Rabbi Chaim Zippel was in Israel with his wife and baby on October 7, 2023 – the day of the Hamas terrorist attack. He joins host Nic Dunn to recount his experience getting his family to safety and react to the recent wave of antisemitism abroad and at home.  

Sutherland Institute Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow Bill Duncan also returns to the podcast to apply a religious freedom lens to the instances of antisemitism topping the news in the United States. The conversation reminds listeners of America’s founding principles, providing a framework to renew a core principle that is currently threatened by these recent events.  

Show notes: 

• Antisemitic Threats and Violence in the West: A Running Tally | National Review 
• ‘We cannot be here’: Utah’s Rabbi Chaim Zippel was in Israel as Hamas attacked | KUER 
• Utah leaders, faith groups join Stand with Israel rally | Deseret News 
• Chabad of Utah County | Your Home For Everything Jewish, Based in Lehi, Utah (jewishutahcounty.com) 
• Recent antisemitism prompts a needed reminder of America’s culture of religious freedom | Sutherland Institute 

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.