Rephonic
Artwork for Identity/Crisis
Israel
Jewish Identity
Zionism
Anti-Semitism
Shalom Hartman Institute
Hamas
Judaism
Jewish Community
Leadership
Antisemitism
American Judaism
Political Polarization
Gaza
Anti-Zionism
Holocaust
Liberalism
American Jewry
Passover
Sacrifice
Jewish Leadership

In a frenzied media cycle, Identity/Crisis creates better conversations about the issues facing contemporary Jewish life. Host Yehuda Kurtzer, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute, talks with leading thinkers to unpack current events affecting Jewish communities in North America, Israel, and around the world, revealing the core Jewish values underlying the issues that matter most to you. JOIN... more

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Artwork for Identity/Crisis

Latest Episodes

Could lessons from ancient politics help shape Israel’s future?

As Israel heads toward its October 2026 election, Yehuda Kurtzer talks with author and historian Amotz Asa-El to explore what ancient Jewish political failures can teach us about Israel... more

YouTube

Did Yiddish ever really die?

On this re-release of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer sits down with Rukhl

Schaechter, editor of the Yiddish Forverts, to explore the surprising renaissance of the Yiddish language—from new dictionaries and online media ... more

YouTube

What happens when citizenship and identity point in different

directions?

In this episode, Yehuda Kurtzer sits down with Rana Fahoum,

Vice President of the Shalom Hartman Institute and Director of Hartman’s Center for Shared Society, to examine the ... more

YouTube

How should North American Jewish communities balance security, vibrant communal life, and moral purpose?

Recorded live in Jerusalem during the Shalom Hartman Institute's Community Leadership Program, Yehuda Kurtzer sits down with Barry Finestone, Pr... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Rana Fahoum
Vice President and Director of the Center for Shared Society at the Shalom Hartman Institute
Shalom Hartman Institute
Episode: The Right to Belong: A Palestinian Perspective - with Rana Fahoum
Shaanan Streett
Leader of Hadag Nahash, Israeli hip-hop artist and social activist
Hadag Nahash
Episode: Hip-Hop, Protest, and Patriotism After October 7 – with Shaanan Streett
Zachary Truboff
Rabbi, Director of the Institute for Agunah Research and Education at the International Beit Din
International Beit Din
Episode: The Promise and Peril of Jewish Power — with Zachary Truboff
Ilana Horwitz
Assistant Professor in the fields and chair in contemporary Jewish life at Tulane; sociologist of education and religion
Tulane University
Episode: Beyond the Myth of Jewish Wealth – with Ilana Horwitz
Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
American historian and public historian, professor
The New School, author and public intellectual
Episode: Teaching Jewish History in America — with Natalia Mehlman Petrzela (Re-run)
Abby Pogrebin
Journalist and author; former CBS News producer and 60 Minutes contributor
Author and journalist
Episode: Strong Beliefs and Open Minds: A Graduation Challenge — with Jonathan Kroll
Nicholas Lemann
Decorated journalist and author, Emeritus Dean of the Columbia School of Journalism
Columbia University
Episode: The American Jewish Past and What Comes Next — with Nicholas Lemann
Robert George
McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University; Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions
Princeton University
Episode: American Catholics, the Pope, and the Jews – with Robert George
Abe Foxman
Jewish leader, former head of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
ADL
Episode: When Do We Speak Up? – with Abe Foxman (Re-release)

Host

Yehuda Kurtzer
Host of Identity Crisis (and moderator in interviews)

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 319 ratings
  • Most measured, serious Jewish podcast

    'Measured' conveys highest praise for a podcast that aims to thread the needle, to hew to an ethical standard worthy of Jewish tradition. Among so many jingoist, self-satisfied, oddly childish and self-soothing Jewish podcasts, so simplistic (and patronizing to listeners), I appreciate Kurtzer and guests' integrity and serious confrontation with the corruption around us and within. Thanks for the thoughtful discussion.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    neworleansditty
    United States2 months ago
  • Please stop with the divisive domestic politics

    Lowered my review based on the most recent episode about US domestic immigration policy. This topic is obsessively covered by the MSM and other liberal podcasts. I don’t need to hear more of the same but from a “Jewish” perspective. I subscribe to this podcast to hear subjects that I don’t hear anywhere else—this ain’t it. As a community we need to stop trying to universalize everything if we want to see the next generation of American Jews live proudly and freely as Jews. Also, framing the immi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    CuckerQatarlson
    United States6 months ago
  • not good

    Responding to a recent episode which I endured, called "America Betrays the Stranger"… while I happen to disagree with the esteemed podcasters on the central issue (I mean, why is every other country on the planet free to enforce their borders but not America?), that is not the real problem here… the real problem is telling people how they should be thinking on a given subject based on their ethnicity. If you are someone who thinks a Jew needs to hold this or that political opinion based on the ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    DareBoBear
    United States6 months ago
  • Interesting discussions.

    Mostly an interesting podcast with well thought out debate. I do question a lot what you say about genocide. If decades of oppression and bias, and then such extreme cruelty and killing was done to Jewish people, you would speak so differently. it doesn't diminish the horror of the terrorism against the Jewish people, to say that what has been done to the Palestinians is categorically wrong. The extreme and inhuman violence done to them is on an incomparable scale. If the positions were reversed... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    3.Elena
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • The presenter

    He is utterly predictable and boring, tikkum olam’ish wokish bore.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Crataegus101
    United Kingdom6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners push back on perceived political framing or ideological leanings.
Positive reception of thoughtful, balanced discussions and high-quality guests.
Listeners often praise the host's ability to facilitate civil dialogue across perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Yiddish Renaissance: Language, Memory, and Modern Jewish Life — with Rukhl Schaechter (Re-run)
Q: How do you see the balance between preserving traditional Yiddish and integrating new terminology for modern concepts?
She explains a deliberate effort to maintain authentic Yiddish while creating new terms for contemporary ideas, stressing the importance of using authentic roots and international borrowings judiciously to keep the language living and usable.
A Yiddish Renaissance: Language, Memory, and Modern Jewish Life — with Rukhl Schaechter (Re-run)
Q: Tell us your Yiddish story and what being a native vernacular speaker meant for you.
Rukhl Schaechter discusses growing up in a Yiddish-speaking family, the influence of her father, and how language shaped her sense of identity and belonging, while also highlighting how Yiddish persisted and evolved through education and media.
The Right to Belong: A Palestinian Perspective - with Rana Fahoum
Q: Rana, could you share a bit of your personal story and how your experiences as a Palestinian citizen of Israel shape your views on rights and belonging?
Rana explains her personal narrative, including family history in Nazareth, the shifting status of Palestinian citizens over time, and how dual identities influence her view of civil, human, and national rights within Israel.
Surviving, Thriving, and Excelling in Jewish Life – with Barry Finestone
Q: How should the North American Jewish community balance survival, thriving, and excelling in its agenda?
The guest argues that you cannot treat survival, thriving, and excellence as mutually exclusive; the community must defend itself while building vibrant life and holding itself to higher standards of moral excellence, with leadership, philanthropy, and home life all playing crucial roles.
Teaching Jewish History in America — with Natalia Mehlman Petrzela (Re-run)
Q: How has the October 7 context influenced your perspective on identity and public scholarship?
October 7 intensified the need to defend an open, evidence-based approach to history, showing the necessity of discussing difficult issues with clarity and staying within one's expertise while contributing to conversations about antisemitism and education.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Identity/Crisis

What is Identity/Crisis about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Thoughtful, policy-leaning conversations about contemporary Jewish life, identity, and community in North America and beyond. Episodes frequently center on Jewish education, public discourse, Israel, antisemitism, and the balance between liberal democratic values and Jewish life. The host curates interviews with leading scholars, journalists, and public intellectuals to unpack how history, culture, and current events shape Jewish practice and public life. Notable strengths include a rigorous, pluralistic approach, a willingness to challenge assumptions, and guest lineups that mix academics, journalists, religious leaders, and policymakers. The show is likely to appeal to listeners who want nuanced, intellectually engaged discussions about h... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Identity/Crisis?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Identity/Crisis:

1. For Heaven's Sake
2. What Matters Now
3. Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
4. The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
5. Ask Haviv Anything

How many episodes of Identity/Crisis are there?

Identity/Crisis launched 6 years ago and published 307 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Identity/Crisis?

Recent guests on Identity/Crisis include:

1. Rana Fahoum
2. Shaanan Streett
3. Zachary Truboff
4. Ilana Horwitz
5. Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
6. Abby Pogrebin
7. Nicholas Lemann
8. Robert George

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