JTS Expanding the Conversation

The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) presents Expanding the Conversation, a podcast that brings the thought-provoking discussions and dynamic scholarship of JTS directly to you. Drawing from live events, lectures, and panel discussions, this podcast goes beyond the moment—offering not only recordings of these programs but also exclusive interviews with speakers, scholars, and thought leaders. Each episode explores the critical issues shaping the Jewish world today, from contemporary cultural moments to enduring questions of Jewish thought, practice, and identity. Whether you’re looking for intellectual engagement, spiritual insight, or a deeper connection to Jewish learning, Expanding the Conversation invites you to join the dialogue. Subscribe now and bring the rich conversations of JTS wherever you go.

JTS Expanding the Conversation is a religion podcast hosted by JTS, with 10 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

JTS hosts JTS Expanding the Conversation, a religion show with 10 episodes published.

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  JTS Expanding the Conversation

  Roy Peled

  May 22, 202528 minS0

  What does it mean to be a Jewish and democratic state?<br /><br />In this episode, Dr. Roy Peled—legal scholar and former youth activist—reflects on the legal and political forces shaping Israel’s identity. Speaking at the Israel at a Crossroads convening, Speaking at the Israel at a Crossroads convening, Peled traces the unfinished story of Israel’s constitution and the impact of Basic Laws on minority rights—especially the Arab minority. With clarity and nuance, he unpacks the political forces behind the Nation-State Law, the shifting role of the judiciary, and the tensions between national identity and democratic...

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  JTS Expanding the Conversation

  Seth Farber

  May 22, 202532 minS0

  In Israel today, the question of “Who is a Jew?” is not only legal—it’s deeply personal.<br /><br />In this episode of Expanding the Conversation, Rabbi Seth Farber, founder and director of Itim, reflects on the intersection of religious authority, individual identity, and democratic values. Drawing from biblical narratives, courtroom battles, and grassroots activism, Rabbi Farber explores how Israel’s religious bureaucracy impacts the lives of citizens at every major life cycle moment—marriage, burial, conversion—and what it will take to create a Jewish state that welcomes all Jews.  <br /><br />Bio of Seth Farber <br />Discussion Questions<br />...

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  JTS Expanding the Conversation

  Rakefet Ginsberg

  May 22, 202529 minS0

  What does Jewish pluralism actually look like in Israel today? <br /><br />In this episode of Expanding the Conversation, Rakefet Ginsberg, Executive Director of the Masorti Movement in Israel, reflects on how Israelis are redefining religious identity and reclaiming spiritual space—from the egalitarian Kotel to public Yom Kippur services in Tel Aviv. Drawing on her work at the grassroots level, she offers stories of coexistence, struggle, and hope, and makes a compelling case for expanding access to Judaism that is both meaningful and inclusive. <br /><br />Bio of Rakefet Ginsberg <br /><br />Discussion Questions<br />Pluralism in Practice<br />Rak...

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  JTS Expanding the Conversation

  Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib

  May 22, 202531 minS0

  What does it mean to be both a witness and a bridge in a time of war? <br />In this powerful episode, Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib—a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and a Palestinian American raised in Gaza—shares his story of survival, loss, and conviction. Speaking at the Israel at a Crossroads convening, Ahmed explores the personal and collective traumas that shape Palestinian life today, including the devastating impact of the current war on his own family. Refusing the binaries that dominate public discourse, Ahmed pushes for a third space—one grounded in mutual empathy, moral courage, and an unf...

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  JTS Expanding the Conversation

  Raquel Ukeles

  May 22, 202530 minS0

  What role can a library play in a time of national crisis? <br /><br />In this episode of Expanding the Conversation, Dr. Raquel Ukeles, Director of Collections at the National Library of Israel, reflects on how cultural institutions like the library serve as spaces of dialogue, connection, and resilience. Drawing on her experience overseeing one of the most important repositories of Jewish, Israeli, and Middle Eastern culture, Dr. Ukeles shares how the National Library has responded to war, social fragmentation, and political tension—not by retreating from controversy, but by doubling down on its mission to collect, curate, and make ac...

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