Podcast Summary: "Power Meets Prejudice: The End of Jewish Innocence"

For Heaven's Sake
Host/Author: Shalom Hartman Institute
Episode: Power Meets Prejudice: The End of Jewish Innocence
Release Date: August 13, 2025
Participants: Yossi Klein Halevi & Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield

Introduction and Context

In this pivotal episode of For Heaven's Sake, Yossi Klein Halevi engages in a profound conversation with Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield, CEO of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. Recorded live in Jerusalem amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the Israel-Iran war following the events of October 7th, the discussion delves deep into the seismic shifts in Jewish history, identity, and the contemporary challenges facing the Jewish community globally.

The End of the Post-Holocaust Era

Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield opens the dialogue by referencing Yossi’s insightful essays that argue October 7th marked the end of the post-Holocaust era for Jews. This era, which began the day after the Holocaust, was characterized by a trajectory of increasing optimism and integration, especially in the United States.

Yossi Klein Halevi elaborates on this perspective, noting the gradual shedding of the "American Jewish whisper"—a metaphor for the prior insecurity and subdued public identity of American Jews. He traces the evolution from the insecure post-Holocaust years to a period where American Jews felt increasingly secure and accepted, culminating in contemporary events that signify a return to existential threats reminiscent of the 1930s in America.

“In the era of Jewish power, the whole question of the accusation against Jews shifts... antisemitism presumes innocence.”
— Yossi Klein Halevi [05:26]

Antisemitism: Symbolization and Denialism

The conversation shifts to the nature of contemporary antisemitism, which Yossi categorizes into two main forms: symbolization and denialism.

1. Symbolization: Antisemitism now frequently uses Israel as a symbol embodying the worst societal qualities, akin to past stereotypes like Jews being "Christ killers" or Marxist capitalists.

2. Denialism: This involves the erasure of Jewish narratives, such as the Holocaust, and the portrayal of Israel through distorted historical lenses, equating it with European colonialism.

Yossi emphasizes that regardless of the underlying motives—whether traditional antisemitism or anti-Zionism—the consequences for Jews are profoundly detrimental. He argues that the responsibility to demonstrate that anti-Zionism is not inherently antisemitic lies with its proponents, not the Jewish community.

“We have entered into a new dimension of complexity which requires a kind of Jewish personality that we haven't developed as a people, and that is multidimensional Jews.”
— Yossi Klein Halevi [16:37]

Impact on Jewish Students and Universities

Rachel raises concerns about recent federal actions affecting universities, such as the withdrawal of millions in funding, purportedly to protect Jewish students. She cites the position of various Jewish movements asserting that these measures paradoxically endanger Jewish safety.

Yossi recounts his observations from a campus tour, highlighting the trauma among Jewish students who identify with Israel. He describes a "reghettoization" where Jewish students withdraw into their own communities, feeling abandoned by progressive allies.

He draws a medieval analogy, likening the current situation to Jews seeking protection from a baron against a hostile mob. In this case, progressive and liberal institutions have failed to protect Jewish students from the antagonistic pressures of their own progressive peers.

“American Jewish students were abandoned by liberal America to the mob.”
— Yossi Klein Halevi [22:28]

Rachel echoes this sentiment, noting the historical intertwining of Jewish safety with American liberalism and how the current dynamics threaten to unravel decades of integration and success.

Generational Divides Over Israel and Zionism

The discussion delves into the generational rift within the Jewish community regarding Israel and Zionism. Rachel identifies two groups of young Jews:

1. Progressive Jews Struggling with Zionism: These individuals attempt to harmonize their liberal values with their love for Israel but face social penalties within progressive circles.

2. Jewish Anti-Zionists: Young Jews who view Zionism as incompatible with their Jewish values, perceiving it as a betrayal.

Yossi addresses these groups by distinguishing between organized anti-Zionist movements and individual young Jews grappling with their identities. He strongly criticizes organizations like Nature Karta for aligning with Israel’s adversaries, labeling them as beyond the pale of legitimate Jewish discourse. Conversely, he advocates for engaging with young Jews, acknowledging their moral concerns and incorporating their passionate perspectives into the broader Jewish narrative.

“Anti Zionism is an existential threat... The onus of proving that anti Zionism is not antisemitism is not on us.”
— Yossi Klein Halevi [11:18]

Reclaiming Jewish Storytelling

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the necessity of reclaiming and redefining the Jewish narrative. Yossi argues that the traditional secular story of Israel is losing its resonance and that it's imperative to infuse Jewish storytelling with theological depth and complexity.

He emphasizes the dual miracles and antimiracles of Jewish history: the survival and thriving of Jews post-Holocaust versus the persistent and escalating nature of antisemitism. Yossi calls for rabbis, educators, and leaders to explore the profound questions of Jewish existence and identity beyond political discourse, urging a rekindling of religious imagination to understand and convey the unique and often surreal aspects of the Jewish story.

“We need to reclaim something of the strangeness of the Jewish story and anti Semitism.”
— Yossi Klein Halevi [34:37]

Rachel ties this back to the experiences of young Jews, emphasizing the importance of nurturing their Jewish identity amidst these complex narratives. She references Yossi’s call for a more nuanced and purpose-driven Jewish future, highlighting the critical role of moral imagination in shaping this new narrative.

Conclusions and Insights

As the episode concludes, Yossi and Rachel underscore the urgent need for the Jewish community to navigate these challenging times with both strength and empathy. They advocate for honest conversations, theological introspection, and the embracing of diverse Jewish identities to forge a resilient and unified future.

The dialogue vividly portrays a community at a crossroads, grappling with historical trauma, contemporary prejudices, and the imperative to redefine its story in a rapidly changing world.

“It's a religious moment. What's happening now? The return of hatred for the Jews and the criminalization of the Jewish state is a religious question.”
— Yossi Klein Halevi [35:22]

This episode of For Heaven's Sake serves as a critical reflection on the evolving landscape of Jewish identity and the multifaceted challenges posed by rising antisemitism and internal community debates. Yossi Klein Halevi and Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield provide a thought-provoking analysis that calls for a renewed commitment to understanding and shaping the Jewish narrative in the face of unprecedented adversity.