“We Were Betrayed” — Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch on the Crisis of Liberal Judaism

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, Senior Rabbi of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York, reflects on the shock many American Jews experienced after October 7 — and why so many felt abandoned by the very liberal institutions they helped build.Rabbi Hirsch argues that October 7 did not create antisemitism — it revealed attitudes that were already there. He describes the sense of betrayal Jewish communities felt as universities, activist movements, and cultural elites refused to stand with Jews after the massacre — even when they had done so in the past.In this conversation, we discuss:• Why October 7 shattered the moral assumptions of many American Jews• The feeling of betrayal from progressive allies and institutions• How identity-politics ideology turned parts of the Left against Jews• Why universities failed Jewish students — and what that exposed• The rise of Jewish anti-Zionism among young people• “As-a-Jew” activism and how it gives moral cover to anti-Israel movements• Why antisemitism is now emerging from both Left and Right• Whether Israeli religion-state issues push Reform Jews away — or if the real problem runs deeper• The link between distancing from Judaism and distancing from IsraelChapters00:00The Eruption of Antisemitism in America06:04Betrayal and Disillusionment Among Allies11:50The Shift in Liberalism and Its Impact on Jews17:47The Role of Universities and Institutional Failures23:48The Political Landscape and Jewish Voting Trends29:36The Challenge of Jewish Identity and Education35:10The Future of Jewish Relations with Israel📌 Watch, share, and join the conversation to uncover what’s really at stake.📌 Support the channel by buying me coffee! ☕️ https://buymeacoffee.com/westernspirit📌 For business inquiries, including advertising opportunities on our show, please email us at: [email protected]#Jews#Israel#Antisemitism#October7#JewishCommunity#Judaism#USPolitics#Culture