Franklin Foer on why fatalism isn't a strategy for American Jews

About this episode

Franklin Foer discusses the challenges facing American Jews in light of recent events and the rise of antisemitism.

Franklin Foer is the man who declared that the golden age of American Jewry is over - or at least ending. Two years on — in the aftermath of October 7th and the Gaza war, collapsing bipartisan support for Israel, a wave of antisemitism from both left and right, and a military misadventure in Iran — he thinks he underestimated the problem. This week, Yonit and Jonathan sit down with Foer, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of the landmark piece that became required reading in Jewish communities across America. They discuss whether the anti-AIPAC pledge that has become a feature of Democratic primaries is classical antisemitism in new clothing; how a forgotten Jewish genius from Odessa might explain what American Jews are supposed to do now; and why Foer refuses — loudly — to bow to fatalism. Also: Bob Dylan's existential crisis, Abraham Joshua Heschel's ode to the Sabbath, and how soccer helps explain at least one aspect of modern Jewish life. Guest: Franklin Foer, staff writer, The Atlantic Watch us on YouTube: Follow Unholy and learn more about the pod: https://unholy-podcast.lovable.app/ Join our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes, discounts on merch and…

People in this episode

Hosts: Yonit, Jonathan

Guest: Franklin Foer

Topics covered

• American Jewry
• antisemitism
• politics
• cultural identity
• Jewish history
• soccer

Keywords

• fatalism
• AIPAC
• Democratic primaries
• antisemitism
• Jewish identity
• cultural commentary
• political strategy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Atlantic

Places: Odessa

More episodes of Unholy: Two Jews on the News

• Bibi’s Tightrope, Eisenkot’s Rise, Iran’s Shadow, and the U.S. Primary Wars · June 11, 2026 · 45 min
• Dr. Galit Atlas on Trauma and Emotional Inheritance · June 10, 2026 · 28 min
• Special Update - Iran and Israel Clash, Trump says 'Stop' · June 8, 2026 · 28 min
• Bombs and F-bombs: Trump, Netanyahu and ceasefire talks · June 4, 2026 · 37 min
• Amos Harel on the Anatomy of a Failure - how October 7 happened · June 2, 2026 · 54 min
• Ceasefire talk, hostage politics and Logan Roy · May 28, 2026 · 46 min