Afleveringen
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The holiday of Shavuot, once about one thing, and then about another, is now about, well, everything. (For your convenience and for the sake of quality control, this episode includes time-tested, proven bits from prior shows!)
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Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron talk about (1) Prime Minister Netanyahuâs decision to reinstate the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza: why did this happen now and why the hell did it not happen before; and (2) What we learn (if anything) from the fact that Israel won the popular vote in this weekâs Eurovision Song Contest, and what we learn (if anything) from the fact that Israel came in 15th (!) in the contestâs professional âjuryâ vote, and what we learn (if anything) from juxtaposing the two votes.
All this and the sixtieth anniversary of the execution-by-hanging of Eli Cohen, âour man in Damascusâ. Plus, more music of these times.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Yair Golan, head of the âDemocrats Partyâ (what used to be Labor and Meretz), says that Israel âwages war against civiliansâ and âkills babies for a hobbyâ. Well, what can you say to that?
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Linda Gradstein, Sara Hirschhorn and Noah Efron talk about (1) The âPacts Americana,â being the trade and investment pacts that US President Donald Trump is reaching with Gulf states on his visit to the region this week, and where it leaves Israel; and (2) The âCracks Americana,â being awkward ambivalence some Israelis feel about a hostage being released solely because he has an American passport and the American government intervened on his behalf, doing what Israelâs government could not or would not do.
All this and the return of a fallen soldier after 43 years, plus more music of these times.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Why does Israel go to such great length to return the bodies of soldiers and hostages killed and held beyond our borders?
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Linda, Allison and Noah talk about (1) the reserve call-up and the new IDF operation â itâs already got a name: Gideonâs Chariots â that the government plans to launch in Gaza, and whether or not it is a good idea; and (2) The violent protests of a âJoint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Eventâ in Raanana, and what we do and do not learn from them.
All this and the crooked timber of humanity on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Dachau, and a mystical Challah dough-offering ceremony in Jerusalem and a story we learned at the Bicycle Museum that is unbelievable even after three generations!
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To celebrate Israelâs 77th Independence Day, the crew asks "What is Israeli in our eyes?" Plus, midrashic covers of classic Israeli songs!
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Linda and Noah talk about (1) Head of the General Security Agency, or Shabak, Ronen Barâs affidavits to the Supreme Court that one journalist says âwill shape the security and democratic future of the State of Israelâ; and (2) The strange quantum-entanglement of the Holocaust and October 7th, and whether we learn anything about the one event from the other.
All this and, ahead of Memorial Day, last words left by soldiers for their families.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The controversy behind this yearâs picks to light the Mesuot.
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Miriam Herschlag, Sara Hirschhorn and Noah Efron talk about (1) The open-letter from Airforce reservists and retirees, calling on the Government to end the war, the armyâs scorched-earth response, and the flood of letters-of-support for the original letter â Whatâs it all mean?; and (2) The decision by Hebrew Universityâs elite publishing house, Magnes, to shelve plans to publish a Hebrew translation of Mein Kampf, and whether or not there is a place on Israeli shelves for Hitlerâs now-100-year-old manifesto.
All this and a singular record launch, a memorial tribute to Yaakov Kirschen, the auteur behind âDry Bones,â and meeting a legend of Israeli song.
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Linda Gradstein, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron talk about (1) the IDFâs at-least-partly debunked explanation for how and why 15 Palestinians in rescue vehicles were shot dead by Israeli soldiers in Rafah, and (2) Prime Minister Netanyahuâs embarrassing visit to the White House this week.
All this and new glosses on the Passover Haggadah, a living-room recital and a debate among memorial posters. Plus, music from âThe Safe Space Sessionsâ!
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How is this Passover different from all other Passovers?
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Linda Gradstein, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron talk about (1) the anti-Hamas demonstrations in Gaza and what, if anything, we learn from them about the hearts and minds of Gazans, and (2) on the fifth anniversary of the pandemic, how, if at all, COVID-19 changed us as a society and as individuals.
All this and bagels, boondoggles and kabbalistic blessings. Plus, brand new music of our troubled times.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Qatargate?
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A hundred years ago this week, a Hebrew University was founded in Jerusalem.
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Miriam Herschlag, Don Futterman and Noah Efron talk about (1) Israelâs return to active fighting in Gaza, and what it may mean for the hostages, for Gazans and for the rest of us here and (2) Prime Minister Netanyahuâs decision to sack Ronen Bar, the head of the General Security Services, the Shabak, and what it says about the state of Israelâs government and the state of Israeli democracy.
All this and the return of a crown, the football playoff, and surprise brain surgery. Plus, brand new music of our troubled times.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Trying to shore up the fortitude to face a return to fighting in Gaza, and coming up short.
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Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
âHorror Vacuiâ
Thereâs an odd mĂ©lange of diplomatic proposals for what-comes-next-in-Gaza, from an Egyptian and Arab League plan to various American plans, including one hatched in direct negotiations with Hamas. This leads us to wonder, why is Israel silent about something that matters so much?
âAmalakitesâ
It is a fact that we are living in a moment of âpeak-Amalek,â especially as we celebrate Purim. What are we to make of this problematic idea?
âIs Yad Vashem Pandering to the TikTok Generation?â
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Is Yad Vashem pandering to the TikTok generation?
All this and Rav Menachem Froman, the unveiling of under-wraps art and the Simba we need today, plus brilliant new music by Amir Sade.
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Sara Hirschhorn, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
âOut of Phaseâ
With the stalled ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas giving way to the emergence of the mysterious âWitkoff Plan,â what might (and should) happen next?
âCommission Perditionâ
What should we make of the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Netanyahuâs proposed âEgalitarian State Commission of Inquiryâ into the October 7 attacks?
All this and the centenary of Israelâs greatest âBible Reciterâ, plus new, sad music from Eran Tzur.
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Linda Gradstein, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
âFindingsâ
The IDF shares its investigation of itself and what it did and did not do on October 7 with the victims of the attack on a community-by-community basis. Is this the sort of investigation we need?
âNo Other Landâ
The Palestinian-Israeli movie up for an Oscar next week for best documentary feature, âNo Other Land,â is about an ongoing effort of the IDF to evict Palestinians from a contested tract of land in the West Bank. What we do and donât learn from it?
âPodcasts = the Death of Civilizationâ
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Are podcasts the death of civilization (wonder three long-time podcasters)?
All this and counting our blessings, plus brand new music of our troubled times.
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Allison Kaplan Sommer, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
âWhy Does a Knitted Kippah Mean Keep-on Fighting?â
Religious-Zionists oppose the hostage and prisoner release and ceasefire agreement more than any other sector of society (more than secular Zionists, more than Haredim). Why?
âWar Gamesâ
Thereâs a strange and profound simpatico between sports clubs, athletes and fans, on the one hand, and the hostages and their families on the other.
âWhat We Knew and When Did We Know Itâ
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Bringing home the bodies of the Bibases (and Oded Lifshitz).
All that and the 40th anniversary of the most popular protest song in Israelâs history. Plus, more music of our troubled times.
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Sara Yael Hirschhorn, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
âRite of Returnâ
How and why did the images of the gaunt, shrunken, clearly-tortured hostages change something and cast into doubt the future of the present ceasefire agreement?
âOur Side, Their Side, Genocideâ
What should we make of Historian Benny Morrisâs warning that, if Palestinians and Israelis do not find to see in each other humans deserving of life, liberty and dignity, a genocide is inevitable (though just who kills whom is still up in the air)?
âArguing With Celebs on Twitterâ
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: When you find yourself arguing with TV stars on Twitter.
All that and an appreciation of Liri Albag. Plus, a new war record by Maor Ashkenazi.
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Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
âNobody Expects the Pax Trumpiana!â
Whatâs behind US President Donald Trumpâs plan to move Gazans to Jordan and Egypt and turn Gaza into a place where maybe theyâll film the next season of White Lotus?
âSuitable for Framing?â
Why do Hamas men in black balaclavas and semi-automatic rifles give gift bags and souvenir swag to hostages they let go?
âPeter Beinart Questions Israelâs Right to Existâ
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: When Peter Beinart writes in the times that âStates Donât Have a Right to Exist. People Do,â he ainât talking about Mississippi!
All that and an appreciation for Yisroel Rutnitsky, may his memory be for a blessing, and tales of returning hostages. Plus, a sad and soulful new album by Ravid Plotkik.
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Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
âA New Crisis, and this Time, Itâs Constitutionalâ
What does it augur when the Justice Minister refuses to ârecognizeâ the newly selected chief justice of the Supreme Court?
âSurvivorsâ
Why did this yearâs International Holocaust Remembrance Day become a referendum on October 7th?
âThe Trump-Netanyahu Tete-A-Teteâ
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What should we think, ahead of the Trump-Netanyahu tete-a-tete next week?
All that and how living-and-dead have stopped being a simple binary. Plus, the music of Aviv Shriki.
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Miriam Herschlag, Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
âYou Be the Judgeâ
Is the new âcompromiseâ proposal for judicial reform any good, and is now the time to debates such matters?
âWordâ
How have the hostages become the aperture through which we understand most everything that has happened here since October 7?
âWhat A Weekâ
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: None of us have ever had a week like this last week.
All that a stab at making sense of this weird, wonderful, unnerving week of great joy and high anxiety.
Songs
Yakir Hillel â Laila Bar Tzabari â Chan Yunis, Live Esther Shamir â Od Neshama Ehat -
Miriam Herschlag, Sara Hirshhorn and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
âEnding this F*#!ing Warâ
What should we make of the hostage release and âpermanent cessation of hostilitiesâ agreement with Hamas, and why is the agreement only signed now (and not eight months ago or eight months from now) and does what it means politically?
âA Utopic Future, Right Before Our Eyesâ
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: You may say Iâm a dreamer, but I am not the only one.
Plus, a new record by Idan Amedi that started in a hospital bed, recovering from an explosion in Gaza that almost took Amediâs life. And an appreciation of Avraham Luria, proprietor of Israelâs oldest and best costume emporium and a beloved figure in the world of Tel Aviv theater.
Songs
Lidfo taârosh Latet la-Hayyim lirkod Shum Davar Aher - Laat meer zien
