The Pluralist Podcast - with Orly Erez-Likhovski and Rabbi Josh Weinberg

In this episode of The Pluralist Podcast, IRAC Executive Director Orly Erez-Likhovski sits down with Anna Kislanski, CEO of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, for a candid and moving conversation about the state of liberal Judaism in Israel today.From Anna’s personal journey—from a secular Soviet upbringing to becoming a leading voice for Reform Judaism in Israel—to the challenges of rising extremism and attacks on religious freedom, this episode explores what it means to lead with hope in a time of fear. Together, Orly and Anna discuss the dramatic rise in public support for Reform Judaism, the trauma and resilience following October 7, and the role our movement is playing in defending democracy, building community, and offering spiritual refuge to a hurting nation.Whether you’re in Tel Aviv or Toronto, this conversation will leave you inspired by the courage of those fighting for a more just, equal, and inclusive Israel.Listen now—because there is more than one way to be Jewish.

In this powerful episode, IRAC Executive Director Orly Erez-Likhovski sits down with @Rabbi Oded Mazor, spiritual leader of @Kol HaNeshama in Jerusalem, to explore how Jewish values can—and must—be used to fight racism and build a shared society between Jews and Arabs in Israel. From raising his children in a bilingual Hebrew-Arabic school, to leading interfaith initiatives during wartime, Rabbi Mazor speaks candidly about the challenges and necessity of hope in times of deep division. Together, they discuss the troubling rise of racism in Israel, the legal battles IRAC is leading against hate, and how faith can serve as a bridge instead of a barrier.

💬 “We are citizens of a country yet to be formed,” Rabbi Mazor says. This episode is a testament to those actively working to shape that country with dignity, courage, and compassion.

🎙 Listen now for a conversation about Judaism, justice, and the radical act of believing in a better future.

🔗 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode to amplify a Jewish voice for democracy, equality, and shared society.

In this powerful opening episode of The Pluralist Podcast, Orly Erez-Likhovski, Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center, sits down with Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste, head of the Reform Rabbinical Seminary at Hebrew Union College, to explore the deep connection between Judaism and democracy — and why both are under threat in today’s Israel.

Together, they reflect on how the current government, dominated by religious extremists, is weaponizing Judaism to justify anti-democratic policies, including attacks on the judiciary and the abandonment of core Jewish values like human dignity and the sanctity of life. But the conversation is also one of hope: Talia and Orly speak about the unprecedented awakening of Israel’s liberal public, the growing demand for spiritual meaning, and how Reform Judaism is offering an inclusive, egalitarian alternative rooted in tradition.

From Talia’s personal journey from a secular kibbutz to becoming a Reform rabbi, to the responsibility we all share in reclaiming Jewish texts and values from the margins, this episode is both a call to action and a vision for a more pluralistic, democratic future — in Israel and beyond.

Want to stay in touch?

• Sign up for The Pluralist - IRAC's weekly newsletter
• Contact us about arranging a visit in Israel, North America, or a webinar
• Support IRAC's work with a monthly or one-time donation

Coming Soon:

In this powerful opening episode of The Pluralist Podcast, Orly Erez-Likhovski, Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center, sits down with Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste, head of the Reform Rabbinical Seminary at Hebrew Union College, to explore the deep connection between Judaism and democracy — and why both are under threat in today’s Israel.

Together, they reflect on how the current government, dominated by religious extremists, is weaponizing Judaism to justify anti-democratic policies, including attacks on the judiciary and the abandonment of core Jewish values like human dignity and the sanctity of life. But the conversation is also one of hope: Talia and Orly speak about the unprecedented awakening of Israel’s liberal public, the growing demand for spiritual meaning, and how Reform Judaism is offering an inclusive, egalitarian alternative rooted in tradition.

From Talia’s personal journey from a secular kibbutz to becoming a Reform rabbi, to the responsibility we all share in reclaiming Jewish texts and values from the margins, this episode is both a call to action and a vision for a more pluralistic, democratic future — in Israel and beyond.

Want to stay in touch?

• Sign up for The Pluralist - IRAC's weekly newsletter
• Contact us about arranging a visit in Israel, North America, or a webinar
• Support IRAC's work with a monthly or one-time donation
• Vote4Reform in the World Zionist Congress