The Promised Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The "Primaries & Calumnies" Edition Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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

—In Labor—

After its recent primaries, does Labor still look like a party that could ever rule Israel again?

—Likud: The Screwed, Renewed and Netanyahu'ed—

After its recent primaries, has the Likud become a party "of Netanyahu, by Netanyahu and for Netanyahu"?

—Fifty Holocausts—

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says, in Berlin, dumb*ssedly, that Israel has perpetrated "fifty Holocausts." What, if anything, do we learn from that about the man and the government he represents?

—The Head-Scratching Over How to Translate ממלכתיות—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The new centrist party with former IDF chiefs-of-staff Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot picks a name that just can't be translated into English. What the hell does this word that David Ben Gurion made up – mamlakhtiut – mean, and how the hell do we translate it to English?

All this and a full-of-love-and-admiration good-bye to Tzvika Pick!

The "This Is Not Lite Summer Fare" Edition Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Sally Abed 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

—My War & Yours (& Ours)—

Can a Palestinian Israeli (like Sally) and a Jewish, Zionist Israeli (like Noah) find even a common language and common facts to talk about last week's rockets-and-bombs in and out of Gaza?

—My Atrocity & Yours (& Ours)—

Newly unsealed documents shed some brutal light on an atrocity done in 1956. What should they mean to us today?

—Is Israel's Left Paying Too Much Attention to Esoteric Things (Like Climate Change)?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: A candidate for the head of the liberal-left Meretz party says we should stop paying attention to esoteric things like climate change, and instead focus on what really matters: peace and democracy. What's wrong with that?

All this and Banot ha-Tom!

The "Songs of Experience" Edition Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and star journalist Linda Gradstein 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

—Smells Like Zionist Spirit—

Two small right-wing parties join to form "The Zionist Spirit". What's that all about?

—Gimme Shelter—

A judge orders a woman into protective custody when her ex and his family threatens her life. That can't be right, can it?

—Carry that Weight—

A study says that IDF inductees weigh 10 kg more these days, on average, than they did 40 years ago.

—PM Lapid's Vacation Lands Him in Hot Water—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Israel's (very) secular PM is raked over the coals when it comes out that he planned to be enjoying a vacation on Tisha B'Av, for religious folks a traditional day of fasting and mourning. Is it the job of Israel's Prime Minister to respect religious traditions that don't hold much meaning for him?

All this and Avital, on the release of her new record!

The "Stuck in the Middle With Who?" Edition Jul 28, 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

—One Man's Extremist—

Prime Minister Yair Lapid says he'll form a government "without extremists." What could possibly be wrong with that?

—If I Can't Dance—

Is there a "joy disparity" between Israel's happy-go-luck right and its bummed-out left, our pusses perennially soured?

—Who Thought That Breaking Shariah Law Was a Good Idea?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: A generally-considered-top-drawer-television-correspondent and Foreign Desk editor for prestigious Channel 13 nightly news, Gil Tamari, sneaks into Mecca for a "scoop" during the Haj, breaking Shariah Law, Saudi Law and the canons of human decency. What gives?

All this and the lovely Anat Moshkovski, in celebration of the birth of baby Adi!

The "Where Would We Be Without Camil Fuchs?" Edition Jul 21, 2022

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman 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

—Ben-Gvir, Bistu Schein?—

The popularity of a one time acolyte of Rabbi Meir Kahane is growing leaps and bounds. Why?

—Energy Drain—

Why are the leaders of Israel's liberal-left Meretz party, dropping out like flies?

—From Zion Will Come Our Salvation—

Will video marriage in Utah solve Israel's wedding woes?

—No Shakes—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: A popular young Israeli singer does not shake President Joe Biden's outstretched hand because she observes the prohibition against Negiah, unmarried women and men touching each other, and Israeli social media explodes. Why was this a thing?

All this and Kob, as his great, new record, Kavanot Tovot, drops!

The "Let's Get Together & Feel Alright!" Edition Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

Miriam Herschlag, Don Futterman 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

—Biden' Time—

What is US President Joe Biden's visit to Israel much ado about, nothin' or sumpin'?

—New Blue, or the Great White Hope—

What do you get when a centrist party and a right wing party merge?

—Judaica mens in corpore Judaico—

Isn't it weird that there are Jewish Olympics, by Jews, of Jews and for Jews?

—Why Haven't Death and Bereavement Notices Changed in 100 Years?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Death and bereavement notices – the little signs that get printed up and hung around the neighborhood when someone dies, and on the door of the people sitting shiva – haven't changed a bit in a hundred years. Why? What accounts for the remarkable stability of this small-but-really-important cultural artifact?

All this and Nunu!

The "There Will Be Blood" Edition Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Miriam Herschlag 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 Torch Has Been Passed—

Yair Lapid, once a weight-lifting, party-going, celebrity hunk, is sworn in as Israel's 14th Prime Minister. What a long strange trip it's been.

—There Will Be Blood—

Why is menstruation trending in Israel?

—Dealing With Jewish Thugs—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Haredi thugs break up a Bat Mitzvah and two Bar Mitzvah's at the Wall in the most awful way. How do we cope with a thing like that?

All this and Amir Lev!

The "People" Edition Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

Sally, Miriam, Ohad, Don and Noah tell stories of people who made and make our lives worth living. Plus, duets and collaborations by singers we love. (If the stories sound familiar, it is because, as renowned folklorist Joseph Campbell said, there are tales that live deep in our collective unconscious, that all of us know without being told. That, and because we've played them on the podcast in the past.)

All this and duets and collaborations by singers we love!

The "Going to the Polls!/Not Going to the Poles!" Edition Jun 23, 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

—Going to the Polls!—

Prime Minister Bennett decides to throw in the towel and take the country to new elections. What does it say about what was, what is, and what will be?

—Not Going to the Poles!—

Foreign Minister (and soon-to-be replacement Prime Minister) Yair Lapid decides to cancel all high-school trips to concentration camps in Poland. Would we be better off rethinking entirely the way we think about Holocaust education?

—Where Do These Elections Find Us?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Does the prospect of new elections inspire anxiety, hope, or maybe just boredom?

All this and Idan Rafael Haviv!

The "Illin'?" Edition Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and prodigal son Ohad Zeltzer-Zubida 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

—Dead Man Governing?—

Is it time for Naftali Bennett to say when?

—"I Am Not Mentally Ill!"—

Why is ex-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suing ex-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and what's it say about Israeli politics?

—Falafel – Good or Icky?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: We were gonna talk about Iranian death squads in Istanbul, but we ended up talking about a more pressing issue: Falafel – Good or Icky?

All this and Maor Cohen!

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