Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Bethlehem activist Noor A'wad to discuss the Palestinian Authority elections scheduled to take place, as well as the need to include more "extremist" Israelis and Palestinians in meaningful reconciliation work.

The Next Stage

TNS 051: Palestinian Elections (with Noor A'wad)

The Six Day War concluded the Zionist era, sparked a major crisis for Western civilization & began the next chapter of the Jewish people's story.

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Jerusalem educator Shammai Siskind for a discussion on Yom Yerushalayim, various Israeli political camps & the next stage of Jewish liberation.

TNS 052: Yom Yerushalayim Marks the End of Zionism (with Shammai Siskind)

If concerns surrounding judicial reforms are about human rights & civil liberties, why are the weakest sectors of society supporting the reforms while Israel's elites & security agencies oppose them?

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by attorney Tehila Gimpel for a deep dive into the backstory of Israel's Basic Laws as a quasi-constitution, on Aharon Barak's "constitutional revolution" of the 1990s, on the contentious judicial reform legislation being advanced by the coalition to check the power of the Supreme Court and on the protests that have rocked Israeli society in reaction to the proposed reforms.

TNS 094: A Deep Dive into the Judicial Reform Battle (with Tehila Gimpel)

What is the Torah that Israel received on Shavuot & what must Jews do in order to properly receive it?

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Rav David Samson to discuss what it means for the Jewish people to prepare to receive the Torah.

TNS 098: Preparing to Receive the Torah on Shavuot (with Rav David Samson)

It's important that the Jewish people engage our Torah through the ideological lens of Israel's cherished prophets & sages. 

In a special pre-Shavuot bonus episode of The Next Stage, Yehuda HaKohen addresses several misconceptions regarding Israel's Torah that have resulted from the many layers of colonization that the Jewish people experienced in exile.

TNS BONUS Episode: Decolonizing Our Study of the Torah

Should the word 'Zionist' be used to refer to all of history's many Jewish liberation movements or should the term be more narrowly limited to the actual Zionist movement?

Does it really make a difference?

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by conservative neo-Zionist media personality Adam Scott Bellos for a multi-layered discussion on whether or not the Jewish people have advanced beyond the Zionist era and require a new Jewish liberation tendency to address the current challenges confronting the children of Israel.

TNS 099: In Conversation with a [Right-Wing] Zionist (with Adam Scott Bellos)

How much space can Israel's westernized ruling class make for the growing majority of Israelis who champion a different vision for the country?

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Paul Gross - an organizer in the protest movement against Israeli judicial reforms - to discuss the different perspectives driving supporters and opponents of the government’s legislation to balance power between the people’s elected representatives and the Supreme Court.

TNS 102: Internal Dialogue Amidst Societal Tensions (with Paul Gross)

Do current tensions in Israeli society indicate a need to separate into a new Israeli state & a Judean state?

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Nitzan Amit of the Israeli Separation Movement that seeks to copy the Biblical model of dividing the country into a new Israeli state (Yosef) and a Judean state (Yehuda).

TNS 104: Should Israel Separate into Two Jewish States? (with Nitzan Amit)

The only way to stop further conflicts with Hamas is for Israel to acknowledge the mistake of leaving Gaza & formulate a visionary strategy for return.

As Israel reels from the horrific Hamas attacks of Simḥat Torah & finds itself fighting a new war on multiple fronts, Lizzy Oziel & Yehuda HaKohen are joined by Shai Hershel to discuss the situation.

TNS 106: Take Back Gaza! (with Shai Hershel)

Can the crises surrounding the current war with Hamas help Israel grow beyond Western ideological paradigms & realize our true potential on the world stage?

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Rav Gavriel Reiss - a founder of the movement who created a farm in southern Judea to actualize Vision ideals.

The two discuss how this war exposed Western civilization's narrow conception of humanity as being largely irrelevant to most Israelis and Palestinians.

TNS 107: Brotherhood & War (with Gavriel Reiss)

How does the current conflict between Israel & Hamas in Gaza concern Hezbollah, Iran, the US empire, Saudi Arabia, China, Russia & the hostages?

As Israel's army pivots from areal strikes to a ground assault on northern Gaza, Lizzy Oziel & Yehuda HaKohen are joined by former United States diplomat and CIA case officer Ariel Avidar to analyze Israel's conduct of the war, what might be motivating some of the other actors involved and how this relates to a sudden spike in anti-Semitism.

TNS 109: Analyzing the War (with Ariel Avidar)

What does it really mean to be a Maccabi today?

Following a special announcement, Lizzy Oziel & Yehuda HaKohen talk about some of the deeper themes surrounding Ḥanukah and how they continuously repeat themselves throughout Israel's history. 

The two also discuss the dangerous psychological ramifications of Israelis celebrating the 1947 UN partition plan on the 29th of November.

Maoz Tzur outro music by Yehonatan Roth.

TNS 110: Ḥanukah's Cyclical Themes

Has the current Gaza War created better conditions for Israel to move towards military self-sufficiency and free ourselves from the United States?

Lizzy Oziel & Yehuda HaKohen are joined by "Prisoner of Zion" Jonathan Pollard to discuss Israel's looming battle over identity and the extent to which the people of Israel have begun to recognize the dangerous nature of the US-Israel relationship.

TNS 112: Israel's Struggle for Identity & Military Independence (with Jonathan Pollard)

Is Washington's aggressive push for partition inadvertently strengthening Binyamin Netanyahu & increasing the Israeli public's desire for freedom?

Lizzy Oziel & Yehuda HaKohen discuss how the Biden administration's efforts to push Israel back to a two-state paradigm have actually backfired against American interests in the Semitic region.

The two also discuss socio-political transformations in Israeli society, the current state of Israeli-Palestinian peace work, and what line needs to be crossed for individual Jews to be seen as having turned against their people.

TNS 115: Biden's Tone-Deaf Two-State Rhetoric

If different societies have different concepts of freedom, what does freedom mean to Israel?

Ahead of the anniversary of Leḥi (Fighters for the Freedom of Israel) leader Natan Yellin-Mor's passing, Yehuda HaKohen is joined by a Vision affiliated "Anonymous Soldier" to discuss the need for political education within Israel's national-religious camp.

TNS 117: Political Intelligence & Concepts of Freedom (with an "Anonymous Soldier")

What was the ancient Egyptian worldview that humanity required liberation from?

Ahead of the festival of Israel's freedom, Yehuda HaKohen shares his thoughts on the Egyptian ideology & true educational purpose of the ten plagues.

TNS 120: The Egyptian Ideology & True Purpose of the Plagues

Why do the children of Israel celebrate the seventh night of Pesaḥ (referred to by Rav Sa’adya Gaon as "Ḥag HaShmada" – the “Festival of Destruction”)?  

Yehuda HaKohen teaches that in addition to commemorating the smashing of Egypt’s military at the Sea of Reeds, the 21st of Nisan also marks something more significant to Israel’s development – the climax of our miraculous national birth and the attainment of collective prophecy.

TNS 121: Why Israel Celebrates the 21st of Nisan

After years of branding Israel as a 'Western nation' closely allied to the United States, the campus-based pro-Israel advocacy organizations shouldn't be surprised when Israel is perceived by many students as a settler-colony.

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Vision student organizer Sharon Levy to analyze why the mainstream pro-Israel advocacy organizations have failed so miserably on North American university campuses.

TNS 122: The Failure of the Hasbara Industry (with Sharon Levy)

Can Israel truly receive a fair trial according to the moral standards of the West if Western civilization is fundamentally rooted in a Christian worldview?

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Professor Jeremy England to discuss his recent piece, Live by the Law or Die on the Cross, and the extent to which Israel could hope to survive and thrive as a Jewish state in a Western-led global order inherently based on a Christian ideological paradigm.

TNS 123: How the Western-Led Global Order Shackles Israel (with Jeremy England)

The most pressing challenges of our time demand a deeper embrace of our unique identities & a principled rejection of shallow political thinking.

Rav Gavriel Reiss addresses the Valley Beit Midrash in Arizona & discusses the need to move away from the "two-state" paradigm in favor of an approach based more on the very real identities & realities on the ground.

Judging Esav's Mountain

What Our Historic Moment Requires

Is there a uniquely Jewish balance one can strike between tribal rootedness & universalism?

After hosting Rav Gavriel Reiss in Phoenix, Rav Shmuely Yanklowitz of the Valley Beit Midrash joins Rav Yehuda HaKohen for a follow up conversation on the need to create a critical mass of young Jewish organizers able to show up for other oppressed and marginalized groups as their full "Israelite" selves.

The two also discuss the importance of being rooted in one's identity and values while open to constant learning and growth.

TNS 124: Jewish Tribal & Universal Commitments (with Rav Shmuely Yanklowitz)

Could students of postcolonial studies benefit from examining the Zionist movement as an example of both settler-colonialism & national liberation?

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Professor Derek Penslar for a conversation about the unique relationship between Ashkenazi Jews, Orientalism, anti-Semitism, Zionism, colonialism & postcolonialism.

The two also discuss aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the distinction between the Zionist movement and the ancient Jewish concept of "Shivat Tzion" (the "Return to Zion") expressed through various liberation movements throughout the centuries.

TNS 125: The Jewish Relationship to Colonialism & Postcolonialism (with Derek Penslar)

What are the values pushing some Jewish students to call for an end to Israel's current war?

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Columbia University student organizer Aharon Dardik, who spent his formative years in a Judean/West Bank Jewish community but now calls for a ceasefire as Israel fights on multiple fronts.

Jews for a Ceasefire

TNS 126: Jews For A Ceasefire (with Aharon Dardik)

While most Israelis now reject the notion of ceding land, our further advancement requires the construction of a new ideological paradigm.

Following nearly a year of war since the Hamas attacks on Simḥat Torah of last year, Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Rav Gavriel Reiss to discuss how Israeli society has changed during the war and what limitation still block Israel's further development.

Rav Gavriel also shares some ideas on the deeper meaning of the simḥa we're meant to experience on the Sukkot festival.

TNS 127: A Year of War (with Rav Gavriel Reiss)

Could passing responsibility for peace to the Jews most deeply rooted in our collective story help Israel to create better relationships with our neighbors? 

Member of Knesset Ohad Tal (Religious Zionism) joins Yehuda HaKohen to discuss his efforts towards regional peace and how he represents Israel to the Islamic world. 

The two also discuss how the larger process of the Jewish return to the stage of history and its potential meaning for humanity.

TNS 128: Israel's New Diplomacy in the Semitic Region (with MK Ohad Tal)

What's it like to grow up as the son of a man who dedicates his entire being to his people and country?

Prime Minister Yitzḥak Shamir was a Jewish national hero. When the British ruled Palestine, he served as a leading figure in the anti-colonial struggle to free the country. After the State of Israel was established, he was recruited into the Mossad. Later he entered politics and became Israel's seventh prime minister - where he still saw himself as a fighter for Israel's freedom.

In anticipation of the new documentary, Shamir: War, Peace & [a] Dream, Yehuda HaKohen is joined by former Minister of Agriculture Yair Shamir to discuss his father's life and legacy, as well as his own experiences growing up as the son of a national hero.

TNS 129: Son of a National Hero (with Yair Shamir)

How did Israel education in the Jewish Diaspora fail as abysmally as it did? Can it still be corrected?

In a special double episode, Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Joe Schwartz to discuss the state of Israel education for Diaspora Jews and his work in the field through the Makom organization.

In the course of their rich conversation, the two also reminisce about life in late 20th Century New York City and discuss Jewish identity, the pros and cons of liberal ideology, how to relate to Diaspora-based Jewish religious denominations, and the tribal socio-political tensions currently dividing Israeli society.

TNS 130: Rethinking Israel Education for Diaspora Jews (with Joe Schwartz)

The Betar movement appears to have sprung back to life in recent months. But why is this so threatening to the official World Zionist Organization?

Yehuda HaKohen  is joined by Ronn Torossian - a key figure in reviving Z'ev Jabotinsky's Betar movement that appears to be experiencing a major come back as a result of the nationalist awakening that's taken place within Diaspora Jewish communities since the events of October 7, 2023.

The two discuss the merits of more aggressive Jewish activism, the distinctions between Revisionist Zionist and Sternist thought, and Betar's disqualification from the recent elections for the World Zionist Congress.

TNS 131: The Return of Betar (with Ronn Torossian)

Could direct US involvement in Israel's war against Iran change the historic significance of the conflict or prevent Jerusalem from taking a post-war leadership role in the Semitic region?

Yehuda HaKohen  is joined by Jacob Siegel of Tablet Magazine to discuss Israel's current war against Iran and its historic ramifications. 

The two also discuss how President Donald Trump's administration operates and the reasons for Israel to avoid the Abraham Accords.

TNS 132 The Meaning of Israel's War on Iran (with Jacob Siegel)

As a result of colonization and exile, Jews at a certain point in history began to experience our own identity, values, practices and culture through the context of another civilization's ideological paradigm.

Come explore paradoxical logic and the conflicting reactions of Athens and Jerusalem to the decrease in mankind's spiritual awareness.

The Ages of Mythology & Philosophy

Yehuda HaKohen is joined in Jerusalem by Rabbi Mike Feuer of "The Jewish Story" to discuss the failure to liberate the city in 1948, the historical significance of the Six Day War and how Yom Yerushalayim has influenced the State of Israel's socio-political trajectory.

TNS 002: Jerusalem Day (with Mike Feuer)

How was the Egyptian ideology blocking humanity from receiving a prophetic message?

Why was it necessary for Egypt to be hit with ten plagues instead of one?

What is the origin story of the erev rav?

Vision Magazine

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