The Long Path Podcast

What can a collection of artifacts teach us about the founding of the Jewish State?In this episode of The Long Path Podcast, we sit down with David Matlow, founder of The Herzl Project and the owner of the world’s largest private collection of Theodor Herzl memorabilia, to explore the origins of Zionism and the story behind the founding of the State of Israel. Through rare artifacts and historical documents, David brings Herzl’s vision to life — from his early writings to the First Zionist Congress and beyond. This conversation traces the evolution of modern Zionism, the forces that shaped it, and the individuals who turned an idea into a reality.We also dive into Herzl’s personal story, the historical context that drove his thinking, and how his vision continues to influence conversations about Israel and Jewish identity today.Topics discussed include:• The origins and early philosophy of ZionismThe life and legacy of Theodor HerzlKey moments leading to the founding of IsraelThe role of artifacts in preserving Jewish historyHow Herzl’s vision shapes modern discussions around IsraelThis episode offers a rare, tangible connection to one of the most pivotal movements in modern Jewish history.Learn more about The Herzl Project: https://herzlcollection.com/Follow The Long Path Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelongpathpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelongpathpodcast

Identity, belonging, and what it means to be Jewish in the diaspora.In this episode of The Long Path Podcast, we sit down with Amy Albertson to explore her personal journey navigating Jewish identity after growing up in an interfaith family, spending six years living in Israel, and ultimately shaping her own relationship with Judaism. Amy shares how her background influenced the way she understands Jewish community, belonging, and connection to Israel. Her story reflects questions many Jews in the diaspora wrestle with today: How do we build meaningful Jewish identities outside of Israel? What role does Israel play in that identity? And how do interfaith backgrounds shape the way people engage with Judaism? Through her experiences, Amy offers a thoughtful perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing diaspora Jewish identity today.Topics discussed include:Growing up in an interfaith family and navigating Jewish identity• How living in Israel shaped her relationship with JudaismThe role Israel plays in Jewish identity for diaspora JewsThe evolving nature of Jewish belonging and communityWhat Amy’s story reveals about the broader Jewish diaspora experienceThis conversation is a deeply personal look at the many paths people take toward building a Jewish life.Follow Amy Albertson:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamyalbertsonTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theamyalbertsonX: https://x.com/theamyalbertsonFollow The Long Path Podcast:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thelongpathpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelongpathpodcast

In this episode of the Z3 Podcast, Host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman, Chuck Freilich, and Maggie Feldman-Piltch discuss the evolving concept of national security in the context of Israel and the United States. From the impact of October 7 to the evolving nature of warfare, they dive into the tensions, values, and deep strategic ties between the U.S. and Israel. They explore what keeps nations safe today beyond simply armies and borders as well as the operational differences between the two nations and the challenges they face moving forward.If you’re interested in U.S.–Israel relations and security strategy this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.About Our GuestsProf. Chuck Freilich, a senior fellow at INSS, was a deputy national security adviser in Israel. He was a long-time senior fellow at Harvard's Belfer Center and has taught political science at Harvard, Columbia, NYU and Tel Aviv Universities. Freilich is the author of Zion’s Dilemmas: How Israel Makes National Security Policy (Cornell Press 2012); Israeli National Security: A New Strategy for an Era of Change (Oxford Press 2018); and Israel and the Cyber Threat: How the Startup Nation Became a Global Cyber Power (Oxford Press 2023). He is now working on a book on the US-Israeli strategic and military relationship. Freilich has written some 250 op-eds in American and Israeli press and is the senior editor of the Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs.Maggie Feldman-Piltch makes national security make sense. Her writing under the name Non-State Actress reaches several hundred thousand people a week. She is the Managing Director of Unicorn Strategies and an Advisor to several defense frontier technology companies. She previously led the Digital and Electronic Warfare portfolio for the Wilson Center’s Science and Technology Innovation Program prior to the institution, including the Wilson Presidential Library’s, destruction by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). She’s been a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and completed a non-resident fellowship at Joint Special Operations University, guest lectures at the National War College and is exceedingly proud of her engagement with Meridian International Center, Munich Security Conference, and her undergraduate alma mater Wesleyan University.Chapters(00:00) Defining National Security(05:04) Current Threats to National Security(17:34) Impact of October 7th on National Security(30:37) The Nature of the US-Israel Relationship(37:12) The Critical U.S.-Israel Relationship(39:02) Israel's Strategic Importance(42:11) Understanding Bilateral Relationships(43:58) Operational Differences in National Security(47:00) The Nature of Modern Warfare(50:52) Current U.S.-Israel Relations(55:56) Challenges in U.S.-Israel Relations(01:00:59) The Future of U.S.-Israel Relations

In this third powerful conversation in our special video series, Z3 host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman sits down with Gazan-American activist Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib to tackle the intricate layers of identity, misinformation, and hope in the Israel-Gaza conflict. They begin with Ahmed’s insights into life under Hamas rule in Gaza, sharing the day-to-day struggles of Palestinians caught in the crossfire. The conversation explores the often-overlooked influence of propaganda and misinformation—particularly around polling data and public opinion—while underscoring the impact these narratives have on both Palestinian lives and international perspectives. Ahmed’s call for international support that empowers Palestinians to achieve self-governance and economic stability offers a fresh perspective on moving beyond rhetoric to meaningful action for peace. This episode dives deep into the intersections of Palestinian identity, regional politics, and the future of the region. Through this honest exchange, Ahmed and Amitai illuminate the struggles and hopes shared across their communities, emphasizing the potential of Jewish-Palestinian dialogue in transforming narratives and fostering mutual understanding. Join us for a powerful episode that cuts through rhetoric, seeking pathways for empathy, accountability, and, ultimately, peace. We are deeply grateful to Ahmed for joining us in this difficult but crucial conversation in these times of deep division and strife. This conversation was recorded on August 30, 2024. About our guest:Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib is an American writer and analyst who grew up in Gaza City, having left in 2005 as a teenage exchange student to the United States. He writes extensively on Gaza’s political and humanitarian affairs and has been an outspoken critic of Hamas and a promoter of coexistence and peace as the only path forward between Palestinians and Israelis. Alkhatib is a resident senior fellow with the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in intelligence and national security studies. His writing has been published in US, and Israeli outlets and his opinions and comments have been featured in the international press.

Welcome to episode 2 of our special series of conversations between Z3 founder and podcast host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman and Palestinian writer and peace activist, Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib. In this episode, Ahmed reflects on his recent trip to Washington, DC, where he met with hostage families and U.S. officials and he shares the impact of those interactions on his vision for peace. He and Amitai discuss the internal politics of Gaza as Ahmed questions misleading polling data that suggests widespread support for Hamas in Gaza and highlights the cognitive dissonance caused by years of isolation and propaganda. Despite the violence, Ahmed emphasizes moments of humanity and kindness he has witnessed between Palestinians and Israelis, even in Gaza, which give him hope for the future. He shares his mission to be a unique bridge builder between the pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian communities, moderating difficult but valuable dialogues online. The episode also touches on the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict, particularly the role of Iran and regional power struggles, highlighting the importance of resolving the conflict for lasting peace in the Middle East. Chapters: (0:00) Episode Preview and Host Intro (04:10) Palestinian Response to Oct. 7 and Polls in Gaza (18:34) Loss of Faith in the Peace Process and Bad Actors (24:04) Ahmed Meeting Hostage Families and U.S. Officials (34:00) Tribalism in Public Dialogue (40:39) Online Voices: The Bad and the Good (48:02) Resistance to Ahmed's Work with Jewish Voices (56:14) Cycle of Blame Impeding Progress (1:01:15) Ahmed Speaks on the Israeli Hostages (1:07:05) Looking Back Vs. Looking Forward (1:09:05) Role of the Palestinian Diaspora in Nation Building (1:11:58) Positioning Palestine as a U.S. Ally (1:15:59) Path Forward for Both Peoples We are deeply grateful to Ahmed for joining us in this difficult but crucial conversation in these times of deep division and strife. About our guest: Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib is an American writer and analyst who grew up in Gaza City, having left in 2005 as a teenage exchange student to the United States. He writes extensively on Gaza’s political and humanitarian affairs and has been an outspoken critic of Hamas and a promoter of coexistence and peace as the only path forward between Palestinians and Israelis. Alkhatib is a resident senior fellow with the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in intelligence and national security studies. His writing has been published in US, and Israeli outlets and his opinions and comments have been featured in the international press.

In the latest Z3 Project podcast, Dror Stein, of Z3, steps in as host for this episode where she speaks with Mickey Bergman, expert in international hostage negotiations with hostile actors, about his career in negotiating for the release of political prisoners worldwide. They discuss how emotional intelligence and empathy play a crucial role in these high-stakes negotiations as Bergman shares his experiences from his new book “In The Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad”. Listen now to learn more about the unseen machinations of international hostage situations and how his work has been affected in our post-October 7th world. About Mickey Bergman: Mickey Bergman directs Global Reach and the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, non-governmental, non-profit organizations that negotiate the release of political prisoners and hostages around the world. A special-operations veteran of the Israel Defense Forces, he has spent the past decade freeing Americans from some of the most complex and insulated countries on earth, including Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela, Syria, Gambia and Sudan. He is an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service, where his graduate courses focus on the art of emotional intelligence in international relations. He was nominated for the 2019 and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize alongside former Governor Bill Richardson. Follow Z3 here: Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project/ Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_Project Website - z3project.org/

Join Z3 Podcast host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman and writer-activist Elad Nehorai as they dive into the nature of authoritarian power structures in our world today as they present in our social structures from communities to governments. They also discuss how Americans are especially vulnerable to extremist rhetoric in our current culture of disconnection and fear, leading people to extremism to feel empowered and find community. Listen in as they discuss how social divisions are feeding into a loss of faith in democracy and creating a vacuum that further draws people towards extremist views. Elad also explores the conditional nature of support of Jewish safety from figures in power and how authoritarians use Jewish causes to their political advantage. This conversation promises to be thought-provoking, shedding light on the complexities of the need for community and security. Listen now. About our guest: Elad Nehorai Progressive Thinker, Writer and Activist Elad Nehorai is a well-known writer specializing in extremism, antisemitism, marketing, and how all three intersect. He is an ex-Hasidic Jew who, before leaving Orthodoxy, led a creative Jewish community in Brooklyn called Hevria as well as the largest politically progressive Orthodox Jewish advocacy group, Torah Trumps Hate. Learning from his time in the Hasidic community and studying extremism, he has become an outspoken pro-democracy voice. Since October 7th, he has drawn on his Israeli background to inform his work building coalitions among those who share a vision of solidarity for the future. Today, he runs a marketing agency for good called Justice Marketing. You can find Elad’s writing on MSNBC.com, the Daily Beast, Huffpost, the Forward, Haaretz, and beyond. Follow Z3 here: Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project/ Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_Project Website - z3project.org/

In this episode of the Z3 podcast, host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman engages in a timely conversation with Yossi Klein Halevi, an award-winning journalist, author, and senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute. Yossi shares his personal journey toward understanding what it meant to be a Jew in America as he grew up in the generation after the Holocaust, and he reflects on how the landscape of American Jewish identity is once again changing in the post-October 7th social and political world. This episode provides insight into the growing identity divide between anti-Zionist Jews and pro-Israel Jews, as well as how Israel needs to find the balance between being a historical underdog with the new reality of it having significant power. Together, Amitai and Yossi outline some of the challenges facing global Jewish communities by offering frameworks for making sense of our changing world order. Dive into the episode for all this and more. Follow Z3 here: Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project/ Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_Project Website - z3project.org/

Join Z3 Podcast host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman as he is joined by comedian Daniel-Ryan Spaulding as they delve into the complexities of advocating for empathy in progressive discourse, particularly concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict. Last autumn, Daniel-Ryan went viral online when he began making videos about the October 7th attack in Israel. What followed was a journey exploring the challenges and motivations behind speaking out against perceived hypocrisy as he created comedic content aiming to address misconceptions with humor and information. Delve into the nuanced dialogue surrounding sensitive topics like Israel and anti-Semitism, as Amitai and Daniel-Ryan emphasize the importance of empathy alongside information dissemination. From navigating extremism and radicalization to promoting empathy and love, this conversation offers valuable insights into fostering understanding and dialogue in today's polarized world. Follow Z3 here: Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/ TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project/ Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_Project Website - z3project.org/