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by Daniel Levine
My name is Daniel Levine and I am a Rabbi and Jewish History Lecturer at UC Irvine! I have conversations about the most pressing issues facing the Jewish community with professors, Rabbis, and politicians with a wide range of views.Hope you enjoy :)
Latest Episodes
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- 4 days ago42 min
Woke Antisemitism w/ David Bernstein
What happens when liberalism, identity politics, antisemitism, and Zionism collide in 21st-century America?In this episode of the Fifth Question with Daniel, Rabbi Daniel Levine sits down with author and public intellectual David Bernstein to discuss the rise of woke antisemitism, the transformation of American universities, the future of liberal democracy, and the growing challenges facing both American Jewry and Israel.Bernstein explains how intersectionality, critical social theories, and oppressed-oppressor frameworks reshaped campus culture long before October 7, 2023. Together, they explore the relationship between antisemitism on the left and right, the role of higher education, the crisis facing Jewish institutions, and why liberal values remain essential for the future of both America and Israel.Topics include:Woke antisemitism and anti-ZionismOctober 7 and its impact on American JewsIntersectionality and campus activismUniversities, DEI, and ideological captureLiberalism vs. progressivismZionism and Jewish political thoughtIsrael's democratic challengesJewish organizations and advocacyThe future of American democracyAntisemitism in higher educationIf you care about Jewish life, Israel, free speech, higher education, democracy, and the future of liberal values, this conversation is essential listening.#DavidBernstein #WokeAntisemitism #israel #zionisme #Antisemitism #jewishhistory #jewishthought #CampusAntisemitism #highereducation #freespeech #liberalism #october7th #jewishpodcast #middleeast #democracy #jewishcommunity #Intersectionality #dei #Politics
- 1 weeks ago45 min
A New Method of Israel Engagement
Israel engagement is changing—and perhaps the old playbook no longer works.In this episode of the Fifth Question Podcast, Rabbi Daniel Levine sits down with Yoni Heilman, CEO of TAMID Group, to discuss a new model for connecting young people to Israel through entrepreneurship, business, innovation, and real-world relationships rather than traditional advocacy.They explore why many college students are disengaging from conventional Israel education, how TAMID has built one of the most successful Israel engagement movements on North American campuses, and what lessons the Jewish community can learn from shifting generational attitudes toward identity, politics, and affiliation.The conversation then turns to Yoni’s personal experience as an Israeli reservist following October 7, serving months in and around Gaza and later in Lebanon. Together they discuss the growing divide between American and Israeli Jewish experiences, the psychological impact of war, antisemitism in the United States, the meaning of Jewish agency, and the ongoing debate surrounding Haredi military service in Israel.Topics include:• Israel engagement and Jewish identity• TAMID Group and Israel’s startup ecosystem• College campuses after October 7• Jewish students and Israel education• BDS and anti-Israel activism• The Abraham Accords• Israel-Diaspora relations• Life as an Israeli reservist• Gaza War and Lebanon front• Antisemitism in America• American vs Israeli Jewish perspectives• Haredi draft controversy• Israeli politics and social cohesion• Zionism, Jewish peoplehood, and the future of IsraelIf you enjoyed this conversation, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to support more long-form discussions on Israel, Jewish history, antisemitism, politics, religion, and contemporary issues facing the Jewish world.#israel #zionisme #jewishhistory #jewishidentity #IsraelEngagement #TAMID #collegecampus #Antisemitism #October7 #IsraelPolitics #MiddleEast #DiasporaJews #jewishpodcast #RabbiDanielLevine #YoniHeilman #idf #IsraelEducation #abrahamaccords #jewishcommunity #jewishthought
- 1 weeks ago48 min
Jewish Absurdism w/ Josh Bolton
What happens when Judaism meets absurdism, poetry, pluralism, and the crisis of modern identity?In this fascinating conversation, Rabbi Daniel Levine sits down with Rabbi Joshua Bolton—author of Jewish Futurisms, poet, educator, and Executive Director of Brown RISD Hillel—to explore some of the biggest questions facing Jewish life today.From humor in the Talmud to the limits of pluralism, from Jewish spirituality after modernity to the challenges of campus leadership in the post–October 7 world, this discussion dives deep into the tension between certainty and ambiguity, conviction and openness, tradition and creativity.Rabbi Bolton reflects on why he wrote Jewish Futurisms, a genre-defying collection of Jewish poetry, lists, satire, and cultural commentary, and explains how absurdism can become a pathway to spirituality. Together, Daniel and Josh discuss Jewish identity, Reconstructionist Judaism, campus activism, Israel, American Jewish culture, social media polarization, and the future of Jewish thought. Topics include:• Jewish Futurisms and Jewish absurdism• Humor, satire, and spirituality in Judaism• The role of pluralism in Jewish communities• Campus Jewish life after October 7• Brown University and contemporary Jewish leadership• The limits of ideology and political certainty• American Judaism vs. Israeli Judaism• Jewish identity in a secular age• Reconstructionist Judaism and Mordecai Kaplan• The future of Jewish culture and communityWhether you're interested in Jewish philosophy, Israel, Jewish history, religion, politics, campus life, or contemporary culture, this conversation offers a thoughtful and provocative exploration of what it means to be Jewish in the 21st century.Subscribe for more conversations on Jewish history, Zionism, Israel, religion, philosophy, antisemitism, higher education, and contemporary Jewish life.#israel #Judaism #rabbi #jewishhistory #zionism #jewishidentity #RabbiJoshuaBolton #JewishFuturisms #pluralism #jewishphilosophy #CampusAntisemitism #brownuniversity #jewishculture #religion #jewishthought#pluralism
- 2 weeks ago42 min
Meet the Pro-Israel Muslim Calling for Islamic Reformation and Running for Congress
Islam, Zionism, and the Future of the West | Dr. Zuhdi Jasser on Reform, Radicalism & AmericaWhat happens when a proud Muslim, U.S. Navy veteran, outspoken Zionist, and congressional candidate takes on political Islam head-on?In this explosive episode, Dr. Zuhdi Jasser joins the podcast for one of the most important conversations on Islam, reform, antisemitism, liberalism, and the future of the West. From the failures of the post-9/11 Muslim establishment to the ideological roots of Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and anti-Zionism, Dr. Jasser argues that the real battle of the 21st century is not military — it is ideological.We discuss:Why Islam needs a reformation movementThe difference between Islam and IslamismWhether “Islamophobia” is being weaponized to silence criticismWhy antisemitism thrives in parts of the Muslim worldIsrael’s role in the Middle East and the Abraham AccordsIdentity politics, DEI, and the radicalization of the WestReform Judaism and parallels to Islamic reformSyria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the future of liberalismWhy Dr. Jasser believes America is worth defending above all elseThis is a wide-ranging and deeply philosophical discussion about faith, freedom, nationalism, democracy, and modernity.👇 COMMENT BELOW:Can Islam undergo a genuine reformation in the 21st century?📌 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE if you enjoy long-form conversations on politics, religion, Zionism, history, and philosophy.#islam #israel #zionisme #middleeast #hamas #Antisemitism #Politics #liberalism #MuslimReform #DrZuhdiJasser #judaism #history #politicalislam #middleeastpolitics #freespeech #reformation #america #congress #islamism TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction01:00 Reforming Islam after 9/1104:25 Political Islam vs Western liberalism05:40 Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry09:30 Identity politics and the Muslim world13:10 Shame, honor, and anti-Zionism17:40 Antisemitism in Islamic theology21:00 October 7 and radicalization in the West25:00 Reform Judaism and Islamic reform movements30:30 Saudi Arabia, the Abraham Accords, and modernization33:00 Debates inside the Muslim community37:30 Syria, Israel, and regional politics40:00 Why Dr. Jasser is running for Congress🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on Jewish history, Zionism, philosophy, politics, religion, and contemporary issues.
- 3 weeks ago16 min
Judaism is NOT a religion
Is Judaism a Religion? The Misunderstood History of Jewish Identity | Zionism, Nationhood & the EnlightenmentIn this episode of The Fifth Question Podcast, we tackle one of the most common misunderstandings in modern discourse: the idea that Judaism is “just a religion.” From the ancient tribe of Judah to the Enlightenment, Reform Judaism, nationalism, and modern Zionism, this episode explores why Jewish identity has historically functioned as far more than a confessional faith.We examine the Talmudic understanding of Jewish peoplehood, the emergence of “religion” as a modern category, the impact of European liberalism and Protestantism on Jewish self-definition, and why debates over Zionism and antisemitism often collapse because of category errors about what Jews actually are.This episode discusses:Why Judaism historically functioned as a peoplehood or nationThe origin of the term “Jew” and the tribe of JudahThe Talmudic principle that “a Jew, even if he sins, remains Jewish”Why conversion out of Judaism historically did not erase Jewish identityThe Enlightenment, liberalism, and the invention of “religion”Moses Mendelssohn, Reform Judaism, and the Pittsburgh PlatformKant and the “nation within a nation” argumentZionism as a response to modern nationalismWhy Jewish identity does not fit neatly into Western religious categoriesThe relationship between anti-Zionism, antisemitism, and Jewish peoplehoodIf you enjoy long-form conversations on Jewish history, Zionism, philosophy, religion, nationalism, political theory, and intellectual history, make sure to like, subscribe, and share.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Introduction: Is Judaism a Religion?01:25 – The Tribe of Judah and Ancient Jewish Identity02:37 – The Talmud on Jewish Identity and Conversion03:46 – Medieval Europe, Forced Conversion, and Rashi05:21 – Why “Religion” Is a Modern Concept06:14 – Protestantism vs Judaism07:23 – Dogma, Heresy, and Jewish Debate08:29 – Why the West Misunderstands Judaism09:29 – Liberalism, Nationalism, and the Jewish Question10:26 – Am Yisrael: Jews as a Nation11:16 – Moses Mendelssohn and Reform Judaism12:10 – The Pittsburgh Platform and Religious Judaism13:34 – The PLO’s Rabbi and Anti-Zionist Arguments14:04 – Zionism and Jewish Peoplehood15:15 – Why Calling Judaism “Just a Religion” Is Misleading16:03 – Eurocentrism, Colonialism, and Jewish Identity#judaism #zionisme #jewishhistory #israel #Antisemitism #jewishidentity #religion #JewishPeoplehood #middleeast #talmud #MosesMendelssohn #reformjudaism #jewishphilosophy #HistoryPodcast #politicalphilosophy #TheFifthQuestion #israelpalestine #JewishNation #nationalism #jewishthought Jewish History, Politics, Israel, Antisemitism, and Zionism - I cover it all.Politics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6QupJZ1HLY&list=PLQ3aQmFcYiCqqL-GSNw6NhSZWOvzaDdIKJewish History: https://youtu.be/1u4jHoZ8stM?si=0jZP4uhXlVEg2NOTAntisemitism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCgnEZ1d24Q&list=PLQ3aQmFcYiCqkU_aPIJGbE1xTKEbkh8euFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.levine.31/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbidaniellevine/#Israel #Rabbi #Jewish #WhatisZionism #DoJews?
- May 14, 202643 min
Do Jews Need to Vote Republican Now? w/ Jay Feely
🚨 Congress's Most Competitive Race? Jay Feely on Trump, Israel, the GOP Divide & Why He’s Running for Congress | Fifth Question PodcastFormer NFL kicker and CBS broadcaster Jay Feely joins Rabbi Daniel on The Fifth Question Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, faith, Israel, the future of the Republican Party, and the upcoming battle for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.From the 2020 election and October 7th to immigration, antisemitism, Christian support for Israel, and the future of American conservatism, this episode dives deep into the ideological crossroads facing both Jews and America today.Feely discusses his transition from the NFL to politics, his Christian faith, visiting Israel and Auschwitz, the rise of populism on the right and left, economic opportunity, border security, and what he believes America must do to preserve liberty and democratic values.The conversation also explores the growing political realignment among American Jews after October 7th, the internal fractures within both major political parties, and the future of U.S.–Israel relations heading into 2028 and beyond.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Introduction: Politics, Jews, and the 2028 crossroads03:08 – Why Jay Feely is running for Congress in Arizona04:36 – From NFL kicker to politics: Jay Feely’s journey07:33 – Politics inside NFL locker rooms09:48 – Faith, Christianity, and support for Israel12:08 – Visiting Israel, Gaza border communities, and Auschwitz15:27 – The Republican divide over Israel: Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens & the right-wing schism19:35 – Why many Jews feel politically homeless after October 7th20:30 – Trump, liberalism, immigration, and Jewish political identity21:12 – Democrats moving left after 202422:06 – Obama vs Trump immigration policies23:25 – Iran, China, and Middle East strategy25:50 – What Congressman Jay Feely’s priorities would be26:32 – Border security, DHS, and immigration27:23 – Electoral College, Supreme Court, and constitutional debates28:26 – Housing affordability and the American economy29:10 – Fraud, government spending, and bipartisan accountability30:48 – Populism, grievance politics, and the future of conservatism31:27 – America’s debt crisis and tariffs33:31 – Young men, economic anxiety, and personal responsibility35:20 – Capitalism, opportunity, and the American Dream35:48 – Jay Feely’s Haiti story and changing a life through opportunity38:37 – Arizona Cardinals, Carson Palmer, Tom Brady & NFL leadership42:00 – Final thoughts on Israel, democracy, and the future of America🔥 Topics Covered:• Jay Feely Congress campaign• Arizona 1st Congressional District• Trump and the 2020 election• Israel and October 7th• Antisemitism in America• Republican Party future• Jewish voters and politics• Immigration and border security• NFL players in politics• Christian Zionism• Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens• Iran and China strategy• American conservatism• Populism and political polarization• Capitalism and the American Dream• Arizona politics 2026• U.S.–Israel relations• Jewish political realignment• Trump vs Democrats debate• Fifth Question Podcast👍 Like, Comment & Subscribe for more long-form conversations on politics, Judaism, philosophy, Israel, culture, and the biggest issues shaping the modern world.#JayFeely #israel #trump #politics #republican #democrat #arizonapolitics #nfl #congress #JewishPolitics #Antisemitism #middleeast #podcast #FifthQuestion #uspolitics #ChristianZionism #october7th #immigration #conservatisme #politicaldebate
- May 8, 202642 min
Are Jews Indigenous to Israel? Anthropology, Zionism & the Battle Over Identity |Prof. Nehemia Stern
What does it actually mean to be indigenous—and do Jews fit that definition?In this episode of The Fifth Question Podcast, Rabbi Daniel Levine sits down with Professor Nehemia Stern (Ariel University) to unpack one of the most controversial and intellectually charged debates in modern academia: Jewish indigeneity, Zionism, and the limits of Western categories like “indigenous,” “race,” and “nation.”The conversation begins with a behind-the-scenes look at the book Settler Indigeneity in the West Bank—and why Stern’s essay was excluded. From there, it evolves into a deep, nuanced discussion about anthropology’s struggle to define Jewish identity, the tension between secular and religious frameworks, and how different schools of religious Zionist thought interpret the Bible to construct meaning, belonging, and political reality.This episode challenges conventional narratives and offers a new lens: What if Jewish connection to the land isn’t just geographic—but textual, spiritual, and interpretive?If you're interested in Israel, Zionism, Jewish thought, anthropology, or biblical interpretation—this is a must-watch.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 – Introduction & the controversy behind the book Settler Indigeneity in the West Bank1:40 – Why Professor Stern’s essay was rejected3:30 – The debate: Are Jews indigenous to Israel?5:00 – Anthropology’s “Jewish problem” explained7:00 – Why Jews don’t fit Western identity categories9:00 – Biblical vs. secular arguments for indigeneity11:30 – Palestinians, Canaanites, and competing historical claims13:00 – Jews as a “hapax legomenon” (a unique people)15:00 – Zionism, identity, and shifting Western narratives17:00 – The dangers of forcing Jewish identity into modern frameworksPart II: Religious Zionism & Biblical Interpretation19:30 – Transition to Stern’s unpublished article21:00 – A new idea: “textual indigeneity”22:00 – Two schools of religious Zionist thought22:30 – Eye-level (human, rational) biblical interpretation24:00 – How Zionism reshapes reading the Bible28:00 – Relationship to modern academic biblical scholarship30:00 – Heaven-level (transcendent, mystical) interpretation31:30 – Why spirituality resists academic analysis32:00 – How these approaches shape political viewsPart III: Politics, Identity & Meaning36:00 – Can biblical interpretation predict political ideology?38:00 – Religious vs. secular Zionism and Tanakh40:00 – Israeli identity and connection through language & text41:00 – Why Jewish indigeneity may be deeper than modern definitions42:00 – Final reflectionsKeywords:Jewish indigeneity, are Jews indigenous to Israel, Zionism explained, religious Zionism, West Bank settlers, Israeli identity, anthropology of Judaism, Tanakh interpretation, Israel Palestine debate, Jewish identity, modern Zionism, biblical interpretation
- Apr 30, 202648 min
Are Palestinian Flags (or Kippot) Illegal in Israel? w/ Alex Sinclair
What happens when free speech, identity, and politics collide in Israel?In this powerful and nuanced conversation, we unpack the viral story of a man detained by Israeli police for wearing a kippah featuring both the Israeli and Palestinian flags. What began as a personal expression of coexistence quickly became a global debate about civil liberties, Zionism, antisemitism, and the limits of free speech.We explore:Is displaying a Palestinian flag illegal in Israel?Where does free speech end and “incitement” begin?The deeper political and cultural shifts shaping Israeli societyThe tension between liberal democracy and Jewish identityHow this debate mirrors what’s happening on American college campusesCan coexistence still be a meaningful idea—or has polarization gone too far?This episode dives beyond headlines into the philosophical, political, and human questions at the center of one of the most complex conflicts in the world today.00:00 – Viral story: Why everyone is talking about this kippah00:46 – What actually happened: police detainment in Israel02:41 – The moment that went viral: cutting the kippah03:12 – Free speech vs government control04:32 – Is the Palestinian flag illegal in Israel?06:20 – Slippery slope: what gets banned next?07:48 – What counts as “incitement”?09:04 – Liberalism in crisis? (Leo Strauss discussion)10:17 – “Is this fascism?” – drawing the line11:17 – Why the Palestinian flag is so emotionally charged12:31 – The meaning behind wearing both flags14:24 – Before vs after October 7: did anything change?16:03 – Why he stopped wearing it—and why he started again17:20 – Where he won’t wear the kippah (airports, hospitals)19:42 – The bigger political shift inside Israel22:22 – “A struggle for the soul of Israel”25:27 – Why Jewish communities are deeply divided26:18 – Reactions from Palestinian Israelis27:00 – Emotional encounters that changed everything29:49 – Transition to American campus dynamics30:22 – Will this story be used against Israel?32:19 – Can two flags be a “litmus test” for coexistence?33:06 – What would happen on college campuses?35:03 – Then vs now: has campus discourse changed?38:31 – Could this work inside anti-Israel encampments?40:41 – Is dialogue still possible?42:18 – “The trash compactor” metaphor (pressure from both sides)44:59 – Personal reflections after October 747:02 – Book plug + final thoughts48:08 – Why this conversation matters📌 Whether you're interested in Israel, Zionism, campus politics, or free speech debates—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.Alex Sinclair's two novels, Perfect Enemy and Everybody's Hero, are both fun, quick-read thrillers that are set in Israel and raise all kinds of questions about Israeli society and politics. More details at alexjsinclair.com/perfectenemy and alexjsinclair.com/everybodyshero.#palestine #israel #freespeech #idf Jewish History, Politics, Israel, Antisemitism, and Zionism - I cover it all.Politics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6QupJZ1HLY&list=PLQ3aQmFcYiCqqL-GSNw6NhSZWOvzaDdIKJewish History: https://youtu.be/1u4jHoZ8stM?si=0jZP4uhXlVEg2NOTAntisemitism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCgnEZ1d24Q&list=PLQ3aQmFcYiCqkU_aPIJGbE1xTKEbkh8euFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.levine.31/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbidaniellevine/#Israel #Rabbi #Jewish #WhatisZionism #DoJews?
About The Fifth Question
My name is Daniel Levine and I am a Rabbi and Jewish History Lecturer at UC Irvine! I have conversations about the most pressing issues facing the Jewish community with professors, Rabbis, and politicians with a wide range of views.Hope you enjoy :)
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