Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

Latest Episodes:

ISRAEL VOTES: How the Mizrahi-Ashkenazi divide still shapes Israeli politics - with Mijal Bitton Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

How will current issues or past discrimination against Mizrahi Israelis influence this election?

Dan and sociologist Mijal Bitton discuss the history, identity, and political narratives of Mizrahi Jews—whose families came to Israel from across the Middle East and North Africa—and how those narratives continue to shape Israeli politics. They unpack the factors of historical discrimination by an Ashkenazi elite, questions of economic opportunity, dignity and belonging of the Mizrahi community, and the Mizrahi devotion to maintaining the Jewish character of the state of Israel.

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Get your tickets to a live taping of Call me Back at the Streicker Center in NYC on October 22.

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This episode is sponsored by The Shalom Hartman Institute. Register for The Road to the Israeli Elections webinar with the Shalom Hartman Institute's Tani Frank and Masua Sagiv. ___

In this episode:

-Historical roots of the Mizrahi and Ashkenazi divide

-Cultural and religious differences in their countries of origin

-Do Mizrahis still resent how they were treated by Ashkenazis during immigration?

-Israelis political realignment in 1977 and Mizrahi powerful support for Likud

-The rise of Mizrahi political movements like Shas

-How Mizrahi voters think about the “deep state” in Israel

-Contemporary Mizrahi identity and integration into Israeli society and politics

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Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Sneak Peek: Jon Polin answers questions from young Jewish adults Aug 22, 2026

Show notes

This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan is joined by Jon Polin to answer questions from young Jewish adults and teenagers about how to reconcile personal Zionism with those who commit violence against Palestinians in the name of Zionism. They also discuss the pressures and social costs faced by American young people who stand up for Israel and how to handle some of those tough conversations.

Learn more about Jon’s new project, Foundry 515 here.

Beyond Dispute by Daniel Taub

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl ___

Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me Back ____

You can access the full episode here, where Dan and Jon answer listener questions about:

- The social cost for American teens and young adults who stand up for Israel

- How to find Jewish joy outside of religious observance

- What the hostage crisis broke in Israeli society

- Did Hersh have an impact on his captors?

- How Jon, Rachel and others are finding a new “why” after Hersh’s tragic death

- Why Jon chose to make Aliyah

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Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel
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Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Will Liberal Democracy Survive? - with Jonah Goldberg Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Why have the classical liberal ideas that helped emancipate the Jews become so vulnerable?

Dan is joined by Jonah Goldberg of The Dispatch to ask why classical liberalism, which is the political tradition that embraces equality, individual rights and restraints on government, has become so vulnerable. They discuss how the terms liberal, progressive and socialist got confused, and why they think the DSA agenda will fail. Goldberg also explains the economic and cultural forces he sees fueling populism on the left and right, whether America’s liberal tradition is strong enough to withstand them, and what its erosion could mean for Jews.

Suicide of the West by Jonah Goldberg

The Remnant podcast

Capitalism and the Jews by Jerry Z Muller

Get your tickets to a live taping of Call me Back at the Streicker Center on October 22.

—- Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back

This episode is sponsored by HaYarkon 70. Bring your family together in the heart of Tel Aviv at this restored 1934 landmark, just steps from the promenade and the beach. Its eight luxury residences offer the space and privacy of a home, with full kitchens, spacious balconies, concierge service, and optional breakfast.

Reserve your stay at HaYarkon70.com/callmeback. Call Me Back listeners receive 10% off. ___

In this episode:

- What is classical liberalism?

- How liberalism paved the way for Jewish emancipation starting in the 17th century

- How the terms socialism, capitalism, free market, liberal and progressive got jumbled

- Why young Americans are rejecting liberalism and the status quo

- How economic and technological change fuel discontent and dislocation

- What pop culture reveals about the rise of populism

- Can classical liberalism make a comeback?

- Could the proposals of Mamdani and the DSA actually damage American cities?

- Why Jews are caught between the illiberal left and right ___

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Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel
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Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

The Hearing That Changed Everything - with Elise Stefanik Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

What will it take to confront antisemitism at America’s elite universities?

Dan is joined by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whose 2023 questioning of three Ivy League university presidents became a defining moment in the debate over antisemitism on college campuses. Drawing from her new book, Poisoned Ivies, Stefanik argues that the crisis reflects decades of systemic ideological bias, failed leadership and money from Arab countries buying academic influence. They discuss what it will take to confront antisemitism at America’s elite universities, and whether government intervention risks creating new problems of its own.

Purchase Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s book here.

Get your tickets to a live taping of Call me Back at the Streicker Center on October 22.

—- Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back

This episode was sponsored by Birthright: Invest in the Jewish future today at onetripchangeseverything.com. ___

In this episode:

- The congressional hearing that changed everything

- Why did it take October 7 for Washington to act?

- Her proof that Students for Justice in Palestine organization is tied to Hamas

- Could government intervention make universities worse?

- The universities that handled post October 7 protests right and how they did it

- Should Jewish students give up on attending Ivy League schools?

- Could federal funding cuts hurt American competitiveness?

- How can elite universities overcome campus antisemitism? ___

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Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel
Get in touch

Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Sneak Peek: Nadav on what’s driving the wave of migration from Israel, and more… Aug 15, 2026

Show notes

This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan is joined by Ark Media contributor Nadav Eyal to answer listener questions about the growing number of highly educated Israelis leaving the country, why Nadav believes it's not just military conflicts driving them away, and the deeper issues facing Israeli society. ___

Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me Back ____

You can access the full episode here, where Dan and Nadav answer listener questions about:

- Would a new Israeli government actually be able to create significant systemic change?

- How the past 3 years have dramatically changed attitudes and capabilities of the IDF

- Can Israel’s moderate right reshape the election?

- What do each of Israel’s Arab parties stand for and which might succeed?

- Why a popular Jewish Knesset member is joining an Arab party and why that’s significant

More Ark Media:

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Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal
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Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel
Get in touch

Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Is there a Final Solution to the Jewish question? - with Dara Horn Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

Why has antisemitism endured and how can Jews effectively combat it?

Dan is joined by author Dara Horn to discuss her new book, The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Story for the Living. Five years after her book People Love Dead Jews diagnosed how society relates to Jewish suffering, Horn now addresses what can be done about it. She explains how AI is systematically targeting Jews, why traditional efforts to fight antisemitism are failing and outlines an approach to find a solution that could finally change everything.

Explore Dara Horn’s new Tell Institute to combat antisemitism.

Pre-order your copy of Dara’s book, The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Story for the Living.

Get your tickets to a live taping of Call me Back at the Streicker Center on October 22.

—- Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back

This episode is sponsored by Citizen Cafe: Schedule your free intro session with Citizen Cafe today. ___

In this episode:

- Why Horn chose the provocative title “The Final Solution to the Jewish Question?”

- Re-casting antisemitism not as bigotry but as “the big lie”

- What Holocaust education gets wrong

- How Nazism and Soviet anti-Zionism lives on

- How is anti-Jewish propaganda poisoning AI?

- The dangerous bargain behind America’s Jewish “Golden Age”

- What young disaffected Jews are missing and how that can change

- What is her solution to antisemitism? ___

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Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal
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Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel
Get in touch

Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

The Secret Plan to Weaponize the Kurds (Part 2) - with Nadav Eyal Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Did disagreements between Mossad and the IDF help lead to systematic failure to deploy Kurdish fighters and to topple the regime in Iran?

Dan is joined by Nadav Eyal who provides an in-depth analysis of Israel's covert plans to destabilize Iran, the role of Kurdish forces, and the internal decision-making failures that may have impacted the outcome of the war and regional security. This episode unpacks the complexities behind secret operations, disagreements between Mossad and the IDF, and the geopolitical implications for Israel and Iran.

—- Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back

This episode is sponsored by The Shalom Hartman Institute. Register for The Road to the Israeli Elections webinar with the Shalom Hartman Institute's Tani Frank and Masua Sagiv.

This episode is also sponsored by Hayarkon 70. Stay in the heart of Tel Aviv at Hayarkon 70, a restored 1934 landmark just steps from the beach. Its eight guest residences combine the building's character and history with full kitchens, spacious living areas, and 24/7 guest service.

Call Me Back listeners receive 10% off their stay at Hayarkon70.com/callmeback.

Sneak Peek: Tal Becker on the challenge of forming a coalition with Arabs parties Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

This is a sneak peek from the members-only edition of Inside Call Me Back. Dan and Tal Becker answer listener questions about why having an Arab party in Israel’s governing coalition is less acceptable now more than ever and what happened the last time it was tried. They also discuss how Israeli law addresses the separation of church and state and problems that creates..

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Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

For the full episode, subscribe here to - Inside Call me Back ____

You can access the full episode here, where Dan and Tal answer listener questions about:

What does the El-Sayed primary victory in Michigan mean for Democrats

Jewish identity and the deep connection between Jews and Israel

Barriers to including Arab parties in Israel’s governing coalition

Issues created by the lack of an Israeli constitution

The surprisingly strong alliance between Israel and the UAE

What is the status of International Court of Justice and ICC charges against Israeli leaders?

Is there hope for progress to stabilize Israeli-Palestinian tension and violence?

Why Israel’s center left policies and party are losing supporters

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Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal
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Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel
Get in touch

Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

The Secret Plan to Weaponize the Kurds (Part 1) - with Itai Anghel Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Why did an Israeli-U.S. plan that counted on Kurdish fighters to help topple the Iranian regime fall apart?

Dan is joined by investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker Itai Anghel who risked his life to follow Kurdish fighters in Syria, Iraq and Iran to document their guerrilla warfare tactics, explore how Kurdish leaders viewed Israel, why that trust fractured, and how those experiences shaped their views of the Israeli-U.S. secret plan for Kurds to fight inside Iran. The conversation also examines why Kurdish women fighters are key, and the military, political, and regional obstacles that doomed the plot from the start. On August 10th, Part 2 will examine the plan from Israel’s intelligence and military perspectives.

Watch Itai Anghel’s documentary The Women Most Wanted in Iran

___ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back Subscribe to Ark News Daily

This episode is sponsored by The Israel Democracy Institute: For resources on Israel's upcoming election and to learn more about IDI, visit elections.idi.org.il/2026. ___

In this episode:

1. Who are the Kurds, and why they matter

2. The surprising Kurdish bond with Israel

3. A stateless nation with big aspirations

4. Women fighters now and in the war against ISIS

5. Why Kurdish trust in Israel and the U.S. has eroded

6. Inside the Iranian Kurdish underground

7. The Kurds’ view of the U.S.-Israeli plan for Kurdish boots on the ground in Iran

8. Why, when and how the plan for Kurdish fighters fell apart

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More Ark Media:

Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings.
Explore Israel Votes
Listen to Ark News Daily
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Listen to What’s Your Number?
Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal
Instagram | Ark Media | Dan
X | Dan
Dan Senor & Saul Singer’s book, The Genius of Israel
Get in touch

Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

Is Abdul El-Sayed Bigger Than Mamdani? - with Mark Halperin Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Why could the upcoming Michigan Democratic Senate primary signal a seismic shift about the Democratic party and U.S. policy on Israel?

As Michigan Democrats prepare to choose a nominee for the U.S. Senate, Dan Senor sits down with political journalist Mark Halperin to discuss why this race has become a flashpoint in the debate over Israel, progressive politics, and the future of the Democratic Party. They examine why progressives are demonizing Israel and AIPAC, the role of The New York Times and other media in shifting the debate, and why Abdul El‑Sayed’s campaign may have implications that extend to the 2028 presidential election. ______

Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going.

Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back

This episode is sponsored by Citizen Cafe: Schedule your free intro session with Citizen Cafe today. ___

In this episode:

1. Why the Michigan Senate primary matters more than ever

2. How Israel became the defining issue in this race

3. Surprising changes inside the Democratic coalition

4. How The New York Times and social media impacts the narrative

5. Who is Abdul El‑Sayed and what’s behind his success

6. Why El-Sayed could be more influential than Mayor Mamdani

7. Implications of an El-Sayed victory for 2028 Democratic politics

Links mentioned in this episode:

-Mark Halperin’s recent article in the Free Press How Israel Became the Biggest Litmus Test in American Politics