The Promised Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The "73!" Edition Apr 14, 2021

Show notes

In celebration of Yom Ha-Atzma'ut, Israeli Independence Day, stories about what the day means to us, from our family to yours!

Plus, classic songs from the old Israeli songbook, performed by a new generation.

The "Fit for the Job?" Edition Apr 08, 2021

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and Times of Israel Ops & Blogs Editor Miriam Herschlag 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

—What Now?—

The President just asked the Prime Minister (who is standing trial for corruption) to form Israel's next government. Should he have? What the hell happens next?

—Make My Standard a Double!—

Is it hypocritical of PM Netanyahu and his supporters to form a coalition with the support of the Islamist Ra'am Party?

—My President?—

By June, Israel will have to elect a new president. Who should she be?

—Trying to Make Sense of It—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion, we talk about the parole of Rushdi Hamdan Abu Mukh, after serving 35 years of a sentence for the 1984 murder of 19-year old IDF corporal Moshe Tamam. Videos show Abu Mukh being cheered and hoisted on shoulders when he returned to his hometown of Baka al Garbia, causing Tamam's family to call for Abu Mukh to be stripped of his Israeli citizenship. What should we make of this sad, sad thing?

All that and Bilgo!

The "Far-Fetched Fixes" Edition Apr 01, 2021

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

—Way Out—

Israel's political stalemate can maybe be solved by a law disqualifying PM Netanyahu (and anyone else standing trial for felonies) from heading a new government. But is it kosher to pass a law meant to end one specific person's political career?

—Robot Soldiers—

New autonomous weapons patrolling the border with Gaza keeps militants from crossing into Israel without endangering the lives of Israeli soldiers. Is that great news or awful news, or maybe somehow both?

—What is a Museum of the Jewish People a Museum Of?—

$100 million and hundreds of thousands of hours went into reimagining the Diaspora Museum as "Anu: The Museum of the Jewish People." What's the new place have to tell us about Jews?

—Living in a Bubble?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion, after the city-by-city election results show that Tel Aviv elected a completely secular, left-wing coalition and that Jerusalem elected a completely religious, mostly ultra-Orthodox right-wing coalition, we wonder if we're living in a bubble that keeps us from understanding what people think and feel 45 minutes up the road from us.

All that and Groove Salad (being Boaz Giller and Liat Haber)!

The "What's All This Talk About Electile Dysfunction?!?" Edition Mar 25, 2021

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman, Sally Abed and Noah Efron talk about Israel's elections this week:

What should we make of the surprising success and kingmaker role of the Islamicist Ra'am party?

The Kahanists in the Knesset? The better-than-anyone-predicted showing of Benny Gantz and the Blue & White party? The relative failure of the right-winger who wanted to replace Netanyahu, Gideon Sa'ar and Naftali Bennett? The relative success of the Labor Party and liberal-left Meretz? The stalwart centrist Yair Lapid? What's it all say about the state of our collective soul? What's it all augur for the future?

—You Voted for Whom?!—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion, we – in a fit of self-disclosure – spill about who we voted for, and why.

All that and two of Israel's greatest young opera singers, Shani Oshri & Noam Lowenstein, singing roots music in Ladino (see their beautiful online show next Monday)!

The "Can't Spell Campaign Without Manic or Panic" Edition Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and Ohad Zeltzer-Zubida 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

—A Pre-Election Reflection—

This election campaign was maybe the weirdest in Israel's history. What the hell just happened?

—Red Ties, Blue Ties—

Netanyahu has one. Saar has one. Bennett has one. Lapid has one. Lieberman has one. And Gantz has one. How to all the American political consultants running our election campaigns affect Israeli politics?

—On the Road and Off the Derekh—

If you're born a religious Zionist in Israel, there's a one in three chance you'll be secular when you grow up. Is that a fact that matters??

—Taking Two for the Team—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion, we discuss the many (and growing) calls for Meretz and Blue&White to withdraw from the election, essentially self-immolating on the Mr.-Spockian grounds that "logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Should two center-left parties euthanize themselves, for the sake of the rest of us?

All that and Mayco, celebrating the release of her socko first EP!

The "Admiration & Condemnation" Edition Mar 11, 2021

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

—Lion in Winter—

The number of Israelis who think Benjamin Netanyahu is most fit to be Prime Minister has tumbled over the past few weeks. Why and what's it mean about the upcoming elections?

—Us & Them—

A study finds Israeli teens don't trust teens who are different than they are. Why? What can be done?

—Raffish Women—

Is there maybe a special, nuclear-grade misogyny reserved for tough, brash, in-your-face, Mizrahi women, who are among our most successful (and most disparaged) leaders today?

—Whoa, This Is Terrible! (Or, Yay This Is Great?)—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra segment, we talk about some spectacular new investigative reporting by Allison and Judy Maltz: "How Christian Evangelical Money and Biblical Prophecy Are Driving Immigration to Israel."

All that and the inspiring Shai Meshulam Project!

The "Right Thinking Men" Edition Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and 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

—Right Thinking Men—

Gideon is on the outs with Bibi, Naftali says he won't hang with Yair, Avigdor says Arye, Moshe & Yaakov can f*ck off, Bibi says Bezalel's great, but Itamar is only o.k. The dynamics of the leaders of Israel's right-wing parties have the subtle complexity of a middle school pool party. What does this augur for Israel's future?

—Courting Change—

The Supreme Courts decides that the state must recognize as Jews (for the arcane purposes of the Law of Return) folks converted by Reform and Conservative rabbis in Israel, and it's like the whole country just stepped on the 3rd rail. Why is this controversial and what's it all mean?

—The People of the Dynamic Meeting Space—

Is there a place for books in Israeli libraries in 2021?

—Two Shots Plus a Week—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra segment, we take out our "Green Passports" and discuss what life is like for those of us who have two shots plus a week.

All that and Yael Mess, who you're gonna be hearing a lot of pretty soon!

The "Low Marx?" Edition Feb 25, 2021

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

—Idol in the Sanctuary—

Are ultra-Orthodox attacks on Labor Party candidate, Reform Rabbi Gilad Kariv, legitimate political scrabbling, or some weird sort of herem, or religious excommunication?

—Blue is the New Red?—

Has Israel's right just embraced the labor movement?

—Woke—

What is so infuriating about political correctness?

—WTF SNL?!—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion, we talk about the fufera over a six-second gag on last week's episode of Saturday Night Live implying that Israel's vaccine policy may give preference to Jews. Oy!

All that and a celebration of Borito, on the occasion of their first record!

The "Carrots & Sticks" Edition Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Ohad Zeltzer-Zubida, Sally Abed 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

—Likud, 2021: What's Left of the Right?—

Some longtime Likudniks lament that the party ain't what it used to be. If that's true, then what is it now?

—Carrots & Sticks—

Is there a fair way to cajole people to vaccinate? Fining 'em? Keeping 'em from working? Banning them from basketball arenas? Public shaming?

—Green, Yes. New, Sure. But Is It a Deal?—

Is this the time for a "New Green Deal for Israel"?

—The Weirdest Political Ads of the Week (Part 2)—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion, we once again discuss new and notable election videos that told us something we didn't know about the parties and candidates running in next month's elections.

All that and Irit Dekel!

The "Courts: Of Public Opinion & the Other Kind" Edition Feb 11, 2021

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

—Lapidary Matters—

So maybe Yair Lapid is more than a pretty-boy empty suit?

—Day in Court—

The International Criminal Court says that Palestine is a state and Israelis must stand trial for war crimes. "Pure anti-semitism," as PM Netanyahu says? Or something else?

—The Revolution Is in the Mail—

New political magazines, printed on paper and sent in the mail, hope to foment revolution in Israeli politics. Do they have a chance of influencing people, in an age of Twitter?

—The Weirdest Political Ads of the Week (Part 1)—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion, we watch some of the weirdest political ads of the week, and try to understand what they're trying to tell us.

All that and the beautiful disrespectful covers of old songs by one of Israel's greatest songwriters, Yankele Rotblit!