LEARN - TEACH - INSPIRE -
LEARN - TEACH - INSPIRE -
Here are resources to help you learn, teach your family and friends, and inspire others to become more literate in the nuances and complexity of our story.
Resources to stay informed
PODCASTS
Dan Senor, co-Author of Start-up Nation with Saul Singer, brings in authoritative journalists (such as Nadav Hayal and Haviv Rettig Gur) to explain not just the facts on the ground, but provide the greater context for a deeper understanding of news and events. You can count on Dan to provide real-time, informative insights.
Here I Am - Shai Davidai
An Israeli faculty of Columbia University (unless they’ve fired him by the time of this posting) who was thrown off campus due to his standing up for the Jewish students and faculty on campus, facing the threats and assaults from the pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas protesters. His calm demeanor is a great contrast to the conversations he has with his guests, some of whom are Jewish college activists themselves (from other Ivey Leagues, too) and others including, for his inaugural episode in July 2024 with Debra Messing, who speaks a bit about the making of the film October 8 and the silence of Jewish Hollywood when they were looking for producers and supporters. Stinging.
For Heaven’s Sake -from the Shalom Hartman Institute
Listen here to issues of morality and ethics, during conversations between Daniel Hartman and Yossi Klein-Halevi, two great scholars and widely considered among the great thinkers of our time.
The Times of Israel - Daily Update
In a few minutes, listen to the highlights of latest news curated by the Times of Israel
The host, CEO of OpenDor Media, Noam Weissman, provides a very intentional and balanced discussion about hundreds of topics related to Israel’s history. This organization has a content advisory board that ensures multiple voices and perspectives are addressed. You will learn facts that allow you for form your own opinion.
Honestly - Bari Weiss, cofounder of the Free Press
Bari invites guests to cover topics including antisemitism, anti-Israel biases, policies and really interesting topics. Bari, an unapologetic Zionist, is among the best interviewers around.
State of a Nation - with Eylon Levy
Eylon Levy, former Israeli spokesman and aide to President Herzog, explores various questions about Israel, how its actions are portrayed in the press, alongside special guest experts in the topics. It is very informative and unapologetic in bringing facts to the fore.
Making Sense - Sam Harris
Sam Harris, a Neuroscientist known for his Meditation work, explores some rather uncomfortable topics pertaining to Islamism and Jihadism and the risks to the West. His podcast topics are very broad… seek out the ones on Islamism to hear his well informed point of view. This should be in combination with his book on Islam, coauthored with Maajid Nawaz cited below.
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
Explore the beauty, depth and complexities of being Jewish - celebrating pride for your Jewishness, no matter how you define it.
Ask Haviv Anything with Haviv Rettig Gur
Renowned journalist, political analyst and scholar, Haviv started his own podcast in addition to being a frequent guest on many of the podcasts listed above. Haviv engages in interviews and “lecture” style podcasts covering topics concerning the History of the Jewish Community in the US, in Israel, the experiences of hostage families, analyses of the current conflict and more. Starting in January of 2025, Haviv’s content is current, relevant and extremely educational. This listener is a devotee.
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This is a three-times weekly update, offering summaries of news and events from multiple global sources, including analysis of events. Each summary is linked to the original article for more details. Issued by the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs.
A daily briefing by the organization that supports the security of US-based Jewish organizations, and reports out on global antisemitism and anti-Israel incidents. These brief reports are linked to the original news outlets for further details.
Keep up with campus news or other relevant incidents affecting the Jewish community.
Your Daily Phil (eJP) from the Jewish Insider
This news publication, focusing on Jewish Philanthropy, covers much more than who is giving to what - - stay connected with stories of resilience, community leadership and pressing issues facing our community in the US. Bonus - it often includes a listing of special birthdays among our Jewish leadership - celebrate!
The Jewish Insider Daily Kickoff - Also from the Jewish Insider
This publication focuses on news events and policy - extremely interesting and informative.
SUBSTACKS
This relatively new news platform, co-founded by Bari Weiss, formerly of the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. The FP brings in perspectives that are typically not seen in legacy press (sometimes rejected by legacy press), criticizing the left and the right when necessary. Check our Bari’s podcast, Honestly, which covers more than the topics of interest here, although on occasion will cover Israel, antisemitism and the real story of the conflicts in the Middle East.
Israel from the Inside with Daniel Gordis
A scholar of Israel, on the faculty of Shalem College, Dan Gordis offers a very human persective on the conflicts in the Middle East and provides deep historical context as well as current responses in Israeli society.
BOOKS
Center for Israel Education, curated reading list
Ken Stein, Professor Emeritus of Contemporary Middle Eastern History, Political Science and Israeli Studies at Emory University, is also Founding President of the Center for Israel Education based in Atlanta, GA., whose focus is educating the general public about all aspects of modern Israel. Check out Israeled.org to find a wide selection of online courses for a deeper learning experience.
The War of Return, Adi Schwartz and Einat Wilf
Subtitled: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace, provides the reader with compelling insights regarding the evolution of the Palestinian refugee situation that we face today and the challenges facing any solution that includes the State of Israel with any borders. Written in 2020 and remains very relevant today.
Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth by Noah Tishby
Noah Tishby, the former Israeli Ambassador on Antisemitism, writes a straightforward and highly accessible history of Israel and provides explanations for many of the challenges facing it today. Written in 2022 and remains very relevant today.
Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn by Daniel Gordis
Daniel Gordis, faculty member of Shalem College in Jerusalem, wrote this book in 2016 to great acclaim, including being named the 2016 Jewish Book of the Year by the Jewish Book Council.
Letters to my Palestinian Neighbors by Yossi Klein Halevi
Reflections from one of Israel’s great thinkers and scholars, Halevi writes longingly and lovingly about the tormented State of Israel, hoping to bridge the divides between Israelis and their Palestinian brothers.
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew by Emmanuel Acho and Noa Tishby
Noa and Emmanuel address questions about Israel that may be on everyone’s mind yet are difficult to broach. While not always in agreement, this book is an example of listening to those you might not agree, and a willingness to learn things that might not align to the loudest narratives.
Islam and the Future of Tolerance: A Dialogue by Sam Harris and Maajid Nawaz
Written in 2015, this book is the transcript of a deep conversation between Sam and Maajid, exploring Islam’s sacred texts and their interpretation across different Muslim groups around the world. Both are aligned around the dangers Islamic Jihad presents to Western civilization and its values, and help to clarify the hopes for Islam’s future as a religion of peace. Maajid speaks with great insight and authority on this topic as a former activist in one of the Middle East’s JIhadist movements.
The World Loves Dead Jews, Reports from a Haunted Present - Dara Horn
Dara Horn, novelist and Jewish scholar, compiled this book in 2021, which reads like a collection of well researched essays. Her exploration takes the reader from cities built by Jews in China, to travelling Holocaust exhibits, to shocking revelations about the Anne Frank museum in Amsterdam - connected by the theme that society is more comfortable acknowledging the dead Jews (those who “used to live here”) than recognizing the value and contributions of those who are living, or even caring that they are living or dead. It had a life-changing impact to this reader.
After the Pogrom: 7 October, Israel and the Crisis of Civilization - Brendan O’Neill
This scholar and critique of the failures of Western Civilization put this must-read book together in 2024. Reading it feels like riding on a fast train racing toward disaster, fueled in large part by the hypocrisy, double standards and ignorance of many in the elite and far left corners of our society. Bottom line, read this book and share it widely. It is terrifying yet important. The cover of my edition includes a quote by Jake Wallis Simons, editor of the Jewish Chronicle who says: “Thank God he is on our side.” Amen to that.
PEOPLE to follow
Anytime you see an interview with these people, you’ll be glad you listened!
Haviv Rettig Gur - Senior Analyst - The Times of Israel
Nadav Ayal - Israeli journalist and commentator
Douglas Murray - Author and Journalist
Sam Harris - Neuroscientist, scholar, thought leader
Einat Wilf - Former member of Knesset, author
Eylon Levy - Former spokesman for Israeli President Herzog
Have a recommendation? Send your ideas to info.keshercollective@gmail.com