“The Promised Podcast is my lifeline to all things Israel. Particularly when abroad in the galut. These are witty, smart, insightful Israelis who are always informative and fun to listen to.”
— Axel Chitlin
“This podcast is fabulous: fun, witty, musical, inspired. Talk about Israel and issues by critical Americans who live in and love Israel. My favorite part of each podcast is the closing portion, What a Country! Try this, you will love it!”
— BerniceHP
“I download the latest from this crew. Trends are emerging from each of the regulars that are fascinating albeit unknown to themselves. A reality show for Zionists!”
— Evan Canter
Recent Episodes
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
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
About the Hosts
Noah Efron
Noah aspires to make his living as a professional podcast host, raising bloviating to high art. It was his childhood dream. He teaches at Bar Ilan University, where he was founding chairperson of the program in Science, Technology & Society. He served on the Tel Aviv-Jaffa City Council. Noah also played bass for an ill-fated band named Liquid Plumr, and has run marathons, slowly, on three continents. He lives in Tel Aviv with his wife, daughter, son, dog, and cat. His greatest regret is that he is not Nora Ephron.
Allison Kaplan Sommer
Allison was the Fall 2017 Arnold Distinguished Visiting Chair in Jewish Studies. She has been a journalist and columnist for Haaretz since 2012. She is the former Washington DC correspondent, feature writer and critic for the Jerusalem Post, and has written on a freelance basis for U.S. publications, including the New Republic, Politico, The Forward, and JTA. Originally from Rhode Island, she earned her B.A. in English and Theater at Wesleyan University and her M.A. from the Columbia School of Journalism. She moved to Israel in 1993 and lives in Ra’anana with her husband and three children.
Don Futterman
Don is the Israel Program Director of the Moriah Fund and Director of the Israel Center for Educational Innovation. He is a columnist for Haaretz, and has written for the Daily Beast, the San Francisco Chronicle, Tikkun, Moment, and other periodicals. Don was a commentator for public radio in San Francisco and Seattle, and before that — an iniquity of youth — a professional actor and story-teller.
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