The Promised Podcast

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.

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.

Don, Noah, and special guest Miriam Herschlag discuss three topics of incomparable importance, and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Apocalypse Soon?

Since every other sentient being is discussing it today, we thought we'd join in: What does the Iran deal mean for Israel, its people, its politicians, its Prime Minister, and its relations with America? Is it time to start digging fallout shelters?

And here come the rabbis!

We discuss the recent, rollicking resurgence of the rabbis of the Knesset, who are trying to reverse liberalizing legislation on a whole host of issues. Is this a religious putsch by a junta of rabbis, or merely a reversion to the status quo?

An ode to hypocrisy

Mizrahi poet Roy Hasan has won the Bernstein Prize. We examine his recent poem that calls out Ashkenazim for hypocrisy, hegemony, and all-around ass-hole-itude. What should we, the Ashkenazi assholes, learn from these slings and arrows?

Today's playlist features the Youtube sensations of the summer:Eden Ben Zaken - Malkat Ha-ShoshanimLior Narkis - Reichot Shel AlcoholPeer Tasi - Mashkeh YakarDudu Aharon and Sharif - Ha-Kol Koreh Be Tel Aviv

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.

Miriam Herschlag, 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

—Jabalia, Again—

Israel conquers northern Gaza for a third deadly time.

—The “J” is Silent—

Is Amsterdam a harbinger?

—Limping Towards the Light—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: We talk about the essay written by Rachel Goldberg-Polin that was recently published on the Times of Israel.

Plus, a tribute to Prof. Aharon She’ar Yashuv, the Orthodox Rabbi son of an Waffen SS officer father. And music for these troubled days.