The Israel Conversation

Its coming down to a nail biting finish! Will Israel have a government by Wednesday? Or will the coalition talks collapse bringing us to new elections? This 10 minute update will fill you in on the situation, and we'll bring you up to date on what happened on the regular Thursday episode. Yikes! Let us know what you think on our  Facebook Page ! These episodes are usually recorded at the amazing ...

We have all noticed the increasing number of Anti-Semitic incidents over the past few years? But has a qualitative change occurred as well? What data would help us decide? Are discussions of Jews and Israel in foreign governments an indication of some change? Alan, Mike and Matt discuss matters of existential importance to Jews everywhere. Join us! Let us know what you think on our  Facebook Page...

After summarising Israel's 70th year, Alan and Mike discuss how Israel has measured up to its founders' dreams. What would the Labor Zionists think of Israel in 2019? What about the Cultural and Political Zionists think? What would surprise them for exceeding their wildest dreams? What would disappoint them as failures? Join us! P.S. Let us know if you want a bonus episode about Revisionists and A...

The Gaza battles this past weekend were, to some, just another round in the ongoing conflict. But for the people who live in the communities on the border, it was dangerous, painful and stressful to say the least. Alan and Mike headed down to Kibbutz Alumim to hear what it is like. Please listen to this important episode, and stay tuned for upcoming episodes analysing this round of the conflict, a...

How is the Holocaust taught differently to Israeli and Diaspora students? How is the Holocaust relevant to this generation? Alan and Mike sat down with Mesorati High School educator, David Behrman, and talked about the role the Shoah plays in Jewish identity today and in the future. Let us know what you think on our  Facebook Page ! This episode was recorded at the amazing  Ben Wallick Studios . B...

Passover celebrates the Jews becoming a nation. What does that nation stand for? Join us for a discussion with Professor Benjamin Ish-Shalom. First, he makes his case that our values must define our national identity. Then he goes through actual case studies of military ethical dilemmas that he and his staff have dealt with at Beit Morasha. Patient and curious listeners will be rewarded ad inspire...

Alan and Mike sit down with Benji on the day that President Rivlin begins the process of assembling a Government out of the newly elected Knesset. What is the role of the President? How meaningful is it? Why is he choosing to begin the negotiations on a public broadcast for the first time? Can Israel maintain a sense of national unity in such a divisive political atmosphere? If so, how do we do it...

The results are in! (Well, at least 97% of them as of Wednesday, April 10th in the afternoon) Alan, Mike and Matt sit down on the morning after to sort out the surprises, the non-surprises, and what these results mean for the future. Who's in? Who's out? Who's in control? Want to try to make order out of the hubbub? Join us? Google Election Result Chart Let us know what you think on our  Facebook...

Oh boy!!! Elections are next week, and we are all on the edge of our seats! Alan, Mike and Matt catch up on what has changed since our last election episode, (Zehut crossed the threshold, last minute Likud and Labor surges) and then turn to the issues that confront Israeli voters. What concerns will Israelis bring to the polls? How will those concerns be prioritised? What concerns do our intrepid...

Why has Hamas been launching rockets into central Israel? Why now? How is Israel responding? Why did President Trump change the US policy toward the Golan Heights? Why now? What will all of this mean for the upcoming elections? Alan, Mike and Benji address all of these questions and more. Trying to understand these current events? Join us! Let us know what you think on our  Facebook Page ! This ep...

What is terrorism? How is it different from resistance or freedom fighting? Can it be stopped? Is it a form of warfare or crime? Are white nationalist and Islamic forms different in any way? How do we respond to it? Who is responsible for it? When did it start? Have Jews done it? Whom do we hold responsible, how wide is that net? Join Alan, Mike and Matt as they explore these difficult questions....

There are thousands of Israelis who do not meet the definition of "Jew" by the standards of Orthodox Judaism. Imagine going to Jewish schools, serving in the IDF, and then being told that you can't marry a Jew! How should the Jewish State resolve this disturbing problem for so many of its citizens? Rabbi Chashi Freedman is the Educational Director of Nativ, the largest conversion preparation organ...

Israel waited for Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's announcement that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu would face indictment. Now that it finally happened, what has changed? Anything? Everything? Alan, Mike and Matt talk about what this means for Israel's future, and Bibi's legacy. David Horovitz of TOI's Opinion Let us know what you think on our  Facebook Page ! This episode was recorded at the...

We're releasing this week's episode early, because the game has changed. After weighing the concern over too much politics talk, Alan, Mike and Matt discuss the merger of Chosen Yisrael with Yesh Atid. The new Blue and White party is now polling ahead of Likud. Until last week, Likud was supposed to have an easy electoral victory, but that's now over with. But even if they win, can Blue and White...

After discussing last week's Warsaw middle east conference, and why (if?) it mattered, Alan Mike and Matt reflect on the normalisation of an overtly racist political party. What role does racism play in Israeli life and politics? What can, and should, be done to push back against this alarming trend in Israeli society? Join us! (This episode was recorded before the Gantz/Lapid merger. We hope to r...

How are Israelis processing the horrible murder of Ori Ansbacher? What are the effects of terrorism on Israeli life and politics? What don't people understand about how we process stories like this? Alan, Mike and Matt reflect on these painful issues. Join us. Palestinians pay condolence visit to family of slain teen Ori Ansbacher We wish that this episode was recorded at the amazing  Ben Wallick...

With only a couple of months left till Israeli elections, Alan, Mike and Matt take a look at where we are. Are personalities more important than parties? What blocs are forming? Can the poll numbers give us educated guesses about what the next Knesset will look like? The guys sure think so. Join us! Opinion Poll Aggregation on Wikipedia We wish that this episode was recorded at the amazing  Ben Wa...

Alan, Mike and Matt use the Zionist method to analyse the problems facing the Jews of Generation Z. Hear why they think that Israel education is vital to the Jewish future. Let us know what you think! This episode was recorded at the amazing  Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! JU Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldma...

We invite Dr. Carra Glatt, lecturer at from Bar Ilan University, to explain and reflect on her recently published article in Haaretz. In it, she questioned the fairness of the If Not Now movement's protests of Birthright, and their dismissal of authentic Zionist narratives. Join Alan, Mike and Matt as they discuss these issues with her. Dr. Carra Glatt Ha'aretz Article This episode was recorded at...

Israelis pay close attention when the IDF changes its Chief of Staff. Alan, Mike and Benji begin by sorting out Gadi Eisenkot's exit interviews, and what they mean for the state of Israel's security. Somehow, they end up defining what they stand for as educators and Zionists. Maybe because it's a Benji episode? If you want to know what's behind this past week's headlines, you'll want to hear this...

What issues do young Jews face on today's college campuses? Do they face a "crisis"? How do their peers treat them? Alan and Mike sat down with a few dozen TVA students. They discuss a range of issues regarding Jewish observance and Israel support on campuses today. Join us for this insightful shmooze with these bright, thoughtful young men and women! TVA This episode was recorded by the amazing ...

After acknowledging the death of Israeli author and activist Amos Oz, the guys address the big topic everyone is buzzing about here. Elections! Are you confused about why we're having them early? Who are the new and old players mixing things up in interesting ways? How does this whole coalition thing work anyway? Alan, Mike and Matt make order out of the sublime chaos that is Israeli politics, so...

You don't get to sit down with one of your Zionist heroes every day. This week, the guys get a chance to talk to a man who helped shape the Jewish world, and take down the Soviet Union. After discussing the state of democracy in Israel and around the globe, he explains why Israel's relationship with diaspora Jews should be seen as a top priority. Don't miss this chance to hear from one of the grea...

Confused by the headlines this week? Frankly, reading the stories through could leave you scratching your head. Alan, Mike & Matt try to make sense out of Australia's confusing new Jerusalem policy, and the Israeli government's renewed attempt to retroactively legalise West Bank settlement outposts after the recent wave of terrorism. Want to understand what's happening? Join us! This episode w...

Did President Trump cross a line when speaking to the Jewish attendees at the White House Hanukah party and referred to Israel as "your country"? Rena is back to discuss feelings and accusations of dual loyalty for American Jews. Join us! This episode was recorded at the amazing  Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! JU Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hoste...