Why Are Young Jews Anti-Israel? New York Times Bestselling Author Sarah Hurwitz Returns!

Our first returning Being Jewish guest, Sarah Hurwitz, rejoins Jonah Platt to discuss her powerful new book As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us — a work as essential as it is uplifting in a post–October 7th world. In this deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation, Sarah reflects on how education can be a true source of empowerment and shares insights from her own evolving Jewish journey. Drawing from years of research and her current pursuit of the rabbinate, she offers a rich, nuanced perspective on what it means to live — and lead — as a Jew today. For Sarah, Judaism isn’t about any single expression — not just Israel, Hebrew, activism, or observance — but the harmony of all these threads woven together with curiosity, study and connection to the sacred wisdom of our ancient tradition. This episode feels like stepping into a vibrant, welcoming congregation — full of learning, laughter, and meaning. Don’t miss this inspiring and deeply grounding conversation on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. Order Sarah's New Book Now! - https://www.sarahhurwitz.net/books/as-a-jew 00:00 - Sarah Hurwitz's New Book 02:55 - Antisemitism Warped Jewish Identity 06:14 - Zionism and Loss of Tradition 11:34 - Judaism Is Uncomfortable 17:35 - Anti-Jewish Tropes: Depravity, Power 23:07 - Tikkun Olam is Overused 27:00 - Love the Stranger vs. Amalek 32:04 - Rage at the Jewish Alt-Right 41:40 - Jews as Grand Moral Evil 48:21 - How to Study Jewish Texts 52:12 - Modern Jewish Life and Community Sarah Hurwitz and Jonah Platt discuss - - The Loss of Jewish Wisdom: How centuries of persecution led our ancestors to create an "edited version of Judaism" to fit into a modern, Christian-majority world. - Zionism and Israeli Culture: Confusing Zionism with the current Israeli government, and how early Zionists and modern secular Israelis also experienced a "loss" of Jewish religion and spirituality. - The Problem with Tikkun Olam: Sarah and Jonah discuss how the popular phrase Tikkun Olam (Social Justice) has been co-opted and sometimes misused by some Jews as an excuse to focus only on helping non-Jews, neglecting the Jewish community itself. - Jewish History Missing Pieces: Hurwitz stresses the need to teach the history of the 850,000 Jews who fled the Middle East and North Africa , a massive and crucial piece of the Jewish story often overlooked in American Jewish education. #SarahHurwitz #AsAJew #JonahPlatt #BeingJewishPodcast #Antisemitism #JewishIdentity #Zionism #TikkunOlam #JewishHistory #JewishText #Judaism #JewishPodcast #BornAgainJew