Ilana: Former Zionist

<p>On <em>Beyond Belief</em>, Ilana describes growing up in a strongly Zionist Jewish environment shaped by her Israeli father, her conservative rabbi stepfather, and Zionist youth programming. She learned to equate Judaism with support for Israel.</p><p>After her stepfather’s death, college courses presenting “dueling narratives” about Israel and Palestine began shifting her perspective. Israel’s bombardment and blockade of Gaza further challenged her views, eventually leading her to criticize Zionism publicly in 2014 and experience significant social fallout.</p><p>Ilana stopped attending synagogue, found community among anti-Zionist Jews online, and began working closely with Gaza journalist Wafa Al-Udaineh, editing her English-language reports. This relationship deepened Ilana’s connection to Gaza and Palestinian life.</p><p>After October 7, Ilana intensified her activism. When Wafa was killed in 2024, Ilana experienced severe grief and sought psychiatric care. She discusses the difficulty of separating Judaism from Zionism, her ongoing deconstruction of religious beliefs and practices, the importance of centering Palestinian voices, and her decision to learn Arabic. She also reflects on religion, ritual, belonging, family, and life after faith.</p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 — Meet Ilana and the Premise<br>01:21 — Family Roots and Israel Ties<br>02:42 — Militarism and Early Doubts<br>04:32 — Rabbi Stepfather After 9/11<br>07:10 — Zionist Youth-Group Indoctrination<br>11:22 — First Cracks and Questions<br>12:18 — Loss of Faith After His Death<br>13:25 — College and Dueling Narratives<br>19:44 — Gaza and Moral Awakening<br>20:58 — Kurdish Jewish Heritage and Zionism<br>28:26 — Speaking Out Online in 2014<br>31:04 — Leaving Synagogue for Good<br>32:14 — Working With Journalists in Gaza<br>34:33 — October 7 and Direct Action<br>39:04 — Wafa’s Death and a New Purpose<br>40:30 — How She Is Doing Now<br>42:38 — Raising a Child Post-Zionism<br>43:15 — Religion Without Trauma<br>44:11 — Growing Up Zionist<br>45:59 — Belonging Nowhere<br>48:29 — Learning Arabic<br>53:26 — Grassroots Jewish Spaces<br>55:08 — Institutional Power<br>56:36 — The End of Judaism<br>58:51 — Family Supremacism<br>01:03:41 — Stop Debating Zionists<br>01:05:46 — Palestine-Centered Practice<br>01:09:52 — Life After Religion<br>01:15:07 — Closing Thanks</p>