The Hostage Deal

 426 Constitutional CrisisIs Israel headed into a Constitutional Crisis? What is happening and what are the stakes? How does this relate to Israel’s security situation? As the podcast heads into a hiatus for the indeterminate future, join us as we address that state of the State. With over 100,000 downloads, hundreds of episodes and almost a decade of posts, we thank our subscribers and listeners!Calev hosts this discussion with Liel, Matt and Mike. Am Yisrael Chai!

 425 Rabbi Meir KahanaLately, the controversial Jewish leader Rabbi Meir Kahana has been “discussed” on social media. Who was he? Why was he so controversial? How did he die? Why does he still play such a powerful role in Israeli life? I social media really the best environment for nuanced political discourse? Or is it best suited for sharing nice pictures of your vacation? Matt hosts this discussion with Calev and Mike. Am Yisrael Chai!

 424 What is Wrong with Peter Beinart?It took a while for Peter Beinart to come out with his book blaming Israel for the post October 7th world. Its an impressively anti Jewish document, masquerading as a moral cri de cœur. How do we explain Jewish antizionism in general? And how do we explain it when the Jew is an educated, and ritually observant, former Zionist? Can the guys get through this without losing their tempers? Which of them has a personal history with this controversial figure? Join us to find out! Calev hosts this discussion with Matt and Mike. Am Yisrael Chai!

 424 Trump Statement on GazaWhat just happened? During the Netanyahu visit to The White House President Trump announced the residents of Gaza would willingly relocate to better places. America would then take over the region and turn the Gaza Strip into the Riviera of the Middle East for all of the world to enjoy. What will actually happen? What does this mean? What will change? What won’t? What are the implications of this jaw dropping statement? Matt hosts this discussion with Calev and Mike. Join us! Am Yisrael Chai!

 423 TrumpWhat did the first Trump administration mean for Israel and the region? And what might his second term mean for the future?Calev hosts this discussion with Matt and Mike. Am Yisrael Chai!

 422 The Hostage DealWhat is the actual content of the deal? What is the pro and con debate? How are most Israelis processing these events? What will happen next? Join us for a complicated and difficult conversation. Calev hosts this discussion with Matt and Mike. It was recorded the morning before the first three hostages were released.Am Yisrael Chai!

 421 The Fall of Assad and the New Syria What is going on in Syria? How did it happen? Who are the major players in these events? What does it mean for Iran? What does it mean for Israel? Our team takes you through this confusing revolution, and helps you understand this tectonic shift in the world of the Middle East. Calev hosts this discussion with Matt and Mike. Am Yisrael Chai!

Managing Mental Health in Difficult TimesBeing under stress isn’t a new condition for Jews. But with decades of Israeli power and relative diaspora security, our people have gotten used to a historically unusual state of calm. As the last few years have shown, political and even physical insecurity may be the new normal. While there’s no need to panic, that kind of chronic stress takes a physical and mental toll. Some are in combat on Israel’s front lines, and some have loved one’s who are. Some are on campus or city streets confronting rising antisemitism. We decided to record this unusual episode to address that issue. How do we manage to take care of ourselves when we don’t control the external forces that are causing us stress? What is the basic biologically of stress? What steps can we take, and what habits can we develop, that will help us navigate these difficult times? Mike and Alan host our guest expert Dina Kessler. Am Yisrael Chai!

  A Visit to the Gaza BorderThis past June, Liel took Alan, Matt, Calev and Mike to the sites that were devastated by the October 7th invasion. As a licensed tour guide, Liel wanted to share insights with her colleagues about what happened in the “Gaza Envelope” on, and since, that day. As they went from location to location, they recorded Liel speaking, as well as some of their thoughts and observations along the way. On the one year anniversary of October 7th, we thought it would be meaningful to share the experience with our listeners. Liel, Mike and Calev sat with our engineer Ben in his studio, to choose what to include in this episode. We also added narration to explain and contextualize each of the clips. While we were doing that, we also reflected on our thoughts since the visit, and about this difficult year in general. For those interested to see what we saw, here is a link to our shared photo album of the visit. Wishing you, our listeners, and all of our Nation a year of peace, healing and renewal.Shana tova. Am Yisrael Chai!

  Is Israel Handling its Problems? Everyone agrees that Israel is beset with problems. Some of them can be managed, and many of them must be solved for Israel to survive and have a healthy future. Is there a danger of reaching a tipping point where Israel has too many problems to succeed? Is whatever is right about Israel in danger of being destroyed by what’s wrong with it? Or is whatever is wrong with Israel going to be fixed by what’s right with it? Liel hosts this debate with Matt taking the position that our problems are out of control, and Calev arguing that we have reason to be optimistic. Am Yisrael Chai!