Podcast Summary: "How the Culture Promotes Anti-Semitism"

The Commentary Magazine Podcast
Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Jon Podhoretz
Panelists: John Podhoretz, Abe Greenwald, Christine Rosen, Eliana Johnson

Main Theme

This episode confronts the rise of anti-Semitism in American culture, exploring how major institutions—literary, academic, and political—have increasingly marginalized Jews and Israelis while rewarding anti-Israel, often anti-Semitic narratives. The discussion addresses the broader politicization of cultural awards, the exclusionary practices taking root in elite circles, how campus and city politics are fueling intimidation against Jews, and the potential future for Jewish safety under new political leadership in New York City.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Contrasting Cultural Events: Synagogue Protests and the National Book Awards

• [01:21-05:44] Jon Podhoretz opens with two key events:
  • Violent anti-Israel protests outside Park East Synagogue in Manhattan, during an event about emigrating to Israel.
  • The National Book Awards, which honored books depicting the Middle East through a harshly anti-Israel, even anti-Semitic lens.
• Quote [03:25, Jon Podhoretz]:
  “What you do to virtue signal with your artistic awards is to give them to false, reckless, slanderous and anti-Semitic accounts of the true events that happened in Gaza over the last two years.”

2. Cultural Awards as Political Statements

• [05:44-08:43]
  • The group notes the overt exclusion of Jews and conservatives from award consideration.
  • Christine Rosen [06:13]: “You also… have the tacit exclusion of conservative expression or conservative participants… These things are totally irrelevant now, right?”
• Awards institutions prioritize political causes, marginalizing conservative or pro-Israel voices.

3. The Politicization of Art and Criticism

• [08:43-16:55]
  • Discussion shifts to the expectation that all art be judged primarily on political content—especially adherence to current progressive themes.
  • Jon references a review criticizing the "Wicked" film adaptation for not being political enough, an example of this new critical orthodoxy.
• Quote [13:34, Jon Podhoretz]:
  “We’re now supposed to watch ‘Wicked’… entirely through a political lens… Is it anti-fascist enough? Is it anti-Trump enough?”

4. Public’s Rejection of Politicized Culture

• [15:10-18:30]
  • Despite critical acclaim, politically loaded movies are box office failures, indicating a disconnect between cultural elites and the public.
  • Jon Podhoretz [16:57]: “All you want to do is, like, shove contemporary politics down my throat… Leave me alone.”

5. Awards, Scholarships, and Institutional Radicalization

• [18:30-29:51]
  • The Pulitzer Prize awarded to Palestinian poet Mossab Abu Toha despite his anti-Israel, even anti-hostage social media history.
  • Rhodes Scholarships increasingly go to radical activists, not striving working-class scholars.
  • Increasing irrelevance and loss of prestige for such awards is noted, both for their gatekeeping and predictable ideological conformity.
  • Christine Rosen [21:38]: “These scholarships have gotten more irrelevant. Compared to when I was in school, the recipients and the things they go on to do are less impressive…”

6. The Transformation of Elites and Missed Opportunity for Diversity

• [25:16-29:54]
  • Scholarships once helped elevate talented people of all backgrounds; now they largely reinforce existing elites and left-wing activism.
  • John Podhoretz [27:45]: “When [scholarships] turn into just yet another elite prize for an elite… It is not a way of introducing new voices.”

7. Culture Wars, Funding, and the DEI Dilemma

• [29:54-34:51]
  • Discussion of the Trump administration’s withholding of federal grants from arts institutions emphasizing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), leading organizations to forgo funding to retain ideological control.
  • Parallels drawn to conservative organizations that long ago refused government ties for the sake of independence.

8. Cultural Institutions Must Compete for Relevance

• [34:51-36:58]
  • Forced reliance on market support could reduce radical programming and politicization in institutions like museums and orchestras.

9. Anti-Semitism in Cultural Institutions and Elite Self-Destruction

• [36:58-39:43]
  • Even Jewish creators and institutions bend to anti-Israel fashion and promote anti-Semitic narratives to signal enlightenment.
  • Anti-Semitic sentiment is now rewarded—literally—with the highest honors in arts and culture.

10. Protesting as Intimidation: The Park East Synagogue Case Study

• [39:43-47:53]
  • The panel discusses the recent protest aimed at intimidating Jews at Park East Synagogue.
  • Abe Greenwald [41:36]: “To me, this is harassment. This is incitement to terrorism. I get you have a right to free speech… I don’t know who makes the call… and says, okay, cuff this guy, cuff them and see what happens.”
  • Discussion of the legal complexities around free assembly, permitting, and enforcement in New York City.

11. Upcoming Political Clashes in NYC: Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch

• [45:52-47:53]
  • Zoran Mamdani, soon-to-be mayor with anti-Israel roots, is expected to face off with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
  • Abe Greenwald [47:15]: “I expect Mamdani to do many performative philo-Semitic things while doing many policy anti-Semitic moves at the same time.”

12. Jews and the New York Political Landscape

• [54:03-55:06]
  • Mention of a failed interfaith dialogue at CUNY due to anti-Zionist refusals to engage, emblematic of mainstreaming of anti-Semitic exclusion.

13. Institutional Cowardice: Hillel’s Failure to Protect Jewish Students

• [56:11-61:02]
  • Report on Hillel’s lackluster support for Jewish and Zionist students facing danger on campus.
  • John Podhoretz [56:57]: “There are some things that you cannot be inclusive about as a Jewish organization, and one of them is anti-Zionism.”

14. Looking Ahead: The 2026 NY Gubernatorial Race & Anti-Semitism

• [62:45-65:16]
  • Republican Elise Stefanik’s campaign expected to focus on anti-Semitism on campus and in public life, contrasting with Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul’s ineffective leadership.

15. Mamdani & Trump: The Upcoming White House Meeting

• [67:26-70:48]
  • Speculation about the dynamic between an anti-Israel NYC mayor (Mamdani) and President Trump.
  • Abe Greenwald [67:31]: “I fear Trump may want to come out of this looking more friendly than he should.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:25, Jon Podhoretz]:
  “What you do to virtue signal with your artistic awards is to give them to false, reckless, slanderous and anti-Semitic accounts…”
• [13:34, Jon Podhoretz]:
  “We’re now supposed to watch ‘Wicked’… entirely through a political lens… Is it anti-fascist enough? Is it anti-Trump enough?”
• [16:57, Jon Podhoretz]:
  “All you want to do is, like, shove contemporary politics down my throat… Leave me alone.”
• [41:36, Abe Greenwald]:
  “To me, this is harassment. This is incitement to terrorism…”
• [47:15, Abe Greenwald]:
  “I expect Mamdani to do many performative philo-Semitic things while doing many policy anti-Semitic moves at the same time.”
• [56:57, John Podhoretz]:
  “There are some things that you cannot be inclusive about as a Jewish organization, and one of them is anti-Zionism.”

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:21] – Opening on Park East Synagogue protest and National Book Awards.
• [05:44] – Exclusionary practices in art awards and institutions.
• [13:34] – Politicized criticism of popular culture (e.g., “Wicked” movie).
• [16:57] – Public rejects message-heavy culture (“Leave me alone”).
• [25:16] – Loss of elite scholarships as tools for diverse socioeconomic mobility.
• [34:51] – Privatization and de-politicization by forced competition for funding.
• [39:43] – Debate over legality and response to synagogue protests.
• [47:15] – Mamdani’s likely approach to Jews as mayor.
• [54:03] – Breakdown of failed CUNY interfaith meeting.
• [56:11] – Hillel’s shortcomings in defending Jewish students.
• [62:45] – Preview of 2026 NY gubernatorial race and Jewish issues.
• [67:26] – Preview of forthcoming Trump–Mamdani meeting.

Tone and Language

The discussion is urgent, sharp, and sometimes incredulous—reflecting frustration not only with anti-Semitic incidents but with the institutional cowardice, elite groupthink, and the conscious transformation of established awards and cultural spaces into echo chambers for progressive causes. The conversation is laced with personal anecdotes, pointed directness, and a sense of beleaguered Jewish and conservative identity in a rapidly shifting American milieu.

Conclusion

The episode concludes that mainstream American culture is actively promoting anti-Semitism—awarding, platforming, and ultimately institutionalizing it—while deriding dissenting voices as backward or dangerous. The panel expresses grave concern about the physical safety of Jews in major American cities, the retreat of scholarship and achievement in favor of activism, and the uncertain prospects for open debate and basic civic protection in coming political eras. The need for self-defense, vigilance, and clarity in cultural and campus Jewish institutions is repeatedly emphasized.