SAPIR with David Wolpe

Bret Stephens, SAPIR editor-in-chief, joins David Wolpe for a conversation about why having power doesn’t always mean you have influence. Bret makes the case that American Jews face a striking paradox: more power but less influence than at any point in his lifetime. They explore how that happened, and the lessons for anyone trying to change minds in a polarized era. They also discuss promising new ventures in media and publishing, as well as how to equip the next generation of Jewish leaders to thrive. 
You can read Bret Stephens' editor’s note, The Anxiety of (Waning) Jewish Influence, at https://sapirjournal.org/influence/2026/the-anxiety-of-waning-jewish-influence/ 
The IHRA definition of antisemitism, which was referenced in their conversation, can be found at https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism. 
Learn more about SAPIR and subscribe to the print journal at http://⁠www.sapirjournal.org⁠.
Subscribe to the SAPIR Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sapir-with-david-wolpe/id1583771945
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JcLb3jkh60ybrtX7Awp0m 
Or wherever you get your podcasts: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/sapirpodcast/
Comments or questions? Get in touch at info@sapirjournal.org 
Theme music by Blue Dot Sessions: ⁠http://www.sessions.blue/⁠

Host David Wolpe is joined by guests like Tyler Cowen, Bret Stephens, and Danielle Allen to explore the theme of influence across culture, politics, technology, education, and beyond. This season is inspired by the latest issue of SAPIR, the quarterly journal of ideas for a thriving Jewish future. 
Learn more about SAPIR and subscribe to the print journal at ⁠https://sapirjournal.org/.
Subscribe to the SAPIR Podcast on Apple:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sapir-with-david-wolpe/id1583771945
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JcLb3jkh60ybrtX7Awp0m 
Or wherever you get your podcasts: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/sapirpodcast/
Comments or questions? Get in touch at info@sapirjournal.org
Theme music by Blue Dot Sessions: www.sessions.blue

For many Jewish and Zionist students, faculty, and administrators, the tumultuous year following October 7 meant navigating campus life amid protests, encampments, lockdowns, and boycotts. What was once a familiar academic environment had become a place of sustained tension and, at times, outright hostility.
 
Over the last 20 months, federal authorities have taken increasingly assertive action to address this collegiate climate, citing concerns about a rise in campus antisemitism. Lawsuits, congressional subpoenas, threats of funding cuts, and the detention of foreign students have been welcomed by some in the Jewish community as long overdue demonstrations of resolve. Others, however, warn that these measures risk undermining the pluralistic norms that have long sustained Jewish life in higher education – and, worse, might even breed resentment against Jews in the long-term.
 
American Jews and friends of the community face a consequential question: do government crackdowns ultimately safeguard, or undermine, the interests of Jewish and Zionist students, faculty, and the broader academic community?

This SAPIR Debate took place live at the Israel on Campus Coalition National Leadership Summit on August 4, 2026 in Washington D.C. It featured Noah Pollak and Jonathan Rauch, and was moderated by Aviva Klompas.

Johns Hopkins political scientist Yascha Mounk joined Bret Stephens to discuss his new essay, “Censorship Won't Help the Jews,” in the (Fixing) America issue of SAPIR.
Read Yascha’s essay here: https://sapirjournal.org/fixing-america/2026/censorship-wont-help-the-jews/
Questions or comments? Send us a note at ⁠info@sapirjournal.org⁠
Music from #Uppbeat: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/theo-gerard/monsieur-groove

Literary scholar Ruth Wisse and publisher Adam Bellow join Rabbi David Wolpe for a lively discussion on American Jewish literature, 50 years on from the year Saul Bellow was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Questions or comments? Send us a note at ⁠info@sapirjournal.org⁠
Music from #Uppbeat: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/theo-gerard/monsieur-groove