The Promised Podcast

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron, and Don Futterman discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. In Which Memory of George Herbert Walker Bush? George H.W. Bush remade the Middle East and changed US-Israel relations forever. Was this a good thing? What?!? Some Europeans Don't Like Jews?!? A CNN-sponsored poll finds that almost half of all Europeans don't think Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state. What's an Israeli to do? 28,000 Shots Hackers upload 28,000 historic photos purloined from Israeli archives. We go through them all and find an amazing vanished world! Extra Segment: Operation Northern Shield For our almost too generous patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra segment, we discuss the launch of IDF's "Operation Northern Shield" to stop Hezbollah bad guys from boring beneath Israel's borders. Are we supposed to feel relieved or freaked out? Music Songs from Kol ha-Neshama, the new tribute album to the great Ofra Haza. Yad ba-Yad - Zehava Benn Be-Kerem Teiman - Miri Mesika Gavriel - Sapir Saban Gagua shel Mangina - Yardena Arazi

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron, and Don Futterman discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. AirBDS? Airbnb kicked Jewish settlers off their site: A courageous political stand or a craven and hypocritical singling out of Israel for censure? Solidarity on the Scaffolds More and more Palestinians from the West Bank work in Israel, under better conditions than ever before. Does this bring peace closer, or just make it easier for the status quo to continue forever? Getting High In 2050, 98% of Israelis will live in skyscrapers crammed onto an endless expanse of concrete, says a new report. But is this really so bad? Extra Segment: An EL AL Flight from Hell For our almost too generous patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra segment, we discuss the El Al flight from New York to Tel Aviv forced to land in Athens so religious passengers could disembark before the onset of the Sabbath. Tempers flared, fists shook, frequent-flier cards were burned. What should we make of a religious war at 30,000 feet? Music A tribute to a genius grandmother and her brilliant grandson: Yaffa Yarkoni and Michael Suissa Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu – Yaffa Yarkoni Retina – Michael Suissa Rak Etmol – Yaffa Yarkoni (with Arik Einstein) Ein Shum Baaya – Michael Suissa (With Cohen@Moshon)

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron, and Don Futterman discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Sometimes They'll Give a War and Nobody Will Come Haaretz praises PM Netanyahu for single-handedly preventing war in Gaza. Are we in bizzaro-world, or were we just wrong about Netanyahu? Slights, Plights, Fights and Flights of the Right Israel's right-wing Defense Minister resigns over the cease-fire with Hamas, and its right-wing Education Minister and Justice Minister almost do the same. Is Israel's right experiencing a dark night of the soul? Mothers, Children and the Quest for Peace Israel's biggest peace movement is run by women who say that "motherhood" is a moral and political tool that, if used right, might end more than a century of strife between Jews and Palestinians. Might the complications of family cut through the complications of our conflict? Extra Segment: Black Friday, Israeli Style For our almost too generous patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra segment, we will discuss the weird ascendance of Black Friday here, in a country that has neither Thanksgiving or Christmas. Is it globalization gone wild, or should we stop worrying and learn to love the low, low prices? Music Cookie Levanna (aka Kobi) משלים עוד סיבוב Mashlim od Sivuv הפוליסיה Hapolisia עכשיו זה מאוחר מדי Achshav Zeh Meuchar Medai גם אני Gam Ani

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron, and Don Futterman discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Mourning in America Is it true that American Jews may never forgive Israel for its reaction to the Pittsburgh massacre? Should it be true? Our Rabin, Not Yours! Leftists use whistles, stadium horns and vuvuzelas to drown out right-wing speakers at the 23rd annual memorial of Rabin's assassination. Why has the left become more combative about our slain Prime Minister's legacy? Bloch Shock A feminist woman with spectacular karma just became mayor of a majority ultra-orthodox town in Israel. How the hell did that happen? Extra Segment: "Countries Without Nationalism are like People Without Souls" For our most spectacularly generous patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra segment, we will discuss an essay by Gil Troy called, "No, Nationalism is Not a Dirty Word or Trump Property." Is nationalism the problem or the solution? Or is it more complicated than that? Music Spinster Sister, in honor of their new singles ahead of their first record in thirteen years! You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet Poison Declaration Mirror Instead

Crashing the First International Conference on Innovations in Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Don and Noah discuss seeking peace amidst violence and distrust, the secular and profane, ancient enmities and fragile hopes, with Northern Irish leaders who helped to end centuries-old conflict between Protestants and Catholics, Unionists and Republicans. What, if anything, do we have to learn from their experience? Don and Noah then discuss with a rabbi and former MK and Minister, the roles religions play in prolonging and, perhaps, resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. God, country, violence, faith, hatred, love, death and rebirth: this episode has got it all! All that and the soulful Irish music of The Bloomers, and the genial good-will of Natalie Goodis! Between Belfast, Bethlehem and Beer Sheva What can Israelis and Palestinians learn from Northern Ireland? A lot, says former First Minister Peter Robinson, who devoted his life to finding peace among Protestants and Catholics. Light Out from the Nations? What else can Israelis and Palestinians learn from Northern Ireland? So so much, says Rev. Gary Mason, who devoted his life to finding peace among Protestants and Catholics. Gods of War, Gods of Peace Is religion a barrier to peace between Jews and Palestinians? Rabbi, MK and Minister Michael Melchior says that the path to peace is paved with religion. Music The Bloomers, which Haaretz rightly calls "Israel's best traditional Irish music." Step It Out Mary Star of the County The Clueless Tinker Ranting Roving Robin

In this very special, environmentally-sound, recycled edition of the Promised Podcast, we rebroadcast discussions about: Whether the fact that the rabbis did not protest the passage of a very liberal abortion law means that we are mistaken about rabbinic reach and overreach Whether we need more professorial types in politics, or whether the eggheads shouldn't stay in their seminar rooms where they belong Why Israeli parents are so unworried about the dangers facing their kids at play and out and about in the world. Participating in today's show are Allison, Don, Noah, Times of Israel Ops & Blogs Editor Miriam Herschlag, and Shaharit Think Tank Grand Puba Eilon Schwartz. Music Coolooloosh, celebrating the tenth anniversary re-release of their classic album Elements of Sound and their forthcoming reunion concert at the Barbie in Tel Aviv on November 14. People of the Street Elements of Sound Music Business Lock your Doors

Allison, Don and Noah gather agog among the movers and the shakers at the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America to discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. It's Not Over 'til the Yellow Bird Sings The "Canary Mission" is a website clearinghouse of information about American students, professors and organizations who are critical of Israel. What impact does its "this-will-go-on-your-permanent-record" trolling of Jewish American (and other) critics of Israel have on all of us? Marks and Surplus Values If "Jewish values" are used to justify both right-wing and left-wing positions, there is any value to them at all? Is it time to stick a fork in "Jewish Values"? Schools of De-Zion There's an amazing resurrection in America of hip Yiddishism and Bundism and all sorts of spectacular Jewish cultural creativity, the roots of which reach back to sources that have little to do with Israel and Zionism. Should we celebrate or mourn this creative de-Zionising? Music The soulfulness of Naama Cooper and Natan Kamen

Subscribe to our WhyWhyWhy! True Stories from Israel podcast Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Spotify Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron, and Don Futterman discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. What's Good for the Goose Polls show that former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz may soon be one of Israel's most powerful politicians, even though no one knows what he thinks about anything. Why do we keep falling in love with strong, silent types in uniforms? So You Couldn't Find a Nice Jewish News Anchorwoman? The winningest wedding of Israel's social season is between a Muslim anchorwoman and a Jewish actor. Is it racist to have misgivings about "mixed marriages"? "If I Creative-Class Thee, O' Jerusalem" Do we want Jerusalem 2.0, a shangrila for creative class types, tap-tap-tapping their screenplay into their laptop at the hip neighborhood café? Extra Segment: Israel's "Fame Drain" For our most spectacularly generous patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra segment, we discuss Israel's "Fame Drain." Should we care that so many on Israel's A list are heading for Hollywood? Music Roei Freilich, who just rocked the IndieNegev Festival! HaLayla He Tirkod Hatzlacha Af Paam Lo Eheyeh Rakdan Rotzeh Lehishaer Raev (with Rafi Adar)

In this partially archival yet still very fresh edition of the Promised Podcast, we rebroadcast two segments from prior episodes, followed by a brand new third segment for your aural pleasure. Starring in this episode, in no particular order, are Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman, Bradley Burston, Miriam Herschlag, Gilad Halpern, and Noah Efron. Aging Alone A report prepared by the Government Research Institute unveiled that 32% of elderly people aged 65-74 in Israel report frequent or occasional feelings of loneliness. Jewesses Packing Heat There is something majorly messed up about how men think about Jewish women and, especially, Jewish women with guns. This is proved all too true today with a Girls-of-the IDF pinup calendar, and the icky charge guys get from Jewesses with Guns. Eurovision Indecision Is it really so great a thing, after all, for Tel Aviv-Jaffa to be hosting the expensive, disruptive Eurovision next May? Music The great Tamar Aphek, who just announced a new show, her first in a while, at Kuli Alma in Tel Aviv, on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 9 pm. Put it on your calendars! Where Were You? Dream Inside a Dream Taking Over It's For Us

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron, and Don Futterman discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Book Learnin' The Palestinian Authority publishes its first new schoolbooks in 18 years, and they contain scorched-earth rejection of Jewish presence in Palestine, so much so that the European Union cut Palestinian aid by 15 million Euros. How understanding ought we be of this pedagogy of rage? Barak, Bezalel and Bennett and the Red Bellheifer A former Prime Minister, a present Minister of Education and an MK argue about whether Israel's modern orthodox Jews are quickly becoming more moderate or quickly becoming more fanatical. Who is right? "Being Mayor is Tough!" 13.5% of city council members in Israel are women. 2% of mayors are. Why is it so damn hard for women to advance in local politics? Extra Segment: Ignore or Fight NGO Monitor's Trolling? For our most spectacularly generous patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra segment, we will discuss what one should do about being trolled by ideological detractors: Turn the other cheek? Fight until the last drop of blood is spilled? Haters gonna hate, and Trolls gonna troll, but is there anything we can do to preserve our honor? Music Eden Derso who, at the tender age of 20, is already Israel's queen of rap, soul and reggae! Bam Bam באם באם Yehiye Mah She-Yehiye יהיה מה שיהיה Shevilim Hadashim שבילים חדשים Hipus Atzmi חיפוש עצמי