The Promised Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The '988 acres of land' edition Sep 04, 2014

Show notes

Allison, Don and Noah discuss three topics of incomparable importance, and end with an anecdote each about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

988 acres of land

Israel has announced the takeover of 988 acres of land belonging to five Palestinian villages in the Etzion settlement bloc, clearing the way for a new settlement named Gvaot. Why did the cabinet decide to appropriate these lands at this moment?

Why are Bibi's approval ratings in free-fall?

According to a recent poll, PM Netanyahu's approval ratings have taken a sharp dip, the acceleration of a trend that started six weeks ago. Why the plummeting popularity, and what about the political consequences?

The “Annual State of the Schools” (ASS) assessment

Israeli kids receive more hours of schooling than most OECD countries, but what do they get to show for it? We discuss what works and doesn’t work in Israeli schools at the moment.

Playlist:

A potpourri of great, classic kids’ music, in honor of the start of school:

Ha-Keves Ha-Shisha Asar - Reamim U-VrakimYehudit Ravitz & Yoni Richter - Mah Osot Ha-AyalotMatti Caspi - Shir Am NakiLahakat Iyam - Kilafty Tapus

The 'war's end' edition Aug 28, 2014

Show notes

Allison, Don and Noah discuss three topics of incomparable importance, and end with an anecdote each about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Now the ceasefire’s signed, what the hell just happened?

What should we make of the ceasefire agreement? What can and should be done to take advantage of the opportunities created by this war (notwithstanding its many miseries and tragedies) to create a better future for us all?

Iron Dome saved lives, but at what cost?

Has Israel's missile defense system, which probably saved hundreds of Israeli lives in this war, actually saved Hamas from destruction and undermined Israel's image as a civilized state in the eyes of the West?

Liberal Zionism, RIP?

Are we nearing the watershed at which 'liberal Zionists' will have to choose between liberalism and Zionism? Does the reality of modern Israel offer no hope for Jews committed to liberal values?

Playlist:

All songs by Los Caparos, the coolest Russian-Israeli punk-ska band you’re ever likely to hear, in honor of their great performance at Barby this week:

Haim BaseretLo KoneRasta VasilyShir Hamakolet

what now? Aug 21, 2014

Show notes

Allison, Don and Noah discuss three topics of incomparable importance, and end with an anecdote each about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Time to lose those 'war-goggles'

As we try to figure out what happened over the summer, is it useful to ask whether the war in Gaza addled our perceptions? Are we hardwired to become more hawkish in times of war?

Preaching to the converted

We discuss Rabbi Yuval Sherlow's critique of David Grossman's speech at this week's anti-war rally in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square. Is he right to criticize the Left for failing to find a bridging discourse between Left and Right?

What the hell should we do next?

The time has come for left-wing activists to dust themselves off and do something. But what? What should we be lobbying our politicians for? What should we be writing op-eds about?

Playlist:

All songs by Efrat Lotenberg, in honor of the release of her amazing new album, Ha'Machbesa shel Acha:

Hi Lo MevinaT.A.Be'Regaim KaeleBe my Baby

The 'one-and-a-half state' solution Aug 14, 2014

Show notes

Allison, Don and Noah discuss three topics of incomparable importance, and end with an anecdote each about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Is Bibi too strong to make peace?

Would a weaker Netanyahu would be more willing “to make some very difficult compromises, including taking on the settler movement,” as President Obama claimed in an interview last week?

When war and peace are held hostage to machismo

To what extent are Israel’s notions of peace, security and war 'male' in character? Are women relegated to the margins in times of war? Would we even be in this mess if women wielded greater influence?

The 'one-and-a-half state' solution

Could a Jewish state and a Palestinian state both exist within the same territorial borders? Can fancy thinking solve our problems, or does the old received wisdom have the best chance of succeeding?

Playlist:

All songs by Nechi Nech

Cafe Ve-Sigaria

Ayiddisha Rasta Man

HaSimcha

Bur Ve-Am HaAretz

'What's the blockade about?' edition Aug 07, 2014

Show notes

Summary: Ilene, Don and Noah discuss:

'What's the blockade about?'

What is Israel's embattled blockade on Gaza supposed to do, and what does it do in reality?

Has Israel lost Europe, now and forever?

What to make of Europe's increasingly muscular anti-Zionist populationHas Amos Oz found a new tune for the Israeli left?

How to understand Amos Oz' remarkable interview on German radio, in which he compared Hamas to a neighbor across the street with snipers, gunning for your children.

Playlist:

All songs by Malox:

Polkas for PunksPopcornSorvant HoroNeli Kola

The way the war ends Jul 31, 2014

Show notes

The way the war ends

How can and should this war be brought to a close? Might Israeli demands for 'demilitarization' as a condition for ending the operation become an excuse for prolonging it?

Can there be too much solidarity?

Does the moving solidarity we've seen among Israeli Jews since the war began harden our hearts even as it softens them? Does it further exclude and alienate Palestinian Israelis?

Beyond the double standard

Is Israel held to an impossible (double) standard in world opinion? Why is this the case and should Israelis just accept it and move on, or fight it tooth and nail?

Playlist:

All songs by Shai Nobleman, for the pick-me-up we all need:

Yesh AhavaPowerpop SymphonyReally Have To GoJulian Ve-Ani

The 'asymmetrical' edition Jul 24, 2014

Show notes

Ilene, Noah and Elion discuss:

Is asymmetry the new black?

Israel is fighting the mother of all asymmetrical wars. Is Israel’s military superiority also its greatest weakness? Is Hamas’ weakness also its greatest strength?

Empathy for the 'devil'

Showing empathy for the suffering of the other side in these times of war should not be equated to Hamas-sympathizing.

Second thoughts on uprooting the family tree?

Watching funeral after funeral of young IDF soldiers causes us to reconsider the decision to uproot ourselves and our families and move to Israel.

Playlist:

The powerful peace music of Hadag Nachash

Od Ach Ehad

War

Shirat Ha-Stiker

Lo Frayerim

The 'Better Times' Edition Jul 17, 2014

Show notes

With some of the cast in shelters, and most living the high-life in the capitals of Western debauchery, we present a collection of “vatacountry” segments, in which each of us describe something that surprised and amazed us, delighted and amused us, in our day-to-day lives in Israel. As if to say, “Times were better once, and they’ll be better again soon.”

Dancing the Ethiopian shoulder shake on Sigd

Don discusses the Ethiopian holiday of Sigd; Elon tells us about his very erudite taxi driver; and Noah reviews Shimon Peres' biography of David Ben-Gurion.

Songs of Innocence and Experience

Elon talks about the sporty Strawberry family; Miriam reviews the film 'Invisible'; and Noah introduces us to a very precocious couple of musicians.

Family Album: Arabian Babblers and fake ski slopes

Emily talks about her experiences on the Israel Trail; Noah tells us about the time he tried to go skiing on Mt. Gilboa with his son.

A journey right back to our roots

Don takes us into total darkness; Elon reminisces over Yaffa Yarkoni; Noah gets deep and meaningful over Vaclav Havel; and Don visits the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Playlist:

Danny Sanderson – Ha-Galshan

Gazoz – Likhvod Ha-Kayitz

Tomer Ve-Ha-Bsora (Tomer and the Gospel) – Ha-Pa'am

Machina – El Derekh La-Yam

Yaffa Yarkoni – Bab El Wad

Gimme Shelter Jul 10, 2014

Show notes

Ilene, Noah and special guest, The Times of Israel's Miriam Herschlag, ask:

'We have met the enemy and he is us'

When a pack of Jewish teens lynches a Palestinian kid, is it time for soul-searching? Is there still a moral high-ground and do we occupy it?

Life interrupted: Can we plot peace from our bomb shelters?

The irony of Haaretz's Conference on Peace being interrupted by sirens escaped no one. But when the rockets are heard, must the peaceniks be silent?

Is social justice always subordinate to security?

Exactly three years after they started, did Israel's social protests of 2011, which culminated in a demonstration of almost half a million people, actually achieve anything?

Playlist:

All songs from the album 'Af Al Pil' – Yiddish poetry sung by cool young indie stars, including Shahar Barabash, Rona Keinan, Omer Klein and Alon Lotringer:

Ani Ve-Atzmi

HaYaar Ba-Stav

HaParpar ve-ha-Zahal

Etel

Letters to a young cadet contemplating conscientious objection Jul 03, 2014

Show notes

Is it time for Lapid and Livni to quit Netanyahu’s government?

Tzipi Livni, and to a lesser extent Yair Lapid, joined Netanyahu's government to run the 'Peace Show.' Now there is no Show, should they answer the Leader of the Opposition's call to resign?

Letters to a kid contemplating conscientious objection

What do we tell a 17-year-old considering whether he should serve in the IDF? Given the tough consequences of objection, is it different when it comes to our own children?

Will 'Uber' taxis take us for a ride?

Social taxi app 'Uber' is coming to Israel. Taxi drivers in Europe have been striking in protest against the arrival of Uber in their countries, but will it be a boon or bust for Israel?

Playlist:

All songs courtesy of Ben Blackwell's Hebrew-Israelite hip-hop:

Od VeOdWe Bout It

Amitit

Sky Rains Fire