Is Chabad the Future of American Judaism?

For original article see here: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902968Is Chabad becoming the future of American Judaism?In this episode of The Fifth Question, Rabbi Daniel Levine speaks with Jerusalem Post writer Lev Stesin about the decline of the traditional American Jewish establishment—and whether Chabad is positioned to fill the growing leadership vacuum.They explore why Chabad continues to expand while many Reform and Conservative institutions struggle, how October 7 transformed Jewish communal politics, and whether Chabad can remain politically neutral while confronting antisemitism and anti-Zionism.The conversation also examines Chabad’s complicated relationship with Zionism and Israel, its history of political activism in Russia and the Soviet Union, its success on college campuses, and the tensions between Orthodox theology and the lives of most American Jews.Finally, Daniel and Lev discuss the movement’s future without a living Rebbe, the controversy surrounding Chabad messianism, and whether an organization without centralized leadership can truly lead American Jewry.Can Chabad become the dominant institution of American Jewish life—or would gaining power fundamentally change what makes Chabad successful?Subscribe to The Fifth Question for thoughtful conversations about Judaism, Israel, Zionism, Jewish history, antisemitism, religion, and contemporary Jewish life.#Chabad #AmericanJudaism #AmericanJews #JewishIdentity #Judaism #Zionism #Israel #Antisemitism #LubavitcherRebbe #JewishPodcast