Claim OwnershipThe Jewish People's Podcast
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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.
213 Episodes
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Iran is boiling, Maduro has fallen, and Washington suddenly looks willing to move decisively again. Elliott Abrams, who ran U.S. policy on both Iran and Venezuela in Trump’s first term, explains what’s happening behind the scenes, what Trump’s options really are, and how these crises could reshape the global order.
Three weeks after the Bondi Beach attack, Yaakov speaks with Arsen Ostrovsky - not as an analyst, but as a survivor. Shot during the attack, Arsen recounts the moments after he was hit and reflects on what Bondi means for Jewish security in the Diaspora, and for the failure of governments to confront antisemitism before it turns deadly. This is a conversation we cannot allow to be forgotten.
As the year ends, Israel remains caught between war and uncertainty. With fighting still ongoing and the return of living hostages only weeks behind us, Yaakov sits down with Prof. Yedidia Stern for a hard look at what was achieved, what remains unresolved, and what the coming year may hold – elections, continued conflict, or real change.
In this episode, Yaakov speaks with Mitchell A. Silk, the first Hasidic Jew to serve in a Senate-confirmed U.S. government role and a key architect of Trump-era global economic policy. They discuss his new book A Seat at the Table, his work on the U.S.–China trade deal, the $94B airline rescue during COVID, and how faith, diplomacy, and duty shaped his journey through some of the most consequential economic decisions of our time.
A terror attack at Bondi Beach shattered the belief that Australian Jews were safe. In this Hanukkah episode, Yaakov speaks with Yair Miller, CEO of Keren Hayesod-UIA Australia, about a government that ignored antisemitism, turned on Israel, and left its Jewish community exposed.
As President Herzog weighs whether to pardon Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel stands at a juncture between justice and stability. Shmuel Rosner and Gil Troy join Yaakov to explore why the question matters to Washington, President Trump’s role in the debate, and what a pardon could mean for Israel’s democracy and political future.
A personal and unflinching conversation with Gaza-born analyst Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib on war, governance, disarmament, and whether a real path to peace still exists.
A year into the ceasefire on Israel’s northern border, tensions with Hezbollah have intensified. This week’s elimination of a top commander, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, marks a new and dangerous chapter. Former intelligence officer and Alma founder Sarit Zehavi joins Yaakov to break down the escalation and what might come next.
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch joins Yaakov for a clear-eyed look at what Mamdani’s win signals for liberal Judaism, the surge of anti-Zionism on the left, and the urgent need for clear Jewish leadership.
Rabbi David Eliezrie joins Yaakov to discuss his new book on Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn — the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe — whose courage and leadership under Stalin’s persecution laid the foundation for Chabad’s global revival. Together, they explore how his defiance in Soviet Russia shaped the movement that would later transform world Jewry.
Yaakov speaks with Aaron Magid, author of The Most American King, about how King Abdullah balances cooperation with Israel and pressure from his own street. The real politics behind the cold peace.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel & Atlantic Council Fellow Dan Shapiro joins Yaakov to discuss the fragile Gaza ceasefire, what a real “phase two” could mean for Israel and the region, and whether the path to normalization - with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and others - can be revived.
Evangelical support for Israel is fading among younger generations. Yaakov Katz speaks with Bishop Robert Stearns about why it’s happening and how to rebuild this vital bond.
Peace activist and negotiator Gershon Baskin joins Yaakov to talk about the dramatic hostage release, the behind-the-scenes diplomacy that made it possible, and what comes next for Israel and Gaza.
When Israel’s north emptied after October 8, Nissan Zeevi of Kfar Giladi stayed behind. Now he’s leading a movement to bring families and life back to the border. A story of fear, resilience, and the fight to rebuild the Galilee.
Tomorrow, 20 hostages are set to return home – a moment that marks the end of the war and the start of a new chapter of uncertainty. Shmuel Rosner and Gil Troy talk about what comes next: the Egypt summit, Trump’s visit to Israel, the political fallout for Netanyahu, and Israel’s search for direction in the post-war reality.
This week Dennis Ross joins Yaakov Katz for all the latest developments coming out of Israel and Washington. We also break down the Trump proposal and whether or not it will be successful.
At a time when Israel is torn over Haredi draft exemptions, Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Naiman chose a different path: he enlisted in the IDF. He joins Yaakov to discuss faith, responsibility, and why serving is not just a duty but a statement about the future of Israeli society.
Jews in Israel face physical attack, Jews in the Diaspora face metaphysical attack – but it’s the same war. Yaakov speaks with Amb. Marina Rosenberg of ADL about a new survey showing most Jewish students hide their identity, and what Israel must do to support Jewish life worldwide, from Vienna to Chile.
In today’s episode, Yaakov Katz speaks with Col. (Ret.) David Hacham, a former IDF intelligence officer who spent years in Gaza and took part in the Oslo process. They discuss Hamas, Arafat, and how it all connects to Yaakov’s new book, While Israel Slept.
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