In this episode, Rabbi Avi has a profound, hour-long reunion with his dear friend Leah Avuno, joining remotely from Israel. Exactly ten years after Leah arrived in Arizona as an 18-year-old Shinshinit (pre-military Israeli emissary), she and Avi look back at her journey and trace her evolution from a young volunteer into a powerhouse of international educational leadership.

Leah shares her raw experiences as a female IDF commander leading a diverse platoon of Druze, Arab, and Cherkesium soldiers—a journey that was featured globally in the Amazon Prime Video docuseries The Women of the IDF. Today, she serves as the Head of the International Relations Department at Reshet Amit, the largest educational network in Israel, where she actively works to close the socioeconomic gap between central Israel and the periphery.

Together, Avi and Leah tackle the rigid Western racial frameworks and propaganda often projected onto the Middle East, illustrated by a lighter moment with a global traveler's skewed perception of Gaza weather. Crucially, they dive into Leah's vital work on the ground providing immediate psychological, therapeutic, and emotional support to children in Israel's southern districts processing the continuous trauma of October 7th.

• The Periphery and Reshet Amit: Leah explains the "30/70 ratio" framework used by Israel's largest educational network to provide equal educational opportunities and specialized support to lower socioeconomic and immigrant families across 93 schools.

• Reflections on Tucson (2016): Looking back at her gap year in Arizona, her outreach to students on the University of Arizona campus with Avi, and her time building bridges with local communities, including speaking at a Black Baptist church and historical teen coalitions.

• Identity Beyond Labels: How growing up in an incredibly diverse Israel shaped her worldview, why her identity has always been "Jewish first" since her early childhood in Gondar, Ethiopia, and how her authentic presence naturally shatters flat, Western demographic assumptions.

• The Reality of Military Service: Behind the scenes of her leadership as an IDF commander, navigating the intense psychological demands of border defense as a young adult, and why she chose to participate in the Amazon Prime Video series The Women of the IDF to counter global misinformation.

• Dismantling Online Propaganda: A real-world encounter challenging the absolute "black-and-white" narratives found on Western university campuses, emphasizing the danger of algorithm-driven propaganda.

• The Ultimate Anchor: Leah shares her mother's timeless wisdom about centering our energy on the next generation and explains the profound practice of Cheshbon HaNefesh—conducting a dedicated, weekly inner accounting of the soul to bring more light into the world.

• Support Leah's Educational and Therapeutic Work: To learn more about Leah's regional tours or to donate toward the vital psychological and emotional therapy programs for children in Israel's southern periphery, visit the official website at amitchildren.org.

• Support the Show: The Rabbi Avi Show is entirely independent and listener-supported under the Horizontal Media umbrella. To help keep these raw, corporate-free long-form dialogues going, consider becoming a monthly supporter at patreon.com/horizontalmedia.

In this very special episode, Rabbi Avi sits down with the outstanding Tali Aynalem—an Israeli-Ethiopian-American, IDF veteran of the Givati Brigade, and a sharp marketing professional who is completely shifting the conversation on social media.

Born in Israel to parents who made Aliyah in the early 1980s, Tali grew up in Oregon, giving her a completely unique perspective on both the Israeli cultural fabric and modern American activism. They dive into a deep, long-form conversation about her lived experience, breaking through the victim mentality on progressive American campuses, the hidden systemic realities of the Middle East, and her exciting new grassroots project, Breaking Bread.

• Generational Roots & Aliyah History: Tali shares her family's unique background, predating the famous military airlifts of the mid-80s, and discusses the profound longing for Jerusalem (Beit HaMiqdash) that defined early Ethiopian pioneers.

• The Shock of American Racial Politics: Moving from Israel to Oregon, Tali describes the bizarre shift of entering an American university environment where she was explicitly introduced to an "oppression and victimhood" mentality for the first time.

• Life in the Fabric of Israel: Pushing back against online myths of a systemic "apartheid state," Tali shares her lived reality of total cultural belonging in Israel compared to the actual second-class citizenship and labor abuse under the Kafala system in parts of the Arab world.

• The Morality of the IDF: Drawing from her service in the Givati Brigade, Tali humanizes the soldiers on the borders, refuting Western media caricatures and detailing a culture that celebrates life rather than glorifying destruction.

• The Betrayal of October 7th: Tali reflects on being physically on the ground in Israel during the Simchat Torah attacks, catching one of the last flights out, and navigating the painful relational fallout with long-term American friends in the weeks that followed.

• Grassroots Leadership & "Breaking Bread": A look at Tali's new project with Ashira (Black and Jewish Podcast), moving past traditional, institutional "pastor and rabbi dinners" toward a model focused on business networking, economic partnership, and uncompromised Zionist dialogue.

• The Core of Jewish Identity: Tali explains why her personal representation doesn't matter as much as strong foundations built at home, culminating in her latest thesis: There is no Judaism without Zionism, and there is no Judaism without God.

• Support the Show: Show your appreciation for independent, long-form media by supporting our channel at Horizontal Media Patreon.

• Tali’s Writing: Read, subscribe, and share Tali's sharp weekly cultural commentary on Tali Aynalem's Substack.

"Always answer with truth. Look for the numbers yourself, look for the pictures yourself, and you'll find everything that you are looking for. Because truth always wins." — Tali Aynalem

In this powerful and timely episode, Rabbi Avi unpacks a profound tectonic shift currently altering the collective Jewish psyche in the wake of October 7th. Tracing a direct narrative arc over recent conversations, the show explores what it truly means to wake up to history when comfortable diaspora illusions of security begin to shatter.

Rabbi Avi is joined remotely by physician and debut novelist Benjamin Abravenel to discuss his captivating new psychological family drama, The Past, Again (published by Koehler Books). Together, they dive deep into the heavy existential questions facing modern Jewry: Is American exceptionalism a fragile myth? Can diaspora Jews ever truly unpack the suitcase in the closet? And how does transgenerational trauma shape our response to rising contemporary anti-Semitism?

Before sitting down with today's guest, Rabbi Avi reflects on the foundational themes laid down across recent episodes that bridge personal trauma, institutional betrayal, and the moral burdens of self-defense:

• The October 8th Awakening (with Chloe Loos): A raw look at the immediate psychological shattering that occurred the morning after the attacks. This conversation confronted the sudden birth of the "October 8th Jew"—the jarring moment when the comfortable, sun-bleached illusions of diaspora exceptionalism cracked open.

• Ideological Evolution (with Dr. Molly Dunn): An analysis of the macro-level systemic failures and the moral collapse within elite academic and cultural institutions. This episode illuminated the deep isolation and political homelessness felt by Jewish families when the modern public square pressures them to mute or repackage their trauma just to stay palatable for prime time.

• Truth, Fiction, and the Modern Golem (with Roger Simon): A deep dive into theological fiction through the novel Emmet. Roger Simon demonstrated how dry journalism and political essays reach their limit when trying to capture existential dread, showing that narrative fiction is often the best vessel capable of holding the raw spiritual weight of our historical survival.

After 35 years of practicing medicine, Dr. Abravenel turned to fiction to unpack heavy, modern anxieties. He shares the defining turning point behind the book: a poignant conversation with an Auschwitz-surviving patient who told him she still keeps a packed suitcase in her closet because safety is only guaranteed "so far." This, combined with witnessing literal anti-Semitic graffiti on the walls of modern Europe, sparked a desire to write a dystopian narrative set right in his idyllic hometown.

The novel is intentionally set in the carefree, sun-bleached paradise of Santa Barbara and Montecito. Dr. Abravenel explains that Jewish history is full of cycles where Jews reach the highest pinnacles of societal success before elements of society abruptly turn against them. In modern America, he flags the rise of fragmented tribalization and "lone wolf" attacks from both the far left and far right as modern echoes of these historical repetitions.

The book charts a profound family divide:

• Brian (The Father): A deeply analytical Talmudic scholar who embodies the naive confidence of American exceptionalism.

• Judah/James (The Son): A protagonist who undergoes childhood trauma from early exposure to Holocaust imagery, choosing to change his name to "James" and aggressively adopting dogmatic atheism just to fit in and escape his heritage.

• Lori (The Mother): Born in Baghdad, she survived the horrific 1941 Farhud pogrom. She goes to great lengths to play down her Mizrahi roots to present herself strictly as Israeli—not out of shame, but because her history carries the lingering, haunting truth that paradise is never permanent.

Rabbi Avi and Benjamin confront the modern public square, where mentioning historical anti-Semitism is often treated as an aggressive act, and perpetrators claim the mantle of victimhood. They discuss the immense pressure placed on modern American Jews—particularly on elite college campuses—to undergo ideological litmus tests and reject their own identity or connection to Israel simply to be accepted by contemporary society.

The conversation concludes on a sobering yet resilient note. While the novel's characters try to outrun history through renaming, erasure, or silence, history ultimately catches up to them in a gripping conclusion tied to the reality of regional warfare. Yet, leaning on the words of the book's Auschwitz-surviving grandmother, Benjamin notes that Jewish survival has always been anchored in a refusal to be erased: "I'm still here."

• The Past, Again by Benjamin Abravenel (Published by Koehler Books). Available now on Amazon.

"I always keep the packed suitcase in my closet... So far." — Benjamin Abravenel, quoting an Auschwitz-surviving patient

"The unique thing about anti-Semitism, Jew hatred, is that it comes from both sides—the far left and the far right... Jews are being forced to undergo a litmus test before they can move on in society." — Benjamin Abravenel

"Our identity is not merely a casual religious preference. It's an interconnected civilization in a continuous historical chain." — Rabbi Avi

"While we may not be expected to finish the work of repairing this fractured world, we are absolutely not free to desist from it." — Rabbi Avi

The Rabbi Avi Show is entirely independent, produced under the banner of Horizontal Media. We are not backed by corporate sponsors, and we do not answer to institutional boards. Diving into heavy truths, political realignments, and the raw vulnerability of our people takes immense time and operational resources.

If you value these long-form dialogues and believe that independent Jewish thought is an absolute necessity, please consider turning from a passive listener into an active financial partner.

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Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode to refuse to let the past be erased or distorted.

In this comprehensive, long-form conversation, Rabbi Avi Alpert sits down with Dr. Zuhdi Jasser—a U.S. Navy veteran, practicing Phoenix physician and cardiologist, founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD), and candidate for U.S. Congress in Arizona's 4th District.

Together, they go far beyond the standard political talking points to diagnose the deep systemic pathologies facing both Western democracy and modern Islamic thought. From comparing bureaucratic institutional "groupthink" to religious authoritarianism, to outlining a proactive ideological strategy for the Middle East, this episode serves as an unfiltered masterclass in independent thinking.

The Rabbi Avi Show is entirely listener-supported. If you find value in these deep, long-form intellectual dialogues, please consider partnering with us financially to keep our production standards high.

• Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/horizontalmedia

• A Clinical Diagnosis of Washington: How primary care medicine teaches a leader to build diverse coalitions, look beyond superficial symptoms, identify the root pathology of a crisis, and apply evidence-based treatments to policymaking.

• The "Red-Green Axis" and Tribalization: Analyzing how multi-billion-dollar foreign funding operations and identity politics have radicalized American discourse, shifting ideological traditions into weaponized, protective identity groups.

• The Pathology of Authoritarianism: Drawing direct structural parallels between the dictatorial control of religious imams who demand uncritical fealty ("Godolatry") and the federal mandates, media silencing, and bureaucratic overreach witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• National Security & Border Ideology: Why securing the southern border requires moving past defensive, reactive organizational blacklists to proactively vetting immigrant populations for anti-constitutional, totalitarian ideologies.

• The "Cold War" Strategy for the Middle East: Moving past the failed nation-building models of the Bush era to employ "muscular liberalism"—deploying a robust ideological offense that pumps classical liberal values directly to oppressed populations via media networks.

• Pluralism vs. Triumphalism: Dr. Jasser addresses the fear of global Islamic dominance, arguing for an internal Islamic Reformation that isolates political Islam (Islamism) and elevates a character-driven, personal faith rooted in individual liberty.

• A Rational Muslim Defense of Israel: Exploring why the Jewish State stands as a vibrant, free-market beacon of Western values in the Middle East, featuring autonomous, adaptive judicial precedents that outshine state-controlled theological blocks.

• American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) – Founded by Dr. Jasser to champion the separation of mosque and state.

• The Muslim Reform Movement – An initiative launched in 2015 by secular and reform-minded Muslim patriots across the West.

• The Declaration of the Muslim Reform Movement – A foundational two-page document establishing principles of human rights, gender equality, and secular governance used to distinguish patriotic faith from political Islam.

• The Clarity Coalition – An umbrella group patterned after the Cold War-era Committee on the Present Danger (CPD), standing for "Champions for Liberty Against the Reality of Islamist Tyranny".

• Committee on the Present Danger (CPD) – The historic, bipartisan coalition formerly led by Senators Jon Kyl and Joe Lieberman that helped shape the Reagan administration's peaceful triumph over the Soviet Union.

Books Mentioned:

• A Battle for the Soul of Islam: An American Muslim Defeats Radical Islam by Dr. Zuhdi Jasser (2013) – Dr. Jasser's personal narrative and blueprint for systemic internal reform.

• What Went Wrong?: The Clash Between Islam and Modernity in the Middle East by Bernard Lewis – A historical analysis tracking the ossification of critical thinking and the decline of intellectual diversity in the Islamic world.

• The Jews of Islam by Bernard Lewis – A study documenting the historical coexistence and cultural achievements of religious minorities under classical Islamic rule.

• Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville – A seminal text exploring how a shared moral fabric and decentralized civic virtue made American republicanism uniquely successful without relying on authoritarian military enforcement.

• The Protocols of the Elders of Zion – Referenced historically as a fraudulent, early 20th-century Russian text deployed across Arabist regimes to fuel systemic anti-Semitism.

Scholars & Intellectuals Cited:

• Maimonides (The Rambam) – The premier medieval philosopher whose towering legal and rational works flourished under Sefarad/Muslim governance.

• Fatima Mernissi – Islamic scholar and writer noted for her foundational texts analyzing the compatibility of Islam and democracy.

• Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im – Emory University professor recognized for his extensive work on Islamic reform and secular civic law.

• Abdolkarim Soroush – Renowned Tehran philosopher and intellectual who articulated a framework for Islamic liberalism.

• Mustafa Akyol – Contemporary author and journalist focusing on liberty, reason, and the history of liberal thought within Islamic traditions.

• Campaign Website: Z4AZ.com (Z number four A Z)

• Social Media: Learn more about Dr. Jasser's ongoing movement to bring constitutional principles and robust discourse back to Washington.

Subscribe & Review: If this masterclass in independent thinking challenged your assumptions, please subscribe to The Rabbi Avi Show, leave us a five-star review, and share this episode with someone looking for political sanity.

Tizku Lamitzvot!

In this powerful continuation of our exploration into modern political and cultural shifts, Rabbi Avi sits down with Dr. Molly Dunn, a critical criminologist and former university professor whose life story reads like a roadmap of our current intellectual landscape. Following up on our recent conversation with Chloe Loos regarding journeys away from the far left, this episode dives into the mechanics of high-level academia, institutional power, systemic anti-Semitism, and the law.

Dr. Dunn shares her profound ideological evolution from the deconstructive frameworks of progressive critical theory to an active position in the pro-Israel political center. Now serving as the Education Associate for the Center for Jewish Resilience under the Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona, she details her personal transition from the ivory tower to hands-on community building, unpacking what it truly means to foster Jewish continuity and pride today.

• The Ideological Pivot: How tracking omissions of Jewish identity in historical research—and facing pushback from her own doctoral committee—shattered standard progressive paradigms for Dr. Dunn.

• The Gaps in Intersectionality: Why modern academic frameworks miscategorize the Jewish people by forcing an ancient ethnicity, nation, and faith into rigid, contemporary American racial boxes.

• When Theory Meets Reality: A look inside the criminology department and the inherent disconnect of viewing crime entirely as a social construct when Jewish communities actively require institutional protection.

• The Battle with NAU: Dr. Dunn's firsthand experience dealing with antisemitic hostility from university authorities behind closed doors, and how mainstream pro-Israel legal advocates stepped up to secure an amicable resolution.

• Building Institutional Literacy: Moving past street activism to teach the next generation of students how to read student handbooks, navigate institutional policies, and stand up to administrative overreach.

• Legislative Hurdles & Local Action: The battle for Arizona House Bill 2867, designed to protect Jewish students and faculty, and why outside special interest groups are pushing back against those on the front lines.

• The "Jewson" Community: Why Tucson’s unique ability to bring Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform leaders together to fight for Jewish peoplehood provides a powerful model for the rest of American Jewry.

• Support Independent Media: Help keep our studio running and our content free from corporate influence by partnering with us at patreon.com/horizontalmedia

• Connect with Legal Support: If you are experiencing anti-Semitism or legal challenges on a college campus, find resources through StandWithUs.

• Explore Local Resilience: Learn more about the community initiatives, public affairs advocacy, and educational programming at the Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona.

• Previous Episodes Mentioned:

  • Catch up on the foundational episode on Christian Zionism featuring Pastor Jeff Logsdon at the beginning of the season.

  • Listen to our previous episode detailing personal journeys out of the far left with Chloe Loos.

In this installment of The Rabbi Avi Show, Rabbi Avi Alpert sits down with Chloe Loos, the Director of Arts and Culture at the Tucson JCC. Chloe shares her profound journey of "de-assimilation," tracing her path from a secular upbringing in Flagstaff to becoming a dedicated Jewish communal professional in the wake of personal and collective trauma. The conversation explores the "October 8th" phenomenon, where many Jews are rediscovering their heritage and a fierce commitment to Israel following the events of late 2023.

• Growing Up in Flagstaff: Chloe reflects on being one of the only Jewish children in her community, navigating "othering" experiences and a lack of visible Jewish infrastructure.

• The Mediterranean Parallel: A look at the cultural similarities between Chloe’s Jewish and Italian-Catholic heritage and how those parallels shaped her identity.

• A Journey Through Grief: How the loss of her mother in 2020 served as the first bridge back to Jewish tradition through the daily practice of the Mourner’s Kaddish.

• The "October 8th" Awakening: Chloe discusses the "absolute rupture" she experienced within progressive and secular circles following October 7th, leading to her decision to dedicate her life to Jewish peoplehood.

• The "Double Cross" of the Far-Left: A candid look at the ostracization Chloe faced from long-term friends and the "weaponization of therapy language" used to dismiss Jewish lived experiences.

• Arts as Avodah: How Chloe utilizes the Tucson International Jewish Film Festival and other cultural programs to build a "vibrant mosaic" of Jewish life that fosters belonging.

• De-assimilation Across Generations: The inspiring story of how Chloe’s own return to tradition has encouraged her grandmothers to reclaim their own Jewish symbols and heritage.

"The Chloe who voted for Bernie was doing her best... her frontal cortex wasn't developed."

"I really came back to the religious piece of Judaism or the spiritual aspect through grief, even though we're such a joyful practice."

"You don’t have to try so hard to fit in, because you already do."

This episode is part of a series at Horizontal Media exploring the deep shifts in Jewish identity today. If you find value in these conversations, please consider supporting our mission.

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/horizontalmedia

In this episode, Rabbi Avi bridges the distance between the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and the Negev Desert of Israel to sit down with Eden Achituv.

Many in the Tucson community remember Eden and her husband Netanel from their time as shlichim (emissaries) at the Tucson Hebrew Academy. Today, Eden shares her perspective from her home in Retamim, a small community near Be'er Sheva, offering a "truth on the ground" perspective that challenges global narratives.

• The "Back and Forth" of Shlichut: How serving the Jewish community in the Diaspora (Chicago and Tucson) deepened Eden’s appreciation for Zionism and the intentionality required to live a Jewish life.

• Life in the "Ring of Fire": What it looks like to raise four boys in the Negev during a multi-front war involving Gaza and Iran, and the "automatic" shift families make when the sirens go off.

• The Mizrahi Story Identity: Reclaiming the narrative of the majority of Israelis whose families—like Eden’s—were exiled from Morocco, Tunisia, and Syria, and why the "colonial" label is a historical lie.

• Resilience in Retamim: How a small desert community supports its families when 90% of the men are called to reserve duty, and how they responded to the burning of a local lookout point by planting trees and building roads.

• The "TikTok Generation": The inspiring dedication of young Israeli soldiers and the "voice that calls" them to protect their people.

• The Meaning of Victory: Moving beyond military benchmarks to focus on the return of hostages and the spiritual resilience of Klal Yisrael.

• Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA): https://thaaz.org/

• Masa Israeli (The Israeli Journey): https://masaisrael.org/

• Hannah Senesh: The poet and paratrooper whose words "The voice called, and I went" continue to inspire Israeli resilience.

The Rabbi Avi Show is a labor of love and a part of the Horizontal Media mission to provide nuanced, deep perspectives on Jewish life and thought.

If you find value in these vital stories, please consider supporting our work. Your contributions allow us to keep producing high-quality content and sharing voices like Eden’s with the world.

• Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/horizontalmedia

In this deeply personal episode, Rabbi Avi Alpert sits down with his longtime friend, colleague, and "partner in crime," Rabbi Yosef Lopez. Together, they trace Yosef’s journey from the independent environment of Tucson to the intense yeshivot of Israel, exploring the intellectual frictions that led him away from modern reactionary models and back to the classical, rationalist tradition of the Ge’onim and Maimonides.

They dive into the "systemic" nature of Torah, challenge the modern obsession with Mourner’s Kaddish while discussing the future of Sephardic scholarship.

The Rabbi Avi Show is a production of Horizontal Media. We are dedicated to bringing you raw, intellectual, and unfiltered explorations of Torah, philosophy, and Jewish life. We can’t do this without your support.

• Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/horizontalmedia

• Intro: A call to support Horizontal Media and an introduction to Rabbi Yosef Lopez.

• Roots in the Desert: Yosef discusses his upbringing in Tucson and his "autodidactic" path to Jewish scholarship.

• Navigating the Yeshiva: The intellectual turning points in Israel—from the discouragement of studying Miqra (Bible) to the "Godolatry" of modern reactionary models.

• Mentors and Influences: The impact of Rabbi Mark Angel and the late Hakham Jose Faur on Yosef’s intellectual separation from mainstream Orthodoxy.

• Hakham vs. Pulpit Rabbi: Defining the "wise person" in the Geonic tradition vs. the modern "Christianized" model of the pulpit rabbi.

• Torah is Not a "Religion": Exploring Torah as a legal, political, and ethical system rather than a Western set of dogmas at odds with science.

• Discipline vs. Narrowness: How the Maimonidean tradition provides more latitude and creativity through rigorous analysis.

• The Calendar as a Roadmap: A look at Yosef’s podcast, Hokhmat HaHodesh, and the psychological curriculum of the Hebrew months.

• The Kaddish Controversy: Why challenging the widely accepted customs of Mourner’s Kaddish can actually relieve the psychological burden of mourners.

• Intermission: A spontaneous toast with Del Bac Whiskey, a Tucson original.

• The Sephardic Brotherhood: Yosef’s work editing primary sources, Ladino texts, and the upcoming Maimonidean Siddur project.

• First Steps: Advice for those who feel "threatened" by religion but crave the wisdom of a timeless Torah.

• Podcast: Hokhmat HaHodesh (Wisdom of the Month) hosted by Rabbi Yosef Lopez.

• Books:

  • The Way of Sephardic Mourning by Rabbi Yamin Levi: https://www.amazon.com/Sephardic-Way-Death-Mourning/dp/1947857894

  • Anti-Maimonidean Demons (Essay) by Hakham Jose Faur: http://moreshetsepharad.org/media/Anti-Maimonidean_Demons.pdf

  • Mekor Haim by Reverend Hakham Henry Pereira Mendes.

• Organizations:

  • The Sephardic Brotherhood of America

  • The Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals

• Local Flavor: Hamilton Distillers / Whiskey Del Bac (Tucson, AZ).

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to The Rabbi Avi Show and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps more people find the conversation!

Join the Conversation: Follow us on social media or visit Horizontal Media to learn more about our other programs, including Horizontal Conversations and Hokhmat HaHodesh.

Tizku Lamitzvot!

In this thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Avi sits down with Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and legendary journalist Roger Simon. From the heart of secular Hollywood to becoming a leading voice in conservative journalism, Roger discusses the personal and geopolitical catalysts—including 9/11 and the events of October 7th—that shaped his spiritual and political evolution.

The conversation centers on Roger’s latest work of theological fiction, EMET. We explore why fiction is sometimes the only way to reach the heart of the facts, the mystical resurgence of the Golem in the 21st century, and the delicate balance between Divine trust (Bitachon) and human effort (Hishtadlut).

Featured Guest: Roger Simon

Roger Simon is an Oscar-nominated screenwriter (Enemies, A Love Story), author of the Moses Wine detective series, and co-founder of PJ Media. He is currently a columnist for The Epoch Times and a prolific novelist.

Connect with Roger:

  Read his latest novel: EMET: A Novel https://www.amazon.com/EMET-Roger-Simon-ebook/dp/B0GNX8X9YW

  Roger Simon on Substack: https://substack.com/@rogersimon

  Journalism at The Epoch Times: https://www.theepochtimes.com/author/roger-l-simon

Key Discussion Points:

 The Hollywood Pivot: Roger discusses his transformation from a Yale grad student and civil rights worker to a conservative journalist, triggered by the O.J. Simpson trial and 9/11.

 The Concept of "Chosenness": Moving from discomfort with the term to understanding it as a "burden" and a responsibility to unite with the Divine.

  The Modern Golem: Why Roger chose the ancient legend of the Golem—a creature of clay animated by the word Emet (Truth)—to address the horrors of October 7th and the Iranian missile attacks.

 Kabbalah and Rationalism: Exploring the practical advice found within Jewish mysticism and how it informs Roger's "Kosher Light" lifestyle.

 The Role of Fiction: Why journalism and political commentary sometimes fail to capture the "history behind the curtain" in a way that a novel can.

 Antisemitism in Modern Institutions: A candid look at the failures of elite universities and the shifting tides of the "Woke Right."

Episode Resources & Mentions:

 Rabbinic Literature: Mentions of Yetzer HaRa and Yetzer HaTov* in the works of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi.

 Literary References: Isaac Bashevis Singer’s Enemies, A Love Story; Karel Čapek’s R.U.R.* (which invented the word "robot"); and the Golem works of Elie Wiesel.

  Amit Segal: Amit Segal’s Daily Updates (Telegram/Email).

 Pirkei Avot 2:16: "It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it."

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Closing Thought: "Trust God and pass the ammunition."

In this episode, Rabbi Avi Alpert sits down with Peter Berkowitz, a distinguished scholar at the intersection of political philosophy and high-stakes statecraft. Formerly the Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. State Department, Peter brings a unique blend of academic rigor and practical diplomatic experience to the table.

Rabbi Avi adopts the role of "loyal opposition," challenging Peter with the toughest questions currently circulating in the media regarding the "Woke Right," the future of American education, and the existential military conflict with the Iranian regime.

1. The "Woke Right" vs. The "Woke Left"

• Defining "Woke": Peter argues that both extremes share a common repudiation of limited government and individual liberty, viewing our founding principles as the source of social evils rather than the solution.

• The Institutional Shift: While "Wokeism" was traditionally a product of elite universities (the Left), Peter observes its migration into the mainstream political Right, specifically within "Trump world" and voices like Tucker Carlson.

2. A Curriculum for Freedom

• The Centrality of Education: Drawing on Aristotle, Peter emphasizes that a regime's survival depends on an education relative to its principles.

• The Missing Core: A critique of modern universities for failing to require the study of American political ideas, the Constitution, and the Civil War.

• The Spirit of Inquiry: Why "educating the educators" must focus on teaching the disputes and controversies of history rather than mere indoctrination, inspired by John Stuart Mill’s defense of free discussion.

3. Strategic Realities in Iran

• Military Objectives vs. Regime Change: Peter distinguishes between "regime change" and the immediate necessity of eliminating Iran’s capacity to project military force (nuclear programs, missiles, and proxies).

• The "Maximum Pressure" Debate: A look at why slowing down the nuclear clock is a realistic strategic victory, even if total abandonment of the program is unlikely through diplomacy alone.

• The Ethics of Proportionality: Addressing the "war crimes" of indiscriminate Iranian rocket fire versus the focused military targets of the U.S.-Israel alliance.

• The "Head of the Snake": Why ending the 47-year war started by the Islamic Republic is a moral necessity for regional stability.

4. Great Power Competition: China and Venezuela

• The Global "Axis": Comparing the threat of the Maduro regime in Venezuela to the far more complex challenge of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

• Economic Interdependence: The delicate balance of competing with a primary strategic rival that is also a primary economic partner.

• The Taiwan Flashpoint: The dangers of military miscalculation in the South China Sea and the end of "strategic ambiguity."

5. Philosophy and the Future of the West

• Resilience: Comparing the "citizen army" culture of Israel to the potential vulnerability of a prosperous, comfortable American public.

• Recovering Tradition: A call to return to the two pillars of Western civilization—classical philosophy and biblical faith—as a means of finding meaning in 2026.

• A Post-Conflict Middle East: A vision of a stabilized region where moderate Sunni Arab nations and Israel can flourish without the looming shadow of an expansionist Iranian military-industrial complex.

• Book: Explaining Israel: The Jewish State, the Middle East, and America by Peter Berkowitz.

  • https://www.hoover.org/research/explaining-israel-jewish-state-middle-east-and-america

  • https://www.amazon.com/Explaining-Israel-Jewish-Middle-America/dp/B0FD4NTDY6

• Organization: The Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

  • hoover.org

• Philosophy: Friedrich Nietzsche's The Gay Science and John Stuart Mill's On Liberty.

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