Why Jewish People Must Reclaim Zionism, with Adam Kirsch

Ashamed to Admit

In the aftermath of October 7, Zionism and 'Zionists' have been attacked on university campuses and within progressive circles around the world – sometimes with violent consequences. In this episode, Tami and Dash speak with Adam Kirsch, whose essay in The Jewish Quarterly argues that the Jewish people do not need to defend the term – they need to reclaim it.

Adam Kirsch is an American poet and literary critic. He is on the seminar faculty of Columbia University's Center for American Studies, and has taught at YIVO.

Adam's essay: The Z Word: Reclaiming Zionism

https://jewishquarterly.com/essay/2025/05/the-z-word

Articles discussed in this episode:

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/the-z-word-reclaiming-zionism

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فصول

1. Introduction to Zionism Discussion (00:00:00)

2. Jewish Fasts and Cultural Context (00:07:24)

3. Adam Kirsch on Personal Zionist History (00:13:31)

4. Post-October 7th Violence Against "Zionists" (00:18:00)

5. The Historical Origins of Zionism (00:27:42)

6. Settler Colonialism and Anti-Zionist Theory (00:33:57)

7. Jewish Anti-Zionists and Power vs Powerlessness (00:42:40)

8. Different Forms of Zionism and Reclaiming Identity (00:49:00)