logo
episode-header-image
Sep 16
35m 26s

What Matters Now to Daniel Gordis: The l...

The Times of Israel
About this episode

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Daniel Gordis.

Gordis, an author, scholar, rabbi, activist and sometime Times of Israel blogger, is the creator of the popular Substack blog and podcast, "Israel from the Inside." He recounts how he began the blog in 2021 to pull the curtain back on the Jewish state for those living abroad.

In this episode, we discuss the evolution Gordis's decision to be a pro-Israel, yet critical voice in a tricky global environment of rising antisemitism and uncertainty.

Wearing his rabbi hat, he speaks about how existential loneliness is a part of the experience of this season of High Holy Days and he further describes the loneliness of being Israeli at this time in history.

Gordis challenges American Jews to consider that Israelis are fighting for their homeland -- both in Gaza and during the ongoing protests in the streets.

And so this week, we ask Daniel Gordis, what matters now?

What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Daniel Gordis (courtesy) / A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer detains a protestor while clearing a pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel encampment after dispersal orders were given at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus, on May 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Nov 19
What Matters Now to Prof. Asher Cohen: Academic boycott of Israel is 'catastrophic'
<p>Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host <strong><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/">Amanda Borschel-Dan</a></strong> speaking with the past president of The Heb ... Show More
38m 14s
Nov 12
What Matters Now to Haviv Rettig Gur: The case for pardoning Netanyahu
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with The Times of Israel's senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur. BBC director-general Tim Davie and Deborah Turness, the chief execu ... Show More
40m 41s
Nov 5
What Matters Now to Jordan Hoffman: The new Hollywood buddy film, 'Nuremberg'
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman. The duo beta-tests their soon-to-be-launched podcast series — so new it does not yet hav ... Show More
41m 3s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 13
Day 769 - Trump pushes to end Netanyahu trial with 'free Bibi' letter
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. President Isaac Herzog announced Wednesday that US Pre ... Show More
24m 45s
Nov 12
Day 768 - Knesset debates death penalty for terrorists
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Political correspondent Sam Sokol and tech editor Sharon Wrobel join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As Prime Minister Ben ... Show More
21m 10s
Nov 11
Day 767 - IDF preps for 'days of fighting' in Lebanon
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and Jewish world reporter Zev Stub join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. In an indi ... Show More
28m 35s
Aug 31
Day 695 - On the ground in Gaza City
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. The government's weekly cabinet meeting was he ... Show More
17m 53s
Sep 11
Day 706 - Did PM keep Trump in the dark over attack on Hamas in Qatar?
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Was the United States aware of Israel's plans to conduct an ... Show More
25m 58s
Oct 5
Day 730 - Cautious optimism for Trump peace plan ahead of Cairo talks
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Intensive negotiations to potentially finalize the Tru ... Show More
17m 17s
Aug 27
Day 691 - Cabinet ignores Hamas deal as Trump plans postwar Gaza
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Political correspondent Tal Schneider and health editor Diana Bletter join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Schneider discu ... Show More
17m 24s
Oct 21
Day 746 - Vance flies in to help keep Trump's Gaza plan moving
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. ToI founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. With the body of hostage Tal Haimi returned to Is ... Show More
20m 43s