The Israel Conversation

This past week Israel has faced political and military mini-crises. Why are the police recommending indicting Bibi again? What does that mean for his government? What is going on at the Lebanese border? What is Operation Northern Shield, and what does it mean for our conflict with Hezbollah? Are these two stories linked?! Times of Israel journalist Raoul Wootliff joins Alan, Mike and Matt to offer...

Wow! 100 Episodes! This week we take an anti-establishment stance against the the prevailing view in the Jewish social media world. Was AirBNB's decision to stop listing Jewish homes in the West Bank antisemitic? And if Alan, Mike and Matt are in so much agreement on the issue, how did they spend so much time disagreeing? We review, analyse, and generally hash out the issue. Join us! Why are we so...

How should Israel balance the Jewish and democratic nature of the state? This question has troubled Zionists since the modern state began, and resolving the difficulty remains elusive. Alan, Mike and Matt interview Tani Frank, a lobbyist with the Ne’emanei Torah Va’Avodah organisation, who pushes for to meaningful improvements to the status quo. The guys play devil's advocate in different directio...

Alan, Mike and Matt juggle all that's going on this week, and try to give it context and perspective. What made this week's rocket attacks from Gaza unusual? Why were Gazans walking around with suitcases full of money? How long will the current Israeli government hold together? How many jobs does Bibi have? We call our podcast the Teachers Lounge because you hear us in real time making sense of Is...

How should we handle conversations with people who criticize Israel for questionable behavior? What if its on Facebook? Alan and Rena give Mike advice on how he should respond to his student's question. They discuss how millennials are using social media, when they should speak out, and the social/psychological aspects of doing so. They also discuss the issue in question, namely Bibi unabashedly p...

It's been a complicated week. The team shares reactions from students to the worst antisemitic attack in US history, and discuss perspectives on how to handle those conversations. Then they talk about this week's local Israeli elections, and the proposal that diaspora Jews should be given the right to vote in Israel. We'd love to hear your thoughts. This episode was recorded at the amazing  Ben Wa...

After some quick news updates, Alan, Mike, Matt & Rena take stock of where the Oslo peace process has left us. There are some storm clouds, some silver linings, some agreements and disagreements. Join us as we unpack this complex and controversial issue. Article by Douglas Feith This episode was recorded at the amazing  Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! JU Israel Teachers Lounge is a week...

What does the detention of Lara Alqasem say about Israeli Democracy? What do the clashes at the Gaza border mean for the future? And what is Hamas' strategy here? We break from our history reflections to talk about major news stories in the headlines. Alan arrives in the middle of the discussion between Matt, Mike, and our Program Manager, Rena Levin. Join us for updates and insights. (This episod...

The second in our series of reflections on anniversary events, Alan, Mike and Matt discuss the Camp David Peace Accords. Peace on Israel's southern border is often taken for granted, but the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty was a monumental event that changed the Middle East. Learn about the process itself, and how it shapes today's world. Stay tuned for our next anniversary episode, dealing with the...

The first in our series of reflections on anniversary events, Alan, Mike and Matt discuss the Yom Kippur War. While the Six Day War is often discussed as a major turning point in the history of Israel and the Middle East, the 1973 October War still has enormous impact on the region. Learn about the war itself, and how it shapes today's world. Stay tuned for our next anniversary episodes, dealing w...

That sound that you are hearing is the shifting of tectonic plates. This is a news story that many english speaking Zionists aren't paying enough attention to. One of the major causes of conflict here in Israel just had its first change of status quo in decades! What is UNRWA? Why is it one of the central causes of the Israeli Palestinian conflict? What will American defunding do? Alan and Mike ge...

Is Israel really a democracy? Is it balancing liberty and Jewish identity well? And why does it even matter? Join Alan, Mike and Matt as they invite in guest Middle East expert David Harris. They hash out the issues. And in the end, Mike is right. (at least Mike thinks he is) David Horovitz opinion piece in TOI - "Israeli democracy isn’t broken, but it is under assault" JU Israel Teachers Lounge i...

As students prepare for campus life, we have some suggestions for dealing with the topic of Israel. Alan and Mike suggest major ways the issues will come up, and even make some book suggestions. Alan's Recommendation Mike's Recommendation JU Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. Please subscribe, listen to more episode...

After two episodes and weeks of consideration, Alan and Mike share their perspective on the Nation State law controversy. Then they respond to the Ronald Lauder op-ed in the New York Times and his concerns about the direction of Israeli policy. Summary of the Lauder Letter Explaining the Nation State Law Episode 85 Palestinian Israeli Perspective on the Nation State Law Episode 87 JerusalemU's The...

Samah Salaime is one of the 25% of Israelis who aren’t Jewish. Whatever your thoughts on the Nation-State law, it is important to hear their perspectives as citizens of their democratic state. Matt and Mike met with Samah at her office in Wahat al-Salam/Neve Shalom. She shared her opinions with respect, intelligence and passion. Agree or disagree, but hear out an Israeli having her say. Wahat al-S...

There's a lot going on in the news. It includes fall out from the nation state law, druzim leaving the army, Ahed Tamimi leaving prison, a new Gaza flotilla. Alan, Mike and Matt think they have found a common theme in all of these stories. Join us for insight behind the headlines. JerusalemU's The Israel Teachers Lounge Podcast is produced by Matt Lipman . Listen to more episodes, and let us know...

Alan, Matt and Mike turned to Prof. Amichai Cohen of the Israel Democracy Institute to explain the controversial Nation State law being worked on in the Knesset. It is a political hot topic in Israel, with many questions needing answers. What challenges does is pose to the democratic nature of the state? To Israel's minorities? To diaspora Jewry? Is there a problem at all? Join us as we discuss th...

This week, Alan took Matt and Mike on a stroll through a very contentious piece of real estate, the city of Hebron. It's a city that is almost a microcosm for the Arab/Israeli conflict. Join us as we explain our thoughts and feelings about the past, present and future of one of the oldest Jewish cities in the world. And don't forget to check out our podcast page to see the photos that we mention i...

Five young people walked off a Birthright trip in Israel to join an If Not Now (INN) tour of Hebron. What do Alan, Mike and Benji think about this controversy du-jour? How do they understand the INN and its mission? They explain their Zionist take on these issues in this back from vacation episode. Join us! Benji's TOI Blog Post JerusalemU's The Israel Teachers Lounge Podcast is produced by Matt L...

Still on vacation, but enjoy a double episode on us! Originally released July 13, 2017. We'll be back next week, God willing! Alan and Mike continue a podcast mini-series. They feel that not enough attention is paid to a text that they are sure will end up as a classic Jewish text: Israel's Declaration of Independence. Join them as they begin the process of unpacking the text, which will continue...

Still on vacation, but enjoy a double episode on us! Originally released July 13, 2017. We'll be back next week, God willing! After a brief check in putting the latest political news into perspective, Alan and Mike begin a podcast mini-series. They feel that not enough attention is paid to a text that they are sure will end up as a classic Jewish text: Israel's Declaration of Independence. Join th...

While we're on vacation, we're rereleasing episode 32 in honor of annual Hebrew Book Week. Alan and Mike interview publicist Stuart Schnee about the role this event has played in the current Jewish renaissance. They discuss how and why we should all participate in it. There is so much going on in Israel that must not be missed! Join us as we begin to explore the cultural explosion being brought ab...

Conversations about politics are social landmines. So how do teachers discuss current events with students in a productive way? Are there take away ideas for others to use? Benji joins Alan and Mike to share insights and ideas. JerusalemU's The Israel Teachers Lounge Podcast is produced by Matt Lipman . Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests an...

The Iron Dome saves lives in Southern Israel. But there is real damage being done by rocket attacks on southern Israel. In this episode, you'll hear some insider perspective on the real situation. Judith Spanglet is one of the heroes trying to heal the trauma. Alan, Mike and Matt traveled to Ashkelon to hear her perspective and insight. They were moved and inspired. She explains how the organisati...

Deja vu on the southern border a rocket barrage from Gaza, Abba leaves the hospital, and a Russian oligarch makes aliyah. Even for Israel, this has been a strange and stressful week. Join Alan, Mike and Matt as they give insight behind the headlines, and put these stories into context. JerusalemU's The Israel Teachers Lounge Podcast is produced by Matt Lipman . Listen to more episodes, and let us...