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

On Israel’s 78th Independence Day, we reflect on what the Jewish state means today, and why it still matters.

Aviva Klompas sits down with Dr. Einat Wilf to explore the enduring idea of Zionism - how it is being challenged, misunderstood, and defended in a rapidly shifting global conversation. They discuss Israel’s central role in Jewish life, the widening gap between Israel’s reality and how it is perceived in the West, and why that gap has grown so stark.

The conversation also examines how language is shaping the debate around Israel, and what it takes to engage in a world where facts alone are often not enough. Against the backdrop of war and internal strain, they reflect on what this period has revealed about the resilience of Israeli society and the Jewish people more broadly.

Looking ahead, Aviva and Einat consider what a confident, modern Zionism might look like and what it will take to sustain and strengthen the Jewish state in the decades to come.

Guest Bio

Dr. Einat Wilf is a leading thinker on Israel, Zionism, foreign policy and education. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010 to 2013, where she served as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Born and raised in Israel, Dr. Wilf served as an Intelligence Officer in the Israel Defense Forces, Foreign Policy Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and a strategic consultant with McKinsey & Company.

Dr. Wilf has a BA from Harvard, an MBA from INSEAD in France, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cambridge. She was the Goldman Visiting Professor at Georgetown University.

Dr. Wilf is the author of seven books that explore key issues in Israeli society. “We Should All Be Zionists“, published in 2022, brings together her essays from the past four years on Israel, Zionism and the path to peace; the co-authored “The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace”, was published in 2020

As Israel marks Yom HaZikaron - the country’s day of remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terror - this year carries added weight, unfolding in the shadow of an ongoing war and fresh loss still felt across the country.

In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Rabbi Doron Perez, whose son, Captain Daniel Perez, was killed on October 7 while defending Israel’s border. Taken hostage after his tank was overrun, Daniel’s remains were returned months later as part of a ceasefire agreement.

Rabbi Perez reflects on who Daniel was, how his family carries his memory, and what it means to live with grief that is both deeply personal and shared so publicly. The conversation explores faith, loss, and the challenge of holding onto purpose in the aftermath of tragedy.

They also discuss the broader moment Israel is facing - how a society processes ongoing loss, the responsibility to rebuild, and the question of what remembrance asks of those who are still here.

Guest Bio:

Rabbi Doron Perez is the Executive Chairman of the Mizrachi World Movement and President of the World Zionist Organization. Since 2014, he has led a major transformation of World Mizrachi, expanding its educational and communal work across more than 30 countries. He previously served for 15 years as a senior rabbinic leader in South Africa.

Rabbi Perez is an ordained rabbi with advanced degrees in Jewish education and Jewish history, and the author of Leading the Way and The Jewish State: From Opposition to Opportunity. He lives in Yad Binyamin with his wife, Shelley. They have four children. Their second son, Captain Daniel Perez was killed in action on October 7th. His body was held in Gaza for two years before being returned to Israel for burial.

More from this guest:

The Jewish State from Opposition to Opportunity: A Vision for Unity in Israel and why the World Needs it by Rabbi Doron Perez

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

After the collapse of U.S.–Iran talks, Washington has turned to a new approach - imposing a naval blockade aimed at cutting off Iran’s ability to leverage the Strait of Hormuz. The goal is to apply economic pressure without escalating into a broader military campaign. But whether that pressure changes Tehran’s behavior remains an open question.

In this episode, host Aviva Klompas speaks with Jonathan Schanzer about how Iran may respond and what this shift means for the trajectory of the conflict. They explore whether Iran still holds an advantage at the negotiating table, how its strategy may be evolving under pressure, and whether its traditional playbook of delay and deflection is still effective.

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.