For 331 days, Rachel Goldberg-Polin went everywhere, spoke to everyone and did everything to save her son, Hersh.

703 IDF soldiers have fallen since October 7th. Each was an entire world. This is a small bit of the story of one of them, Zachariah Haber.

Linda Gradstein, Allison Kaplan Somer 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

—Exemption Preemption—

A bombshell unanimous Supreme Court decision says that, until the Knesset passes a law that says otherwise, Haredi men of army age need to enlist, and those that don't cannot get government stipends. Are we about to find Yeshiva boys in foxholes?

—New Day in Gaza?—

A new report is making the rounds in Jerusalem about how to end the war and coax Gazans to accept Israel, which, new report, may or may not be nuts.

—AIPAC vs. Bowman—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: AIPAC vs. the Squad's Jamaal Bowman. Decision, AIPAC?

Plus, Hebrew Book Week 100 years on, and more music of our times.

Linda Gradstein, 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 Special on Patreon

—The Other War—

The war with Hezbollah up north seems to be getting hotter and more deadly with each passing day. Will missiles rain down on Tel Aviv? And when can the nearly 100,000 evacuees from their homes near the Lebanese Border expect to go back home?

—Spring of Despair—

New polls show despair and pessimism of a sort Israelis have never known before. What do we do when more than 2/3 of Israelis are not optimistic about our future?

—When Nothing Feels Right—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Summer's here and the time is right for what exactly?

Plus, Bnei Brak at 100, and more music of our times.

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

—Home—

Four hostages were rescued from the depths of Gaza. We need a new word for absolute joy mixed with absolute worry mixed with absolute sadness.

—Gantz, But Not Forgotten—

Benny Gantz announces that he is leaving the government and its tiny "War Cabinet," which brought relief, anxiety and ambivalence. With Gantz gone, where will the government go?

—Shavuot In Israel—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Shavuot in Israel, after eight months of war.

Plus, the LGBTQ "Vigil of Pride and Hope" in Tel Aviv, celebrating Shavuot, and more music of our times.

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

—Prisoner's Dilemma—

A new Israeli proposal to bring home hostages puts the brakes on the war and signs some sort of pact with the Saudis. So why are religious-Zionists, most of all, opposing it?

—Same Same (But Different)—

New Supreme Court petitions might force the army to conscript Haredim. Has the war changed things enough that we can now solve the oldest, hardest problem of Israeli politics?

—Taking a Break By Going Abroad—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: After eight months of war, what's it like for an Israeli to get on a plane to somewhere, anywhere, else? What's it like to come back?

Plus, an appreciation of David Levy, being Israeli in Japan, and a new old museum in Tel Aviv. And more music of our times.

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

—Golan Heights?—

We just witnessed the huge victory of IDF Reserve Major-General and former deputy chief-of-staff Yair Golan in the primary for Labor leadership (he got more than 95%). Will a new war-hero general at the head of the Labor Party bring back Rabin-era glory?

—History Lesson—

A viral lachrymose TV sketch comedy troupe portrays Jewish history as one damn-pogrom-after-another, up to and including October 7. Is Jewish history, up to and including now, just a trail of tears?

—What It's Been Like to Be on an Ivy-League Campus This Past Year—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The executive director of Cornell's Hillel, Rabbi Ari Weiss, tells us about what it has been like to be on an Ivy-League campus this past year, for students and Hillel directors alike.

Plus, losing our words, and more music of these troubled times.

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

—Gantz and Gallant Game the Endgame—

Two of five of the members of Israel's "War Cabinet" tell Prime Minister Netanyahu that he has to figure out what comes next in Gaza. Or else!

—Unwarranted—

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court seeks warrants for the arrest of Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant, the first time warrants have been sought for democratically-elected politicians. So will the world start arresting Israeli politicians when they travel abroad?

—A Huge Win Despite the Loss—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: When sorority sisters turn on sorority sisters, you know sh*t's gotten real!

All that and a memorial appreciation of Yael Dayan and a good bye to the old TLV1 studios. Plus more music in the sad spirit of our times.

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

—Now, Rafah—

What are we to make of Israel's rolling incursion into Rafah? Oy.

—On Film—

There's a new hour-long movie about the rape and sexual assault of Israeli women on October 7 and since. Oy.

—A Huge Win Despite the Loss—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Eden Golan's amazing adventure at the Eurovision song contest.

All this and more music of these troubled times.

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

—Days of Awe—

What do Yom Ha-Zikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha-Atzmaut (Independence Day) mean in this annus horribilis? How can we celebrate, now?

—School Daze—

What should we make of the enraged protests raging on university campuses? Kids these days, am I right?

—Al Jazeera on the Chopping Block—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Israel blocks Al Jazeera for 45 days, on the grounds that the network is neither fair nor balanced. Dumb move?

Plus, a look back fifty years, a vegetable vending machine, and more music of these troubled times.

To mark Yom Ha-Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Noah describes the decades-long path Israelis followed to come to terms with the Holocaust, culminating in a record in 1988, fully 43 years after the camps were freed.

(Out of concern for the environment, this episode is reused and recycled, though not reduced.)

At Passover Seders all around the world, a place setting was laid before a chair left empty for one of the 133 hostages held in Gaza. We look back at the 200 days of anguish, hope, and despair that divide Simchat Torah on October 7 from this week's holiday.

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

—Bennett, Done That—

Israel's next prime minister will be … Naftali Bennett?

—Jewish Life During Wartime—

Why does war make more-secular Israelis more secular, and less-secular Israelis less secular?

—Our Flights Are Cancelled—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What happens when every airline stops flying to Israel?

Plus, a reflection on how time itself has stopped working, and music by women we've loved for decades, speaking now to our present moment.

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.

—Going Too Farsi? (Or, the Persian Incursion)—

We — with the help of the US, UK, Jordan and other capable allies — buffly rebuffed the biggest missile and drone attack on Israel ever. But what does it tell us about the past and augur for the future?

—Passover, 5784—

How is this Passover different from all other Passovers?

Plus, a bereaved father on solidarity, flower-girls, fruit bats and more music of our times.

Marking six months since the massacres and the start of the war, 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

—Us, Here—

Whether and how we Israelis have changed, in light of all that has happened. Are we different than we were six months and one week ago?

—Us, There—

Whether and how we Jews around the world have changed, in light of all that has happened. Are we different than we were six months and one week ago?

—Iran's Promised "Persian Incursion"—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Are we losing sleep over Iran's promised "Persian Incursion"?

Plus, the presence of October 7 around the Seder table.  And, more music of our times.

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

—Families 2.0—

The organization of the families of the hostages has decided to change strategies, linking its campaign to bring the hostages home to the campaign for "elections now." Is the fight to get the hostages home entering a new phase?

—Sidelocks & Sidearms—

A Supreme Court injunction cuts off, cold-turkey, funding for army-aged, ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students who learn instead of serve. Couldn't they have let the turkey get to room-temperature?

—Snap Judgement—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Should a photographer who watched and snapped his shutter while people were being killed, raped and kidnapped get a prize for a picture he took?

Plus a farewell to one of the country's greatest novelists and activists. And, more music of our times.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and newly-minted Doctor of Thinkology Gilad Halpern 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

—Abstention Dissension—

There seems to be a very fast decline in US-Israel relations, after the Americans abstain on a UN Security Council resolution that Israel expected them to veto. Are Israel and America, like Ross and Rachel, on a break?

—Standard Deviation—

An expert in urban warfare says Israel is more careful to protect the lives of civilians in Gaza than any other army in history. But even if that is true, does it matter?

—The Great Rupture in American Jewish Life—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Is Peter Beinart right that there is a "great rupture in American Jewish life"? If he is, should we worry?

Plus a farewell to a man who spent decades rebuilding violins that survived the Holocaust, often when the musicians who played them did not.  Plus more music of our times.

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, 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

—TIME Is on His Side?—

Prime Minister Netanyahu gives his longest interview since October 7. What's it tell us?

—Time Is on HIS Side?—

How is this man growing more popular at this time, after everything?

—Fraying at the Edges—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How we doin' at this moment?

Plus, co-joined Kibbutzim, Tisha B'Av at Hostage Square, and the bipolar music of Tamir Grinberg.

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.

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, 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

—Dead to Rights?—

When, if ever, is it o.k. to assassinate deadly enemies?

—Now, in the Awful Quiet of the Moment—

Six-packs of water and go bags: Are we doing this imminent-attack-from-Iran thing right?

—Days of Wine and Jelly Beans?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How are the 3 of us reacting to this tense moment?

Plus, the Olympics, John Lennon glasses and new music by artists from just outside of Gaza.

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 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

—Will Israel and Hezbollah (and Who Knows? Maybe Iran) Go to War?—

Will Hezbollah's murder of twelve kids in Majdal Shams lead to all out war?

—Druze Clues—

What is it like to be Druze in Israel?

—Et tu, MCU?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The folks at Marvel are turning Sabra into a Marrano?

Plus, the Olympics, science breakthroughs and music of our troubled times.

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

—Move Over, Winston—

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to congress, again. What did he say to the senators and congresspeople, and what didn't he say?

—Kamala Harris and the Jewish Question—

Kamala Harris anagrams to "A rakish alarm." Who is Kamala Harris, and if she becomes president, what will it mean for, well, us?

—You're Voting for Who?!—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: When Israeli-Americans say they're voting for Trump because he's good for Israel, what do they mean?

Plus, consecrating a Torah scroll for Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and trans-folk in Tel Aviv City Hall, and more music of these days.

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

—The Valley of the Shadow of Deif—

Can you do a cost-benefit analysis of assassinating a man personally responsible for thousands of Israeli deaths?

—Unboxing Gaza?—

What's it like for Israelis to watch videos of Palestinian resilience?

—"Dos" and "Don't-So-Much-Dos"—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Why did a short video about the "Dos" and "Don't-So-Much-Dos" of workplace relations between secular and ultra-Orthodox colleagues tick off so many of us here in Israel?

Plus, the profound humanity of the people fighting to release the hostages, and music from Netta Barzilai's first album, which is like a warm hug from an old friend.

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

—God Will Avenge His Blood?—

The IDF has allowed, for the first time ever, military gravestones to add "הי״ד" — "God will avenge his blood" — after the name of a slain soldier. Vengeance carved in stone?

—Heroes of Israel—

There's a new line of "Heroes of Israel" action figures: IDF soldiers for kids to play with. What exactly do they teach our kids?

—It's Been Long Enough to Make a Baby—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Nine months of war (long enough to make a baby). Miriam and Noah talk about how they're doing now.

Plus, a tribute to two people we remember from iconic photographs, and a new exhibit imagines a very different Zionism than the one we got. Plus more new tunes of our times.

In a very special, tribute-to-America episode, the sax-and-fiddle player (Alon Tal), the lead-singer-and-keyboardist (Bill Slott), and the bass-player (Noah Efron) of the fondly-remembered band, "Liquid Plumr" 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

—Bill in Them Hills—

What can we learn from Bill who spent three months in the West Bank trying to keep local Palestinians from being harassed by local Israelis? Sometimes, you just need to be there.

—The U.S. and Us—

How have America and Americans influenced Israeli culture and politics?

—Are Two Better Than One?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What is it like to have two countries?

Plus, music by three great Israeli singers, each born-in-the-U.S.A.

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

—Not Too Brotherly, Not Much Love—

How did the "Philadelphi Corridor" become a matter of life and death?

—Errors of Omission and Commission—

The government hasn't investigated itself, so a bunch of citizens took it on itself. Is that a good thing?

—Much Ado About a Handful of Sand—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: A 27-year-old Tel Aviv resident was arrested for allegedly tossing wet sand at National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Was the minister being purposely provocative for personal political gain?

Songs

• Tuna — Bein ha-Ir LaPardes
• Pe'er Tasi — Yoni
• Yarin — Ein Laila

Elul is here and people all over the country are keeping the before-the-high-holidays tradition of saying Selihot, asking for forgiveness and offering atonement. All this as rockets and planes fly, and bombs fall.

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

—Major Pager Rager—

A stunning attack-by-pager left dozens of Hezbollah militiamen dead and thousands maimed and wounded. What are we to make of a thing like that?

—Commemoration Vexation—

How do you memorialize October 7, when October 7 hasn't ended yet?

—Testicles in the Twitterverse?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Hezbollah pagers explode, social media memes erupt, but not all Israelis are laughing.

All this and the music from the remarkable new record רוח באה מדרום (Wind Comes from the South).

A New Year and a year since. What are we remembering when we remember October 7?

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

—Regional Inferno?—

Israel's war with Gaza may soon become an all-out regional war. How do you say "Yikes!" in Farsi?

—Accounting of the Soul—

What should we have in mind, this Yom Kippur, when we thump our chests in repentance?

—Prayer in the Square?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Our hot take on last night's Supreme Court ruling regarding the legality of organized gender-separated public prayer in liberal Tel Aviv.

All of that and marking a year of the nightmare of October 7. Plus, music that moves us from the memorials.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and Tova Cohen 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

—Best Laid Schemes (Lea'e Us Nought but Grief An' Pain), With Apologies to Robert Burns (And to Mice)—

Bringing down the Azrieli Towers? Conquering Israel top-to-bottom by 2025? Minutes of Hamas meetings sets out the groups grim vision.

—What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?—

Has "peace" left the building?

—Jed Bartlet Is in the Sukkah!—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Who, this year, would be our "Ushpizin" in our (notional or real) Sukkah.

All of that and Sukkot suddenly turning up everywhere.