Jewish Heroism Project

Here is a rant on the current struggle in Israel and Gaza. There is something in it for everyone, both to provoke and inspire. Make sure you don't miss the message at the end!

Some people play a perfect role in the Jewish Story, and in this episode that will be US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and General Ariel Sharon. As the fighting reaches its conclusion, each will give his utmost to achieve his ends, but as we will see though the battle may be won - the war is far from over. photograph by Amnon Tzur https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SuezBrdg1973.jpg

Here is a LIVE Yom Yerushalayim class given in honor of the 10th yartzheit of Fruma Raizel bat Genendel and Nehemia haKohen. It explores the relationship between Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim, between self-actualization and inspiration, in order to provide insight and inspiration for these holy days. photo by Ron Almog https://www.flickr.com/photos/ronalmog/4600685463

This is the story of how close the end really came during the Yom Kippur War. Even as Israel's tanks held out in the north, turning a stretch of the Golan into 'The Valley of Tears,' the forces in the south were stretched to the breaking point. Nonetheless, an American airlift will provide the arms, and the impetuous general Ariel Sharon the means, to yet snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

A surprise blow is always the hardest to absorb, even if it's not so powerful. The first strike of the Yom Kippur War will be massive, and it will come close to stunning the entire nation of Israel. Listen in to hear how the shock nearly caused leaders like Golda Meir, Moshe Dayan and Chief of Staff David Elazar to lose their way, while the common soldiers of Israel held on for the very life of th...

Like Bob Dylan said, everybody's gotta serve somebody and like the Sages said - it will be your stomach, your country or your Gd. Here are some thoughts on our independence and our mission for this joyous celebration of 5781!

Sometimes the ideas we hold most dear are those which prevent us from seeing t hat which is most important. Here is an episode about the 'concept,' the security analysis paradigm which stopped Israel for from recognizing its danger almost until it was too late.

Here is a raw take from a great pre-chag conversation. Apologies for the lack of polish - sometimes this holy day takes all you've got!

Long before there was a start-up nation the Jews were the can do people, but a constant crisis-solving posture poses problems of its own. Here is part two in our effort to build the context for the surprise of the Yom Kippur War. It is a story of technological revolutions, unstoppable confidence and even what might be called an act of piracy. picture attribution: Israeli Navy Spokesman Office

Telling the story of the Exodus is something so simple that we do it every year, and so complicated that we never get it quite right. With all the effort we put into preparation for a kosher Pesach, it is worth dusting off the Haggadah a couple of weeks early in or to prepare for an awesome Seder. Author Mark Gerson joins me to discuss his new book about the Haggadah and how we can best access its...

If we call what happened in the 1967 a war of the spirit, then what occurred seven years later was a struggle of psychology. Here is the first episode leading up to the 1973 Yom Kippur War. It explores the booming economy, the Israeli Black Panthers and the emergence of a new leader of Egypt, all in an attempt to understand the context for surprise.

The desire to get even is as old as Cain and Abel, so what new could possibly be said about it? Here is an interview with author Thane Rosenbaum where we explore the nature of vengeance, its relationship to justice and how it informs our actions.

It is Adar once again, believe it or not! Here at the end of a Covid-crazy year the call to increase joy can also be heard as a call to do more joyfully. Here are some thoughts about how to embrace the 'more' which lies ahead in a way which will bring some happiness to the world.

The whole world watched in horror as the murder of eleven Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games raised the bar on international terror to previously inconceivable heights. The events cannot be forgotten, and their consequences are with us down to this day.

There is a narrative battle which has been raging for decades between Arab and Jew in the land of Israel, and sometimes it breaks out into open warfare. This is the story of the abortive attempt by Palestinians to overthrown the Kingdom of Jordan and the role it plays in giving an international standing to their nationalist struggle.

The power of fairy stories goes well beyond entertainment. In this interlude author Rena Rossner joins me to explore myth, story and the power of fairy tale. Along the way we touch on God, history and my favorite author as well!

The battlefield and the boardroom come together for the last episode in the series on the War of Attrition. Meet new Prime Minister Golda Meir as she balances war and politics in her new policy of 'asymmetrical response.' Unfortunately this may win her the battle just as it looses the war.

Every major conflict is fought on many fronts. This second installment on the War of Attrition explores the diplomatic front. We will encounter Yitzchak Rabin as the new Israeli ambassador and get our first look at American Jewish policy maker Henry Kissinger as our story leaves the battle ground for the boardroom.

Every fast day is an chance for cheshbon nefesh, for making an accounting of life and the world. The Tenth of Tevet offers an additional, unique opportunity - to think about immanent dangers. Here is an exploration of some of the challenges which our world faces and how this holy day can leave us better prepared to meet them.

Rav Mike's annual shiur in honor of the yartzheit of his father, Charles M. Feuer, ob"m. Gratitude is one of the keys to happiness, especially in dark times. Join Rav Mike as he explores the connection between the Hanukkah candles and our ability to give thanks, and helps us let the light out.

Changing our conceptions is one of the hardest things in life to do, for countries as well as individuals. Israel's stunning victory in 1967 brought many blessings, but it also posed certain challenges in how to understand the post-war reality. Here is the first episode on the War of Attrition, a conflict so poorly understood that many people don't even know it happened.

It is not every day that you get to speak with a legend, much less interview one. Here are some precious words I had with the Alter rebbe of Jewish History, Rabbi Berel Wein. We touch on the nature of history, the Jewish people, the experience of salvation and much more.

The return to Israel can have two meanings - a return to the Land and a return to essential self. The birth of a settlement movement striving for redemption was one of the most significant results of the Six Day War, and no community tells the story better than Hebron.

One can look at life as one long string of decisions, whether for individuals or nations. Israel had a number of decisions to make in the wake of the Six Day War and none was more pressing than where to place the borders. Here is an episode about some of the factors in that decision - the Allon Plan and the return to Kfar Etzion - which helped shape the future.

This week I host author and thought leader Yossi Klein Halevi. Our conversation touches on his personal experience of Meir Kahane and the early struggle for Soviet Jewry, the challenges of writing, the power of Jerusalem to evoke dreams and much more. Tune in for an inspiring episode treating the impact of 1967 on past, present and future.