Unapologetically Jewish

Unapologetically Jewish
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Non-Profit

Welcome to the Unapologetically Jewish Podcast — where Jewish identity, truth, resilience, and courage take center stage. Hosted by Matthew Taub, this podcast tackles the issues others avoid: rising antisemitism, media narratives, public safety, Jewish pride, Israel, advocacy, politics, culture, recovery, resilience, and the future of Jewish life in Canada and beyond. Through raw conversations, powerful interviews, investigative discussions, and unapologetic commentary, the podcast brings together activists, journalists, politicians, survivors, community leaders, creators, and everyday voices

  1. 2d ago

    From Moscow to Israel: Uri Kurlianchik's Journey of Unapologetic Defense

    In this compelling interview, Uri Kurlianchik shares his journey from the Soviet Union to Israel, his evolving political views, and his insights on Israel's security challenges, the importance of being unapologetic, and strategies for proactive activism against anti-Semitism and global threats. Key TopicsUri's background and journey from Moscow to IsraelIsrael's security challenges and proactive defenceStrategies for activism and countering anti-SemitismChapters00:00 From Moscow to Israel: A Personal Journey03:30 The Prelude to Conflict: Signs of Change06:44 The Day of Reckoning: October 7th09:51 Taking Action: Grassroots Support for Troops12:01 Navigating Online Backlash: The Price of Speaking Out15:40 The Settler Identity: A Complex Narrative18:07 Proactive vs. Reactive: A Community's Challenge25:25 The Future of Conflict: Generational Perspectives28:59 Living in Samaria: Reality vs. Media Portrayal39:14 Global Perspectives: Combating Anti-Israel Sentiment47:30 Vision for Peace: Coexistence and Moving Forward

    From Moscow to Israel: Uri Kurlianchik's Journey of Unapologetic Defense

  2. 2d ago

    Stop Calling It Contemporary Antisemetism

    Matthew Taub explores the enduring nature of anti-Semitism, its adaptation over time, and the importance of recognizing Jew hate in all its forms. He emphasizes that Jew hate is timeless, evolving with societal language and politics, and calls for clear recognition and naming of anti-Semitism today. Key Topics The historical consistency of Jew hate and its adaptation to societal changes The importance of naming and recognizing Jew hate in all its forms The distinction between criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism The dangers of collective responsibility and guilt The societal language that enables hate to evolve The moral clarity needed after October 7th and the danger of victim-blaming The concept of the 'acceptable Jew' and conditional tolerance The importance of recognizing Jew hate in contemporary contexts Takeaways Jew hate is timeless and adapts to societal language and politics. Criticism of Israel is not automatically anti-Semitic, but can become hate if it targets Jews collectively. Recognizing Jew hate requires understanding its evolution and current expressions. Condemning swastikas and Holocaust denial is easy; recognizing modern anti-Semitism is harder. Jewish sovereignty and power are now part of the conversation, changing the dynamics of hate. Chapters 00:00 The timeless nature of Jew hate and societal language 02:24 The inconsistency and conspiracy theories of Jew hate 05:09 Distinguishing criticism of Israel from Jew hate 08:24 The moral framework used by Jew haters across eras 11:15 The acceptable Jew and conditional tolerance 12:13 The return of Jewish sovereignty and its challenges 13:42 The lesson of Jewish history: hate adapts 14:14 Recognizing Jew hate in your own time 15:10 The importance of calling out Jew hate directly 16:08 Stop sanitizing Jew hate and call it what it is

  3. 3d ago

    Israel vs. Ideology: The Truth Behind the Narrative with James Lindsay

    In this episode, James Lindsay discusses the ideological roots of recent global conflicts, the rise of anti-Semitism, and the influence of critical theory and Marxism on current events. We explore how misinformation, propaganda, and ideological manipulation shape perceptions and policies worldwide. Key Topics The ideological roots of October seventh events The influence of critical race theory and Marxism The role of propaganda and misinformation The impact of COVID-19 on societal trust The intersection of anti-Semitism and political movements Chapters 00:00 Introduction to James Lindsay and his work 00:30 The ideological framework around oppressor and oppressed 01:21 October seventh and its reveal about ideological extremism 02:10 Propaganda and the Gaza Floyd analogy 03:07 Historical roots of the current ideology and predictions 04:03 Radicalization of leftist figures and anti-Semitism 05:00 Pre-October seventh anti-Semitism on the right 06:27 The rise of anti-Semitic narratives on the right 07:25 Early signs of anti-Semitism and ideological shifts 08:15 The influence of academic and cultural movements 09:09 The role of religion and ideology in radicalization 10:05 Funding and organization behind anti-Semitic movements 11:04 The concept of J pilling and conspiracy theories 12:02 The metastasis of anti-Semitic ideology 13:06 Impact of COVID-19 and societal trust issues 14:24 Foreign influence and online manipulation 15:59 The death of institutional trust and propaganda 17:14 Anti-Semitism as a mind virus and conspiracy theories 18:40 Operational deployment of propaganda before October seventh 19:29 Iran, Hamas, and the strategic timing of conflicts 20:48 The influence of Duganism and radical ideologies 22:16 Jewish identity, Zionism, and ideological framing 25:07 Leftist and rightist perspectives on Israel and anti-Semitism 42:17 Leftist views on Israel, Palestine, and global politics 44:40 The intersection of anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism 46:37 The evolution of anti-Semitic jokes and narratives 48:02 The influence of social media and youth culture 50:40 Canadian politics, woke ideology, and societal shifts 55:20 Techniques of emotional manipulation and trauma bonding 56:18 Strategies for reversing institutional capture 58:20 The importance of constitutional and legal protections 01:00:55 The cultural and political climate in Canada 01:03:07 The influence of Marxism and critical theory on global conflicts 01:07:26 Radical Islam, the Muslim Brotherhood, and ideological roots 01:12:38 The connection between radical ideologies and historical movements 01:15:35 The importance of understanding and questioning narratives Guest Links X- https://X.com/ConceptualJames Website - https://newdiscourses.com

    Israel vs. Ideology: The Truth Behind the Narrative with James Lindsay

  4. Aug 24

    Harley Finkelstein: Why Being Unapologetically Jewish Matters Now

    Harley Finkelstein says the advice to Jewish Canadians right now is brutally simple: stop pretending this is a vibe and start naming what is happening. The Shopify president, entrepreneur, and Big Shot co-host opens up about why October 7 changed the cost of being publicly Jewish - and why he refuses to let fear decide the future of Jewish life in Canada. Raised as the grandson of Holocaust survivors and the son of immigrants, Harley built his life around hustle long before he became one of Canada’s most recognizable business leaders. In this conversation, he traces that drive from a 13-year-old DJ business to co-building Shopify with Toby Lutke, and explains why his identity as a proud, visible Jew is now inseparable from his public voice.You’ll hear Harley break down: why he thinks a principle only matters if it costs you somethinghow Big Shot turned from a celebration of Jewish entrepreneurship into an archive of Jewish resiliencethe uncomfortable reality behind the latest data on antisemitism in Canadawhy “plan B” conversations are reshaping Jewish life across the countrywhat it means to stay, fight, and build when others are leavingHe also shares the personal side of the story - from putting on tefillin in the middle of law school, to watching his family be targeted publicly, to why he and his wife chose to build a Jewish center in Ottawa rather than retreat. This is a conversation about leadership, courage, identity, and the price of visibility.Essential listening if you care about Jewish life in Canada, the responsibility that comes with influence, or what it takes to stay unapologetically yourself when the pressure to go quiet is getting louder. The Big Shot Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/1kk0MtA697RceL9VCa3nUX?si=71829e6f53214477

  5. Aug 11

    The Unfiltered View - Truth, media framing, & anti-Israel sentiment in Canada. Ellis, Taub, Lascaris

    This episode is a polarized debate on truth, media language, and how the Israel Hamas war is shaping Canadian Jewish life. Host Israel Ellis is joined by Matthew Taub, founder of Unapologetically Jewish, and Dimitri Lascaris, a lawyer and pro Palestinian anti war activist, for a high conflict conversation about October 7, Gaza, Canadian protests, and whether anti-Israel activism crosses into antisemitism.What happens when two people with fundamentally different views sit down to debate truth, evidence, Israel, Gaza, antisemitism, and the narratives shaping public opinion?This wide-ranging conversation explores some of the most difficult and contentious issues surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict and its impact far beyond the Middle East. From media language and competing versions of events to October 7, Gaza, international law, anti-Zionism, antisemitism, protests, and the growing tensions facing Jewish communities in Canada, very little is left off the table.At the centre of the discussion is a larger question: How do we determine what is true when eyewitness accounts, media reports, political narratives, historical interpretations, and legal arguments collide?Matthew Taub and Dimitri Lascaris approach these questions from very different perspectives, challenging one another on evidence, assumptions, terminology, responsibility, and where political criticism ends and something more dangerous begins.This is not a conversation built around agreement. It is a debate about competing narratives, difficult questions, and what happens when two opposing worldviews are put across the table from one another.**Timestamps**00:00 - Opening clash01:58 - Introductions06:12 - What is truth?08:21 - Media language and terminology14:46 - Media and the Gaza narrative16:32 - South Lebanon and the West Bank20:06 - Gaza and civilian infrastructure23:43 - Hospitals, schools and military claims28:23 - Gaza, Hamas and the 2005 withdrawal31:28 - October 737:32 - Evidence and competing claims39:01 - Casualties and combatants44:47 - Terrorism, states and international law47:36 - Anti-Zionism and antisemitism60:01 - Jewish identity and public hostility62:10 - Identifying IDF soldiers in Canada68:40 - Synagogues and targeting concerns72:43 - Antisemitism in Canada74:21 - Security and Jewish institutions84:18 - Israel, Gaza and rising hostility86:22 - Where criticism crosses the line94:06 - Closing arguments

  6. Aug 11

    Challenging Islamaphobia - Islamophobia Cannot Be a Shield Against Criticism of Islamism

    Summary In this episode, Matthew Taub discusses the importance of scrutinizing Islamist political ideologies, the dangers of conflating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism, and the lessons from historical examples of Islamist movements. He emphasizes the need for open debate and understanding the ideological roots of anti-Semitism to effectively combat it. Key Topics The distinction between Islamism and Islam The ideological roots of anti-Semitism within Islamist movements The dangers of conflating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism Historical examples: Iran 1979, Gaza, Egypt Arab Spring The importance of free speech and open debate in democracy Takeaways Opposing Islamism is a political disagreement, not Islamophobia. Islamist anti-Semitism is a real and present danger. Shared enemies do not mean shared values. Criticism of Hamas and its ideology is not Islamophobia. Understanding the ideological roots of anti-Semitism is crucial to fighting Jew hate. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Addressing Islamophobia and Political Disagreement 01:55 Defining Islamism and Its Difference from Islam 03:50 The Roots of Anti-Semitism in Islamist Ideology 05:50 Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Anti-Semitic Rhetoric 07:49 The Post-October 7th Shift: Zionism and Anti-Semitism 10:11 Anti-Zionism vs Anti-Semitism: Clarifying the Difference 12:12 Historical Lessons: Iran 1979 and the Danger of Shared Enemies 14:10 Gaza: Hamas' Repression and Political Power 16:06 The Arab Spring in Egypt: Shared Enemies and Divergent Visions

  7. Jul 18

    Political Commentator Eyal Jakoby - Political polarization and societal division

    In this episode, Eyal Yakoby shares his insights on anti-Semitism, the state of political discourse, and the importance of resilience and unity in facing societal challenges. We explore the systemic issues in academia, media manipulation, and the need for a proactive approach to safeguarding Western values. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Activism and Anti-Semitism 02:34 The Impact of October 7th 05:17 The Evolution of Anti-Semitism on Campus 08:24 The Role of Education in Shaping Perspectives 11:26 Understanding Jew Hate vs. Anti-Semitism 14:03 Coalitions and Political Dynamics 16:42 The Red-Green Alliance and Its Implications 19:29 The Influence of New Media 22:18 The Future of Canadian-American Relations 25:26 The Importance of Work Ethic and Personal Responsibility Takeaways Systemic anti-Semitism predates October 7th and is ongoing. Media and online ecosystems have been hijacked, leading to misinformation. Unity and coalition-building are essential to combat societal division. The importance of questioning mainstream narratives and media. The need for proactive education and resilience to safeguard Western values.

  8. Jul 9

    Deputy Leader of the Opposition Melissa Lantsman

    In this episode, Melissa Lansman, Member of Parliament for Thornhill, shares her journey from immigrant roots to political leadership, discusses the importance of fighting for Canada, and explores the challenges and responsibilities of being a Jewish politician in Canada today. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Melissa Lansman 01:39 Melissa's Background and Values 04:35 The Importance of Staying in Canada 08:09 Challenges of Being a Jewish Politician 11:11 Community Engagement and Political Responsibility 16:49 The Future of Young Canadians in Politics 20:40 Call to Action for Canadians 22:15 Reflections on Legacy and Impact

    Deputy Leader of the Opposition Melissa Lantsman
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About

Welcome to the Unapologetically Jewish Podcast — where Jewish identity, truth, resilience, and courage take center stage. Hosted by Matthew Taub, this podcast tackles the issues others avoid: rising antisemitism, media narratives, public safety, Jewish pride, Israel, advocacy, politics, culture, recovery, resilience, and the future of Jewish life in Canada and beyond. Through raw conversations, powerful interviews, investigative discussions, and unapologetic commentary, the podcast brings together activists, journalists, politicians, survivors, community leaders, creators, and everyday voices

Information

  • Creator
    Unapologetically Jewish
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Unapologetically Jewish

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