The Promised Podcast

The "Old Ends & New Beginnings" Edition

The Promised Podcast

Show Notes

Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron talk about (1) our slow slouch seemingly back towards war on four fronts – Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran – why is it happening and where might it lead? and (2) what to make of three new political parties that have set themselves up, as we near the start of Knesset election campaigns. For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How does celebrating the Pilgrim's first year in the New World look and feel when you do it in the very old world of the Holy Land? All that and Isaac and ourselves, Israelis in paradisical Hawaii, and Opera in Tel Aviv. Plus, new music for these uncertain times.

More from The Promised Podcast

Oct 22, 2026

Linda Gradstein, Judah Ari Gross and Noah Efron ask, for each of the 13 parties that are most likely going to be in the next Knesset, why for their voters, they are just the party they want. For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: In elections that matter so much, should we be gaming out my vote, or just voting our hearts? Plus: Beagles and other breeds, the National Library, dancing for peace, and how, now, there are mohalot in Jerusalem!

Oct 15, 2026

Miriam and Noah talk about (1) Whether or not it's true, like so many people are saying, that the upcoming elections are maybe the most consequential in the country's history, and (2) How a small, new right-wing party might dash the hope that lots of us have for a better future after the elections. For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: For people who maybe care about Israel but don't live here, what are the most important things for them to understand about the upcoming elections and why? Plus: Rats, the new year, and a tribute to the great Bible scholar, Uriel Simon, of blessed memory.

Oct 8, 2026

Allison, Judah and Noah talk about (1) Why, despite all the hardships and miseries of the past three years, Benjamin Netanyahu is still a viable candidate for prime minister, and (2) What the hell are these elections about again?, as we seem to have lost the plot. For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What, if anything, does flydubai tell us about the souls of Israelis? Plus: Providence & flydubai, Shul dinners in the shadow of the war, staying at the Tel Aviv hotel where Eichman stayed, and crying on a plane with a charismatic Pentecostal named "Mama Moses."

Oct 1, 2026

Tehila Wenger, Rotem Ur Soco and Noah Efron talk about (1) The so-called "Statement of Principles" signed this week by the leaders of the so-called "Parties of Repair & Hope", and why it left us so-called "unimpressed", and (2) How schools ought to mark the third anniversary of October 7. For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Third anniversary of October 7, and things make only less sense now than they did before. Plus: Remembering a poet who really listened to kids, looking into the eyes of a Palestinian activist across the table and seeing something familiar, and the first cleansing rain of the new year.

Sep 24, 2026

In a very special episode in celebration of the holiday of Sukkot, Noah goes on about the etrog, its complicated past, and the hope it holds for the futures of all of us. (With two versions of Naomi Shemer's canonical Sukkot song, "Shlomit Bonah Sukkat Shalom", the one by Mashina, and the other by Ash&Buzi.)

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