The Promised Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The "The Falcon & the Falconer" Edition Jan 05, 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

—This Time Feels Different—

When historians look back, will they say the elections of 2022 were when Israel changed forever (and not necessarily for the better)?

—You're Not the Judge of Me!—

If two people fighting who owes who what, and they both want to be tried by a rabbi instead of a judge, is that cool?

—Why Do Israeli College Kids Speak So Pretty and Write So Poorly?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Why do Israeli college kids speak so pretty and write so poorly?

All that and the election of Israel's first Gay Knesset Speaker, along with various and sundry wonders experienced on busses and in movie theaters. Plus, the spectacular music of The Revivo Project!

The "Getting the Book of Books on the Books" Edition Dec 29, 2022

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

—The Paper It's Written On?—

What good are the new "coalition agreements" Benjamin Netanyahu just signed, if the guy is already saying he ain't gonna honor at least some of them? Netanyahu promised, he just did not promise to keep his promise.

—Getting the Book of Books on the Books—

There's a new proposed "Basic Law: Torah Study" that gives learning Talmud in a Yeshiva the same weight and status as commanding a tank in the IDF. Is it finally time to make the Torah nice and legal?

—Getting up Early and Staying Up Late to Serve the Jewish People in Toronto—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: While you're living your life, Tamar Sommer is getting up early and staying up late to serve the Jewish People in Toronto. We hear what its like up there in the frozen North.

All that and the old-new hotel Einstein slept in in Tel Aviv, beached plastic plates in Ashkelon, and the category-defying music of Uri Brauner Kinrot, on his own and with friends.

The "Through Sally's Eyes" Edition Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

Ever since the elections produced what the elections produced, including a new Minister in charge of the police who used to have hanging on his wall, as a tribute, a picture of a man who murdered 29 Palestinian worshippers in the Tomb of the Patriarch, we've been wondering what our Sally Abed makes of all this. This week, finally, we had a chance to ask.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Same Old, Same Old?—

What's Sally think?

—Yet Another New Left?—

Has the time come for a new left – of, by and for Jews & Palestinians together – that leaves Zionism checked at the door?

—What's J Street's Convention Like for Someone Not So American, Not So Jewish?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What was it like at the J Street Progressive, American, Jewish lobby convention for Sally, who is plenty progressive, but not so much American and not so much Jewish?

That and the world's biggest Lego Hanukah menorah, the Bureau for the Search for Relatives, and the music of Osher Bachta!

The "Separation Contemplation" Edition Dec 15, 2022

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

—The Other Two-State Solution?—

More and more progressive Israeli Jews dream of separation from the more religious, more right wing Jews. What's up with that?

—J Street 2.0—

J Street unveiled a new vision at its recent conference. Is this J Street 2.0?

—Happy 120th Kfar Saba!—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Kfar Saba celebrates 120, and Don tells us what's to love about his home town, as it reaches its biblical allotment of years.

All that and a farewell to the great guitarist and song-writer, Yitzhak Klepter, who passed away this week. May his memory be for a blessing.

The "Salt & Pfeffer" Edition Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

Noah Efron and Times of Israel Ops & Blogs impresario Miriam Herschlag 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

—Rock of Our Salvation?—

Why do so many people think that giving the head of a homophobic party control over school enrichment programs might be the worst thing Benjamin Netanyahu has ever done?

—The Jewish War—

Israel's new government to American Jews: F*ck you?

—That Kid Who Yelled That Thing at That Protester—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: That kid who yelled that thing at that protester, and whether he ought to spend a week in jail for it.

All that and the outpouring of love in Israel for Morocco's great World Cup team, good and bad neighborhoods, the Palestinian head of one of the country's most important environmental organizations, and how cassette tapes changed Israeli music forever. All that and music by Jenny Penkin!

The "Can't Spell 'Minister Ben Gvir' Without 'Bite Me'" Edition Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

Noah Efron and journalist-extraordinaire Linda Gradstein 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

—Can't Spell "Minister Ben Gvir" Without "Bite Me"—

Minister Ben Gvir?!?

—This Time, It's Personal—

Anything wrong with tidying up a 'Basic Law' so Aryeh Deri can become a minister just four years after admitting to tax evasion?

—Good Wine Can't Possibly Be Bad for Me!—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: With such good Israeli wine, why ever get sober?

All that and a remembrance of Amnon De Hartog, plus Tom Schneid, the "first queer rapper" since the Torah was given at Sinai!

"The Man in the Room Where It Happened" Edition Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

Noah Efron and Professor, Environmental Activist and outgoing Member of Knesset Alon Tal 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

—Is a Dream a Lie?—

Did Israel's outgoing government prove that right-center-left-Arab-Jewish politics is possible? Or did it prove that it's impossible?

—White Knight?—

Should Benny Gantz break his promise, join Netanyahu's government, and save us from the Kahanists and the homophobes?

—Good COP Bad COP?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Good COP bad COP?

All that and a website that handicaps the World Cup according to how good each country has been to the Jews. Plus, the R&B and hip hop of Ariella Baruh!

The "Slippery Slopes" Edition Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

Don Futterman, Noah Efron and journalist-extraordinaire Linda Gradstein 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

—Yes, Virginia, There is an Override Clause—

All the parties in Netanyahu's presumptive coalition agree to pass a law letting the Knesset to overrule the Supreme Court's striking down laws passed by the Knesset. What happens now?

—Ungrandfathering the Grandchild Clause—

Why do the religious parties all want to change the Law of Return so it applies to fewer people?

—Nom Nom Nom—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Places we like to eat and drink.

All that and Huberman's Stradivarius, Mossi Raz's mission and Rosa and the Salmons!

The "The Fault Lies Not in Our Star, but in Merav Michaeli?!?" Edition Nov 10, 2022

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

Earth's Promise שבועת האדמה Donation: https://bit.ly/Earthsgive Website: https://www.earthspromise.org.il/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/earthspromise

—Murder on the Election Express—

Who's to blame for the loss of the center left?

—Not That Kind of a Jewish State—

Are the very religious parties that will make up half of Netanyahu's coalition hoping to turn Israel into a Halakhic State?

—Keep Your Politics to Your… Students?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: A college president we've got affection for gets himself into hot water by trashing the newly elected government in a letter he sent to all the students at his school. Should academics stay silent when they think the country is going in a dangerous direction?

All that and Tula Ben Ari!

The "As the Dust Settles" Edition Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

As the very last votes are still being counted, Miriam, Don and Noah try to make sense of the election results that will bring Benjamin Netanyahu back to the Prime Minister's office, and what they say about the heart and soul of the country, and what they do to our own hearts and souls.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—As the Dust Settles—

What just happened?

—The ״Battle for Israel״—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: After the votes are counted, Haaretz prints an editorial enlisting us in the "Battle for Israel." But is that really what it's come to?

All this and songs for pondering elections!