Podcast
The Contrarian with David Bernstein
Hosted by David Bernstein · EN
Welcome to "The Contrarian." This podcast is all about diving into the world of liberal values, radical ideologies and engaging in truly open conversations. We will take a close look at what in god’s name is going on in American and Western universities and what, if anything, we can do about it.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
A Sociology of Antizionism w/ Prof Shaul Kelner
2w ago00:49:57Tap to summarize00:00 – Introduction & Framing the Debate 00:58 – Understanding Antizionism Politically 03:34 – Antizionism on the Left and Right 05:06 – Systemic Antizionism Explained 07:01 – Antizionism vs. Antisemitism 09:00 – Why Labels Matter Less Than Actions 13:17 – The Institutional Rise of Antizionism 18:09 – How Extremists Rebrand Narratives 30:47 – Activism, Mobilization & Motivation 35:14 – Hope, Resilience & Community Response
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The Antisemitism versus Antizionism debate w/ Prof. David Hirsh
Apr 2301:07:35Tap to summarize00:00 – Intro: Anti-Antizionism Explained 01:27 – Is This Really “New”? 02:59 – How Antisemitism Evolves 05:20 – Why the Hyphen Matters 06:57 – Antizionism’s Constructed Reality 09:57 – Labeling Jews & Zionists 11:27 – Conspiracy Thinking Patterns 13:51 – Separate or Same Debate 14:39 – Defining Antisemitism Today 16:59 – Why Antizionism Matters 19:11 – History vs. Modern Forms 23:26 – Culture & Jewish Identity Shifts 28:45 – How Narratives Spread 35:49 – Why Israel Becomes the Target 46:32 – Can This Strategy Work?
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Should American Jews Carry Guns? w/ Dr. Adam Fuller
Apr 900:44:12Tap to summarize00:00 Introduction to The Armed Jew 03:01 The Psychological Shift Post-October 7th 06:14 The Debate on Gun Ownership and Safety 09:08 Cultural Disconnect and Gun Ownership 11:59 The Jewish Condition and Security 15:11 Historical Context of Jewish Gun Ownership 17:57 Gun Control and Legislation Perspectives 20:54 The Role of Anti-Zionism in Contemporary Antisemitism 23:57 Conclusion and Reflections on Jewish Identity Find Dr Fuller's book : The Armed Jew: The Case for Jewish Gun Ownership- https://www.amazon.com/Armed-Jew-Case-Jewish-Ownership/dp/B0FFM4NRMF Read David’s article - Jews and Guns: Time for a Reckoning https://jewishjournal.com/commentary/opinion/383491/jews-and-guns-time-for-a-reckoning/
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Antizionism's Legal Fight w/ Prof. Rona Kaufman
Mar 1300:46:51Tap to summarize00:00 Antisemitism’s Legal Fight – Episode Intro 01:36 Antizionism Origins in Western Academia 03:01 Ideological Influence in Universities 07:13 Campus Antisemitism and Law Schools 09:35 Rona Kaufman’s Zionist Identity 14:01 Antisemitism in U.S. Civil Rights Law 19:25 MIT Antisemitism Lawsuit Explained 21:51 Center for Jewish Legal Studies 29:49 Antizionism as a Legal Discrimination Issue 33:26 Debrief: Law, Politics, and Culture War
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How Antizionism Evolved into a Separate Ideology w/ Prof Andrew Pessin
Feb 2600:52:15Tap to summarize00:00 Opening & Series Introduction 01:20 Meet Prof. Andrew Pessin 03:10 What “Anti-Anti-Zionism” Means 06:45 Campus Climate & Academic Pressures 10:30 How Antizionism Enters Intellectual Frameworks 15:05 Progressive Ideology & Jewish Identity Tensions 19:20 The Connecticut College Controversy 23:55 Free Speech, Fear & Faculty Silence 28:40 Moral Clarity vs Academic Conformity 33:15 The Weaponization of Social Justice Language 38:00 Impact on Jewish Students & Campus Life 42:10 How Allies & Institutions Should Respond 46:30 Final Thoughts & Closing Reflections
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Is Antizionism the New Antisemitism? w/ Dr. Naya Lekht
Feb 1200:49:27Tap to summarize00:00 Introduction to Antizionism and Its Importance01:56 Naya Lekht's Personal Journey and Insights05:25 Distinguishing Antizionism from Antisemitism09:10 The Three Eras of Jew Hatred12:50 Debating Antizionism: A Strategic Conversation17:02 The Role of Free Speech in Discussing Antizionism20:17 Understanding Misinformation vs. Disinformation23:35 The Nature of Disinformation26:54 Shifting the Focus: Accusers and Their Motives28:49 Education vs. Ideology: A Paradigm Shift32:05 The Role of Empathy in Education35:28 Understanding Power Dynamics in Antisemitism38:17 Strategies for Change: Grassroots Movements
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The New Anti Anti-Zionism w/ Adam Louis-Klein
Jan 2900:51:47Tap to summarize00:00 Introduction to Anti-Anti-Zionism02:09 Personal Journey and Ideological Shift05:55 Understanding Anti-Zionism vs. Anti-Semitism09:44 Critique of Indigeneity Discourse15:23 The Paradox of Tolerance in Discourse21:56 Structure of the Anti-Zionism Movement24:28 The Power of Libel and Belief27:56 Defining Anti-Zionism and Its Implications29:29 The Challenge of Anti-Zionist Jews32:54 Understanding Anti-Zionism as Its Own Phenomenon36:38 Critiques of the New Anti-Zionism Movement41:18 Strategies for Advancing Anti-Anti-Zionism
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How Teachers Unions became Platforms for Political Activists w/ Paul Zimmerman
Dec 2300:52:09Tap to summarizeChapters00:00 Defense of Freedom Institute: Mission & Focus02:48 Ideological Capture of Teachers Unions06:16 How Teachers Unions Shifted Ideologically09:03 Strategic Control of Education Systems11:59 Ideology Inside School Districts15:08 Unions and the Push for Radical Agendas18:34 Democratic Socialists’ Influence in Unions22:50 NEA vs. AFT: Comparing Union Radicalism26:21 How Union Ideology Continues to Evolve27:33 Why Countering Union Power Is So Difficult30:36 Paths to Transparency and Accountability32:41 Research, Data, and Oversight in Education34:39 Teacher Colleges and Ideological Training37:09 Political Money and Education Policy39:01 Cultural Transformation in Schools45:32 Confronting Antisemitism in Education
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Christian Zionism, Christian Nationalism and the Jews w/ Ty Perry
Nov 1300:49:57Tap to summarize00:00 – Welcome & who is Ty Perry?01:02 – A Christian Zionist in a shifting Christian world03:36 – What is Christian nationalism, really?05:22 – Dispensationalism explained (and misunderstood)09:20 – Competing stories: Christian Zionism vs Christian nationalism12:03 – Law, society, and the limits of imposed Christianity14:51 – Rethinking Charlie Kirk18:53 – Listening in on the Charlie Kirk memorial24:19 – Tucker Carlson, weaponized Christianity, and antisemitism26:06 – Groypers, Nick Fuentes, and the ‘Hitler Youth’ analogy32:56 – The ‘woke right’ and cancel culture on the right35:38 – Liberal values and classical liberalism under strain38:28 – Can we rebuild a shared American ‘unum’?43:13 – Jewish anxiety and a potential American dystopia45:56 – Is there still a philosemitic America? Ty’s view from the churches47:55 – Mobilizing the quiet majority & closing thoughts
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Orthodoxy and the Academy w/ Prof Suzanna Sherry - S2 Ep 14
Oct 3100:48:19Tap to summarize00:00 The Origins of Critical Race Theory and Antisemitism 02:58 The Resurgence of Critical Race Theory and DEI 05:58 The Impact of Social Movements on Racial Discourse 08:59 The Orthodoxy of DEI and Its Implications 11:57 The Conflict Between Free Speech and Campus Culture 14:59 The Role of Political Climate in Academic Freedom 17:58 The Dangers of Blunt Political Interventions 20:53 Navigating the Future of University Discourse 25:32 The Impact of Educational Policies on Racism and History 28:12 Navigating Free Speech in Universities 29:08 The Role of Universities in Promoting Free Speech 31:43 Challenges of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives 34:34 The Complexity of Teaching Civic Values in K-12 Education 36:22 Institutional Neutrality and Ideological Bias in Education 39:09 Balancing Free Expression and Academic Freedom 42:00 Addressing Academic Malpractice and Orthodoxy 45:51 The Dangers of Imposing Orthodoxy in Antisemitism Education
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