In These Times with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch

Stephen Wise Free Synagogue

Every other week, Rabbi Ammi Hirsch hosts intellectually honest conversations unpacking current events through the lens of Jewish wisdom and values. Unbound by politics and untethered by party lines, Ammi and his distinguished guests discuss everything from foreign affairs and antisemitism to politics and pop culture. This show is recorded from New York’s Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, a historic Reform congregation deeply rooted in liberalism, support for Israel and social justice.

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20 episodes
Updated June 18

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Episodes20

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June 18 · 53 min
Franklin Foer
The Atlantic's Franklin Foer traces how Jews moved from the margins to the heart of American life before the sun started to set on that "Golden Age." He argues that the decline has serious implications for Jewish security, American democracy and Israel's standing — and that the way forward is through continued engagement. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
June 4 · 38 min
Re-CHARGING Reform Judaism: Clarity, Courage, and Moral Leadership
In this special episode, Rabbi Ammi Hirsch delivers his keynote address from the third Re-CHARGING Reform Judaism conference, a gathering of more than 350 Reform rabbis and Jewish leaders at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue. Addressing what he sees as a crisis of Jewish peoplehood, Zionism and moral confidence within liberal Jewish life, Hirsch argues that the future of Reform Judaism depends on renewed commitment to the Jewish people, Israel, and the values that have long defined the movement. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
May 21 · 57 min
Yardena Schwartz
In "Ghosts of a Holy War," award-winning journalist Yardena Schwartz traces the roots of today’s Israeli-Palestinian conflict back to the 1929 Hebron massacre — a moment that still echoes across Israel and the Middle East nearly a century later. She explores how disinformation, religious incitement and media narratives shaped the conflict then — and continue to shape it in the aftermath of October 7. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
May 7 · 49 min
Adam Louis-Klein
Writer and anthropologist Adam Louis-Klein argues that antizionism is not simply a continuation of the “classical” antisemitism of the past, but a new framework for anti-Jewish hatred. Drawing on his experiences in elite academic spaces and fieldwork with indigenous communities in the Amazon, Louis-Klein explores how ideas about colonialism, identity, and power have been weaponized to reshape how many young Americans understand Israel and the Jewish people. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
April 3 · 47 min
Zibby Owens
Author and podcaster Zibby Owens reflects on the world’s response to October 7th, the joy of reading, how authors are using AI, and the anxiety of prepping to send her kids off to college. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
March 12 · 59 min
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib
October 7th was a massive miscalculation — one that decimated Gaza, dismantled Iran’s proxy network, and reshaped the Middle East in Israel’s favor. Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib argues that as Israel grows stronger, a new kind of pro-Palestinian advocacy is urgently needed: one that is radically pragmatic, morally accountable and focused on nation-building over resistance. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
February 26 · 54 min
Nadav Eyal
Award-winning journalist Nadav Eyal helps us understand why regimes like Iran's are so threatened by dissent and debate — the lifeblood of democracy — and how that clash with Western values is unfolding across the Middle East. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
February 12 · 44 min
Liz Hirsh Naftali
After Hamas terrorists murdered Abigail’s parents, they abducted the three-year-old and held her hostage in Gaza for 51 days. Her great-aunt, Liz Hirsh Naftali, shares how she transformed from grieving family member into relentless advocate, traveling the world to fight for Abigail’s release and for the return of every hostage. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
January 22 · 44 min
Guy Vaknin
Chef Guy Vaknin is the culinary visionary behind a family of inventive vegan restaurants rooted in hospitality, artistry and feeding people well. Since October 7th, his restaurants and his family have been targeted by the same community that once celebrated his success — not because of his politics, but because of his Israeli identity. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
Dec 18, 2025 · 59 min
Jonah Platt
Since the October 7th attacks, Broadway-trained actor, singer and writer Jonah Platt has emerged as one of the Jewish people’s most compelling advocates. His work exploring Jewish identity, Israel, antisemitism and pop culture gives us the confidence and pride to stand up for who we are. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
Dec 4, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Jonathan Greenblatt
Whether it's conspiracy theories about “space lasers” or the moral equivocation between Zionist Jews and the protestors screaming at them outside their synagogue, antisemitism is going mainstream. Jonathan Greenblatt returns to discuss the forces threatening American Jewish life — and how the ADL plans to stay vigilant as New York prepares for four years under Zohran Mamdani’s mayoralty. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
Nov 20, 2025 · 49 min
Jonathan Freedland
On September 10, 1943, a group of anti-Nazi German aristocrats gathered for an afternoon tea party. Little did they know that one of them was about to betray the others to the Gestapo... Award-winning author and columnist Jonathan Freedland discusses his new book "The Traitors Circle" and examines the ways faith, conviction and courage inspire great acts of resistance. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
Nov 6, 2025 · 51 min
Barak Ravid
Axios global affairs analyst Barak Ravid unpacks the war that reoriented Israel's security, political, and moral posture — and explores the uneasy question of what comes next… Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
Oct 23, 2025 · 46 min
Sarah Hurwitz
While in her mid-30s, former Obama speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz discovered the wisdom of the Jewish tradition she'd written off. In her latest book, she confronts the ways American culture, antisemitism and the challenges of our times distort Jewish identity — and she calls on young Jews to reclaim it with pride. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
Oct 9, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Yaakov Katz
It's been two years since the Oct. 7 attacks, and — in the absence of an official state commission of inquiry — the best understanding we have of how Hamas was able to surprise the Middle East’s most powerful military comes from former Jerusalem Post editor-in-chief Yaakov Katz and his new book… Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
Sep 25, 2025 · 47 min
Cochav Elkayam-Levy
The founder of Israel's Civil Commission on October 7th Crimes Against Women and Children, Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy coined the novel term "kinocide" to describe Hamas's uniquely evil and systematic abuse of Israeli families. The winner of the 2024 Israel Prize, Dr. Elkayam-Levy helps us understand the extent of our enemy's calculated brutality — and why the international community abandoned Israel in its darkest hour. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
Jun 19, 2025 · 48 min
Scott Stringer
As part of our NYC Mayoral Forum, Democratic candidate Scott Stringer joins Rabbi Ammi Hirsch to discuss his Jewish values and his commitment to Zionism and to share his vision for a more affordable and better-run New York City. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
Jun 19, 2025 · 44 min
Brad Lander
As part of our NYC Mayoral Forum, Democratic candidate and NYC Comptroller Brad Lander joins our Rabbi Ammi Hirsch to discuss how his liberal Jewish values inform his immigration activism, his fight against antisemitism and for peace in the Middle East, and his vision for New York City. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
Jun 5, 2025 · 43 min
Bari Weiss and Nellie Bowles
The founders of The Free Press, Bari Weiss and Nellie Bowles sit down with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch to discuss their new media company, their Jewish journey, and several of the central challenges facing the American Jewish community. This conversation was recorded live during the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Spring Benefit on May 18, 2025. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations
May 22, 2025 · 47 min
Andrew Cuomo
New York's former governor and the front runner in New York City's mayoral race, Andrew Cuomo speaks with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch about the state of the city, his decades-long support of Israel and the Jewish community, and surging antisemitism in America. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/in-these-times-with-rabbi-ammi-hirsch/donations