Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas

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On Israel’s 78th Independence Day, we reflect on what the Jewish state means today, and why it still matters.
Aviva Klompas sits down with Dr. Einat Wilf to explore the enduring idea of Zionism - how it is being challenged, misunderstood, and defended in a rapidly shifting global conversation. They discuss Israel’s central role in Jewish life, the widening gap between Israel’s reality and how it is perceived in the West, and why that gap has grown so stark.
The conversation also examines how language is shaping the debate around Israel, and what it takes to engage in a world where facts alone are often not enough. Against the backdrop of war and internal strain, they reflect on what this period has revealed about the resilience of Israeli society and the Jewish people more broadly.
Looking ahead, Aviva and Einat consider what a confident, modern Zionism might look like and what it will take to sustain and strengthen the Jewish state in the decades to come.
Guest Bio
Dr. Einat Wilf is a leading thinker on Israel, Zionism, foreign policy and education. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010 to 2013, where she served as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Born and raised in Israel, Dr. Wilf served as an Intelligence Officer in the Israel Defense Forces, Foreign Policy Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and a strategic consultant with McKinsey & Company.
Dr. Wilf has a BA from Harvard, an MBA from INSEAD in France, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cambridge. She was the Goldman Visiting Professor at Georgetown University.
Dr. Wilf is the author of seven books that explore key issues in Israeli society. “We Should All Be Zionists“, published in 2022, brings together her essays from the past four years on Israel, Zionism and the path to peace; the co-authored “The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace”, was published in 2020

As Israel marks Yom HaZikaron - the country’s day of remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terror - this year carries added weight, unfolding in the shadow of an ongoing war and fresh loss still felt across the country.
In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Rabbi Doron Perez, whose son, Captain Daniel Perez, was killed on October 7 while defending Israel’s border. Taken hostage after his tank was overrun, Daniel’s remains were returned months later as part of a ceasefire agreement.
Rabbi Perez reflects on who Daniel was, how his family carries his memory, and what it means to live with grief that is both deeply personal and shared so publicly. The conversation explores faith, loss, and the challenge of holding onto purpose in the aftermath of tragedy.
They also discuss the broader moment Israel is facing - how a society processes ongoing loss, the responsibility to rebuild, and the question of what remembrance asks of those who are still here.
Guest Bio: 
Rabbi Doron Perez is the Executive Chairman of the Mizrachi World Movement and President of the World Zionist Organization. Since 2014, he has led a major transformation of World Mizrachi, expanding its educational and communal work across more than 30 countries. He previously served for 15 years as a senior rabbinic leader in South Africa.
Rabbi Perez is an ordained rabbi with advanced degrees in Jewish education and Jewish history, and the author of Leading the Way and The Jewish State: From Opposition to Opportunity. He lives in Yad Binyamin with his wife, Shelley. They have four children. Their second son, Captain Daniel Perez was killed in action on October 7th. His body was held in Gaza for two years before being returned to Israel for burial.
More from this guest:
The Jewish State from Opposition to Opportunity: A Vision for Unity in Israel and why the World Needs it by Rabbi Doron Perez

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to [email protected] or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.
After the collapse of U.S.–Iran talks, Washington has turned to a new approach - imposing a naval blockade aimed at cutting off Iran’s ability to leverage the Strait of Hormuz. The goal is to apply economic pressure without escalating into a broader military campaign. But whether that pressure changes Tehran’s behavior remains an open question.
In this episode, host Aviva Klompas speaks with Jonathan Schanzer about how Iran may respond and what this shift means for the trajectory of the conflict. They explore whether Iran still holds an advantage at the negotiating table, how its strategy may be evolving under pressure, and whether its traditional playbook of delay and deflection is still effective.
Guest Bio:
Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is Executive Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he oversees the organization’s research and policy work. A former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury, Jonathan has tracked and disrupted funding networks for groups like Hamas and al-Qaeda. He’s authored several books on the Middle East, including Gaza Conflict 2021, State of Failure, and Hamas vs. Fatah. A frequent congressional witness and media commentator, his analysis appears regularly in major outlets including CNN, Fox News, and the BBC.

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to [email protected] or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.
U.S.–Iran talks in Islamabad ended without a deal, leaving the ceasefire on shaky ground and major questions unanswered.
In this episode, host Aviva Klompas speaks with Dr. Michael Oren about what the breakdown means and where things may be headed. They examine whether the damage inflicted on Iran translates into lasting strategic gains, or if the regime retains enough leverage - through its nuclear program, regional proxies, and control over key shipping routes - to shape the next phase of the conflict.
The conversation also explores the growing gap between Washington and Jerusalem and whether Israel would continue acting if the United States steps back. They discuss whether the war reinforced Iran’s asymmetric strategy, the unresolved threat from Hezbollah, and what all of this signals about the likelihood of renewed confrontation.
Guest Bio:
Michael Oren served in the IDF as a Lone Soldier in the paratroopers. He was Israel’s ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013 and later served as a Member of Knesset and Deputy Minister of Diplomacy.
He is the author of several New York Times bestsellers including Six Days of War, Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israel Divide, and Power, Faith, and Fantasy. Ambassador Oren published 2048: The Rejuvenated State in 2023 and is the founder of Israel Advocacy Group.

We want to hear from you. Send questions and comments to [email protected] or message Aviva on X at @avivaklompas.
After five weeks of fighting, the United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, halting strikes and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. But while the immediate crisis may be paused, the bigger questions are far from resolved.
In this episode, host Aviva Klompas speaks with journalist Eli Lake about what this moment represents. Has the war ended and if so, who came out ahead? 
They examine the damage inflicted on Iran’s military infrastructure and leadership, and whether those losses meaningfully change its long-term capabilities. Iran’s leadership is framing the ceasefire as a victory, with reports it may collect substantial fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, potentially offsetting sanctions.
Aviva and Eli also step back to assess whether the war was necessary, and how to interpret President Trump’s unconventional and often provocative communication style. They discuss how to distinguish between rhetoric and policy, and what Trump’s approach reveals about how this war is being conducted and understood.
Speaker Bio
Eli Lake is a journalist and geopolitical analyst, currently a contributing editor and columnist at The Free Press and host of the excellent Breaking History podcast. He was previously a columnist for Bloomberg, The Daily Beast, and Newsweek, where he covered national security, foreign policy, and global affairs. Known for his sharp analysis and independent voice, Eli brings a nuanced and thought-provoking perspective to some of the most pressing issues in international politics.