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On the Nose

On the Nose

Written by: Jewish Currents
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 On the Nose is a biweekly podcast by Jewish Currents, a magazine of the Jewish left founded in 1946. The editorial staff discusses the politics, culture, and questions that animate today’s Jewish left.Copyright 2026 Jewish Currents Judaism Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • The Hill

    The Hill
    May 7 2026

    Harriet Clark comes from a long line of radicals. Her ancestors were gun runners in Minsk. Her grandparents were active members of the Communist Party USA, and the family moved to Moscow for a time, where her grandfather wrote for the Daily Worker. Her mother is Judith Clark, a former member of the Weather Underground and the May 19th Communist Organization, who was given a life sentence for her participation in the Brinks robbery in 1981 that killed three people. (Judith was paroled in 2019.)

    Harriet Clark’s debut novel, The Hill, tells the story of a girl who vows to visit her mother every week in the upstate New York prison where she is being held. In this episode of On the Nose, Arielle Angel speaks with Harriet about her stunning new book, what comes after failure in radical movements, and the heroism of trying to keep families affected by incarceration together.

    Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for editing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”

    Media Mentioned and Further Reading

    The Hill by Harriet Clark

    “I’m Not Black, I’m Kanye,” Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Atlantic

    “Photos of the migrant caravan and the Trump military response tell different stories,” Johnny Simon, Quartz

    Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey

    “Judith Clark’s Radical Transformation,” Tom Robbins, The New York Times

    House and Fire by Maria Hummel

    Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson

    “To a Student” by Diane Di Prima

    Transcript forthcoming.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Exit Interview

    Exit Interview
    Apr 30 2026

    After more than ten years as the rabbi of the anti-Zionist synagogue Tzedek Chicago, Rabbi Brant Rosen is stepping down. On this episode of On the Nose, Rosen speaks with editor-in-chief of Jewish Currents, Arielle Angel—who after eight years is also leaving her post—about what has changed in the building of anti-Zionist institutions over the last decade, what it means to do Jewish left communal work in a time of crisis for Judaism, and whether we must believe we will win.

    Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for editing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”

    Media Mentioned and Further Reading

    Tzedek Chicago

    “We Need New Jewish Institutions,” Arielle Angel, Jewish Currents

    “Our Approach to Zionism,” Jewish Voice for Peace

    Mariame Kaba talking to Dean Spade about hope

    “Mailbag #3 — Live!,” On the Nose

    “Stay In,” Arielle Angel, Jewish Currents

    Transcript forthcoming.

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    46 mins
  • Mailbag #3 — Live!

    Mailbag #3 — Live!
    Apr 16 2026
    On this episode of On the Nose, Jewish Currents editor-in-chief Arielle Angel, publisher Daniel May, editor-at-large Peter Beinart, and advisory board member Simone Zimmerman answered listener questions about what accountability looks like for US rabbinic leadership, how American Zionists will respond to Israel’s plummeting popularity, and more. For the very first time, this episode of On the Nose was recorded live in front of an audience, which gathered at Littlefield in Brooklyn.Thanks to the Littlefield staff for hosting and recording the event. Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for editing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”Media Mentioned and Further Reading“J Street says Israel should fund its own defense,” Jacob Kornbluh, The Forward“Democratic Senators Face Pressure on Israel Arms Sales Vote,” Josh Nathan-Kazis, Jewish Currents“Democratic Presidential Contenders Are Turning on Israel. Will They Convince Progressives?,” Alex Kane, Jewish Currents“A Majority of Voters Support Senate Resolutions To Block Bombs and Bulldozers To Israel,” Common Dreams“The Many Equivocations of Curt Mills,” Will Alden, Jewish CurrentsHere Where We Live Is Our Country by Molly CrabappleJFNA Survey of Jewish Life since October 7 – Zionism Findings“Rhetoric Without Reckoning,” Simone Zimmerman, Jewish Currents“At Synagogues, Tensions Are Boiling Over,” Eyal Press, The New Yorker“The Rabbinic Freak-Out About Zohran Mamdani,” On the Nose“Nostra Aetate” from the Second Vatican Council“MAGA Catholics in Revolt,” On the Nose“Do No Harm! Palestinian Call for Ethical Tourism/Pilgrimage” from the BDS movementEverything You Have Is Yours, film about Hadar Ahuvia“The Capitalist’s Kibbutz,” Sam Adler-Bell, Jewish CurrentsTranscript forthcoming.
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    47 mins
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