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PODCAST

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht

Don"t Know Much About is a show devoted to unpacking contentious topics--to clarify the complex and empower people to understand historical and political events.

history judaism

All Episodes

46:59

When the Right Got a Makeover—and a Jewish Problem

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2025/08/03

In this episode of Don’t Know Much About, Dr. Naya Lekht sits down with Sharon Nik for a timely conversation about the rise of antisemitism on the political right. Together, they trace the emergence of the "woke right" and explore how cultural cues—including fashion trends—can serve as surprising predictors of political shifts. Sharon also shares her powerful personal journey: fleeing Iran, going to Israel, and eventually immigrating to the United States. Clarifying the complex. Step in...

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55:05

Should the Jews Play Dodgeball? An Honest...

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2025/07/30

What does Theodor Herzl have to do with dodgeball, and why does it matter for Jewish advocacy today? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Naya Lekht sits down with Nicole Bernstein, co-founder of PeerK12, to explore the state of Jewish grassroots leadership in the U.S. From the playground to the political arena, Naya and Nicole examine how Jewish identity, Zionism, and antisemitism intersect in education, activism, and community building. While the two find much common ground—especially i...

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14:00

They Hate the Left, Love America, and Blame the Jews:...

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2025/07/29

In this episode of Don’t Know Much About, Dr. Naya Lekht explores how modern antisemitism on the "woke right" resembles left-wing conspiracy frameworks—despite often being cloaked in patriotism and Judeo‑Christian rhetoric—and challenges the assumption that love of country shields against blame-driven ideologies. With historical perspective and cultural clarity, Naya highlights how grievance politics, whether left or right, can converge in dangerous ways when Jews are cast as scapegoats ...

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56:57

Life is Short, Tell Good Stories: Iranian and Russian...

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2025/07/16

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Don’t Know Much About, award-winning journalist, writer, and speaker Tabby Raphael joins host Dr. Naya Lekht to explore how stories shaped her identity as a Jewish Iranian refugee and columnist. From bedtime tales in post-revolutionary Iran to columns in the Jewish Journal, Tabby shares how storytelling saved lives, preserved culture, and built resilience. The conversation dives into the emotional complexities of exile, nostalgia for Iran, and w...

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16:06

Is ANY Jewish organization successful?

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2025/07/12

On this episode of Don't Know Much About, Dr. Naya Lekht tackles a difficult but necessary topic: the failure of Jewish leadership. She explores what it truly means for a Jewish organization to fail—and, just as importantly, what it means to succeed. Identifying recurring patterns in Jewish behavior in the diaspora, Naya offers a sobering analysis of why Jewish organizations often fail to represent the Jewish people effectively. She goes beyond these patterns to examine the shortcomings of ma...

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8:56

Israel’s Six Day War: Not What You Think

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2025/01/13

On this episode of Don't Know Much About, Dr. Naya Lekht explores the history of the Six-Day War of 1967, emphasizing how the conflict is often misunderstood in the West. She explains that the war was defensive in nature, and the territories Israel gained were legally acquired under international law, including the Geneva Conventions. Dr. Lekht then transitions to the aftermath of the war, highlighting the Khartoum Conference, where the Arab League issued the infamous "Three No's": no recogni...

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7:46

Could You Spot propaganda?

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2024/11/14

On this short clip from "Don't Know Much About," Dr. Naya Lekht starts by discussing the common misconception that propaganda is simply "fake news" or lies. Instead, she argues that true propaganda is far more nuanced, often rooted in truth but manipulated through language and omissions. Naya emphasizes that propaganda doesn’t only exist in authoritarian regimes but is also present in democratic societies, often in subtle language choices.To illustrate this, Naya recounts an experience attend...

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18:43

Who Supports Hamas?

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2024/11/07

On this episode of Don't Know Much About dives into the question of why some Americans support Hamas. A March 2024 Pew poll reveals that while 58% of Americans view Israel's war as just, only 22% find Hamas’ motives valid, and an even smaller minority—7%—see the October 7 attacks as acceptable.When examining who makes up this 7%, correlations emerge along age, gender, and race. Younger Americans, particularly Gen Z, show more support for Palestinian Arabs, and surprisingly, women are six time...

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17:44

Who are the Palestinians Today?

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2024/10/18

In this episode of Don’t Know Much About, Dr. Naya Lekht examines the origins of the term “Palestine” and how the modern Palestinian identity emerged. She traces the Roman renaming of Judea to Palestine as a way to erase Jewish history, and she argues that Palestinian nationalism was shaped by Soviet-era propaganda to oppose Zionism. Dr. Lekht challenges common narratives, highlighting the rejection of multiple statehood offers by Palestinian leaders and critiquing the focus on conflict over ...

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15:58

The Right to Exist: Iraq and Jordan?

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2024/09/25

In this episode of "DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT" with Dr. Naya Lekht, she explores the question of what gives a country the right to exist, focusing particularly on Israel, Iraq, and Jordan. Dr. Lekht compares Israel's formation to other nations created after World War I, like Iraq, Syria, and Jordan, and questions why Israel alone faces constant scrutiny over its legitimacy. She highlights that Israel meets the criteria for statehood under the Montevideo Convention, just like any other country. De...

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22:06

Settlements: Obstacle to Peace or a Red Herring?

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2024/09/08

In this episode of "DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT," Dr. Naya Lekht delves into the contentious issue of Israeli settlements in Judea Samaria, commonly known as the West Bank. The episode challenges the widely held belief that these settlements are the main obstacle to peace between Israel and Palestinian Arabs. Dr. Lekht explains that Israel's presence in these territories is legal under international law, especially in light of Israel’s defensive actions during the Six-Day War in 1967. She also expl...

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23:15

Gaza: Place and History

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2024/09/04

In this episode of "DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT," Dr. Naya Lekht explores the history and current narrative surrounding Gaza. The episode challenges the commonly heard description of Gaza as an "open-air prison" solely due to Israeli actions, highlighting the role of Hamas in the region's hardships. Dr. Lekht outlines the historical context, including Egypt's rule over Gaza, Israel's complete withdrawal in 2005, and Hamas's rise to power, which turned Gaza into a base for terrorism against Israel a...

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23:53

Antisemitism: a Threat to All

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2024/08/25

In this episode of "DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT," Dr. Naya Lekht explores the complex and often misunderstood topic of antisemitism. She examines its origins, why it persists, and how it manifests across different eras. Dr. Lekht challenges simplistic definitions of antisemitism, arguing that it's not just bigotry or scapegoating but a reflection of deeper societal issues.She discusses how antisemitism has evolved through three distinct periods—anti-Judaism, anti-Semitism, and anti-Zionism—each cas...

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22:02

The Nakba

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2024/08/17

On this episode of Don't Know Much About, I unpack the Nakba and trace both its origins and how it is used today to demonize and delegitimize Israel. Step into my classroom!Clarifying the complex. Step into my classroom.

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22:05

The Nakba

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2024/08/09

In this episode of Don't Know Much About, I unpack the Nakba narrative by tracing how it was originally used and how it is used today to demonize and delegitimize Israel, a Jewish country. I conclude by taking a question from a student who challenges my minimization of the Nakba as central to Palestinian national identity. Clarifying the complex. Step into my classroom.

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32:08

"I became a Zionist in Prison"

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2024/03/22

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37:45

Evelyn Markus: the Netherlands, the Soviet Union, and...

Don"t Know Much About with Naya Lekht ·

2024/02/18

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37 results

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