The Long Path Podcast

In this episode of the Z3 Podcast, host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman is joined by Rebecca Guzman and Shanie Reichman, contributing authors to the book Young Zionist Voices, for a candid conversation about how the younger generations experiences Israel, Zionism, and Jewish identity. What does it take to build understanding between generations, and how can we stay in relationship even when we don’t see eye to eye? Don’t miss this thoughtful episode that speaks directly to the challenges and possibilities of being young, Jewish, and politically engaged today.

Want to hear more from Gen Z voices like Rebecca and Shanie? Get your copy of Young Zionist Voices now at z3project.org/books.About Our GuestsRebecca Guzman is a Straus Scholar and Tablet Fellow at Stern College for Women, where she is currently studying creative writing. Her work has appeared in Jewish Journal and The Jewish Press, and she has received recognition from the National Council of Teachers of English and The New York Times. She lives in New York City.Shanie Reichman is the director of strategic initiatives and director of IPF Atid at Israel Policy Forum, based in New York City, where she works to elevate the discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She serves as the founding chair for the Forum Dvorah U.S. committee, an NGO that champions women’s participation in national security and foreign policy decision-making spheres in Israel. She is a Wexner Field Fellow, a Schusterman ROIer, and serves on the boards of Queens College Hillel and the Center for Ethnic, Racial and Religious Understanding. Her work has been published in the Forward, the Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Hey Alma, Jewish Unpacked, and International Policy Digest. She is a participating author in the book “Young Zionist Voices” and is pursuing her MA in Middle Eastern Studies at CUNY Graduate Center.Chapters(00:00)Introduction(04:15) Defining Zionism: Personal Perspectives(08:47) Zionism and Judaism: Intersections and Distinctions(13:50) Generational Perspectives on Zionism(22:55) The Future of Israel Education(30:35) Understanding Emotional Connections to Israel(32:51) The Complexity of Zionism and Education(35:13) Navigating Criticism and Support for Israel(37:00) The Disconnect Between Heritage and Current Events(38:31) The Reality of Israel vs. Idealism(40:52) Shared Values and Diverging Perspectives(43:21) Empathy and Understanding in the Jewish Community(45:26) Defining Boundaries in Conversations about Zionism(48:41) Strategic Engagement with Young American Jews(52:14) The Impact of Perceptions on Zionism(55:45) The Need for Open Conversations(01:00:26) Hope for the Future of Jewish Identity

In this episode of the Z3 Podcast, Host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman, Chuck Freilich, and Maggie Feldman-Piltch discuss the evolving concept of national security in the context of Israel and the United States. From the impact of October 7 to the evolving nature of warfare, they dive into the tensions, values, and deep strategic ties between the U.S. and Israel. They explore what keeps nations safe today beyond simply armies and borders as well as the operational differences between the two nations and the challenges they face moving forward.

If you’re interested in U.S.–Israel relations and security strategy this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

About Our Guests

Prof. Chuck Freilich, a senior fellow at INSS, was a deputy national security adviser in Israel. He was a long-time senior fellow at Harvard's Belfer Center and has taught political science at Harvard, Columbia, NYU and Tel Aviv Universities. Freilich is the author of Zion’s Dilemmas: How Israel Makes National Security Policy (Cornell Press 2012); Israeli National Security: A New Strategy for an Era of Change (Oxford Press 2018); and Israel and the Cyber Threat: How the Startup Nation Became a Global Cyber Power (Oxford Press 2023). He is now working on a book on the US-Israeli strategic and military relationship. Freilich has written some 250 op-eds in American and Israeli press and is the senior editor of the Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs.

Maggie Feldman-Piltch makes national security make sense. Her writing under the name Non-State Actress reaches several hundred thousand people a week. She is the Managing Director of Unicorn Strategies and an Advisor to several defense frontier technology companies. She previously led the Digital and Electronic Warfare portfolio for the Wilson Center’s Science and Technology Innovation Program prior to the institution, including the Wilson Presidential Library’s, destruction by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). She’s been a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and completed a non-resident fellowship at Joint Special Operations University, guest lectures at the National War College and is exceedingly proud of her engagement with Meridian International Center, Munich Security Conference, and her undergraduate alma mater Wesleyan University.

Chapters

(00:00) Defining National Security

(05:04) Current Threats to National Security

(17:34) Impact of October 7th on National Security

(30:37) The Nature of the US-Israel Relationship

(37:12) The Critical U.S.-Israel Relationship

(39:02) Israel's Strategic Importance

(42:11) Understanding Bilateral Relationships

(43:58) Operational Differences in National Security

(47:00) The Nature of Modern Warfare

(50:52) Current U.S.-Israel Relations

(55:56) Challenges in U.S.-Israel Relations

(01:00:59) The Future of U.S.-Israel Relations

In this episode of the Z3 Podcast, artists Vanessa Hidary and Neshama Carlebach reflect on how their creative work and personal identities have been transformed in the wake of October 7. They share how their art has shifted toward activism, shaped by grief, urgency, and deep connection to their communities. The conversation explores the evolving role of Jewish artists, the contrasts between diaspora and Israeli experiences, and the ways art can offer healing in moments of rupture. Listen to these groundbreaking artists as they get deep and spiritual, making the case for art and activism as a genuine, necessary tool in building the world to come.About Our GuestsNeshama Carlebach is an award-winning singer, songwriter and educator who has performed and taught in cities around the world. In the aftermath of the October 7th attacks, Neshama brought thousands of people together throughout the NY metro area for concerts that have raised over half a million dollars for Israel. Neshama is currently pursuing rabbinic ordination at The Academy for Jewish Religion.Vanessa Hidary is an international spoken word artist, educator, and advocate whose work has had a profound impact on both the Jewish community and beyond. She began performing her powerful poetry in New York City venues, becoming a pioneering voice for Jewish identity in the slam poetry scene. Inspired by her own Syrian-Jewish heritage, she founded the Kaleidoscope Project, a narrative-arts initiative that amplifies the stories of Jews of diverse backgrounds. In addition to her work in the arts, Vanessa has become a prominent advocate for Jewish unity in the wake of the rising antisemitism post-October 7th, 2023.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(09:32) The Blurring of Personal and Artistic Identity

(10:59) The Responsibility of Artists in Times of Crisis

(18:42) Navigating Audience Expectations and Artistic Integrity

(26:12) The Role of Community and Family in Artistic Expression

(30:15) Looking Towards the Future for the Next Generation

(33:04) The Role of Art in Uniting Communities

(34:30) Navigating Division Within the Jewish Community

36:47 The Impact of Personal Experience on Understanding

39:08 The Responsibility of Jewish Artists

43:46 The Connection Between Diaspora and Israeli Jews

51:32 Spiritual Engagement and Activism

54:14 The Journey of Learning and Identity

58:07 Long-Term Commitment to Community and Identity

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of the Z3 Podcast! In this conversation, Z3 Founding Director Rabbi Amitai Fraiman speaks with Rabbi Dr. Laura Novak-Winer and Robbie Gringras about the evolving landscape of Israel education, particularly in the wake of the events of October 7, 2023. Each of them discusses the goals of Israel education, emphasizing the importance of knowing Israel in a nuanced way rather than simply fostering love for the country.

Their conversation delves into the historical context of Israel education, the challenges faced by American Jews in connecting with Israel, and the need for a deeper understanding of values and relationships within the Jewish community. Together, they explore the complexities of Jewish identity, the impact of recent events on perceptions of Israel, and the role of education versus advocacy in shaping these discussions.

About our Guests:

Robbie Gringras is a British-born Israeli educator, writer, and performer. He is co-director of For the Sake of Argument, powering the practice of healthy argument throughout the Jewish world. Previously Robbie coined the phrase “Hugging and Wrestling with Israel”, created and drove the 4HQ System of Israel Education, and consulted and taught for many international Israel Education projects. Robbie also has a parallel career in theater, performing around the world with his solo shows.

Rabbi Dr. Laura Novak Winer

As of July 1, 2025, Rabbi Dr. Laura Novak Winer will transition into the office of Associate Rabbinical School Director at Hebrew Union College, after 5 years as director of the Master of Educational Leadership Program at Hebrew Union College’s Rhea Hirsch School of Education. She remains a member of the School of Education faculty, based on the Jack H. Skirball Campus in Los Angeles. Her graduate courses include Leading Change in Jewish Education, Creating Cultures of Learning, Entering Organizations, and Introduction to Jewish Education. Laura has published in a variety of academic and professional journals and popular media. She was the editor of several curricula and is a frequent presenter at academic and professional conferences and on webinars. She has been a regular contributor to Moment Magazine’s “Ask the Rabbis” column since 2010. Laura recently served as co-chair of the Hebrew Union College’s Teshuvah Working Group which developed a set of recommendations designed to bring healing to those impacted by historic misconduct and strengthen institutional accountability. She earned her doctorate at the William Davidson Graduate School of Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, focusing on how teachers’ connections to and understandings of Israel impact the decisions they make about what to teach and how to teach it. She continues to research and write about Israel education as a Senior Fellow at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education at Brandeis University. Rabbi Laura has lived in Fresno, California since 2011 with her husband Rabbi Rick Winer, who serves as the rabbi at Temple Beth Israel. They have two adult sons and have recently welcomed their partners into the Winer family circle.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(12:55) Evolution of Israel Education

(24:13) Values and Relationships in Israel Education

(30:38) Theological Perspectives on Israel Education

(34:41) The Importance of Community in Jewish Identity

(41:19) Navigating the Impact of October 7th

(50:23) The Role of Education vs. Advocacy

(01:00:02) Defining Jewish Identity and Zionism

In this third powerful conversation in our special video series, Z3 host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman sits down with Gazan-American activist Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib to tackle the intricate layers of identity, misinformation, and hope in the Israel-Gaza conflict. They begin with Ahmed’s insights into life under Hamas rule in Gaza, sharing the day-to-day struggles of Palestinians caught in the crossfire. The conversation explores the often-overlooked influence of propaganda and misinformation—particularly around polling data and public opinion—while underscoring the impact these narratives have on both Palestinian lives and international perspectives. Ahmed’s call for international support that empowers Palestinians to achieve self-governance and economic stability offers a fresh perspective on moving beyond rhetoric to meaningful action for peace. This episode dives deep into the intersections of Palestinian identity, regional politics, and the future of the region.

We are deeply grateful to Ahmed for joining us in this difficult but crucial conversation in these times of deep division and strife.

This conversation was recorded on August 30, 2024.

In this special episode of the Z3 Podcast, host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman is joined by two guests involved with Jewish life at UC Berkeley: Rav Maya Zinkow, Campus Rabbi, and Dr. Masua Sagiv, Koret Visiting Assistant Professor of Jewish and Israel Studies and Senior Faculty member at the Shalom Hartman Institute. In this roundtable discussion, all three reflect on their recent visits and experiences in Israel and explore the emotional and political divide between the realities on the ground in Israel and the discourse in the U.S., particularly on college campuses.

Welcome to episode 2 of our special series of conversations between Z3 founder and podcast host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman and Palestinian writer and peace activist, Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib.

(04:10) Palestinian Response to Oct. 7 and Polls in Gaza

(18:34) Loss of Faith in the Peace Process and Bad Actors

(24:04) Ahmed Meeting Hostage Families and U.S. Officials

(34:00) Tribalism in Public Dialogue

(40:39) Online Voices: The Bad and the Good

(48:02) Resistance to Ahmed's Work with Jewish Voices

(56:14) Cycle of Blame Impeding Progress

(1:01:15) Ahmed Speaks on the Israeli Hostages

(1:07:05) Looking Back Vs. Looking Forward

(1:09:05) Role of the Palestinian Diaspora in Nation Building

(1:11:58) Positioning Palestine as a U.S. Ally

(1:15:59) Path Forward for Both Peoples

Content Advisory: Please note that this episode discusses challenging themes including graphic description of wartime deaths.

Listen as we launch a special series of conversations between Z3 founder and podcast host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman and Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a passionate activist for Gazans and Palestinians. Amitai served in the IDF from 2005-2009 in Gaza, while Ahmed is an outspoken voice for the future of the Palestinian people. In 2015, he started an not-for-profit organization whose goal was to build an internationally-run, Israeli-approved airport airfield to facilitate the movement of people in and out in cargo without Hamas having any control over the facility.

Chapters:

In this powerful episode, Ahmed shares his personal journey through immense loss and ongoing conflict. Having lost 31 family members in Gaza since October 7th, Ahmed speaks about his deep pain and how it fuels his commitment to advocating for peace and understanding. He reflects on the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the challenges of maintaining humanity amidst tragedy, and his hope for restoring mutual respect and cooperation. Tune in to hear Ahmed’s heartfelt message on navigating grief and striving for a balanced path forward.

We are deeply grateful to Ahmed for joining us in this difficult but crucial conversation in these times of deep division and strife.

About our guest:

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib is an American writer and analyst who grew up in Gaza City, having left in 2005 as a teenage exchange student to the United States. He writes extensively on Gaza’s political and humanitarian affairs and has been an outspoken critic of Hamas and a promoter of coexistence and peace as the only path forward between Palestinians and Israelis. Alkhatib is a resident senior fellow with the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in intelligence and national security studies. His writing has been published in US, and Israeli outlets and his opinions and comments have been featured in the international press.

In the latest Z3 Project podcast, Dror Stein, of Z3, steps in as host for this episode where she speaks with Mickey Bergman, expert in international hostage negotiations with hostile actors, about his career in negotiating for the release of political prisoners worldwide. They discuss how emotional intelligence and empathy play a crucial role in these high-stakes negotiations as Bergman shares his experiences from his new book “In The Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad”. Listen now to learn more about the unseen machinations of international hostage situations and how his work has been affected in our post-October 7th world.

In this episode of the Z3 Project Podcast, join host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman in discussion with David Bernstein, founder of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values and author of "Woke Antisemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms the Jews." Together they discuss the perceived challenges posed by progressive ideologies to Jewish values and community discourse. David reflects on the necessity of reviving nuanced, centrist dialogue and addressing the fears within the Jewish community. The conversation underscores the importance of open debate, the dangers of social media polarization, and the need for coalition-building to preserve diverse perspectives and robust public discourse. Tune in to hear Bernstein's perspective on the future of Jewish communal identity, as well as practical steps for fostering inclusive and meaningful dialogue.