Claim OwnershipThe Jewish People's Podcast
Subscribed: 46Played: 1,772
Subscribe
© 2026 The Jewish People's Podcast
Description
The Jewish People's Podcast explores the most pressing issues facing the global Jewish community. Hosted by Yaakov Katz in conversation with leading experts, politicians and thought leaders, the podcast delves into topics such as Israel-Diaspora relations, religious and cultural identity, Israeli politics, and contemporary Jewish life. Each episode aims to inform and engage listeners through insightful discussions and in-depth analysis.
234 Episodes
Reverse
As the regional landscape continues to shift, our expert panel will provide critical insights into the military, political, and diplomatic dimensions of the war, as well as the broader implications for Israel’s security and international standing. The discussion will feature a distinguished group of JPPI experts and senior figures with decades of experience at the highest levels of government, intelligence, and media. Dennis Ross, Ambassador and co-chairman of JPPI’s Board of Directors, who ...
What have we really learned from Iran’s missile campaign? In this episode, missile expert Tal Inbar breaks down why cluster munitions are so difficult to intercept, how Israel’s air defense systems are performing under real wartime pressure, and what this all means for the future of Israeli strategy - including the growing case for a dedicated offensive missile corps.
As the war drags on, the big questions are only getting sharper: Is there a real strategy? What does victory actually look like? And how long can Israeli society sustain this? I’m joined by Shmuel Rosner and Gil Troy for a candid conversation about the gap between goals and reality, how this war might end, and the limits of national resilience.
What does “winning” a war with Iran actually mean? Dennis Ross breaks down the possible endgames - from nuclear concessions to control of the Strait of Hormuz - and what the conflict means for U.S. politics and regional normalization.
As Israel continues to fight a war on multiple fronts, a critical question is emerging at home: What kind of country is it becoming in the process? In this episode, Yaakov speaks with Prof. Dan Ben-David of the Shoresh Institute and Tel Aviv University about the government’s decision to allocate 5 billion shekels to the Haredi sector in the middle of the war — and what that reveals about Israel’s priorities.
As Israel fights a historic war with Iran, deeper questions are emerging about the country’s future. What kind of Israel will take shape after this conflict? What does the war reveal about Israel’s strengths and limits? And as the country moves toward another election cycle, how might the war reshape its politics and leadership? To unpack these questions, Yakkov is joined by Dr. Einat Wilf - former Knesset member, political thinker, and one of the most insightful voices in Israel’s strategic ...
On day 13 of the war with Iran, where does the campaign stand? Have Israel and the United States achieved their core objectives, and what still remains unresolved? Yaakov Katz is joined by JPPI senior fellows Shmuel Rosner and LTC (Ret.) Or Horvitz for a strategic look at the war so far, the pressure points ahead, and whether there is any risk of divergence between Jerusalem and the Trump administration as the conflict continues.
As the war continues to reshape the Middle East, a critical question remains: what happened to the 450 kg of highly enriched uranium Iran reportedly buried under Isfahan? To explore the strategic and technical realities of this challenge, Yaakov speaks with Avner Vilan, who spent two decades inside Israel’s intelligence and defense communities focused on disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He provides a rare, expert perspective on the resilience of the Iranian program and what its survival m...
Former IDF international spokesperson Lt. Col. (res.) Peter Lerner joins the podcast to discuss Israel’s wartime communication strategy. We discuss why Israel communicates differently than the US, how misinformation and AI videos shape coverage, and what questions the media should really be asking.
Gil Troy and Shmuel Rosner join Yaakov to discuss the latest developments in the war with Iran, the resilience of the Trump–Netanyahu relationship, and new polling on American Jewish support for the war - and what it could mean for Israel’s growing election debate.
Missiles are flying across the Middle East - and American defense systems are stopping many of them. But interceptors are limited. Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins Yaakov to examine whether the U.S. and its allies have enough missile defense capabilities to sustain a long war with Iran.
Hezbollah has joined the war, firing rockets into Israel and widening the conflict with Iran. On day three of the campaign, what are the objectives, what has been achieved, and how deep is US–Israel coordination? LTC (Ret.) Or Horvitz, a former senior intelligence officer, joins Yaakov to break it down.
Elliott Abrams joins the podcast to discuss the joint Israeli-American operation aimed at weakening the Iranian regime, degrading its military capabilities, and creating an opening for the Iranian people to seize the reins of power and topple the ayatollahs.
As tensions with Iran rise and the region watches Donald Trump’s next move, Israel faces a parallel crisis at home. The Haredi draft battle and the near-lynching of two female soldiers in Bnei Brak highlight growing internal strains. Yaakov Katz speaks with Shmuel Rosner and Shuki Friedman about how Israel confronts mounting pressure from Tehran while grappling with deep divisions within its own society.
On October 7, Noam Tibon drove into the Gaza border communities to rescue his son and family as the state faltered. Now, the former major general has entered politics with Yair Lapid. We discuss leadership failure, accountability, and why he believes Israel must change course from within the system.
Since October 7, Israeli politics has entered uncharted territory. Public trust, electoral dynamics, the future of the war, and the state of Israeli democracy are all in flux. Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin - political strategist, public opinion expert, and author of The Crooked Timber of Democracy in Israel - joins the podcast to unpack what Israelis really think, where the data is pointing, and what it all means for Israel’s political future.
As the US and Iran explore renewed talks, questions about diplomacy, pressure, and the possibility of real change are back on the table. In this episode, Yaakov speaks with Marjan Keypour Greenblatt, founder and director of the Alliance for Rights of All Minorities, about what negotiations mean beyond nuclear headlines – for Iran’s minorities, civil society, and those still fighting for basic freedoms. Is engagement a path to change, or another missed opportunity?
With the return of Ran Gvili, Israel closes its longest and most painful hostage chapter. In this episode, Yaakov talks to Gil Troy and Sara Hirschhorn about what this means for Israeli society, the country’s core ethos of never leaving anyone behind, and how the end of the hostage crisis paves the way for Phase 2 of the Trump plan for Gaza.
In Zaidy’s Band, Aron Heller retraces his grandfather Mickey’s hidden wartime past, uncovering the forgotten story of a Jewish Canadian band of brothers who fought Nazism and helped shape Israel. It’s a personal journey that reveals heroism, loss, and enduring questions of faith, identity, and sacrifice that still resonate today.
Samer Sinjaliwi, a Palestinian activist and former Fatah member, joins Yaakov to talk about post-Gaza planning, the new technocratic government led by Ali Shaath, and what it will actually take for Israelis and Palestinians to believe that peace is possible.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States