To celebrate Israel’s 77th Independence Day, the crew asks “What is Israeli in our eyes?” Plus, midrashic covers of classic Israeli songs!

Linda and Noah talk about (1) Head of the General Security Agency, or Shabak, Ronen Bar’s affidavits to the Supreme Court that one journalist says “will shape the security and democratic future of the State of Israel”; and (2) The strange quantum-entanglement of the Holocaust and October 7th, and whether we learn anything about the one event from the other.

All this and, ahead of Memorial Day, last words left by soldiers for their families.

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For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The controversy behind this year’s picks to light the Mesuot.

Miriam Herschlag, Sara Hirschhorn and Noah Efron talk about (1) The open-letter from Airforce reservists and retirees, calling on the Government to end the war, the army’s scorched-earth response, and the flood of letters-of-support for the original letter – What’s it all mean?; and (2) The decision by Hebrew University’s elite publishing house, Magnes, to shelve plans to publish a Hebrew translation of Mein Kampf, and whether or not there is a place on Israeli shelves for Hitler’s now-100-year-old manifesto.

All this and a singular record launch, a memorial tribute to Yaakov Kirschen, the auteur behind “Dry Bones,” and meeting a legend of Israeli song.

Linda Gradstein, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron talk about (1) the IDF’s at-least-partly debunked explanation for how and why 15 Palestinians in rescue vehicles were shot dead by Israeli soldiers in Rafah, and (2) Prime Minister Netanyahu’s embarrassing visit to the White House this week.

All this and new glosses on the Passover Haggadah, a living-room recital and a debate among memorial posters. Plus, music from “The Safe Space Sessions”!

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For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How is this Passover different from all other Passovers?

Linda Gradstein, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron talk about (1) the anti-Hamas demonstrations in Gaza and what, if anything, we learn from them about the hearts and minds of Gazans, and (2) on the fifth anniversary of the pandemic, how, if at all, COVID-19 changed us as a society and as individuals.

All this and bagels, boondoggles and kabbalistic blessings. Plus, brand new music of our troubled times.

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For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Qatargate?

A hundred years ago this week, a Hebrew University was founded in Jerusalem.

Miriam Herschlag, Don Futterman and Noah Efron talk about (1) Israel’s return to active fighting in Gaza, and what it may mean for the hostages, for Gazans and for the rest of us here and (2) Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to sack Ronen Bar, the head of the General Security Services, the Shabak, and what it says about the state of Israel’s government and the state of Israeli democracy.

All this and the return of a crown, the football playoff, and surprise brain surgery. Plus, brand new music of our troubled times.

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For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Trying to shore up the fortitude to face a return to fighting in Gaza, and coming up short.

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.

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—Horror Vacui—

There’s an odd mélange of diplomatic proposals for what-comes-next-in-Gaza, from an Egyptian and Arab League plan to various American plans, including one hatched in direct negotiations with Hamas. This leads us to wonder, why is Israel silent about something that matters so much?

—Amalakites—

It is a fact that we are living in a moment of “peak-Amalek,” especially as we celebrate Purim. What are we to make of this problematic idea?

—Is Yad Vashem Pandering to the TikTok Generation?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Is Yad Vashem pandering to the TikTok generation?

All this and Rav Menachem Froman, the unveiling of under-wraps art and the Simba we need today, plus brilliant new music by Amir Sade.