Franklin Foer on why fatalism isn't a strategy for American Jews

Franklin Foer is the man who declared that the golden age of American Jewry is over - or at least ending. Two years on — in the aftermath of October 7th and the Gaza war, collapsing bipartisan support for Israel, a wave of antisemitism from both left and right, and a military misadventure in Iran — he thinks he underestimated the problem.

This week, Yonit and Jonathan sit down with Foer, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of the landmark piece that became required reading in Jewish communities across America. They discuss whether the anti-AIPAC pledge that has become a feature of Democratic primaries is classical antisemitism in new clothing; how a forgotten Jewish genius from Odessa might explain what American Jews are supposed to do now; and why Foer refuses — loudly — to bow to fatalism.

Also: Bob Dylan's existential crisis, Abraham Joshua Heschel's ode to the Sabbath, and how soccer helps explain at least one aspect of modern Jewish life.

Guest: Franklin Foer, staff writer, The Atlantic

⏱ CHAPTERS:

[00:00] Intro — Franklin Foer joins Unholy, The golden age Jewish Americans, what it was, why it's ending

[04:46] The Impact of October 7th on American Jews

[11:25] The Connection Between Israel and American Jewish Identity

[22:32] Fatalism vs. persuasion — the Cold War argument 

[28:35] How do you persuade non-Jews that antisemitism is bad for them?

[32:56] Top 3 Jewish Americans: Pichelis, Dylan, Heschel

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