Liel Leibovitz on Zohran Mamdani and the Fear That Paralyzes Jewish Leadership
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.
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Angela Buchdahl Fails the Zohran Mamdani Test
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.
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Heart of a Hypocrite: Angela Buchdahl on Nationalism
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.
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Angela Buchdahl Finds Her Voice for Politics — Just Not Against Zohran Mamdani
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.
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Trump, Netanyahu, and the Ceasefire Gamble: How U.S. Influence Is Rewriting Israel’s Future
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.
Daniel Mael dives into the most pressing issues pertaining to Israel and the IDF in a post-10/7 world.
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