Americans are experiencing a deep crisis of trust. We see our partisan opponents as dangerous, have lost faith in our politicians and increasingly struggle with figuring out what is true and what isn’t. The threats of rising populism, extremism, and polarization draw from the very foundations of our social lives, including our reliance on social media. Considering this, how are we to understand this crisis? And what are ways of responding morally – and Jewishly – to the seeming breakdown of truth and faith in this polarized moment?

Mijal Bitton in conversation with political scientist, journalist, and founder of Persuasion magazine Yascha Mounk, one of the world’s leading experts on the crisis of liberal democracy and the rise of populism.

Presented in partnership with the National Museum of American Jewish History

This program was recorded during our two-week symposium on Judaism, Citizenship & Democracy in October 2020.