The Promised Podcast

The “Guns, Jews and Steel” Edition

We discuss: 1) Israel’s response to the “Great March of Return,” 2) a campaign persuading folks not to swap seats with ultra-Orthodox passengers on flights, and 3) a proposal to erect huge Stars of David across Israel.

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The “Still Leaving Egypt, After All These Years” Edition

We discuss: 1) why each new revelation about Bibi’s alleged corruption is accompanied by an increase in support for him, 2) the accreditation of a private university to grant Ph.D. degrees, and 3) whether the story of Exodus hardens or softens our hearts, now that we are in a strong and secure state.

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The “Who Surveils the Surveillors?” Edition

We discuss 1) Israel’s new AI system for identifying lone terrorists before they act, 2) the work of an activist who’s been sorting through hundreds of hours of rabbi’s lectures and turning over the nasty bits to the press, and 3) the price tag of price tags.

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The “Judaism: The Theme Park” Edition

We discuss 1) the horrid humanitarian crisis in Gaza and what to do about it, 2) activists’ demands to scrub a street name honoring a journalist who wrote that Sefaradi/Mizrahi immigrants were primitive in nature, and 3) plans for a new theme park dedicated to the wonders of Judaism!

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The “Broadening Horizons” Edition

We discuss 1) the new, improved AIPAC 2.0, now with Progressives!, 2) the new ultra-Orthodox Jewish spin on Wikipedia, and 3) a site offering middle-class Israelis luxury clothes at a discount.

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The “Assassination, Prevarication & Narration Peroration” Edition

We discuss: 1) Israel’s enduring reliance on targeted assassinations; 2) What we should do about Poland’s “Holocaust complicity bill”; and 3) A proposed law that would allow anyone to be a tour-guide.

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The “Eyes on the Prize” Edition

Allison, Don and Noah discuss: (1) the candidates competing to head the liberal-left Meretz party, and the different visions of the future they each bring; (2) whether writer David Grossman should turn down the Israel Prize he was just selected to receive; and (3) the hottest reality TV show in Jewish history – “Marriage at First Sight” – that matches people who meet for the first time under the Chuppah.

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The “Tragic Flaws” Edition

We discuss the police recommendation that PM Netanyahu be indicted for at least two counts of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, the strange resignation from the Knesset of former-head of the Israel Security Agency Yaakov Perry, and the prosecution of a ceramic company for refusing to deliver tiles and toilets to Jewish settlers.

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The “Federation Delegation Visitation Conversation” Edition

Before a live audience including a delegation from UJA-Federation of New York, we discuss Israel’s “new poverty,” whether philanthropists from abroad ought to withhold support when Israel’s government pursues policies they find lamentable, and why, for all its discontents, Israel is the place we chose to raise our kidlings.

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The “Democrats, Diplomats & Habitats” Edition

We discuss a new survey finding that American Republicans and Democrats are more divided about Israel than ever, the growing shortfall in talented young recruits for Israeli diplomatic jobs, and why the government’s long-awaited affordable rent bill is being attacked by those you’d expect to be praising it.

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