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Artwork for Identity/Crisis
Israel
Jewish Identity
Zionism
Anti-Semitism
Shalom Hartman Institute
Hamas
Jewish Community
Judaism
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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Latest Episodes

With the marketplace of ideas outpacing our ability to discern truth, who still cares about keeping up with journalistic standards?

In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer sits down with journalist Abigail Pogrebin to explore how media, a... more

As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, what foundational elements of the American Jewish story do we need to reframe?

In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer reflects on the approaching 250th anniversary of the United States ... more

YouTube

What does a clash between a Catholic Vice President and the Pope reveal about authority, war, and theological responsibility?

In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer sits down with renowned Princeton University Professor Robert George to ... more

YouTube

This episode was originally released on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

This episode is in honor of Abe Foxman, z”l

What does moral courage look like in an age of rising antisemitism and political polarization?

In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Ku... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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)
Michael Koplow
Senior fellow; chief policy officer at Israel Policy Forum
Israel Policy Forum
Episode: Rational or Reckless? War, Iran, and the Limits of Strategy— with Michael Koplow
Daniel Matt
Professor of Jewish mysticism
Episode: When Mysticism Goes Mainstream — with Daniel Matt
Jeffrey Goldberg
Editor-in-chief of The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: Jewish Life in an Illiberal Age— with Jeffrey Goldberg
Flora Cassen
Belgian-American historian of medieval and early modern Jewish history
Brandeis University (former Hartman Institute faculty); author of Stained Glass
Episode: The Afterlife of Antisemitism — with Flora Cassen
Dr. Sarah Labaton
Director of Teaching and Learning at Hartman
Hartman Institute
Episode: Why Do We Pray?
Rabbi Annie Lewis
Rabbi discussed in debate on prayer and politics
Episode: Why Do We Pray?
Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt
Rabbi discussed in debate on prayer and politics
Episode: Why Do We Pray?

Host

Yehuda Kurtzer
Host of identity-focused discussions exploring Jewish life, values, and current events. A senior leader at a major Jewish think tank.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 315 ratings
  • 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 States4 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 States4 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 Kingdom4 months ago
  • The presenter

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Crataegus101
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Black-Jewish relations with Terrance Johnson

    I can’t thank you enough for taking on this topic—two communities that have had so much in common and yet have had different trajectories. The moral understandings of my early life in Detroit were in the shadow of the Holocaust (and earlier pogroms) and Jim Crow, and then the rising of both communities in the Civil Rights movement and the birth of the state of Israel. The break in our communities has been heartbreaking, I think, for ourselves and the American narrative. The moral understanding ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    womanbyherradio
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners frequently mention the host's ability to connect personal experiences with broader social questions.
Guests are top thinkers; discussions are deep and well-referenced.
Some episodes polarize listeners depending on their views on sensitive topics, but many praise the rigorous dialogue.
Thoughtful, nuanced conversations that model civil discourse and tackle timely issues with care.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

When Do We Speak Up? – with Abe Foxman (Re-release)
Q: How should Jewish leaders balance advocacy for Israel with the obligation to protect other Jewish communities and stand up against antisemitism in universities and broader society?
Foxman stresses the interconnectedness of defending Israel with protecting Jewish communities globally, arguing that standing up for due process, against campus anti-Semitism, and explaining Jewish values is essential, even when it costs institutions or requires difficult stances. He cites personal experiences showing the necessity of speaking out and maintaining credibility to sustain Jewish life amid challenges.
When Do We Speak Up? – with Abe Foxman (Re-release)
Q: From your long tenure, what do you think has shifted in American Jewish leadership that makes current challenges so acute?
The guest argues that leadership today struggles with partisanship, access pressures from donors, and a political environment that weaponizes identity. He emphasizes that bipartisanship once helped unify Jewish positions on Israel and antisemitism, but has weakened as political affiliations have deepened and Israel has become a partisan issue, complicating the community's ability to advocate cohesively.
When Do We Speak Up? – with Abe Foxman (Re-release)
Q: Thanks for coming on the show today, Abe. Could you paint a picture of what has gone wrong in this rise of anti-Semitism?
Foxman responds that anti-Semitism is an enduring disease, but the new climate—fueled by internet-driven misinformation, the erosion of civility, and the collapse of shared narratives—has intensified and accelerated its visibility and danger. He points to the Trump era as a catalyst in breaking taboos and the importance of containment through memory, coalitions, and legal tools rather than pretending it can be eradicated. He also notes the shift in how society polices discourse and the critical need for leadership with courage and credibility.
When Mysticism Goes Mainstream — with Daniel Matt
Q: Why did Kabbalah become popular in the modern era, and what changes did that bring to how people practice it?
Daniel Matt attributes the rise to a mix of accessibility, translation work, and a modern search for spiritual meaning, while emphasizing the balance between mystical insight and ethical action as essential for responsible practice.
Jewish Life in an Illiberal Age— with Jeffrey Goldberg
Q: What role does technology and the media environment play in shaping Jewish life today?
Technology accelerates learning and engagement but also risks fragmenting attention and amplifying demagoguery; a Hartman-inspired approach calls for thoughtful use of tech to foster education, resilience, and dialogue across differences.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Identity/Crisis

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

This show centers on nuanced conversations about contemporary Jewish life, exploring how global events, policy decisions, and cultural shifts intersect with Jewish identity, values, and communal action. Across episodes, guests—from scholars and rabbis to journalists and activists—offer historical context, analytical frameworks, and personal narratives to illuminate complex topics such as religious pluralism, anti-Semitism, immigration, Zionism, and the evolving role of Jewish communities in North America and Israel. A notable strength is the willingness to engage challenging ideas with care and intellectual honesty, often foregrounding moral responsibility, pluralism, and democratic values in discussions that span academia, public life, and... 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. Ask Haviv Anything
5. SAPIR Conversations

How many episodes of Identity/Crisis are there?

Identity/Crisis launched 6 years ago and published 298 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. Robert George
2. Abe Foxman
3. Michael Koplow
4. Daniel Matt
5. Jeffrey Goldberg
6. Flora Cassen
7. Dr. Sarah Labaton
8. Rabbi Annie Lewis

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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