Maccabee Nation Podcast
by Jason Crystal
Maccabee Nation is an unapologetically Zionist community newsletter for diaspora Jews, Israelis, and our allies. We strive to secure a brighter future for each other and the next generation of young Jewish men and women by uniting and fighting back! www.maccabeenation.com
Episodes
-
US Pilot Rescued in Iran Brings Some Partisan Reactions Back Home
I’ve been relatively quiet while following the news these past weeks. Like most Americans and Israelis, I’ve hoped the heroic sacrifices in this war would lead to an expansion of the Abraham Accords and an era of peace and stability in the Middle East that benefits the world. Those hopes were...
-
Mamdani's First Strike
It’s been a not so happy New Year for many NYC Jews so far. On January 1, 2026, Zohran Mamdani took the oath as New York City’s mayor. To the surprise of no one who’s been following his campaign, he made clear his top priority was to immediately attack the Jewish community. Mamdani went right to...
-
Being liked is nice. Being alive is essential.
The following is a post from https://x.com/AP_from_NY/status/1927071023339331715. Not sure the original authors name, but I wanted to share this perspective. I am not saying I share it, I think building bridges and communication with the other side is important, but I certainly understand and...
-
New Yorkers Who Voted for Mamdani Deserve Everything That's Coming.
The following is a post from Tyler Winklevoss originally found at https://x.com/tyler. Much can be said about Zohran Mamdani’s disdain for Jews disguised as anti-Zionism, but I chose to highlight this editorial instead because his win says more about young peoples broader hatred for Western...
-
Passover Pandemonium
This Passover, our local reform Temple seder was a whirlwind of kids, matzah, and potentially predictable drama. An elderly woman—probably with dementia— blew a gasket over our kids’ behavior. Fortunately, I was spared from the reprimand, probably because she felt pity for me after overhearing I...
-
Trump's future Gaza plan is silly, but so is believing in a two-state solution.
As Israeli prisoners were freed these past weeks from Gaza in depraved release ceremonies, I felt my hopes for a future two-state solution dramatically diminish. As I witnessed Hamas commit each of the acts below, what shreds of hope I had remaining for a future peaceful Palestinian state...
-
Unpacking my Complicated One-sided Relationship with Mr. Musk
We all have the capacity for both good and evil and most of us are complex, especially transformational people that end up leaving a mark on the world. Elon is no different. He may be a powerful person, but he is human. His ability to be radically candid with the public about his thoughts,...
-
You Don't Need Another 'Hot Take' on the Upcoming Israeli Hostage Deal
Many readers have asked my opinion on the presumed upcoming deal set to begin on Sunday. Like most of the world, I’ve held my breath waiting for as many of the hostages as possible to come home for over a year now. My feelings have oscillated violently between sadness, rage, fear, depression, and...
-
Haguy Kroizer Interview: Israeli Champion for at Risk Teens
We’re super fortunate today to be joined today by Haguy Kroizer for Maccabee Nation’s 8th interview. Hagay is a superhero to me. He’s the CEO of a top-notch performance marketing agency in Tel Aviv called Teddy Marketing while also balancing the busy schedule and sacrifices that come with being…
more -
Ten Facts about the Maccabees for Hannukah 🔎
Most of these facts were taken from Chabad.org. I plan to write a much longer and more detailed essay about the history of the Maccabees early next year. Apologies to our ancestors that this robot voice over butchers some of these Hebrew names. Get full access to Maccabee Nation at...
-
Chaos in Syria. Israeli Security Nightmare or Opportunity?
The Syrian civil war first broke out in 2011 and has since left hundreds of thousands dead and millions more displaced. You might not know much about it because there’s been no outcry against Assad’s brutality in the ivory towers of American universities because the blame can’t be squarely laid…
more -
Did Israel Just Win the Third Lebanon War?
Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire as of this morning in a deal brokered by the US and France. Before we talk about the consequences of the deal and if it’s ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for Israelis, let’s first understand what’s in it. What’s in the ceasefire deal? * The agreement calls for a...
-
I'm Having Trouble Moving On after the American Election.
Dear Golda, My spouse and I voted differently, as did many friends and family members. I can’t understand how they came to their decisions and we can’t have calm rational discussions about it. My preferred political candidate won, so I know I should be the bigger person and make the first moves...
-
The US Election Will Suck for Jews. Let's Get Prepared.
Tomorrow will be one of the most important and consequential American elections in our lifetime and only one thing is certain… the next four years, and maybe longer, will suck for Jews. I don’t believe either candidate will stop the increasingly violent, and sometimes deadly attacks against Jews,...
-
It's Time for Federal Voter ID Laws in America
Of all the meaningless debates being had in American politics in the run-up to the presidential election, none is more perplexing then the schism over voter ID laws. America stands alone compared to most Western nations when it comes to voter ID laws. In Israel and most European countries ID is...
-
Netflix Show 'Nobody Wants This' is Diabolically Anti-Jewish
“Nobody Wants This” is a show about a rabbi who gets bored with his long time Jewish girlfriend and begins pursuing a relationship with a “shiksa” podcaster he meets at a dinner party. Shiksa is a Yiddish word for a non-Jewish woman. No Jewish people my age that I know use this word, but from...
-
Enough is Enough... Israel Reshapes the Middle East
Bibi made a visit to the UN, and just like his speech to Congress, the people who really needed to hear it protested by skipping it or walking out. I thought it was a great speech, but my favorite part was when he called the UN a “house of darkness” and “swamp of antisemitic bile.” That’s the...
-
Ashira Solomon Interview: Public Policy Expert and Talk Show Host
We’re fortunate today to be joined by Ashira Solomon, political commentator and fellow podcaster. Ashira is an important voice on US and Israeli politics. She lives in Jerusalem, where she does amazing work educating people on common misconceptions about Israel. She recently launched a podcast...
-
When and How Do I Tell My Kids About Antisemitism?
Thank you to readers who direct message and email questions for the advice column. Please participate in the polls and in the comments to give different perspectives on the questions people in our community are trying to navigate. Dear Golda, Today I took my son (7 years old) to play basketball…
more -
Unsolicited Advice to Bibi from a Friend
The execution of the six Israeli hostages (including an American dual citizen a few days ago) was shocking, only to the extent I was unsurprised. I was unsurprised Hamas is capable of such brutality and I was unsurprised to witness ignorant pro-Hamas mobs in western Democracies gleefully…
more -
A Love Letter to My Politically Homeless American Tribe
It’s been frustrating watching much of the world infantilize and attempt to appease Iran and her proxies (Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, and their ilk) for most of this past year in an attempt to score political points at the expense of Israelis and the Jewish diaspora. Although I am optimistic…
more -
Mazal Tov to the Israeli Olympic Team
I don’t normally spend much time watching sports, but I was inspired recently by the bravery of the Israeli Olympic team for standing strong against a sea of international hatred and still performing at a high level. First, no Israelis were hurt, which alone is sadly an achievement. Second…
more -
Jordan Berman Interview: Stars of the Tribe
Hello Maccabee Nation, welcome to our 6th interview with Jordan Berman. Jordan’s passion for helping people rediscover their pride in their Jewish Identity through sports was really inspiring. The Olympics have been in full swing and now are drawing to a close. I figured this would be a great…
more -
Time to End UNRWA
For people who may not know what UNRWA is, we wrote a short article about the exploits of Palestinian Refugee Agency recently here in part 1. The following editorial is written by Ron Schneider. Ron is a Jewish Israeli American. He was born in Israel to an American father and an Israeli mother.…
more -
How UNRWA perpetuates conflict in the Middle East
It’s time to confront the harsh reality: UNRWA is not just flawed; it is fundamentally dangerous. For those who may be unaware, UNRWA , stands for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, and began operating in 1950. It is funded mostly by UN member states with the...
-
Moshe Hirt Interview: Yashar LaChayal (IDF non-profit)
Good morning Maccabee Nation! I’m excited to be joined today by Moshe, a paratrooper in the IDF and reservist who’s been doing incredible work for Yashar LeChayal. Yashar LeChayal is a non-profit that helps IDF soldiers source the equipment they need and other important projects. Get full access…
more -
Moshe Moskowitz Interview: Founder of Jump Into Shape
Good evening Maccabee Nation! I invited Moshe Moskowitz on the podcast to talk about his experience founding an online fitness company called Jump into Shape that has helped tons of people find the time and motivation to take care of themselves. Moshe and I also discuss his journey to practicing...
-
Erasing Sabra's Jewish Identity
Podcast Episode #12. Don't forget to check out our substack at https://maccabeenation.substack.com/ Get full access to Maccabee Nation at www.maccabeenation.com/subscribe
-
Divided We Fall: Lessons from Israel
Please take a listen to contributor Ron Schneider’s recent essay. Podcast Episode 11 Get full access to Maccabee Nation at www.maccabeenation.com/subscribe
-
Political and Military Conflicts Simmer Over Summer
Political and Military Conflicts Simmer Over Summer: Podcast #9 Get full access to Maccabee Nation at www.maccabeenation.com/subscribe
-
Should Ultra-Orthodox Israeli Jews Serve in the IDF?
Podcast Episode #9 Thank you for your patience Maccabee Nation while I catch up on uploading some of the audio versions. If you prefer the written versions, please click the link below. Get full access to Maccabee Nation at www.maccabeenation.com/subscribe
-
Depressed Israeli living in Canada
If you’d like to participate in the polls and engage with the community about this topic, please check out the written version here. Thank you for listening to Maccabee Nation. Until next time! Get full access to Maccabee Nation at www.maccabeenation.com/subscribe
-
I Think My"Friend" Might Hate Jews
If you’d like to participate in the polls and engage with the community about this topic, please click on the written version here. Thank you for listening to Maccabee Nation. Until next time! To receive new posts, consider becoming a free subscriber. Get full access to Maccabee Nation at...
-
Should diaspora Jews move to Israel?
If you’d like to participate in the polls, please click on the written version here. I’m sorry about Golda’s voice, but I haven’t yet found an Israeli sounding AI voice bot. Maccabee Nation is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or…
more -
Yoni Lightstone Interview: Israeli Tour Guide
Hello Maccabee Nation!I’m excited to share with you our third interview with Yoni Lightstone. Yoni is the founder and lead guide for Yoni Tours. He has been giving tours in Israel for over a decade as a licensed guide. He holds a degree in Israeli Studies and Geography from Bar-Ilan University…
more -
Time for Jews to Vote for Trump? Maybe
Podcast Episode #8 Maccabee Nation Get full access to Maccabee Nation at www.maccabeenation.com/subscribe
-
Why Most Jews Should Buy a Gun
Podcast Episode #7 Maccabee Nation Get full access to Maccabee Nation at www.maccabeenation.com/subscribe
-
We Are The Silver Platter
Join us as we discuss the parallels between Memorial Day in the United State and Yom Ha’Zikaron in Israel. Maccabee Nation is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thank you for listening to Maccabee Nation. This…
more -
Noam Zimmerman Interview: IDF Combat Paramedic
Hello Maccabee Nation! I’m excited to share with your our second interview with Noam Zimmerman. Noam was a paramedic in the IDF during operation ‘Protective Edge’ and is now a reservist. Noam has also worked as an EMT for Magen David Adom following his military service. He’s also a fellow alum…
more -
Stuart Wohl Interview: NYPD Firearms Expert
Hello Maccabee Nation! I’m excited to share with you our first interview with Stuart Wohl. Stuart is a retired firearms instructor from the New York City Police Department. He’s also spent five years studying domestic political militant groups and has worked in areas related to counterterrorism…
more -
Israeli National Security for Dummies
Episode #5: Maccabee Nation Get full access to Maccabee Nation at www.maccabeenation.com/subscribe
-
Does the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act go too far?
Episode #4: Does the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act go too far? Get full access to Maccabee Nation at www.maccabeenation.com/subscribe
-
Why Does Israel Suck at Hostage Negotiations?
Podcast Episode #3: Why does Israel suck at hostage negotiations? Get full access to Maccabee Nation at www.maccabeenation.com/subscribe
-
The Kids Aren't All Right: The Generational Divide on Israel
Episode 2: The Kids Aren't All Right Get full access to Maccabee Nation at www.maccabeenation.com/subscribe
-
What's Maccabee Nation All About?
Podcast Version of the first newsletter from Maccabee Nation. Get full access to Maccabee Nation at www.maccabeenation.com/subscribe
About this show
Maccabee Nation is an unapologetically Zionist community newsletter for diaspora Jews, Israelis, and our allies. We strive to secure a brighter future for each other and the next generation of young Jewish men and women by uniting and fighting back!
www.maccabeenation.com
Hosted by
Jason Crystal
Categories