“In pre-modern discussions of Judaism, identity is almost inextricably linked to observance. The whole notion of Jewish identity… it’s like a modern idea.”

— Dr. Elliot Malamet

The 1960s were about more than hippie fashion and flower power. Divisions over the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the beginnings of second wave feminism sparked civil unrest, fearmongering, political handwringing, and, eventually, necessary social change.

The 1960s also marked the emergence of the Jewish Defense League, and the rise of its founder Rabbi Meir Kahane as a controversial figure. Founded in 1968, the JDL advocated for an anti-Arab form of Jewish nationalism, one that denied all Palestinian claim to Israel, and preached violent resistance to anti-Semitism at home and abroad... including targeted killings.

The JDL was classified by the FBI as a right-wing terrorist organization and Rabbi Kahane himself was assassinated at the age of just 58.

This episode of the Living Jewishly podcast is an instalment of What Would You Do?, a podcast about Judaism and ethics.

Dr. Elliot Malamet is joined by Professor Shaul Magid, Distinguished Fellow in Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College and author of a Meir Kahane: The Public Life and Political Thought of an American Jewish Radical. 

This conversation explores the ethics of radicalism and fanaticism, the DNA of Kahane’s desired revolution, and the lingering echoes of his rhetoric today.

“I don’t think that Kahane really cared too much about religious observance. What he cared about was the commitment to fight for Jewish causes.”

— Professor Shaul Magid

This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌

• The emergence of a Jewish identity non-reliant on observance — and how that tied into Kahane’s ideas of revolution
• The difference between a radical and a fanatic, and how Kahane evolved over time
• The ideas put forward by Kahane that still live on today in many Orthodox populations 

 ‌  

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:51  Intro

03:37  Shaul Magid & revolution 

06:14  “American sham Judaism”

07:47  Observance v. identity

10:22  Basic ideas that live on

14:49  Endemic anti-Semitism

16:22  Two spheres of Kahane

18:00  Judaism & the rhetoric of violence

21:32  Post-Holocaust & Zionism

22:38  Anti-Arab rhetoric & Israel

26:11  “The failed American dream” 

27:50  Kahane’s time in Israel

29:03  Radical v. fanatic

30:55  Race in Israel

32:59  Posthumous acceptance

34:37  Culture of language

36:55  Assassination & legacy

41:05  Kahane’s wars

43:30  Tragic figure?

Links:‌ ‌ 

Meir Kahane: The Public Life and Political Thought of an American Jewish Radical

https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691179339/meir-kahane 

To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:  

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Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw   

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Shalom!