, and supports militant organizations throughout the region. Israeli intelligence has recently uncovered a trove of evidence documenting that Iran’s nuclear program had been designed for weaponization from the very beginning. That is why understanding Iran, not only its policies and strategic concept, but also its people, is necessary for Israeli security. And it would seem that changes may be afoot there. Not only among wealthy, idealistic Iranians, but among the country’s vast working class. Sensing an opportunity to speak through social media directly to the Iranian people, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently offered gestures of friendship to Iranians. What is behind this diplomatic strategy? How have these gestures been received? What is provoking the popular Iranian protests, and what political changes might they foreshadow? Commentary senior writer Sohrab Ahmari joins Jonathan Silver on this week’s Kikar to take a tour of the Iranian political landscape, peering below the rhetoric of government officials to try and understand Iranian national sentiment. Kikar is brought to you by the Jewish Leadership Conference (JLC). To learn more about the JLC, visit www.jewishleadershipconference.org.

Episode 9: The Jewish Troubles of Tikkun Olam

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