The Promised Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The "Normativities & Their Discontents" Edition Jun 09, 2022

Show notes

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

—Temporary Regulations Make Temporary Governments—

Israel's government fails to renew temporary provisional regulations first put into place in 1967 by then Minister of Defense Moshe Dayan, and renewed 18 times since then, regulations that allow Israeli law to apply to Israeli citizens living in the West Bank which, by Israeli and International law both, is not part of Israel proper. What now?

—Can't Spell "Heteronormativity" Without TV—

Israel's biggest reality show just married off two hunky, dreamy gay guys? Is one small step towards heteronormativity a giant leap for LGBTQ folks?

—I've Got BDS On My Mind —

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: As Ohad buys pencils and notebooks to get ready to go to PhD school in America, is BDS on his mind?

All this and Shim, in honor the release of her new EP, and in honor of the show in honor of the release of her new EP at Levontin 7, on June 22, at 10

The "Jerusalems" Edition Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

On the week of a tense Jerusalem Day, Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron talk about the capital city and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Al-Quds—

An EU-funded, UN-midwifed Palestinian Authority plan sets out how Jerusalem will be developed as the capital of Palestine by 2030. Some Israelis decry this as a stratagem to undermine Israeli sovereignty over a united Jerusalem, which it sort-of is, but is that necessarily a bad thing?

—Ir ha-Kodesh—

Ask someone in Tel Aviv what they think about Jerusalem, and they'll probably tell you that they don't think about Jerusalem.

—Jerusalem's Hidden Gems—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What are a few of the most charming unsung (or undersung) spots to see in Jerusalem?

All this and hip-hop by Jerusalem favorite son, Guy Mar!

The "Thank You for Your Service" Edition May 26, 2022

Show notes

On Don's birthday and the day before Miriam's, Don Futterman, 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

—The MK Formerly Known as Ex-Member of the Coalition Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi—

Mertz MK Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi quits the coalition, sending Israeli politics into turmoil, only to rejoin three days later. What the hell was that about?

—Thank You for Your Service—

After days of vicious debate, Israel's coalition and opposition agree to pay college tuition for discharged combat soldiers. Is that really a good idea?

—Denied of the Valkeries—

Wagner died 140 years ago. Is it time to put to rest our Gevalt-by-Association, and let his music boom from Tel Aviv stages?

—Son of a Surgeon—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Don just dropped an amazing podcastilogical monologue about growing up his father's son, and we hear all about it, not just from the author, but also from the auteur!

All this and a new debut record by Joav Ben-Moshe!

The "Future of the Past" Edition May 19, 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

—Nakba—

Nakba Day memorializes as a tragedy the day when a Jewish State was reborn after two thousand tumultuous, stateless years. What can an Israeli Jew say to that?

—How We Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Microchip—

An old joke says: The food at that restaurant is terrible and the portions are too small! The Bank of Israel says: High-tech is tearing Israel apart, and we need more of it. Which one is funnier?

—The Netanyahus—

A Pulitzer Prize presents for a packs-a-punch parable about the parent of a past premier.

—Lag B'Omer: Then and Now—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: We talk about Lag B'Omer's past, and whether and how the holiday is changing in front of our eyes.

All this and new songs by Tzuf/Zohar/Inbal!

The "Alon Again, Naturally" Edition May 12, 2022

Show notes

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

Listen to the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Shireen Abu Akleh, Z"L—

After Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian Al-Jazeera reporter, was shot and killed in cross-fire outside Jenin, everyone was sure they knew who pulled the trigger.

—A Bitter Cabbage Pill to Swallow—

Can a government without a majority do its job?

—Plus Climat Change, Plus C'EST la Même Chose—

Is a bad climate bill worse than no bill at all?

—The Death of A Colleague—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Linda and Allison talk about the sorts of relationships that evolve between Israeli and Palestinian journalists, and how they experience Shireen Abu Akleh's killing as the death of a colleague.

All this and songs about cats, by Keren & Tammuz!

The "A Sovereign Jewish State after 2,000 Years, and All I Got was this Lousy Podcast" Edition May 04, 2022

Show notes

Allison, Don, Ohad, Amit, Linda, Jeremy & Noah talk about what Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, means to them, on the eve of Israel's 74th.

All that and old Songs of Independence, made new again!

The "Now and Then" Edition Apr 28, 2022

Show notes

Sally Abed, Allison Kaplan Sommer 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

—Violence Season—

Is it inevitable that seasons of calm are replaced by seasons of violence, just as winter gives way to spring?

—Shmandemic—

Israel's government ends the mask mandate and says: Lighten up, happy days are here again. Did the almost 4,000 people a day still getting COVID miss the memo?

—Then, Now—

Can we, and should we, have a Holocaust Day that is not just Jewish but also Israeli?

—What's Our Take Away From PM Bennett's High Take-Away Expenditures?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: After Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is lavishly lambasted, lamented and lampooned after it came out that his family spends 800 shekels a day on take-out, he tweets that he'll pay for the damn take-out with his high-tech millions. What should our take-away be?

All this and music for Yom ha-Shoah and every other day of the year

The "Heroism of the Milker" Edition Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

In this very-special episode, Noah tells the story of a kibbutz that surrendered to the Egyptian army in 1948, and the wounds that have never really healed.

The "With Great Freedom" Edition Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

Don Futterman, Noah Efron and superstar reporter 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 on Patreon

—Wages of Sin—

Are the crimes of terrorists visited on their loved ones?

—Rest in Peace?—

Should dead people be dug up and downsized into ossuaries a year after they're buried? Some rabbis, scholars and environmental activists say, absolutely!

—As If We Left Egypt—

What does it mean to "see ourselves as if we ourselves left Egypt," in this moment of viruses and violences, of refugees and unrest.

—No Funding For You—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Nineteen celebrated progressive American Rabbis act to keep donations from American Jews from reaching far-right-wing Israeli groups like the anti-gay, anti-miscegenation, Jewish supremacist organization Lahava. That's a good thing, right?

All this and rocking Passover-ish pop!

"The Centre Cannot Hold" Edition Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and environmentalist & Judaicist extraordinaire Jeremy Benstein discuss three 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

—Wave?—

Three terror attacks on civilians in three city centers in eight days, leaving eleven dead. Is Israel facing a new round of violence?

—A Half-Baked Coalition Going Sour?—

The chairwoman of the coalition bolted to the opposition, leaving the future of Israel's government uncertain. Israel may go to elections over what now?

—"Anti-zionism" as a "Core Value"?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: A shul in Chicago votes that "anti-Zionism" is a "core value." Should we care?

All this and your first exposure to a tremendous new musical talent, Aviv Peck!