Guest #4 | Rich Siegel. Empathy.

Written By Ray Doustdar

One Voice. Many Truths.
Jewish musician and activist Rich Siegel opens up about his personal journey, the complexity of Zionism, and what it means to speak out from within. With courage and empathy, he challenges mainstream narratives while staying rooted in humanity and justice.

🎙️ DSD INTERVIEW #3 | Exploring Judaism with Rabbi Moshe Zeldman.

✡️ The Jewish Voice Against Zionism | Rich Siegel on Israel, Empathy & Exposing the Lie

Episode Description: Jewish activist, author, and musician Rich Siegel joins Deep Shallow Dive to unpack Zionism, Judaism, ethnic identity, and how one viral speech in New Jersey made global waves. In this unfiltered episode, Rich drops historical clarity, raw confession, and fierce courage—calling Zionism what it truly is: a cult of supremacy.

Can You Be Jewish and Still Speak Against Israel?

In this deeply powerful episode, Ray Doustdar interviews Rich Siegel, a Jewish anti-Zionist whose viral speech against Israeli real estate expansion shocked a New Jersey town—and the world. Raised in a Zionist youth group and taught that “everyone hates Jews for no reason,” Rich reveals the psychological programming embedded in generations of Jewish-American identity.

But his awakening didn’t come easy. From spiritual transformation to eight years of obsessive historical research, Rich recounts how he deconstructed the lies he was raised on—lies that painted Palestinians as inherently violent and Israel as universally righteous. The truth, he says, is not just painful. It's liberating.

This episode is a masterclass in courage, history, and moral integrity from someone who left the tribe to find his truth.

👤 Who Is Rich Siegel?

Rich Siegel is a Jewish-American writer, musician, and longtime anti-Zionist activist. A former Zionist youth group president, Rich underwent a profound shift after spiritual awakening and historical study led him to reject the false narratives of his upbringing. His public speeches and interviews have gone viral, sparking global conversation—and fierce backlash—for his outspoken stance against Israeli apartheid and settler colonialism.

🔥 Key Topics in This Episode

  • How Zionism became a political religion

  • The psychological abuse of Jewish children raised in Zionism

  • The difference between Judaism and Zionism

  • Why Orthodox Jews historically rejected the Israeli state

  • What happened in 1948 and the Nakba, broken down clearly

  • Rich’s viral moment at a NJ town council—seen by millions

  • The Balfour Declaration, Israeli real estate apartheid, and legal implications

  • The risks of speaking out: stalking, harassment, and standing your ground

🧠 What You'll Learn

  • That Judaism and Zionism are not the same—and never were

  • The religious and political roots of Jewish anti-Zionism

  • How statehood was built on massacres, ethnic cleansing, and denial

  • What “redlined” Israeli real estate means in a modern apartheid

  • That childhood indoctrination can be unlearned—if you're brave enough

  • How the spiritual path led Rich out of the Zionist cult

🗣️ Rich’s Most Powerful Quotes

“Judaism forbids Zionism. That’s a fact.”
“I was lied to my entire life. And I believed it—because I was a child.”
“I feel safer in Palestine than in Teaneck, New Jersey.”
“I’m a cult survivor. Zionism was my cult.”
“Every Jew should ask themselves: Am I worshiping God—or a state?”

🧩 Top Themes Covered

  • Rich Siegel anti-Zionist Jewish voice

  • Zionism vs Judaism explained

  • Nakba 1948 historical truth

  • Orthodox Jews against Israel

  • Deep Shallow Dive Rich Siegel episode

  • Jewish indoctrination and fear culture

  • Teaneck NJ protest viral video

  • Israeli real estate in the West Bank

  • redline real estate apartheid

  • Theodore Herzl Zionist origins

  • Balfour Declaration 1917

  • Gaza ethnic cleansing exposed

  • IHRA antisemitism definition

  • Torah Jews vs Zionist settlers

  • Jewish dissent and whistleblowers

  • how Zionism hijacked Judaism

  • IDF 1948 documents and revisionist historians

  • Orthodox splits on Israeli statehood

  • Zionism as political cult

  • DSD interview Rich Siegel

  • interfaith truth on Palestine

  • Jewish spiritual awakening

  • grassroots anti-Zionism in America

  • ceasefire and justice party

  • Rich Siegel for Congress 2024

🧭 Final Takeaway: Zionism Isn’t the Religion—It’s the Lie

Rich Siegel isn’t afraid to burn sacred cows. Because what he’s doing isn’t betrayal—it’s honesty. His Jewish faith didn’t die when he left Zionism. It came alive. This episode is a warning, a mirror, and a call to courage.

🎧 Listen & Share

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🎧 Listen on Spotify: Click here

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Ray Doustdar

Adding a new chapter to his diverse career, Ray now steps into the world of literature as an author, presenting his debut work, 'Deep Shallow Dive into You.' This book is a testament to his commitment to fostering personal growth and self-awareness.

Ray's venture into authorship extends his passion for meaningful communication and impact into writing, offering readers a transformative journey designed to cultivate a more authentic relationship with themselves.

Ray aims to connect with readers profoundly through his writing, sharing insights and strategies to help them uncover their true selves and live with unwavering authenticity and intention.

https://www.deepshallowdive.com
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Guest #5 | Mack Sutter. Authenticity.
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Guest #3 | Rabbi Moshe Zeldman. Authenticity.