The Promised Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The "Death & Property Taxes" Edition May 18, 2023

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Gaza Nova—

What the hell just happened between us and Gaza?

—Taxation, Like Charity, Begins at Home—

Redistribution of income seems like a good idea until it's your income being redistributed.

—It's Jerusalem Day! Yay or Oy?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: It's Jerusalem Day! So why do we feel so glum?

All that and the sad passing of Yael Greenberg, the kabbalistic numerology of the Eurovision, and the molting seal who won our hearts! Plus the talent and cool of Orca!

The "Power of the Eurovision" Edition May 11, 2023

Show notes

In honor of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, the crew shares thoughts and memories about one of the most important events of year!

Music

Lesser-known, but still great, songs from the Eurovision

1973 - Shlomo Artzi, At ve-Ani. 11th Place
1989 – Gili ve-Galit, Derekh Hamelekh. 12th Place
2000 – Ping Pong, Sameah!. 22nd Place
2009 - Ahinoam Nini & Mira Awad, Einayich / There Must Be Another Way. 7th Place
2020 – Eden Alena, Feker Libi. Contest Cancelled for Corona

The "Declarations" Edition May 04, 2023

Show notes

Ace reporter 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.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Million Person Protest—

More than 200,000 gather in Jerusalem to demonstrate their support of Netanyahu's judicial reforms. What do we learn from this?

—Declaration Contemplation—

People want to make Israel's Declaration of Independence into a basic law and the foundation of a constitution. But is that really a good idea?

—Independence Day's International Bible Contest—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What does it say about Israel that the beating heart of its Independence Day celebrations is an international Bible contest for teens?

All that and the International Bible Contest and the music of Yaara Top!

The "75" Edition Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

The crew tell share stuff in celebration of Israel's 75th Independence Day! Plus, one great song from each decade!

Songs from Paskol Shelishi, New songs inspired by Survivors

First Decade: He'amini Yom Yavo, Yaffa Yarkoni (1948)

Second Decade: Kol ha-Shavua Lach, Ha-halonot ha-gevohim (1967)

Third Decade: YoYa, Kaveret (1973)

Fourth Decade: Mihakim Lamashiach, Shalom Hanoch (1985)

Fifth Decade: Zan Nadir, Corrine Alal (1992)

Sixth Decade: Bo'ee, Idan Raichel Project (2002)

Seventh Decade: Malkat ha-Shoshanim, Eden Ben Zakken (2015)

Eight Decade: She-Rak Tehayekh, Yuval Dayan (2021)

The "Past & Present" Edition Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

Sally Abed, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Politics of Memory—

Is it possible to keep politics outside the gates of our cemeteries?

—Kids & Vids—

Seven Ashkenazi teens at a religious high school for girls make a video full of stereotypes about Sefaradim. Sure, it's icky, but what's it mean?

—Definitely Not Live—

There's a new duet by two of Israel's most revered, tragic, Yemenite singers, who have been dead for decades. What happens to culture, once AI can vanquish death?

—For Some, Like Sally, It's Going to Be a Complicated Week—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What is it like to be Sally, during this fraught eight-day-week from Holocaust Memorial Day, to Memorial Day for Israel's Fallen, to Independence Day?

All that and a farewell to Meir Shalev, Easter in the Galilee and the remarkable music of young Israeli artists inspired by the stories of aging Holocaust survivors.

The "The Rift" Edition Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

Miriam Herschlag, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Riff-Raff Rift—

Everyone's worried about "The rift splitting the nation." Is is real? And, if so, what's it all about?

—Not the New Jew We Wanted?—

Did 56 years of occupying the West Bank change the nature of the Jewish religion fundamentally (and not for the better)?

—My Mimouna—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: No reason to stay sober on Mimouna!

All that and the Dee family, and the hip-hop of Ariela Baruh!

The "Promised Podcast Pesach-Palooza!" Edition Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

A medley of favorite old stories and discussions about Passover by the people of the Promised Podcast. (After all, we read the same goddam Haggadah every year, and I don't hear anyone complaining about that!)

The "Not with a Bang, But with a Press Conference" Edition Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

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.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—The Hell?—

After 85 fever-dream days, what the hell just happened?

—Has Bibi Lost It?—

Is it time to administer Trump's old "Person-Woman-Man-Camera-TV" test to Benjamin Netanyahu?

—The Fightin' Joe—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Did Joe Biden just bitch-slap Benjamin Netanyahu?

All that and an appreciation of Yiddish poet Riva Basman Ben-Hayyim, may her memory be for a blessing, and the music of Dror Paz!

The "Oy and Thou" Edition Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and very special guest Mijal Bitton discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—The Best Laid Plans—

President Herzog's compromise plan for judicial reform failed straight out of the gate. But why?

—Ne'emanut Now—

Mijal explains her notion of "Ne'emanut" and how maybe there's more to morality than being principled.

—How Are Israel's Judicial Reforms Affecting Those On the Outside?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How does the fight over the courts here affect Jews in other places who care about Israel?

All that and the protest song just voted "the best song in Israel's history," plus the music of Benaia Barabi!

The "You and What Army?" Edition Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Insubordi-Nation—

There's a growing number of elite reservists who are refusing to serve in the IDF because of the judicial reform. Is staying home from an army a fair response?

—Secular Uprising?—

Haaretz's Anshel Pfeffer argues that the energy behind the protests comes mostly from secular folks who are fed up, once and for all, with religious folks. In the end, does it always comes down to religion?

—Israel's Unicorn—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Was Israel's next Eurovision song written by ChatGPT?

All that and Chaim Topol, may his memory be for a blessing, and the music of Rotem Cohen!

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