Jews Only Show Their Best in Crisis. We Must Learn to Do It in Peace | Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz

In this episode of Here I Am, host Shai Davidai sits down with Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, senior rabbi of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun (KJ) on Manhattan's Upper East Side and author of Despite Everything: A Chronicle of Jewish Resilience in the Aftermath of October 7th. Rabbi Steinmetz shares what it means to be a "loving Jew" and how he balances embracing all Jews while navigating deep communal disagreements. Drawing on nearly 20 years leading a congregation in Montreal, he offers a unique perspective on the rise of antisemitism in Canada, warning that the U.S. may be heading down the same path if university-driven ideologies continue to go unchallenged among elites. The conversation dives into the tension rabbis face between staying above politics and stepping into the arena when Jewish survival is at stake, how synagogues should handle platforming anti-Zionist voices, and the importance of grounding yourself in truth when faced with bad-faith propaganda. Rabbi Steinmetz also reflects on how to engage young Jews who live in modern "cocoons," disconnected from community, history, and the generations before them, urging them to "become a butterfly" and reconnect with something larger than themselves. Guests: Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz Consider DONATING to help us continue and expand our media efforts. If you cannot at this time, please share this video with someone who might benefit from it. We thank you for your support! https://gofund.me/30c00151c BUY MERCH! https://hereiam.threadless.com/ SUPPORT SHAI ON PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/shaidavidai/a... 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode 📢 Follow us on social media: Instagram: hereiamwithshaidavidai Tik Tok: hereiamwithshaidavidai / hereiamwithshaidavidai 🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform: RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/hereiamwiths... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6pI03BM... #HereIAmPodcast #ShaiDavidai #RabbiChaimSteinmetz #KehilathJeshurun #JewishIdentity #JewishUnity #JewishResilience #JewishCommunity #October7th #StandWithIsrael #AntiSemitism #NeverAgain #JewishLeadership #AmericanJewry #ModernOrthodox #JewishActivism #JewishPride #JewishHope #CriticizeLikeAMother #GetOutOfTheCocoon #LearnToHugAgain #JewishSurvival #AdamitProductions #Podcast #NewEpisode #LinkInBio Credits: Producers: Shai Davidai, Abbie Sophia, Adamit Productions, Allison Fuller, Josh Tepper, Bonnie Berkovits Filmed @ The CAVE Soundstage in Hackensack and edited by Adamit Productions