The “Quid Pro Squat” Edition
We discuss 1) whether loyalty remains a virtue when applied to an indicted politician like PM Netanyahu 2) the claim of some scholars that the courts are wrong to criminalize the complicated you-wash-my-hands-I’ll-wash-yours relationships between politicians and journalists, of the sort at the basis of 2 of the 3 indictments of the PM
This Week’s Israeli Soundtrack
Kol Cambridge is back and bigger than ever with brand new releases from Omer Adam, Idan Raichel, A-WA and many many more!
Leah Goldberg’s “Room for Rent”
No Israeli childhood experience would be complete without Leah Goldberg. Her story “Room for Rent” was published in 1948 and is one of the most classic children’s books available in Hebrew.
Avishai Margalit on Betrayal
Avishai Margalit discusses his book “On Betrayal,” a philosophical exploration of the similarities and differences between adultery, treason and apostasy as well as other forms of breach of trust.
The “Going, Going, Gantz!” Edition
We discuss 1) the failed coalition-forming strategy of Benny Gantz 2) the fear that maybe the recent skirmish with the rocket-firing Islamic Jihad in Gaza was timed for political purposes 3) a brouhaha over an ultra-Orthodox-run NGO that helps people navigate Israel’s health care system
Bad Advice
This episode features true stories on the theme “Bad Advice,” as told by Benji Lovitt, Elana Dorfman, Julia Mor, Sarah Goldberg, Milton Roller and Miriam Herschlag.
Shira Geffen’s “The Heart-Shaped Leaf”
This month we continue our spotlight on beautifully written and illustrated Israeli children’s books translated into English with “The Heart Shaped Leaf,” by Shira Geffen and illustrated by David Polonsky.
Church, State and Hospital: Haredi Encounters With Healthcare Services
Dr Ben Kasstan, medical anthropologist at the University of Sussex and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, discusses his new book “Making Bodies Kosher: The Politics of Reproduction Among Haredi Jews in England.”
The “We 3 at Z3” Edition
We discuss 1) a newly proposed constitution of the Jewish People, by the Jewish People, and for the Jewish People 2) whether and how American Jews have left an imprint on Israel, and Israeli Jews have left an imprint on America 3) the debate among leftist Jews over Zionism, that pits Jewish Zionists against Jewish Anti-Zionists
Kol Cambridge’s Mishpachat TACT Soundtrack
On this episode of Kol Cambridge, we’re celebrating some of our favorite songs from Subliminal and his TACT family following a special request from one of our loyal listeners!
“The Mermaid in the Bathtub”
Some of Marcela's favorite children’s books have been written by well known poets and illustrated by some of Israel’s most talented artists. This episode features “The Mermaid in the Bathtub,” written by Nurit Zarchi and illustrated by Rutu Modan.
The Jewsraelis: Portrait of a People, Portrait of a Nation
Shmuel Rosner, journalist, editor and senior research fellow at JPPI discusses his new book, “Israeli Judaism,” an attempt at a snapshot of current Israeli attitudes towards Judaism as a religion, as peoplehood and as tradition.
The “Gantz Is the New Rabin?” Edition
We discuss 1) Gantz’s efforts to channel the spirit of Yitzhak Rabin 2) a demand by the head of the union of IAI workers that the company be privatized 3) the bruhaha over the sale-at-auction of a 1937 letter written by an 11 year old who was later murdered in Auschwitz
Nano Shabtai’s “Corn”
For the next few weeks, we will feature new, up-and-coming writers whose work have recently been translated to English. Nano Shabtai is known in Hebrew arts and letters as a poet, dramatist and director.
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.
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.
Who Is a Gentile?
Rabbi Sigalit Ur, a research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, discusses her study encompassing hundreds of dialogues between Jews and Gentiles in Rabbinic literature.