Who was Rhoda Kadalie? Anti-apartheid activist, feminist within the anti-apartheid movement, human rights commissioner, social development leader, opinion columnist
What made her unique? Rhoda was one of the few people within the anti-apartheid movement and the ANC who was willing to speak out against the ruling party’s abuses.
What changed her? Rhoda was changed by the experience of being targeted by the ANC abroad, by her experiences within government, and by Thabo Mbeki’s centralized style.
What was the nature of the change? Rhoda went from being a revolutionary who wanted to undo the entire order, to being a conservative who wanted to defend what was fundamental.
What are some specific examples? Rhoda supported, then opposed, affirmative action; she backed abortion, but not late-term abortion; she was a socialist, then a liberal (without labels)
What made her controversial? Rhoda called out her friends; she stood up for the opposition when it was called racist; she defended Israel; she predicted Donald Trump would win in 2016.
What didn’t people understand? That through all of her changes, she remained committed to freedom — and that she had an underlying sense of Christian faith in a moral universe.
What was her impact? She inspired many women to take charge of their lives, she inspired others to speak out, and she also is remembered in a scholarship at Hillsdale College.
What is her core principle? Rhoda believed in democratic pluralism — that citizens must have choice to hold leaders accountable, and they must seek both vigorous debate and tolerance.
How can we emulate her example? Rhoda did not just criticize; she also did. So do something. And cultivate friends who may have a different political outlook, as Rhoda did.
Buy the biography: https://rhodakadalie.com
This is my first broadcast from the new office and studio in Washington, DC, where I'll be for a couple of years my neighborhood back in L.A. cleans up -- and as we follow the Trump administration from a little closer up than usual.
Topics:
- The anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump
- The escalating tariff battle with various different trading partners
- The future of the Middle East peace talks, and ongoing antisemitism
- The Jeffrey Epstein files and whether they mean anything at all
- The continued crisis of the Texas floods, and stories of heroism and survival
And more!
Special guests:
- James Rosen - Newsmax chief Washington correspondent
- Bob Price - Breitbart News Texas reporter, on the ongoing floods
- Robert Cahill - Trafalgar Polling, on a new alliance of reliable pollsters
- Rabbi Yaakov Menken - Coalition for Jewish Values - on Israel & antisemitism
Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This week’s portion tells the grand story of the prophet who tried to curse people of Israel and instead ended up blessing them.
I am reminded that these portions continue to be relevant anew, as this particular reading lent the title for Israel’s recent 12 Day War against Iran, “Operation Rising Lion.”
This week's portion includes the commandment of the red heifer -- one of the classic "irrational" commandments whose fulfillment is an expression of faith. It also includes the regrettable episode in which Moses strikes the rock.
I referred to this story in a wedding speech last night. Why was Moses punished for striking the rock in Numbers, when he struck the rock without incident in Exodus -- both for the purpose of providing water to the people?
The answer is that in the interim, the Jewish people had received the Torah, which is like the marriage contract between the people of Israel and God. In a marriage, you do not resolve things by breaking boundaries, but through love.
The additional reading, from Judges Chapter 11, is the story of Jephthah (Yiftach), a man whom the leaders spurn, but to whom they must turn to save the nation. The parallels to our present political circumstances are striking.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Fourth of July!
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