Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron talk about 1) The imposed cease-fires, and whether Israelis ought to worry we're becoming a vassal state, and 2) What explains why an IDF soldier thought it was right, or maybe just amusing, to take a sledgehammer to a statue of Jesus in a yard in a village in Lebanon.

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Peace activist, negotiator, and friend of the podcast Gershon Baskin writes that, "Donald Trump is the best chance Israelis, Palestinians have for peace since 1993". That so?

Plus the joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Ceremony, an out of control bus-driver, and the lovely debut record of rising-star Noa Carsenti.

Allison and Noah talk about 1) Whether or not, as an essay in the New York Times suggests, war has become "not a strategy but the norm" for Israel, (2) The World Happiness Reports finding that Israelis remain among the happiest people on earth, including after October 7th: Why is this?

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: A bunch of writers send a confusing open-letter to the Jewish Book Council saying (we think) that the JBC needs to de-Zionize. What should we make of that?

Plus Yom Hashoah, Yom Ha-Atzmaut and Noga Erez rocking Coachella!

Miriam and Noah talk about (1) the Prime Minister's request that the President pardon him, to put an end to our long, national downer, and (2) what to make of the movie, The Sea, which took all the important Israeli prizes this year, for its depiction of a kid living under occupation, trying to get a glimpse of the sea.

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: It's not easy being Peter Beinart.

All that and a farewell to the general in charge of IDF intelligence who did not foresee the Yom Kippur War, a train ride to Bat Yam, and a celebration of America that says more still about Israel.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and ubermensch writer Bradley Burston 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

—Despite It All, Peace?—

Is all we are sayin', just give peace a chance?

—Amalek—

Is it like reverse anti-Semitism?

—The End of Israel—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Kafka said, "A book must be an ice-axe for the frozen sea within us." This one is.

Order Bradley Burston's new book, The End of Israel: Dispatches from a Path to Catastrophe, here!

Plus a glimpse into the worlds of ultra-Orthodox parents of kids who grew up ultra-Orthodox and were murdered at the druggy, dancy, free-lovey Nova festival.  Plus more music of our times.

Miriam Herschlag, 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

—אַ סוף צו אַ גאָלדען עלטער אין אַ גאלדענע מדינה—

This month's Atlantic cover story argues that the "Golden Age" for American Jews has come to a close and, with it, maybe the "Golden Age" for America and the "Golden Age" for Jews. Is the US putting the "mean" back into "reversion to the mean"?

—Retracted—

A well-regarded literary journal retracts an essay by an Israeli on account of, well, what exactly? Is it a literary crime to be an Israeli in 2024?

—Hurricane—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: This year's Eurovision is gonna be a sh*tshow.

Plus poetry on the moon and more songs of these troubled days.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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

—Jerusalem, Mon Amour?—

What's it mean that Jerusalem just elected to its city council a straight-up majority of ultra-Orthodox men?

—Reckoning?—

Is it time for soul-searching and spiritual reckoning over the death and destruction in Gaza?

—Five Months—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Five months since October 7, we are awfully tired.

All that and remembering Beige Shohat, plus more songs of these troubled days.

Miriam Herschlag, 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

—Going Local—

They say that, in a democracy, even the most humble among us can be elected to public office. Now we know it's true!

—Mayor for Life—

Few positions have more job security than mayor of a major city in Israel.

—Jon Stewart Goes Viral on the Gaza War—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Jon Stewart goes viral on the Gaza war.

All this and a memorial tribute to MK Charlie Biton, and more songs of our troubled times.

138 days in, The Promised Podcast looks back.

—Premonition—

—City of Slaughter—

—Sally—

—The Wheat Grows Again—

—The Battalion's WhatsApp—

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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

—Elections Now?—

Billboards all over the country and full-page ads in the papers call for new elections now. Is this a good idea?

—The Draft on the Draft: Getting the Shaft?—

A crisis is a terrible thing to waste.

—Wartime Hookups—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What is it about war that makes people want to pair off?

All that and risking the lives of dozens of young men to save the lives of two old men, plus more moving songs of these troubled days.

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

—Negotiating With Terrorists—

Hamas finally sets out their demands in exchange for releasing the 136 living-and-dead Israeli hostages dragged to Gaza from their homes. Is there anywhere to go from here?

—Bar-Raving Time!—

Itamar Ben-Gvir is having a moment.

—The New York Talk Times—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The New York Times brings together five historians to explain how Israelis and Palestinians got to where we got. How'd they do?

All that and more moving songs of these troubled days.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman 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

—A Few Murderous Apples—

A dozen United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) workers killed, raped and kidnapped on October 7, and one in four Gazan men who work for UNRWA have ties to Hamas. What can you say to that?

—Soldiers of the Dream—

Have the reserve soldiers in Gaza discovered the secret to making Israel a better, more decent place?

—What Those Dog-Tags Are All About—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What's up with those dog-tags millions of Israelis wear these days?

All that and still more music of our time.

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

—General Malaise—

Former IDF Chief of Staff and member of Israel's "War Cabinet" says the government is not telling us the truth or making the right decisions when it comes to the war. What now?

—In the Shadow of the Shoah—

Seventy-nine years after the Nazis surrendered, there's more talk of the Holocaust than ever. How come?

—Sending Your Kid off to the Army When the Country's At War—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What is it like to drop your kid off at an army induction camp?

All that and new, soulful music of our time.

Linda Gradstein, 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

—Why Did the Army Fail Us?—

The first job of the army is to protect us at our borders.

—Why Do We Still Believe In the IDF?—

Even after everything went wrong, and so many people died, we still trust the IDF. Why?

—A New "Normal"—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What's it like for us to try to get back to some sort of "normal"?

All that and a sad voice calling in the wilderness, plus new music for our times by some of the grand eminences of Israeli music.

Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron talk about (1) our slow slouch seemingly back towards war on four fronts – Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran – why is it happening and where might it lead? and (2) what to make of three new political parties that have set themselves up, as we near the start of Knesset election campaigns.

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How does celebrating the Pilgrim's first year in the New World look and feel when you do it in the very old world of the Holy Land?

All that and Isaac and ourselves, Israelis in paradisical Hawaii, and Opera in Tel Aviv. Plus, new music for these uncertain times.

Miriam Herschlag, 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

—Phase III—

The last phase of the Israel-Hamas war is starting. Why don't we feel relieved?

—South Africa v. Israel—

Eighty years after the Holocaust ended, Israel is on trial for genocide.

—How Do You Podcast a War?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How do you podcast this war? (With Jen Richler, genius producer "Can We Talk?")

All that and the music of Idan Amedi, who was injured badly this week as an IDF reservist in Gaza.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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

—Basic—

Israel's Supreme Court decides, by the thinnest of margins, to overturn an amendment to a "Basic Law" passed by the Knesset. Is that a good thing?

—October 90th—

Are we stuck reliving over and over the nightmare of October 7?

—A New PTSD Treatment—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Will oxygen help wipe our trauma clean?

All that and new music for coping with grief and worry.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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

—Back to the Basics of Bouncing Bibi?—

Do you oust the man who is leading you in war?

—"Under Renovation"—

Does Israel have any Left left at all?

—Watching the War in Cinematic 4K—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The IDF, the government, and the public broadcast corporation Kan are making polished high-def videos about the war. Is it bizarre, maybe counter-productive, to make "cinematic" videos about what is, after all, a terrible business?

All that and a heartfelt tribute to a heroin dealer and Eviatar Banai's covers of classic songs for these days of violence and grief.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss three 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

—What They Think About Us—

More than half college-age American kids think Israel should be "ended and given to Hamas"? Really?

—What They Think About Them—

72% of Palestinians on the West Bank think Hamas's decision to do what it did on October 7 "was the correct one"? Really?

—What We Think about Us & Them—

Four in five Israelis tell pollsters that the suffering of Gaza civilians shouldn't change how Israel fights the war? Really?

—Adam Unrehearsed!—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Don Futterman reads part of his new novel, Adam Unrehearsed! It's like hearing Crime & Punishment read by Dostoyevsky, or the Bible read by God!

All that and songs of these times, mostly sung together.

William Blake once counselled "to see a world in a grain of sand." In this very special podcast episode, Noah tries to see our troubled world right now, in a Whatsapp thread or a TikTok "For You."

—The Battalion WhatsApp—

—Dog of War—

—Post Hoc, Ergo TikTok—

Star journalist 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

—Kids Out—

Every day for a week hostages got out of Gaza until, all of a sudden, they didn't.

—Kids In—

When your kid calls to say he loves you.

—The Jew-Hate on Other Campuses—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: We've heard all about how scary and contentious Ivy League schools have become. But what's it like at all the other places? Prof. Noah Stoffman shares what it's like on the campus of a world-class public campus: Indiana University.

All that and wheat, oranges and Torah scrolls.

Miriam Herschlag, 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

—Women & the War—

Gender's gotten weird (even weirder than usual) in this war. Miriam Schler, Executive Director of the Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center, joins us to make sense of it.

—That Thing About the Muses—

So many paintings, songs, poems, sculptures, site exhibits, and plays have been made since October 7. But why?

—The Rape and Other Sexual Violence That Took Place on October 7—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: We talk about rape and other sexual violence on October 7 with Miriam Schler, Executive Director of the Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center.

All that and weddings, weddings, weddings.

(Plus, if you can, maybe give something to the Sexual Assault Crisis Center, which is struggling to meet the massive demand for its services)

Noah takes a break from scrolling and refreshing, to consider the songs of this war (which has produced more music than all of Israel's past wars rolled into one), and what they say about the country and how it has changed over the years, and for the better.

Miriam and Noah talk about the deal struck between Israel and Hamas, via the Qataris and the Americans, that would return 50 hostages, mostly kids and their mothers, in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners and a four day cease fire, the execution of which deal was already delayed on its first day. Miriam talks about evil and Viktor Frankl while Noah, as far as we can tell, lay in a fetal position, moaning on the floor of the studio.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman 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

—Trolley Problems—

If the two goals of the war – crushing Hamas and returning the captives home – turn out to be at odds, what should Israel do?

—Ceasefire—

What is the answer to the question, "Why not stop the war right now?"

—What the Large Demonstration in DC Looked Like From Tel Aviv—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: 300,000 Americans, mostly Jews, demonstrate at the Mall in DC in support of Israel and against anti-Semitism. What was it like seeing that from Tel Aviv?

All that and a temporary, new high-rise kibbutz in Tel Aviv, and a tribute in memoriam to Vivian Silver, z"l. Also, buy Don's book, and if you already did, buy another two copies!

Allison and Noah talk about (1) the spike in thuggish thuggery of young Jewish thugs, throwing rocks, beating with sticks, setting fires, sparking fear among Palestinians on the West Bank, and also Jewish protestors and soldiers, and (2) the UN Security Council's decision to endorse US President Trump's 20 point plan for peace in the Middle East, offering a "pathway" to a State of Palestine.

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: US President Donald Trump writes Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog (1) that peace has come to the Middle East after 3,000 years, (2) that the Jewish People are "amazing", and (3) that we should do him a solid and pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose only crime is that he cares too damn much. As Ezra Furman once sang, "Well, what can you say to that?"

All that and a tribute to a beautiful barefoot runner, iconoclastic physicist and communist malcontent, an appreciation of Allison's uber-capable daughter, and an exhibitions of army photographs. Plus, hip hop about where we are, two years after the war started.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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

—Our Tragedy & Theirs—

Should our papers, shows and sites be showing and telling us more about the suffering of Gazans, when we have so much pain of our own to come to grips with?

—Bearing Arms—

More people have applied for a gun license in the past month than in the prior decade. Should we be worried?

—Is Noah About to Get His First Tattoo?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Israelis go in droves to tattoo parlors to ink memento of the October 7 massacres. What's that all about?

All that and good coming from bad, and more new music written in the aftermath of the massacres. Also, last chance to pre-order Don's book!

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman 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

—Lessons—

What can Israelis learn from October 7 about the prospect of peace with Palestinians?

—Netanyahu, Now—

Can we still rally around our Prime Minister, even now?

—We Try to Answer the Question, "How Are You?"—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: A few weeks in, our nerves are frayed. We each try to answer the vexed question, "How are you?"

All that and a mother lobbying God with dough to get her girl out of Gaza and new music about our lives after October 7. Also, pre-order Don's book!

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

—Waiting—

The span of time we have now waited for Israel to counter-attack Hamas is now longer than the entire Yom Kippur War. How much longer can we stay in this strange and terrible in-between period without going crazy?

—Captives—

Is our hostage crisis driving us towards our government (as such things often do), or away from it?

—How the Government Deserted An 85 Year Old Hostage For A Second Time—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: An 85 year old hostage is releases, and she says in a press conference that after beating her when she was just captured, Hamas treated her well. What do you do with that?

All that and an ultra-Orthodox wedding planned by a couple of married-to-each-other lesbians, plus music from the big telethon raising money for the victims of the Hamas attack.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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

—Unity, Sure, but Not National Unity—

One leader of Israel's opposition joined Netanyahu in a "War Cabinet." The other leader of the opposition did not. Who made the right call?

—Left Behind—

Why are some of Israel's leading leftists surprised that murdering babies, old-folks and everything in between does not discredit Hamas in the eyes of some of America's and Europe's leading leftists?

—Is Joe Biden the Zionist Leader Israel Needs?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Is US President Joe Biden the leader Israelis yearn for?

All that and the music made this week in hope of finding consolation.

Peace, co-existence and social-justice activist Sally Abed tells Noah what these last, terrible days of grief, anger and fear have been like for her, as an Israeli Arab. This is not for everyone, not at this moment, and if it is not for you, at this moment, don't listen to it. For some people, it is maybe just what they want to hear, at this moment.

Allison, Miriam and Noah talk about the only thing that could possibly be on our minds at this moment of tragedy, mourning and anxiety.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Citizens Stepped in Where Government Failed—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: For the first 24 hours of tragedy, journalists did what our government failed to do.

All that and songs of consolation.

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

—Partition Plans?—

On Yom Kippur, Tel Aviv became a battlefield in a religious war. What happened?

—That War—

Exactly fifty years ago, Israel was attacked from the south and the north, and 19 days of bloody fighting ensued. What is the legacy of that terrible war?

—Our Peak Sukkah Experiences—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Our peak Sukkah experiences. Come for the booths, stay for Miriam's joke about the KGB!

All that and the music of the supremely talented Ariel Herzog, Shauli Eckel and Seballal!

Noah tells the story of one song that is also, in a way, the story of Israel itself.

In this very special episode of sustainably recycled stuff devoted to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, hear about the evolution of the great piyyut and prayer, u'netanah tokef, and hear how members of the crew make sense of the strange and beautiful holiday from their strange and beautiful perspectives.

Jeremy Benstein, "The Bikes and Vibes of Yom Kippur in the first modern, Jewish city"

Miriam Herschlag, "Sins for the Internet Age"

Noah, "And to think that I saw it on Yom Kippur"

All that and indie songs of Yom Kippur!

In this very special holiday Turducken of a podcast, we've stuffed into our own carcass an interview that Allison did for the Haaretz Weekly podcast with Noah and his comrade-in-politics Inbal Orpaz on why they are running for city council and what they stand for. 

The tryptophan alone is reason enough to listen!

Miriam Herschlag, Noah Efron and managing editor at eJewishPhilanthropy Judah Ari Gross talk about (1) the storm of protest and worry over the discovery that the army's chief attorney leaked a video incriminating reserve soldiers, and (2) the rising swell of Jewish spirituality and religion after October 7th and whether it is something to celebrate or fear (or both).

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: My therapist is a Zionist. What do I do?

Plus, the 30 year anniversary of the week after Rabin's assassination, philanthropists building hospitals, and Miriam's day in the Shuk. And new religious pop music sweeping the charts.

After a momentous week, after many momentous months, the Promised Podcast wishes you and yours a new year of every good thing!

Maybe no one is a better symbol of how Israel is changing (and did more to cause this change) than Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, who died at 83 in 2020.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman 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

—It Ain't the Economy, Stupid!—

Israel may be the most expensive country in the world, and that fact has zero-zilch-nada impact on politics here. How come?

—Elul, 5783—

Elul is a month of soul-searching. What could we have done better, politically speaking?

—Yair Netanyahu Pays the Price—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The court orders first son Yair Netanyahu to pay 130,000 NIS in damages to a woman he defamed on Twitter. Should people have to pay cash money for their scumbaggery on social?

All that and songs of Elul, to put us in the mood!

Linda Gradstein, Noah Efron, and scholar-public intellectual-podcaster Masua Sagiv 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

—Extremism in the Name of Moderation—

Extremism in the name of moderation is no vice?

—Won't Anyone Think of the Children?!?—

What's it like to be a kid living through the tumult and angst of Israel in 2023?

—Does the Road to Coexistence Run Through "Silicon Wadi"?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Does one road to coexistence pass through "Silicon Wadi"?

All that and meat from a machine, Netta Barzilai's Ha-Tikva, and some great new music by wunderkind Itamar Ramati!

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

—Out of Dodge?—

A recent poll shows that almost one in three Israelis are thinking about leaving the country. But are all these folks really about to leave?

—General Malaise—

What happens when the army gets political?

—What to Do With Someone Like Yair Netanyahu?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Is Yair Netanyahu a trollish Dr. Hyde to his father's sometimes more refined Dr. Jekyll?

All that and a tenth-anniversary tribute to TLV1 and the odd, amazing music of Itay Blau, only some of which was recorded live in a cave.

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

—Shikma—

Does it matter that the first-among-equals leader of Israel's biggest-ever protest movement is a woman (and a renowned particle physicist and a mother of five)?

—Gal, or, Toward a Grand Unified Theory of Gal Gadot—

Why is Gal Gadot, among Israelis, the most beloved Israeli since maybe Moshe Dayan? It needs to be explained, once and for all.

—Thoughts on Disrupting Politicians' Vacations—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Protesters disrupt politicians' vacations, scaring their kids and vowing there'll be no R&R for the people behind the judicial reform. Is that cricket?

All that and a slam poetry tribute to all things parve, and some great new music by Oren Lotenberg!

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

—National Unity?—

Does the idea of tossing out of the government the far-right parties, and swapping in the center-left, makes a lick of sense? Is this even possible anymore?

—Save Us from Ourselves, Joe Biden !?!—

Is Israel's left sending to DC a droid with the message: "Help us, Joe Biden. You're our only hope"?

—News Consumption Overload—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What happened to all the news?

All that and a tribute to one of Israel's great feminist pioneers, Esther Ellam, who died this week. Plus, the punky pop (or is it poppy punk) of Yishai Berger!

Linda Gradstein, 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

—What Happened?—

The government passed the law that limits the court's ability to limit the Ministers and cabinet. So why did the two sides fail to reach compromise, even though all sides said that's what they wanted?

—What Happens Now?—

Now that the law limiting the court's ability to limit the Ministers and cabinet passed, where do we go from here?

—What Does Tisha B'Av Mean to Us, Especially After this Week—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Has Tisha B'Av taken on new meanings in these schismatic times?

All that and the 101st birthday of Tirza Hodes, who helped invent Israeli folk dance, and the music of the Yama Ensemble!

Sally Abed, Allison Kaplan Sommer, and Noah Efron discuss three 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

—Fortress of Democracy?—

Does anyone really think it would be a good idea for Israel's Supreme Court to fire Benjamin Netanyahu?

—Jenin, Again—

Two weeks ago, thirteen people died in an IDF operation in Jenin that, today, is all but forgotten.

—And No Religion, Too!—

A major documentary seeks to understand the soul of secular Israelis.

—Our Summer Eats, Drinks, and Favorite Places that Help Ease the Heat—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What do we drink, what do we eat, and where do we go to mark the advent of "high summer"?

All that and Elisha Shelem, demonstrations everywhere, and the music of cellist Ayala Ziv!

Miriam Herschlag, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss three 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

—Phase Change?—

As summer heats up, there's an escalation of the protests and counter-protests. Looks like it's going to be a scorching summer.

—Israel's "Constitutional Moment"?—

Is it time for Israel finally to write a founding document, a constitution, 75 years after the country was created?

—Tradition, Tradition … Tradition!—

Are more and more Israelis religion-fluid and Yiddishkeit-queer? A new report says it is so.

—Should We Keep Our Purchases Out of Our Protests?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Do we want our shopping malls to have political opinions, or are we better off keeping our buyin' separate from our decryin'?

All that and Yitzhak Rabin on the eve of the Yom Kippur War, a newscaster newscasting with advanced ALS, and the amazing music of 21 year old indie phenom, Alma Gov!

Noah talks about the big questions about Israel's future with historian, journalist, public intellectual and podcaster Marc Shulman.

As the massive protests enter their seventh month, the Promised Podcast looks at the place of protest in Israeli society. (This episode contains time-tested content from the vault, so you know it's good!)

In the waning days of Pride Month, the Promised Podcast ransacks its archives for memorable LGBTQ+ moments and music!

Prodigal Wunderkind Ohad Zeltzer-Zubida, 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

—What's More Reasonable Than Reasonableness?—

Prime Minister Netanyahu decided to move forward the judicial reform by passing a law limiting when and how judges can rule based on what seems "reasonable" to them. What, in Israel, has ever been reasonable?

—No More Heroes Anymore?—

Now that the writer-prophets, the Ozes and the Yehoshuas, are no longer with us, are we sailing on a ship without a moral compass?

—A Fresh Perspective—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: It's like the whole country is in a weird and dark mood. How does Ohad see things as an outsider looking in?

All that and the weird interconnectedness of everything Israeli, a top drawer research organization finding Tel Aviv-Jaffa to be the happiest city on earth, and the music of rising young star Inbal Bibi!