The Pluralist Podcast - with Orly Erez-Likhovski and Rabbi Josh Weinberg

Orly Erez-Likhovski and Josh Weinberg
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Education

Where Israel’s hardest questions meet Jewish values. This podcast brings Israeli lived reality and Diaspora perspective into honest conversation about religion and state, democracy, pluralism, and Jewish responsibility. Hosted by IRAC Executive Director and attorney Orly Erez-Likhovski and Rabbi Josh Weinberg, Vice President for Israel and Reform Zionism at the Union for Reform Judaism, each episode creates space for thoughtful dialogue — without slogans, and without simplifications.

  1. 4d ago

    Pride... and Prejudice in the Holy Land: Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie

    What does it mean to be proudly queer, deeply Jewish, and connected to Israel in a time of growing polarization? In this episode of The Pluralist Podcast, Orly Erez-Likhovski and Rabbi Josh Weinberg speak with Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie—an Israeli-born rabbi, storyteller, queer Jewish leader, and co-founding spiritual leader of Lab/Shul in New York. Raised in one of Israel’s most prominent Orthodox rabbinic families, Amichai became the first openly queer rabbi in 39 generations of his family. His remarkable journey is also at the center of the award-winning documentary Sabbath Queen. Together, they discuss: Growing up queer in a prominent Orthodox rabbinic family and the journey to Progressive Judaism in New YorkThe connection between LGBTQ+ equality, democracy, and human rightsThe progress and remaining prejudice facing LGBTQ+ people in IsraelWhether Judaism can become not only more accepting, but a place where LGBTQ+ Jews can fully belong and thriveRabbi Benny Lau’s outspoken support for LGBTQ+ and the critical importance of family support and allyship in helping LGBTQ+ people live openly, authentically, and safelyThe role of religious leaders, legal advocacy, and community partnerships in creating changeThe challenge of being queer, Jewish, Israeli, and Zionist in progressive spaces after October 7This is a conversation about Pride and prejudice, progress and backlash, and the kind of Judaism—and Israel—we still have the power to build. Subscribe to The Pluralist Podcast and share this episode to help amplify liberal Jewish values, equality, religious freedom, and democracy in Israel and beyond.

    57 min

  2. Jun 4

    The Fight Over Liberal Zionism with J Street's Nadav Tamir

    In this episode of The Pluralist Podcast, Rabbi Josh Weinberg and Orly Erez-Likhovski speak with Nadav Tamir, Executive Director of J Street Israel, former Israeli diplomat, and former senior adviser to President Shimon Peres. This is a conversation about J Street — but it is also about something larger: how Jews who care deeply about Israel argue about its future without turning disagreement into demonization. At a time of war, trauma, rising antisemitism, devastation in Gaza, and deepening divisions between Israel and Diaspora communities, questions about liberal Zionism, U.S. military aid, democracy, security, and Palestinian statehood have become more urgent — and more painful. Nadav shares how he understands his work with J Street as part of a lifelong commitment to Israel, including his years in the Foreign Ministry, at Israel’s Embassy in Washington, as Consul General in Boston, and as an adviser to President Shimon Peres. He also speaks about the complexity of advocating for American Jewish engagement with Israel while his own son is serving in the IDF. The conversation does not erase disagreement. It makes room for it. Together, Josh, Orly, and Nadav discuss: * Why Nadav chose to join J Street in service of Israel's Future * The growing gap between Israeli and American Jewish conversations about Israel * Liberal Zionism after October 7- Democracy, occupation, security, and Jewish peoplehood * The debate over U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel * How to criticize Israeli policy without giving up on Israel’s future If liberal Zionists cannot argue seriously with one another about Israel’s security, democracy, military power, diplomacy, and moral future, then the space for honest Zionist conversation becomes smaller and smaller. Criticism is legitimate and disagreement is part of democratic life. Demonization is not the answer. Watch the full conversation and join us in asking what responsible disagreement about Israel can look like today.

    49 min

  3. May 28

    Rachel Goldberg-Polin: How She Taught Us to Count, Care & Love

    The Pluralist Podcast shares a deeply moving conversation between Rabbi Josh Weinberg and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, originally recorded live as part of the Reform Movement’s Israel in Depth program. Over the past two and a half years, Rachel Goldberg-Polin has become one of the most important moral voices to emerge from the struggle to bring the hostages home after October 7. In this conversation, she reflects on Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s life and legacy, grief, faith, “tragic optimism,” and what it means to continue living after unimaginable loss. Rachel speaks about: faith, love, memory, and continuing forward after loss and why she believes that “grief is a badge of love”Hersh’s prophetic journal writings years before October 7the emotional reality of grief and public mourningLearning about Hersh’s experience in captivityExperiencing “tragic optimism” and connection with Victor FranklThis conversation is not only about tragedy. It is also about humanity, compassion, dignity, and the struggle to remain emotionally open during one of the most painful periods in modern Israeli and Jewish life. 📖 Rachel’s book: When We See You again 🎧 Subscribe to The Pluralist Podcast for thoughtful conversations about Israel, democracy, Jewish life, pluralism, and shared humanity.

    1h 4m

  4. May 14

    Nir Hasson (Haaretz): What Jerusalem Reveals About Israel | Jerusalem Day 2026

    Jerusalem Day is supposed to celebrate the unity of Jerusalem. But what is the reality of the city in 2026? In this episode of The Pluralist Podcast, Orly Erez-Likhovski and Rabbi Josh Weinberg sit down with Haaretz Jerusalem correspondent Nir Hasson for an honest and deeply important conversation about the realities shaping Jerusalem today: the growing extremism surrounding the Flag March, the unequal realities between East and West Jerusalem, the changing demographics of the city, and the surprising places where coexistence and shared life still exist. Drawing on years of reporting — and after covering the devastation of Gaza throughout the war — Nir reflects on why Jerusalem remains both one of the most painful and one of the most hopeful places in Israel. Together, they discuss: • Why Jerusalem Day has become so controversial • The reality of life in East Jerusalem for Palestinians • The rise of racism and violence during Jerusalem Day’s Flag March • The growing “Israelization” and shared daily life between Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem • The changing character of Jerusalem and tensions inside Jewish society itself • Why Nir still finds hope in Jerusalem despite everything The Pluralist Podcast: From Both Sides of the Ocean is hosted by Orly Erez-Likhovski, Executive Director of IRAC, and Rabbi Josh Weinberg, Vice President for Israel and Reform Zionism at the URJ and Executive Director of ARZA.

    55 min

  5. May 7

    The Struggle for a Better Israel: Update from the Trenches | May 2026

    Israel is facing a dangerous moment. In this episode of The Pluralist Podcast, Rabbi Josh Weinberg and Orly Erez-Likhovski discuss the rising violence, extremism, racism, and democratic erosion shaping Israeli society — and why they believe it is becoming impossible to look away. Together, they examine the murder of Yemaenu Zelka, attacks against Christian clergy in Jerusalem, the normalization of political violence and hateful rhetoric, growing concerns around the politicization of the police, and the broader atmosphere being created under Israel’s current government. Orly also reflects on a recent visit to the West Bank with Rabbis for Human Rights and Reform communities, where they witnessed violence, intimidation, displacement, and a growing sense of lawlessness firsthand — and why more Israelis are beginning to understand that these realities cannot simply be ignored. But this conversation is not only about despair. Josh and Orly also discuss the recent People’s Peace Conference in Tel Aviv, where thousands gathered to insist that even now, we cannot give up on democracy, equality, shared society, and the possibility of peace. They explore the political shifts already beginning to emerge ahead of Israel’s coming elections — and why they still believe a different future is possible. 📌 IN THIS EPISODE: • The rise in violence, racism, and extremism in Israeli society • Democratic erosion and the growing crisis facing Israeli institutions • What Orly witnessed during her recent visit to the West Bank • The People’s Peace Conference and the fight for a shared future • Why hope and democracy are still worth fighting for 🗓️ Join “Israel in Depth” on May 17: A half-day virtual learning experience exploring some of the biggest questions facing Israel and the Jewish world today, featuring Orly Erez-Likhovski, Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Rabbi Lindsay Danziger, Blake Ziegler, and more. 👉 https://events.urj.org/event/8dc0ff1b-c691-4634-95a5-aefbf9663898/summary?utm_medium=web&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast 📚 Mentioned in this episode: Rabbi Jonah Pesner’s article on voting rights, democracy, and the recent Supreme Court decision: https://forward.com/opinion/822799/voting-rights-act-civil-rights-jews/ The Pluralist Podcast exists because we believe Israel can be better — for all who live here, and for all who care about it from afar. If these conversations are important to you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who should be part of this conversation.

    44 min

  6. Apr 29

    Controversy & Conflict in One Kippah: A Conversation with Dr. Alex Sinclair

    In this episode of The Pluralist Podcast: From Both Sides of the Ocean, we speak with educator and author Dr. Alex Sinclair about a moment that quickly went viral — when he was detained for wearing a kippah stitched with both Israeli and Palestinian flags, only to have it returned with the Palestinian flag cut out. But this conversation goes far beyond one incident. Together, we explore what it means to love Israel honestly at a time when many are struggling with the gap between their values and the actions of the state — and what it looks like to hold onto a vision of a more just, pluralistic future. In this episode: What actually happened in the café — and why it resonated so widelyThe challenge of being a liberal Zionist in this momentThe line between criticism, loyalty, and responsibilityWhat gives hope, even now Learn more from Alex Sinclair: 📘 Perfect Enemy (novel): http://alexjsinclair.com/perfectenemy 📘 Loving the Real Israel: https://a.co/d/06Ookd4H 📝 Alex’s original Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18eLhedZ5v/?mibextid=wwXIfr 📰 Jerusalem Post article: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-894260 📰 HAARETZ article: https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2026-04-26/ty-article-opinion/.premium/a-kippa-with-israel-and-palestine-flags-got-me-detained-this-is-why-i-wear-it/0000019d-ca74-d11b-a7df-ef7e1aff0000?utm_source=App_Share&utm_medium=iOS_Native

    57 min
  7. Israel at 78: The Challenge of Memorial and Celebration

    Apr 21

    Israel at 78: The Challenge of Memorial and Celebration

    As Israel marks 78 years of independence, the transition from Yom HaZikaron to Yom HaAtzmaut feels more complicated than ever. In this episode, Orly Erez-Likhovski and Rabbi Josh Weinberg explore how Israelis and Jews around the world are grappling with grief, identity, and the challenge of celebration in a year shaped by war, loss, and deep political tension. Together, they ask: what does it mean to mark independence when so much feels unresolved—and how do we hold onto hope anyway? IN THIS EPISODE ·       The emotional transition from Remembrance Day to Independence Day, especially since October 7 ·       1 year since the Ra’anana synagogue Pogrom and what it reveals about Israeli society ·        The absence of accountability—and its impact on national mourning, reclaiming Zionism, the Israeli flag, and the Declaration of Independence ·       State Independence Day ceremony vs. alternative torch-lighting in Tel Aviv ·       How to stay connected and deepen engagement in a time of tension ·       Why “peace” must return to the conversation—and what that could look like today

    44 min
  8. After 16 Years: What Hungary Can Teach Israel and America | Peter Arvai

    Apr 16

    After 16 Years: What Hungary Can Teach Israel and America | Peter Arvai

    After 16 years of democratic backsliding in Hungary, something shifted. In this episode, Orly Erez-Likhovski and Rabbi Josh Weinberg speak with Hungarian public figure and activist Peter Arvai about what it actually felt like to live through the erosion of democratic institutions—and what changed in the recent elections that led to a dramatic political shift. This conversation goes beyond Hungary. It asks whether similar trajectories in Israel and the United States can be reversed, and what conditions make that possible. IN THIS EPISODE: How democratic systems are gradually weakened from withinWhat daily life feels like under long-term political erosionWhy change seemed impossible—and what made people believe againThe role of moral “breaking points” in political transformationAs Israel and the U.S. approach critical elections, this conversation offers a grounded look at what it takes not just to defend democracy—but to rebuild it. About the GuestPeter Arvai is a Hungarian public figure and longtime activist in civil society, Jewish communal life, and efforts to promote pluralism and minority rights. He has worked in both the financial sector and academia and has been deeply engaged in Hungary’s political and civic landscape, including service in local government in Budapest. He brings a firsthand perspective on democratic erosion—and what it takes to challenge it. Peter is Vice-president of the Szim Salom Progressive Jewish Community, member of the MAZSIHISZ general assembly, participates in the work of several international Jewish organizations (ARZENU), and a board member of the European Union of Progressive Judaism (EUPJ).

    42 min
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Where Israel’s hardest questions meet Jewish values. This podcast brings Israeli lived reality and Diaspora perspective into honest conversation about religion and state, democracy, pluralism, and Jewish responsibility. Hosted by IRAC Executive Director and attorney Orly Erez-Likhovski and Rabbi Josh Weinberg, Vice President for Israel and Reform Zionism at the Union for Reform Judaism, each episode creates space for thoughtful dialogue — without slogans, and without simplifications.

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