Disruption, Legacy, and the Jewish Future We Actually Want with Jay Sanderson

What if the key to a vibrant Jewish future isn't about defending the past or pouring money into old models, but about a radical reinvention, one centered on belonging, storytelling, and fearless adaptation? In a world of rapid change, rising antisemitism, and shifting identities, the question isn't just how we survive, but how we thrive. In this episode of The Jewish Tomorrow podcast, host Robert Richman sits down with the legendary Jay Sanderson, media pioneer, former CEO of the Jewish Federation, and now President & CEO of American Jewish University. Jay shares his incredible personal journey from a traumatic childhood in Boston housing projects to a transformative meeting with David Ben-Gurion, exploring how these experiences forged an "unafraid" leader. The conversation dives deep into the urgent need to disrupt outdated Jewish institutional models, prioritize the next generation, and rebuild a Judaism defined by purpose, inclusion, and dynamic storytelling. Together, they confront hard truths about denominational relevance, the cost of Jewish life, and the critical shift from fighting against antisemitism to fighting for a compelling Jewish future. Let’s dive in! 00:00 Episode preview 01:28 Meet Jay Sanderson 02:13 Why the Jewish future needs a longer view 04:07 Why old Jewish labels are fading 05:41 Can Judaism adapt without losing its core? 07:14 Young Jews are gathering differently now 09:15 The real barriers to Jewish engagement 11:27 Moving Jewish life beyond politics 12:08 Disruption as a Jewish leadership mindset 13:20 Why free Jewish education is not enough 14:15 The synagogue model people are rejecting 15:18 Why the Jewish world needs to fail more 18:39 The evolving role of rabbis 22:34 The rabbinic skills communities need now 24:43 Why welcoming people changes everything 25:40 Seeing Judaism through fresh eyes 27:05 How do we measure Jewish success? 29:42 AI, technology, and the Jewish future 30:52 Why AI is an opportunity and a challenge 32:05 Why Jewish institutions cannot stand still 33:19 Changing the conversation around antisemitism 34:06 Jay Sanderson’s vision for what comes next 34:27 Closing thoughts Notable Quotes [00:02:56] "I believe our story is an extraordinary story, but we need to take control of it going forward." - Jay Sanderson [00:15:24] "We are unable and unwilling to fail. You learn from failures, not from successes." - Jay Sanderson [00:24:59] "Being Jewish is complicated, and it should be somewhat complicated. It just shouldn't be as complicated as it is right now." - Jay Sanderson [00:26:40] "We all know what it feels like to be slaves, and we all know what it feels like to be free." - Jay Sanderson Our Guest Jay Sanderson is one of the most influential voices in Jewish communal life today. A lifelong storyteller and disruptor, Jay has served as Executive Producer of the Jewish Television Network, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation, and now President and CEO of American Jewish University. Known for challenging entrenched systems and reimagining Jewish engagement, Jay brings a bold, future-focused lens to leadership, education, and belonging. His work centers on asking better questions, embracing experimentation, and building Jewish life that helps people truly thrive. Resources and Links Jay Sanderson LinkedIn:   / jay-sanderson-0a87a918b   Robert Richman LinkedIn:   / robertrichman   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robberichma... American Jewish University Website: https://www.aju.edu/