Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas

For generations, American Jews were among the Democratic Party's most loyal supporters, seeing liberal politics as a natural extension of Jewish values. Today, that relationship is under increasing strain.

Host Aviva Klompas sits down with columnist, television host, and author Batya Ungar-Sargon to discuss her new book, The Jews and the Left. Together, they examine how a century-long political alliance evolved—and why so many Jews now feel politically and culturally homeless.

They explore why Jews became Democrats in the first place, the ideological transformation of the modern Left, and how opposition to Israel became a defining issue within progressive politics. Batya explains why she believes October 7 exposed deep fault lines for many progressive Jews, addresses the debate over anti-Zionism and antisemitism, and discusses whether similar political shifts could emerge on the Republican right.

Whether you agree with Batya's conclusions or not, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at one of the most consequential political and cultural questions facing American Jews today.

Guest Bio

Batya Ungar-Sargon is the host of Batya! on NewsNation, where she is a weekend anchor. She is a frequent contributor to the New Yok Post and a columnist for the Free Press. An Orthodox Jew, she earned her PhD in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Empathy is usually considered one of humanity's greatest virtues. But what happens when empathy becomes untethered from reality?

In this episode, host Aviva Klompas sits down with Dr. Gad Saad to discuss his new book, Suicidal Empathy. Drawing on evolutionary psychology, cultural analysis, and his own experiences growing up Jewish in Lebanon before fleeing civil war, Saad argues that many Western societies have become reluctant to judge ideas, behaviors, and ideologies on their merits—even when doing so undermines their own values and interests.

The conversation explores why intelligent people often embrace narratives that conflict with observable reality, the role social media plays in spreading misinformation, and whether concepts like tolerance, compassion, and empathy can become self-destructive when taken to an extreme.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Gad Saad is an evolutionary behavioral scientist, professor, and bestselling author whose work explores the intersection of psychology, culture, and human behavior. A visiting scholar at the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), he pioneered the application of evolutionary psychology to consumer behavior and marketing. He is the author of several books, including The Parasitic Mind, The Saad Truth About Happiness, and his newest book, Suicidal Empathy. Through his writing, media appearances, and popular podcast The Saad Truth, he has become one of the most prominent public intellectuals examining the impact of ideology on modern society.

What does a 14th-century stained glass window in a Brussels cathedral have to do with a "Jew hunt" in the streets of Amsterdam in 2024 or the slogans appearing on American campuses after October 7? Professor Flora Cassen joins Dr. Rachel Fish to discuss her new book, Stained Glass: A Reflective History of Antisemitism, and to explore how antisemitism has taken shape across different places and historical periods. 
Drawing on both her scholarly work on European Jewish history and her personal experience, Cassen explains that contemporary antisemitism cannot be understood apart from the deep cultural layers it draws on, even when its newest expressions appear secular, political, or imported from elsewhere. The conversation examines how anti-Jewish ideas have been constructed, adapted, and sustained over time, from early religious frameworks to later economic, racial, and political forms. The discussion highlights the importance of approaching antisemitism with historical precision, avoiding overly simplistic narratives while still recognizing its persistence and adaptability.
Further Reading:
Stained Glass: A Reflective History of Antisemitism by Flora Cassen
Guest Bio:
Flora Cassen is the Lavine Family Director of the Brandeis Center for Jewish Studies and the Director of the Sarnat Center for the Study of Anti-Jewishness at Brandeis University. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute. Originally from Antwerp, Belgium, Cassen earned her B.A. in History and Law from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, her M.A. in Comparative History from Brandeis, and her PhD in Hebrew and Judaic Studies from New York University. She has published widely in both academic and public venues such as Haaretz, The Forward, Slate, Aeon, Sources, and Smithsonian Magazine.

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.

Qatar is one of the smallest countries in the world. Yet according to a new report from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, it has invested more than $400 billion in the United States over the past fifteen years.

Where has that money gone? And what does Qatar hope to gain in return?

In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about Qatar's vast footprint across American life—from universities and K-12 education to lobbying firms, think tanks, real estate, energy infrastructure, professional sports, and defense.

They discuss why Qatar has spent so heavily cultivating influence in the United States, how it has positioned itself as an indispensable partner in Washington while simultaneously hosting Hamas leaders and supporting Islamist movements, and why so many American institutions have accepted Qatari funding with relatively little scrutiny.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is Executive Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he oversees the organization’s research and policy work. A former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury, Jonathan has tracked and disrupted funding networks for groups like Hamas and al-Qaeda. He’s authored several books on the Middle East, including Gaza Conflict 2021, State of Failure, and Hamas vs. Fatah. A frequent congressional witness and media commentator, his analysis appears regularly in major outlets including CNN, Fox News, and the BBC.

Mentioned in this episode:

Mapping Qatar’s $400 Billion Footprint in the United States

The Ugly Game: The Corruption of FIFA and the Qatari Plot to Buy the World Cup by Heidi Blake

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to podcast@boundlessisrael.org or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.

One year after the United States and Israel launched a war that devastated Iran's military leadership and nuclear infrastructure, Washington and Tehran say they have reached an agreement to formally end the conflict.

But what exactly is in the deal?

In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about the emerging agreement, what Iran may be gaining in return, and whether the war's original objectives have quietly been set aside.

They discuss Iran's use of Hezbollah and the Strait of Hormuz as leverage, the effort to link the Lebanese front to the broader confrontation with Israel, and what the agreement could mean for the future of the region.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is Executive Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he oversees the organization’s research and policy work. A former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury, Jonathan has tracked and disrupted funding networks for groups like Hamas and al-Qaeda. He’s authored several books on the Middle East, including Gaza Conflict 2021, State of Failure, and Hamas vs. Fatah. A frequent congressional witness and media commentator, his analysis appears regularly in major outlets including CNN, Fox News, and the BBC.