Being Jew-ish – Details, episodes & analysis

Episode 30! It's election season. Seth and Dave explore how what's happening in Israel and Gaza might impact elections (and other important life events, like looking at colleges for our kids). How are Israel and Antisemitism present in political positions, and how much should we be considering those elements when making our own votes? Seth and Dave take some time to unpack Senator Chuck Schumer's congressional speech on Israel and Gaza. Finally, they explore the importance of finding levity even in moments like these, since Purim is coming up this week. This is the final show of Being Jew-ish's first season. Seth and Dave will return for season two soon.

This week we share a conversation recorded on Dave's recent trip to Israel with Danny Miran, the father of Israeli hostage Omri Miran, 46-year-old, held in Gaza since October 7, 156 days as of the release date of this podcast. Danny's account is heart-wrenching and yet hopeful. Given the emotional weight of his burden, Danny Miran spoke with us in Hebrew, and Daniel Shek, former Israeli ambassador to France and current head of the diplomatic department at Families of Hostages and the Missing Forum, served as translator. For Omri's story, click here: https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/bringthemhome/miran-omri For general information on Families of Hostages and the Missing Forum (the "bring them home now” organization), click here: https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Redeemer of Captives. At the time of the episode recording, Dave and Seth discuss the current ceasefire and the release of some of the hostages. To what degree is this all good for Israel and Hamas, and what are the many potential pitfalls and downsides to this current path of action? Separately, Chanukah is coming, and no Jew-ish podcast is complete without a Chanukah extravaganza. If there is anything holiday-related that you would like to see included in the Chanukah episode, please leave your request along with a positive rating in the Apple Podcasts reviews.

Tsahi Shemesh, founder and chief instructor of Krav Maga Experts in NYC, joins Seth and Dave. Tsahi shares his perspectives as an instructor and life-long practitioner of Israel's unique self-defense system, Krav Maga (roughly translated as “close touch”), as an Israeli and Jew living in New York City, and as a parent too. Dave and Tsahi first met when Tsahi came to Dave's congregation to teach a self-defense workshop after the rise of Antisemitism in 2019. Learn more about Tsahi Shemesh and Krav Maga Experts at www.kravmagaexperts.com. You can also learn more from Tsahi on his podcast, Krav Talk, available on all major podcast platforms. Please help us grow our show by sharing on your social media accounts and leaving a positive review on Apple Podcasts.

This week, Seth and Dave discuss Israeli actress Gal Gadot's showing of the Israel documentary on Hamas' atrocities and the ensuing violent protests. How can so many be so ignorant of the evils deliberately perpetrated by some human beings on others? We discuss how anti-Zionism can technically be considered not to be Antisemitic, but among these protesters, the nuances required for that technicality are grossly absent. We discuss Brett Stephen's New York Times op-ed, “For America's Jews, Every Day Must Be Oct. 8.” We cannot let our hearts soften and forget the way so many were silent in the face of the Jewish people's murder at the hands of terrorists. We can never forget how people were literally cheering in the streets of NYC and all over college campuses for Hamas' terror on our people. We must continue to keep that taste of our emotions on October 8 until our people can finally live in safety and peace.

Seth and Dave discuss President Barack Obama's brief commentary on how we ought to be approaching the war in Gaza, understanding that there's far more complexity and complicity than most seem to be acknowledging. Then we hear from Mosab Hassan Yousef, the author of Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices in his interview with Piers Morgan, and offer our own reflections. Please share this show with any friends you think may benefit from it, and consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Positive reviews increase the likelihood of new people finding this show. Thanks!

Israel has begun its ground operation in Gaza, and anti-Israel and Antisemitic activity is on the rise throughout the world, especially on college campuses. There is no easy solution here, no clear right and wrong, no clear long-term fixes. What should Israel be doing, and what should it not be doing? Where should Hamas be held responsible? What about the Arab states? And what should we take into account when choosing colleges for our children? Seth and Dave explore this impossible situation in which we, the Jewish people, find ourselves. For good moderate reporting on what's happening in Israel, check out the Times of Israel. www.timesofisrael.com.

This week, we meet with a former officer from Israel's elite IDF search and rescue team, unit 669. We're leaving his name out of the show for safety reasons. He'll speak about their general work, their work specific to the war, his views on what's happening both in Israel and the US, and projects for the future. He specifically addresses what they do when they encounter Palestinians and Hamas in need of medical care, you'll want to hear this. To learn more about unit 669, go to this link: https://youtu.be/_VA6w6hcjoE?si=rx_KjOGkYXiuK-jx Please consider financially supporting 669's work in these projects: 1. Immediate distribution of medical kits to citizens still facing danger. https://lifesavingkit-669.com/ 2. Providing necessary equipment, morale support, food supplies, and other basic essentials. https://www.afu669.org/donate

This week has been extremely rough on the Jewish community, We are fortunate to have many people in the right place at the right time to make a difference. Sadly, we are finding that there are a ton of people, many of whom we have called allies and friends, who have been silent or worse in the face of what's going on. We have a strong message for them in this episode. Please take the time to share this episode with anyone who needs it, and leave a rating on Apple podcasts— that helps the show grow and reach more folks. For the record, Seth and Dave have a great deal of sympathy for all innocents, Palestinian, and Israeli, hurt and killed in this war started by Hamas' terrorist attack. Seth and Dave would both prefer to see a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. And, Seth and Dave hold that Israel has an obligation to do whatever it takes to keep its citizens safe.

Recorded on Monday, October 9, 2023. This is not the episode that we had planned, it's the episode that's necessary. Israel is at war, attacked by Hamas at a scale and with an element of surprise not seen since 1973's Yom Kippur War. We're devastated by what's happening. We pray for strength, healing, and comfort. We pray that Israelis and all those in the Middle East will soon be able to live in security and peace. To support Israelis in this difficult time, please consider making a donation to UJA's emergency campaign: Emergency Funding for Israel https://tinyurl.com/ye287edc.