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PODCAST

The Fifth Question

My name is Daniel Levine and I am a Rabbi and Jewish History Lecturer at UC Irvine! I have conversations about the most pressing issues facing the Jewish community with professors, Rabbis, and politicians with a wide range of views. Hope you enjoy :)

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

01:13:59

How Chabad Saved Russian Jewry — and Forever Changed...

The Fifth Question ·

2025/11/02

Chabad, Zionism & the Sixth Rebbe: Rabbi David Eliezrie with Rabbi Daniel LevineWelcome back! I share a quick update on the podcast’s fast growth and my Los Angeles Jewish Journal feature, then dive into a wide-ranging conversation with Rabbi David Eliezrie Chabad/Lubavitch about his new book Undaunted—the gripping story of the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the “Frierdiker Rebbe” who defied Czarist Russia, Soviet communism, and Nazism, built clandestine yeshivot

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01:22:11

What are the Origins of the Jewish People?

The Fifth Question ·

2025/10/27

Ancient Israel archaeology with UCLA’s Prof. Aaron Burke: origins of the Israelites, the Merneptah Stele (1207 BCE), Exodus debates, when the Hebrew Bible becomes history, Canaanite roots, Asherah worship, idols & child-sacrifice polemics, Judges → monarchy, King David & Solomon, and how archaeology is weaponized in today’s Zionism vs. anti-Zionism discourse. Clear, evidence-based, and faith-sensitive.What you’ll learn:• Earliest “Israel” in the record (Merneptah Stele)• Cultural memory vs

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00:28:22

US Congressman Mike Lawler on Antisemitism, Higher...

The Fifth Question ·

2025/10/17

Congressman Mike Lawler on Antisemitism, Higher Ed, and the Antisemitism Awareness ActCongressman Mike Lawler has been one of Congress’s most outspoken advocates for the Jewish community and a lead champion of the Antisemitism Awareness Act. In this conversation, we dig into campus culture, Title VI enforcement, free speech concerns, bipartisan coalition-building, and what meaningful accountability for universities should look like.Also joining is Adam Fox, an activist helping build congressional

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01:04:22

Does Reform Judaism Have a Future? w/R' Sam Stern

The Fifth Question ·

2025/10/10

Is Reform Judaism losing its soul—or finding a new one?I’m back after the holidays + semester kickoff with a 🔥 conversation you do NOT want to miss. I sit down with Rabbi Sam Stern (Topeka, KS)—some jokingly call him the Chief Rabbi of Kansas—to unpack a growing shockwave: the rise of anti-Zionist rabbis in liberal movements (Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist). How did we get here? Should rabbinical schools have a Zionism litmus test? And we square off over the big one: Does Reform Judaism

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00:40:15

Paid Anti-Israel Protestors w/ Nate Friedman

The Fifth Question ·

2025/10/06

“Paid Protesters?” Inside the Dark-Money Machine Fueling Anti-Israel Rallies (w/ Nate Freriedman)Are today’s protests as “grassroots” as they look—or is there a professionalized, well-funded network behind the megaphones? Journalist Nate Freriedman breaks down how coordinated organizers, nonprofit money, and foreign influence shape what you see in the streets—plus why gatekeepers try to shut down on-camera conversations.We cover: alleged “professional protesters,” university encampments, funding

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00:42:09

Shabbos Kestenbaum: Have Jewish Orgs Failed?

The Fifth Question ·

2025/09/26

Love him or hate him, you’ve probably heard of Shabbos Kestenbaum —the Harvard student who made waves with his RNC speech and lawsuit against Harvard over campus antisemitism. In this episode, we go beyond the viral clip. We dig into the Jewish establishment—Hillel, Chabad, ADL, AJC, Federations—what’s working, what’s broken, and where donors should (and shouldn’t) put their money. We also talk about why some Jewish students are drifting right politically, how to build strong Jewish identity without

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00:59:49

Can Politics Return to Normal? w/ CA Assemblyman Mike...

The Fifth Question ·

2025/09/19

Former California Assemblyman Mike Gatto joins the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, crime, liberalism, Israel, and more.We begin with Mike’s new book on crime, including his personal story of losing his father to an unsolved murder. We discuss the recent rise in political violence, the balance between freedom and security, and how both parties have struggled to respond.From there, we dive into California’s challenges—homelessness, the economy, and whether the Golden State is

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00:47:14

A Zionist Progressive Speaks Out w/ Elissa Wald

The Fifth Question ·

2025/09/08

Progressive Substack author and publisher Elissa Wald joins us to argue why Zionism is a progressive value—and to tackle Gaza, campus antisemitism, DEI, Trump, and why some liberals are flirting with the right. Like & subscribe!We discuss? Can you be truly progressive and unapologetically Zionist?Is reoccupying Gaza ever a moral left position?Did DEI help Jews—or teach campuses to ignore antisemitism?Are Jews safer under Trump?If progressives fail Jews, should Jews stay and fight—or walk?Listen

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01:14:22

A Muslim Feminist talks about Zionism and...

The Fifth Question ·

2025/09/03

I sit down with two remarkable guests: Soraya M. Deen—a Muslim feminist lawyer, interfaith organizer, and outspoken critic of antisemitism within Muslim spaces—and Julie Marzouk—an immigrants’ rights attorney and professor who’s been building bridges across communities for two decades.We dive into:Whether the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is primarily religious or political?Antisemitism inside parts of the Islamic world and how to challenge it from withiThe Quran, Israel, and why Soraya believes

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01:07:07

When Disagreement Turns Violent: Discussing Pluralism...

The Fifth Question ·

2025/08/28

Pluralism, Conflict, and Jewish Community: A Conversation with Rabbi Ben BergerRabbi Ben Berger, Senior Vice President for Education, Community, and Culture at Hillel International, joins the podcast for a deep dive into Jewish texts, pluralism, disagreement, and the challenges of building community in times of conflict. From the fiery debates of Hillel and Shammai to the complexities of pluralism on today’s campuses, we explore what it means to hold conviction and humility at the same time.This

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00:11:52

Death Penalty for the DC Shooter?

The Fifth Question ·

2025/08/27

I discuss why I think that the DC shooter should be given the death penalty and why the Reform movement is incorrect to speak out against it#deathpenaltydebate #reformjudaism #judaism Jewish History, Politics, Israel, Antisemitism, and Zionism - I cover it all.Politics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6QupJZ1HLY&list=PLQ3aQmFcYiCqqL-GSNw6NhSZWOvzaDdIKJewish History: https://youtu.be/1u4jHoZ8stM?si=0jZP4uhXlVEg2NOTAntisemitism:

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00:42:05

A Legendary Sports Radio Host Visits Dachau: John...

The Fifth Question ·

2025/08/22

John Gambadoro on his visit to Dachau and his thoughts on how to preserve memory of the Holocaust and World War Two.#sports #dachau #holocausteducation #holocaustremembrance #jewishhistory #israel Jewish History, Politics, Israel, Antisemitism, and Zionism - I cover it all.Politics: • Should Jews Abandon the Democratic Party? ... Jewish History: • Law, Revolution, and the Messiah w/ Zevi S... Antisemitism: • To Be a Pro-Israel Student Leader — A Conv... Facebook:

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00:51:29

No Rabbis, Free Market, and Chabad: What Makes...

The Fifth Question ·

2025/08/18

Why is American Judaism fundamentally different from its European or Middle Eastern counterparts?I discuss the past, present, and future of American Judaism with Professor Zev EleffLet me hear your thoughts belowHope you enjoy!#rabbi #americanjudasim #reformjudaism Jewish History, Politics, Israel, Antisemitism, and Zionism - I cover it all.Politics: • Should Jews Abandon the Democratic Party? ... Jewish History: • Law, Revolution, and the Messiah w/ Zevi S... Antisemitism:

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00:49:15

Interfaith Marriage Controversy: Meet the...

The Fifth Question ·

2025/08/15

When a third-generation Conservative rabbi leaves the Rabbinical Assembly for officiating interfaith marriages, it sparks a national conversation. Rabbi Ari Yehuda Saks joins us to unpack why he made this choice, the halakhic and sociological debates around marrying outside the faith, and what it means for Jewish identity in a post-denominational world.JTA Article: “Third-generation Conservative rabbi resigns from movement after facing punishment for performing

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00:50:25

Inside Mothers Against College Antisemitism:...

The Fifth Question ·

2025/08/14

Mothers Against Campus Antisemitism: Fighting Hate on College Campuses | Grassroots Jewish ActivismDescription:In the wake of October 7th, Mothers Against Campus Antisemitism (MACA) has become one of the largest Jewish activist movements in the United States—mobilizing tens of thousands of parents to protect Jewish students and faculty from antisemitism on college campuses.In this episode, we speak with Miriam and Jerry, two of the founders of MACA, about:The rapid growth of the organizationThe

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00:36:38

Top International Terrorism Expert Weighs in on...

The Fifth Question ·

2025/08/05

What has Hamas truly cost the Palestinian people? How has October 7th reshaped Israeli politics and Palestinian prospects for statehood? In this episode, Rabbi Daniel Levine sits down with global terrorism expert Professor Victor Asal to explore the fallout from the October 7th attacks, the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia, and the future of peace in the region.We cover everything from Hezbollah’s silence, to the dangers of political extremism, to how academic fields have handled discourse

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00:49:58

Does Holocaust Education Hurt the Fight Against...

The Fifth Question ·

2025/08/03

#holocausteducation #jewishidentity #sovietunionHas Holocaust Education Failed the Jewish Community? | Rabbi Daniel Levine & Naya Lekht🎙️In this powerful episode, Rabbi Daniel Levine is joined by scholar and educator Dr. Naya Lekht to explore one of the most controversial questions in modern Jewish life: Has Holocaust education done more harm than good?Together, they unpack:🕍 The rise of Holocaust universalization—and its consequences📚 The Soviet origins of anti-Zionism and how they’ve been

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00:09:00

The Gaza Famine Libel

The Fifth Question ·

2025/07/29

There has been much information rooted in antisemitism in the current media coverage of the Gaza famine. I break this down here.#famine #gaza #israel #jesus #bloodlibel #jews Jewish History, Politics, Israel, Antisemitism, and Zionism - I cover it all.Politics: • Should Jews Abandon the Democratic Party? ... Jewish History: • Law, Revolution, and the Messiah w/ Zevi S... Antisemitism: • To Be a Pro-Israel Student Leader — A Conv... Facebook: / daniel.levine.31 Instagram:

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00:23:41

Breaking Down Antisemitic Comments

The Fifth Question ·

2025/07/28

📛 Breaking Down Viral Antisemitic Comments — And Why They’re Totally WrongIn this episode of J Life with Daniel, we dive deep into the most viral, disturbing, and absurd antisemitic comments circulating online. From claims that DNA tests are banned in Israel, to wild conspiracy theories about the Talmud, Zionism, and Jewish ancestry — Daniel breaks it all down with historical facts, Jewish context, and a bit of humor.🔎 In This Video:• Is it illegal to take a DNA test in Israel?• Are Zionists

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00:51:55

Should Jews Abandon the Democratic Party? | Debate w/...

The Fifth Question ·

2025/07/25

Should Jews leave the democratic party due to growing antisemitism in its ranks?I debate with Andrew about all things at the intersection of Jews and Politics.Make sure to like, subscriber, and let me hear your thoughts in the comments below :)#jews #democrats #mamdani #aoc #bds #jewishidentity #israel Facebook: / daniel.levine.31 Instagram: / rabbidaniellevine #Zionism #hillel #judaism

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