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.
10 Apr
Dara Horn on Her New Graphic Novel
Dara Horn discusses her new graphic novel for middle-grade readers, "One Little Goat," which explores themes of memory and Jewish tradition through a surreal adventure across seder tables spanning Jewish history. The novel is a creative homage to the Passover seder's role in reinforcing cultural continuity and Jewish identity by collapsing time and space in imaginative storytelling.
4 Apr
Tevi Troy on How Republican Administrations Argue about Israel
Presidential historian Tevi Troy discusses the complex dynamics within Republican administrations regarding the U.S.-Israel relationship from Eisenhower to Trump. The conversation highlights fluctuations in pro-Israel sentiment influenced by Cold War geopolitics, evangelical support, and internal party debates over foreign policy priorities.
27 Mar
Micah Goodman on What He’s Learned about Israel in the Past Year-and-a-Half
In a conversation with Jonathan Silver, Micah Goodman reflects on Israel's complex political climate and societal dynamics in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. Goodman emphasizes how recent challenges reveal both divisions and unique collective strengths within Israeli society.
20 Mar
Mark Gottlieb and Anna Moreland on Judaism, Christianity, and Forgiveness
Rabbi Mark Gottlieb and Professor Anna Moreland explore the themes of forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation across Judaism and Christianity, particularly in the context of contemporary issues such as cancel culture and the moral response to the October 7 Hamas attacks. The conversation is anchored by a statement made by Jewish and Christian theologians, highlighting both shared values and distinct approaches to forgiveness within each tradition.
13 Mar
Ronna Burger on Reading Esther as a Philosopher (Rebroadcast)
Ronna Burger provides a philosopher's lens to the Book of Esther, interpreting it through themes of chance, providence, and prudence, especially in the context of Jewish survival in the diaspora. She argues that Esther employs Machiavellian strategies, highlighting a complex interplay of human cunning with divine providence in determining history's course.
7 Mar
Reihan Salam on Rebuilding Urban Conservatism
Reihan Salam, president of the Manhattan Institute, discusses the decline in New York City's civic order due to neglect of policies that once remoralized the city, focusing on ideas to restore urban conservatism. The conversation also explores the role of Jewish communities as indicators of social cohesion, the implications of anti-Semitism, and the importance of leadership in urban governance.
28 Feb
Hussein Aboubakr Mansour on Why the End of Palestinian Nationalism Can Bring Hope to Palestinians
Hussein Aboubakr Mansour argues that Palestinian nationalism, rooted in victimhood and grievance, fails to provide a viable path forward for Palestinians, and instead perpetuates their suffering and conflict. He suggests that dissolving the Palestinian national project could allow Palestinians to integrate into neighboring societies and achieve a better quality of life.
21 Feb
David Bashevkin on Orthodox Jews and the American Religious Revival
Rabbi David Bashevkin, speaking with Jonathan Silver, explores the evolving spiritual dynamics within American Orthodox Judaism amidst broader religious trends in the U.S. and the recent challenges facing Israel. The conversation delves into modern Orthodoxy's historical development in America, its institutional successes, and the quest for religious authenticity and individual spiritual resonance within regimented structures.
14 Feb
Diana Mara Henry and Gabriel Scheinmann on One Jew Who Fought Back against the Nazis
Diana Mara Henry and Gabriel Scheinmann uncover the life of André, a German Jew who became a key figure in the French Resistance against Nazis during World War II. Through his espionage and sabotage work, André, originally Joseph Scheinmann, exemplified relentless defiance and courage, eventually surviving the war and immigrating to America.
7 Feb
Cynthia Ozick on "The Conversion of the Jews" (Rebroadcast)
Cynthia Ozick discusses her story "The Conversion of the Jews," which explores historical and contemporary themes of Jewish identity, conversion, and the profound mystery of apostasy through the fictional journey of Solomon Edelberg. The conversation traverses the complexities of rationality, mysticism, and identity linked to historical figures and events, juxtaposing them with modern issues of Jewish self-perception and continuity.
31 Jan
Amit Segal on Israel’s 60-Year-Old Prisoner Dilemma
Amit Segal discusses Israel's complicated history with negotiating hostage releases, tracing back to the 1968 hijacking of an El Al airplane. The discussion explores the ethical dilemmas and shifting public and political stances on these issues, especially in light of Israel's security challenges and societal values.
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.