Identity/Crisis

Latest Episodes:

Two Teens and their Fearless Interventions May 14, 2024

Show notes

In a special crossover this week, Yehuda Kurtzer takes the guest seat for a change, as he is interviewed for the Fearless Interventionspodcast by Hartman Teen Fellow, Max Alperstein andhis co-host Jacob Finkel. Together they tackle a range of issues at the top of their minds, including navigating political polarization, exploring the boundaries of Jewish identity, and pursuing earnest pluralism.

Learn more and apply for the Hartman Teen Fellowship HERE.

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The Role of Hillel on Campus May 01, 2024

Show notes

As university life becomes increasingly volatile for Jewish students, Jewish leaders and institutions on campus are faced with the challenge of supporting and empowering students in navigating tumultuous times. This week, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with Jason Rubenstein, chaplain at Yale University and future executive director of Harvard Hillel, about the dynamics of Jewish student life and role of Hillels in creating spaces for Jewish students to learn, lead, and live in diverse and pluralistic communities.

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Enacting Redemption Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Celebrating Jewish redemption on Passover this year feels nearly impossible, while the Israel-Hamas war rages on and so many hostages remain in captivity. Can the Exodus story and the raw pain of the current moment exist together at the seder table? In this episode, Yehuda Kurtzer turns to president of Hebrew College, Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, to share her thinking on intergenerational disagreements, communal boundaries, prayer, and freedom as we approach the holiday.

In Every Generation Haggadah Supplements

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Echoes of History at the National Library of Israel Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

As we mark 6 months since October 7 and approach the holiday of Passover, questions of communal memory feel more critical than ever. This week, guest host Sara Labaton speaks with Raquel Ukeles, Head of Collections at the National Library of Israel, about how the library is grappling with preservation, ownership, stewardship, and accessibility while creating a physical and cultural gathering place that represents all the communities whose heritage it houses.

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Alone, Adjacent, and Among Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

The organizations that constitute the Jewish world—schools, synagogues, social service agencies, philanthropic institutions, and more—keep Judaism alive, yet not everyone who works in that world is Jewish. In this episode, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with Darin McKeever, CEO of the William Davidson Foundation, about his experience leading a Jewish organization as a non-Jew, navigating Jewish culture, Israeli politics, and questions of identity and belonging.

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Who Gets to be a Zionist? Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

Jewish organizations are finding it increasingly challenging to represent the wide diversity of North American perspectives on Zionism. On this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with David Matlow about his lawsuit against the Toronto Zionist Council and the responsibilities of Zionist organizations in their representation of the voices of the Jewish people.

This episode of Identity/Crisis is sponsored by the Howard and Irene Levine Family Foundation

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A Sleep-in Against Antisemitism Mar 19, 2024

Show notes

Antisemitism on college campuses has seen a dramatic uptick in recent months. In an attempt to pressure U.C. Berkeley’s administration to address this issue, Ron Hassner, a professor of political science and the Helen Diller Family Chair in Israel Studies, is staging a sleep-in protest. In this week’s episode, Yehuda Kurtzer talks with Ron about his act of protest, what he wants from the Berkeley administration, and the importance of free speech, especially on university campuses.

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Music in a Time of War Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

After the single largest attack on Israeli civilians in its history, Israeli music has taken on the complicated, often conflicting feelings of the country itself. This week, Yehuda Kurtzer speaks with Lior Zaltzman, deputy managing editor of Kveller, about how Israeli music has been used to express the emotions of the country throughout history, and the ways it has changed since October 7. A playlist of the songs discussed in this episode can be found at the link below.

Episode Playlist

Ruach Halochamot Tenatzeach (youtube)

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Listening in a World of Noise Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

Unlike past wars, the war in Gaza has been surrounded by so much media noise that even talking about it can feel paralyzing. As death counts rise, fear and anger breeds, and the endless news cycle drones on. In this week’s episode, Yehuda Kurtzer reflects on his 3 trips to Israel since the start of the war, the changes he’s witnessed in Israeli society, and how he is cutting through all the noise.

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Leadership Amidst Uncertainty Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

The months since October 7th have brought tremendous grief, loss, uncertainty, and fear to North American Jewish communities. Jewish community leaders are working tirelessly to support their communities through these trying times. In early February, alumni of The Wexner Foundation’s fellowships for Jewish professional leadership gathered at their annual conference. This week’s guest host, Maital Friedman, spoke with seven of these leaders about the challenges they’re facing, the questions they’re asking, and how they are forging a path forward.

Guests featured on this episode:

Ilana Aisen, CEO of JPro

Jacob Feinspan, Executive Director of Jews United for Justice

Erica Frankel, Executive Director of the Office of Innovation and co-founder of Kehillat Harlem

Rachael Fried, Executive Director of JQY (Jewish Queer Youth)

Dalit Horn, Executive Director of the Vilna Shul

Daniel Olson, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Research at the National Ramah Commission

Adam Weisberg, Executive Director of Urban Adamah

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