Franklin Foer on why fatalism isn't a strategy for American Jews

Franklin Foer is the man who declared that the golden age of American Jewry is over - or at least ending. Two years on — in the aftermath of October 7th and the Gaza war, collapsing bipartisan support for Israel, a wave of antisemitism from both left and right, and a military misadventure in Iran — he thinks he underestimated the problem. This week, Yonit and Jonathan sit down with Foer, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of the landmark piece that became required reading in Jewish communities across America. They discuss whether the anti-AIPAC pledge that has become a feature of Democratic primaries is classical antisemitism in new clothing; how a forgotten Jewish genius from Odessa might explain what American Jews are supposed to do now; and why Foer refuses — loudly — to bow to fatalism. Also: Bob Dylan's existential crisis, Abraham Joshua Heschel's ode to the Sabbath, and how soccer helps explain at least one aspect of modern Jewish life. Guest: Franklin Foer, staff writer, The Atlantic Watch us on YouTube: Follow Unholy and learn more about the pod: Join our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes, discounts on merch and more: Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company.

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Franklin Foer on why fatalism isn't a strategy for American Jews is an episode from Unholy: Two Jews on the news by Unholy Media.

This episode is 00:42:16 long.

This episode was published on May 26, 2026.

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