Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas

Boundless Israel, Inc.

When it comes to Israel, antisemitism, and American Jewry, the conversations are seemingly endless—there are so many perspectives and so many difficult questions that it can be hard to know where to start.

That’s why we created Boundless Insights—to bring you thoughtful, in-depth, and engaging discussions to help make sense of the issues.

Our goal is to become your trusted source for insights that are not just informative, but also empowering – giving you the confidence to start conversations of your own.

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173 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes173

Newest first

Wednesday · 23 min
Israel's Next Election – with Dr. Michael Oren
We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org Israel will head to the polls on October 27 in what promises to be one of the most consequential elections in its history. It will be the first Israeli government to complete a full term in more than five decades. Host Aviva Klompas is joined by former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Dr. Michael Oren to examine what this election is really about. While much of the international media will frame the vote as a referendum on Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israelis are weighing far broader questions about security, leadership, national priorities, and the country's future nearly three years after October 7. Together, they discuss how the war has reshaped Israeli politics, whether the government's wartime record will help or hurt Netanyahu at the ballot box, how Israelis are balancing military achievements with unresolved challenges, and what coalition scenarios are most likely to emerge after the vote. They also explore whether international opinion will influence Israeli voters and what this election could mean for Israel's direction in the years ahead. Guest Bio: Michael Oren served in the IDF as a Lone Soldier in the paratroopers. He was Israel’s ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013 and later served as a Member of Knesset and Deputy Minister of Diplomacy. He is the author of several New York Times bestsellers including Six Days of War, Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israel Divide, and Power, Faith, and Fantasy. Ambassador Oren published 2048: The Rejuvenated State in 2023 and is the founder of Israel Advocacy Group.
July 22 · 22 min
Mamdani Was Just the Beginning - with Brianna Wu
We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org The rise of democratic socialism is no longer confined to a handful of high-profile politicians. Across the country, insurgent candidates are defeating establishment Democrats, building sophisticated political organizations, and reshaping the future of the Democratic Party. Host Aviva Klompas is joined by political strategist and former congressional candidate Brianna Wu to examine what is driving this movement and why its influence extends far beyond a few headline-grabbing elections. They discuss the growing divide between traditional Democrats, progressives, and democratic socialists; why opposition to Israel has become a defining feature of the movement; the role of activist networks and political infrastructure; and what recent primary victories reveal about the Democratic Party's future. The conversation also explores the upcoming Michigan Senate race, the rise and fall of insurgent candidates like Graham Platner, and whether the party is undergoing a temporary shift or a more lasting political realignment. Guest Bio: Brianna Wu rose to national prominence during Gamergate, a flashpoint in the video game industry that pioneered many of the toxic tactics now common in online political discourse. She ran for Congress in 2018 as a progressive Democrat, but experienced a sharp break with her party following the October 7th Hamas attacks. Today, she is a prominent advocate for U.S./ Israel national security cooperation and a leading voice in the evolving debate over liberalism, extremism, and the future of the trans movement.
July 15 · 21 min
Is the US-Israel Relationship Salvageable? – with Dr. Michael Oren
We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel used a major speech in Israel to lay out what many see as the foreign policy vision of a potential 2028 presidential campaign and his message was blunt: the U.S.-Israel relationship is at a crossroads. In this episode, host Aviva Klompas is joined by Dr. Michael Oren to examine Emanuel's diagnosis of Israel's strategic position and the future of the alliance between Jerusalem and Washington. They discuss Emanuel's claim that Israel has become too reliant on military power and his argument that decades of unconditional American support enabled some of Israel's worst decisions. Guest Bio: Michael Oren served in the IDF as a Lone Soldier in the paratroopers. He was Israel’s ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013 and later served as a Member of Knesset and Deputy Minister of Diplomacy. He is the author of several New York Times bestsellers including Six Days of War, Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israel Divide, and Power, Faith, and Fantasy. Ambassador Oren published 2048: The Rejuvenated State in 2023 and is the founder of Israel Advocacy Group. Mentioned in This Episode: Rahm Emanuel’s Speech
July 8 · 22 min
Escalation with Iran – with Dan Shapiro
We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas. Just when it seemed the conflict between the United States and Iran might be settling into an uneasy stalemate, the region lurched back toward escalation. In this episode, host Aviva Klompas is joined by Ambassador Dan Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council, to make sense of a fast-moving and often contradictory situation. They discuss the latest military exchanges between the United States and Iran, the uncertain future of the MOU, the status of Iran's nuclear program, and whether diplomacy is gaining ground—or simply delaying another round of conflict. Guest Bio: Ambassador Daniel Shapiro is a distinguished fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative. He previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East from 2024 to 2025, Senior Adviser on Regional Integration in the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, and US Ambassador to Israel from 2011 to 2017.
July 1 · 22 min
When the Left Left the Jews - with Batya Ungar-Sargon
For generations, American Jews were among the Democratic Party's most loyal supporters, seeing liberal politics as a natural extension of Jewish values. Today, that relationship is under increasing strain. Host Aviva Klompas sits down with columnist, television host, and author Batya Ungar-Sargon to discuss her new book, The Jews and the Left. Together, they examine how a century-long political alliance evolved—and why so many Jews now feel politically and culturally homeless. They explore why Jews became Democrats in the first place, the ideological transformation of the modern Left, and how opposition to Israel became a defining issue within progressive politics. Batya explains why she believes October 7 exposed deep fault lines for many progressive Jews, addresses the debate over anti-Zionism and antisemitism, and discusses whether similar political shifts could emerge on the Republican right. Whether you agree with Batya's conclusions or not, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at one of the most consequential political and cultural questions facing American Jews today. Guest Bio Batya Ungar-Sargon is the host of Batya! on NewsNation, where she is a weekend anchor. She is a frequent contributor to the New Yok Post and a columnist for the Free Press. An Orthodox Jew, she earned her PhD in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
June 24 · 37 min
Suicidal Empathy – with Gad Saad
Empathy is usually considered one of humanity's greatest virtues. But what happens when empathy becomes untethered from reality? In this episode, host Aviva Klompas sits down with Dr. Gad Saad to discuss his new book, Suicidal Empathy. Drawing on evolutionary psychology, cultural analysis, and his own experiences growing up Jewish in Lebanon before fleeing civil war, Saad argues that many Western societies have become reluctant to judge ideas, behaviors, and ideologies on their merits—even when doing so undermines their own values and interests. The conversation explores why intelligent people often embrace narratives that conflict with observable reality, the role social media plays in spreading misinformation, and whether concepts like tolerance, compassion, and empathy can become self-destructive when taken to an extreme. Guest Bio: Dr. Gad Saad is an evolutionary behavioral scientist, professor, and bestselling author whose work explores the intersection of psychology, culture, and human behavior. A visiting scholar at the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), he pioneered the application of evolutionary psychology to consumer behavior and marketing. He is the author of several books, including The Parasitic Mind, The Saad Truth About Happiness, and his newest book, Suicidal Empathy. Through his writing, media appearances, and popular podcast The Saad Truth, he has become one of the most prominent public intellectuals examining the impact of ideology on modern society.
June 22 · 43 min
From Medieval Myths to Modern Jew-Hatred - with Flora Cassen
What does a 14th-century stained glass window in a Brussels cathedral have to do with a "Jew hunt" in the streets of Amsterdam in 2024 or the slogans appearing on American campuses after October 7? Professor Flora Cassen joins Dr. Rachel Fish to discuss her new book, Stained Glass: A Reflective History of Antisemitism, and to explore how antisemitism has taken shape across different places and historical periods. Drawing on both her scholarly work on European Jewish history and her personal experience, Cassen explains that contemporary antisemitism cannot be understood apart from the deep cultural layers it draws on, even when its newest expressions appear secular, political, or imported from elsewhere. The conversation examines how anti-Jewish ideas have been constructed, adapted, and sustained over time, from early religious frameworks to later economic, racial, and political forms. The discussion highlights the importance of approaching antisemitism with historical precision, avoiding overly simplistic narratives while still recognizing its persistence and adaptability. Further Reading: Stained Glass: A Reflective History of Antisemitism by Flora Cassen Guest Bio: Flora Cassen is the Lavine Family Director of the Brandeis Center for Jewish Studies and the Director of the Sarnat Center for the Study of Anti-Jewishness at Brandeis University. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute. Originally from Antwerp, Belgium, Cassen earned her B.A. in History and Law from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, her M.A. in Comparative History from Brandeis, and her PhD in Hebrew and Judaic Studies from New York University. She has published widely in both academic and public venues such as Haaretz, The Forward, Slate, Aeon, Sources, and Smithsonian Magazine.
June 17 · 24 min
Qatar Buys America – with Jonathan Schanzer
We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas. Qatar is one of the smallest countries in the world. Yet according to a new report from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, it has invested more than $400 billion in the United States over the past fifteen years. Where has that money gone? And what does Qatar hope to gain in return? In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about Qatar's vast footprint across American life—from universities and K-12 education to lobbying firms, think tanks, real estate, energy infrastructure, professional sports, and defense. They discuss why Qatar has spent so heavily cultivating influence in the United States, how it has positioned itself as an indispensable partner in Washington while simultaneously hosting Hamas leaders and supporting Islamist movements, and why so many American institutions have accepted Qatari funding with relatively little scrutiny. Guest Bio: Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is Executive Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he oversees the organization’s research and policy work. A former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury, Jonathan has tracked and disrupted funding networks for groups like Hamas and al-Qaeda. He’s authored several books on the Middle East, including Gaza Conflict 2021, State of Failure, and Hamas vs. Fatah. A frequent congressional witness and media commentator, his analysis appears regularly in major outlets including CNN, Fox News, and the BBC. Mentioned in this episode: Mapping Qatar’s $400 Billion Footprint in the United States The Ugly Game: The Corruption of FIFA and the Qatari Plot to Buy the World Cup by Heidi Blake
June 15 · 21 min
The Iran Deal – with Jonathan Schanzer
We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas. One year after the United States and Israel launched a war that devastated Iran's military leadership and nuclear infrastructure, Washington and Tehran say they have reached an agreement to formally end the conflict. But what exactly is in the deal? In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about the emerging agreement, what Iran may be gaining in return, and whether the war's original objectives have quietly been set aside. They discuss Iran's use of Hezbollah and the Strait of Hormuz as leverage, the effort to link the Lebanese front to the broader confrontation with Israel, and what the agreement could mean for the future of the region. Guest Bio: Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is Executive Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he oversees the organization’s research and policy work. A former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury, Jonathan has tracked and disrupted funding networks for groups like Hamas and al-Qaeda. He’s authored several books on the Middle East, including Gaza Conflict 2021, State of Failure, and Hamas vs. Fatah. A frequent congressional witness and media commentator, his analysis appears regularly in major outlets including CNN, Fox News, and the BBC.
June 8 · 21 min
Much Ado About Iran – with Andrew Fox
We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas. For weeks, President Trump has insisted that Washington and Tehran are on the verge of a deal. But events over the last 24 hours tell a different story. Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel. Israel struck targets inside Iran. The Houthis launched a missile from Yemen. And once again, the region finds itself balancing between diplomacy and escalation. In this episode, host Aviva Klompas is joined by Andrew Fox, a former British Army major and conflict researcher, to unpack the latest escalation and the strategic questions now facing Israel, Iran, and the United States. They discuss Iran's attempt to link the Hezbollah front in Lebanon to the broader confrontation with Israel, whether the latest exchange is likely to remain limited or expand into something larger, and what President Trump's diplomacy reveals about the current state of U.S.-Israel relations. The conversation also examines the future of negotiations with Iran, the role of Hezbollah and the Houthis, the difference between tactical and strategic success in warfare, and how military leaders balance battlefield gains against political and diplomatic realities. Guest Bio Andrew Fox is a frontline conflict researcher and former British Army officer who served for 16 years in the Parachute Regiment, reaching the rank of Major. He completed multiple deployments in Afghanistan—including alongside U.S. Army Special Forces—as well as tours in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, and the Middle East. A specialist in modern warfare, disinformation, and the Middle East, he previously taught War Studies and leadership at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and is currently pursuing a PhD focused on lessons from the October 7 attacks and the war in Ukraine. Andrew is a senior associate fellow at several international policy institutes and a frequent media commentator, appearing on outlets including Fox News, BBC Newsnight, Sky News, and i24. His reporting and analysis have taken him to the front lines in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine. He is also the author of a widely read Substack on conflict, security, and global affairs.
June 3 · 21 min
Israel’s Red Line – with Dr. Michael Oren
We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas. As the Trump administration weighs its next move on Iran, Israel faces a familiar but uncomfortable question: What happens if Washington reaches a deal that Jerusalem believes leaves the Iranian threat unresolved? In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Dr. Michael Oren about the lessons of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, how Israel should navigate disagreements with its closest ally, and whether the Jewish state is entering a new era of strategic self-reliance. They discuss President Trump's approach to Iran, the conditions under which a deal might be acceptable from Israel's perspective, and the continuing threat posed by Hezbollah. The conversation also explores whether Israel should seek new military capabilities that would allow it to act independently against future Iranian nuclear threats. Finally, they turn to a different but related concern: the resurgence of antisemitic tropes in mainstream discourse, the growing normalization of conspiracy theories involving Jews and Israel, and what these trends may mean for Jewish communities around the world. Guest Bio: Michael Oren served in the IDF as a Lone Soldier in the paratroopers. He was Israel’s ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013 and later served as a Member of Knesset and Deputy Minister of Diplomacy. He is the author of several New York Times bestsellers including Six Days of War, Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israel Divide, and Power, Faith, and Fantasy. Ambassador Oren published 2048: The Rejuvenated State in 2023 and is the founder of Israel Advocacy Group. More from Dr. Michael Oren A Time for Intimacy
May 27 · 42 min
Hope – with Rachel Goldberg-Polin
After fighting publicly for the return of her son Hersh from Gaza, Rachel Goldberg-Polin joins the podcast to reflect on grief, uncertainty, love, and the challenge of continuing to live after profound loss. Drawing from her new book When We See You Again, Rachel speaks with her characteristic honesty about the experience of mourning, the pressure people feel to “get better,” and why she believes grief is not something to overcome, but an expression of enduring love. She reflects on the stories and ideas that shape her thinking during Hersh’s captivity and wrestles openly with questions of destiny, suffering, faith, and purpose. The conversation also explores what Rachel learned while moving through rooms of power and influence during the global campaign to free the hostages, and why she ultimately came away with a more complicated understanding of how the world works. Finally, Rachel shares what she believes Hersh’s legacy asks of all of us: more humility, more listening, and a willingness to move away from extremism and back toward each other. Guest Bio: Rachel Goldberg-Polin, born and raised in Chicago, is an educator who lives in Jerusalem. She and her husband Jon are the parents of three children. Rachel is the author of When We See You Again, a portrait of pain and love in the wake of unthinkable tragedy.
May 20 · 56 min
Antisemitism Has a Big Future – with Hussein Abubakr Mansour
Hussain Abubakr Mansour joins Dr. Rachel Fish to examine antisemitism, antizionism, and the ideological currents shaping American public life after October 7. Mansour reflects on growing up in a society where Jews were largely absent but antisemitic ideas were culturally omnipresent, and how his study of Jewish history, Zionism, and Hebrew led him to radically different conclusions. The conversation explores how antisemitism became central to modern Arab political identity, the challenge of escaping inherited ideological frameworks, and why elite education has not protected societies from moral failure. Mansour also traces the role of universities, postcolonial theory, and progressive antizionism in making antisemitic narratives socially acceptable in contemporary America. The discussion turns to the danger antisemitism poses not only to Jews but also to American democracy and civil society. Mansour warns that Jew-hatred is a corrosive force that can devour institutions, distort reality, and empower the worst actors in society if left unchecked. Guest Bio: Hussein Aboubakr Mansour is a Fellow at JINSA’s Gemunder Center, where his work focuses on the intersection of Arab politics, Islamist movements, and regional security architecture. An expert in Arab political thought and shifts within Islamist movements, Mansour analyzes how structural evolution impacts U.S. strategic interests and security. His research provides critical insights into the post-Arab Spring ideological currents and the shifting geopolitical landscape of the Gulf. A widely published author and commentator, his strategic analysis has appeared in The Free Press, Commentary, Tablet, and the Athens Review of Books. Formerly an assistant professor at the Defense Language Institute, he is a recipient of the 2022 Per Ahlmark Award from UN Watch and the 2024 German Mercator Fellowship. More From this Guest: The Abrahamic Metacritic on Substack "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Feed the Jews to the Mob" by Hussein Abubakr Mansour “Antisemitism Has a Big Future” by Hussein Abubakr Mansour "There Is Actually No Solution" by Hussein Abubakr Mansour
May 13 · 25 min
Heroes And Symbols – with Matti Friedman
We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas. Hannah Senesh is one of the most iconic figures of Israel’s pre-state history - a young poet and parachutist whose story has become part of national memory. But who was she beyond the symbol, and what can her story still teach us today? Host Aviva Klompas speaks with Matti Friedman about his new book Out of the Sky, which revisits the story of Senesh and the Jewish parachutists who were sent behind enemy lines during World War II. Together, they explore the gap between the mythology and the lived reality of these young fighters, and what motivated them to act in a moment when the world largely stood by. The conversation examines how Jews have historically understood vulnerability, responsibility, and the limits of relying on others for protection. It also looks at the tension between individual lives and the national narratives that are later built around them. Along the way, they draw connections to the present: the persistence of old questions about identity and belonging, the limits of assimilation, and the ways Jewish history continues to echo in contemporary moments of crisis. Guest Bio: Matti Friedman is an award-winning author of five works of nonfiction, translated into more than a dozen languages. His newest book is Out of the Sky: Heroism and Rebirth in Nazi Europe, published in 2026. His previous books include Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai, a Vanity Fair best book of the year, Spies of No Country, which won the Natan Book Award, and Pumpkinflowers, a New York Times Notable Book. A former Associated Press correspondent, his reporting has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Smithsonian. He now writes from Jerusalem for The Free Press. Matti was born in Toronto and lives in Jerusalem with his family.
May 6 · 25 min
Gazology – with Matti Friedman
In the two and a half years since the Gaza war began, a new body of writing has taken hold, one that claims to explain not just the conflict, but the world itself. In this episode, host Aviva Klompas speaks with Matti Friedman about his essay Introduction to Gazology. He argues that this emerging genre isn’t really about Gaza as a place, but uses it as a framework to interpret global politics, morality, and power. They discuss why this narrative has gained traction after October 7, the central role of language—especially the use of “genocide”—and how key elements of the conflict are often left out. The conversation also explores how Gaza has become a lens for broader Western concerns, and what that reveals about the way the conflict is being understood. We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas. Mentioned in This Episode: Introduction to Gazology by Matti Friedman Guest Bio: Matti Friedman is an award-winning author of five works of nonfiction, translated into more than a dozen languages. His newest book is Out of the Sky: Heroism and Rebirth in Nazi Europe, published in 2026. His previous books include Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai, a Vanity Fair best book of the year, Spies of No Country, which won the Natan Book Award, and Pumpkinflowers, a New York Times Notable Book. A former Associated Press correspondent, his reporting has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Smithsonian. He now writes from Jerusalem for The Free Press. Matti was born in Toronto and lives in Jerusalem with his family.
April 30 · 21 min
Peace with Lebanon? – with Ambassador Yechiel Leiter
After months of tension along Israel’s northern border, a fragile ceasefire has opened the door to renewed diplomacy between Israel and Lebanon. But with Hezbollah rejecting the agreement and the Lebanese government constrained in its ability to act, the path forward is anything but clear. Aviva Klompas speaks with Ambassador Yechiel Leiter about the latest round of U.S.-brokered talks in Washington and what they are actually trying to achieve. They discuss whether talk of peace is realistic, how Israel defines success in Lebanon, and the challenge of negotiating stability with a state that does not fully control the armed group operating within its borders. The conversation also explores the role of the United States in shaping the ceasefire, the skepticism within Israel about whether the campaign ended too soon, and the broader regional dynamics—including Iran—that continue to influence the situation. We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas. Guest Bio: Dr. Yechiel (Michael) Leiter was appointed Israel’s Ambassador to the United States in January 2025. A longtime public servant, he has served as adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Chief of Staff to then-Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and held senior roles in the Ministries of Education and Transportation. He holds a PhD in political philosophy and is the author of a Cambridge University Press book on John Locke and the Hebrew Bible. Ambassador Leiter is a father of eight. His eldest son, Maj. Moshe Yedidya Leiter—a doctor, special ops commander, and father of six—was killed in Gaza in November 2023.
April 27 · 24 min
Lighten Up – with Michael Rapaport
After weeks of heavy headlines - from multiple conflicts to rising antisemitism and political tension - we’re switching things up. Host Aviva Klompas is joined by actor and comedian Michael Rapaport to talk about everything from Jewish holidays to pop culture, life hacks, random obsessions, the unexpected things bringing joy right now, and the kind of advice that sticks. They also check in on Rapaport’s campaign to be New York City’s next mayor – if you have ideas for slogans, theme music, email us at podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.
April 22 · 26 min
The State of the State at 78 – with Dr. Einat Wilf
We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas. On Israel’s 78th Independence Day, we reflect on what the Jewish state means today, and why it still matters. Aviva Klompas sits down with Dr. Einat Wilf to explore the enduring idea of Zionism - how it is being challenged, misunderstood, and defended in a rapidly shifting global conversation. They discuss Israel’s central role in Jewish life, the widening gap between Israel’s reality and how it is perceived in the West, and why that gap has grown so stark. The conversation also examines how language is shaping the debate around Israel, and what it takes to engage in a world where facts alone are often not enough. Against the backdrop of war and internal strain, they reflect on what this period has revealed about the resilience of Israeli society and the Jewish people more broadly. Looking ahead, Aviva and Einat consider what a confident, modern Zionism might look like and what it will take to sustain and strengthen the Jewish state in the decades to come. Guest Bio Dr. Einat Wilf is a leading thinker on Israel, Zionism, foreign policy and education. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010 to 2013, where she served as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Born and raised in Israel, Dr. Wilf served as an Intelligence Officer in the Israel Defense Forces, Foreign Policy Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and a strategic consultant with McKinsey & Company. Dr. Wilf has a BA from Harvard, an MBA from INSEAD in France, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cambridge. She was the Goldman Visiting Professor at Georgetown University. Dr. Wilf is the author of seven books that explore key issues in Israeli society. “We Should All Be Zionists“, published in 2022, brings together her essays from the past four years on Israel, Zionism and the path to peace; the co-authored “The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace”, was published in 2020
April 20 · 34 min
Remembering Daniel – with Rabbi Doron Perez
As Israel marks Yom HaZikaron - the country’s day of remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terror - this year carries added weight, unfolding in the shadow of an ongoing war and fresh loss still felt across the country. In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Rabbi Doron Perez, whose son, Captain Daniel Perez, was killed on October 7 while defending Israel’s border. Taken hostage after his tank was overrun, Daniel’s remains were returned months later as part of a ceasefire agreement. Rabbi Perez reflects on who Daniel was, how his family carries his memory, and what it means to live with grief that is both deeply personal and shared so publicly. The conversation explores faith, loss, and the challenge of holding onto purpose in the aftermath of tragedy. They also discuss the broader moment Israel is facing - how a society processes ongoing loss, the responsibility to rebuild, and the question of what remembrance asks of those who are still here. Guest Bio: Rabbi Doron Perez is the Executive Chairman of the Mizrachi World Movement and President of the World Zionist Organization. Since 2014, he has led a major transformation of World Mizrachi, expanding its educational and communal work across more than 30 countries. He previously served for 15 years as a senior rabbinic leader in South Africa. Rabbi Perez is an ordained rabbi with advanced degrees in Jewish education and Jewish history, and the author of Leading the Way and The Jewish State: From Opposition to Opportunity. He lives in Yad Binyamin with his wife, Shelley. They have four children. Their second son, Captain Daniel Perez was killed in action on October 7th. His body was held in Gaza for two years before being returned to Israel for burial. More from this guest: The Jewish State from Opposition to Opportunity: A Vision for Unity in Israel and why the World Needs it by Rabbi Doron Perez
April 16 · 26 min
A War Without a Winner? – with Jonathan Schanzer
We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas. After the collapse of U.S.–Iran talks, Washington has turned to a new approach - imposing a naval blockade aimed at cutting off Iran’s ability to leverage the Strait of Hormuz. The goal is to apply economic pressure without escalating into a broader military campaign. But whether that pressure changes Tehran’s behavior remains an open question. In this episode, host Aviva Klompas speaks with Jonathan Schanzer about how Iran may respond and what this shift means for the trajectory of the conflict. They explore whether Iran still holds an advantage at the negotiating table, how its strategy may be evolving under pressure, and whether its traditional playbook of delay and deflection is still effective. Guest Bio: Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is Executive Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he oversees the organization’s research and policy work. A former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury, Jonathan has tracked and disrupted funding networks for groups like Hamas and al-Qaeda. He’s authored several books on the Middle East, including Gaza Conflict 2021, State of Failure, and Hamas vs. Fatah. A frequent congressional witness and media commentator, his analysis appears regularly in major outlets including CNN, Fox News, and the BBC.