Mistakes Were Made
This episode features stories on the theme “Mistakes Were Made,” as told by Nancy Cahners, Noah Efron, Tova Kamioner, Judah Kauffman, Chavi Karkowsky, Milton Roller, and Rachel Wansker.
What a Hunk!
Lachtoch (לחתוך) means ‘to cut,’ like when we cut onions. But in slang, this word and its root ח.ת.כ can be used in many ways to mean many different things. From ‘breaking up’ to ‘you clean up nice,’ or ‘a hunk‘ and ‘a hottie.’
Us and Them: Is There Any Way Out?
Nurit Novis-Deutsch, a psychologist of religion, values, morality and identity, believes that people who perceive themselves as having a complex identity might be more tolerant of the “other.” Her research advances much-needed anecdotes to angry tribalism in today's world.
The “Befuddled, Belabored, Bereaved & Beloved” Edition
We discuss 1) whether primaries are good or bad for Israeli democracy 2) with the Labor Party possibly falling below the election threshold, should we be concerned about its disappearance? 3) is there a “culture of bereavement” in Israeli politics for which women, especially, pay a high price
Select Poems from The Ilanot Review, Part 2
We feature poetry by Ron Dahan and Sharron Hass from the new “Crisis” issue of The Ilanot Review, which was edited by guest editor Adriana X. Jacobs, and our very own Marcela Shulak.
That’ll Teach Them a Lesson
What’s the difference between “lilmod” and “lelamed”? What’s the difference between “limud” and “limudim”? And how could we possibly have missed the Hebrew root ל.מ.ד on a podcast meant to teach Hebrew?!
When Zionism and Human Rights Got Along
Before human rights was a universally accepted concept, and before there was Israel, there were prominent Jews who supported both. James Loeffler tells the story of human rights pioneers and how their commitment grew out of the Jewish diaspora experience.
The “Black & White, Left & Right” Edition
We discuss 1) the Likud primaries and the composite portrait they paint of the heart, soul and physiognomy of the party 2) the rage and heartache of Ethiopian-Israelis, as they protest police brutality and so much else 3) how to make sense of Conan O’Brien making sense of Israel
This Week’s Israeli Soundtrack
On this episode of Kol Cambridge, we listen to brand new releases from Maor Edri, Moshe Peretz, Netta, A-WA and many more!
Select Poems from The Ilanot Review, Part 1
Marcela features some of her favorite poems from the recent poetry issue of The Ilanot Review, which has just gone live this week.
All the King’s Men: Tribal Leadership in Modern Jordan
Prof. Yoav Alon, a historian of the Middle East, discusses his award-winning book “The Shaykh of Shaykhs: Mithgal al Fayiz and Tribal Leadership in Modern Jordan.”
The “Bullsh*t Solutions to Bullsh*t Problems?” Edition
We discuss 1) whether election campaigns are about anything that matters, or anything at all 2) the resignation of MK Dov Khenin who says there are better ways to bring political change than the Knesset 3) an appeal to overturn the Nation-State Law on the grounds that downgrading Arabic discriminates against Mizrahi Jews
Golan Haji: A Note on Syrian Poetry Today
We widen our focus and step beyond our local boundaries to acknowledge the civil war in Syria through the writings of Golan Haji. The excerpted essay was written five and a half years ago, when the Syrian war was well into its second year.
Matthew Goodwin: Get to Know the New Nationalists
Is the current wave of national-populism new, or is it rooted in older historic trends? Can its supporters be de-demonized, humanized or at the very least understood?
The “Lessons of War” Edition
We discuss 1) an essay headlined “There is No ‘Israeli-Palestinian Conflict’” 2) the campaign videos of former IDF Chief of Staff and present PM pretender Benny Gans 3) historian Benny Morris’ prediction that, in a few decades time, Jews will be a persecuted minority in Palestine
This Week’s Israeli Soundtrack
We bring you the latest Israeli tunes, including new releases from Eyal Golan, Lior Narkis, Ethnix, and a look at the latest underground hit from Dudu Farouk.
Leaving Nothing Unsaid: The Poetry of Noam Partom
Noam Partom's poetry calls out sexual predators and chides herself for allowing men to define her sense of worth. She isn’t afraid to say what is largely left unsaid, out of politeness, out of the distasteful thing it is to name what we know exists but which we leave unsaid.
How Embarrassing!
“Eize bushot” (איזה בושות) is what we Israelis say when we witness an embarrassing event. Remember the time your mother commented on a Facebook photo of you? איזה בושות!
The Human Experience in Objects: The Case for Museums in the 21st Century
Are museums still relevant in the digital age? Neil McGregor, the former director of the British Museum, analyzes the enduring validity of museums in the age of technological upheavals and fake news.
The “Son of God, with a Side of Fries” Edition
We discuss 1) the Labor Party’s campaign to persuade other parties to commit to never joining a coalition with PM Netanyahu 2) demonstrations over an exhibit in Haifa's art museum that includes “McJesus,” with Ronald McDonald on the cross 3) the proposal to quadruple, or maybe octuple, tuition fees in Israel
Remembering Amos Oz, Part 2
This episode is the second in our two-part long-good-bye to the extraordinary writer, Amos Oz. Marcela provides a long excerpt from “Dear Zealots: Letters from a Divided Land,” translated by Jessica Cohen. The excerpt comes from the essay “Many Lights, Not one Light.”
Corruption: A Very Glocal Problem
Transparency International is among the most prominent global organizations fighting corruption through exposure, documentation and measurement. Delia Rubio, Chair of the organization, discusses the challenges, pitfalls and goals of their work, while Alona Vinograd of the Israel Democracy Institute brings the question of corruption home to Israel against the backdrop of a heated political stage.
The “Goose, Gander & Duck” Edition
We discuss 1) the detention and interrogation of 5 Yeshiva kids accused of murdering a Palestinian woman 2) the argument between a professor and student over wearing an army uniform to class 3) the claim that kids who join “educators’ kibbutzim” have been brainwashed
This Week’s Israeli Soundtrack
Kol Cambridge is back for 2019 with the latest Israeli tunes to kick off your new year. Amongst new releases from Itai Levi, EZ, and Miri Mesika.
Aharon Appelfeld: The Ticho House Café Interview
Aharon Appelfeld would say that in order to be a serious writer you need to have a routine. For years his routine had been to write in the café at Ticho House, in Jerusalem. It was there that Alain Elkann interviewed him for The Paris Review.