The “The Big Questions” Edition

Miriam and Noah talk about (1) Israel’s bombing of Qatar, in failed hope of killing the leaders of Hamas, with the possible result of killing the negotiations over a ceasefire in Gaza, and (2) the controversial movie that aired on Israeli TV this week, after an 865 day delay, about the 1948 war, and what we ought to learn from it. For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Is my old camp counselor the guy who is maybe going to save the life of the hostages? Plus, the surprising origins of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Wall-E in the Golan Heights, and Banai kids of a new generation!

Noah wonders why the show people here in Israel most want to see—more than at any time in the country’s history, and maybe in all of Jewish history—is a performance of children’s songs from a 47-year-old book of kids’ poems. The answer says something about who we are and how we have changed. It also maybe says something about the times we are living through now.

Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron talk about (1) Benny Gantz’s proposal to form a “Government of Hostage Redemption” and why everyone hated it, and (2) The surprising return of an army unit devoted to building and rebuilding Kibbutzim and Moshavim: Is 2025 the new 1955? For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What is the special magic of Uman? Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon Plus, a Elul Selihot, go-karting at a fine restaurant, Hatikva in suburban Maryland, and liturgical music you can dance to!

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Sara Hirschhorn and Noah Efron discuss (1) when is it genocide, and does it matter if people use that word or not, and why, and (2) Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s claim that this week he (and Israel) just put the kibash, once and for all, on the two-state solution. Plus, a principal with principles, a stand-up comedian with heart, a workaround for high-ticket prices for concerts, and more music of these lousy times! For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Dozens of Orthodox rabbis from around the world call for Israel to reconsider what is is doing in Gaza. Should we be shocked?

Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss (1) the thinking behind the Prime Minister’s decision (and his “Security and Diplomatic Cabinet”) to extend and intensify the war in Gaza, and (2) the thinking behind the “national strike” called by some hostage families, intended to bring the country to a halt next Sunday. Plus, Comfort, Kabbalah, Kohellet, Coltraine and Codeine early on a Friday morning, artistic collaborations between Israelis and Gazans, and plant-whispering grad students. And more old music made new! Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Former Speaker of the Knesset Avram Burg calls for a million Jews to sue Israel for war crimes in an international court. How the hell did we get here?

Linda Gradstein, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron discuss (1) the 20th anniversary of the "disengagement plan" and the evacuation of 21 Jewish towns in Gaza, and its lasting impacts, and (2) the plan cooked up in the UN by 21 countries and organizations for setting up the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel. Plus, a memorial homage to Israel's greatest graphic artist, film festivals, wine festivals and lots of Tisha B'Av. For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Artists issue a call to bring an end to war and to war crimes, making lots of people mad. How come?

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss (1) Hunger in Gaza, and (2) French, English and Canadian plans to recognize the state of Palestine in September. Plus, Tisha B’Av in the Land of Israel, lifeguards in Tel Aviv, and lamentations you can make out to. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Beinart and Stewart: Covering the whole gamut from smug to ugh.

Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss (1) The dramatic moments this week when hundreds of Druze from Israel crossed into Syria to help Druze in Suwayda under attack by Bedouin militia and the Syrian army, and hundreds of Druze from Suwayda crossed into Israel to see relatives they had not seen in a generation, and (2) A percussive essay by Ezra Klein called “Why American Jews No Longer Understand One Another.” Plus, the “Admor of Hope,” Miriam doing drugs, Noah seeing shows and a heartbreaking new record by a brother who lost a brother in Gaza. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What are “the Three Weeks” like in these ash-and-sackclothy times?

Linda Gradstein, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron discuss (1) What to make of the New York Times Magazine’s percussive essay called, “How Netanyahu Prolonged the War in Gaza to Stay in Power,” and (2) The “humanitarian city” that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz propose to build, and how they possibly think it is a good idea. Plus, queer shuls, queer musicals, and a tribute to the great songwriter, Sheika Paikov, may his memory be for a blessing. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Why does Mandy Patinkin’s angry angst matter to so many of us?

Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss (1) Prime Minister Netayahu’s trip to DC to break bread with President Donald Trump, to dot the I’s an cross the T’s on an expected-at-any-moment temporary cease-fire and hostage release deal with Hamas, and (2) Should Israeli doctors do triage on hostages, helping politicians choose who should come home first and who last in the upcoming cease-fire and hostage return deal with Hamas? Plus, a Trump hotel in Tel Aviv, talking teddy bears of people slain on October 7, bees, and a tribute to a remarkable man, Berhanu Yoseph, may his memory be for a blessing. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Et Tu, Grok?