Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and newly-minted Doctor of Thinkology Gilad Halpern discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Abstention Dissension
There seems to be a very fast decline in US-Israel relations, after the Americans abstain on a UN Security Council resolution that Israel expected them to veto. Are Israel and America, like Ross and Rachel, on a break?
Standard Deviation
An expert in urban warfare says Israel is more careful to protect the lives of civilians in Gaza than any other army in history. But even if that is true, does it matter?
The Great Rupture in American Jewish Life
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Is Peter Beinart right that there is a “great rupture in American Jewish life”? If he is, should we worry?
Plus a farewell to a man who spent decades rebuilding violins that survived the Holocaust, often when the musicians who played them did not. Plus more music of our times.
Songs
- Eden Ben Zaken — Dam Sheli
- Omer Adam — Lishtof et ha-Etzev
- Netta Barzilai — Big Love
What was the name of the Cafe that Noah so beautifully described at the beginning? Couldn’t find it on Google.
Nomena Roasters