Proudly Jewish Is Back: Why Jewish Pride Comes First

Proudly Jewish is back. I started this podcast a few weeks after October 7, 2023—trying to grapple with the massacre we witnessed and the tsunami of Jew-hatred that followed. About a year ago I stepped away due to work, life, and rabbinic ordination, but I’m returning now because I’m seeing something new: a growing call for real change from within the Jewish world. In this solo episode, I reflect on the rise of “conditional acceptance” of Jews—where society embraces only the Jew who renounces Jewish peoplehood and the Jewish state.I also explore why so much of what we call “fighting antisemitism” can become a costly, well-meaning distraction—and why building deep Jewish strength, pride, and identity must come first.Along the way, I include key clips and ideas from Bret Stephens, Ben M. Freeman, Adam Louis-Klein, and Dr. Naya Lekht, voices helping to reshape the conversation about Jewish empowerment in this moment.Also available on YouTube.