Religion & SpiritualityChristianityJudaism

Shoulder to Shoulder

Doug Reed and Pesach Wolicki

Welcome to Shoulder to Shoulder, a podcast where a pastor and a rabbi get to the heart of issues that matter to people of faith.

Play

Open in

23 episodes
weekly
Avg 45 min
English

Episodes 23

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S6 · E2
Wednesday · 40 min
(252) The War Israel Hasn't Been Fighting, with Dr. Einat Wilf
What would it actually take to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict rather than simply manage it until the next war? Dr. Einat Wilf, former Labor Party MK, author, public intellectual, and current Knesset candidate, joins Pesach and Doug for a wide-ranging conversation about Zionism, Gaza, Palestinian refugeehood, and the lessons of October 7. Wilf explains why she believes Israel must confront not only Hamas but the ideology that has sustained the conflict for generations, why military victory without a corresponding victory in the war of ideas will never be enough, and how her own political thinking changed as the assumptions of the peace process collided with reality. They also discuss UNRWA, the future of Gaza, Israel's failures on the global battlefield of ideas, her disagreements with the current Israeli government, and her vision of an Israel that is strong enough to defend itself while offering its neighbors a very different future. Do not miss the Israel Behind the Headlines Tour! Eight days with the people making the decisions... Private meetings at the Knesset... Briefings on the Syrian and Lebanese borders... Lunch with the leaders of Samaria and the Golan... and so much more. Led by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Dr. David Wurmser from March 7-14, 2027, this is the Israel that shapes the news before the news reports it, and you will see it with the people who live it. Learn more and reserve your place at https://israel365.com/israel365tours/wolicki-wurmser/.
S6 · E1
September 24 · 36 min
(251) The Nations Are Being Tested: Sukkot, Israel, and the Post-October 7 World
Why does the prophet Zechariah envision the nations of the world coming to Jerusalem specifically for Sukkot? And what does that ancient prophecy mean in a world transformed by October 7th? In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed explore the surprisingly universal message of the Feast of Tabernacles and the Jewish people's mission not only to themselves, but to humanity as a whole. Their conversation moves from Zechariah's vision of the nations gathering in Jerusalem to the Book of Jonah, read on Yom Kippur, and its powerful reminder that Israel's spiritual responsibility extends far beyond its own borders. Against the backdrop of the post-October 7 world, Pesach and Doug ask what it means for nations and people of faith to choose where they stand, and why Sukkot may offer a biblical framework for understanding the choices being made today. This Holiday season, 1 in 3 Israeli children won't know if there will be food on the table. You can change that. Sponsor a holiday meal and bring hope to the hungry.
S5 · E50
September 16 · 41 min
(250) Five Years, 250 Episodes, and a Friendship That Changed Us: Shoulder to Shoulder at 250
Five years. 250 episodes. Countless conversations about faith, Israel, the Bible, politics, and the relationship between Jews and Christians. But along the way, something else happened: Shoulder to Shoulder changed the two people behind the microphones. In this special 250th episode, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki look back at the moments, guests, and unexpected conversations that shaped the podcast and shaped them personally. They revisit an unforgettable late-night conversation with two pastors experiencing Israel for the first time, the guests who challenged assumptions and produced genuine "aha" moments, and the dramatic shift in the podcast after October 7, when their friendship and their conversations took on a new depth and urgency. They also reflect on what they have learned from each other: Doug on encountering Judaism, Israel, and the Hebrew Bible through Jewish eyes, and Pesach on the humility and openness to change that he has encountered among Christian friends. And they consider some very tangible ways the podcast has altered their lives, from Doug's family's decision to homeschool to his remarkable upcoming move to Israel. This isn't simply a look back at 250 episodes. It's a conversation about what can happen when people of different faiths listen to one another, learn from one another, and truly stand shoulder to shoulder, and about where that journey might lead next. This Holiday season, 1 in 3 Israeli children won't know if there will be food on the table. You can change that. Sponsor a holiday meal and bring hope to the hungry.
S5 · E49
September 9 · 50 min
(249) Israel's Election Explained: Why Small Parties Could Decide Who Leads the Country
Israel is heading toward an election, but if you're used to American politics, understanding what happens next can be surprisingly complicated. In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pesach and Doug break down how Israeli elections actually work, why hundreds of thousands of votes can effectively disappear, and why the battle over the Haredi military draft could reshape the political map. They look at Netanyahu's prospects, Gadi Eisenkot's challenge, Ofer Winter's new right-wing party, and why Pesach believes Israel's polls may be telling a misleading story. But first, as Rosh Hashanah approaches, Pesach explores a striking theme of the Jewish New Year: why declaring God as King points beyond the Jewish people toward a vision of all nations ultimately serving God together. This Holiday season, 1 in 3 Israeli children won't know if there will be food on the table. You can change that. Sponsor a holiday meal and bring hope to the hungry.
S5 · E48
September 2 · 53 min
(248) Israel Will Survive. Will the West? Melanie Phillips on the Crisis of Western Civilization
Has the West gone too far to save itself? For decades, British journalist and author Melanie Phillips has warned that Western civilization is abandoning the religious beliefs, moral assumptions, family structures, and national identities that made it possible in the first place. In this wide-ranging conversation, she joins Pesach and Doug to explain why she believes Britain is further down that road than America, why the rejection of biblical values has left the West increasingly unable to distinguish good from evil, and why there are still reasons for hope. But at the heart of the conversation is Israel. Phillips argues that the West's obsession with condemning the Jewish state is not a side issue but a window into its deeper crisis. She explains why she sees anti-Zionism as an extension of Jew hatred, why Israel's willingness to defend itself provokes such fury, and why the West may ultimately need to rediscover Israel and the Jewish people in order to rediscover itself. And despite everything, Phillips ends on an unexpectedly optimistic note: Israel, she says, is a society that still believes in faith, family, nation, children, and the future. The question is whether the rest of the West can learn to believe in itself again. This Holiday season, 1 in 3 Israeli children won't know if there will be food on the table. You can change that. Sponsor a holiday meal and bring hope to the hungry.
S5 · E47
August 26 · 55 min
(247) One Last Great Adventure: From Law & Order to a New Life in Israel, with Diane Neal
Diane Neal was already well known to millions from her roles on Law & Order: SVU and NCIS. But after a successful career in American television, her life took a turn she never could have anticipated. When her father died and her mother was struggling, Diane suggested that they embark on "one last great adventure" together: making Aliyah. What followed was a remarkable journey of loss, upheaval, faith, and ultimately a new life in Israel. In this deeply personal conversation, Diane joins Doug and Pesach to tell the extraordinary story of how she came to Israel with almost nothing, why she believes God was pushing her toward the Jewish homeland, what she discovered about Israeli society after October 7, and why she now tells Jews around the world that there is no place like home. It's a candid, funny, emotional, and inspiring conversation about faith, courage, Israel, and what really matters when everything else is stripped away. If you believe in standing with Israel, help us put that belief into action by giving generously through israel365.com/give.
S5 · E46
August 19 · 48 min
(246) Why Did the IDF Risk Israeli Lives to Save Its Enemies? Lt. Col. Eyal Dror on Operation Good Neighbor
For decades, Syrians were taught to see Israel as the enemy. Then, as Syria descended into a brutal civil war, something extraordinary happened: Israel began bringing wounded Syrian civilians across the border for lifesaving medical care. Lt. Col. (res.) Eyal Dror was the commander of Operation Good Neighbor, the IDF's remarkable humanitarian mission that carried out some 700 operations and provided medical care, food, clothing, fuel, and other assistance to Syrians living just across Israel's border. And every mission carried real risks, with ISIS, al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, and other armed groups operating nearby. In this episode, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki speak with Lt. Col. Dror about why Israel chose to help people raised to hate it, the Syrian civilians whose encounters with Israelis transformed their perceptions of the Jewish state, the Christian organizations that worked alongside the IDF, and the difficult moral decisions Dror and his soldiers faced along the way. They also discuss what Operation Good Neighbor teaches about Israel and Jewish values, and what Dror believes Israel got wrong in its more recent approach to the Druze community in Syria.
S5 · E45
August 12 · 43 min
(245) Sanctioned for Defending Israel? Naomi Kahn on the Battle for Judea and Samaria
Who controls the land of Israel, and who gets to decide its future? Naomi Kahn, Director of the International Division of Regavim, joins Pesach and Doug for a wide-ranging conversation about the ongoing struggle over land, sovereignty, and history in Judea and Samaria. Naomi explains why the European Union and Canada have imposed sanctions on Regavim, how those sanctions have affected the organization's ability to operate, and why she believes the issue goes far beyond Regavim itself. She also describes what Regavim says is a systematic, internationally funded effort to establish facts on the ground through illegal Palestinian construction in Area C, and asks why Israel has often failed to enforce its own laws. The conversation then turns to another battlefield: biblical archaeology. Naomi discusses the destruction and neglect of ancient Jewish sites and explains why preserving the physical evidence of biblical history matters not only to Jews and Israelis, but to Christians and anyone who cares about the biblical foundations of Western civilization.
S5 · E44
August 6 · 45 min
(244) An Israeli Soldier's Moral Case for Israel
Combat veteran Meir Wolicki offers a firsthand look at how the IDF approaches the ethics of modern warfare, why protecting civilians comes at enormous tactical cost, and how those experiences have strengthened rather than weakened his faith. He also reflects on serving alongside Christians who share a commitment to the God of Israel and to Israel's future.
S5 · E43
July 29 · 45 min
(243) What Zohran Mamdani Means for America, and the Rise of the Red-Green Alliance
Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch joins Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki to examine what Zohran Mamdani's rise to the New York mayor's office reveals about the changing political and cultural landscape in America. They discuss the growth of the Democratic Socialists of America, the alliance between the far left and political Islam, rising antisemitism in New York City, and why these developments should concern both Christians and Jews. The conversation also explores coalition-building across faith communities and why defending biblical values and democratic ideals has become an increasingly urgent challenge.
S5 · E42
July 22 · 1 hr 3 min
(242) The Iran Mistake: What the West Still Doesn't Understand, with Dr. Harold Rhode
Why have decades of negotiations, sanctions, and military pressure failed to change Iran's behavior? According to Dr. Harold Rhode, the answer lies in something far deeper than politics. It lies in culture. Having lived in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and later served for twenty-eight years as the Pentagon's leading adviser on the Islamic world, Dr. Rhode argues that American policymakers repeatedly misunderstand how Iranian leaders think because they assume that other cultures share Western assumptions about compromise, diplomacy, and power. Drawing on his remarkable firsthand experiences, he explains why cultural misunderstandings have shaped U.S. policy toward Iran for decades, how the regime maintains its grip on power, and what Israel and the United States should learn if they hope to confront the Islamic Republic successfully. This conversation offers a fascinating look at the intersection of culture, history, and geopolitics, and demonstrates why understanding an adversary's worldview may be the most important step toward defeating it.
S5 · E41
July 15 · 38 min
(241) The Logic Behind the Middle East's Most Dangerous Standoff, with Elliot Chodoff
Is the region drifting toward another major war, or are all sides carefully managing the conflict? Elliott Chodoff returns to Shoulder to Shoulder to explain the strategic calculations behind the latest confrontation with Iran. He discusses why Western diplomacy often misunderstands Middle Eastern political culture, why Iran continues to test American resolve, how Israel might respond if attacked, and why Lebanon remains one of the region's biggest wild cards. Rather than focusing on the daily headlines, this conversation examines the deeper strategic forces shaping events and what they could mean for the months ahead. Join an all-star panel of Middle East experts for a special Israel365 webinar on Iran, regional security, and what comes next. Register at israel365.com/regime.
S5 · E40
July 8 · 42 min
(240) America at 250: The Biblical Ideas That Built a Nation
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki look beyond fireworks and patriotism to the ideas that made the American experiment unique. They explore how the Bible shaped the Founders' understanding of liberty, why freedom and personal responsibility are inseparable, and what passages from Deuteronomy, the Ten Commandments, and even Little House on the Prairie reveal about the moral foundations of a free society. Along the way, they discuss the Ark Encounter, biblical literalism, and why Israel's appreciation for America reflects more than politics. It's a thoughtful conversation about faith, freedom, and the enduring power of America's Judeo-Christian heritage.
S5 · E39
July 1 · 43 min
(239) Why the Future of Christian Zionism Is Brighter Than You Think, with Heather Johnston
Is support for Israel weakening among younger Christians and conservatives? Has the U.S.-Israel relationship reached a turning point? Pesach speaks with Heather Johnston, founder of the U.S. Israel Education Association, about educating Congress, strengthening Christian support for Israel, and why she believes today's challenges are serious but far from hopeless. Along the way, Heather shares the remarkable personal journey that led her from replacement theology to a lifetime of service to Israel.
S5 · E38
June 24 · 42 min
(238) A Bad Deal, Not a Disaster: The U.S.-Iran MOU in Perspective
In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki unpack the recent Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, and ask what it really means for Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah, and the future of the Middle East. Is this MOU a dangerous betrayal, a temporary pause, or a diplomatic framework that was never meant to survive? Pesach argues that while the agreement contains deeply troubling concessions, much of the panic surrounding it misses the larger picture. Together, Doug and Pesach examine the fine print, the political calculations behind it, the role of Iran's proxies, and why Israel must retain the freedom to defend itself. They also move beyond geopolitics to a deeper question of faith: when evil is real and peace feels impossible, do people of faith wait for God to fix history, or do they step forward with courage and act?
S5 · E37
June 17 · 54 min
(237) "The Quran Is a Zionist Document": A Muslim Leader Challenges the Orthodoxies of Islam, with Anila Ali
Is Zionism embedded in the Quran itself? According to Muslim activist and interfaith leader Anila Ali, the answer is yes. In this fascinating conversation, Anila joins Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed to explain why she believes that the Quran affirms the Jewish people's connection to the Land of Israel, why she proudly calls herself a Muslim Zionist, and why much of the Muslim world's hostility toward Israel stems not from Islamic theology but from modern political movements. Drawing on her own upbringing, her study of Islamic texts, and her work building Muslim-Jewish partnerships, Anila offers a strikingly different vision of Islam than the one most people encounter in the headlines. The discussion explores her efforts to bring Muslim delegations to Israel, the reactions of those who discover a reality very different from what they expected, and the personal cost she has paid for speaking publicly in support of Israel and the Abraham Accords. Whether you agree with her or not, Anila presents a perspective that challenges assumptions and invites a deeper conversation about faith, history, and the possibility of peace.
S5 · E36
June 10 · 47 min
(236) Why Lebanon Can't Fix Itself: The Forgotten History Behind Hezbollah, Iran, and a Dysfunctional State
Why does Lebanon seem trapped in a cycle of political paralysis, foreign interference, and violence? In this episode, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed step back from the headlines to explore the deeper story behind Lebanon's ongoing crisis. From the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the creation of Lebanon's unique political system to the rise of Hezbollah and Iran's growing influence, they explain how a century of decisions has produced one of the Middle East's most dysfunctional states. Along the way, Doug shares stories from his travels across America, including an unexpected conversation about Israel with a former Major League Baseball All-Star. The result is a wide-ranging discussion about history, geopolitics, faith, and why understanding Lebanon is essential to understanding the modern Middle East.
S5 · E35
June 3 · 49 min
(235) The Strange Alliance Against America and Israel: Dr. James Lindsay on Dugin, Russia, and the New Right
Why have some of the most influential voices on the populist right become increasingly hostile to Israel, skeptical of America, and sympathetic to Russia? In this fascinating solo interview, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki sits down with cultural critic and author Dr. James Lindsay to explore the ideas of Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin and the growing influence of his worldview on parts of the American right. Together they examine the roots of anti-globalism, the appeal of traditionalism, the rise of what some call the "woke right," and the intellectual currents connecting Russia, Iran, nationalism, and anti-Israel sentiment. They discuss why so many young people are searching for identity and rootedness, how legitimate frustrations with modern culture can be manipulated into destructive ideologies, and why the Judeo-Christian foundations of America remain essential to understanding both freedom and human dignity. This is a wide-ranging conversation about ideas, propaganda, faith, nationalism, and the battle for the future of Western civilization.
S5 · E34
May 27 · 49 min
(234) Dual Loyalty? | Rabbi Elie Mischel on American Jews, Israel, and Redemption
On this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki welcome Rabbi Elie Mischel to discuss his provocative new book, Countdown: American Jews and God's Plan for Redemption. At the center of the conversation is one of the most uncomfortable questions in modern Jewish life: the issue of "dual loyalty." Can Jews fully belong to America while remaining faithful to the Jewish mission centered in Israel? And what happens when rising antisemitism forces that question into the open? Rabbi Mischel makes the controversial argument that Judaism is not fundamentally a religion at all, but a nationhood rooted in the Bible, the Land of Israel, and a collective historical destiny. Drawing on the stories of Abraham, the Exodus, and the Book of Esther, he argues that many American Jews are confronting the same identity crisis faced by Persian Jewry thousands of years ago: are they Americans who happen to be Jewish, or Jews temporarily living in America? The discussion explores Zionism, assimilation, exile, redemption, Tucker Carlson, the modern accusation of dual loyalty, and why Rabbi Mischel believes the current moment may be a turning point for the future of American Jewry. The episode also examines the growing crisis of biblical literacy among both Jews and Christians, and why recovering the Hebrew Bible is essential for understanding Israel and the moral struggles of our time. Check out The Israel Bible YouTube channel. Join Doug and his family as they prepare to move to Israel by watching The Reeds Are Here on YouTube. Watch Shoulder to Shoulder along with Pesach's other fantastic content on his YouTube channel.
S5 · E33
May 20 · 40 min
(233) Shavuot and Pentecost: Two Distinct Holy Days, One Shared Language of Responsibility
or Jews, Shavuot commemorates the revelation at Mount Sinai and the giving of the Torah. For Christians, Pentecost marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2 and the birth of the Church's public mission. These are not the same holiday, and this conversation does not blur the profound theological differences between Judaism and Christianity. Yet the parallels are impossible to ignore. In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed explore the deep biblical and symbolic connections between Sinai and Pentecost: fire, covenant, divine revelation, responsibility, language, and the call to bring knowledge of God into the world. Along the way, they examine how Acts chapter 2 emerges from a thoroughly Jewish context, why Shavuot has no explicit biblical explanation, and what both faith communities can learn from the idea that ordinary believers are meant to become God's representatives in the world. This is a thoughtful and text-based exploration of how two distinct traditions can share resonant themes without surrendering their unique identities. Join Doug and his family as they prepare to move to Israel by watching The Reeds Are Here on YouTube. Watch Shoulder to Shoulder along with Pesach's other fantastic content on his YouTube channel.

Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes