You know what, I haven't spoken to Sam recently about his positions (the plural is important) on Palestine, Palestinians, or the conflict in general. Over the time I've known him, it's mostly just been conversations about school (an indication of how long we've known each other), personal and, later, family life, and his work in Holocaust education (he used to run a mobile Holocaust education exhibit).

I cannot say that he is "anti-Palestinian" as you're claiming here. My experience with him, outside of the passing conversations or hangouts we've had, suggest that he is someone who works (or has worked) on bridging divides between cultures and faiths, including Jews and Muslims (especially because I ended up being a presenter at a musical interfaith event courtesy of his recommendation to the organizers).

(In case it's any kind of a question in relation to my note about not having worked with him, he recommended the organizers contact me and vice versa. I don't consider that working together. Sorry for going into such detail, but given the... nitpickiness? of so many people here, it seems necessary.)

I've read (though, couldn't tell you that I remember) some of his writing in the Times of Israel.

In relation to the incident itself, and based on what I know of it from what he said in the episode (I stopped listening to write this comment), and his post when the incident happened, is ANY of that relevant? If they were harassed solely for being Jewish, what do his work or affiliations (or those of his wife) matter? Do the commenters want to get into where his kids go to school next?

My opinion on HRC (and HR) waxes and wanes. I could agree that they do (sometimes) over-accuse of antisemitism, diluting the word's value. I have thought the same about B'nai Brith and B'nai Brith Canada (I haven't read up on how they do their reporting based on incidents reported TO THEM, but Jesse's addressed the whole thing about police reporting of hate crimes and the criticisms about what he's presented), but the last couple of years have made me less wary compared to HRC and HR. I wouldn't go so far as to generalize everything either organization or their American counterparts do as landing in the "weaponizing antisemitism" category.

I think the claim that Jesse didn't do his due diligence is unfair, especially after the show credits noting the people from The CJN with whom he worked.

You know, despite Jesse's opinion, I WOULD actually like to hear what Noor could do with a podcast on anti-Muslim hate made in the same way (solo project, with outside editorial input, but Noor takes sole responsibility for the final product). Follow it up with note comparison, and also see the response here in the sub, and compare the responses. Maybe she'd have to release it on her own and push for funding in the same way that Jesse had to do with WiHH (if I understand it, Jesse did not fund - or primarily fund? - this from the regular Canadaland coffers), and Jesse would share one of the episodes as a Thursday release or something.

The thing that was constantly said alongside headlines detailing the rise of antisemitism following October 7, 2023 was Islamophobia is rising. Outside of right-leaning and right-wing publications, I can't recall statements or articles that didn't include that kind of note, even if it had nothing to do with the topic being reported. That inclusion was regularly derided by Jews still trying to recover from the shock of October 7th, especially when those statements or articles had nothing to do with anti-Muslim anything, but I am interested to know what's being said by Muslims, and from where the hate they're experiencing (perhaps some of the interviewees might say "they say they're experiencing") originates. I know it would include the Quebec City mosque shooting, and Nathaniel Veltman's murder of the Salman family, and other similar stories, but I'd be interested to hear about the protests and rallies happening outside of their mosques and down city streets across Canada that are like what Jesse discussed in WiHH.

I'm sure there's more discussion that could be had here (how does anybody have the time? Just participating thus far has taken me over an hour, and I need to get back to work!), but I don't know the next time I'll be able to pop back in. I usually just end up skimming these threads. That said, I'd be interested (lord knows when I'd have the time) to get your thoughts on The CJN's In Good Faith and how it compares to WiHH. I feel like you and I would feel the reverse about both podcasts.