Show Notes
Linda Gradstein, Don Futterman and Noah Efron talk about (1) The very viral essay by Yossi Klein Halevi, pressing Israelis to finally engage in the moral conversation that we have, until now, avoided, and (2) The new 5785 Jewish People Policy Institute's Annual Assessment of the Jewish People, basically a report card for the Jewish people, and why our grades are so lousy, and what we ought to do about it. For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How did we welcome the New Year, in this seemingly, endless groundhog day of despair? Plus, the short, beautiful life of Eran Shelem, of Blessed Memory, and weddings, cruises and prayers for the New Year!
More from The Promised Podcast
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!
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.
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."
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.
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.)