18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers
18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers is a new podcast by 18Forty interviewing Israel’s leading voices to explore critical questions on Zionism, the Israel-Hamas War, democracy, morality, Judaism, peace, Israel’s future, and so much more. We introduce you to fresh perspectives and challenging ideas about Israel — from across the political and religious spectrum — that you won’t find anywhere else.
Join us on our journey as we pose 18 pressing questions to the 40 Israeli journalists, scholars, and religious thinkers you need to hear from today.
Have questions you want us to ask or guests to feature? Shoot us an email at [email protected].
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 61 minutes
- Episodes
- 56
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
'There is no hope—but there is faith': 5 Israeli Thinkers on the country's future
Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?
We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Sruli Fruchter's favorit…
We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Sruli Fruchter's favorit…
00:24:54 |
Mon 08 Sep 2025
'The status quo cannot be maintained': 6 Israeli Thinkers on if Palestinian-Israeli peace is still possible
Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to S…
We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to S…
00:34:35 |
Tue 02 Sep 2025
'The government doesn't make its case': 5 Israeli Thinkers on criticizing Israel
What is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Sruli Fruchter's fav…
We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Sruli Fruchter's fav…
00:19:58 |
Mon 25 Aug 2025
'Our reliance on power': 6 Israeli Thinkers on Israel's Greatest Success and Mistake in the Gaza War
What has been Israel's greatest success, and greatest mistake, in its war against Hamas?
We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to…
We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to…
00:58:14 |
Mon 18 Aug 2025
'Still a deeply divided society': 5 Israeli Thinkers on how they feel today
As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Srul…
We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Srul…
00:44:31 |
Mon 11 Aug 2025
Michael Oren: 'We are living in biblical times'
Israel is a heroic country, Michael Oren believes—but he concedes that it is a flawed heroic country.
Michael Oren—our 40th Israeli thinker—served as Israeli ambassador to the U.S. from 2009-2013 unde…
Michael Oren—our 40th Israeli thinker—served as Israeli ambassador to the U.S. from 2009-2013 unde…
01:04:55 |
Mon 14 Jul 2025
Micah Goodman: 'I don't want Gaza to become our Vietnam'
Micah Goodman doesn't think Palestinian-Israeli peace will happen within his lifetime. But he's still a hopeful person.
Named by the Jerusalem Post as one of the 50 most influential Jews, Micah is a p…
Named by the Jerusalem Post as one of the 50 most influential Jews, Micah is a p…
01:08:13 |
Mon 07 Jul 2025
Jonathan Rosenblum: 'Would you want to live in a country run by Haredim?'
Talking about the "Haredi community" is a misnomer, Jonathan Rosenblum says, and simplifies its diversity of thought and perspectives.
A Yale-trained lawyer turned journalist, Jonathan has been a prol…
A Yale-trained lawyer turned journalist, Jonathan has been a prol…
01:16:49 |
Mon 30 Jun 2025
'The head of the snake': 8 Israeli Thinkers on the threat of Iran
Two weeks ago, Israel struck Iran's nuclear facilities, military sites, and leaders. Iran launched a barrage of missiles into Israel. Now, the war has only intensified.
Today's episode features eight …
Today's episode features eight …
00:32:20 |
Mon 23 Jun 2025
Hanan Schlesinger: 'From the river to the sea is all Israel and all Palestine'
Zionism asked the Jewish People if they could wield power properly, Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger says. The answer, according to him, is now clear: They cannot.
Before co-founding the Palestinian-Israeli di…
Before co-founding the Palestinian-Israeli di…
01:05:36 |
Mon 16 Jun 2025
Fleur Hassan-Nahoum: 'I am scared that in 20 years, Israel will be isolated completely'
Hamas has isolated Israel diplomatically. Fleur Hassan-Nahoum is scared that, in 20 years, it might be completely isolated.
Fleur is a British-born Israeli politician who served as Deputy Mayor of Jer…
Fleur is a British-born Israeli politician who served as Deputy Mayor of Jer…
00:43:35 |
Mon 09 Jun 2025
Malka Simkovich: When Did The Jewish Diaspora Begin? (18Forty Podcast Re-Release)
While we await next week's new episode, we invite you to revisit our (third) 18Forty Podcast conversation with Malka Simkovich, originally aired on November 19, 2024.
18Forty is celebrating its fifth…
18Forty is celebrating its fifth…
01:15:25 |
Mon 26 May 2025
Elli Fischer: 'The Torah ideal is for Israel to be a religious state'
The Torah wants Israel to be a religious state, Rabbi Elli Fischer says. Just, maybe, not right now.
A historian, writer, translator, and educator, Elli Fischer extensively explores the relationship …
A historian, writer, translator, and educator, Elli Fischer extensively explores the relationship …
01:05:54 |
Mon 19 May 2025
Yoav Heller: 'Israel will be in existential peril if society continues to fragment'
Twice in its history, Jewish sovereignty collapsed in the last quarter of its first century. Yoav Heller believes Israel must heed this warning.
Chairman of the Wingate Institute and a Holocaust histo…
Chairman of the Wingate Institute and a Holocaust histo…
01:03:19 |
Mon 12 May 2025
Mikhael Manekin: 'This is a land of two peoples, and I don't view that as a problem'
Wishing Arabs would disappear from Israel, Mikhael Manekin says, is a dangerous fantasy.
One of the leaders of Israel's Hasmol Haemuni (Faithful Left) movement, Mikhael is a vocal religious activist f…
One of the leaders of Israel's Hasmol Haemuni (Faithful Left) movement, Mikhael is a vocal religious activist f…
01:11:23 |
Mon 05 May 2025
Einat Wilf: 'Jews are never allowed to win, and Arabs are never allowed to lose' (Re-Release)
We return next week with a new episode of 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers. In the meantime, enjoy this earlier interview with Einat Wilf, recorded Nov. 25, 2024.
The true enemy in Israel's current …
The true enemy in Israel's current …
01:22:51 |
Mon 28 Apr 2025
Anshel Pfeffer: 'The idea that you'll obliterate Hamas is as realistic as wanting to obliterate Chabad'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not surprise Anshel Pfeffer over the last 17 months of war—and that's the most disappointing part.
A British-born Israeli journalist, Anshel Pfeffer is the Israel…
A British-born Israeli journalist, Anshel Pfeffer is the Israel…
01:10:39 |
Mon 07 Apr 2025
Mosheh Lichtenstein: 'Jewish values don't celebrate might'
Judaism does not value power and might, Rav Mosheh Lichtenstein says—in fact, it abhors it.
Co-rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion, Rav Mosheh is a venerated leader in Israel's Religious Zionist world…
Co-rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion, Rav Mosheh is a venerated leader in Israel's Religious Zionist world…
01:12:49 |
Mon 31 Mar 2025
Ruby Chen: My Son is Likely a Deceased Hostage. Don't Forget Him in Gaza.
Sgt. Itay Chen was taken captive by Hamas on October 7. The IDF believes he is dead—but his family is still holding out hope.
Ever since Itay was declared Missing in Action, Ruby and Chagit Chen—and t…
Ever since Itay was declared Missing in Action, Ruby and Chagit Chen—and t…
00:44:14 |
Mon 24 Mar 2025
Jonathan Dekel-Chen: My Son was a Hostage in Gaza for 43 Million Seconds. He Felt Every One.
Sagui Dekel-Chen was held hostage in Gaza for 498 days—or 43 million seconds. He came home on Feb. 15.
An American-Israeli citizen who was living in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Sagui left behind a pregnant wife a…
An American-Israeli citizen who was living in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Sagui left behind a pregnant wife a…
01:06:56 |
Mon 17 Mar 2025
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