If You Build It: Jewish Architecture Throughout the Centuries
Contributors to the book, “Jewish Religious Architecture: From Biblical Israel to Modern Judaism,” discuss the role of aesthetics and functionality for a predominantly text-based faith
The “Chair Today, Gone Tomorrow” Edition
We discuss: 1) the near-miss constitutional crisis we survived this week, as the Chairperson of the Knesset pondered ignoring a ruling of the Supreme Court 2) whether or not we all ought to withhold criticism and rally behind the PM and support his efforts to fight the virus
Track Changes
Kashua’s protagonist is a nameless “I” who shares considerable biographical overlaps with the author. His confessions are hardly reliable, making every level of his storytelling suspect, which Kashua further visually underscores by “track changes”-style crossed-out text.
If We’re Quarantined, Then Let’s Do It in Style
The Hebrew word בידוד, quarantine, will likely be the word of the year. So it's only appropriate that Guy discuss its root, ב.ד.ד, and cover some of the Hebrew words derived from it, like isolation, insulation and solitude.
Of Plagues and Quarantines
This episode features true stories on the theme “Quarantined” as told by Judah Ari Gross, Sarah Goldberg, Sari Friedman, and Yisrael Campbell.
Well-Behaved Orthodox Journalists Seldom Make History
Orthodox journalists Sivan Rahav-Meir and Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt discuss the media, religion and gender in a panel discussion held at Yeshiva University in New York.
The “Don’t Kiss the Wailing Wall!” Edition
We discuss: 1) the deputization of Blue & White's Benny Gantz to form a new coalition government 2) the decision to deputize the Shin Bet to track COVID-19 sufferers and, along the way, the rest of us, too 3) the decision of a revered rabbi to keep ultra-Orthodox schools open, in defiance of the Prime Minister and Health Minister
Judaism for Dummies?
Jess Olson, Associate Professor of Jewish History at Yeshiva University, discusses his book “Jewish Culture: A Quick Immersion.” Is the title not a contradiction in terms?
The “Love in the Time of Corona” Edition
We discuss: 1) What Israel’s hyper-vigilant, forceful response to the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19 tells us about our political culture 2) Blue & White’s apparently ill-fated plan to form a minority government
“One, Two, Three”
Marcela reads from Anat Zecharia’s poem, “One, Two, Three.” The poem’s title and subtitle refer to Uzi Hitman’s children song about three dwarfs who sit chatting behind a mountain.
Come On, “Flow” With Me Here
What does it mean when an Israeli says, זרום איתי (zrom iti), flow with me? And what is זרם הגולף? Guy goes with the flow and explains it all.
I’ll Have What She’s Having
Adeena Sussman's new Israeli cookbook “Sababa” took the food world by storm, and everyone else. With prose as effortless as her recipes look, she tells the story of her life in Israel through the best edibles on offer, filtered through Israel's kaleidoscope of cultures.
The “Take a Deep Breath” Edition
We discuss: 1) What, if anything, this week’s elections say about the hearts and minds, hopes and dreams, of Israeli voters, and 2) What ought to happen now, after our about-to-go-on-trial-for-corruption PM almost, but not quite, won a public mandate to continue in office
Hamburgers & Configuration: Foreign Words in Hebrew
What’s לקנפג in Hebrew? What’s לסמס? And what do we Israelis mean when we ask you to give us your ‘mail’? Guy explains what happens to foreign words when they start feeling comfortable in their new Israeli home.
Death of the Children, Flight of the Birds
Acclaimed novelist Colum McCann's newest novel confronts pain so deep, it can only be dismantled and reassembled as images. “Apeirogon” uses a unique literary form to make meaning out of trauma in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The “Crickets” Edition
We discuss: 1) the strange, unnerving quietude enveloping next week’s elections 2) the surge in support among Jews of the mostly Arab-Israeli Joint List, and 3) the surge in support among modern-orthodox and secular Jews of the ultra-Orthodox parties
“The Children I Will Never Have”
Marcela highlights poetry from the latest issue of The Ilanot Review which, in collaboration with Granta Hebrew, published English translations of up and coming poets and writers, most of whom are featured for the very first time.
Dead Tired or Just a Bit Crazy?
Slang usage of the word קרוע (ka’rua), literally meaning ‘torn’, is fascinating because when someone says it about themselves, it means one thing, and when the same is said about them behind their back, it means something completely different. Guy explains.
My Neighbor, My Kapo
Between 1950-1972, dozens of former Jewish kapos stood trial in Israel, yet their story is almost entirely unknown. Prof. Dan Porat's new book, a 2019 National Jewish Book Award finalist, sheds light on these incredible cases.
The “Getting Blitzed!” Edition
Is Gantz’s strategy for winning voters, “I’m a Mensch, that other guy ain’t, so vote for me”? What's behind Bibi’s surprisingly positive message to the voters, about how we’re prosperous and things are only getting better? Should the government pay cities to build ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods?
Kol Cambridge’s Swan Song
Kol Cambridge is going to take a break. We could be sad - but what’s the point? Turn up the volume, enjoy, and follow us on Facebook to find out when we’ll be back!
Improve Your Hebrew With These 4 Tools
Guy demonstrates how to use 4 valuable online tools he thinks every Hebrew learner should know.
On the Job
This episode features true stories on the theme “On the Job” as told by Abraham Silver, Alison Bender Kellner, Elana Dorfman, Allison Kaplan Sommer, and Noah Efron.
Israeli and Palestinian Literature as Critique
Exploring the relevance of political economy to literary criticism, Dr. Kfir Cohen Lustig offers a new understanding of Israeli, Palestinian and World literature.
Check Your Temperature!
The מדחום could be our best friend or worst nightmare. For some, it determines whether they can go out or must stay quarantined. On this episode, Guy covers all you need to know about למדוד חום.