The Drive
Marcela reads from Yair Assulin’s searing novel that tells the journey of a young Israeli soldier at the breaking point, unable to continue carrying out his military service, yet terrified of the consequences of leaving the army.
Pronouns in Hebrew
Using pronouns in conversation is easy when speaking our mother tongue. But in Hebrew, it might be more difficult. Guy explains the mechanism of Hebrew pronouns which, in turn, will help you sound more natural and casual.
The Environmental Peacemaker
Gidon Bromberg, director of EcoPeace Middle East, shows the urgency - and feasibility - of coordinating environmental policies and sharing vital resources between Israel, Palestine and Jordan. Because water, energy and climate change won't wait.
The “Judges and Grudges, Libel and Bible” Edition
What do we make of Bibi's supporters who say he's persecuted by a cabal of leftist judges and journalists? Are leftists leaving Israel as “political exiles”? As we celebrate Shavuot, we ask: what are we to do with the Torah in 2020?
Practice Those Exercises
In Hebrew, תרגיל means an exercise. This episode includes many תרגילים, of all kinds. Guy also explains the difference between לְ and לַ
The Best and Worst of Both Worlds
In her latest book, Nancy Sinkoff recounts Lucy S. Dawidowicz's life on the cusp between Europe and America, and between liberal socialism and Reagan-era conservatism
Your Israeli Soundtrack for Jerusalem Day
We’ve got many songs in honor of Jerusalem day as well as brand new top-of-the-charts tunes.
The “Vision of No Vision” Edition
Did Bibi and Gantz just present their vision of no vision for the future? What's behind a study showing that Israeli Leftists suffered more during the pandemic than right-wing folks? What can we learn about our past, present and future from a new Golda Meir documentary?
Darwish’s “In the Presence of Absence”
To acknowledge those who are fasting in isolation and heat, this episode features Mahmoud Darwish’s aptly titled collection, “In the Presence of Absence.”
Getting Personal with Hebrew’s Impersonal
‘Eich omrim’ means ‘how do you say.’ Today Guy explains the impersonal in Hebrew. What linguistic tools do we have to say generic things about everybody and anyone?
Israel – Populist in Its Own Special Way
With comparative global context, Prof. Dani Filc asks how Israeli political populism differs from all others, or does it differ? What other countries share similar qualities in their own populist movements? He has surprising answers.
Shop, Pray, Run
The pandemic has transformed, perhaps forever, how we experience the most banal of activities. In this episode, we hear why Miriam Herschlag keeps muttering “amen” on her evening jogs in Jerusalem, and Ann Bar-Dov's epic journey to pick up groceries in Karmiel.
The “Small Screen, Big Government” Edition
We discuss: our new and biggest gov' in history; whether broadcasting live Supreme Court hearings will add to the stature of the court, or diminish it; whether or not an Evangelical cable TV station broadcasting in Hebrew should keep its license.
A Gazillion Stuffed Eggplants
This is the second episode on the Hebrew word מלא. Derived from it is the slang word מלאנתלפים (malantalafim). What does it mean and how do we say “a stuffed eggplant”?
In God We Trust? Nationalism and Secularization Revisited
Dr Zohar Maor, co-editor of “Nationalism and Secularization,” discusses new views on the crux of political modernity, and old views revisited.
The “A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery Inside an Enigma Tucked in a Virus” Edition
We discuss the Supreme Court’s earth-shaking verdict, why Israel is suddenly racing to undo coronavirus restrictions, and a crowdsource campaign to pay the legal fees for a British woman assaulted by Israeli young men in Cyprus
Getting Better
Noam Shuster was having her dream year at Harvard when the pandemic hit. On her way back to Israel, she contracted COVID-19. She tell the tale of her stint in a "corona hotel" where she was found a microcosm of a fractious society bound together in radical compassion by a shared cough.
“Ladies From the Bible Tell Their Tales”
The bible devotes quite a bit of space to the minds of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — we know how they feel, what makes them angry or happy. Through her poetry, Karen Alkaly-Gut gives the matriarchs a voice.
Sorry, We’re Fully Booked
In Hebrew, מלא means full, like how we feel after eating too many fries. So what does the phrase מודה בפה מלא mean? Guy discusses the root מ.ל.א
Tough Love or Tough Luck? EU and the Middle East Peace Process
Hugh Lovatt of the European Council on Foreign Relations explains the EU dilemmas regarding Israel, Palestine and an elusive peace.
The “Pandemic & Patriarchy” Edition
Who killed the Labor Party? Is art an essential need, and should artists receive priority governmental support? How might the coronavirus be a feminist issue, and is it time for “feminist civil disobedience?”
Fraught Friends: Israel and the EU, Past and Present
Israel and the EU were both founded following WWII - Israel would protect the Jews and the EU would inoculate the continent from another war. Yet their relationship with each other has been uneven. Dr. Maya Sion of Hebrew University explains why.
Back Porch Kaddish
Bill Slott brings us a personal story of a community gathering closely together while safely keeping its distance.
The “What is Israeli?” Edition
What do we need to know about the just signed coalition agreement? Do Israelis have less of a stomach for COVID-19 deaths than people in other countries? On this independence day we ask, what is Israeli?
The “Winners & Losers, Accusers & Excusers” Edition
Are the ultra-Orthodox parties the big “winners” of the new coalition? Do we need an app that allows us to virtually visit old military outposts in Lebanon? Is it the responsibility of Israelis abroad to present Israel in a good light?