When the Israel Day Parade is More Than a Parade
6/3/202632 min
Can American Jews define themselves through love of both Israel and America?
In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi unpack a parade transformed by October 7, Mamdani's boycott, and how a historically innocuous parade has transformed into a profound act of defiance and vulnerability. They explore America as a "nation of nationalities" and its special place in Jewish identity, and Israel's obligation to celebrate world Jewry rather than simply demand its support.
Ultimately, they challenge the Jewish community to reclaim an unmediated sense of pride, refusing to let enemies dictate the terms of their joy and connection.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsDaniel Goodman0:00
[intro music] You are listening to an Arc Media podcast.
Donniel Hartman· Host0:06
Why was this parade different than every other parade? Why is it more than a parade?
Yossi Klein Halevi· Host0:14
The Israel Day Parade is a good measure of what's changed in Jewish life since October 7th, because in the past, there was nothing more innocuous than the Israel Day Parade. It was a celebration, and it was a feel-good experience. And suddenly, the Israel Day Parade is a little dangerous. I heard that there were groups that flew in from around the country to be there. So this was a statement. And the question is, what kind of statement? What were Jews saying by showing up in such larger numbers, by showing up so passionately?
Donniel Hartman· Host0:50
So much of the Israel conversation is a conversation about the problems, the questions, and I think the parade's power is to say, "I'm allowed to have an unmediated relationship." You spoke about defiance. I want to speak about pride. I want to speak about a relationship. My relationship is not just through the problems alone. [music] Hi, friends. This is Daniella Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi from the Shalom Hartman Institute, and this is our podcast, "For Heaven's Sake," in collaboration with Arc Media.