Shabbos Kestenbaum | Jewish Activist | 02-17-26

Sid & Friends In The Morning

77 WABC

News, Sports, Comedy

4.2 • 828 Ratings

🗓️ 17 February 2026

⏱️ 21 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jewish activist Shabbos Kestenbaum returns to the morning show to discuss Spike Lee wearing a pro-Palestinian themed outfit at the NBA All-Star game in response to Israeli NBA player & all-star Deni Avdija playing in the game, arguing it reflects a double standard toward Jews and Israel compared with other international athletes. He cites examples of Jewish and Israeli athletes facing hostility and criticizes Hollywood and prominent Jewish executives for not forcefully responding to antisemitism since October 7. The conversation also addresses antisemitism from the Black community in New York, references criticism of a Robert Kraft Super Bowl ad as unrealistic, and turns to the reported death of Jesse Jackson, whom the host says is remembered by many Jews for his antisemitic remarks and for not distancing himself from Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. Kestenbaum argues that the American Jewish community’s strategy of universalizing its causes has not ensured acceptance, and concludes that Jewish survival ultimately depends on Jews standing up for themselves, while acknowledging there are allies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This National Foster Care Month, Marine Toys for Tots, is providing hope to children who needed most.
0:05.8	Staff Sergeant James Caldwell, who grew up in foster care himself, shares that while handing out gifts at a Toys for Tots distribution event,
0:12.7	a little girl looked up at him, reached into her bag, pulled out a stuffed animal, and said,
0:16.5	someone needs to make sure you get a toy too. That simple gesture embodies the heart of Marine Toys for Tots. Ensuring every child, including those in foster care, experiences the kindness that can transform their future. Visit Toysfor Tots.org today. I didn't watch the All-Star Game. I have no idea who won. I'm happy that Denny, the Israeli, made it. I do want to point out what a scumbag spike Lee is.
0:39.3	I mentioned this earlier.
0:40.5	I would go to a nick game now, and I'm not going to encourage any violence.
0:45.8	But somebody would probably have to stop me from not running up to Spike Lee and just knocking his ass out.
0:53.6	Yeah, I said it. That's right. I said it. Mark Levin, that. Yeah, I said it.
0:54.4	That's right, I said it.
0:55.5	Mark Levin, that's right, I said it.
0:58.6	This little pussy, Spike Lee, shows up to the NBA All-Star game or one of the events.
1:05.3	I don't know exactly when he wore it wearing this pro-Palestine outfit.
1:10.2	Did you see this, no?
1:11.0	I did see it, yeah.
1:12.2	Why? What was that all about? I guess he's angry that an Israeli made it onto the All-Stra team. Oh, he's angry that an Israeli made it, huh? But what's the connection between that and Gaza? I mean, it's just an individual who made the All-Star team. I don't understand the protest against a guy who happens to be from Israel,
1:30.3	who is good enough to make the All-Star team,
1:32.0	but that you feel you need to dress up.
1:34.3	And he was dressed up as the Gaza flag.
1:37.1	The Gaza flag.
1:38.1	Yeah.
1:39.3	Yeah.
1:39.9	That's the place to make that kind of protest.
	...

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