The Jewish People's Podcast
The Jewish People's Podcast explores the most pressing issues facing the global Jewish community. Hosted by Yaakov Katz in conversation with leading experts, politicians and thought leaders, the podcast delves into topics such as Israel-Diaspora relations, religious and cultural identity, Israeli politics, and contemporary Jewish life. Each episode aims to inform and engage listeners through insightful discussions and in-depth analysis.
Episodes
218 episodes
Is Trump Making a Deal with Iran?
As the US and Iran explore renewed talks, questions about diplomacy, pressure, and the possibility of real change are back on the table. In this episode, Yaakov speaks with Marjan Keypour Greenblatt, founder and director of the Alliance for Rig...
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39:45
What happens in Gaza after Ran Gvili’s return?
With the return of Ran Gvili, Israel closes its longest and most painful hostage chapter. In this episode, Yaakov talks to Gil Troy and Sara Hirschhorn about what this means for Israeli society, the country’s core ethos of never leaving anyone ...
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39:30
Jewish Band of Brothers
In Zaidy’s Band, Aron Heller retraces his grandfather Mickey’s hidden wartime past, uncovering the forgotten story of a Jewish Canadian band of brothers who fought Nazism and helped shape Israel. It’s a personal journey that reveals heroism, lo...
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33:51
Can Trump’s Gaza Plan Work?
Samer Sinjaliwi, a Palestinian activist and former Fatah member, joins Yaakov to talk about post-Gaza planning, the new technocratic government led by Ali Shaath, and what it will actually take for Israelis and Palestinians to believe that peac...
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38:02
Iran to Gaza and Antisemitism - a Conversation with Minister Amichai Chikli
Iran is boiling, Gaza is entering a new phase, and Syria is re-emerging as a hub for radical Islamist threats. Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli joins Yaakov to explain how these fronts connect - and why uniting the world against radical...
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40:26
Trump’s Moment: Iran Rising, Maduro Down
Iran is boiling, Maduro has fallen, and Washington suddenly looks willing to move decisively again. Elliott Abrams, who ran U.S. policy on both Iran and Venezuela in Trump’s first term, explains what’s happening behind the scenes, what Trump’s ...
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36:28
Bondi Cannot Be Forgotten
Three weeks after the Bondi Beach attack, Yaakov speaks with Arsen Ostrovsky - not as an analyst, but as a survivor. Shot during the attack, Arsen recounts the moments after he was hit and reflects on what Bondi means for Jewish security in the...
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35:14
Israel’s Unresolved Wars and Uncertain Future
As the year ends, Israel remains caught between war and uncertainty. With fighting still ongoing and the return of living hostages only weeks behind us, Yaakov sits down with Prof. Yedidia Stern for a hard look at what was achieved, what ...
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40:22
Inside Trump-Era Economic Diplomacy
In this episode, Yaakov speaks with Mitchell A. Silk, the first Hasidic Jew to serve in a Senate-confirmed U.S. government role and a key architect of Trump-era global economic policy. They discuss his new book A Seat at the Table, his work on ...
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40:21
Australia’s Wake-Up Call
A terror attack at Bondi Beach shattered the belief that Australian Jews were safe. In this Hanukkah episode, Yaakov speaks with Yair Miller, CEO of Keren Hayesod-UIA Australia, about a government that ignored antisemitism, turned on Isra...
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34:24
To Pardon, or Not to Pardon?
As President Herzog weighs whether to pardon Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel stands at a juncture between justice and stability. Shmuel Rosner and Gil Troy join Yaakov to explore why the question matters to Washington, President Trump’s role i...
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40:56
Is War Returning to Gaza?
A personal and unflinching conversation with Gaza-born analyst Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib on war, governance, disarmament, and whether a real path to peace still exists.
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47:38
Northern Border on Edge
A year into the ceasefire on Israel’s northern border, tensions with Hezbollah have intensified. This week’s elimination of a top commander, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, marks a new and dangerous chapter. Former intelligence officer and Alma founder ...
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39:30
The Mamdani Warning Shot
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch joins Yaakov for a clear-eyed look at what Mamdani’s win signals for liberal Judaism, the surge of anti-Zionism on the left, and the urgent need for clear Jewish leadership.
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44:57
The Rebbe Before the Rebbe
Rabbi David Eliezrie joins Yaakov to discuss his new book on Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn — the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe — whose courage and leadership under Stalin’s persecution laid the foundation for Chabad’s global revival. Together, the...
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42:59
What Keeps the Israel-Jordan Border Quiet?
Yaakov speaks with Aaron Magid, author of The Most American King, about how King Abdullah balances cooperation with Israel and pressure from his own street. The real politics behind the cold peace.
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45:02
Is Phase Two of the Gaza Deal Possible?
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel & Atlantic Council Fellow Dan Shapiro joins Yaakov to discuss the fragile Gaza ceasefire, what a real “phase two” could mean for Israel and the region, and whether the path to normalization - with Saudi Arab...
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44:13
Is Evangelical Support for Israel Waning?
Evangelical support for Israel is fading among younger generations. Yaakov Katz speaks with Bishop Robert Stearns about why it’s happening and how to rebuild this vital bond.
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31:45
Negotiating a Hostage Deal
Peace activist and negotiator Gershon Baskin joins Yaakov to talk about the dramatic hostage release, the behind-the-scenes diplomacy that made it possible, and what comes next for Israel and Gaza.
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47:16
Rebuilding Northern Israel
When Israel’s north emptied after October 8, Nissan Zeevi of Kfar Giladi stayed behind. Now he’s leading a movement to bring families and life back to the border. A story of fear, resilience, and the fight to rebuild the Galilee.
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27:43
Did Israel Win the War?
Tomorrow, 20 hostages are set to return home – a moment that marks the end of the war and the start of a new chapter of uncertainty. Shmuel Rosner and Gil Troy talk about what comes next: the Egypt summit, Trump’s visit to Israel, the political...
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35:21
Is The Gaza War Coming to an End?
This week Dennis Ross joins Yaakov Katz for all the latest developments coming out of Israel and Washington. We also break down the Trump proposal and whether or not it will be successful.
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Season 1
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29:31
A Haredi in the IDF
At a time when Israel is torn over Haredi draft exemptions, Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Naiman chose a different path: he enlisted in the IDF. He joins Yaakov to discuss faith, responsibility, and why serving is not just a duty but a statement about the...
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29:40
The War Against Jews on Campus
Jews in Israel face physical attack, Jews in the Diaspora face metaphysical attack – but it’s the same war. Yaakov speaks with Amb. Marina Rosenberg of ADL about a new survey showing most Jewish students hide their identity, and what Israel mus...
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Season 1
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Episode 197
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38:50
What Does Hamas Want?
In today’s episode, Yaakov Katz speaks with Col. (Ret.) David Hacham, a former IDF intelligence officer who spent years in Gaza and took part in the Oslo process. They discuss Hamas, Arafat, and how it all connects to Yaakov’s new book, While I...
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Season 1
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Episode 196
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35:40