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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes304Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for Identity/Crisis

Latest Episodes

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

Can Music Heal a Divided Society?

Recorded live at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, Yehuda

Kurtzer sits down with Israeli artist, activist, and Hadag Nahash frontman

Shaanan Streett for a wide-ranging conversation about hip-hop, dissent,

p... more

YouTube

Can Zionism survive a crisis of its own making?

In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer sits down with Zachary Truboff, director of the Institute for Agunah Research and Education at the International Beit Din, to discuss the moral and po... more

YouTube

Money shapes who can access Jewish life—and who gets left out. In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with sociologist Ilana Horwitz about the overlooked reality of a quarter of American Jews living in economic vulnerability, chall... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
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?

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 States5 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 States5 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.

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.
Teaching Jewish History in America — with Natalia Mehlman Petrzela (Re-run)
Q: Can you explain the motivation and structure behind the Hidden Voices curriculum and why it matters beyond Holocaust education?
Hidden Voices seeks to include Jewish narratives across the broader arc of American history, with primary sources and activities designed for diverse grade levels, so that Jewish stories are part of the wider civic and cultural conversation rather than a niche topic.
Teaching Jewish History in America — with Natalia Mehlman Petrzela (Re-run)
Q: What does it mean to be a public historian, and how does that shape your work and teaching?
Public historians bring a habit of questioning and contextualizing the past, using it to illuminate present questions while avoiding reduction to simple binaries, and they aim to engage learners in a reflective, non-dogmatic way.
Strong Beliefs and Open Minds: A Graduation Challenge — with Jonathan Kroll
Q: So I guess I want to start with you and how you got here. What it is that you see as your work now?
Abby Pogrebin discusses her path as a journalist and professor of open dialogue, emphasizing curiosity, rigorous questioning, and a commitment to presenting diverse Jewish voices while balancing institutional responsibilities.
The American Jewish Past and What Comes Next — with Nicholas Lemann
Q: I want to start with the book itself, where you describe a writers' anxiety about stepping aside and interrogating the self. How did that tension shape the writing and your approach to telling this story?
The guest describes growing up in a setting where openness about being Jewish felt dangerous, and how he used writing as a way to reconcile desire for honesty with family and community expectations, ultimately choosing to investigate and document family history to illuminate broader themes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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. SAPIR Conversations

How many episodes of Identity/Crisis are there?

Identity/Crisis launched 6 years ago and published 304 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. Ilana Horwitz
2. Natalia Mehlman Petrzela
3. Abby Pogrebin
4. Nicholas Lemann
5. Robert George
6. Daniel Matt
7. Jeffrey Goldberg
8. Flora Cassen

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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