Jewish Contrarians - formerly SpeechCast

Due to a technical glitch, we previously uploaded the incorrect episode as Episode 4. As always, an honest and open conversation. This week we will dive into the layered nuance of Micro-cancellation and Micro-aggression. David and Brandy weekly explore on the podcast the possibility of a middle ground even if extreme voices in the culture wars insist that they pick sides. Show notes: Journal of Free Black Thought The B.E.S.T. Microaggression Training You’ve Never Heard Of https://freeblackthought.substack.com/p/the-best-microaggression-training University of Minnesota Examples of Racial Microaggressions https://www.sph.umn.edu/site/docs/hewg/microaggressions.pdf

As always, an honest and open conversation on today’s tortured gender identity debate. David Bernstein, Founder of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values, and Brandy Shufutinsky, Director of Education and Outreach for JILV explore the possibility of a middle ground even if extreme voices in the culture wars insist that they pick sides.

This week David Bernstein, Founder of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values, and Brandy Shufutinsky, Director of Education and Outreach for JILV will discuss: "Should Jews of Color be a separate category?" Show Notes: eJewish Philanthropy: In light of the new Pew Study, it’s time for Jewish leaders to make amends by David Bernstein https://bit.ly/3mwuyNJ Jewish Journal: Out of Exile, Jews Are Not a Color-Centric Binary by Brandy Shufutinsky https://bit.ly/3JvrIBS

Slides shared on the podcast: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11DknOhV7hEgVLx7wc7ARFw79LX4AStsD/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110837794775776372833&rtpof=true&sd=true Article David referred to in the podcast: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/patriotism-unity/high-school-students-are-being-indoctrinated-in-white-supremacy-culture In this weekly podcast, David Bernstein, Founder of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values, and Brandy Shufutinsky, Director of Education and Outreach for JILV, discuss (and occasionally debate) current issues in the culture wars, antisemitism in its various forms, cancel culture (not ok except when it is) and what we Jewish (and non-Jewish) contrarians, thought criminals, and gadflies can do about it all. Join us weekly except when one of our kids needs to be picked up from school.

Panel discussion with David BenMoshe, Shekhiynah Larks, Chaya Lev, Dmitri Shufutinsky, Noah Shufutinsky, and Tyler Samuels, who discuss ongoing tensions between Black and Jewish communities, exploring how these tensions impact Black Jews. Frequently uninvited to these conversations, JILV decided to hold our own.

A panel discussion on how social justice movements have manifested for our neighbors to the north, exploring how Canadians are managing the ideological influences and their unique impact on the Jewish community. Panel participants were Ellie Avishai from the Mill Center. Avishai is a strategist, teacher, and non-profit leader who has worked in education for more than 20 years, and Jonathan Kay was born in Montreal, Quebec, to an anglophone Jewish family and now lives in Toronto. He is a Quillette editor, podcaster, and advisor to The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism.

A special Shine-A-Light evening. Our expert panel discussed the recent Jewish Institute for Liberal values commissioned poll that highlights the dangers of this political ideology to Asian Americans and Jews. The panel included Nathan Klein, a pollster from OnMessage Public Strategies; David Bernstein Founder, CEO, and Author, Wai Wah an adjunct fellow at the Manhattan Institute and the founding president of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance of Greater New York, and Dr. Lizzie Wahab, a leader in transnational education.

David L. Bernstein, Founder and CEO of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values, authored the forthcoming book “Woke Antisemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms Jews,” with a Foreword by the great Natan Sharansky. Woke Antisemitism is a firsthand account from a long-time Jewish leader about how woke ideology shuts down discourse, corrupts Jewish values, and spawns a virulent new strain of antisemitism.

Eight years ago, the nation watched as the city of Ferguson, Missouri, erupted in the wake of the police shooting death of Michael Brown, a Black man. The protesters chanted "Black lives matter" in the streets of Ferguson.  Black Lives Matter went from being a mantra to a mass movement to a well-funded organization. Should Jews support this movement?   This Livestream is coordinated with the release of our Black Lives Matter backgrounder, "Can Jews Support Black Lives Matter," by David Ben Moshe. With registration for this event, you will gain early access to the backgrounder. https://jilv.org/download-blm-backgrounder/

Americans are understandably squeamish about official racial and ethnic classifications. Nevertheless, they are ubiquitous in American life. Applying for a job, mortgage, university admission, citizenship, government contracts, and much more involves checking a box stating whether one is Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American.  Professor Bernstein discusses the surprising history of American racial classifications from research findings for his new book: Classified: The Untold Story of Racial Classification in America.

The Jewish Studies Zionist Network is composed of scholars and educators in Jewish Studies who affirm that Zionism is a legitimate movement for the national self-determination of the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland. Founded by Jarrod Tanny and Adam Fuller, the newly formed organization is joined by 80 scholars of Jewish and Israel studies to combat mischaracterizations of Zionism and Israel that seek to discredit the legitimacy of Israel and its supporters on campuses.

Brookings Scholar Robert Litan argues that the key to progress in society isn't in achieving a contrived consensus but in preparing people for better disagreements.

Co-sponsored Livestream with the Alliance for Constructive Ethnic Studies discusses curriculum changes and newly introduced graduation requirements in Ethnic Studies. The presentation, given by Elina Kaplan, President and Co-Founder of Alliance for Ethnic Studies (ACES), and Dr. Brandy Shufutinsky, social worker, writer, researcher, advocate, and board member of Jewish Institute for Liberal Values discuss the current curriculum and how some approaches are antisemitic. Using California as a case study, learn what is under consideration, its implications for our Jewish students and the Jewish community, and what you can do.  Special introduction by human rights icon Natan Sharansky and commentary by one of America’s top Jewish leaders, Rabbi David Wolpe.

Izabella Tabarovsky discusses how the present-day version of Antisemitism seen in the progressive left is a conspiracy theory eerily similar to the Antisemitism of the Soviet Union, and her astonishment that this fact is not recognized by American Jews.

This podcast is the third in a series of live discussions JILV had with new partners in fighting the onset of illiberal ideologies and growing antisemitism on both sides of the political spectrum.  This panel discussion was with thought leaders Samuel J. Abrams, a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and professor of politics and social science at Sarah Lawrence College and Blake Flayton, a columnist and new media director at The Jewish Journal in Los Angles and the co-founder of the New Zionist Congress. illiberal

This podcast is the second in a series of live discussions JILV had with new partners in fighting the onset of illiberal ideologies and growing antisemitism on both sides of the political spectrum.  This panel discussion was with Black Leaders Greg Thomas, journalist and CEO/Co-Founder of the Jazz Leadership Project, and  Dr. Sheena Mason, Podcaster and experienced leader in education management.

This podcast is the first in a series of live discussions JILV had with new partners in fighting the onset of illiberal ideologies and growing antisemitism on both sides of the political spectrum.  This panel discussion was with Asian American Leaders George Lee, founding member of Chinese American Citizens Alliance Greater New York (CACAGNY), and Dr. Liang Chao, the Vice Mayor of Cupertino, CA.

Steven Nasatir, the legendary President of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago for 40 years, talks to our own David Bernstein about antisemitism on the far left and how the Jewish community should navigate the current moment. The underlying ideology is "not a good road for America, it's not a good road for Jews," he states.

Leon Wieseltier, the founding editor of Liberties - Journal of Culture and Politics, discusses what he learned from his experience as a pariah in the Jewish, literary and intellectual worlds. He returns from exile a wiser person. "You learn a lot from the margins."  To find out more about Liberties, go to https://libertiesjournal.com/

David Bernstein and Monica Osbourne interview Yaffa Tegegne, an Ethiopian Jewish communal advocate and member of the Canadian delegation to the IRHA.  Yaffa discusses how millennials feel pressured to speak with high moral authority in order to construct a positive narrative of who they are.

Aaron Sibarium, a journalist for the Washington Free Beacon, discusses the role of educational accreditation bodies in promulgating coercive curriculum on race and racism, and the controversial proposal of the American Bar Association insisting on diversity training at law schools.

Daphna Kaufman, a noted researcher on trends in progressive ideology, explains that "there's an exceptionality to the Jewish story that defies this kind of binary categorization."

David L. Bernstein, David E. Bernstein, and David S. Bernstein discuss the antisemitism inherent in the social justice lexicon.

Seth Forman, staff Member of the National Association of Scholars, managing editor of Academic Questions, and professor at Stonybrook University, discusses how Jews and Asians have become a target because they defy the foundational raison d'etre of Critical Race Theory.

How can I be part of a movement which condemns my identity? Philosopher, and professor at Connecticut College, Andrew Pessin, discusses being pro-Israel in progressive circles. His books can be found at: https://andrewpessin.com/

Russian-born Boston College professor and prolific author Maxim D. Shrayer joins David Bernstein and Monica Osborne to discuss the parallels between what American Jews are currently facing in the West and what Jews previously faced in the Soviet Union. The present-day assaults on liberal values originate from the right and the left -- when do we sound the alarm?

Steven Windmueller, a Professor Emeritus at Hebrew Union College and a former JCRC director in Los Angeles, has long been a preeminent philosopher of Jewish community relations. He speaks with David about the threats to liberal values and the need for the Jewish community to reassess its strategic options.

Thane Rosenbaum, a novelist, essayist, and Distinguished Fellow at New York University School of Law and Touro College is the director of the Forum on Law, Culture & Society, and the author, most recently, of the novel, How Sweet It Is!

From a Livestream on August 31st, philosophy professor and public intellectual, Peter Boghossian, discusses how universities have become ideology factories. Boghossian fought the system by submitting and getting published several hoax papers in academic journals in the infamous grievance studies affair.

A Discussion with Helen Pluckrose, the founder of Counterweight, which opposes the imposition of CSJ. Pluckrose is a liberal humanist who just wants people to value evidence-based epistemology and liberal ethics. She is the author of “Cynical Theories: How Activist Scholarship Made Everything About Race, Gender, and Identity”

A panel discussion on the heels of JILV's White Paper release. The event focuses on the seven ways that Critical Social Justice Ideology ideology contributes to antisemitism and methods we suggest to counter its rise. Panelists include Blake Flayton, Dr. Pamela Paresky, Dr. Lee J. Jussim, and Daphna Kaufman; moderated by David Bernstein.

Historically the Black and Jewish communities have been interconnected in the struggle for equality. Mired in a contemporary ideological ferment, the two communities have often become pitted against each other. Should efforts to combat racism and antisemitism be seen as separate struggles? Is there a common agenda to fight for liberal democracy? Hear heterodox black and Jewish thinkers explore new approaches. Transcript of the event is available here.

When the woke social-justice mob is activated by a particular issue, when is it appropriate to apologize, and when will it only agitate the mob further? Seth Moskowitz, author of the Persuasion article "Don't Apologize," discusses considerations to take into account in deciding whether to apologize and how to do so.

A fascinating conversation between writer/journalist Peter Savodnik and David Bernstein in which Peter talks about the current stifling atmosphere for writers and thinkers, brought about by popularization of the "impact over intent" moral paradigm. Peter describes this atmosphere as a "fraught time for Jews," due to the emergence of new types of antisemitism.

Lenore Skenazy is the founder of the Free-Range Kids movement and the founder of Let Grow, a non-profit organization promoting childhood resilience through independence. Skenazy discusses how the culture of "safetyism" blunts children's growth and how building independence in children is crucial for their development into functioning, mentally healthy adults. A must-listen for parents and teachers.

A lively conversation with two prominent members of the trans community — Seth Rainess, who is Jewish and a former rabbinical student, and Zander Keig, a first-generation of Mexican origin, who both believe the trans issue has currently become overly politicized.

Many voters believed Biden would stave off the most radical elements of social justice ideology, yet one of Biden's first executive orders was focused on equity.  Political commentator Josh Kraushaar discusses the dangers to the Democratic party of embracing a woke, progressive worldview and forgoing a more moderate, pragmatic stance.

Eran Shayshon from Israel's Reut Group speaks about the dangers of viewing Israel through the prototypical lens of American anti-racism. He contends that it robs Israel of its own narrative and present a threat to Jews everywhere.

A riveting podcast with David Ben Moshe who spoke about his journey from incarceration to fighting for criminal justice reform and finding Judaism along the way. Ben Moshe talks about his challenges of gaining employment, getting accepted into a university program, and making aliyah with a criminal record, and how this experience helped shape his views on cancel culture.

Social psychologist, Lee Jussim, leads the Social Perception Laboratory at Rutgers University and is Chair of the Psychology Department. His scholarly work focuses on social perception, stereotypes, and how people judge others. Jussim argues that authoritarianism exists on both sides of the political spectrum and the locus of power is increasingly being held by the extremes. He believes that countering these powerful forces takes tremendous will on the part of moderates.

Brandy Shufutinsky holds a Ph.D. in Education. She is a writer, researcher, and advocate for advancing the rights of victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Shufutinsky believes that there has been a successful hijacking of discourse by people who want to silence Jewish voices and minimize the hatred inflicted on the Jewish community. People like her, she argues, don't visually and ideologically suit their narrative.

Jonathan Kay is an editor and writer at Quillette, and an op-ed columnist at National Post in Canada. The discussion was so riveting that Kay also choose to publish the exchange on the Quillette podcast. As an editor and self-described “lapsed Jew,” Kay argues that classical liberalism lacks a dependable or passionate constituency since it requires defending deplorables in the pursuit of principle.

Elliott Abrams is Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, served in two presidential administrations. Abrams talks about how American Jews are uniquely positioned to combat antisemitism on the left due to their proximity of influence. He argues that an ideology has taken hold that increasingly excludes or erases American Jewish Identity.

Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm talks about the future of progress on racial issues in America and how African American civil rights leaders have historically rooted their message in the Hebrew Bible. Rabbi Lamm is the founder of The Joshua Project, which brings together Americans from different faith traditions and creates new coalitions and collaborations around life, culture, history, and politics. He also hosts the Good Faith Effort podcast, where he speaks with thinkers, writers, artists, and faith leaders to explore how the Bible continues to inform our lives today.

The great Jonathan Rauch speaks about his new book "The Constitution of Knowledge," the current threat to liberal discourse on the right and on the left, the CRT debate, and how his Jewishness shapes his worldview.

Martin Gak was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and studied Philosophy in the US. He received his Ph.D. from The New School for Social Research. Gak discusses the construction and crystalization of the new power structures in academia from those with expertise to keepers of moral authority.

Seffi Kogen, the Global Director of Young Leadership for the American Jewish Committee, coordinates the organization’s activities for young post-college American Jews. Kogen discusses the censorious nature of both supporters of the left and the right in current discourse. He is the host of People of the Pod, AJC's weekly podcast, which can be found at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod

Jonathan Sarna, the preeminent scholar of American Jewish History, discusses how ideology has infected the academy and what we can do about it.

Sasha White talks about losing her job over comments she made on Twitter, a younger generation’s commitment to free speech, how she defines her own Jewishness and supporting the free speech movement.

Batya Ungar-Sargon discusses wokeness in media, how problems attributed to racism are often a function of class,  what is and isn't leftism, and how a binary ideology generates opposition to Israel.

Barry Shrage, the legendary CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Boston’s Jewish Federation, and now Professor at Brandeis, talks with David Bernstein about the current ideological moment, cancel culture, and the need for Jewish leadership. He offers a message of hope that America and American Jews can find their way.

Nadine Strossen is an American civil liberties activist who was president of the American Civil Liberties Union from February 1991 to October 2008. She's currently a professor at New York Law School. Nadine is an outspoken critic of cancel culture and argues strenuously for the protection of liberal values. She also offers a spirited defense of the current ACLU.

Numerous LGBTQ+ Jews have been at the frontlines of the battle for free speech. What about their experience reinforces the importance of open discourse? What can the free speech movement learn from the gay rights movement? Moderated by Dr. Pamela Paresky with panelists Jonathan Rauch, Jessica Emami, James Kirchick, and Blake Flayton.

In this edition of SpeechCast, David Bernstein interviews civil libertarian, author, and feminist Wendy Kaminer. David asked Wendy why she chose not to sign the “Jewish Harper’s letter,” even though she agreed with much in it. Listen to her answer. A long-time Board member of the ACLU, Wendy explains why she became a critic of the organization.

JILV Founder David Bernstein interviews Rebecca Roiphe, a Trustee Professor of Law at New York Law School where she studies legal ethics and the history of law. She also happens to be the daughter of famed feminist writer Anne Roiphe. A signatory of the “Jewish Harper’s Letter”, Rebecca and David discuss among other issues the rise of Critical Social Justice and its deleterious effects on academia, public policy, and social discourse.

As you can imagine, these prominent figures from the FSU who grew up in a totalitarian environment have something to say about the current ideological moment in America. The inaugural live stream is moderated by Dr. Pamela Paresky, Chair of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values.  Opening remarks by Natan Sharansky. Panelists include Cathy Young, Maxim D. Shrayer, Izabella Tabarovsky, and Oleg Ivanov.

The long-awaited Pew Study on American Jews was released this week. It revealed a growingly diverse community. It also revealed that Ira Sheskin and Arnold Dashefsky who were publicly pilloried one year ago for writing an article suggesting that the number of Jews of color is likely much less than the 12-15 percent figure given by another study, were right. Ira speaks with JILV founder David Bernstein in his first on the record talk since the controversy erupted.

The Jewish Institute for Liberal Values and The Speech Project of the Jewish Journal present their first joint venture. SpeechCast with David Bernstein.  Episode 1 with guest Monica Osborne, editor of The Speech Project of The Jewish Journal.