 

It was a challenging year to be a Diaspora Jew. 

The war in Gaza and growing hostility to Israel had an undeniable impact on Jewish life across the world in 2025. Events in Israel became a focus in local and national politics around the world – and served as a catalyst in a global surge in antisemitism. The year was punctuated by horrific and deadly attacks against Jews from Washington D.C. to Manchester to Australia’s Bondi Beach.

On this special episode of the Haaretz Podcast, we revisit episodes from the past year featuring the voices of Diaspora Jews, along with Haaretz journalists covering the Jewish world.

The conversations include Brooklyn Rabbi Rachel Timoner on the impact of Zohran Mamdani’s candidacy for New York City mayor, Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur on the complexity of advocating for the hostages and a cease-fire agreement. Also on the podcast: American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutsch following the terror attack at his organization’s event, and Lynda Ben Menashe, a Jewish leader in Sydney Australia after the Bondi Beach massacre, and many more. Among the featured Haaretz journalists: English edition editor-in-chief Esther Solomon, Washington D.C. correspondent Ben Samuels and Jewish world correspondent Judy Maltz.

Read more: 

How Antisemitism Haunts Jewish Communities Around the World

Fire, Fear and Freedom: Israel in 2025, Through the Eyes of Haaretz Photographers

From Mamdani to Bondi, Trump to War Crimes: Top Haaretz Opinions of 2025

&nbsp;
It was a challenging year to be a Diaspora Jew.&nbsp;
The war in Gaza and growing hostility to Israel had an undeniable impact on Jewish life across the world in 2025. Events in Israel became a focus in local and national politics around the world &ndash; and served as a catalyst in a global surge in antisemitism. The year was punctuated by horrific and deadly attacks against Jews from Washington D.C. to Manchester to Australia&rsquo;s Bondi Beach.
On this special episode of the Haaretz Podcast, we revisit episodes from the past year featuring the voices of Diaspora Jews, along with Haaretz journalists covering the Jewish world.
The conversations include Brooklyn Rabbi&nbsp;Rachel Timoner&nbsp;on the impact of Zohran Mamdani&rsquo;s candidacy for New York City mayor, Rabbi&nbsp;Delphine Horvilleur&nbsp;on the complexity of advocating for the hostages and a cease-fire agreement. Also on the podcast: American Jewish Committee CEO&nbsp;Ted Deutsch&nbsp;following the terror attack at his organization&rsquo;s event, and&nbsp;Lynda Ben Menashe, a Jewish leader in Sydney Australia after the Bondi Beach massacre, and many more. Among the featured Haaretz journalists: English edition editor-in-chief&nbsp;Esther Solomon, Washington D.C. correspondent&nbsp;Ben Samuels&nbsp;and Jewish world correspondent&nbsp;Judy Maltz.
Read more:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/deepdive/antisemitismaroundworld">How Antisemitism Haunts Jewish Communities Around the World</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-12-30/ty-article-static/.premium/fire-fear-and-freedom-israel-in-2025-through-the-eyes-of-haaretz-photographers/0000019b-4f67-d2b2-affb-5f6f53c10000">Fire, Fear and Freedom: Israel in 2025, Through the Eyes of Haaretz Photographers</a>
<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025-12-31/ty-article-timeline/.premium/from-mamdani-to-bondi-trump-to-war-crimes-top-haaretz-opinions-of-2025/0000019b-7421-da0b-a1bf-fcb937950000">From Mamdani to Bondi, Trump to War Crimes: Top Haaretz Opinions of 2025</a>

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

Your audio guide to Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World.

Haaretz Podcast

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – the Haaretz weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer. 

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – the Haaretz weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

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