Special guest, Matthew Schultz, a writer and rabbinical student, engages in a riveting conversation at the start of a new year marked by a barrage of rockets from Hamas at the stroke of midnight and a hotly anticipated ruling from the Israeli Supreme Court on New Year’s Day regarding the controversial reasonableness law. Schultz's unique insights shed light on the evolving landscape of Jewish life in Israel, especially since October 7th.

As a weekly columnist for the Jewish Journal and co-host of the "How to Be Podcast," Schultz offers profound insights into the post-war landscape of Israeli culture and a unique perspective on Israel, Judaism, and Jewish culture.

In a nod to Anita Shapira's insights on Israeli literature, Schultz emphasizes the “"intrusion of the political on the personal," and the difficulty of parsing personal experiences from the political landscape in the context of 2023. Their conversation embodies this intersection, coursing from discussions on forgiveness in the wake of Kanye West’s Hebrew-language Instagram post apology to Ilana Glazer's portrayal of Jewish culture, and more.

A conversation about Schultz’s long-form Instagram posts (@matthew_a_schultz), an attempt to spark a more nuanced and informed discussion about Israel, evolves into a discussion of his own shifted perspectives on Israel and media literacy.

Together, Schultz and Amy unpack the layers of complexity that define a nation at a crossroads, delving into the soul of a people grappling with identity, culture, and faith. How does one navigate the waters of media literacy in an age where news is a relentless tide that shapes our perceptions and beliefs? How does a society reconcile the religious-secular divide that is both a source of tension and a wellspring of cultural richness?

As 2024 unfolds, the questions asked are more than reflections on the past; they are a search for a way forward. Through Matt's insights and Amy's passionate inquiry, listeners are invited to join them on a journey that is as much about understanding the world as it is about finding hope amidst the chaos.

Recorded on January 2 (Day 88).

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