The Promised Podcast

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 Segment on Patreon   —Thinkin’ Blinken— What are we to make of Antony Blinken’s interview with the times, in which he said it was Hamas, not Prime Minister Netanyahu, who have scuttled the hostage negotiations until now? —Making an Offense of Defense— What are we to think about the Palestinian campaign to have low-level IDF soldiers arrested abroad for war crimes, as part of an effort to criminalize fighting in Israel’s army? —The American Historical Association Censures Israel for “Scholasticide”— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What is “scholasticide,” and why has the American Historical Association censured Israel for doing it? Plus, a kind word for Haredim and Jean Shepherd, with music by Bekka.

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   —Standard Deviation— An expose in the New York Times shows that on October 7th the IDF took an extraordinary decision to double the number of civilians whose lives it was willing to risk in order to attack Hamas leaders and rank-and-file fighters. What should we make of that? —Again, This Time With Less Feeling— Anthropologist Amalia Sa’ar asserts that Israeli political discourse is filled-to-the-gills with a “narrative of trauma” that keeps us from being able to have rational political discourse and make rational political and military decisions. Is she right? —New Year’s Resolutions— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: It’s January.  What are our political political “resolutions” for the new year? Plus, Yehudit Ravitz with a new record at 68.

Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron are live from the astonishing, brilliant, taste-of-the-world-to-come Limmud Festival in Birmingham, England. —What’s Changed, Here?— How we in Israel, and the lives we lead, have changed since, and because of, October 7th. —What’s Changed, Everywhere Else?— How Jews around the world, and the lives they lead, have changed since, and because of, October 7th. Plus, how a 56 year old Soviet song came to express our longing and fears today. Plus, International Dalek Remembrance Day.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and scholar-extraordinaire Sara Hirschhorn 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   —(Un)settling— Why do Israeli Jews who think it might be a good idea to set up Jewish towns in Gaza, think what they think? —Hostage (Dis)agreement— Would an agreement that brings home some of the hostages might, in the end, be worse than no agreement at all? —Safe, Save for the Bombs and Bullets— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Why do most Israelis think the safest place in the world for Jews is Israel when, statistically, that’s not even close to being true? Plus, a remembrance of Corinne Allal, may her memory be for a blessing.