In this gala return of the Podcast, Miriam and Noah talk about (A) What this thing with Iran is, (1) Whether these days we're seeing a new, more Strangelovian Prime Minister Netanyahu, and (2) What life underground in the homefront tells us about Israeli society at this strange moment.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Miriam and Noah talk about their lives during wartime. Is it really true that it ain't no disco, it ain't no party, it ain't no fooling around?

Plus some really good music that sounds more or less how we feel these days.

Today marks the thirtieth day since we buried Ran Gvili, the hostage who came home last. The thirty day mark, the Sheloshim, signifies the end of the period of intense mourning. It may also be taken as the end of the terrible war in Gaza that followed October 7. Noah explores how wars end in Israel, and what the end of this war is like for all of us going through it.

(This is the last of our special breaktime episodes. Stay tuned, the show is coming back soon!)

Uri Lupolianski was the first ultra-Orthodox mayor of Jerusalem, and he was convicted of corruption. A week after his death, Noah says that he was also a reflection of all of us, at our imperfect best.