Natan Sharansky: 'If you don't have faith or Zionism, your grandchildren will not be Jewish' (18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers)

18Forty Podcast

18Forty

Religion & Spirituality, Judaism

4.6 • 638 Ratings

🗓️ 29 January 2025

⏱️ 70 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Take our annual survery: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WZKXNWR

We don't have a new episode this week, but we want to share with you an episode of our podcast 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers, recorded on Jan. 13. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch the latest episode every Monday.

Antisemitism and assimilation are threatening the Jewish People, says Natan Sharansky, but to both Israel offers a solution.

Born in the Soviet Union and imprisoned by the authorities when trying to immigrate to Israel, Sharansky experienced brutal interrogations, forced feedings, and torture — sparking international campaigns to fight for his freedom in 1986.

Today, Natan is Chairman for the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy and has an extensive record as a human rights activist, Israeli politician, and advocate for the Jewish People. He is the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1986 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006.

Now, he joins us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including anti-Zionism, hostage negotiations, and the threats of antisemitism and assimilation.

This interview was held on Jan. 13.

Here are our 18 questions:

As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
How do you think Hamas views the outcome and aftermath of October 7—was it a success, in their eyes?
What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?
Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?
Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
Is the IDF the world’s most moral army?
If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after the war?
Is Israel properly handling the Iranian threat?
Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi friends, a few months ago we advertised the birth of a new community in Israel.
0:05.4	Eden Bait Shemesh, a community tailored made for all those of us in need of a five-year plan,
0:12.6	and let's face it, we are living in a time when every single one of us should be drafting the five-year plan for our futures in Israel.
0:20.7	Our own listeners from within the 1840 community have purchased in Eden, an opportunity which
0:26.4	they will longingly watch unfold into a reality, a shul, and a community.
0:32.2	I am so proud that the leaders behind Aden are none other than Rabbi Benny and Khani Krohn. I know them personally
0:39.3	because they are the rabbi and Rebitten of my own personal community and they are the ones leading
0:45.1	this new development community. And I know for my own life that their stewardship, their leadership,
0:51.4	is you know this is going to be a welcoming, joyous, incredible
0:55.7	community where everyone is going to be able to feel comfortable and build a home.
1:00.2	On June 29th, Eden will be hosting a webinar to speak in detail about the vision for this project.
1:07.6	In order to register, please click the link below or email info at
1:12.8	Edenbateschemish.com to find out more. Once again, that's info at Edenbateshemesh.com to find out more.
1:23.3	We see today again very clearly how the forces of anti-Semitism
1:28.3	and the forces are assimilation, are really competing with one another,
1:33.3	which of these forces will damage Jewish people more.
1:38.3	And I think that in both cases, Israel is the best answer.
1:43.3	Hi, I'm Nat Scharansky, I am Grandfiel In both cases, Israel is the best answer.
1:51.0	Hi, I'm Nat Schradzky, I'm grandfather of eight, and I'm a chess player.
1:53.0	All the rest is commentary.
2:00.0	And can you say, and this is 18 questions, 40 Israeli thinkers? No, that's you will say, why I should say.
2:01.9	I'm not going to promote anything.
	...

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