The Promised Podcast

Linda and Noah talk about (1) Head of the General Security Agency, or Shabak, Ronen Bars affidavits to the Supreme Court that one journalist says will shape the security and democratic future of the State of Israel; and (2) The strange quantum-entanglement of the Holocaust and October 7^th, and whether we learn anything about the one event from the other.

All this and, ahead of Memorial Day, last words left by soldiers for their families.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The controversy behind this years picks to light the Mesuot.

Miriam Herschlag, Sara Hirschhorn and Noah Efron talk about (1) The open-letter from Airforce reservists and retirees, calling on the Government to end the war, the army’s scorched-earth response, and the flood of letters-of-support for the original letter – What’s it all mean?; and (2) The decision by Hebrew University’s elite publishing house, Magnes, to shelve plans to publish a Hebrew translation of Mein Kampf, and whether or not there is a place on Israeli shelves for Hitler’s now-100-year-old manifesto.

All this and a singular record launch, a memorial tribute to Yaakov Kirschen, the auteur behind “Dry Bones,” and meeting a legend of Israeli song.

Linda Gradstein, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron talk about (1) the IDF’s at-least-partly debunked explanation for how and why 15 Palestinians in rescue vehicles were shot dead by Israeli soldiers in Rafah, and (2) Prime Minister Netanyahu’s embarrassing visit to the White House this week.

All this and new glosses on the Passover Haggadah, a living-room recital and a debate among memorial posters. Plus, music from “The Safe Space Sessions”!

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How is this Passover different from all other Passovers?

Linda Gradstein, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron talk about (1) the anti-Hamas demonstrations in Gaza and what, if anything, we learn from them about the hearts and minds of Gazans, and (2) on the fifth anniversary of the pandemic, how, if at all, COVID-19 changed us as a society and as individuals.

All this and bagels, boondoggles and kabbalistic blessings. Plus, brand new music of our troubled times.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Qatargate?

A hundred years ago this week, a Hebrew University was founded in Jerusalem.