This Week’s Israeli Soundtrack
We’re playing the latest releases this week from Moshe Peretz, Kobi Peretz, Stephane Legare, and many more!
“My Feet in Boots and My Heart in My Feet”
This podcast is dedicated to anyone who has trouble finding shoes that fit—especially boots, during the Israeli rainy season! On this episode, Marcela reads an excerpt from Raquel Chalfi’s poem “German Boot,” translated by Tsipi Keller.
The Fixture Needs Fixing
Dropped your phone? Did the screen crack? It needs fixing! The Hebrew word you'll need to know is Tikun, from the root תקנ. Tikunim (plural of tikun) also means corrections, amendments, alterations. Not familiar with the תקנ root and its related words? We can fix that!
Democracy in Crisis? Israeli Survey Respondents Agree to Disagree
Israel's 2018 Democracy Index, an annual survey of the health of Israeli democracy, shows off the deepest contradictions in Israeli life. Tamar Hermann explains why half the country thinks democracy is endangered but half do not, why the left-right divide is now seen as the most threatening division in Israeli society, while the number of Israeli Jews who think things are going well has been rising for over a decade.
Aliyah
This episode celebrates the astonishing, hilarious, heartbreaking experiences of moving to Israel, and features true stories on the theme of “Aliyah” as told by Muki Tsur, David Harold Chester, Noah Efron, Milton Roller, Malynnda Littky, Jodi Schachar Davidovich, Avi Tilonsky, and the legendary singer Josie Katz.
The “What?!? Some Europeans Don’t Like Jews?!?” Edition
We discuss 1) the complicated Mid-East legacy of US President George H.W. Bush 2) a poll finding that just over half of Europeans think Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state 3) a cache of old photos purloined from Israel’s archives and select some of our favorites
Mendele Mokher Seforim’s “What is Chanukah?”
Tonight is the fourth night of Hanukkah, and to celebrate, Marcela reads an abridgement from Mendele Mokher Serforim’s short story, “What is Chanukah?” It features two speakers, Shmuel, for whom a Hanukkah miracle occurred, and his friend Ignatz.
The Streetwise Center for Hebrew Learners
Gather = lerakez. Center = merkaz. Concentrated = merukaz. Coordinator = merakez. All these words share a common Hebrew root: רכז. Put aside all possible distractions because today's episode is laser-focused on the root RKZ.
Level-Headed Men Seldom Make History
Derek Penslar, Professor of Jewish History at Harvard University, discusses his forthcoming book, “Theodor Herzl: The Charismatic Leader”. Sometimes, there's a very fine line between an eccentric and a visionary.
The “AirBDS?” Edition
We discuss 1) Airbnb kicking Jewish settlers off their site 2) whether West Bank Palestinians working in Israel is a path to peace or a path to maintain the status quo 3) how a majority of Israelis will have no choice but to live in skyscrapers in 2050.
This Week’s Israeli Soundtrack
Chanukah is coming! Don’t worry, we're here to get you in the mood for candles, dreidels, latkes and of course - doughnuts!
Bernstein’s Loveliest Love Poetry
Here’s a little love poem for you, by Ory Bernstein. Bernstein is responsible for some of the loveliest love poetry written in Hebrew. It’s from “A One and Only Love”, which was translated by Ory himself.
Set up to Fail: Genealogy of Unachieved Palestinian Statehood
Dr. Seth Anziska, a lecturer in Jewish-Muslim relations at University College, London and a visiting fellow at the US/Middle East Project, discusses his book “Preventing Palestine: A Political History from Camp David to Oslo”.
The “Sometimes They’ll Give a War and Nobody Will Come” Edition
We discuss 1) Bibi's decision not to go to war 2) what is happening on the further reaches of Israel’s right, after the expected war was cancelled 3) the “theory-of-change” of the Women Wage Peace movement
On Writing the Fantastic: Part 2
Shimon Adaf and Lavie Tidhar's new book, “Art & War: Poetry, Pulp and Politics in Israeli Fiction”, is a dialogue about their approach to writing the fantastic, writing about Israel and Palestine, about Judaism, about the Holocaust, about childhoods and their end.
Explaining Common Mistakes in Spoken Hebrew
We often hear the same errors made over and over again by those learning to speak Hebrew. Some sound worse than others. But once pointed out, they'll be easy to fix. On this episode, Guy explains common mistakes made by Hebrew learners — why they happen and how to correct them.
Palestinian Refugees: The Third Rail of the Conflict
Former Member of Knesset Einat Wilf discusses her book “War of Return,” arguing that the conflict will never end until the world recognizes that Palestinian refugees, as they are usually defined, do not have the right to return to their pre-1948 homes. Sparks fly.
The “Mourning in America” Edition
We discuss 1) what some see as an insulting attempt by Israeli politicians to turn the mass-murder in Pittsburgh into an opportunity to suck up to Trump 2) a new combative attitude on Israel’s left about the lessons of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination 3) the shocking victory of a feminist mayoral candidate in a majority ultra-orthodox town
This Week’s Israeli Soundtrack
On this episode of Kol Cambridge, we’ll be listening to the most recent releases from Maor Gamliel, Subliminal, Quarter to Africa, Mook E, and many many more! We’re also celebrating the 10th anniversary of Cohen @ Mushon's debut album.
On Writing the Fantastic: Part 1
Shimon Adaf and Lavie Tidhar's new book, “Art & War: Poetry, Pulp and Politics in Israeli Fiction”, is a dialogue about their approach to writing the fantastic, writing about Israel and Palestine, about Judaism, about the Holocaust, about childhoods and their end.
Love Me, Love Me Not
Did you know that “I loved her” in Hebrew can be expressed using only a single word? On this episode, Guy talks love. “Loving”, “in love”, “falling in love”, “love me, love me not”... he covers all the bases. We're pretty sure you're going to love this episode.
Several Tales of a City: Rethinking Contested Urbanisms
Geographer and architecture scholar, Dr Jonathan Rokem, discusses several comparative studies of the meeting point between urban planning and politics.
The “Peace Happens” Edition
Former First Minister Peter Robinson and Rev. Gary Mason discuss what they think Israelis and Palestinians can learn from Northern Ireland. Then Rabbi, MK and Minister Michael Melchior explains why he believes religion is not a barrier to peace between Jews and Palestinians
The Eco-Poetry of Sabina Messeg
Sabina Messeg is considered the founder of Israeli eco-poetry. On this episode, Marcela shares her love for the way Messeg’s flora act as main characters in her poems.
The “Us & the Others” Edition
We discuss 1) a documentary about a leftist from Tel Aviv who sets up cameras in Tekoa, interviewing settlers who wander into her frame 2) surveys showing that Israelis prefer not to have anything to do with folks with disabilities 3) a proposed law that would require ISP's to block porn sites unless explicitly asked not to