The Long Path Podcast

In this season finale of The Long Path, Amitai Freiman looks back on a season of meaningful conversations with some of the most thoughtful voices in the Jewish world today — educators, activists, leaders, scholars, and changemakers who are all asking the same essential question: What does the future of the Jewish people look like, and what is our responsibility in shaping it?From the aftermath of October 7th and the resilience of Israeli society, to the challenges facing Jewish identity, Zionism, education, and the next generation of leadership, this episode brings together the ideas and lessons that emerged throughout the season.The common thread across every conversation is the belief that the Jewish future will not simply happen on its own. It requires people willing to show up, ask difficult questions, take responsibility, and build the communities and ideas that will carry us forward.This season explored different perspectives and backgrounds — Israelis and Diaspora Jews, young activists and experienced leaders, Jewish and non-Jewish voices — all united by a commitment to creating a stronger shared future.Topics include:• The future of Jewish identity and peoplehood• What Zionism means in the modern era• The impact of October 7th• Jewish leadership and communal responsibility• The next generation of Zionist voices• Education, belonging, and the role of community• Antisemitism and the challenges facing Jewish life today• How individuals can help shape the Jewish futureAs Amitai asks at the end of this season: Where will you show up? What responsibility will you take in creating the future we want to see as a people?Follow and support The Long Path Podcast:Instagram: @thelongpathpodcastTikTok: @thelongpathpodcast

Dr. David Hasan on Healing, October 7th & Founding the Gaza Children’s Village | The Long Path PodcastIn this episode of The Long Path Podcast, we speak with Dr. David Hasan, a neurosurgeon and founder of the Gaza Children’s Village, about his journey from medicine to humanitarian leadership.Dr. Hasan reflects on his early years as a young man trying to understand the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and how his experiences working as a surgeon in Gaza shaped his perspective on the region, its people, and the human cost of conflict.We discuss the turning points that changed his worldview, including visiting Israeli kibbutzim after the October 7th attacks and witnessing firsthand the devastation left behind. These experiences ultimately led him to found the Gaza Children’s Village — an initiative focused on supporting children affected by war and instability.This conversation explores empathy, responsibility, and the difficult work of building humanitarian solutions in one of the most complex regions in the world.The Long Path Podcast is powered by Z3 — a global initiative working to reimagine Jewish peoplehood for the 21st century and foster meaningful dialogue between Israel and the Diaspora.Learn more about Z3:https://www.z3project.org/Learn more about Gaza Children’s Village:https://gazachildrensvillage.org/Follow The Long Path Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelongpathpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelongpathpodcastTopics covered in this episode include Gaza, humanitarian work, October 7th, Israeli kibbutzim, medical missions, peacebuilding, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and supporting children affected by war.Subscribe for more conversations with thinkers, leaders, and builders shaping the Jewish future.

Shanie Reichman on the Future of the Two-State Solution, Visionary Leadership & Lessons from the Settler Movement | The Long Path PodcastIn this episode of The Long Path Podcast, we sit down with policy leader and strategist Shanie Reichman for a thoughtful conversation on the future of Israel, Zionism, and the possibility of a two-state solution.We discuss what a realistic path forward might look like, how the political center and left can rethink their approach, and what they can learn from the long-term vision and strategic persistence of the settler movement. We also explore the role of leadership, narrative, and institution-building in shaping Israel’s future.Shanie shares insights from her work advancing serious discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and reflects on the importance of visionary leadership, political imagination, and societal responsibility in moments of deep uncertainty.This conversation looks beyond slogans and into the structural and cultural shifts that may be required to move toward a more stable and sustainable future.The Long Path Podcast is powered by Z3 — a global initiative working to reimagine Jewish peoplehood for the 21st century and foster meaningful dialogue between Israel and the Diaspora.Learn more about Z3:https://www.z3project.org/Follow The Long Path Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelongpathpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelongpathpodcastTopics covered in this episode include the two-state solution, Israeli politics, Zionist leadership, lessons from the settler movement, the future of the Israeli left, peace strategy, political vision, and the evolving landscape of Israeli society.Subscribe for more conversations with thinkers, leaders, and builders shaping the Jewish future.

In this episode of the Z3 Podcast, artists Vanessa Hidary and Neshama Carlebach reflect on how their creative work and personal identities have been transformed in the wake of October 7. They share how their art has shifted toward activism, shaped by grief, urgency, and deep connection to their communities. The conversation explores the evolving role of Jewish artists, the contrasts between diaspora and Israeli experiences, and the ways art can offer healing in moments of rupture. Listen to these groundbreaking artists as they get deep and spiritual, making the case for art and activism as a genuine, necessary tool in building the world to come.About Our GuestsNeshama Carlebach is an award-winning singer, songwriter and educator who has performed and taught in cities around the world. In the aftermath of the October 7th attacks, Neshama brought thousands of people together throughout the NY metro area for concerts that have raised over half a million dollars for Israel. Neshama is currently pursuing rabbinic ordination at The Academy for Jewish Religion.Vanessa Hidary is an international spoken word artist, educator, and advocate whose work has had a profound impact on both the Jewish community and beyond. She began performing her powerful poetry in New York City venues, becoming a pioneering voice for Jewish identity in the slam poetry scene. Inspired by her own Syrian-Jewish heritage, she founded the Kaleidoscope Project, a narrative-arts initiative that amplifies the stories of Jews of diverse backgrounds. In addition to her work in the arts, Vanessa has become a prominent advocate for Jewish unity in the wake of the rising antisemitism post-October 7th, 2023. Chapters(00:00) Introduction(09:32) The Blurring of Personal and Artistic Identity(10:59) The Responsibility of Artists in Times of Crisis(18:42) Navigating Audience Expectations and Artistic Integrity(26:12) The Role of Community and Family in Artistic Expression(30:15) Looking Towards the Future for the Next Generation(33:04) The Role of Art in Uniting Communities(34:30) Navigating Division Within the Jewish Community36:47 The Impact of Personal Experience on Understanding39:08 The Responsibility of Jewish Artists43:46 The Connection Between Diaspora and Israeli Jews51:32 Spiritual Engagement and Activism54:14 The Journey of Learning and Identity58:07 Long-Term Commitment to Community and Identity

In this special episode of the Z3 Podcast, host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman is joined by two guests involved with Jewish life at UC Berkeley: Rav Maya Zinkow, Campus Rabbi, and Dr. Masua Sagiv, Koret Visiting Assistant Professor of Jewish and Israel Studies and Senior Faculty member at the Shalom Hartman Institute. In this roundtable discussion, all three reflect on their recent visits and experiences in Israel and explore the emotional and political divide between the realities on the ground in Israel and the discourse in the U.S., particularly on college campuses. The conversation dives into the challenges Jewish students face navigating campus life, where progressive movements often clash with Zionism during a time where social media amplifies misinformation and extremist narratives, complicating conversations about Israel, and leaving students caught between popular opinion and their Jewish identity. Rav Maya and Dr. Sagiv discuss the delicate balance of providing pastoral care to students while also encouraging critical thinking on complex issues like Israel, Zionism, and Jewish identity. This episode offers a thoughtful discussion on the intersection of Jewish education, campus activism, and the future of Jewish identity in both Israel and the diaspora. About our guests: Rav Maya Zinkow Rabbi Maya Zinkow is the Campus Rabbi at UC Berkeley Hillel. She received rabbinic ordination and a Master’s in Jewish Women and Gender Studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary as a Wexner Graduate Fellow. While studying at JTS, Maya served as a rabbinic intern at the Columbia/Barnard Hillel and at Romemu on the Upper West Side. Before starting her rabbinic studies, Maya graduated from Barnard College with a degree in English literature and creative writing, and followed her love of text to the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, where she learned Torah for two years and now serves as summer faculty. You can follow her on instagram at @ravmayaz Dr. Masua Sagiv Dr. Masua Sagiv is the Koret Visiting Assistant Professor of Jewish and Israel Studies at the Helen Diller Institute at U.C. Berkeley School of Law, and a Senior Faculty member of the Shalom Hartman Institute based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She writes and teaches on questions of law and nationality, religion and state, anti-Semitism, Jewish peoplehood, and dynamics of change in Israeli society. Prior to moving to the Bay Area, Masua was the Academic Director of the Menomadin Center for Jewish and Democratic Law at Bar-Ilan University, and taught at the Schools of Law at Bar-Ilan University and Tel-Aviv University. To hear more from Dr. Sagiv, listen to Episode 5 of the Z3 Project Podcast.

Content Advisory: Please note that this episode discusses challenging themes including graphic description of wartime deaths. Listen as we launch a special series of conversations between Z3 founder and podcast host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman and Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a passionate activist for Gazans and Palestinians. Amitai served in the IDF from 2005-2009 in Gaza, while Ahmed is an outspoken voice for the future of the Palestinian people. In 2015, he started an not-for-profit organization whose goal was to build an internationally-run, Israeli-approved airport airfield to facilitate the movement of people in and out in cargo without Hamas having any control over the facility. Chapters: (00:00) Episode Preview and Host Intro (03:45) Ahmed's Life Growing up in Gaza and the U.S. (08:15) Ahmed's Work in Non-Profit for Gaza and Professional Life (10:55) October 7th and its Aftermath (19:45) Hamas' Goals (24:29) Global Reaction that Spurred Ahmed to Advocacy (27:54) IDF Airstrikes on his Family (34:14) Gaza Views on Israel (41:30) Intifadas and Failed Peace Deals (49:12) Reimagining Right of Return (59:45) Self-Determination and Coexistence In this powerful episode, Ahmed shares his personal journey through immense loss and ongoing conflict. Having lost 31 family members in Gaza since October 7th, Ahmed speaks about his deep pain and how it fuels his commitment to advocating for peace and understanding. He reflects on the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the challenges of maintaining humanity amidst tragedy, and his hope for restoring mutual respect and cooperation. Tune in to hear Ahmed’s heartfelt message on navigating grief and striving for a balanced path forward. 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.