In the days after Oct. 7, when Hamas attacked Israel, some of the fiercest criticisms in this country were directed at Israel, from self-identified liberals and progressives. At the same time, I heard nary a whisper of outrage directed toward Hamas for the attack, its treatment of hostages taken that day and their use of civilians in Gaza as shields.

This is the first episode in a two-part conversation with local Jewish leaders: Rabbis Batsheva Meiri of Congregation Beth HaTephila and Mitchell Levine of Congregation Beth Israel, along with Frank Goldsmith, who is on the steering committee of Carolina Jews for Justice; and Sharon Fahrer, who has documented much of Asheville’s Jewish history.

We talk through the antisemitism they’ve observed and experienced here  before and after Oct. 7. We also discuss both the faith-based and cultural nuances of Jewish identity, talk through Israel’s conduct in this war and what these leaders want to see happen once the smoke clears.

Note: Royalty-free music for this episode "Warm Solitude, Cold Loneliness" by Arthur Vyncke.

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