Gordis 14 – Israel in the Early 1960’s

The 1960’s in Israel begin with the arrest and capture of the notorious Nazi, Adolf Eichman. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Gordis explores how Eichman’s trial affected the Israeli people and the Jewish community as a whole as well as the American Jewish leaders’ response to this. The 1960’s also brought Israel’s development of nuclear capabilities, and in 1964, the creation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) for the purpose of the destruction of the Jewish State.

Gordis 21 – The Obama and Trump Years

Dr. Daniel Gordis examines Israel’s relationship with President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump and the Middle East events that shaped those relationships. He explores then Secretary of State John Kerry’s attempt at peace during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge, the U.S. negotiated Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran, Netanyahu’s address to the joint session of Congress and Israeli thoughts about it all. Dr. Gordis also discusses President Trump’s moving of the U.S. embassy, recognition of Israel’s annexation of the Golan, the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, its withdrawal from Syria, its refusal to respond to Iranian attacks on the Saudi oil fields and its failed peace plan.

Gordis 22 – The State of Israel in the Summer of 2020

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores whether the clock is ticking away on a two state solution, the meaning of settlements, and the Israeli relationship with American Jews. He discusses why it is important to have a basic understanding of Israeli history to be able to form an opinion and why Israel should be held accountable to the same standards to which the world holds every other country.

Gordis 14 – Israel in the Early 1960’s

The 1960’s in Israel begin with the arrest and capture of the notorious Nazi, Adolf Eichman. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Gordis explores how Eichman’s trial affected the Israeli people and the Jewish community as a whole as well as the American Jewish leaders’ response to this. The 1960’s also brought Israel’s development of nuclear capabilities, and in 1964, the creation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) for the purpose of the destruction of the Jewish State.

Gordis 12 – American Jews and Israel

While many believe Americans always supported Zionism, Americans Jews have had conflicted feelings with Zionism throughout the years. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Gordis discusses American Jews’ relationship with Israel beginning in 1915 and continuing through present day.

Gordis 3 – Zionism 2.0: Beyond Herzl

From the labor Zionism of Ze’ev Jabotinsky to the revisionist Zionism of AD Gordon to the spiritual Zionism of Ahad Ha’am, various interpretations and manifestations of Zionist thought developed through the 20th century and into the 21st. Dr. Daniel Gordis sorts it all out and suggests how each informs Israeli culture and society.

Gordis 17 – The Decade after the Yom Kippur War

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the myriad changes that occur in Israel during the decade following the Yom Kippur War. From the resignation of Golda Meir, to the rise of the Likud party, peace with Egypt, the prevention of a nuclear reactor in Iraq to the Lebanon war. Dr. Gordis examines how these events impact the country.

Gordis 4 – Momentum Towards a Jewish State

Just 20 years after the first Zionist conference, Great Britain issued the momentous Balfour Declaration in 1917 in support of a Jewish state in Palestine. The next year, thousands gathered at Mt. Scopus to lay the cornerstone of Hebrew University, as Jews begin building the infrastructure of a future, developmentally advanced state. Dr. Daniel Gordis … Continue reading Gordis 4 – Momentum Towards a Jewish State →

Gordis 5 – Aliyah, in Waves

Throughout the first half of the 20th century, waves of Jewish immigrants made Aliyah to the region, each bringing particular experiences and ideas to the land that would become a Jewish state in 1948. Dr. Daniel Gordis describes these waves, the eruption of violence and antisemitism that met them, and first talk of partition, including … Continue reading Gordis 5 – Aliyah, in Waves →

Gordis 7 – The Creation of Israel

On Nov 29, 1947, the United Nations voted to allow the creation of Israel leading to the War of Independence which ultimately did not end until early 1949. Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the sentiment of the Jewish people in Israel at that time and explains the transformation of the Jewish psyche from the victim hood … Continue reading Gordis 7 – The Creation of Israel →

Gordis 8 – Origins of the Palestinian Refugee Problem

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the very complex issue of the origin of Palestinian refugees, the reasons that 700,000 Palestinians left Israel during the Israeli War of Independence and the difficult moral questions remaining.

Gordis 19 – Inside Israeli Society By 1980’s and 90’s

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the rebirth of the Jewish people in Israel. He examines the status of womens’ rights, Mizrahi rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. He also discusses the role of the ultra orthodox in Israeli society, the renaissance of Jewish thought, the explosion of Jewish literature and theatre as seen through its books and television shows.

Gordis 18 – Beginnings of the Palestinian Peace Process

Beginning in 1974, with Arafat’s “olive branch and gun” speech to the United Nations and its “zionism is racism” 1975 resolution, Israel began to understand its position on the world stage. Dr. Daniel Gordis examines the Palestinian peace process from all angles including the creation of Hamas, Jordan renouncing its claim to the west bank, the first intifada, the Oslo Accords, the 1994 peace treaty with Jordan and the1995 assassination of Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin.

Gordis 14 – Israel in the Early 1960’s

The 1960’s in Israel begin with the arrest and capture of the notorious Nazi, Adolf Eichman. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Gordis explores how Eichman’s trial affected the Israeli people and the Jewish community as a whole as well as the American Jewish leaders’ response to this. The 1960’s also brought Israel’s development of nuclear capabilities, and in 1964, the creation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) for the purpose of the destruction of the Jewish State.

Gordis 15 – The 1967 War

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the concept of pan-Arabism, the 1967 war and the factors that cause Israel to begin to look like the modern day Israel we know today. Dr. Gordis discusses the events leading to the war, including the input of the British, French and Americans, as well as the six days of the war, and the results of that war. Finally, he touches on the 1987 debate as to whether to return captured land and the resulting burden of having “occupied” land that exists to this day.

Gordis 17 – The Decade after the Yom Kippur War

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the myriad changes that occur in Israel during the decade following the Yom Kippur War. From the resignation of Golda Meir, to the rise of the Likud party, peace with Egypt, the prevention of a nuclear reactor in Iraq to the Lebanon war. Dr. Gordis examines how these events impact the country.

Gordis 18 – Beginnings of the Palestinian Peace Process

Beginning in 1974, with Arafat’s “olive branch and gun” speech to the United Nations and its “zionism is racism” 1975 resolution, Israel began to understand its position on the world stage. Dr. Daniel Gordis examines the Palestinian peace process from all angles including the creation of Hamas, Jordan renouncing its claim to the west bank, the first intifada, the Oslo Accords, the 1994 peace treaty with Jordan and the1995 assassination of Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin.

Gordis 3 – Zionism 2.0: Beyond Herzl

From the labor Zionism of Ze’ev Jabotinsky to the revisionist Zionism of AD Gordon to the spiritual Zionism of Ahad Ha’am, various interpretations and manifestations of Zionist thought developed through the 20th century and into the 21st. Dr. Daniel Gordis sorts it all out and suggests how each informs Israeli culture and society.

Gordis 4 – Momentum Towards a Jewish State

Just 20 years after the first Zionist conference, Great Britain issued the momentous Balfour Declaration in 1917 in support of a Jewish state in Palestine. The next year, thousands gathered at Mt. Scopus to lay the cornerstone of Hebrew University, as Jews begin building the infrastructure of a future, developmentally advanced state. Dr. Daniel Gordis … Continue reading Gordis 4 – Momentum Towards a Jewish State →

Gordis 6 – The Military Might Leading to Statehood

In the decade before the establishment of Israel, three paramilitary groups emerged that played a critical role in the state’s establishment. These groups were each run by a man who ultimately becomes one of Israel’s prime ministers: (1) the Haganah, run indirectly by David Ben Gurion; (2) the Irgun (Etzel), run by Menachen Begin; and … Continue reading Gordis 6 – The Military Might Leading to Statehood →

Gordis 7 – The Creation of Israel

On Nov 29, 1947, the United Nations voted to allow the creation of Israel leading to the War of Independence which ultimately did not end until early 1949. Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the sentiment of the Jewish people in Israel at that time and explains the transformation of the Jewish psyche from the victim hood … Continue reading Gordis 7 – The Creation of Israel →

Gordis 10 – Power of the Ultra-Orthodox and Reparations

Why do the ultra-orthodox Jews maintain power over certain issues in Israel to this day? Dr. Daniel Gordis answers this question as well as discussing the controversial issue of reparations in the early 1950’s and how it affected Israel.

Gordis 11 – Israel’s Early Years

Israel began as a socialist nation. Dr. Daniel Gordis explores Israel’s socialism including the kibbutz, utilities and medicine. Dr. Gordis also discusses the status of Israeli Arabs and the military authority over Israeli Arabs between 1948-1966 as well as the status of Mizrahi Jews and intellectual life of the country during its early years.

Gordis 13 – Israel’s Foreign Policy in the 1950’s

In the early 1950’s, a newly independent Israel found itself with porous borders in which there were tens of thousands of cross border incursions each year. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Gordis explores how this, along with the Sinai campaign of 1956, influenced Israel’s foreign policy with respect to its Arab neighbors, as well as the psyche of the Israeli people at that time.

Gordis 11 – Israel’s Early Years

Israel began as a socialist nation. Dr. Daniel Gordis explores Israel’s socialism including the kibbutz, utilities and medicine. Dr. Gordis also discusses the status of Israeli Arabs and the military authority over Israeli Arabs between 1948-1966 as well as the status of Mizrahi Jews and intellectual life of the country during its early years.

Gordis 12 – American Jews and Israel

While many believe Americans always supported Zionism, Americans Jews have had conflicted feelings with Zionism throughout the years. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Gordis discusses American Jews’ relationship with Israel beginning in 1915 and continuing through present day.

Gordis 16 – Israel Post-1967 War through Yom Kippur War

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the six year period between June 1967 and October 1973 and the false sense of security and confidence felt by members of the young state. He also discusses the 1973 Yom Kippur War, poses the question of who actually wins the war? Despite winning militarily, does Israel lose spiritually? To this very day, has Israel recovered from the Yom Kippur War?

Gordis 20 – Israel in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s

Dr. Daniel Gordis examines the tumultuous events of Israel’s political history of the early 2000’s. This time period includes the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and moving to the Camp David peace talks with President Bill Clinton, the four years of the second intifada, construction of the security wall, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and the election of Hamas.

Gordis 18 – Beginnings of the Palestinian Peace Process

Beginning in 1974, with Arafat’s “olive branch and gun” speech to the United Nations and its “zionism is racism” 1975 resolution, Israel began to understand its position on the world stage. Dr. Daniel Gordis examines the Palestinian peace process from all angles including the creation of Hamas, Jordan renouncing its claim to the west bank, the first intifada, the Oslo Accords, the 1994 peace treaty with Jordan and the1995 assassination of Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin.

Gordis 9 – Israel’s First Election

Directly after Israel won the War of Independence, Israel held its first election. Dr. Daniel Gordis discusses Israelis’ feelings about the election, the parliamentary structure and how the Israeli government actually works through today.

Gordis 16 – Israel Post-1967 War through Yom Kippur War

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the six year period between June 1967 and October 1973 and the false sense of security and confidence felt by members of the young state. He also discusses the 1973 Yom Kippur War, poses the question of who actually wins the war? Despite winning militarily, does Israel lose spiritually? To this very day, has Israel recovered from the Yom Kippur War?

Gordis 2 -Who’s Theodor Herzl?

We see his name on streets in Israel and his portrait hangs in some official buildings, but who is he? Zionism grew as a political movement within the Jewish Diaspora in the late 1800s and early 1900s – driven by this Budapest-born writer, playwright and journalist. Dr. Daniel Gordis describes the compelling life of Herzl and … Continue reading Gordis 2 -Who’s Theodor Herzl? →

Gordis 1 – Zionism, Fact and Fiction

Zionism is a movement to build a Jewish homeland, born in the mid-1800s from European Jews’ sense of betrayal, heartbreak, and anguish after centuries of judgment and dislocation. Dr. Daniel Gordis discusses Zionism’s origins and how it is used – and misused – in modern political and activist discourse.

Gordis 17 – The Decade after the Yom Kippur War

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the myriad changes that occur in Israel during the decade following the Yom Kippur War. From the resignation of Golda Meir, to the rise of the Likud party, peace with Egypt, the prevention of a nuclear reactor in Iraq to the Lebanon war. Dr. Gordis examines how these events impact the country.

Gordis 2 -Who’s Theodor Herzl?

We see his name on streets in Israel and his portrait hangs in some official buildings, but who is he? Zionism grew as a political movement within the Jewish Diaspora in the late 1800s and early 1900s – driven by this Budapest-born writer, playwright and journalist. Dr. Daniel Gordis describes the compelling life of Herzl and … Continue reading Gordis 2 -Who’s Theodor Herzl? →

Gordis 13 – Israel’s Foreign Policy in the 1950’s

In the early 1950’s, a newly independent Israel found itself with porous borders in which there were tens of thousands of cross border incursions each year. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Gordis explores how this, along with the Sinai campaign of 1956, influenced Israel’s foreign policy with respect to its Arab neighbors, as well as the psyche of the Israeli people at that time.

Gordis 11 – Israel’s Early Years

Israel began as a socialist nation. Dr. Daniel Gordis explores Israel’s socialism including the kibbutz, utilities and medicine. Dr. Gordis also discusses the status of Israeli Arabs and the military authority over Israeli Arabs between 1948-1966 as well as the status of Mizrahi Jews and intellectual life of the country during its early years.

Gordis 9 – Israel’s First Election

Directly after Israel won the War of Independence, Israel held its first election. Dr. Daniel Gordis discusses Israelis’ feelings about the election, the parliamentary structure and how the Israeli government actually works through today.

Gordis 10 – Power of the Ultra-Orthodox and Reparations

Why do the ultra-orthodox Jews maintain power over certain issues in Israel to this day? Dr. Daniel Gordis answers this question as well as discussing the controversial issue of reparations in the early 1950’s and how it affected Israel.

Gordis 1 – Zionism, Fact and Fiction

Zionism is a movement to build a Jewish homeland, born in the mid-1800s from European Jews’ sense of betrayal, heartbreak, and anguish after centuries of judgment and dislocation. Dr. Daniel Gordis discusses Zionism’s origins and how it is used – and misused – in modern political and activist discourse.

Gordis 19 – Inside Israeli Society By 1980’s and 90’s

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the rebirth of the Jewish people in Israel. He examines the status of womens’ rights, Mizrahi rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. He also discusses the role of the ultra orthodox in Israeli society, the renaissance of Jewish thought, the explosion of Jewish literature and theatre as seen through its books and television shows.

Gordis 5 – Aliyah, in Waves

Throughout the first half of the 20th century, waves of Jewish immigrants made Aliyah to the region, each bringing particular experiences and ideas to the land that would become a Jewish state in 1948. Dr. Daniel Gordis describes these waves, the eruption of violence and antisemitism that met them, and first talk of partition, including … Continue reading Gordis 5 – Aliyah, in Waves →

Gordis 8 – Origins of the Palestinian Refugee Problem

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the very complex issue of the origin of Palestinian refugees, the reasons that 700,000 Palestinians left Israel during the Israeli War of Independence and the difficult moral questions remaining.

Gordis 12 – American Jews and Israel

While many believe Americans always supported Zionism, Americans Jews have had conflicted feelings with Zionism throughout the years. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Gordis discusses American Jews’ relationship with Israel beginning in 1915 and continuing through present day.

Gordis 15 – The 1967 War

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the concept of pan-Arabism, the 1967 war and the factors that cause Israel to begin to look like the modern day Israel we know today. Dr. Gordis discusses the events leading to the war, including the input of the British, French and Americans, as well as the six days of the war, and the results of that war. Finally, he touches on the 1987 debate as to whether to return captured land and the resulting burden of having “occupied” land that exists to this day.

Gordis 20 – Israel in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s

Dr. Daniel Gordis examines the tumultuous events of Israel’s political history of the early 2000’s. This time period includes the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and moving to the Camp David peace talks with President Bill Clinton, the four years of the second intifada, construction of the security wall, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and the election of Hamas.

Gordis 1 – Zionism, Fact and Fiction

Zionism is a movement to build a Jewish homeland, born in the mid-1800s from European Jews’ sense of betrayal, heartbreak, and anguish after centuries of judgment and dislocation. Dr. Daniel Gordis discusses Zionism’s origins and how it is used – and misused – in modern political and activist discourse.

Gordis 13 – Israel’s Foreign Policy in the 1950’s

In the early 1950’s, a newly independent Israel found itself with porous borders in which there were tens of thousands of cross border incursions each year. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Gordis explores how this, along with the Sinai campaign of 1956, influenced Israel’s foreign policy with respect to its Arab neighbors, as well as the psyche of the Israeli people at that time.

Gordis 15 – The 1967 War

Dr. Daniel Gordis explores the concept of pan-Arabism, the 1967 war and the factors that cause Israel to begin to look like the modern day Israel we know today. Dr. Gordis discusses the events leading to the war, including the input of the British, French and Americans, as well as the six days of the war, and the results of that war. Finally, he touches on the 1987 debate as to whether to return captured land and the resulting burden of having “occupied” land that exists to this day.

Gordis 6 – The Military Might Leading to Statehood

In the decade before the establishment of Israel, three paramilitary groups emerged that played a critical role in the state’s establishment. These groups were each run by a man who ultimately becomes one of Israel’s prime ministers: (1) the Haganah, run indirectly by David Ben Gurion; (2) the Irgun (Etzel), run by Menachen Begin; and … Continue reading Gordis 6 – The Military Might Leading to Statehood →