Daily Podcasts Video Research

Tikvah

Tikvah is a non-profit ideas institution committed to supporting the intellectual, religious, and political leaders of the Jewish people and the Jewish state. Our animating mission and guiding spirit is to advance Jewish excellence and Jewish flourishing in the modern age. Tikvah is politically Zionist, economically free-market oriented, culturally traditional, and theologically open-minded. Yet in all issues and subjects, we welcome vigorous debate and big arguments.
24 Jan
Ross Douthat and Meir Soloveichik on the State of American Belief
Ross Douthat and Rabbi Meir Soloveichik explore the evolving landscape of American faith, challenging the secularization narrative by proposing that a renewed interest in monotheism might be brewing. They argue that the spiritual curiosity driving many towards non-traditional beliefs could actually be channeled into established religions like Judaism and Christianity.
17 Jan
Michael Doran on Jimmy Carter and the Middle East
Michael Doran discusses Jimmy Carter's role in the Middle East, analyzing Carter's problematic views and contentious legacy regarding Israel. Doran explores the theological influences on Carter's foreign policy and the unintended consequences of the Carter administration's Middle East strategies.
10 Jan
Brad Wilcox on Americans without Families
Brad Wilcox explores the profound social implications of increasing numbers of unmarried and childless adults in America, highlighting a shift away from traditional family structures. He discusses the impact of this trend on societal fabric, economic stability, and the divide between religious and secular communities.
27 Dec 2024
Our Favorite Conversations of 2024
2024 was a pivotal year for Jewish life, marked by Israel's military feats against regional threats and significant discussions on Jewish identity and survival. The Tikvah podcast revisits conversations on topics ranging from the complexities of Maimonides' teachings to the ideological battlegrounds of international politics.
20 Dec 2024
Terry Glavin on Anti-Semitism in Canada: How progressivism turned a polite, liberal country into a bastion of anti-Jewish hatred
In this episode, Terry Glavin discusses the alarming rise of antisemitism in Canada, fueled by progressive ideologies and certain governmental policies. He explores how the Canadian political landscape, influenced by intersectionality and multiculturalism, has left the Jewish community feeling abandoned and vulnerable.
13 Dec 2024
Hussein Aboubakr Mansour on the Fall of Syria and the Death of Baathism: How Arab intellectuals understand the latest ideological revolution
Hussein Aboubakr Mansour and Jonathan Silver explore the ideological consequences of the recent fall of Syria's Baathist regime, marked by Bashar al-Assad's departure to Russia. The discussion delves into the potential ideological shifts in the Middle East as the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham takes the helm, questioning the future political landscape and stability of Syria.
5 Dec 2024
Bella Brannon and Benjie Katz on Anti-Semitic Employment Discrimination at UCLA
Jewish students at UCLA are facing formal employment discrimination, specifically from the Cultural Affairs Commission, where applicants who express a Jewish identity are unjustly disqualified. Bella Brannon and Benjie Katz discuss the barriers and biases Jewish students encounter within campus employment practices, drawing attention to policies conflating Zionism with discrimination.
29 Nov 2024
Ari Lamm on the Biblical Meaning of Giving Thanks
Rabbi Ari Lamm discusses the profound and diverse expressions of gratitude in the Hebrew Bible, focusing on Leah and Cain as key biblical figures to understand the nuances of biblical gratitude. The conversation explores the covenantal nature of gratitude, contrasting the transactional understanding of gratitude with the deeper, faith-driven gratitude found in the scriptures.
22 Nov 2024
Maury Litwack on the Jewish Vote in the 2024 Elections
Maury Litwack discusses the Jewish vote in the 2024 elections, highlighting flaws in widely reported exit polls and his own findings that suggest the Jewish vote is not monolithically Democratic. His analysis indicates that Jewish voters are more divided than previously thought and that antisemitism is a significant concern across denominations.
15 Nov 2024
Jon Levenson on Understanding the Binding of Isaac as the Bible Understands It (Rebroadcast)
John Levenson, a renowned scholar, delves into the Binding of Isaac, analyzing its complex themes and context within ancient Near Eastern and biblical traditions. By examining the text’s nuances, Levenson challenges modern interpretations and argues for an understanding rooted in the narrative's original context and religious symbolism.
8 Nov 2024
Mark Dubowitz on the Dangers of a Lame-Duck President
Mark Dubowitz discusses the potential implications of a lame-duck Biden administration on Israel, particularly concerning executive actions and sanctions. Highlighting the example of past presidential actions, he warns of the dangers posed by UN Security Council Resolutions and Executive Orders aimed at undermining Israeli political and economic stability.
1 Nov 2024
Matthew Levitt on Israel’s War with Hizballah: How the terrorist group continues on despite its catastrophic losses.
Matthew Levitt offers an analysis of Israel's military successes against Hezbollah, detailing significant disruptions in the organization's arsenal, leadership, and communications. Despite these setbacks, Hezbollah continues operations, and the question remains how Israel can secure lasting peace and stability on its northern border.
16 Oct 2024
Meir Soloveichik on the Meaning of the Jewish Calendar
Rabbi Meir Soloveichik discusses how the Jewish calendar serves as an instrument for national cohesion and cultural memory, illuminating the connection between Jewish holidays and the principles of Jewish history and identity. Using examples from both Jewish tradition and modern Zionism, Soloveichik explains the profound impact of a unitive time consciousness intrinsic to Jewish life, as explored in his new book, "Sacred Time."
11 Oct 2024
Elliott Abrams on Whether American Jewry Can Restore Its Sense of Peoplehood
Elliott Abrams discusses the challenges facing American Jewry, focusing on the decline in Jewish identity and commitment among non-Orthodox Jews in the U.S., despite socio-economic successes. He explores potential solutions for strengthening Jewish identity, such as enhancing Jewish education, promoting Jewish summer camps, and increasing time spent in Israel.
27 Sep 2024
Assaf Orion on Israel’s War with Hizballah
Brigadier General Assaf Orion discusses Israel's multifaceted conflict with Hizballah following the October 2023 escalation, exploring Israeli military strategies and broader regional implications. The conversation examines Israel's goals in neutralizing Hizballah's threat, potential actions against Iran, and the necessity of international coalitions for enduring conflict management.
20 Sep 2024
Podcast: Abe Unger on America's First Jewish Classical School
Emet Classical Academy, led by Abe Unger, is America's first Jewish classical school, aiming to merge the Jewish and Western educational traditions to produce well-rounded leaders. Despite cultural pressures de-emphasizing traditional education, Emet emphasizes language mastery, critical thinking, and Jewish identity, aligning them seamlessly with American values.
13 Sep 2024
Marc Novicoff on Why Elite Colleges Were More Likely to Protest Israel
Marc Novicoff discusses his findings on why protests against Israel were more prevalent at elite U.S. colleges, correlating protest activity with the wealth and prestige of the student bodies. He explains that these schools have a higher concentration of students from affluent backgrounds and less economic diversity, which may contribute to the prominence of certain political activities.
6 Sep 2024
Liel Leibovitz on What the Protests in Israel Mean
In the wake of recent developments in Israel, Liel Leibovitz analyzes the protests against the government, sparked by tensions related to the ongoing conflict with Hamas and the issue of hostages. The discussion delves into how American-style politics are influencing Israeli society and explores deeper ideological divides about the future of Zionism.
30 Aug 2024
Gary Saul Morson on Alexander Solzhenitsyn and His Warning to America
In this episode, Jonathan Silver discusses Alexander Solzhenitsyn's Harvard commencement address with Gary Saul Morson, examining Solzhenitsyn's critique of both the Soviet and Western systems. Solzhenitsyn's insights highlight the enduring value of truth and literature in resisting societal decay and promoting moral values.
23 Aug 2024
Podcast: Adam Kirsch on Settler Colonialism
This episode explores the contentious theory of settler colonialism, especially its application to Israel and its implications in academic and political discourse. Adam Kirsch critiques the theory as applied to Israel, arguing that it distorts historical and present realities, often romanticizing native populations and demonizing perceived colonizers without offering paths to reconciliation.