Podcast Summary: The Rubin Report – The Dark Sickness at Elite Universities Fueling Antisemitism | Rabbi Wolpe
Episode Date: December 17, 2025
Guest: Rabbi David Wolpe
Host: Dave Rubin

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Rubin sits down with Rabbi David Wolpe to discuss the rise of antisemitism on elite university campuses and its broader implications for American society, Jewish identity, and faith. They explore how online vitriol translates (or doesn't) to the real world, the importance of Jewish historical perspective, the enduring lessons of Hanukkah, and the paradoxes of diversity, assimilation, and modern secularism. The conversation also touches on the impact of technology, particularly AI, on culture and spirituality, ending with a timeless biblical message for the New Year.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Antisemitism at Elite Universities

Harvard as a Microcosm (00:00–01:07, 14:25–15:27)

• Rabbi Wolpe highlights the entrenched hostility toward Jews and Israel at institutions like Harvard, using it as an emblematic case but noting the pattern at elite schools nationwide.

• Quote (00:00, 14:25):
  “It was not easy to be an unconflicted Jew at Harvard because there was the hostility towards Israel... discrimination against Jews... We use Harvard as a symbolic example, but it is hardly the only example in America, especially on elite campuses.”

• Out of ~5,000 American campuses, antisemitic protests mainly occurred on 150–200, mostly elite, reflecting deeper institutional and cultural issues.

2. The Reality Disconnect: Online vs. Offline

Online Hate and Its Effect (02:22–04:03)

• Rubin and Wolpe discuss the amplified despair created by online antisemitism, driven by algorithms and anonymity.

• Quote (03:01):
  “People who are more online are more despairing… it’s not just the algorithms, it’s just the very nature of being anonymous and getting more clicks when you’re outraged or angry… most people, face to face, are capable of being reasoned with.”

• Despite alarming digital rhetoric, real-life interactions offer more room for reason and empathy.

3. Navigating Politics and Faith Leadership

Spiritual Leadership Amidst Partisanship (04:03–05:52)

• Politics now colors nearly all discourse, including religious teaching.

• Quote (04:42):
  “We have seen too much to be naive, but we are too wise to be hysterical... screaming that it’s the end of the world is neither helpful nor true... there are actually a lot of people of goodwill who really want to see America succeed...”

• Importance of making “common cause” with well-intentioned people across political and religious spectra.

4. Jewish Identity: Building vs. Branding

Outsider Perspectives and Misunderstanding (05:52–07:07)

• Jews excel at building and integrating into societies, but advocacy and branding lag behind.

• Quote (06:15):
  “We get defensive and outraged and surprised when in fact... we should be more methodical and thoughtful... there is so much more discourse about Jews than there is understanding of Jews.”

• Cites poor global understanding of Jewish concerns, drawing an analogy:
  “How much do you know about Kashmir or Nagorno Karabakh?”

5. Hanukkah: History, Political Parallels, and Lessons

The Deeper Story (07:09–12:47)

• Hanukkah as a smaller yet politically resonant holiday, rooted in Jewish sovereignty and the refusal of forced assimilation.

• Quote (07:56):
  “Hanukkah is celebrated because it was the regaining of sovereignty in the 2nd century BCE... most people don’t know or understand [the history of the land].”

• Relates Hanukkah’s themes to modern debates on immigration and assimilation.

• Quote (09:50):
  “Jews refused the predominance of Greek culture as an overmastering culture in their own land... It was when [the Romans] said, ‘You can’t have your culture’ that the Jews revolted.”

• The enduring miracle isn’t just oil—it’s the act of “rededication”:

• Quote (11:27):
  “The great miracle of Hanukkah... Hanukkah doesn’t mean dedication. It means rededication... The miracle of faith is actually in rededication—saying ‘I believe again and again and again.’”

6. Root Causes of Antisemitism and Diversity

Persistence and Difference (12:47–14:10)

• The continuing survival and distinction of Jews can provoke resentment.

• Quote (13:04):
  “They refuse to die... What we've tried to insist to the world is... the dignity of difference. Being different is actually a good thing, not a bad thing.”

• Wolpe jokes: “If only you would really treasure diversity, you would actually recognize that the Jews are the original apostles of diversity.”

7. Secularism, Open-Mindedness, and Campus Dogma

Paradoxes of Tolerance (15:27–16:14)

• Supposedly open-minded academic environments can become closed to dissent or true dialogue.
• Quote (15:37):
  “What is promoted as open mindedness led to closed mindedness... I approached the protesters at Harvard. They would not speak to me... Who’s open minded and who’s close minded here?”

8. Middle East, Israel, and Prospects for Peace

Hope Amidst Hostility (16:14–18:44)

• Glimmers of authentic interfaith coexistence in places like the UAE’s Abrahamic Faith Center.

• Quote (16:52):
  “Destruction is more efficient than building. It takes a long time to build and not much time to destroy. I’m hopeful that spirit [of peace] will catch... the horizon of history is long.”

• Rubin and Wolpe agree: supporting peaceful Muslim nations and Israel is in the US’s strategic—and ethical—interest.

9. New Year, Technology, and Preserving Humanity

Resisting Digital Dehumanization (19:30–21:05)

• Rabbi Wolpe urges a return to face-to-face interaction and independent thinking.

• Quote (19:45):
  “We desperately need to train our children not to let AI do the thinking for them... recapture what is native to humans, that the screens sort of take away from us.”

• On AI’s religious implications:
  “The replacing God idea has already been tried and did not succeed... AI is something to clearly be concerned about, but it also could confer great blessings if we use it wisely and not be used by it.”

10. Final Biblical Message: The Story of Joseph

Listening to Others’ Dreams (21:05–22:05)

• Wolpe closes with the lesson of Joseph: greatness comes from attending to others’ dreams, not just our own.
• Quote (21:28):
  “Joseph fell by dreams and he rose by dreams... he fell when he could only hear his own dreams, but he rose when he started to listen to the dreams of others. If we can listen to each other’s dreams... we will rise.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On hope and realism:
  “We have seen too much to be naive, but we are too wise to be hysterical.” —Rabbi Wolpe [04:42]
• On Jewish resilience:
  “They refuse to die. ...the dignity of difference.” —Rabbi Wolpe [13:04]
• On rededication:
  “The miracle of faith is actually in rededication because it’s not saying ‘I believe,’ it’s saying ‘I believe again and again and again.’” —Rabbi Wolpe [11:27]
• On assimilating offline life and faith:
  “If we can listen to each other’s dreams, and not only our own, we also will rise.” —Rabbi Wolpe [21:28]

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–01:07 | Harvard & antisemitism on elite campuses
• 03:01–04:03 | The online/offline disconnect
• 04:42 | “Too wise to be hysterical”
• 06:15 | The branding & educational gap for Jews
• 07:56 | Historical context of Hanukkah
• 09:50 | Assimilation parallels
• 11:27 | Miracle of rededication
• 13:04 | “They refuse to die”—resilience and resentment
• 15:37 | Paradox of open-minded campus culture
• 16:52 | Authentic coexistence and hope for peace
• 19:45 | Technology, education, and AI
• 21:28 | Joseph’s story: learning to listen to others

Tone and Style

The conversation is reflective, direct, deeply rooted in history, and—despite the topic’s seriousness—shot through with humor and optimism. Rabbi Wolpe emphasizes measured hope, intellectual openness, and the persistent value of community and faith.

For listeners seeking context on antisemitism at elite universities, the role of Jewish memory and identity, and timeless advice for the digital age, this episode offers both concrete analysis and uplifting perspective.