18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers
18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers is a new podcast by 18Forty interviewing Israel’s leading voices to explore critical questions on Zionism, the Israel-Hamas War, democracy, morality, Judaism, peace, Israel’s future, and so much more. We introduce you to fresh perspectives and challenging ideas about Israel — from across the political and religious spectrum — that you won’t find anywhere else. Join us on our journey as we pose 18 pressing questions to the 40 Israeli journalists, scholars, and religious thinkers you need to hear from today. Have questions you want us to ask or guests to feature? Shoot us an email at info@18forty.org.
Episodes
July 14, 2025 • 64 mins
Israel is a heroic country, Michael Oren believes—but he concedes that it is a flawed heroic country.
Michael Oren—our 40th Israeli thinker—served as Israeli ambassador to the U.S. from 2009-2013 under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while former U.S. President Barack Obama was in office. A diplomat, writer, historian, veteran, and political thinker, Michael worked extensively in all fields of defending the Jewish state.
He is th...
Michael Oren—our 40th Israeli thinker—served as Israeli ambassador to the U.S. from 2009-2013 under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while former U.S. President Barack Obama was in office. A diplomat, writer, historian, veteran, and political thinker, Michael worked extensively in all fields of defending the Jewish state.
He is th...
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July 7, 2025 • 68 mins
Micah Goodman doesn't think Palestinian-Israeli peace will happen within his lifetime. But he's still a hopeful person.
Named by the Jerusalem Post as one of the 50 most influential Jews, Micah is a public intellectual, writer, and author whose voice is central to the moral, political, and religious debates raging within Israel.
He is the author of several best-selling books — including The Wondering Jew, Catch 67, The Dream of the K...
Named by the Jerusalem Post as one of the 50 most influential Jews, Micah is a public intellectual, writer, and author whose voice is central to the moral, political, and religious debates raging within Israel.
He is the author of several best-selling books — including The Wondering Jew, Catch 67, The Dream of the K...
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June 30, 2025 • 76 mins
Talking about the "Haredi community" is a misnomer, Jonathan Rosenblum says, and simplifies its diversity of thought and perspectives.
A Yale-trained lawyer turned journalist, Jonathan has been a prolific Haredi columnist for the last few decades. He helped found the English-language Haredi publication Yated Ne’eman, wrote extensively for The Jewish Observer, and writes weekly for Mispacha magazine.
Jonathan is also the author of ove...
A Yale-trained lawyer turned journalist, Jonathan has been a prolific Haredi columnist for the last few decades. He helped found the English-language Haredi publication Yated Ne’eman, wrote extensively for The Jewish Observer, and writes weekly for Mispacha magazine.
Jonathan is also the author of ove...
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June 23, 2025 • 32 mins
Two weeks ago, Israel struck Iran's nuclear facilities, military sites, and leaders. Iran launched a barrage of missiles into Israel. Now, the war has only intensified.
Today's episode features eight Israeli thinkers discussing the Iranian threat from weeks and months ago. We hear from:
Today's episode features eight Israeli thinkers discussing the Iranian threat from weeks and months ago. We hear from:
- Efraim Inbar
- Lahav Harkov
- Yossi Klein Halevi
- Gadi Taub
- Uri Zaki
- Einat Wilf
- Haviv Rettig-Gur
- Moshe Koppel
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June 16, 2025 • 65 mins
Zionism asked the Jewish People if they could wield power properly, Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger says. The answer, according to him, is now clear: They cannot.
Before co-founding the Palestinian-Israeli dialogue center Roots/Shorashim/Judur, Hanan had never met a Palestinian before. 2013 changed that. Inspired by his interfaith experience decades prior, Hanan threw himself into peace work and is now Roots’ Director of International Relat...
Before co-founding the Palestinian-Israeli dialogue center Roots/Shorashim/Judur, Hanan had never met a Palestinian before. 2013 changed that. Inspired by his interfaith experience decades prior, Hanan threw himself into peace work and is now Roots’ Director of International Relat...
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June 9, 2025 • 43 mins
Hamas has isolated Israel diplomatically. Fleur Hassan-Nahoum is scared that, in 20 years, it might be completely isolated.
Fleur is a British-born Israeli politician who served as Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem from 2018 until 2024, and she recently joined the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy as a senior fellow and sits on the international advisory council.
A seasoned politician still involved in Jerusalem af...
Fleur is a British-born Israeli politician who served as Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem from 2018 until 2024, and she recently joined the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy as a senior fellow and sits on the international advisory council.
A seasoned politician still involved in Jerusalem af...
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May 26, 2025 • 75 mins
While we await next week's new episode, we invite you to revisit our (third) 18Forty Podcast conversation with Malka Simkovich, originally aired on November 19, 2024.
18Forty is celebrating its fifth year LIVE in NYC on June 9. Reserve your seats today!
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Malka Simkovich—a scholar of Jewish history, the editor-in-chief of the Jewish Publication Society, and a three-time 18Forty guest—...
18Forty is celebrating its fifth year LIVE in NYC on June 9. Reserve your seats today!
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Malka Simkovich—a scholar of Jewish history, the editor-in-chief of the Jewish Publication Society, and a three-time 18Forty guest—...
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May 19, 2025 • 65 mins
The Torah wants Israel to be a religious state, Rabbi Elli Fischer says. Just, maybe, not right now.
A historian, writer, translator, and educator, Elli Fischer extensively explores the relationship between Jewish law and the Jewish state, in the past, present, and future. Elli was a previous guest on 18Forty's Zionism series and a 3-Month Book Journey Leader.
A founding editor of The Lehrhaus, Elli was ordained by Israel’s Chief R...
A historian, writer, translator, and educator, Elli Fischer extensively explores the relationship between Jewish law and the Jewish state, in the past, present, and future. Elli was a previous guest on 18Forty's Zionism series and a 3-Month Book Journey Leader.
A founding editor of The Lehrhaus, Elli was ordained by Israel’s Chief R...
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May 12, 2025 • 63 mins
Twice in its history, Jewish sovereignty collapsed in the last quarter of its first century. Yoav Heller believes Israel must heed this warning.
Chairman of the Wingate Institute and a Holocaust historian, Yoav Heller is also chairman of the Fourth Quarter movement—a grassroots movement seeking to repair Israel's civil divides and secure the Jewish state's future.
Yoav has been immersed in Israeli society, previously CEO of the Maoz ...
Chairman of the Wingate Institute and a Holocaust historian, Yoav Heller is also chairman of the Fourth Quarter movement—a grassroots movement seeking to repair Israel's civil divides and secure the Jewish state's future.
Yoav has been immersed in Israeli society, previously CEO of the Maoz ...
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May 5, 2025 • 71 mins
Wishing Arabs would disappear from Israel, Mikhael Manekin says, is a dangerous fantasy.
One of the leaders of Israel's Hasmol Haemuni (Faithful Left) movement, Mikhael is a vocal religious activist for equality and peace. He is the director of the Alliance Fellowship program, an Arab-Jewish political network in Israel, and has authored two books, End of Days Ethics, Tradition, and Power in Israel and Sermons from the Abyss.
Mikhael ...
One of the leaders of Israel's Hasmol Haemuni (Faithful Left) movement, Mikhael is a vocal religious activist for equality and peace. He is the director of the Alliance Fellowship program, an Arab-Jewish political network in Israel, and has authored two books, End of Days Ethics, Tradition, and Power in Israel and Sermons from the Abyss.
Mikhael ...
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April 28, 2025 • 82 mins
We return next week with a new episode of 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers. In the meantime, enjoy this earlier interview with Einat Wilf, recorded Nov. 25, 2024.
The true enemy in Israel's current war, Einat Wilf says, is what she calls "Palestinianism."
Once part of the Israeli left, Einat Wilf is a popular political thinker on Israel, Zionism, and foreign policy. Her 2020 co-authored book, "The War of Return," outlines what she ...
The true enemy in Israel's current war, Einat Wilf says, is what she calls "Palestinianism."
Once part of the Israeli left, Einat Wilf is a popular political thinker on Israel, Zionism, and foreign policy. Her 2020 co-authored book, "The War of Return," outlines what she ...
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not surprise Anshel Pfeffer over the last 17 months of war—and that's the most disappointing part.
A British-born Israeli journalist, Anshel Pfeffer is the Israel correspondent for The Economist and was a longtime senior correspondent and columnist for Haaretz.
Pfeffer's 2018 book, Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu, earned widespread and acclaim and praise. He is a central...
A British-born Israeli journalist, Anshel Pfeffer is the Israel correspondent for The Economist and was a longtime senior correspondent and columnist for Haaretz.
Pfeffer's 2018 book, Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu, earned widespread and acclaim and praise. He is a central...
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March 31, 2025 • 72 mins
Judaism does not value power and might, Rav Mosheh Lichtenstein says—in fact, it abhors it.
Co-rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion, Rav Mosheh is a venerated leader in Israel's Religious Zionist world who is unafraid to call out his community's shortfalls. His statements on Israel's religious-political affairs draw ire and praise—a fact-of-life that does not discourage him.
Rav Mosheh has been a raam in yeshiva since 1992, and teache...
Co-rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion, Rav Mosheh is a venerated leader in Israel's Religious Zionist world who is unafraid to call out his community's shortfalls. His statements on Israel's religious-political affairs draw ire and praise—a fact-of-life that does not discourage him.
Rav Mosheh has been a raam in yeshiva since 1992, and teache...
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March 24, 2025 • 44 mins
Sgt. Itay Chen was taken captive by Hamas on October 7. The IDF believes he is dead—but his family is still holding out hope.
Ever since Itay was declared Missing in Action, Ruby and Chagit Chen—and the Chen family—have tirelessly fought to bring him home. Ruby and Itay are American citizens, so they hoped that would play to their advantage. In March of 2024, the IDF declared that Itay was killed on Oct. 7 and his body is being held...
Ever since Itay was declared Missing in Action, Ruby and Chagit Chen—and the Chen family—have tirelessly fought to bring him home. Ruby and Itay are American citizens, so they hoped that would play to their advantage. In March of 2024, the IDF declared that Itay was killed on Oct. 7 and his body is being held...
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March 17, 2025 • 66 mins
Sagui Dekel-Chen was held hostage in Gaza for 498 days—or 43 million seconds. He came home on Feb. 15.
An American-Israeli citizen who was living in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Sagui left behind a pregnant wife and two daughters when Hamas took him captive in Gaza. Sagui had no idea of their fate—until two days before his release.
Jonathan Dekel-Chen, Sagui's father, joins Sruli Fruchter to speak about his tireless advocacy to bring Sagui home, ...
An American-Israeli citizen who was living in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Sagui left behind a pregnant wife and two daughters when Hamas took him captive in Gaza. Sagui had no idea of their fate—until two days before his release.
Jonathan Dekel-Chen, Sagui's father, joins Sruli Fruchter to speak about his tireless advocacy to bring Sagui home, ...
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March 3, 2025 • 76 mins
We don't have a new episode this week, but we invite you to revisit our 18Forty Podcast conversation with Yossi Klein Halevi, originally aired on Dec. 26, 2023.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yossi Klein Halevi, a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, about what it means to be a Zionist and a Jew post-October 7.
Since Simchas Torah, we’ve spent lots of time airing our political differences with others. W...
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yossi Klein Halevi, a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, about what it means to be a Zionist and a Jew post-October 7.
Since Simchas Torah, we’ve spent lots of time airing our political differences with others. W...
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February 24, 2025 • 87 mins
Israel should prioritize its Jewish citizens, Yishai Fleisher says, because that's what a nation-state does.
Yishai is the international spokesman for the Jewish community of Hebron, a flashpoint in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and a councilman for the Efrat community. His words reach audiences across the world via CNN, Piers Morgan's Uncensored, the New York Times, his own YouTube and podcasts, and more.
A lawyer and rabbi, Yis...
Yishai is the international spokesman for the Jewish community of Hebron, a flashpoint in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and a councilman for the Efrat community. His words reach audiences across the world via CNN, Piers Morgan's Uncensored, the New York Times, his own YouTube and podcasts, and more.
A lawyer and rabbi, Yis...
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February 17, 2025 • 67 mins
Gaza can be leveled down or built up, Nitsana Darshan-Leitner says, and she wants Trump's plan to do the latter.
An Israeli international lawyer and activist who has represented hundreds of terror victims in legal actions against terror organizations and their supporters, Nitsana is the head of Shurat HaDin—Israel Law Center, which combats terrorism, promotes civil rights, and actively pursues pro-Israel lawfare.
Nitsana was ranked ...
An Israeli international lawyer and activist who has represented hundreds of terror victims in legal actions against terror organizations and their supporters, Nitsana is the head of Shurat HaDin—Israel Law Center, which combats terrorism, promotes civil rights, and actively pursues pro-Israel lawfare.
Nitsana was ranked ...
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February 10, 2025 • 85 mins
Israel is opening a Pandora's box by releasing Palestinian prisoners and terrorists, Shani Taragin says — but she still has not given up hope.
A prominent religious leader and educator in Israel, Rabbanit Shani Taragin is impassioned by the State of Israel's future as the homeland for the Jewish People, despite what she sees as its pitfalls. She is sought out for her convictions, faith, and inspired guidance.
Shani directs and teache...
A prominent religious leader and educator in Israel, Rabbanit Shani Taragin is impassioned by the State of Israel's future as the homeland for the Jewish People, despite what she sees as its pitfalls. She is sought out for her convictions, faith, and inspired guidance.
Shani directs and teache...
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February 3, 2025 • 63 mins
Hamas is already beginning to rebuild, Chuck Freilich says, because Israel lacks a post-war vision for Gaza.
An Israeli national security expert, Chuck is a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies and has taught at elite American universities like Harvard, NYU, and Columbia. He has spent extensive time in Israel's national security establishment.
The author of three books on Israel—Zion’s Dilemmas: How Israel Mak...
An Israeli national security expert, Chuck is a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies and has taught at elite American universities like Harvard, NYU, and Columbia. He has spent extensive time in Israel's national security establishment.
The author of three books on Israel—Zion’s Dilemmas: How Israel Mak...
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