The Promised Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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.