What’s Eating Russian Artists?
Liza Rozovsky writes about contemporary Russian culture under ongoing forms of political oppression, alongside artistic expressions of the experiences former Soviet immigrants to Israel. Her subjects touch on alienation, marginalization, subversion and defiance in literature, drama, art and politics.
The “There’s No Government Like No Government” Edition
We discuss 1) whether this period without a new gov' is actually a good thing 2) the claim that no one in Israel’s history has done as much as Netanyahu to improve the practical circumstances of Palestinian Israelis 3) whether Tel Aviv sucks the oxygen away from other cities that could be great
This Week’s Israeli Soundtrack
On this episode of Kol Cambridge, we check out the new Mergui EP with special studio guests. We also dedicate some songs to all the Hebrew learners out there.
Ronny Someck’s “The Milk Underground”
Ronny Someck's poems in “The Milk Underground” deals with being a father of girls—adolescent and teenaged, young women. They explore the fraught territory of daughter’s bodies—body as dowry, body as a locus for pleasure and for betrayal, and the poems extend a fatherly embrace to the girls after their pained mother has broken off relations.
Shoo! Get out of Here!
How do you say “buzz off” or “beat it” in Hebrew? And how might it relate to paying off your mortgage? Guy explains.
We Forgave the Germans, and Then We Were Friends
How did Ben Gurion and first post-war German chancellor Konrad Adenauer become sincere political allies just a few years after the end of the war? David Witzthum, historian and longtime journalist, explores how Germany and Israel built a critical and controversial political alliance.
The “It’s All About the Benjamins” Edition
We discuss 1) whether Gantz should renege on his promise not to serve with Netanyahu, if indicted 2) what humanities in a Jewish state ought to be 3) the growing trend among rabbis to send folks whose Judaism is “questionable” to do DNA tests
Ayelet Tsabari’s “Barefoot and Enlightened”
Ayelet Tsabari, born in Israel to a large family of Yemeni descent, grew up in a suburb of Tel Aviv, served in the Israeli army, and travelled extensively. As an Israeli writer, Ayelet is unusual in that she usually writes in English, not Hebrew, though the essay we are featuring today was originally written in Hebrew.
Can You Hurry It Up? Quick!
Israelis need everything here and now, immediately. Preferably yesterday. That's why the Hebrew word זריז (zariz), quick or quickly, is constantly in use. This episode is a crash course (קורס מזורז) on the root ז.ר.ז.
Ben-Gurion: An Intimate Portrait
Historian and journalist Dr Tom Segev discusses his new book, “A State at all Costs: The Life of David Ben-Gurion,” a new biography of Israel's founding father that draws heavily on his newly declassified personal papers.
The “Nature of Politics” Edition
We discuss 1) a call for Israelis to avoid visiting streams, forests and archeological sites in the West Bank 2) an ambitious and controversial Jordanian-Palestinian-Israeli plan to build networks of desalination plants and solar arrays 3) who we’d invite into our Sukkah if we had world enough and time
Your Israeli Soundtrack for Sukkot
We've got a special Sukkot-themed show, including music for the holiday alongside new releases from Static & Ben-El, Stephane Legar, Eden Ben Zaken, Itai Levi and many more!
Welcoming in the Ushpizin: Poems for Sukkot
We’re currently in the days of Sukkot, in which Jews everywhere dwell in a temporary structure called a Sukkah. One of the customs of Sukkot is inviting guests for meals in the Sukkah, close friends or needy strangers.
You Shouldn’t Steal
In Hebrew, גנב (ganav) is a thief. Perhaps you already know its Yiddish pronunciation, ganef (גאַנעוו). But there are other, more exciting words that belong to the Hebrew root גנב, including several slang uses. Guy explains.
Jews as Political Football in Ukraine’s War
Reporter Sam Sokol traveled the Ukraine to cover Jewish communities as the country spiraled into conflict with Russia. He found that each side wanted to exploit the Jews for competing political purposes.
The “Language of a Common Dream” Edition
We discuss 1) whether a 3rd elections round would really be as bad as everyone says 2) whether the Hebrew language, that once unified Jews around the world, hasn’t lately begun to do exactly the opposite 3) the finale of the TV series Transparent, and what it says about how we ought (and ought not) practice Judaism in the 21st Century
Take a Look Around You
The Hebrew words סביב (saviv), סביבה (sviva), מסביב (misaviv), סבב (sevev), all come from the ס.ב.ב root. They also come in very handy in spoken Hebrew. So today, Guy explains the many words and phrases that stem from this interesting root.
The State of Syria, Through Israeli Eyes
Elizabeth Tsurkov is among the few Israelis to have visited Syria since the war began. She might be the only one to have interviewed a range of people, from Kurdish fighters to ISIS supporters to Alawites, about the future of the tortured country.
The “The President, the Prime Minister & the General” Edition
We discuss 1) Rivlin’s decision to anoint Netanyahu with the right-and-responsibility to form a government 2) Netanyahu’s efforts to form a government 3) Gantz’s insistence that he wants nothing more than a national unity government
The Kol Cambridge 5780 Soundtrack
Let's start the new year with new releases from Sarit Hadad, Omer Adam, Eve & Lear, and others, alongside holiday tunes to get us all in a new year's mood.
Amichai Chasson’s “Rami Levy in Talpiot”
This week, Marcela reads from Amichai Chasson, who like many international poets encountering America, has written his Walt Whitman in the supermarket poem titled, “Rami Levy in Talpiot.”
We Deserve Special Treatment
We all deserve to receive good customer service and to be treated with respect. But let's be real – that's not always the case. The Hebrew word יחס means treatment, attention, and service, while the plural יחסים means relations.
Losing/Finding My Religion
This episode features true stories on the theme “Losing/Finding My Religion,” as told by Chana Sperber, Elana Dorfman, Emanuel Shahaf, Gunther Oakey, Heather Stone, Sam Litvin, Milton Roller, and Yisrael Campbell.
The “The Band Plays On” Edition
Wracked with anxiety & anticipation about what new gov will take shape, Noah seeks solace with the boys of Liquid Plumr, the youthful garage band that was his transition from youth to an adult life in Israel. The boys discuss Zionism, Israel in the 80s, relations between Israeli & American Jews, and how the lives of their youngsters on both sides of the ocean differ from their own.
Put out the Fire
What does an Israeli judo champion mean when she says, האש כבתה לגמרי? In Hebrew, לכבות means to extinguish and to turn off. So please turn off all cell phones and listen as Guy explains all things כ.ב.ה.