(234) Dual Loyalty? | Rabbi Elie Mischel on American Jews, Israel, and Redemption

On this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki welcome Rabbi Elie Mischel to discuss his provocative new book, Countdown: American Jews and God's Plan for Redemption. At the center of the conversation is one of the most uncomfortable questions in modern Jewish life: the issue of "dual loyalty." Can Jews fully belong to America while remaining faithful to the Jewish mission centered in Israel? And what happens when rising antisemitism forces that question into the open? Rabbi Mischel makes the controversial argument that Judaism is not fundamentally a religion at all, but a nationhood rooted in the Bible, the Land of Israel, and a collective historical destiny. Drawing on the stories of Abraham, the Exodus, and the Book of Esther, he argues that many American Jews are confronting the same identity crisis faced by Persian Jewry thousands of years ago: are they Americans who happen to be Jewish, or Jews temporarily living in America? The discussion explores Zionism, assimilation, exile, redemption, Tucker Carlson, the modern accusation of dual loyalty, and why Rabbi Mischel believes the current moment may be a turning point for the future of American Jewry. The episode also examines the growing crisis of biblical literacy among both Jews and Christians, and why recovering the Hebrew Bible is essential for understanding Israel and the moral struggles of our time. Check out The Israel Bible YouTube channel. Join Doug and his family as they prepare to move to Israel by watching The Reeds Are Here on YouTube. Watch Shoulder to Shoulder along with Pesach's other fantastic content on his YouTube channel.

or Jews, Shavuot commemorates the revelation at Mount Sinai and the giving of the Torah. For Christians, Pentecost marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2 and the birth of the Church's public mission. These are not the same holiday, and this conversation does not blur the profound theological differences between Judaism and Christianity. Yet the parallels are impossible to ignore. In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed explore the deep biblical and symbolic connections between Sinai and Pentecost: fire, covenant, divine revelation, responsibility, language, and the call to bring knowledge of God into the world. Along the way, they examine how Acts chapter 2 emerges from a thoroughly Jewish context, why Shavuot has no explicit biblical explanation, and what both faith communities can learn from the idea that ordinary believers are meant to become God's representatives in the world. This is a thoughtful and text-based exploration of how two distinct traditions can share resonant themes without surrendering their unique identities. Join Doug and his family as they prepare to move to Israel by watching The Reeds Are Here on YouTube. Watch Shoulder to Shoulder along with Pesach's other fantastic content on his YouTube channel.

For centuries, many Christians believed that the Church had replaced Israel in God's covenantal plan. But what happens when the Jewish people return to their ancestral homeland after nearly two thousand years? And what does the Catholic Church actually teach about the Jewish people, the land of Israel, and Zionism? In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki speak with Catholic theologian Dr. Andre Villeneuve of Catholics for Israel about one of the most important and controversial questions in Jewish-Christian relations today: Can a faithful Catholic also be a Zionist? Drawing on Scripture, Church history, Vatican documents, and modern Catholic theology, Dr. Villeneuve explains why he believes support for Israel is deeply rooted in the Bible and fully compatible with Catholic faith. The conversation explores supersessionism, the legacy of Vatican II, the tension between Catholic tradition and modern politics, and why many Christians struggle to reconcile theology with the reality of Jewish sovereignty in the land of Israel. The episode also reflects on a remarkable moment in Washington, DC, where major Orthodox Jewish organizations publicly partnered with evangelical Christian groups in support of Israel, signaling a historic shift in Jewish-Christian relations. This is a thoughtful and candid conversation about covenant, Scripture, theology, history, and the future of Christian support for Israel.

As Pastor Doug Reed records from Washington, D.C. ahead of a major Israel advocacy gathering, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki joins from nearby, on his way to join him. Together, they reflect on a moment that feels like more than just another news cycle. Across the Jewish world, the Christian world, and the broader public square, old assumptions are being challenged and new lines are being drawn. From shifting alliances to growing internal divisions, this conversation explores what it means to stand with conviction when it's no longer easy—or popular. Along the way, Doug shares about his family's upcoming move to Israel, a deeply personal step that brings these questions out of the abstract and into real life. As Pesach puts it, we may be living through a time for choosing.

For Erin Molan, defending Israel after October 7 was not without consequences. The Australian media personality shares how taking that stand affected her career, deepened her faith, and clarified her sense of purpose. Pesach and Doug also address a growing point of tension: the backlash to a pride event near the Dead Sea, and how they respond to fellow believers who strongly support Israel, but feel conflicted about Israel's apparent celebration of the event.

What's really driving the growing skepticism toward Israel—even among young conservatives? In this wide-ranging and urgent conversation, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki sit down with bestselling author and public intellectual Dinesh D'Souza to unpack one of the most important cultural and spiritual shifts of our time. Together, they explore the collapse of trust in institutions, the rise of conspiracy thinking, and how both are reshaping attitudes toward Israel, faith, and the West itself. From biblical archaeology to replacement theology, from social media influence to the future of Christian support for Israel, this episode confronts the biggest questions facing believers today. Why are younger generations drifting away from long-held alliances? What role does theology play in modern politics? And is there still a path forward for a shared Judeo-Christian vision of truth and moral clarity? A bold, challenging, and deeply relevant conversation about faith, identity, and the future of Western civilization. Subscribe to the free Israel365 News Daily Newsletter and the Israel365 Action Weekly Newsletter by clicking here.

Is Israel still central to God's plan—or has that role changed? In this wide-ranging episode, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki take on a question that sits at the heart of modern Christianity. Beginning with Doug's recent article in The Christian Post, they explore whether the New Testament itself reinforces the enduring role of the Jewish people, and why that debate has become so urgent today. But this is not just a theological conversation. As tensions with Iran escalate, the discussion shifts from Scripture to strategy. Joined by military analyst Elliot Chodoff, they break down what is actually happening in the Middle East, what has been achieved on the ground, and how Iran views the conflict in ways that many in the West misunderstand. What emerges is a deeper realization: the question of Israel is not confined to ancient texts or abstract theology. It is playing out in real time, with real consequences. This episode connects belief and reality, asking what it truly means for Israel to matter - both in faith and in the world today.

For nearly two thousand years, much of the Christian world embraced a single assumption: that the Church had replaced Israel in God's covenantal plan. But what happens when history itself seems to challenge that belief? In this provocative and deeply thoughtful conversation, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki sit down with David Virtue to confront a growing theological crisis. If supersessionism was built on the idea of a permanently exiled and diminished Jewish people, how should Christians understand a thriving, sovereign State of Israel? Together, they explore the tension between inherited doctrine and present-day reality, the failure of shallow theological frameworks, and the urgent need for a more serious, grounded Christian understanding of Israel's role in God's plan. Along the way, they address the rise of anti-Israel sentiment, the weakness of modern theological education, and the possibility that the Church itself is heading toward a profound internal reckoning. This is not just a conversation about Israel. It is a conversation about the future of Christian theology—and whether long-held assumptions can survive contact with history. Act now to provide food, clothing, and daily care for orphaned Jewish children in Israel. Go to https://israel365charity.com/campaigns/ukrainian-orphans/ and give generously today.

This is one of the most personal and consequential episodes we've ever recorded. Pastor Doug Reed shares the full story behind his family's monumental decision to move to Israel—what led to it, how it unfolded, and what it means for his family, his faith, and his future. This is not just a relocation. It is a deeply emotional and spiritual journey years in the making, now becoming reality. Then the conversation takes a dramatic turn. Rabbi Pesach Wolicki breaks down his recent viral clash with Candace Owens—and explains why the story is far bigger than a social media feud. What emerges is a troubling picture of potential anti-Israel activity within parts of the U.S. intelligence community, raising serious questions about influence, narrative, and the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship. This episode moves from the deeply personal to the profoundly political, weaving together faith, friendship, and the forces shaping our world today. If you care about Israel, about truth, and about where things may be heading, this is a conversation you do not want to miss.

As war escalates between Israel and Iran, a pressing question is emerging: Is this just Israel's fight—or does it directly impact the future of the United States and the West? In this urgent and eye-opening conversation, Ambassador Yoram Ettinger joins us to unpack what's really happening behind the headlines. From President Trump's reported negotiations to the deeper ideological battle driving Iran's regime, this discussion challenges the assumption that diplomacy alone can bring peace. Drawing on decades of experience in U.S.–Israel relations, Ambassador Ettinger argues that this conflict is not merely political, but civilizational. The stakes go far beyond the Middle East, touching on America's security, global stability, and the moral responsibility to confront evil rather than accommodate it . This episode invites listeners to think more deeply about faith, leadership, and the difficult choices required in a dangerous world.