British journalist and author Melanie Phillips—Times of London columnist and author of The Builder’s Stone—joins David from Jerusalem to dissect the cultural and media forces shaping Israel’s fight.
In this episode:
Origins & worldview: A British Jewish upbringing, Oxford, two societies in one head—London and Jerusalem.
From Left to outcast: The 1982 Lebanon War, double standards at The Guardian, and how “anti-racism” masked real racism.
Journalism’s fall: Universities abandoned objective truth → media embraced “narratives” over facts.
The cognitive war: Why Israel long ignored Hasbara, and what a serious strategy would require.
Britain vs. America: Different publics, different levers—both persuadable with evidence and backbone… annnd hate, lies, and propaganda.
Qatar & hostages: Why treating Doha as an honest broker fails.
Campus reality: Safety first, solidarity second—and the need for intellectual tools and moral confidence.
Candid, uncompromising, and urgent—this conversation exposes the “eighth front” in Israel’s war: the battle for truth itself.
Chapters
00:00 — The Cognitive War
02:12 — Crisis of Truth
04:24 — From The Guardian to Heretic
10:18 — British Jewish Anxiety
13:41 — 1982 Lebanon Break
20:00 — Fear and Conformity
26:28 — Cognitive Dissonance
36:43 — Journalism’s Collapse
47:38 — The Eighth Front
55:58 — Britain vs. America
1:04:40 — Gaza & Education
1:07:55 — Qatar’s Role
1:12:30 — Message to Students
1:17:54 — Closing
You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at
This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.
Congressman Randy Fine represents Florida’s 8th District — and a new kind of Jewish courage in American politics. Known to admirers and critics alike as “the Hebrew Hammer,” Fine has made national headlines for his unapologetic defense of Israel, his fierce opposition to campus antisemitism, and his proud decision to wear a kippah daily — including on the floor of Congress.
In this episode, Fine opens up to David M. Cohen about:
Growing up as the “Kentucky Fried Jew” in a hostile environment.
Lessons learned from his blind father and his years at Harvard.
Why he believes “truth is an absolute defense.”
How his son inspired him to make his faith visible — and his politics fearless.
His mission to bring moral clarity back to American leadership.
A conversation about identity, integrity, and the courage to stand tall in an age of moral confusion.
Chapters
00:00 – Meeting Trump, Reflections on Leadership
02:00 – Growing Up Jewish in Kentucky
05:00 – Lessons From His Father
06:00 – Harvard Years & Early Ambition
09:00 – Antisemitism on Campus Then and Now
14:00 – Business Success & Lessons in Drive
18:00 – How Common Core Pushed Him Into Politics
20:00 – Becoming More Jewish in Office
23:00 – The Kippah Decision and Its Symbolism
27:00 – Florida Politics and Fighting Antisemitism
31:00 – Trips to Israel & Spiritual Renewal
33:00 – Strategy, Priorities, and the Foreign Affairs Committee
36:00 – Immigration, Integration, and American Values
38:00 – Mission, Challenges, and Legacy
You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at
https://open.substack.com/pub/thealgemeiner/p/the-hebrew-hammer-in-congress-faith?r=5m0oyd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.
With the High Holidays upon us, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch joins J100 for a conversation that bridges history, leadership, and spirituality at a time when Jews worldwide are searching for meaning and clarity.
Hirsch — senior rabbi of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York and a former IDF tank commander — reflects on growing up in Jerusalem, serving in the army, and becoming a leading Reform rabbi. He speaks candidly about October 7’s impact on Jewish life, the responsibilities of rabbis in times of crisis, and the art of the High Holiday sermon.
This episode is a meditation on Judaism, Zionism, and leadership — released intentionally on the eve of Rosh Hashanah to meet the moment of reflection and renewal.
Chapters
00:00 — Roots of a Rabbi
06:30 — Yom Kippur War & Youth in Israel
09:00 — Tank Commander Reflections
14:00 — The War with Hamas: Broad Consensus
20:00 — Controversial Book: One People, Two Worlds
29:30 — The Art of the Sermon (High Holiday Reflections)
37:00 — Orators Who Inspire
40:30 — Reform Judaism & Zionism Today
48:30 — From National to Local Leadership
52:00 — Building a Virtual Synagogue
54:15 — The Introvert Revelation
56:30 — Closing Thanks & Blessings
As students return to school this fall, college campuses are at the forefront of one of the most pressing battles of our time. Nina Rennert Davidson — philanthropist, activist, and longtime Algemeiner honoree — joins J100 to confront the campus antisemitism that has exploded in the wake of October 7th.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Nina shares:
Her family’s lifelong commitment to Israel and Jewish life
How October 7th forever changed her outlook
The chilling scene at Columbia University just days later
The “three buckets” of campus life — academic, physical, and emotional — and how each has been poisoned for Jewish students
Why Jewish philanthropy must be rethought
Why the fight for Jewish dignity is also a fight for Western civilization
It’s raw, it’s urgent, and it’s a call to action as the academic year begins.
Chapters
00:00 | Introducing Nina Davidson
04:22 | Upbringing, Family, and Israel
13:06 | October 7th & Its Aftermath
19:01 | Antisemitism on Campus
28:40 | The Three Buckets of Student Life
40:41 | Can Universities Be Saved?
49:04 | Subhuman in 2025 & The Global Intifada
55:39 | Personal Reflections & Final Lessons
You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at
This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.
What happens when words become weapons? When history’s lessons are ignored? In this gripping conversation, J100 host David M. Cohen is joined by Mort Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, for a wide-ranging and unfiltered dialogue.
Born to Holocaust survivors in a displaced persons camp, Mort built a career as a mathematician and health economist before devoting his life to Jewish advocacy. Over three decades at ZOA, he has shaped U.S. policy on Israel, spearheaded the battle to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and fought tirelessly against antisemitism in all its forms.
Together, David and Mort explore:
Why “words become sticks and stones” — the link between rhetoric and violence
The morality and consequences of hostage deals and prisoner swaps
How the embassy move to Jerusalem almost failed — and who made it happen
The existential threats of Iran, radical Islam, and rising antisemitism
The quieter crisis of assimilation and intermarriage
Provocative, passionate, and deeply personal, this episode forces us to confront uncomfortable truths — and reminds us why the fight for Jewish survival remains as urgent as ever.
Chapters
00:00 – Holocaust roots
05:00 – From math to activism
10:30 – Hostages, Hamas, and hard truths
15:00 – ZOA beginnings and battles
21:00 – Title VI, lawsuits, and Jewish rights
23:00 – The embassy to Jerusalem: behind-the-scenes fight
28:00 – Trump, Adelson, Pence, and the tipping point
33:00 – Iran, radical Islam, and America’s role
36:00 – October 7th: reflections and failures
44:00 – Media wars and Jewish silence
50:00 – Loneliness of leadership and validation
52:00 – Personal stories: baseball, Tourette’s, and resilience
You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at
This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.
In this powerful and timely episode of The J100, host David M. Cohen sits down with Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, to unpack the escalating threat of antisemitism in America and abroad. From the October 7th Hamas attacks to the silence on campuses, Greenblatt explores the moral failures of modern institutions, the rise of antisemitism masquerading as social justice, and the ADL’s evolving role in combating hate in the digital age. With personal reflections, sharp insights, and unwavering conviction, Greenblatt calls for a Jewish revival rooted in courage, clarity, and unapologetic identity. A must-listen for anyone seeking to understand what’s at stake and how we fight back.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Jonathan Greenblatt
02:15 – Antisemitism Is Coming From All Sides
06:40 – October 7th and the Deafening Silence
11:22 – Campus Cowardice and Moral Confusion
15:56 – Zionism Is Not a Slur
21:05 – Inside the ADL’s Fight Against Hate
26:33 – The Progressive Exception: Where Are Our Allies?
30:48 – Embracing Jewish Identity, Proud and Public
35:17 – Final Words: Never Again Means Now
You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at
This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.
In this powerful episode of the J100 podcast, Consul General Ofir Akunis joins host David M. Cohen for an unfiltered conversation on the historic joint U.S.-Israel strike against Iran’s nuclear program and its seismic implications for global security. Akunis reflects on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decades-long mission to neutralize the Iranian threat, the enduring alliance between Israel and America, and the dangerous rise of antisemitism and anti-Western sentiment.
From his decades-long relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu to his passionate defense of Israeli and American values on the streets of New York, Akunis frames the current conflict not as a regional dispute — but as a global ideological battle. He speaks candidly about Hamas, Hezbollah, and Qatar’s double game, and he warns Americans: “Don’t be naïve. They want our heads — and then they want yours.”
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & Setting the Stage
01:30 – A Historic Moment for Western Civilization
04:15 – Netanyahu’s Leadership & Vision
06:45 – Echoes of Jabotinsky & Jewish Destiny
09:00 – Is the Iranian Nuclear Threat Eliminated?
11:15 – Rising Antisemitism in New York & on Campus
13:15 – The Qatar Double Game
16:45 – The Fight for the Hostages
18:30 – Post-Iran Strategy: Hamas, Hezbollah & the Region
22:00 – Peace with Lebanon? A Vision Beyond War
24:15 – The Israeli Spirit Amid Crisis
25:30 – Music, Shlichut & Spiritual Strength
30:00 – Leadership, Legacy & Jewish Faith
33:00 – Gratitude for America: Truman, Nixon & Eternal Bonds
35:00 – Farewell & Final Reflections
You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at
https://open.substack.com/pub/thealgemeiner/p/the-clash-of-civilizations-ofir-akunis?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.
In this gripping and timely episode of the J100 Podcast, host David M. Cohen speaks with John Spencer, one of the world’s leading experts on urban warfare and modern military strategy. Spencer, a retired U.S. Army officer and West Point scholar, shares powerful insights from his on-the-ground research in Gaza, his deep study of the IDF, and his analysis of the evolving face of warfare in the Middle East.
From October 7th to the Israel-Iran War, Spencer dismantles media misinformation, explores the psychological warfare of propaganda, and explains why the war against Hamas and the Iranian regime is about much more than just military objectives — it's about defending Western values and the integrity of truth itself.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to John Spencer and His Background
05:40 The Role of Misinformation in Modern Warfare
08:08 Israel's Military Strategy and Challenges
10:33 The Complexity of Hostage Situations in Warfare
13:09 Understanding Hamas and Its Current Leadership
15:39 The Dichotomy of Success and Failure in Israeli Defense
18:37 Strategic Decisions and Intelligence Failures
21:08 Iran and Hezbollah's Strategic Missteps
28:13 The 12th Day War: An Overview
32:21 America's Role in the Conflict
36:09 Leadership Decisions and Their Impact
38:37 Media Narratives and Public Perception
40:44 The Threat of Nuclear Weapons
42:32 Contrarian Views on Military Action
44:51 Risks and Realities of Military Operations
47:58 Future Predictions for the Middle East
50:04 Personal Insights and Reflections
You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at https://open.substack.com/pub/thealgemeiner/p/urban-warfare-truth-and-the-future?r=5m0oyd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.
In this episode of the J100 podcast, host David M. Cohen interviews world-renowned journalist and commentator Erin Molan about her journey from childhood in Indonesia to the front lines of political discourse and media reform. Raised in the world’s largest Muslim country, Molan developed a deep understanding of cultural nuance, the power of storytelling, and the dangers of propaganda early on. Following the October 7th Hamas attacks, Molan emerged as a fierce advocate for truth, combating misinformation, antisemitism, and media bias with clarity and compassion. Erin opens up about the personal and professional costs of advocacy, our shifting media landscape and sense of journalistic responsibility, and the lasting emotional power of connecting people to truth through empathy.
Chapters
00:00 Personal Connections to Israel and the Jewish Community
07:41 Understanding Perspectives on Anti-Semitism
13:45 The Role of Media in Shaping Public Opinion
17:41 The Journey from Sports to Political Commentary
23:15 Exploring New Media Ventures with X
23:39 Full Circle: A Journey Back to Roots
29:50 The Evolution of Media Consumption
30:12 Fighting for a Safer Future
32:40 Resilience and Personal Growth
33:32 Hidden Talents and Personal Insights
You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at https://open.substack.com/pub/thealgemeiner/p/no-fear-no-filter-rewriting-the-media?r=5m0oyd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true.
This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.
In this episode of the J100 podcast, host David M. Cohen interviews Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). They discuss Dubowitz's background, the persistent threat of Iran's nuclear program, missed opportunities for U.S. support of Iranian protests, and the importance of U.S. strategy in shaping Iran's future. The conversation also touches on the challenges of verifying nuclear agreements, the implications of an Iranian nuclear weapon, and the dynamics of U.S.-Israel relations. Dubowitz shares insights on leadership and negotiation strategies, emphasizing the need for experienced teams in complex negotiations.
Chapters
00:00 Career Transition and Founding of FDD
09:10 The Impact of 9/11 on Personal and Professional Life
10:48 The Iranian Nuclear Threat: A Longstanding Concern
13:09 Missed Opportunities: U.S. Response to Iranian Protests
18:03 Strategic Approaches to Iran: Lessons from History
20:53 Negotiation Strategies: Trump vs. Obama
24:44 Navigating the Iranian Nuclear Threat
26:37 Differing Perspectives: U.S. and Israel on Iran
28:29 Verification Challenges in Nuclear Agreements
31:40 The Role of Regime Change in U.S. Strategy
33:18 Future Projections: Iran's Nuclear Ambitions
36:25 Public Perception of the Iranian Threat
40:09 Negotiation Strategies: Experience vs. Expertise
44:36 Leadership Lessons in Foreign Policy
49:02 Personal Insights and Historical Reflections
You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at https://open.substack.com/pub/thealgemeiner/p/j100-navigating-the-iranian-nuclear?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web.
This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.