Call Me Back with Dan Senor

Episode: Bret Stephens: Should We Stop Funding the Fight Against Antisemitism?
Date: February 7, 2026
Guest: Bret Stephens (New York Times columnist, author)
Host: Dan Senor
Format: INSIDE Call Me Back (members-only sneak peek)

Episode Overview

This special "Inside Call Me Back" episode features an unfiltered conversation between host Dan Senor and New York Times columnist Bret Stephens. The discussion centers on Stephens' provocative "State of World Jewry" address at the 92nd Street Y, where he controversially suggested that organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) should be "dismantled." The episode explores whether the significant resources spent fighting antisemitism might be better invested in strengthening Jewish identity and community resilience, rather than in combating external hate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reaction to Bret Stephens' Speech

• Stephens describes post-speech feedback:
  • The response was "overwhelmingly positive" among prominent figures in the Jewish community, many of whom admitted they had discussed such ideas in private but never publicly (01:36).
  • Stephens expresses relief at the warmth of the response, though he admits, “maybe it's just the case that I'm hearing from the people who liked it and not hearing from the people who didn't.” (01:36)

2. The ‘Dismantle the ADL’ Statement

• Stephens clarifies his stance:
  • His remark was made "in the context of a question" from a rabbi and was somewhat extemporaneous (02:52).
  • He acknowledges the ADL's valuable aspects—especially reporting on antisemitism, data collection, and collaboration with law enforcement (03:05).
• Critique of Funding Priorities:
  • Stephens argues that the vast sums spent focusing on antisemitism perpetuate a negative identity for Jews rooted in victimization:

    “Millions of dollars are being spent on an aspect of Jewish identity, namely the victimization of Jews, which is a wholly negative phenomenon ... It reminds me of that scene in The Wolf of Wall Street where the Leonardo DiCaprio character is bunching up $100 bills and throwing them in a wastepaper bin. I think that's essentially the equivalent of what we're doing as a Jewish community.” —Bret Stephens (03:16)

• He further asserts:
  • The real crisis is the weakening of Jewish bonds—through intermarriage, disengagement, and a loss of pride in Jewish identity and Israel.
  • "That's the work that we should be doing to repair, rather than simply noting that incidents of antisemitism are rising." (04:18)

3. Proposal: Investing in Jewish Continuity over ADL-like Advocacy

• Stephens’ central recommendation:
  • Philanthropic resources should be redirected to engage the next generation in Judaism and cultivate a proud, confident sense of identity:

    “We should be investing practically every cent we have philanthropically available to us to ensuring that the next generation of American Jews feels connected, feels that their Jewishness is at the center of their spiritual and cultural and political affinities.” (04:37)

• Critique of Priorities—Political and Cultural
  • Stephens raises the alarm over the normalization of antisemitic or anti-Israel political candidates among Jews in New York, even pushing back when Senor challenges the data:

    “Even if it's ... 20% ... too much. It should have been 1%.” (05:28)

4. The Limits of Fighting Antisemitism in Media and Social Platforms

• Senor’s input:
  • He acknowledges the value of groups like the ADL, especially in liaising with agencies like the FBI and NYPD (05:34), but agrees with Stephens that combating antisemitism is not an ‘information war’ that can be won in the public domain.
• Stephens’ skepticism of media battles:
  • Dismissing efforts to battle antisemitism on platforms like TikTok:

    “Social media is a numbers game. Sadly, we 15 million or so Jews don’t have the numbers. Even if you add 100 million, 200 million allies around the world, that’s not a game we’re ever going to win.” (06:12)

5. Israel as a Model for Jewish Strength and Resilience

• Historical context:
  • Brett notes that unfavorable coverage and public opinion have dogged Israel for its entire history, but this didn’t prevent the country’s extraordinary success.

    “Israel was always losing the battle for public opinion. ... Amid all of this hatred, Israel is thriving as never before... a tiny country with a kind of a superpower footprint in the world.” (07:11)

• Thesis:
  • The true success of the Jewish people has always stemmed from investing in their own community confidence, not from persuading others of their worth.

    “The key to Jewish success and survival is not going to rest on the good opinion of others. It’s going to rest on what we as Jews do with the resources that we have.” (07:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It's just you, me and 500,000 Jews.” —Bret Stephens (01:22)
• “Millions of dollars are being spent on an aspect of Jewish identity, namely the victimization of Jews, which is a wholly negative phenomenon.” —Bret Stephens (03:16)
• “That's the work that we should be doing to repair, rather than simply noting that incidents of antisemitism are rising.” —Bret Stephens (04:18)
• “The key to Jewish success and survival is not going to rest on the good opinion of others. It's going to rest on what we as Jews do with the resources that we have.” —Bret Stephens (07:52)
• “Social media is a numbers game. Sadly, we 15 million or so Jews don't have the numbers.” —Bret Stephens (06:12)

Important Timestamps

• 01:22: Bret Stephens jokes about the vast Jewish audience and addresses initial feedback to his speech.
• 02:52: Stephens explains his controversial “dismantle the ADL” remark, its context, and core reasoning.
• 03:16: Critique of the current philanthropic focus on combating antisemitism; analogy to The Wolf of Wall Street.
• 04:18: Stephens pivots to what he sees as the true crisis: disconnection from Jewish identity among younger generations.
• 05:34: Discussion of the continuing value—but limited impact—of the ADL and similar groups.
• 06:12: Stephens dismisses “fighting antisemitism on TikTok” as a futile numbers game.
• 07:11: Historical analysis of Israel’s struggle with global public opinion and focus on internal strength.
• 07:52: Bret’s thesis on Jewish survival and the importance of internal investment over external acceptance.

Tone & Language

• Both Senor and Stephens maintain an analytical yet candid, occasionally irreverent tone. Stephens is both provocative and introspective, balancing critique with reflections on communal priorities. The discussion is rich in metaphor, personal anecdote, and direct challenge, making it engaging for listeners invested in Jewish communal life or the broader question of minority identity in the modern era.

Summary Usefulness
This summary delivers the full substance of the conversation for anyone unable to listen, highlighting both the central debate—whether fighting antisemitism is a losing battle or misplaced priority—and the nuanced back-and-forth about what it means to invest in Jewish survival for the next generation.