Episode 4: “Shortcut Empathy” + Rabbi David Wolpe

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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In this thought-provoking episode of "Being Jewish," Jonah Platt dives deep with Rabbi David Wolpe to explore what being Jewish means to one of Judaism’s most renowned faith leaders. From rabbinical wisdom to addressing anti-Jewish bigotry on college campuses, to October 7th, no topic goes untouched. Rabbi Wolpe weighs in on his controversial time at Harvard, his storied career as a rabbi, and his own sense of Jewish identity. Join us for an in-depth and reflective conversation just in time for the Days of Awe and Yom Kippur.

Mentioned in this episode

Why Be Jewish - Rabbi David Wolpe

David: The Divided Heart - Rabbi David Wolpe

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Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards);, Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Designer Noah Bell Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, and Consulting Producers: Shield Communications (Ariella Noveck & Bethany Mandel).

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00:00 Introduction to Yom Kippur and Self-Reflection

00:23 Psychological Biases and Self-Awareness

01:06 Shortcut Empathy: A Modern Fallacy

02:36 The Importance of True Empathy

03:36 Personal Experience on Middle Ground

04:47 A Disheartening Encounter

06:10 The Need for Genuine Empathy

06:30 Introduction to Rabbi David Wolpe

07:41 Growing Up as a Rabbi's Child

11:07 Journey to Becoming a Rabbi

15:16 Challenges and Achievements at Sinai Temple

23:47 Reflections on Jewish Identity and Heroes

26:38 Experiences at Harvard Divinity School

30:01 The Resignation Letter

30:50 Congressional Hearings and Disillusionment

34:38 DEI and Systemic Inequality

37:44 Advice for Jewish Students

39:21 Cultivating a Relationship with the Divine

44:18 Jewish Identity and Modern Challenges

51:27 Audience Questions and Reflections