Don, Noah, and special guest Debra Kamin discuss three topics of incomparable importance, and end with an anecdote each about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Pillorying Peres for pilfering

We discuss whether former PM and President Shimon Peres deserves to be pilloried for shilling for Israel’s richest and most rapacious bank, Bank HaPoalim, in exchange for $30,000 a month. “Say it ain’t so! Tell us we’re dreamin’, Shimon!”

The Culture Wars: “Burn, baby, burn!”

We discuss an essay by brilliant journalist, writer, cultural critic, screenwriter, and documentary film maker Nissan Shor, arguing that Israel is in flames, but the best thing to do is bring a bag of marshmallows and develop our appetite for destruction.

Celebrating Israel in the Age of Ambivalence

We ask how Independence Day should be celebrated in 2015, an age when ponderous ceremonies and jets-flying-overhead-in-formation may not be the sources of inspiration they once were, and when ambivalence saturates the land.

Playlist:

All songs by Arik Einstein, in honor of Yom Haatzmaut!

Sa Le’at
Habalada Shel Yoel Moshe Solomon
Ani ve-Ata
Yesh Bi Ahavah