Kevin Roberts' "clarification" only made the situation worse.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Liel Leibovitz confronts the moral and ideological crossroads facing both American conservatism and the global Jewish community. From the hollow language of “belonging” to the failures of modern Jewish leadership, he challenges listeners to reject performative politics and return to principle. Liel argues that Jewish and Western survival hinge on moral clarity — in faith, in warfare, and in the courage to lead. He dissects how DEI culture has diluted Judaism’s ethical core, critiques the erosion of conviction in U.S.–Israel relations, and calls for a renewed understanding of identity rooted not in victimhood but in purpose and victory.
In this episode of the Mael Time Podcast, Daniel Mael examines how Rabbi Angela Buchdahl of Central Synagogue finally addressed Zohran Mamdani’s anti-Semitism—but only after a wave of public outrage and social media pressure forced her hand. For weeks, Buchdahl avoided naming or condemning Mamdani, despite his open hostility toward Israel and the Jewish community. Mael argues that her belated response exposes a deeper crisis of moral leadership within progressive Judaism, where public perception often replaces principle. The episode challenges the notion of “apolitical integrity” and asks what happens when rabbis find their conscience only after the crowd demands it.
In this episode of The Mael Time Podcast, Daniel Mael exposes the contradictions in Rabbi Angela Buchdahl’s stance on nationalism and political engagement. While Buchdahl condemns Jewish nationalism as dangerous and exclusionary, she openly champions progressive political causes—until those causes become inconvenient. Mael highlights her recent claim that she couldn’t comment on New York City’s mayoral race because Central Synagogue is apolitical, a statement that rings hollow given her history of political sermons and public advocacy. Through a sharp analysis of her rhetoric, Mael explores the double standards that pervade liberal religious leadership, the moral posturing that disguises political bias, and the deeper question of whether faith leaders can credibly invoke neutrality while preaching ideology from the bimah.
In this episode of the Mael Time Podcast, Daniel Mael examines Rabbi Angela Buchdahl’s speech through the lens of Jewish identity, moral clarity, and the uneasy fusion of politics and religion. The discussion unpacks how American Jewish leaders like Buchdahl navigate political activism, particularly regarding Israeli politics and figures such as Zohran Mamdani, whose rhetoric often blurs the line between criticism and hostility. Mael challenges the conflation of Jewish faith with partisan agendas, warning that silence in the face of anti-Semitism — whether from extremists or political allies — is itself a moral failure. The conversation ultimately calls for a return to authentic Jewish values grounded in tradition rather than political fashion.
Israel’s fate may no longer be decided in Jerusalem — but in Washington. In this episode of The Mael Time Podcast, former Israeli Consul General Alon Pincus breaks down the uneasy marriage between Trump and Netanyahu, exposing how U.S. pressure, military aid, and political leverage now shape every Israeli move — from the fragile ceasefire to the hostage crisis. As Trump reenters the global stage and Israel fights for its autonomy, the question isn’t just what America will do for Israel, but what it will demand in return.
In this episode of The Mael Time Podcast, Ilay David shares the emotional story of reuniting with his brother, Evyatar, after more than two years in Hamas captivity. Ilay recounts the agonizing uncertainty leading up to his brother’s release, the harrowing details of Evyatar’s imprisonment, and the tireless advocacy that kept their family’s hope alive. He reflects on the role of propaganda, the challenges of diplomatic negotiations, and the small miracles that marked the path to freedom. Through it all, Ilay highlights the power of faith, resilience, and community support in helping his family heal and find meaning after unimaginable trauma.
In this edition of The Mael Time Podcast, host Daniel Mael speaks with Ori Goldberg and Asher Guedalia about Israel’s most pressing moral and political dilemmas in the aftermath of the Gaza war. Together, they confront the uneasy tension between Israel’s Jewish identity and its democratic ideals, exploring questions of morality, legitimacy, and national purpose. The discussion examines accusations of genocide, the ethics of Israel’s military response, and whether peace can ever be achieved through negotiation with Hamas. The episode offers an honest, unflinching look at a nation wrestling with its conscience—asking whether Israel can protect itself without compromising the values that define it.
In this powerful episode of The Mael Time Podcast, host Daniel Mael sits down with Dr. Charles Jacobs, a veteran Jewish human rights advocate, to dissect the moral and strategic collapse of American Jewish leadership in the face of rising anti-Semitism. From college campuses to major Jewish institutions, Jacobs argues that too many leaders have chosen comfort and access over courage and accountability—leaving the Jewish community vulnerable at a moment of historic danger.
The conversation traces the failures that followed October 7, examining how identity politics, moral relativism, and fear of confrontation have weakened Jewish advocacy. Jacobs warns that anti-Semitism today is not confined to one side of the political spectrum; it thrives on both the far-right and within progressive movements that mask hostility toward Jews as social justice. Together, Mael and Jacobs call for a new generation of unapologetic Jewish leadership—one that defends truth, builds alliances with integrity, and reclaims the moral clarity that once defined the Jewish story.
The proposed U.S. plan to divide Gaza into zones controlled separately by Israel and Hamas has ignited intense debate across the region. Supporters argue it could offer a path to stability and reconstruction, while critics warn it risks entrenching division and legitimizing Hamas’s power. The plan’s success hinges on Hamas’s disarmament—an unlikely prospect that leaves Israel bearing enormous security and political risks as it attempts to rebuild Gaza under international pressure. Arab governments have rejected the idea outright, viewing it as a step toward indefinite Israeli control, and Palestinians fear a repeat of the fragmented governance seen in Judea and Samaria.
No nation is willing to send troops into Gaza, fearing deadly clashes with Hamas and political fallout at home. Trump’s proposed international peacekeeping force is stalled before it begins, leaving the fragile ceasefire hanging by a thread.
In this episode of the Mael Time podcast, Daniel Mael interviews Yaakov Katz, discussing the events surrounding the October 7th attack by Hamas and the subsequent failures of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Katz, a former editor in chief of the Jerusalem Post, shares insights from his book 'While Israel Slept,' exploring the chaos during the attack, the lack of accountability within the military and political leadership, and the need for a commission of inquiry to address these issues. The discussion also touches on the role of intelligence, the impact of military censorship on journalism, and the importance of transparency in military appointments.
Imagine surviving 738 days in Hamas captivity and returning home to a new IDF chief of staff, a new American president — and the same unanswered question: What really happened on October 7? Nearly two years later, Israel still hasn’t told the full truth. Many of the official inquiries remain sealed or incomplete, and for the families who buried only fragments of their loved ones, silence is unbearable. In a startling Ynet interview, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich admitted that between 11 a.m. and noon on Simchat Torah, as Israelis were being massacred in the south, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant, and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi were still debating whether the attack was real or a diversion for a northern invasion. That hesitation — born of confusion, arrogance, and years of complacency — cost lives. Israel has always struggled with accountability, from the Bus 300 affair to Jonathan Pollard, but this time the moral debt is too large to bury in a drawer. The country owes the victims and itself an unflinching reckoning: names, timelines, failures, and all. Anything less is an insult to the dead and a betrayal of those still living.
This episode examines the evolving crisis of hostages held by Hamas, exploring the complex mix of military action, diplomacy, and human resilience shaping the situation. It features updates on recent developments, insights into Israel’s military preparedness, and the emotional realities faced by families still waiting for news. Listeners hear about the conditions endured by hostages, the challenges of recovering remains, and the broader humanitarian and political implications of the conflict. Through firsthand stories and analysis, the discussion sheds light on how the hostage issue continues to define the region’s fragile path forward.
In a sweeping analysis of the newly announced “end of the war” deal, Gershon Baskin examines what this agreement truly represents for Israelis, Palestinians, and the broader international community. He credits American leadership—particularly under President Trump—for driving a breakthrough that blends political calculation with humanitarian urgency. Baskin explores the waning influence of Hamas, the accusations of genocide against Israel, and the moral weight carried by hostage families whose relentless advocacy helped shape the negotiations. While the deal may mark the cessation of fighting, he cautions that the real test lies ahead—whether both peoples can accept that security and dignity must be shared if peace is ever to last.
Rabbi Litvin has become the target of Rep. Thomas Massie in a political controversy that intertwines Israel, American values, and rising anti-Semitism. Following Netanyahu’s recent speech, Massie’s remarks and accusations against the rabbi were widely viewed as desperate, politically motivated, and reflective of a troubling trend of anti-Semitic rhetoric seeping into mainstream discourse. The media’s framing of the episode amplified tensions, highlighting how narratives about Israel and the Jewish community are weaponized in U.S. politics. At stake is not only the dignity and safety of Jewish leaders like Rabbi Litvin but also the broader fight against stereotypes, conspiracy theories, and the normalization of anti-Semitism. The episode underscores the importance of reaffirming Jewish identity in the public square while drawing strength from American democratic values to counter such attacks.
The narrative that Charlie Kirk was muzzled by Jewish donors does not hold up. What seems most plausible is that some supporters walked away when Turning Point USA elevated Tucker Carlson, who has repeatedly trafficked in antisemitic tropes—recasting Jewish Bush-era advisers as “Israelis” and reviving dual-loyalty conspiracies. This was not censorship but a free-market decision about where philanthropic dollars should flow. Kirk was never prevented from speaking; the shift was simply in which donors were willing to fund platforms that risk normalizing antisemitism.
It's time for the conservative movement to move on from Tucker Carlson's hatred.
The recent recognition of a Palestinian state by Britain, Australia, and Canada is widely seen as political theater that undermines real diplomacy and rewards terrorism. Critics argue that such symbolic gestures, announced while Hamas still controls Gaza and violence continues, empower extremists rather than advance peace. By granting recognition without demanding accountability or compromise, these governments weaken the credibility of the two-state solution and risk further destabilizing international relations. Far from moving the peace process forward, the move is viewed as deepening division and incentivizing conflict instead of fostering genuine coexistence.
Examining the battle between Nick Fuentes and Candace Owens as well as exploring the ADL's smearing of the late Charlie Kirk.