The Promised Podcast

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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   —Gradually, then Suddenly, then OMG— The shocking, sudden fall of strong-man ophthalmologist Bashar al-Assad from power in Syria left Jihadist Islamists poised to replace him. What does it all means for, well, us? —Day in Court— Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes the stand to testify on his own behalf in his four-years-and-running bribery, fraud and breach of trust trial. What does it all means for, well, us? —Quo Vadis, Adis?— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The renowned and storied DC Conservative Synagogue, Adis Israel, disinvites former Israeli Foreign Minister Yoav Gallant, after congregants complain about this community hosting an architect of Israel’s war in Gaza, and a man indicted by the ICC for war crimes. We ask, Quo Vadis, Adis? Plus, a remembrance of the man who hanged Adolf Eichmann, and a tribute to the star quality of the impossibly-talented and enchanted daughter-of, Naomi Sommer!

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   —Boogie Unbound— Former IDF Chief of Staff and former Defense Minister Moshe “Boogie” Ya’alon’s flatly asserts that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Gaza policy amounts to ethnic cleansing. —Putting the Press in Suppression and Depression— A Knesset declaratory motion resolves that the government will no longer advertise in Ha’aretz, after its publisher Amos Schoken presses the world to sanction and boycott Israel on account of its “war crimes.” —“ALL HELL TO PAY?”— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: We talk about the social media post by once and future President Donald Trump calling for the return of all hostages by the time he enters the Oval Office. Plus, Omer Neutra and an encouraging word about El Al.

Linda Gradstein, 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. —For the Time Being, Anyway— The cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah: It ain’t victory and it sure ain’t peace. —ICC You— Why does the world court want to put our prime minister in the slammer? Plus, An Ethiopian Room-of-Their-Own, before-and-after selfs, and an exploration of the age-old question, “When is a challah not a challah?”

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and Tova Cohen 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   —“Hope Is Patience With the Lamp Lit” (With Apologies to Tertullian)— A voice in the wilderness. Should we listen? —“Cabinet of Wonders”— Is Donald Trump’s new cabinet more pro-Israel than most Israelis? —Freshman Leninism at Berkeley— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: We talk about the fufera that developed over a Berkeley course description. We ask, “WTF?” Plus, Nir Oz votes to go home and Eden Hasson comes out.