Allison Kaplan Sommer, Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Elections Now?
Billboards all over the country and full-page ads in the papers call for new elections now. Is this a good idea?
The Draft on the Draft: Getting the Shaft?
A crisis is a terrible thing to waste.
Wartime Hookups
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What is it about war that makes people want to pair off?
All that and risking the lives of dozens of young men to save the lives of two old men, plus more moving songs of these troubled days.
Songs
- Naama Guggenheim — Halomot
- Guy & Yahel — Mechakim la-Or
- Banaia Barabi — Bein ha-Nahar La-Yam
I am really thankful for the report on the rescue of the two elderly hostages! This is the kind of actions I expected of the IDF all along – Kol haKavod! – but there is one puzzle piece missing in the philosophical equation: During the action there were quite a few „distraction bombings“, more or less random, killing – among terrorists – also at least 60 innocent civilians… How many of „them“ are reasonable to be killed for saving two of „ours“? A réal question for me, the words of an old shoa survivor ringing in my ears: „ there is no jewish, arab, german blood, just human blood. Plus that I find it interesting that this question didn‘t even occur to be part of the dilemma for Noam. Or did it?
Revilse, I apologize for not having seen your message earlier. I don’t think that the reports of this raid were, in fact, that 60 innocent civilians were killed. In fact, it seems that the people killed were Hamas fighters, of whom two battalions were involved in the firefight with the IDF. These fighters were there, in part, to keep the two elderly kidnap-victims from being released. So while I agree with the survivor who told you that there is only human blood (not Jewish, Palestinian, or German blood), I do not share your criticism of this operation.
Noah, your segment about the special forces rescue mission, and especially your reflections on “Alef” and “Yod” was incredibly moving, and while it’s not yet Pesach, I have a feeling that there’s a high holiday sermon in there somewhere. So a few things. 1. Thanks for all you do. You are an inspiration and a weekly Northern Star for me especially in these challenging times. 2. Any chance you can send me links to the articles you read about Alef and Yod? It’s ok if they are in Hebew – if I start now I’ll finish them just in time for Rosh HaShanah :). 3. My sermon will of course cite you and your wisdom on this matter. Thank you! – Jason Bonder who most famously was a left-handed pitcher for the Tel Aviv Lightning… I”m sure people still talk about the 2007 Israel Baseball League weekly, if not daily! 🙂
Jason! First of all (and obviously most importantly), Susan, the kids and I watched you play on the Baptist Village field back in 2007. I was mad for the IBL (and obviously a Lightning fan), and some of my happiest memories are from there in Petach Tikva or Hod Hasharon, or whereever that very strange baseball diamond was. You did an amazing thing, back when you were still so young, and you remain a family hero.
As for what you asked for, I’ll look for whatever sources I might have downloaded. When I prepared what I said, the rescue was all anyone was talking or writing about, so some of what I knew came from sources that I did not record. That said, I know that a lot of it came from watching videos, including the ones I will link to below. Please let me know if this is any help at all and, if not, I’ll try to be more helpful.
Arial video of troops entering the building: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=926312718687666
Firefight at building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43gXJcQ5ocQ
Interview with Yamam fighters: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1137419634116816
TV coverage of rescue (see especially video clip starting at 13:00): https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1137419634116816
This is perfect, Noah. Thank you! You spoke so movingly about this, and your words this week about the violin project were incredible as well. I hope that broadcasting via the podcast is bringing you some comfort in these impossibly difficult times. Shabbat Shalom!