The “U.S. and Us” Edition

For 331 days, Rachel Goldberg-Polin went everywhere, spoke to everyone and did everything to save her son, Hersh.

703 IDF soldiers have fallen since October 7th. Each was an entire world. This is a small bit of the story of one of them, Zachariah Haber.

Linda Gradstein, Allison Kaplan Sommer 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   —Bennett, Done That— Israel’s next prime minister will be … Naftali Bennett? —Jewish Life During Wartime— Why does war make more-secular Israelis more secular, and less-secular Israelis less secular? —Our Flights Are Cancelled— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What happens when every airline stops flying to Israel? Plus, a reflection on how time itself has stopped working, and music by women we’ve loved for decades, speaking now to our present moment.

Miriam Herschlag, Allison Kaplan Sommer 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   —TIME Is on His Side?— Prime Minister Netanyahu gives his longest interview since October 7. What’s it tell us? —Time Is on HIS Side?— How is this man growing more popular at this time, after everything? —Fraying at the Edges— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How we doin’ at this moment? Plus, co-joined Kibbutzim, Tisha B’Av at Hostage Square, and the bipolar music of Tamir Grinberg.

Miriam Herschlag, 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   —Dead to Rights?— When, if ever, is it o.k. to assassinate deadly enemies? —Now, in the Awful Quiet of the Moment— Six-packs of water and go bags: Are we doing this imminent-attack-from-Iran thing right? —Days of Wine and Jelly Beans?— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How are the 3 of us reacting to this tense moment? Plus, the Olympics, John Lennon glasses and new music by artists from just outside of Gaza.

Allison Kaplan Sommer 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   —Will Israel and Hezbollah (and Who Knows? Maybe Iran) Go to War?— Will Hezbollah’s murder of twelve kids in Majdal Shams lead to all out war? —Druze Clues— What is it like to be Druze in Israel? —Et tu, MCU?— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The folks at Marvel are turning Sabra into a Marrano? Plus, the Olympics, science breakthroughs and music of our troubled times.

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   —Move Over, Winston— Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to congress, again. What did he say to the senators and congresspeople, and what didn’t he say? —Kamala Harris and the Jewish Question— Kamala Harris anagrams to “A rakish alarm.” Who is Kamala Harris, and if she becomes president, what will it mean for, well, us? —You’re Voting for Who?!— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: When Israeli-Americans say they’re voting for Trump because he’s good for Israel, what do they mean? Plus, consecrating a Torah scroll for Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and trans-folk in Tel Aviv City Hall, and more music of these days.

Allison Kaplan Sommer 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   —The Valley of the Shadow of Deif— Can you do a cost-benefit analysis of assassinating a man personally responsible for thousands of Israeli deaths? —Unboxing Gaza?— What’s it like for Israelis to watch videos of Palestinian resilience? —“Dos” and “Don’t-So-Much-Dos”— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Why did a short video about the “Dos” and “Don’t-So-Much-Dos” of workplace relations between secular and ultra-Orthodox colleagues tick off so many of us here in Israel? Plus, the profound humanity of the people fighting to release the hostages, and music from Netta Barzilai’s first album, which is like a warm hug from an old friend.

Miriam Herschlag 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   —God Will Avenge His Blood?— The IDF has allowed, for the first time ever, military gravestones to add “הי״ד” — “God will avenge his blood” — after the name of a slain soldier. Vengeance carved in stone? —Heroes of Israel— There’s a new line of “Heroes of Israel” action figures: IDF soldiers for kids to play with. What exactly do they teach our kids? —It’s Been Long Enough to Make a Baby— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Nine months of war (long enough to make a baby). Miriam and Noah talk about how they’re doing now. Plus, a tribute to two people we remember from iconic photographs, and a new exhibit imagines a very different Zionism than the one we got. Plus more new tunes of our times.

In a very special, tribute-to-America episode, the sax-and-fiddle player (Alon Tal), the lead-singer-and-keyboardist (Bill Slott), and the bass-player (Noah Efron) of the fondly-remembered band, “Liquid Plumr” 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   —Bill in Them Hills— What can we learn from Bill who spent three months in the West Bank trying to keep local Palestinians from being harassed by local Israelis? Sometimes, you just need to be there. —The U.S. and Us— How have America and Americans influenced Israeli culture and politics? —Are Two Better Than One?— For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What is it like to have two countries? Plus, music by three great Israeli singers, each born-in-the-U.S.A.