Two Nice Jewish Boys: Recent Episodes
Eytan and Naor
The Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast is a weekly dose of free and open conversations with the most interesting voices in Israel. Hosted by Naor Meningher and Eytan Weinstein and recorded in Tel Aviv, the Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast covers everything from politics and history to entertainment and science. Ultimately, the Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast is here to provide a platform for free and open conversations about Israel and the Jewish world in the belief that only through free speech and open dialogue can we build a better future together.
This episode is sponsored by HOLY CHUTZPAHhttps://holy-chutzpah.com/***It’s been three weeks since Israel resumed its ground operations in Gaza—but the mission still feels undefined. Fifty-nine hostages remain in Hamas captivity, and while the IDF maneuvers cautiously on the ground, the sense that we’re holding back our full strength lingers. At the same time, Trump is warning of an imminent strike on Iran, raising the specter of regional escalation.Domestically, chaos reigns. The government is in crisis over allegations that senior Netanyahu aides advanced Qatari interests. The Prime Minister’s attempt to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has been blocked by the Supreme Court—an unprecedented move that could trigger a constitutional showdown. And just yesterday, a leaked recording of the Shin Bet’s head of the Jewish department revealed him boasting about arresting settlers without any evidence. In a moment where everything feels fragile—national unity, legal order, deterrence—we’re left asking: where is this all headed?To help us think through these turbulent times, we’re joined by Dr. Ronen Shoval—a political philosopher, public intellectual, and longtime activist in Israel’s ideological landscape. He’s the Dean of the Tikvah Fund and founder of the Argaman Institute for Conservative Thought. He co-founded the influential “Im Tirtzu” movement, has taught at Princeton University, and is the author of Holiness and Society, a groundbreaking new book exploring the political theology of the Bible and its relevance to modern politics. Today, we turn to him to unpack the crisis, the philosophy behind it, and what might come next.
Support the podcast! Buy us a coffee☕:https://buymeacoffee.com/2njb***Not long ago, the biggest story in Israel was the tidal wave of protests against the government’s proposed judicial reforms. Week after week, hundreds of thousands flooded the streets, warning that the very foundations of Israeli democracy were under threat. The demonstrations reflected a moment of bitter internal division. Then came October 7th—and everything changed. The country shifted overnight from bitter internal division to all-out war. But while the fighting continues and the hostages remain in Gaza, the internal battles are slowly resurfacing—this time, with even higher stakes.In the latest twist, Prime Minister Netanyahu fired Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. Now, he’s in the process of interviewing replacements. By law, the Prime Minister can fire the head of the Shin Bet with the government’s approval—but that hasn’t stopped the Attorney General and the Supreme Court from stepping in with objections. For many Israelis, this isn’t just a legal question—it’s a test of who really holds power in the country. And for those who watched the judicial reform protests with concern, it’s a reminder that the battle over Israel’s institutions is far from over.To help us unpack all of this, we’re joined by Professor Talia Einhorn—a leading expert on Israeli constitutional law. She’s a member of the Advisory Committee on Senior Civil Service Appointments and a titular member of the International Academy of Comparative Law. She’s held academic posts at Ariel University, Tel Aviv University, and institutions around the world, and she holds many other distinctions in the legal field. Today, she’s here to walk us through the legal drama, the deeper power struggle, and what it all means for Israel’s future. We’re thrilled to be joined today by professor Talia Einhorn.
Support us at: buymeacoffee.com/2njb***On October 7th, Dr. Eli David found himself uniquely poised as the right person in the right place at a pivotal moment. With an X account boasting over 750K followers—mostly conservative Europeans and Americans— he was already a force to be reckoned with, known for his provocative takes on AI, data, and the absurdities of the "WOKE" movement. But that day, everything changed, thrusting him into a new role overnight.Dr. Eli David is an AI expert, high-tech entrepreneur, and academic at Bar-Ilan University’s Faculty of Computer Science, where he boasts over 50 academic publications. He’s co-founded innovative companies like Deep Instinct, focused on cybersecurity, and Marpai Health, advancing AI-driven healthcare solutions. Before October 7th, his X account steered clear of Israel or its conflicts, captivating a global audience with tech insights and sharp commentary. Since that fateful day, he’s emerged as Israel’s leading advocate on X, leveraging a platform where his influence ranks second only to Elon Musk among entrepreneurs to confront anti-Israel narratives head-on.Today, we sit down with Dr. Eli David to unpack Israel’s war in Gaza and explore what lies ahead. How does Trump’s bold proposal—to clear Gaza of its people and have other states absorb them—hold up? Is it a feasible strategy or an unrealistic vision? What should Israel’s current government do in response? We’ll also dive into the stalled hostage deal—months in, with so many still captive, what must Israel do now to bring them home? Plus, with a new U.S. government taking shape, how might it reshape the region? And, of course, we’ll touch on AI’s future—could it transform the battlefield or the narrative itself? With his rare blend of tech insight and advocacy, Dr. David is here to break it all down. Let’s get started.Dr. David's X account: https://x.com/DrEliDavid
Support us at: https://buymeacoffee.com/2njb***Dr. Einat Wilf has never been one to shy away from challenging the status quo. Born into a Labor Zionist family, she grew up believing in the dream of peace through compromise and coexistence. But her time working in foreign policy, education, and politics led her to some tough realizations. Over the years, she’s become one of the loudest voices pushing back on what she sees as dangerous illusions—both in Israel and abroad—about the nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through her books, like The War of Return, and her public speaking, Dr. Wilf has become a champion of pragmatic Zionism, unapologetically advocating for Israel’s right to exist and thrive in the face of ongoing rejection.While Einat Wilf shifted gradually away from the Israeli left toward, on October 7th countless Israelis made a similar shift, only drastically. The brutal Palestinian attack not only took thousands of innocent lives but also shattered the belief for many that peace is just a matter of compromise. People who once held onto the hope of coexistence are now questioning everything. This shift, echoing the journey of Dr. Wilf, grapples with hard truths about the conflict and what it will take to secure Israel’s future.Today, we’re sitting down with Dr. Einat Wilf to talk about her journey, how October 7th has changed the conversation in Israel, and what she thinks lies ahead for Zionism, the conflict, and the Jewish people. Dr. Wilf is a former member of the Israeli Parliament, a prolific author, and one of the sharpest minds on these issues. We’re thrilled to be joined today by Dr. Einat Wilf on the Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast with Eytan Weinstein and Naor Meningher.
A year ago, it felt like Israel was holding its breath. Hezbollah loomed in the north, Hamas continued to entrench itself in Gaza, and Assad’s regime in Syria was as ruthless as ever. Iran, the puppet master of this, pulled the strings behind it all, funding and arming its proxies to encircle Israel. Fast forward to today, and the map looks vastly different. Gaza is in ruins, Assad is gone, and Hezbollah has taken a blow. Yet, with every gain comes a new set of challenges. We’re still at war on multiple fronts, the Houthis are firing missiles almost daily, and so many Israelis are still held captive in Gaza. In this episode, we’re taking a hard look at where we stand. Is Israel any closer to victory? Have we truly restored our deterrence, or is it hanging by a thread? Is there any end in sight to the ongoing front in Gaza? Can we hope for a hostage deal, or will negotiations stretch on indefinitely? What does the defeat of Assad mean for the region, and how is Iran adapting its strategy in response to these shifts? These are the big questions we’ll try to tackle today as we assess whether Israel’s position has genuinely improved or if we’re simply fighting a different version of the same battle.To help us navigate this intricate landscape, we’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Dan Schueftan. A leading authority on Israel’s national security and Middle Eastern geopolitics, Dr. Schueftan has been a guest on the podcast many times before. He recently published his new book, The Rise and Fall of the Pan Arab Struggle against Israel, in Hebrew - soon to be out in English. With his keen insights and no-nonsense analysis, he’s the perfect person to help us break it all down. Let’s get into it.
On a regular evening on a language-learning app, Moriel Bareli, a Jewish man from Israel, struck up a conversation with Ahmed, a Muslim from Gaza. What began as an ordinary exchange quickly delved into the depths of geopolitical tension. Ahmed denied Israel's legitimacy, calling it Palestine, and vented his frustration over perceived injustices inflicted by Israelis. This conversation sparked Moriel’s quest to explore the diverse Muslim perspectives on Jews and Israel.Driven by this initial exchange, Moriel embarked on a journey, engaging with hundreds of Muslims across Israel and the broader Middle East. His dialogues uncovered a wide range of beliefs and misconceptions about Jewish history and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, deeply influenced by Islamic teachings. These interactions, sometimes heated and always enlightening, laid the groundwork for his book, “When a Jew and a Muslim Talk.” Through real stories and personal dialogues, Moriel aims to unveil the complex tapestry of beliefs that shape the current tensions and misunderstandings between Jews and Muslims.Today, we dive into this critical and timely discussion with Moriel Bareli, exploring the intricate and often hidden layers of dialogue that define and drive the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Join us as we uncover the profound insights and personal stories that Moriel has gathered, offering a unique perspective on one of the most enduring conflicts of our time.Buy the book here:https://moriel-bareli.co.il/en/gius-copy/
We're BACK to talk about everything that went down in Israel in the past week. TUNE IN!
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You know the drill. Another thrilling weekly recap is here just for you!***Support us at https://patreon.com/2njb
Support us at patreon.com/2njb***We're BACK for another weekly recap.Things we discussed:-Assassination of Ismail Haniya-Massacre in Druze village-IDF prosecution of reserve soldiers-Kamala Harris as potential president-US Secret Service and parade shooterAND MUCH MORE! TUNE IN!
Support us at https://patreon.com/2njb***We're BACK for another thrilling weekly recap! Tune in!
Eytan and Naor discuss the assassination attempt on former President Trump, Israel's campaign in Gaza, and the recent controversy surrounding Israel's prosecution charging IDF soldiers for 'murdering' Hamas terrorists on October 7th.Tune in!
WE'RE BACK!On today's episode we talked about:-Trump-Biden debate-Biden's mental decline-Israel's war efforts-Releasing Hamas prisoners-Israeli election debates-Military leadership criticism-Roger Waters' antisemitism-Jewish state expansionAnd much more! Tune in!
On a foggy morning in London, over a century ago, a visionary chemist met with one of Britain's most influential politicians. This wasn't just any meeting; it was a pivotal moment that would forever alter the course of Jewish history. Chaim Weizmann, a Russian immigrant and a passionate Zionist, found himself in the drawing room of Lord Arthur James Balfour. Armed with his sharp intellect and relentless drive, Weizmann presented his case for a Jewish homeland in Palestine. His argument was compelling, blending the urgent need for a safe haven for Jews with the potential benefits to the British Empire. This meeting, pivotal in its outcome, led to the historic Balfour Declaration of 1917, which proclaimed British support for the establishment of "a national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.Today, we delve into this extraordinary story with Professor Jehuda Reinharz, a distinguished historian and former President of Brandeis University. As co-author of the biography "Chaim Weizmann: A Biography," Professor Reinharz brings us closer to understanding the man behind the political triumph. Through his journey from the shtetls of Belarus to the highest echelons of global politics, Weizmann navigated the turbulent waters of early 20th-century geopolitics with a singular goal: the realization of a Jewish state. Professor Jehuda Reinharz is currently the Richard Koret Professor of Modern Jewish History at Brandeis University. He served as the President of Brandeis University from 1994 to 2010. Professor Reinharz is the recipient of the President of Israel Prize along with many other awards and accolades, far too long to list. We are thrilled to be joined on the podcast today by Professor Jehuda Reinharz to discuss the life and legacy of Chaim Weizmann, the current state of affairs for Zionism, and of course, as we have one of American academia's foremost scholars with us, the recent anti-Israel protests across US university campuses. Stay tuned, this episode is sure to be an interesting one."Chaim Weizmann: A Biography" on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Chaim-Weizmann-Biography-Institute-European/dp/1684581966
We're BACK with yet another Israel weekly recap. There's so much stuff to talk about! In this jam-packed episode, Eytan and Naor dive into:
-The mysterious helicopter crash that took out Iran's President Raisi and foreign minister -Updates from the IDF's ongoing operations in Gaza as the war approaches the 8-month mark -The ICC's latest politically-motivated charges against Israeli leaders -A viral video from an IDF reservist that sparked intense debate -Senator Ted Cruz absolutely eviscerating a judge over a mind-boggling prison sentencing decision ... and of course, plenty of classic Two Nice Jewish Boys banter and hot takes along the way!
Strap in, grab a stiff drink, and get ready for a no-holds-barred take on this week's most explosive stories - listener discretion advised!
Your favorite 2NJB's are back with another recap! What we talked about: Galant's ambush on Bibi, the IDF's unclear objectives in Gaza, Israel's missed opportunities, and the price of defeating Hamas. The Eurovision Song Contest's anti-Israel bias, Ireland's terrifying entry, and the shocking performances. The state of American academia and the future of Jewish students on US campuses. Demographic shifts in Israel, the importance of Aliyah, and the upcoming Biden-Trump debate.Tune in and send us feedback!
In early December, as the dust settled on the devastating, barbaric massacre which Hamas perpetrated on October 7th, a Palestinian official made a seemingly unsurprising statement, for a Palestinian official that is. He said that what took place on October 7th wasn’t terror, but rather “a response to Israeli terror” and called on “all factions to unite in combat against Israel”. Again, unsurprising for a Palestinian official. What’s surprising is that these weren’t the words of a Hamas official but rather Jibril Rajoub, a prominent figure within the Palestinian Authority.This statement is a stark reminder of the deep-seated narratives upheld by some within the Palestinian Authority, who govern the territories of Judea and Samaria. Some claim a second October 7th is imminent if nothing is done to curtail the PA and the Palestinians in the so-called West Bank. All of this raises profound questions, especially when juxtaposed against the backdrop of suggestions from many, both in Israel and around the world, that the Palestinian Authority should in fact take over governance in Gaza post-Hamas. To dig into all this, we turn to Itamar Marcus, the founder and director of Palestinian Media Watch, PMW. Through relentless scrutiny and documentation, PMW has exposed the often-hidden undercurrents of glorification and support for violence within the PA’s communication channels. PMW and Itamar Marcus have received multiple awards including Marcus being named one of the "top 100 people positively influencing Jewish life or the State of Israel.” by The Algemeiner newspaper. Marcus also represented Israel in negotiations with the Palestinians from 1998-1999 during the Oslo Accords. We are thrilled to be joined today on the podcast by Itamar Marcus to discuss the PA and the future of the Palestinian Israeli conflict.
In the quiet early hours of a crisp October morning in 1973, as soldiers on the front lines of Israel’s borders stood guard, a storm was brewing, unknown to them but clear as day to a select few in the distant corridors of the U.S. National Security Agency. Among these few was Bruce Brill, a young Arabic interpreter whose job was to listen in, analyze, and understand. That morning, the earth-shattering realization that his own team knew of the impending Arab attack, while those who needed that information the most remained in the dark, changed his life forever.Today, Bruce joins us with his book, "Deceit of an Ally," a compelling account of military anti-Semitism, secret intelligence operations, and the Yom Kippur War treachery that nearly cost Israel dearly. His book reveals shocking insights into how misleading intelligence assessments led to a dire miscalculation, the repercussions of which are still felt today. A former NSA analyst turned Mid-East Security Analyst, Bruce has shared his unique perspectives through numerous platforms and publications, enriching our understanding of Middle Eastern dynamics and security.Bruce’s journey from an NSA analyst to a passionate Zionist and advocate for truth in intelligence is not just the story of a man, but a reflection on the complexities of war and diplomacy. As we delve into his experiences and revelations, we connect it to the chilling parallels seen on October 7th, when Israel faced a devastating intelligence failure as Hamas launched an unprecedented attack from Gaza, catching Israel off guard. Bruce offers not just history, but lessons on the importance of clarity and honesty in intelligence and international relations. Join us as we uncover the layers of deception and the quest for truth in the shadowy world of espionage.Bruce's book on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Deceit-Ally-Military-Anti-Semitism-Treachery/dp/965930420X
You know the drill. Eytan and Naor discuss everything that happened in Israel in the past month.
About 2 months after October 7th and the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza War, a poll was conducted in the United States. Many of you may remember this because the results were pretty shocking. While most Americans support Israel and view Hamas and its actions as genocidal terrorists, young Americans 18-24 don’t quite agree. At least, they’re not so straight forward about it. 51% responded that Israel should be “ended and given to Hamas and the Palestinians”. 60% believed that Hamas’ massacre was justified due to Palestinian grievances. What’s more shocking is that 66% of American 18-24 year-olds thought Hamas’ actions on Oct 7th were genocidal. Which, if you think about it, means that a big chunk think genocide against the Jews is legitimate. I guess not surprising after we saw the questioning of Ivy league presidents by congress.
The reality of antisemitism goes beyond people’s hearts and minds, unfortunately. Over the course of the last 6 months since Oct 7, there has been a sharp rise in anti semitic incidents with the ADL reporting a 360% spike back in January. And 90% of US Jews feel this uptick, according to a study done by Pew Research Center.
Now, American Jewish organizations are combating this phenomenon. And that’s to be expected. What’s less expected is an American Muslim organization fighting the rise in antisemitism.
Joining us today is Dan Khan, a U.S. Army veteran and Deputy Director of the Muslim American Leadership Alliance (MALA). MALA is dedicated to empowering individual freedoms, fostering interfaith connections, and combating hate in all its forms. Today, Dan will shed light on MALA's support for the Jewish community, as well as his recent insights shared at the Combat Antisemitism Movement panel, where he outlined proactive steps the Muslim community can take to combat antisemitism.
We're honored to have Dan with us, as we explore the American Muslim community's role in building a future where understanding triumphs over division. Join us as we delve into the possibilities for hope and solidarity in these challenging times.
If Tel Aviv is the Silicon Valley of the Middle East, AKA Silicon Wadi, cybersecurity is its beating heart. From the towering successes of Palo Alto Networks and Checkpoint to the relatively recent rise of Wiz, Israel stands as the undisputed leader in the realm of digital defense.
At the core of this technological powerhouse lies Unit 8200, Israel's legendary intelligence unit, known for honing the skills of some of the world's sharpest cyber minds. Graduates of 8200 venture into the entrepreneurial landscape, seeding the growth of Israel's cybersecurity sector with their expertise and innovation.
One of the things that truly sets Israel apart is the tidal wave of investment flooding into its cybersecurity ecosystem, propelling the nation to the forefront of global innovation. If you think about it, it’s pretty crazy - Israel, or at least Israeli tech, is protecting a huge chunk of the world’s most lucrative digital assets.
Today, we're honored to host Alon Arvatz, one of the young new minds in the cyber realm. As an IDF cyberwarfare veteran and tech product leader, Alon has authored the compelling book, "The Battle for Your Computer: Israel and the Growth of the Global Cyber-Security Industry," where he unravels the intricacies of Israel's pivotal role in the global cybersecurity landscape. Join us as we discuss with Alon Arvat all things cyber security, AI and even how it all connects to the current war in Gaza.
Alon's book: https://www.amazon.com/Battle-Your-Computer-Cyber-Security-Industry/dp/1394174152
As the war in Gaza rages on, the influence of the Religious Zionist party, led by figures like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, looms large over the direction of the Israeli government. With key ministerial positions in hand, they wield considerable power in shaping policies not only concerning the ongoing war but also regarding broader societal issues such as military service, national identity and economic affairs.
Today, we’re going to take a close look at this pivotal shift in Israeli society with our distinguished guest, Yair Ettinger, an Israeli journalist and the author of the illuminating new book, "Frayed: The Disputes Unraveling Religious Zionists", Ettinger's work provides invaluable insights into the challenges facing the Religious Zionist movement, which has become increasingly influential within Israeli politics and society. Amidst the turmoil of war and political maneuvering, many questions arise about the future direction of Religious Zionism and its impact on the broader Israeli landscape.
Ettinger is an award-winning journalist, with decades of experience. Frayed has won the 2021 Hillel Kook Award and is a finalist of the Jewish Book Council. He was a journalist for Haaretz newspaper for 20 years and today, he’s one of Kan’s commentators on Religious affairs and writes for various outlets such as Ynet. We are super thrilled to be joined by Yair Ettinger on this episode of the Two Nice Jewish Boys podcast.
Michal Sela z”l, was a vibrant soul whose life was tragically cut short on October 3, 2019, at the tender age of 32. Her husband was convicted of her brutal murder, shedding light on the pervasive issue of domestic violence that plagues our society. Sadly, Michal's story is not an isolated incident—around 20 women meet similar fates each year in Israel alone. The statistics on violence against women in Israel paint a grim picture, highlighting the urgent need for action. Despite advances in technology and information accessibility, domestic violence continues to claim lives at an alarming rate. Recognizing this dire need, the Michal Sela Forum emerged, spearheaded by Michal's sister, Lili Ben Ami. Through her tireless efforts and innovative approach, Lili seeks to revolutionize the way we address and prevent domestic violence. Our guest today is Lili Ben Ami, the visionary behind the Michal Sela Forum. As the founder and CEO, Lili has dedicated her life to leveraging technology and innovation in the fight against violence towards women. Her groundbreaking work has garnered international recognition, from winning prestigious prizes to speaking at the United Nations. Through her leadership and advocacy, Lili is reshaping societal norms and advocating for a future where every woman can live free from fear and violence. We’re honored to be joined by her today to talk about Michal, the Michal Sela Forum and rising from the tragedy. Michael Sela Forum's website: https://www.msf-global.org/
In the quiet streets of the Emanuel settlement, Malka Leifer appeared to be just another face in the crowd, blending seamlessly into the fabric of daily life. Yet, beneath this ordinary facade lay a story that would captivate and horrify a nation. Leifer, a former headmistress at the Adat Israel school in Melbourne, was under suspicion for heinous acts of sexual abuse against her students. Her saga, marked by a cunning flight from Australia and a controversial claim of mental unfitness for trial, unfolds against a backdrop of international legal drama, challenging the very principles of justice and accountability.
The case of Malka Leifer is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a deeper, more pervasive issue within the Haredi community. Sexual assault, often shrouded in silence and taboo, leaves its victims isolated and desperate for support. This societal challenge poses profound questions about power, protection, and the willingness of a community to confront uncomfortable truths. As the struggle for justice for Leifer's victims continues, it reveals the complexities of balancing religious loyalty with the imperative to safeguard the innocent.
Enter Shana Aaronson, the CEO of an organization dedicated to protecting victims of sexual assault within the ultra-Orthodox community. With a mission fueled by personal conviction and a deep understanding of the nuanced dynamics of Haredi society, Aharonson and her team stand at the forefront of a tireless fight for justice. Their work, emblematic of a broader struggle for change, brings hope to those who have suffered in silence, offering a beacon of support in a landscape often dominated by power and patriarchy. As we delve into this episode, we explore the courage, challenges, and unwavering commitment of those who dare to stand up against sexual assault in the Haredi community.
Imagine this: It's 2011, and you're managing a hospital in Aleppo, Syria. Life is ordinary until a thunderous storm of civil unrest erupts into the Syrian Civil War. Chaos reigns as the conflict intensifies, and the Assad regime's iron fist descends upon anyone suspected of opposition. Amidst this turmoil, Shadi Martini, the General Manager of that very hospital, becomes a beacon of hope. He and his comrades work tirelessly, covertly providing aid to wounded and ill civilians as they navigate the treacherous landscape of a city under siege.
In the heart of the Syrian war's darkest days, Shadi Martini's initiatives shine with unwavering resolve. His dedication to helping those in need knows no bounds. But as the conflict rages on, danger lurks ever closer. In 2012, a deadly twist of fate shatters their clandestine network. Discovery by the regime forces Shadi into an impossible decision: stay and risk certain death or flee the war-torn country that was once his home.
Today, Shadi Martini is not just a survivor; he's a symbol of resilience and compassion. As the Chief Executive Officer of Multifaith Alliance, he tirelessly advocates for humanitarian aid and bridges cultural divides. His mission transcends borders, encompassing Syria, Humanitarian Aid, and Israel, topics deeply intertwined with his extraordinary journey. We're thrilled and honored to have Shadi Martini on the show with us today to discuss his life, Syria, humanitarian aid, Israel and much much more.
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“Israel's Catch 22 and Are We Preaching To The Choir?”
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Three months ago to the day Israel suffered one of its darkest days, if not the darkest day, in its 75 year history. We’ve all been overwhelmed by the scenes of October 7th. Whether depicted visually or verbally, they cut deep. But in the time since, events have unfolded - and the proverbial excrement is hitting the fan.
As the war drags on in Gaza, inch by inch, what seemed to be unanimous international support for Israel (for about 3.5 seconds on Oct 7th) has quickly shifted. America is attempting to force Israel’s hands both in the strikes against Hamas in Gaza and in the provision of humanitarian aid. And then, just last week Israel allegedly took out one of the heads of Hamas - Saleh Al-Arouri in Lebanon, in a surgical strike. The extreme precision of the assassination was assumed to be a wink and nod at Hezbollah signaling, “feel free to stay out of this one”. Hezbollah apparently wasn’t keen on letting it be and on Saturday they upped their usual rocket barrage towards Israel, and supposedly managed to hit an extremely strategic facility on Mount Meron in Northern Israel.
The water is beginning to bubble. The only question is what happens when the pot’s boiled?
To help us dissect these complex issues, we're joined today by Caroline Glick. Caroline is not just any journalist; her resume speaks volumes. A former advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a veteran of the IDF, Caroline brings a unique blend of military and political insight. Her work as a senior columnist for publications like Israel Hayom and The Jerusalem Post, along with her on-the-ground reporting during Operation Iraqi Freedom, has established her as a formidable voice in Middle Eastern affairs. She also has her own, brilliant podcast titled, The Caroline Glick Show - check it out. We are thrilled to be joined by Caroline Glick on the podcast today to talk about the war, Israel-America relations and where it’s all headed.
(special thanks for TLV Salon for organizing this event! check them out at: https://www.tlvsalon.com)
About a month ago, in early November, several families of the hostages taken by Hamas on Oct 7th gathered at the Levinsky-Wingate Academic Center for a special evening. There was no agenda, no politicians, no diplomats, just the families, a piano and Igor Levit.
Levit is a world renowned pianist who’s been described as “one of the great musicians of his generation”. He was born in a city called Gorky in the Soviet Union to a Jewish family. In 1995 his family moved to Germany where he lives today, in Berlin. Igor Levit is one of the most prominent, young musicians in both Germany and around the world.
After Oct 7th as the war began and antisemitism raged around the world, Igor was faced with the question: what can I, a pianist, do for my people? And Igor’s answer didn’t come without risks.
Igor Levit won the silver medal at the 2005 Rubinstein competition and has graced concert halls and major classical music festivals worldwide with his performances. His distinguished recordings, including the complete Beethoven sonatas and acclaimed albums of varied compositions, have garnered widespread praise. We are thrilled and honored to be joined by Igor Levit on this live episode of The Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast here at SOHO House Tel Aviv. We’ll be talking to Igor about his life, his career and what the hell he’s doing in Israel.
In recent weeks, Israel has found itself in an unprecedented situation following the October 7th attack. The nation is now facing simultaneous conflicts on three fronts, with a major campaign in Gaza, a mini-war in the north, and another campaign in the West Bank. The strain on both the military and public patience has reached critical levels as Israel navigates through this multifront challenge.
Zooming out to the bigger picture, the orchestration by Iran is becoming increasingly evident. The global stage is set for a potential war as Iran pulls the strings of various players like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Their actions threaten not only the stability of the region but also the global economy, pushing Israel and the West to confront difficult decisions. As tensions rise, the question becomes: What steps should Israel and the Western world take in response to this intricate web of geopolitical challenges?
To unravel these complex questions, we turn to our most trusted expert, the man with the insights, Dr. Dan Schueftan. Dr. Dan is the head of the International Graduate Program of National Security at the University of Haifa, with a wealth of experience as a teacher at the IDF National Security College and Command and Staff College. His advisory roles for Israel’s National Security Council and former Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Ariel Sharon, coupled with his prolific writings on Israel’s National Security, make him the go-to expert for understanding the intricacies of the current geopolitical landscape. Join us as we explore the analysis and recommendations of Dr. Dan on the unfolding events that have captivated the world's attention.
(Main photo: Hagai Fried)
WE'RE BACK! Naor and Eytan talk about everything that's been going down in Israel in the past few weeks.
The Israel-Gaza War started yesterday when Gaza invaded Israel, brutally murdered hundreds of men, women and children, captured dozens and launched thousands of rockets. How will it end? Only time will tell. In the meantime, we try to answer some of the questions that have been raised following yesterday's and today's events.
Special live episode with audience recorded at Soho House Jaffa and produced by the amazing TLV International Salon! check them out at www.tlvsalon.com
Picture this: Yahya Mahamid, an Israeli-born Muslim from the city of Umm el-Fahm, posts a simple photograph to Facebook. On the surface, it seems like just another post, but this singular act reverberates through his life, shaking his world to its very core. The backdrop? A grim headline about three Jewish teenagers who've gone missing in the West Bank. For Yahya, this wasn't just news; it was a deeply personal event, with one of the teenagers being his same age. But as the notifications began pouring in, the weight of that one post, that one choice, became evident. His world was turned upside down, his life redefined by a single click.
So, what does life look like when your entire narrative is shifted by a fleeting online moment? Join us as we journey through Yahya's captivating tale.
Yahya Mahamid is a trailblazing Israeli educator, activist, and mentor, fervently dedicated to the empowerment and integration of Israel's Arab youth. A rare Israeli-Muslim who stepped forward to volunteer in the IDF, he's now diligently working towards his B.A. in Education at Ono Academic College. As a formidable advocate against anti-Semitism and misinformation, Yahya ceaselessly champions dialogue and understanding.
We're thrilled to welcome him to the Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast for this very special live episode at Soho House TLV.
Two weeks ago, yet another Palestinian horrific terror attack took place in the Palestinian village of Hawara, just next to Jerusalem. The terror attack claimed the lives of two innocent Jews - Shay Silas Nigrekar and his son Aviad. Shay, a loving husband and father, embarked with his son Aviad on what seemed like a routine day, never suspecting the grim fate that awaited him.
As they pulled into the car wash that day, they were brutally shot and murdered by a Palestinian terrorist.
Today, we are joined by Lital Shemesh. Lital was meant to be on the podcast two weeks ago but had to postpone due to the tragic loss of her relatives, Shay and Aviad, in the Hawara attack.
Lital is not only an accomplished journalist and TV presenter but also a prominent right-wing news personality. She has a wealth of insight to share, ranging from her experience at Channel 14 - Israel’s only conservative TV channel - to her perspectives on the proposed reforms in the communications market by Communications Minister Shlomo Karai. Together, we'll explore the aftermath of the horrific attack in Hawara and dive into the broader landscape of Israel's ever-evolving social and political dynamics. We’re honored to have Lital Shemesh with us today on the Two Nice Jewish Boys podcast.
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It all started when a social media influencer, Senia Waldberg, shared a post that sent shockwaves through Israeli social media. Known for his capitalistic and libertarian perspective on politics, Senia took an unexpected turn by critiquing Netanyahu's right-wing government and its controversial judicial reform proposal. What made this critique even more intriguing was that it originated from the right side of the spectrum, rather than the expected left. Today, we're diving deep into Senia's thought-provoking post and the unique perspective it brings.
Senia Waldberg's journey in the public eye has been a fascinating one. Many young Israelis remember him as one of the pioneers who brought the controversial 'seduction artists' courses to Israel, providing advice to men on matters of the heart and attraction. But life has taken Senia down diverse paths since then. He's evolved into a husband, a father, and an entrepreneur. Alongside his wife Masha, he's created a groundbreaking invention named 'Annabella' – a versatile milk suction device designed for mothers, aiming to be the ultimate solution in its domain. Senia is also the author of the best selling books in Hebrew “Why Do Women Like Men?” and “That’s How You Will Make Him Think Only About You”. As a campaigner, Senia worked with prominent politicians including Liberman, Bennet, Kahlon and Moshe Feiglin.
Today, we're privileged to have Senia join us on the podcast. We'll explore not only his intriguing career journey and the evolution of his perspectives but also his take on current affairs that has caused ripples across Israel's Facebook sphere. Let's dive in!
If there’s a place on Earth where geopolitics not only makes for engaging conversation around the dinner table but is an everyday concern for every citizen, it’s the Middle East. Today, we’ll dive into the captivating realm of Middle East geopolitics, where history is being reshaped by intricate negotiations. Israel and Saudi Arabia, former foes, now pursue historic peace, yet shadows loom as nuclear reactors emerge on Saudi soil. Amidst Lebanon's fragility, Hezbollah's audacious dance with Israel adds even more tension. As Iran navigates behind the scenes, orchestrating both regional turmoil and negotiations with President Biden for a pivotal nuclear deal, the region hangs in a delicate balance.
To shed light on these complex dynamics and the broader forces at play, we are honored to have Dr. Raphael BenLevi with us today. A distinguished authority in international relations and political science, Dr. BenLevi serves as the director of the Churchill Program for Strategy, Statecraft, and Security at the Argaman Institute, and is a research fellow at The Misgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy. Drawing from an extensive background in IDF Intelligence and affiliations with esteemed institutions such as Georgetown University, he brings profound insights to the intricate tapestry of Middle Eastern geopolitics. Notably, his contributions extend to his upcoming book titles "Cultures of Counterproliferation - the making of US and Israeli Policy on the Iranian Nuclear Program" With a scholarly journey culminating in a PhD from Bar-Ilan University, an MA from Reichman University (IDC Herzliya), and a B.Sc. from the Technion, Dr. BenLevi's expertise serves as a guiding beacon in our pursuit of understanding these critical dynamics.
Picture this: It's 1962, and Pope John XXIII convenes the Second Vatican Council. When the conference concludes, one of its most significant outcomes is a new vision for the relationship between the Christian Church and the Jewish religion. This momentous declaration rejects the long-held accusation that the Jews were responsible for Jesus' death and seeks to foster understanding and reconciliation. Cut to - decades later, Dr. Karma Ben-Johanan, an Israeli researcher, would be captivated by the impact of this historical event on the Christian world. Her research would grant her one of the world’s most prestigious history prizes, the Dan David Prize, for her phenomenal achievements.
Dr. Ben-Johanan's inquisitive mind delved deep into the subject during her doctoral studies at Tel Aviv University. She was puzzled by the idea that, in the 20th century, Jews were still a topic of concern in the Christian world. What were the origins of this guilt and the subsequent need for reconciliation? This inquiry led her on an academic journey to dismantle the complex tapestry of Jewish and Christian relations after the Second Vatican Council.
Today, we have the privilege of exploring the intricacies of Dr. Ben-Johanan's research, discovering how the past informs the present, and understanding the fascinating dynamics between religious communities in our ever-changing world. Her work serves as an inspiration, bridging the gaps of understanding and shedding light on the complexities of interfaith relations.
Dr. Karma Ben Johanan is a senior researcher-lecturer at the department of comparative religion studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Her book, ‘Jacob’s Younger Brother’ was published by Harvard University Press and is available on Amazon. We’re delighted to have her on the show today.
The book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jacobs-Younger-Brother-Christian-Jewish-Relations/dp/0674258266
Those are turbulent times in Israel, with recent events casting a glaring spotlight on the country's judiciary system. The passing of the first law of the Netanyahu government judiciary reform, which removes the 'reasonability clause' from the supreme court, and the contentious law proposing changes to the committee to elect judges have ignited passionate debates about the system's flaws and challenges.
Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Emi Palmor, an Israeli lawyer and esteemed civil servant who held the prestigious position of Director General of the Ministry of Justice from 2014 to 2019. During her 24-year tenure in the civil service, Emi was appointed by the government to chair public committees addressing sensitive and controversial social and legal issues, demonstrating her exceptional leadership skills and commitment to finding sustainable solutions for the betterment of Israeli society.
As a leading expert in the field, Emi Palmor's contributions extend far beyond her time in the Ministry of Justice. Her extensive experience in law and governance, coupled with her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion in the government, has earned her national recognition. Notably, she is among the first 20 members of the Facebook Oversight Board, tasked with making crucial (and some would say - controversial) content moderation decisions on one of the world's largest social media platforms.
Join us as we delve into the intricacies of Israel's judiciary system, explore Emi's remarkable career journey, and gain insights into her valuable work within the government and beyond.
This episode was recorded with live audience at Soho House Jaffa on July 11th 2023. The event was produced by TLV International Salon: https://www.tlvsalon.com/
We’re sitting here tonight in the magnificent ancient city of Jaffa, sipping cocktails and enjoying this beautiful venue provided by our wonderful hosts, SOHO House. Amidst all this, it’s easy to forget the unrest that unraveled (and still is unraveling) today across the country. A “national day of disruption”. Main highways were blocked, huge protests at the airport, demonstrations in front of politicians' homes, and more, all in opposition to the proposed Judicial reforms by Netanyahu’s right wing government.
All of this is but a symptom of a nation divided - divided along political, religious and ethnic lines. The right vs. the left, haredim vs the secular, Jews vs Arabs. The Abu Hassan hummus lovers and the anti-Abu Hassans.
To add gasoline to the fire, Israel faces the same external threats it has always faced. As we’ve seen over the past weeks with the operation in Jenin and the wave of terror that just hit Israel, year after year, generation upon generation, our never ending list of enemies are as eager as ever to end us.
But fear not my dear audience, we just so happen to have with us tonight a doctor for just such ailments. A historian with experience in diplomacy and politics who also coincidentally just wrote a book on how to face these very challenges.
Dr. Michael Oren is a distinguished American-born Israeli historian, author, and former Israeli ambassador to the United States. Known for his insightful work, including the best-seller "Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide" and the award-winning "Six Days of War," his influence in academia and politics is widespread.
Beyond his academic contributions, Dr. Oren also left his mark on the political landscape, as a former member of the Knesset for the Kulanu party and as a Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. His latest book, "2048: The Rejuvenated State," brings forth a bold vision for Israel's future. It's this exciting work that brings us together tonight, just outside the golden walls of old Jaffa, for a candid conversation on Israel’s future. Ladies and gentlemen, please give your warmest welcome to Dr. Michael Oren.
Buy Dr. Oren's new book: https://www.amazon.com/2048-Rejuvenated-State-English-Hebrew/dp/9655263525
In the midst of the ongoing political tug-of-war in the US, and the ever-present debates around progressive identity politics, we invite you to join us for a down-to-earth look into the great American divide.
No matter which side of the aisle you find yourself on, the polarization is hard to ignore. But what happens when someone defies expectations and challenges the status quo? Enter CJ Pearson, a young black trailblazer who made an unexpected journey from the left to the right-wing of the political spectrum.
In this episode, we'll delve into the complexities of progressive ideology, the growing influence of identity politics, and the role of African Americans within the Republican Party. With the upcoming elections looming, it's the perfect time to reflect on the fascinating journey of individuals like CJ Pearson, who challenge the norms and spark conversations about race, ideology, and the future of American politics.
CJ Pearson is a young, up and coming, sharp PragerU personality and a frequent guest of Fox News.
Grab a seat and get ready for a candid, thought-provoking discussion that navigates the intricate intersection of politics, identity, and the quest for common ground.
2NJB LIVE EPISODE IN JAFFA WITH DR. MICHAEL OREN! RSVP here: https://MichaelOrenSohoSalon.eventbrite.com
It’s easy to forget, but we recently had yet another mini-war with Gaza. In Tel Aviv, we experienced moments of running to bomb shelters, but that’s nothing compared to the anxiety and turmoil experienced by those living in villages near the Gaza border. They faced daily bombardment, with mere seconds to find safety — a testament to their incredible perseverance. Now look, we all know, opinions about Gaza are like podcasts - everyone’s got one, and no one really cares about yours. But truly understanding the reality on the ground requires hearing from those who live there. Joining us today is Amir Tibon, one of Israel's accomplished young journalists and a resident of Kibbutz Nahal Oz, the closest community to Gaza. With his invaluable insights, Amir sheds light on the challenges faced by the people in this turbulent region. Amir Tibon is Haaretz Newspaper's diplomatic correspondent. He was previously U.S. news editor for Haaretz and before that, the paper's Washington D.C. correspondent from 2017-2020. His writing on Israel has been published in The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, The New Yorker, Tablet and other leading US publications. Amir lives in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, with his wife and two daughters. Get ready for a captivating conversation as we explore the aftermath of the recent conflict in Gaza, Israel-USA relations and the upcoming elections in the States and its effect on Israel. We're thrilled to have Amir Tibon as our guest on the podcast today.
Amir's articles @ Haaretz: https://www.haaretz.com/ty-WRITER/0000017f-da25-d42c-afff-dff77f020000
Please consider donating to help the us continue making great content: https://2njb.com/donate
Today, we are diving into a fascinating topic that sheds light on a dark chapter of history. After World War II, some Nazis faced persecution in the Nuremberg trials, while others managed to escape justice by fleeing to different parts of the world. We all know that many Nazis found refuge in South America, but what about those who stayed in Europe or fled to Arab countries? This is where the Israeli Mossad, the renowned intelligence agency, enters the picture.
Our guest today is Prof. Danny Orbach, an accomplished Israeli military historian and associate professor at the Hebrew University. With a background in intelligence and military history, Prof. Orbach brings a wealth of expertise to our discussion. He holds a PhD in history from Harvard University, further enhancing his scholarly credentials.
In his latest book, "Fugitives: A History of Nazi Mercenaries During the Cold War" Prof. Orbach explores the stories of Nazi war criminals who found new roles and allegiances after the war. He uncovers the intriguing involvement of the Mossad with former Nazis, revealing previously undisclosed information about their recruitment and interactions. Prof. Orbach's research, backed by classified internal documents, sheds light on the complex relationships between former Nazis and intelligence agencies worldwide.
Join us as we delve into the captivating world of post-World War II Nazi fugitives and the hidden connections between them and intelligence agencies around the globe. Let's welcome Prof. Danny Orbach and explore the astonishing revelations in his latest book, "Fugitives."
Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Fugitives-History-Nazi-Mercenaries-During/dp/1643138952
In recent years, Israel has faced a critical problem as certain NGOs, funded by foreign countries, have been accused of supporting terror and advocating for the destruction of Israel. Last week, the government, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, introduced legislation aimed at preventing these NGOs from receiving tax reductions. The intention behind this move was to deter foreign countries from supporting Palestinian NGOs with questionable affiliations. However, the proposed law ignited an uproar among EU states, further highlighting the complex and sensitive nature of the issue.Amidst this landscape, NGO Monitor has emerged as a prominent initiative shedding light on the actions and influence of international NGOs in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Founded by Professor Gerald Steinberg, a distinguished political scientist, NGO Monitor aims to provide critical analysis and distribute reports on the work of these NGOs. By doing so, they seek to promote transparency and provide necessary context in an often complex and polarizing environment.Today, we are honored to have Professor Gerald Steinberg as our guest. With a background in political science and extensive experience as a consultant to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli National Security Council, Professor Steinberg is a leading authority on the subject. As the founder and president of NGO Monitor, he brings a wealth of knowledge and insights into the motivations and impact of NGOs working against Israel. Join us as we delve into this important topic and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding NGOs in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Freedom has been at the core of humanity's struggles for centuries. From revolutions and wars to social movements and uprisings, the pursuit of freedom and democracy has been a constant battle. For the Jewish people, this fight has taken on a particular significance, as they have endured persecution, genocide, and exile in the pursuit of personal and national freedom.
In his upcoming book, And None Shall Make Them Afraid, author Rick Richman explores the stories of eight remarkable Jewish figures who embody the revolutionary movements of Americanism and Zionism. These two ideologies, with freedom and democracy at their core, were instrumental in the fight against the murderous ideologies of communism, fascism, and antisemitism in the twentieth century. Richman's book showcases the lives and achievements of individuals like Theodor Herzl, Golda Meir, and Benjamin Netanyahu, whose legacies have shaped the course of history.
We are honored to have Rick join us on Two Nice Jewish Boys to discuss the enduring commonalities between Americanism and Zionism, and the importance of upholding freedom in the US. A Harvard-educated professor and accomplished writer, Rick has written for prestigious publications such as Commentary and The New York Sun, and his first book was a bestseller. We're honored to have him with us today!
Rick's new book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/None-Shall-Make-Them-Afraid-ebook/dp/B09NP2XRQ2
Today we want to take a glimpse into the modern life of Haredi women in Israel. As we've all come to know, the young Haredi Israeli scene has been showcased in popular shows like Shtisel. However, as modern lifestyles present an array of challenges, Haredi women are also burdened with difficult choices between pursuing a career or starting a family, studying for a degree, and navigating the unique Haredi dating scene.Our special guest today is none other than Efrat Finkel, a prominent Haredi journalist. With a rich background in reporting on various topics, Efrat brings a unique perspective to the table. As a member of a family of rabbis, including Rabbi Haim Ze'ev Finkel, head of the Talmud Yeshiva in Tel Aviv, and an overseer at the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem, her life is a bridge between haredi and modern lifestyles.With an impressive resume including reporting for prominent Israeli outlets such as Walla, Channel 20 (now 14), and most recently Channel 13, Efrat has made a career by breaking barriers and glass ceilings. Coincidentally, she is also the first Orthodox Haredi woman to appear on our podcast. We couldn't be more thrilled to have her join us today as we explore the challenges and triumphs of young Haredi women in Israel.
Israel is currently in a state of turmoil due to the proposed judicial system reform by the new Netanyahu government. The reforms have caused massive demonstrations from the opposition, leading to reconciliation negotiations between the coalition and opposition at President Herzog's estate. The controversy surrounding the proposed reforms has brought the country's judicial system into the spotlight, making it a relevant topic for discussion.In today's episode, we have the honor of speaking with Dr. Adam Shinar, one of Israel's most prominent young law professors, who is an avid reform opposer. Dr. Shinar is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) at the Harry Radzyner Law School at Reichman University, specializing in constitutional law and theory, comparative constitutional law, and legal theory. His expertise in various topics related to the judicial system reform in Israel makes him an invaluable guest.Dr. Shinar holds an S.J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he also served as the Clark Byse Fellow. He also holds an LL.B. from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School. In addition to his impressive academic background, he has worked as an attorney for several human rights NGOs in Israel and India and clerked for the President of the Israeli Supreme Court, Aharon Barak. Dr. Shinar's research has been presented in leading universities such as Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the European University Institute, and he has published his work in top-tier journals.
For decades, Israel has been a target of terrorist attacks, with hundreds of innocent civilians losing their lives in bombings, shootings, and other acts of violence. Despite the Israeli government's efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, many of the masterminds behind these attacks have remained at large. Frustrated with the lack of progress, a group of terror victims and their families decided to take matters into their own hands and seek justice in international courts. This is the story of their fight for justice, and the NGO that helps them in their pursuit.The NGO in question is Shurat HaDin, a legal organization founded in 2003 by attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner. Shurat HaDin specializes in representing terror victims in legal actions against those who finance and support terrorism. Using creative legal strategies and a global network of lawyers, Shurat HaDin has won numerous cases against banks, governments, and other entities that have aided terrorist organizations. The organization also provides legal aid to Israeli soldiers and civilians who have been subject to lawsuits and legal harassment in foreign jurisdictions.Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, the founder of Shurat HaDin, is a prominent human rights lawyer and activist. In addition to her work with Shurat HaDin, she has authored "Harpoon: Inside the Covert War Against Terrorism's Money Masters." The book offers an inside look at the covert operations used to disrupt terrorist financing networks, and the legal and moral dilemmas involved in such operations. Through her work with Shurat HaDin and her writing, Darshan-Leitner has become a leading voice in the fight against terrorism, advocating for a comprehensive and proactive approach that targets the financial and logistical infrastructure of terrorist groups. We're thrilled to have Nitsana on our show today!Shurat Hadin's webstie and donation options:https://israellawcenter.org/Nitsana's book 'Harpoon' on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Harpoon-Inside-Against-Terrorisms-Masters-ebook/dp/B06Y1NDSGZ
For those who have been living under a rock, Israel is going through one of its most turbulent times in history. Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest against the judicial reforms offered by the Netanyahu government, with economists warning of dire consequences and left-wing politicians warning of a dictatorship. Meanwhile, our enemies are watching and taking advantage of the situation - as reserve air force pilots and other intelligence corps reserve officers refuse to show up for duty.The situation has led to a deep divide within Israeli society, with families and friends cutting ties and blocking each other on social media. It has become almost impossible to have a calm and rational conversation about this issue without being called a dictator or a racist. Today, dear listeners, we will explore whether it is possible to have a civil conversation about this contentious issue.To do that we invited back a friend of the podcast, Lilac Sigan. Lilac is an accomplished journalist, commentator, and author based in Israel. She has worked for major publications such as Haaretz and Globes and is currently a regular contributor to Maariv. Recently, she conducted a study on the coverage of Israel in The New York Times, which was published in Ma’ariv and other media outlets and became an academic study for Bar Ilan University. We’re super happy to have her on to talk about current events.
Get ready for a journey through time and history, as we explore the impact of media and politics on our world. With the current state of the world being so politically charged and divisive, it's more important now than ever to understand where we came from and how we got here. That's exactly what Professor Richard Landes' new book, Can The Whole World” Be Wrong?: Lethal Journalism, Antisemitism, and Global Jihad, aims to do.
As a medievalist and expert in apocalyptic beliefs, Professor Landes brings a unique perspective to the table. He explores the relationship between the medieval mentality and current events, and how it's affecting the world we live in. His book documents the impact of misguided reactions and the disconnect between politicians, the media, and the public.
So, without further ado, let's welcome our guest, Professor Richard Landes, to the show! With his extensive knowledge and expertise, he's sure to offer us a fresh and fascinating perspective on the state of the world today. Get ready to have your mind blown and your perspectives challenged!
Richard's website: http://www.richard-landes.com/
Richard's twitter: https://twitter.com/richard_landes
Today we will be diving - yet again - into the current political turmoil in Israel, sparked by the proposed judicial reforms by the new Netanyahu government. For those who have been living on a different planet, massive demonstrations and an immense campaign throughout mainstream media against the reforms have led to a complete backlash, tearing apart Israeli society.The place where these reforms are being prepared is the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, and more specifically the Law and Constitution Committee, led by MK Simcha Rotman, who was our guest on episode 275. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with one of the advisors for the head of the committee, Prof. Talia Einhorn, who just arrived from Jerusalem and even today took part in the committee.Prof. Einhorn is an accomplished law professor, with countless articles and studies on important topics revolving around Israeli and international law, including a major treatise on Israeli private international law - the third edition of which was just released in 2022. She is a titular member of the International Academy of Comparative Law and has been serving as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Appointment of Senior Civil Service Officials. Join us as we discuss the current state of affairs in Israel and gain insight into the proposed judicial reforms from an expert in the field.
Political turmoil has been rocking the nation of Israel in recent times, with the suggested judicial reforms put forth by the Netanyahu government at the center of the storm. The reforms have been met with fierce opposition from many quarters, and the country remains divided on the matter.
The situation has been complicated by the fact that hundreds of economists have written a letter warning that the reforms could have a negative impact on Israel's economy. The government is comprised of ultra-Orthodox parties, whose demographics threaten to collapse the country's economy in the coming decades. This, combined with the proposed reforms, has created a perfect storm of economic uncertainty in Israel.
Joining us today on the podcast is data journalist Idan Erez, an economist, writer, and political activist. Erez holds a bachelor's degree in economics and history from Tel Aviv University, he's currently working at Globes, one of Israel's most important economic news outlets. Eretz is a (kind of?) libertarian who supports a free market, reducing regulations, and lowering taxes. He is also a member of the political lobby "Our Interest," and one of the founders of the association "Freedom for All." On today's show, we'll be discussing the current state of the Israeli economy, and the potential impact of the proposed reforms.
Idan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Idaneretz Idan's articles: https://www.globes.co.il/news/%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%93%D7%9F_%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%A5.tag
Jews are an important part of the history of the United States, and their contribution stretches across many different fields like cinema, politics and of course - the bagel.
But a little less known aspect of Jewish history in America, is the role Jews played in wars, and in particular - the civil war, and even the Independence war. When the Civil War broke there were about 150,000 Jews in America. 125,000 of them lived in the Union States and supported Lincoln. As for the rest of them, 25,000 Jews - they were part of the Confederacy, and some of them even fought for the Rebels.
To shed some light on this fascinating aspect of American Jewish history, we have on the show today the author Chaim Rosenberg, who wrote a new book called Shield of David: A History of Jewish Serviceman in America’s Armed Forces.
Chaim Rosenberg has written fifteen books focused largely on the role of the individual in shaping American greatness. Rosenberg's books focus on the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, child labor in America, and the Loyalists in the American Revolutionary War. His book Yankee Colonies Across America won the 2016 non-fiction prize of the New England Society in the City of New York. We’re super thrilled to have Chaim with us today to talk about his new book!
Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Shield-David-History-Servicemen-Americas/dp/1637588992 Photo: Archangel12
(THIS EPISODE DESCRIPTION WAS WRITTEN BY CHATGPT, WE DIDN'T TOUCH IT) In this week's monthly recap, we discussed the juicy scandals of the bar association and the political turmoil with the suspension of Netanyahu. We also delved into the frightening events of terrorist attacks in Neve Yaakov and Jerusalem, as well as the high tech exodus happening with companies like Papaya Global moving money out of Israel. But don't worry, we balance the heavy with a fun story about Eytan's doctor's clinic and the always entertaining commentary from David Hodek threatening civil war. Join us for a wild ride through the events of the past month in Israel!
In case you didn’t hear, over 80 thousand people gathered at HaBima Square in Tel Aviv Saturday night to protest what they’re calling the “Judicial Revolution”. This revolution, the protesters assert, which is being carried out by Prime Minister Netanyahu, aka Crime Minister, and his right-wing coalition partners, is a threat to our very democracy! The reform proposed by brand new Justice Minister Yariv Levin plans to grant the coalition the power to appoint judges and enable them to override the Supreme Court, along with other legislative changes. These are hotly debated issues in Israel. Many people see them as either seen as a breath of life or a strike of death to our young democracy.Today we’re gonna break down the Israeli Judicial system and the proposed reforms. And we have just the guy to help us out - Professor Moshe Koppel, the founder of the Kohelet Policy Forum, a think tank dedicated to “Israel’s future as the nation-state of the Jewish people, to strengthen representative democracy, and to broaden individual liberty and free-market principles in Israel.” Professor Koppel is a computer scientist, so we might also discuss how ChatGPT might be used to draft Israel’s constitution.
Back in 1953, at MIT, two young mathematicians crossed paths. Professor Yisrael Aumann was a young brilliant doctoral student when he met John Nash, one of the fathers of game theory and the subject of the biography and Oscar-winning film A Beautiful Mind. Nash shared his ideas on game theory with Aumann who later said "I didn't give the field much thought at the time because I was busy with pure mathematics".
Years later when Aumann was hired by Bell to work on antiaircraft missiles, he realized that Nash's ideas were a game changer. Pun intended.
Later both men would receive Nobel prizes for their contributions to the field of economics. Recently, Aumann expressed criticism about assertions by prominent behavioral economists such as Daniel Kahneman and Dan Ariely that humans are fundamentally irrational. Aumann urges a return to Rationality.
Professor Yisrael Aumann is himself a legend of Game Theory. He's a founding member of the Stony Brook Center for Game Theory and is a Professor at the Center for the Study of Rationality at the Hebrew University. We're thrilled to be joined today on the show for the second time by Professor Yisrael Aumann.
The world was a different place when we last met with the beloved Dr. Dan Schueftan on March 2022. Putin had just invaded Ukraine, in a move that Dan called ‘a self defeat of Russia’. The US and Iran were on the verge of cutting a new deal that would have allowed Iran access to enormous funds and normalized this barbaric regime among the nations. And the PM of Israel was Naftali Bennet. Indeed, many things can change in 10 months.
Putin is still sunk in the muddy grounds of east Ukraine, and there is no end in sight for this war. Europe is struggling with devastating inflation and an energy crisis that threatens the very fabric of the union. And Iran became a strong ally of Putin, with its UAVs killing innocent Ukrainians - thus leading for the west to back off a deal, for the foreseeable future. Iran is also currently dealing with what looks like the biggest civil uprising in its history.
To talk about all those fascinating geopolitical developments - and much much more - we’re thrilled to be joined yet again by the one and only Dr. Schueftan. Dan is the head of the National Securities Studies Center at the University of Haifa. He has taught at the IDF National Security College and Command and Staff College. He was an advisor to Israel’s National Security Council and former Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Ariel Sharon. He’s also the author of several books and articles on issues pertaining to Israel’s National Security. He joins us today for the third time to talk about the Iranian Threat.
(Main photo: Hagai Fried)
November 1st, 10pm. Israel's election exit polls start rolling in. The right wing with Bibi at its helm have achieved the unthinkable, a triumphant comeback. Some left wing parties are even struggling to pass the threshold, leaving them on the precipice of oblivion. One, Meretz, doesn't make it. The right have done it again, and celebrations are in order. In the words of the great Jewish poet, Pink!, "I'm coming up so you better get this party started. Get this party started."
BUT...record scratch sound effect… that was all some 45 days ago. A month and a half later, and still no government. Bibi is expected to announce his new coalition this Tuesday, but time shall tell. For the expected Premier, the struggle was real. 45 days of agony. Maybe they'll instate a new Jewish holiday to commemorate this time. It seemed that with each passing day another exciting expected right wing reform evaporated into thin air. Judicial reforms, economic reforms, police reforms. Poof, poof, poof. Now, all that remains are two questions. Will a government be formed at all? And if so, will it even be right wing?
To help us answer these questions, we're joined by a beloved friend of the podcast, a contender for the title of Nicest of Jewish Boy, Roy Iddan.
Roy Iddan is a scriptwriter and political analyst. He's consulted for some of the major political parties in Israel including the Likud and Blue and White. He's also the creator of the hugely successful Israeli police drama, Manayek, which was recently sold to none other than HBO! We're thrilled to be joined by Roy to talk politics, police and TV.
This episode is sponsored by Naor’s Youtube channel ‘The Italy Guy’! Check it out here and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button! https://www.youtube.com/c/ItalyGuy
Naor and Eytan talk about recent events in Israel, US and the entire known universe!
This episode is sponsored by Naor's Youtube channel 'The Italy Guy'! Check it out here and don't forget to hit the subscribe button! https://www.youtube.com/c/ItalyGuy
Last week something happened in Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu, who already broke the record as Israel’s longest sitting Prime Minister - did it again. After Naftali Bennet and Yair Lapid overthrew him a year and a half ago, he made an historic comeback which left everyone speechless. Netanyahu took the country by a landslide, in an outcome that none of the pollsters saw coming.
But in the morning after the elections, as Netanyahu and his million voters celebrated - in the small courtroom of the Jerusalem District court, things were as usual. The humongous trial of cases 1000, 2000 and 4000, kept going. Witnesses were examined by the defense and then by the prosecution. ‘The State of Israel vs. Benjamin Netanyahu’. Charges of fraud and bribery. The trial will continue for years before a verdict will be heard, and that’s even before the appeals.
Very few people in Israel truly understand the complexity of the charges and the cases against Netanyahu, and case 4000 is undoubtedly the most complicated of them all. It is also the most severe, the only one where Netanyahu faces charges of bribery - and many of his supporters believe wholeheartedly that this entire case is bogus.
That is why a bunch of civilians, supporters of Bibi, decided to take it upon themselves to deep dive into the case and its 315 charges, to prove that they are absurd and invalid. They call themselves ‘Project 315’. Today we have with us one of the initiators of this endeavor, Moshik Kovarski, to talk about case 4000 and take a deep dive inside. So buckle up! Moshik on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mk1956
It’s never easy to be different, to be the other. As Jews and Israelis, we know this just as well as anyone else. To be “the other” can often be devastating, even lethal. That’s why it’s important to be tolerant, to recognize others, to acknowledge them and sometimes even to fight on their behalf. One such group are those who identify as LGBTQ. Historically, religious persecution, social outcasting, violence or other abuses have plagued LGBTQ people.
In the harsh reality of the Middle East, Israel is the only country where members of the LGBTQ community enjoy full rights… well, except for marriage. Then again, Israel just held elections and from the looks of it, the most solidly right wing government in over a decade is on its way to power. Itamar Ben Gvir is even a likely candidate for Minister of Public Security, overseeing the police. Should this be cause for concern?
To talk about all this, we’re excited to be joined by Yuval David, an actor and activist who’s an ardent advocate for the LGBTQ community. Inspired by his Jewish and Israeli-American roots, Yuval advocates for marginalized communities through organizations including the National LGBTQ Task Force, GLAAD, HRC and many many more.
As an actor, Yuval’s played major roles in short and feature films, television and theatre, including ABC’s “What Would You Do”, CBS’s “Madam Secretary”, and much much more. Yuval also produces, directs, and writes.
We are thrilled to be joined by Yuval today to discuss the LGBTQ community.
www.YuvalDavid.com www.YouTube.com/YuvalDavid www.Instagram.com/Yuval_David_ www.Facebook.com/YuvalDavid www.Twitter.com/YuvalDavid www.IMDB.me/YuvalDavid www.Linkedin.com/in/yuval-david
Eternalizing the memory of the holocaust is a sanctified deed. We must never forget.
That’s why every new initiative that strives to further enrich the plethora of documented memories - is a blessed one. Today, we gather to celebrate an especially special initiative. one that breathes life into a topic that is so saturated in death. A beautiful new book called “Honey Cake and Latkes: Recipes from the Old World by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors”, by Dr. Maria Zalewska and 120 survivors who share their favorite recipes.
Today we are joined by Maria, the author of the book, and Tova, a Survivor who took part in the initiative. Maria is the Executive Director of the Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial Foundation. Tova Friedman was born in Poland. When she was 5 years old she was forced to endure the horrors of the Nazis, at Auschwitz Birkenau. She and her mother managed to survive, and were liberated by the Soviets in 1945.
We are honored to have them on the show today to talk about the new book, and about Tova’s amazing life story.
Buy "Honey Cake & Latkes: Recipes from the Old World by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors": https://www.amazon.com/Honey-Cake-Latkes-Auschwitz-Birkenau-Survivors/dp/1595911235
Buy "The Daughter of Auschwitz": https://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Auschwitz-Tova-Friedman-ebook/dp/B09Q639RW7
(Photo by SashaW)
Naor and Eytan are BACK after the Holidays hiatus to discuss everything that's taking place in our crumbling reality.
Support us at https://www.patreon.com/2njb
“You make me feel like a natural woman.” “This is a man's world but it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl.” Ladies and gentlemen, what does it mean to be a woman? Or a man?
Are these even inherently different or are these labels slapped on us by society, dictating how we're expected to behave, how we should talk and walk and how much we should earn.
Dr. Sarai Aharoni is a senior lecturer and researcher in the gender studies program at Ben Gurion University of the Negev.
Her research deals with gender, feminism and international relations with a focus on the effects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the status of women and the participation of Israeli women in peace talks, non-governmental organizations and civil activity for peace.
We're thrilled to be joined today by Dr. Sarai Aharoni to discuss women, men and everything in between.
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/2njb
(Please note: this episode may contain disturbing descriptions of battle) What makes a hero? Today, when we think "hero", we can might think of a Marvel or a DC superhero, the kind that wears a cape or a mask and saves the day. But here, in Israel, real-life heroes are made every day. Only last week, two cops noticed a suspicious guy walking around in Jaffa. They arrested him, and discovered he was a Palestinian terrorist, armed with bombs and a machine gun, ready to kill civillians. That’s only one story out of many, about real-world heros.
Today, we have the honor of hosting a real-world hero. His name is Ziv Shilon. Ziv was a commander in the Givati brigade in 2012, when, as he was out on a mission with his platoon, a bomb exploded in his face, literally. What happened thereafter would shape and re-define his entire life. Ziv underwent intense rehabilitation, started lecturing around the world about his inspiring story, created a beautiful family and in 2019 received a medal of honor from the IDF chief, for his service and his achievements.
We are deeply honored to have Ziv Shilon on the show with us today.
Ziv's website: https://zivshilon.com/en/home/
Brothers for Life - NGO https://www.brothersforlife.com/
Tikvot - NGO https://www.tikvot.org.il/
(Photo by Ohad Romano)
Since the Russian invasion into Ukraine, one thing that's been on a lot of people's minds (especially Europeans) is energy. Back in 2010, Israel had somewhat of an energy revolution. From a country that relied almost exclusively on imported energy, Israel suddenly became energy rich, along with certain corporations - some might even say they became filthy rich.
The discovery of the Tamar, Leviathan, Karish and Tanin gas fields under the Mediterranean sea was no less than striking flammable gold. And it indeed sparked a fiery debate across Israel.
Delek, Noble and a relatively small Israeli company called Ratio were the main ones responsible for finding and extracting the gas - but should they retain the rights to profit from it?
Today, we’re joined by one of the key figures in this debate, Professor David Gilo, former Director-General of the Israeli Antitrust Authority. Prof. Gilo received his doctoral degree from Harvard Law, he taught at Tel Aviv University for many years and he’s won countless awards. We are thrilled to be joined by Professor David Gilo today to talk about Israel’s natural resources and monopoly power. (Photo by Gadi Ohad)
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/2njb
Never a dull day in the Middle East. As Israel is entering another round of elections, Iran is on the brink of getting a new deal which will allow it to become stronger than ever. And as if that’s not enough, the entire global economy is threatened by inflation.
It is in these delightful circumstances that we invited, once again, our seasoned guest Ofir Dayan, to talk about recent events and much more. Ofir recently came back from five years in the United States, where she was getting a Bachelor’s and Masters degree in at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Ofir is a fierce advocate for the Jewish right to visit the Temple Mount, as part of the ‘Beyadenu’ NGO.
We’re super excited to have Ofir with us again on the show today! Beyadenu NGO: https://www.templeheritage.com/en
This Episode is sponsored by Unpacked’s new podcast, ‘Homeland: Ten Stories, One Israel‘ https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/homeland-ten-stories-one-israel/
What would you do if you had 2.5 million dollars to invest in scientific research? Would you search for a cure for Altzheimer’s? Cancer? MS? Would you try to send the first man to Mars? Or would you attempt to create the perfect tiktok video?
These are the questions that faced Professor Ido Kaminer from the Technion. Well, maybe not the last one. Professor Kaminer applied for the prestigious Polymath award, given each year by Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google. The rules are simple: submit a research proposal in a field that you’ve never explored. In other words, the applicants are requested to leave their comfort zones, think outside of the box and come up with an innovative idea that’s worth the money - 2.5 million dollars.
Professor Kaminer was recently notified that he was awarded the prize. Now, he faces probably THE greatest challenges of his career - trying to explain to us simpletons what in the world his research is about.
Prof. Ido Kaminer is a physics professor, he studies quantum mechanics and he’s the first Israeli to have gotten the Adolph Lomb medal, awarded since 1940 to a person who has made a noteworthy contribution to optics at an early age. It’s an honor to have him on the show today. (Photo: BAYS Israel Chem Laureate)
This Episode is sponsored by Unpacked's new podcast, 'Homeland: Ten Stories, One Israel' https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/homeland-ten-stories-one-israel/
Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/2njb
“The Next-To-Last time I Was Shot Out of A Cannon”, “The Bus Driver Who Wanted to Be God”, “Suddenly, A Knock On The Door”. Just the titles of these short stories are enough to make your literary mouth water. Etgar Keret certainly has a knack for doing just that.
With a long career of award winning short stories, books, comics, graphic novels, children’s books and even short and feature films, all under his belt, Etgar Keret finally decided to tackle the hardest challenge of all - substack. Keret has been posting to his new substack, Alphabet Soup, once a week for the last year. As Keret puts it, “Super- short weird stories, poems, thoughts about writing, ideas for screenplays – they all swirl around in my Alphabet Soup pot.”
Keret has won many awards, among which the Knight Medallion for Literature in France. His debut feature film, Jellyfish, which he co-created with his wife Shira Geffen, was awarded the coveted Camera d’Or prize at the Cannes film festival.
Today we are super thrilled to be joined for the SECOND TIME by the endlessly talented Etgar Keret. Etgar's newsletter and website: https://www.etgarkeret.com (Photo by Lielle Sand)
(Sponsored) When a bus breaks down off an Israeli highway and leaves its passengers stranded, Emily, an American journalism student, decides to put her skills to the test...much to the chagrin of her fellow travelers. As she eventually coaxes each person to share their story, Emily uncovers the rich and complex history that every Israeli holds. Each episode is a deep dive into a new character’s world; from Morocco to Russia, all paths lead to Israel in this narrative style pod brought to you by Unpacked. Get it wherever you get your podcasts, or here: https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/homeland-ten-stories-one-israel/
Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/2njb
In May 1997, something happened that would change the relationships between humans and computers forever. A game of chess was played, but it wasn’t just a regular game. On one side was Gary Kasparov - the undeniable Chess Master of the world. On the other side a bunch of 1’s and 0’s, aka Deep Blue, IBM’s computer that was developed with one purpose, and one purpose only - to beat Kasparov in chess.
And it happened. Deep Blue won ⅗-⅖ after a match of 6 games, and the history of computers changed forever. Cut to - almost two decades later. After a computer did the unthinkable, there was even a bigger challenge in hand - beating the Go world champion. Go is a Chinese game, which is considered to be much more complex than chess, with endless possibilities. However, eventually the computer did it again, and defeated the world champion.
Cut to - Jaffa, Israel, early 2000’s. Ali is sitting at home, watching his favorite Anime show, ‘Hikaro No Go’. He’s inspired by the fascinating game the characters in the show are playing, and he decides to try it for himself. He goes online and starts playing. By 2009, he will be Europe’s Youth Champion at Go. By 2015, he’ll be the second best Go player in Europe. Today, we’re honored to be joined by Ali Jabarin and hear his incredible story.
On February 24th, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and set the entire world on course for turmoil.
Even today, every single day, about 200 Ukrainians die every day, in a war that no one seems to know how or when it will end.
With casualties in the tens of thousands, more than 10 million Ukrainian refugees fled their homes. Those who have stayed continue to suffer from a daily dose of deadly rocket fire, hitting without any warning and causing severe casualties.
Among the masses that fled, was Rabbi Mendel Moskovitz. Rabbi Moskovitz is a Chabad rabbi with a long Ukrainian history. Born in Brooklyn, his parents took him to Ukraine as a baby on their mission to help Jews in the new nation emerging from the falling Soviet Union. Fast forward 32 years - Rabbi Moskovitz found himself at the crossroads of history. Rabbi Mendel Moskovitz joins us today to share his experiences in Kharkov, 5 months ago, at the beginning of the Russian invasion. Donate to the Jewish Relief Network Ukraine Foundation here: https://www.jrnu.org
Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/2njb
Naor and Eytan talk about current events in Israel and the world!
Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/2njb
Let me ask you a question: if you checked showtimes for movies in your area at any given moment over the past decade, which type of movie would you almost certainly see on the list? That’s right, a superhero movie. But not just any superhero movie. A Marvel superhero movie. Marvel has produced and released around 30 films since 2007, grossing almost 30 billion dollars!
But this empire of film didn’t start as an empire. It all started with a man named Stan. Stan Lee. Or did it?
Today we’re joined by Abraham Riesman. Abraham is the author of True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee. The book was published by Penguin Random House’s Crown imprint and is nominated for both the Hugo and Eisner awards. As Neil Gaiman describes it, “True Believer is a biography that reads like a thriller or a whodunit. It's an exploration of an often farcical tragedy: the life, afterlife, and death of a salesman and an editor who dreamed of being something more. It unwraps Stanley Lieber the man and Stan Lee the invention and the brand name, and manages to be scrupulously honest, deeply damning, and sometimes even heartbreaking.”
Abraham Riesman is a Providence-based journalist, writing primarily for New York magazine about arts and culture. Abraham’s work has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The New Republic, and Vice, among other publications. We are super thrilled to be joined by Abraham today to talk about Stan Lee and all things Marvel.
(Photo by Gage Skidmore)
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/2njb
For 74 years Israel has been a beacon of progression, economic success and democracy in the harsh and ruthless land that is called the Middle East. As former PM Ehud Barak once said - ‘a villa in the jungle’.
But as you plunge head-first into the history of Israel and the Jewish people, you come to the realization that our thriving economy and democracy isn’t obvious at all. In fact, in 1948, when the State of Israel was established, there were only 24 democracies on the face of the globe - a mere 1/4th of existing states back then. And so you can’t help but wonder - how were the foundations to this anomaly - that is our existence here - laid down? And if we played so many cards right - how come we can’t quite reach the high standards of living that you see in the most successful countries on Earth, like the Scandinavian countries, Canada, Australia and even America?
To answer those mind-boggling questions - and many more - with have with us today Dr. Ori Katz, the author of the new book ‘Blue and White Money’, published in Hebrew. Dr. Katz is an economics Doctor, specializing in economic growth and the history of economy. We’re super thrilled to have Dr. Ori Katz on our show today.
Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/2njb
When you think about Tel Aviv, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? The beautiful beaches? Rothschild boulevard? The luxurious Neve Tzedek neighborhood? All of the above?
It’s hard to imagine, but until not too long ago Tel Aviv wasn’t the trendy, touristy, attractive city that it's become. It took a lot of work to make it what it is today. So, how did it happen?
Today we have with us just the man who can tell us the story of Tel Aviv. A man who's responsible in large part for Tel Aviv’s world reputation. Eytan Shcwartz is the former CEO of Ir Olam - a TLV Municipal company responsible for Tel Aviv's international PR. Eitan was also the head of Tel Aviv’s communications division, a role from which hejust recently stepped down.
We’re thrilled to be joined by Eyan Schwartz today to talk about Tel Aviv’s secret, its stories and its people. (Photo by Kfir Sivan)
This is not a drill: Israel is going to elections. No, you’re not listening to a rerun episode from 2021, 2020 or 2019. It’s actually happening again, after the Bennet-Lapid government - which only withheld for a single year - dissipated into the abyss.
Meanwhile, in Europe, it isn’t too boring either. Russia’s war against Ukraine slowly continues, heavily funded by EU taxpayer’s money; Inflation is sky-rocketing; And the strongest country in the Union, Germany, is arming up, as Germany’s new Chancellor Shultz pledges to build the largest European army since WWII.
Germany is also Israel’s most important and powerful ally in Europe, and as it intends to buy natural gas and military technology from Israel in astronomical sums - it seems like the relations between the countries are coming to a new era.
To talk about all this - and much more - we’re joined today by journalist Christine Kensch. Christine is the Middle East correspondent for The Welt, one of Germany’s biggest and most important news outlets. She is also the author of the book ‘Our Law Applies on the Street’, a biographical novel about the life of Khalil, an arab-born Berlin clan member (out only in German, unfortunately!). We’re excited to have Christine with us today!
Bitcoin. Blockchain. Crypto. NFT. For most of us, these are all just synonyms for "get rich quick!"
But apparently, there's actually something more to them. Or is there? That's a heated debate in today's financial and economical spheres. Are these actual, solid financial assets or hyped-up memes that are drawing huge amounts of money into an ever expanding bubble?
In order to understand that, we need to understand what these things are in the first place. What is crypto currency? What is Blockchain tech? And most recently, what the hell is NFT?
Today, we're joined by the lovely Meitar Zehavi. Meitar is a veteran of the 8200 unit, one of the IDF’s prestigious intelligence units. She’s a filmmaker, a content creator and a self described “explainer”. And today she’s here to explain to us the mind-boggling concepts of Blockchain, Crypto and NFTs.
China. Just saying the name of this country is enough to spark debate in most Western circles. On the one hand, modern China is the antithesis to the Individualism of the West. The vast 9.5 million square kilometers is home to almost 20% of the world’s population, all strictly ruled by an authoritarian Communist regime. On the other hand, China is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, growing an average of about 10% per year for the past 3 decades! Many of the things you own, almost certainly your phones, are made in China.
Today we are joined by Noam Urbach, a China expert active in academia, business and media. Noam specializes in the study of the history of foreign religions in China, in particular the history of Chinese Jews, as well as Chinese religious policy. We’re super excited to have him on the show today to talk China
One of the fundamental questions that divide the right and left today, all over the world, is the question of agency. Are we in control of our lives? Or are our lives playing out some deterministic script? Are we non-playing characters in a reality-sized computer game?
More than 200 episodes ago, we hosted Dr. Yaron Brook, Chairman of the Board of the Ayn Rand Institute, on the podcast. One of the central tenets of Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism is that we are not NPCs in some video game. Well, not quite in those words. Rather, Rand claimed that it is our moral duty to selfishly pursue our own happiness. At the basis of that claim is the idea that the individual rests at the center and he or she (or they) are capable of shaping their own lives.
Today, we are joined by another student of philosophy, another Ayn Rand fan boy, another man who also believes we’re all selfish, self-centered joy-seeking bastards, and good on us for that.
Natan Galulazar is a father of two, content creator, Objectivist, musician several days a year, and public relations manager of an Israeli high tech firm. We are super thrilled to be joined by Natan today to talk about objectivism, the Israeli right, abortion and any other random topic that comes up because… why not?
Natan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/NatanGalulazar
Naor and Eytan talk about recent events, including the terror wave, Roe V. Wade and more! Please note: This episode contains profanities.
The New York Times has never been a great friend of the Jewish People. 80 years ago, for example, during the Holocaust, what was arguably the most important American outlet didn’t do much to expose its readers to the atrocities that led to the Holocaust, nor the atrocity of the Holocauset itself. What’s even more amazing, is that the publisher of the NYT during that period was a Jew - Arthur Hays Sulzberger. In modern times, it seems like the Times constantly takes the pro-Palestinian angle, even when it means spreading actual fake news. Only a year ago, in a list of the child victims of the war in Gaza, the NYT included a photo of a kid who died 7 years prior in Ramallah.
That is why our guest today, renowned Maariv columnist and author Lilac Sigan, has decided to take it upon herself to carefully trace the NYT’s coverage of Israel on a day-to-day basis, and to conclude once and for all how biased they actually are. We’re super happy and excited to have Lilac here with us today to talk about the NYT, Israel and fake news. Lilac's twitter: https://twitter.com/lilacsigan (Photo by Yoram Esheim)
Naor and Eytan talk about the Conflict on an interview for Warren Redlich of The Daily Lie Podcast. Enjoy!
We are sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at https://masaisrael.org
More than 5 years ago, in November 2016 - before the world turned upside down - Doron Nir was our first guest ever on the podcast. Doron was - and still is - an entrepreneur as well as one of Israel’s podcasting pioneers.
Ever since that legendary episode, Doron went on to found Stream Elements, which is now one of the fastest growing, most promising, new Israeli startups in the world. Stream Elements is a platform for online streamers - mainly gamers, but not only - who want to enrich their streams with a variety of amazing tools and features. And if the last sentence is Chinese to you, don’t worry, because we have Doron Nir with us today, straight from the new Hipster Capital of the world, Austin, Texas!
Doron is the President and Co-Founder of Stream Elements. His podcast Geekonomy, which he co-hosts with yet another Stream Elements co-founder Reem Sherman, is one of the most successful Hebrew podcasts to date. We’re super happy to have Doron back on the podcast again today to discuss his company, his career and much more!
We are sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at http://masaisrael.org
Israel is currently in the midst of a deadly Palestinian terror wave, the likes of which we haven’t seen for years. 14 lives of innocent civilians have already been lost, in 4 terror attacks - all in less than a month. In the meantime, merely 10 months after Bennet’s government came to be, its foundations are already crumbling. A few days ago, Bennet lost his coalition’s majority in the Israeli parliament - the Knesset - when his head of coalition and a member of his party - MK Idit Silman - announced that she can no longer be a part of the coalition, for ideological reasons. Indeed, Bennet betrayed his voters when he formed a coalition with Mansour Abba’s Raam party, an Arab party that some say is a sister to the Muslim Brotherhood organization. And now, when he lost his majority in the Knesset, some journalists claim that Bennet and his political ally Yair Lapid, are relying on the Arab Joint List to save them from new elections. The Arab Joint List’s members, have a long record of statements and actions in support of terrorists. All that puts Israel - and Israelis - in turmoil. As many Israelis can’t help but wonder - when and where will the next terror attack be? - we thought it might be insightful to talk to someone who unfortunately knows grief personally. Yossi Tzur is the father of Asaf Tzur, who was murdered in 2003 in the horrific terror attack on city bus 37 in Haifa, in 2003. Since then, Yossi devotes his life fight terrorists and terror supporters. We’re honored to have Yossi on the show with us today to talk about his son, and to hear the perspective of a bereaved father on what our country is going through.
Asaf's memorial website: http://blondi.co.il/eng_site
We are sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at https://masaisrael.org
In February 2022, U.S. inflation rose to a 40-year peak - a staggering 7.9 percent. Which means that every month, your dollar can buy less and less and less.
This, combined with the rising prices of both energy and other commercial goods - may lead to an economic disaster, possibly more severe than anyone can imagine.
The markets haven’t been doing so well either, and in the past several months - it seems - most of the pandemic time’s earnings and high company valuations were literally scrapped.
So why is this happening? Who’s to blame? And can something still be done - or is it already too late?
To answer these mind boggling questions, and much more - we have with us today no other than David Woo.
David Woo is a former Bank of America strategist, now CEO of David Woo Unbound, a global forum devoted to the promotion of fact-based debates about markets, politics and economics. In 2013, David was voted as one of the twelve smartest people on Wall Street by Business Insider magazine! We’re super thrilled to have him on the show today to talk about the economic problems we’re all facing today and how we might better prepare for what’s to come.
David's website: https://he.davidwoounbound.com/ And Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidWooUnbound
We are sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at http://masaisrael.org
Your monthly dose of Naor and Eytan is finally here! Tune in for unimportant opinions about recent events. WARNING: Do not listen to this episode if you're not high or lightly drunk.
We are sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at https://masaisrael.org
For the last year, ever since Joe Biden became president of the United States, there’s been a tremendous effort on the part of the US to renew the deal between them and Iran. To rejoin the JCPOA. To revive the dying legacy of Biden’s former boss and ideological forefather, President Barack Obama.
How much will the US be willing to concede? How likely is it that a deal will ultimately be signed? And will such a deal stop Iran from obtaining nuclear arms?
Well, to answer all this and more, we are joined by - you guessed it - our dear friend, the no-filter owner of the most glorious mustache, Dan Schueftan.
Dan is the head of the National Securities Studies Center at the University of Haifa. He has taught at the IDF National Security College and Command and Staff College. He was an advisor to Israel’s National Security Council and former Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Ariel Sharon. He’s also the author of several books and articles on issues pertaining to Israel’s National Security. He joins us today for the third time to talk about the Iranian Threat.
We’re thrilled to welcome Dan Schueftan to the podcast. (Main photo: Hagai Fried)
We are sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at https://Masaisrael.org
Last year we interviewed mountain climber Daniel Wolfson twice - once, before her long-awaited journey to be the first Israeli woman to climb mount Everest, and then again, right after she climbed its peak. Her breathtaking stories inspired us, as they inspire thousands of Israeli men and women, who come to Daniel’s lectures to hear her swashbuckling tales.
Well, now she’s done it again. This time, Daniel climbed the peak of Vinson mountain, the highest mountain in Antarctica. Yes, you heard us right. Antarctica. She made it back in one piece (barely), and now she’s here to tell us all about it.
Daniel Wolfson is a lawyer by trade but in her free time she runs marathons, does triathlons and conquers some of the highest summits in the world. We’re super happy to have her on the show today.
We are also sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at https://Masaisrael.org
Today, there’s hardly a subject that isn’t considered controversial. But long long ago, in a galaxy far far away, the most controversial topic was a little thing known as Climate Change. Actually, they called it Global Warming then.
Point is, the question of how we as humans are affecting the climate of our planet and what we should do about it, and when, is a hot topic. So hot that representatives of 197 parties attended the UN’s COP26 last year and drafted the Glasgow Climate Pact. It’s a topic so scorching hot that many politicians suggest aiming for net zero emissions in record times. So hot a topic, that we just had to have a climate expert on our show to discuss all this.
Professor Yonatan Dubi is a professor in the department of Chemistry at the Ben Gurion University in the Negev. His fields of research are Energy transport in nanoscale junctions, Energy transport in photosynthetic complexes, and Heat flow in complex low-dimensional systems. If any of that means anything to you, you’re probably listening to the wrong podcast. Professor Dubi will hopefully break down climate change in terms Two Nice Jewish Boys can understand. We are thrilled and honored to be joined on the show today by Professor Yonatan Dubi.
We are sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at http://Masaisrael.org
Naor and Eytan talk about recent events in Israel and around the world!
We are also sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at https://Masaisrael.org
During the week of Passover in 2002, a young Israeli-Arab walked into the Matza restaurant in Haifa and blew himself up, killing 16 Israelis and wounding many more. The terrorist was the son of a Palestinian from Jenin who was married to an Israeli-Palestinian woman from Northern Israel.
This week the Knesset is scheduled to vote on one of the most impactful laws legislated in recent years, a law that could breach the very concept of what it means to be an Israeli - the Citizenship bill. This law is so controversial that it threatens to dismantle the coalition. Included in the law is the fundamental question of how a non-Israeli Palestinian may become a citizen of the State of Israel. One of the versions of this law to be voted on was proposed by our guest today, Knesset member Simcha Rothman.
Simcha Rothman recently joined the Knesset as part of the Religious Zionist party led by Betzalel Smotrich. He is a lawyer and the co-founder of The Movement For Governability And Democracy, an NGO which advocates for returning power from the judicial to the legislative branch. His book, “The Supreme Court Faction” depicts how judges, prosecutors and bureaucrats have stolen power from the democratically elected representatives. We are thrilled to be joined today by MK Simcha Rothman to talk about his proposal for the Citizenship law, the judicial system in Israel and much much more.
We are also sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at https://Masaisrael.org
There are few people on this planet as industrious and creative as our guest today. After making Aliyah from South Africa in 1956 with his wife, he had several less than successful business ventures including a bicycle factory and a cow farm. But these did not deter Morris Kahn. Morris Kahn went on to found Golden Pages Israel, Amdocs and of course SpaceIL, which launched Beresheet to the moon in 2019.
Kahn has dedicated decades of his life and vast amounts of his wealth to philanthropy and child healthcare. He helps bring elite Israeli doctors around the world to save children’s lives through the Save A Child’s Heart organization. He supports medical research including some amazing breakthrough cancer research at Tel Aviv University. And he does so much more. If we tried to cover even 5 percent of his generosity, we’d be here until tomorrow. And then we’d miss the pleasure of talking to the man himself.
We are thrilled and honored to be joined today on the podcast by Morris Kahn.
This episode is sponsored by the Podcast “Thirty Six” With Justin Hayet! Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/0zlLptB6swtpqPjkTe8ovV?si=768565f9b5fc463a
We are also sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at http://Masaisrael.org
This weekend, two earthquakes hit Israel. Luckily, they weren’t too strong - only 4 the Richter scale. They were nothing compared to the level 10 earthquake that hit the news.
In a series of articles published in the Cacalist newspaper, Tomer Ganon revealed that the Israel police used Pegasus, a sophisticated offensive cyber-security software - to hack into the phones of numerous Israeli citizens, illegally. Among the victims of this alleged illegal espionage, are mayors, ex-PM Netanyahu staffers, and even average Joes. It was also claimed, that the police used the software to hack into a political activist’s phone, where they found he was using Grindr, a gay dating app, which could be used to extort him, as he’s a married man. His sin? Protesting against the government.
The articles sent shockwaves throughout Israel, and while the police chiefs and Minister of Internal Security themselves denied everything - evidence shows otherwise.
If true, what are the implications of those actions? What are the legal claims of the police? Does the Israeli law permit the use of such software against Israeli citizens? Under what circumstances?
To answer those questions we have with us today one of Israel’s leading experts in the fields of law and the digital sphere, Prof. Michael Birnhack.
Prof. Birnhack is a Professor of Law at Tel Aviv University, he researches, teaches and writes about intellectual property, privacy law, information law, and law and technology. We’re super happy to have Prof. Birnhack on the show today.
This episode is sponsored by the Podcast “Thirty Six” With Justin Hayet! Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zlLptB6swtpqPjkTe8ovV?si=0244cb565b684acc
We are also sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at https://Masaisrael.org
6,000,000. A number that resonates with us all. A sum that represents the endless sea of horrors, atrocities and tragedies. Entire worlds that crumbled, infinite realities that ceased to be. 6,000,000 is a sacred number.
Our guest today, documentary filmmaker David Fisher, was haunted by this number. In his mind, a neverending stream of questions - where did this number come from? What does it mean? Who’s to say there were really six million? Is it myth, or historical fact?
In the holocaust research world, those questions are borderline blasphemy. And indeed, many doors were shut in Fisher’s face along his expedition for the truth. However, other doors began to open.
On the eve of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we are honored to have David Fisher on our show to discuss his new documentary, ‘The Round Number’.
This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at http://Masaisrael.org
Eytan and Naor talk about Eytan's trip to the States, Covid, Emma Watson, Arabic and much more!
THIS EPISODE CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT
This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at https://Masaisrael.org
Marriage and relationships have never been easy. Since the day Abraham told his beloved wife Sarah he wants to have an open relationship - millions of couples have had to navigate the stormy waters of intimacy.
And although throughout history, maintaining a relationship was never easy - doing so in the 21st century brings along its own unique set of challenges. In the age of the internet, with its metaverse, Hitech, TikTok and twitch - we're constantly facing temptations, jealousy and FOMO. Maybe our parents were better off after all?
To talk about all this - and much, much more, we're joined today by a very honorable guest, Prof. Danielle Knafo. Prof. Knafo is a psychologist, psychoanalyst and author. She is considered one of the top sexuality theoreticians in the world. Danielel Knafo is a professor in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at LIU-Post and on the faculty at NYU Postdoctoral Program. She has published and lectured extensively on the subjects of creativity, psychoanalysis, gender, sexuality, and technology. She maintains a private practice in Manhattan and Great Neck, NY. I am super happy to have Prof. Knafo on our show today! Prof. Knafo's website: https://danielleknafo.com/
This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at https://Masaisrael.org
On August 6, 1984, Corporal Moshe Tamam, who was 19 years old, took a bus ride from the northern city of Tiberia to Tel Aviv. Moshe was on vacation from his military service, where he served as an instructor of heavy-duty vehicle drivers. He was accompanying his girlfriend to her home in Tiberia that day, but on his way back, he was kidnapped and brutally murdered by 4 arab-israeli terrorists.
A year and a half later, the 4 terrorists were captured, tried, and put in jail. But this was not the end of the story, it was only the beginning. In Israeli jail, the terrorists enjoyed a high standard of living, which includes relative autonomy inside the jail, use of cell phones, the ability to study a degree, and more. A few months ago, one of the murderers, Rushdi Abu-Moch, was set free after the 35 years sentence ended. He was accepted with celebrations in the Israeli-Arab town of Baka-Al Garabia. Moshe Tamam’s family was outraged.
Today, we are honored to have Moshe Tamam’s niece, Dr. Ortal Tamam. Ortal is a medical doctor, and towards the end of her PHD, researching genetics of preterm birth. She is a Gates Award Laureate, and a prominent spokesperson of the families of terror victims in Israel, who are constantly fighting against the lack of justice against the murderers of their loved ones. (Photo: Eran Gilvarg)
This episode is sponsored by the Podcast “Thirty Six” With Justin Hayet! Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zlLptB6swtpqPjkTe8ovV?si=6d00d84bc66448c9&nd=1
We are also sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at http://Masaisrael.org
Naor and Eytan talk about Covid, new anti-democratic laws, Eytan's upcoming trip to the States, and Naor's trip to Italy!
This episode is sponsored by the Podcast “Thirty Six” With Justin Hayet! Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zlLptB6swtpqPjkTe8ovV?si=6d00d84bc66448c9
We are also sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at https://Masaisrael.org
It is feared and revered throughout the world. Its operations have been igniting the imagination of generations. Its capabilities seem endless - from wreaking havoc in a far Iranian nuclear facility, to assassinating a high-profile Hamas agent in his hotel room at the heart of Dubai (all according to foreign publications, of course).
It is far reaching, it is bold, it is legendary. It is the Israeli Mossad. Today, for the first time on the Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast, we are going to talk to a person who was a Mossad agent. Not just an agent - he was one of the top commanders of Cesaria unit, the special ops branch of the Mossad.
In another lifetime, Mishka Ben David was a regular guy, like you and me. Born in 1952, his story is Israel’s story. He fought in Yom Kippur war and the War of Attrition, he studied literature at the University of Wisconsin - where he served as the delegate of the Zionist Histadrut. He was even working at the Matnas Company, which manages local culture centers in Israeli cities and villages. But all that changed in 1987, when he was recruited to the Mossad.
After retiring in 1999, Mishka became a writer, his novels depict thrilling spy stories that might - or might not - be based on true events. We are super excited to have Mishka Ben David on the show today to talk about his amazing life, books and service in the Mossad. (Photo by Daniel Chechik)
This episode is sponsored by the Podcast "Thirty Six" With Justin Hayet! Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/0zlLptB6swtpqPjkTe8ovV?si=6d00d84bc66448c9
We are also sponsored by Masa Israel, check them out at https://Masaisrael.org
Israel is still licking its wounds from what happened here last May, as thousands of Israeli-Palestinians stormed the street in violent protests, lynches and vandalism. With very few people arrested and persecuted, it seems like the repercussions of what happened will continue to resonate in the near future, and nobody truly knows when the next time a match will ignite the explosive barrel on which we’re sitting.
In the meantime, Iran is growing stronger by the day and getting closer and closer to the bomb, while America’s influence in the Middle East is weakening, and Israel seeks new alliances with unexpected partners like the UAE and Bahrain.
To talk about all that, and much more, we invited one of Israel’s top experts on the Arab world - near and far. Dr. Mordechai Kedar. Dr. Kedar has proposed ‘The Palestinian Emirates Plan’ plan, which he claims to be the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Dr. Kedar holds a Ph.D from Bar Ilan University, where he’s a lecturer and a scholar at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies. He is an expert for Arab media, as he’s fluent in Arabic and frequently appears in Arabic-speaking TV channels, such as al-Jazeera. We’re honored to have Dr. Kedar on the show today.
Check out Masa Israel here: https://Masaisrael.org
Back in May, everything lay in the balance. Israel had just concluded its 4th elections in 2 years and it seemed as if it was in yet another stalemate - on the way to another round of elections. But then, at the last minute, we witnessed one of the craziest political twists this country has ever experienced. Naftali Bennett, leader of the 7-seat Yamina party, agreed to form a government with a coalition of center, left-wing and Arab parties… on one condition: that he serve as Prime Minister.
The entire country was astounded. Yamina, which means Right (as in right-wing), ran on a traditionally conservative platform and on the explicit promise to not form a government with his rivals, Lapid and the Arab parties. Many, if not most, of his voters felt betrayed. But all of the elected MKs in Bennett’s party went along with his political coup d’etat. All but one.
Amichai Chikli is a Jerusalem-born ex-Israel Navy officer and the founder of the Tavor Academy for Social Leadership. He has quite the resume but what took Chikli to the national stage was his decision to stand up to the leader of his party, today’s Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett. Chikli is still a member of Yamina but he sits on the opposition. We are honored and thrilled to have MK Amichai Chikli on the podcast today.
Check out Masa Israel here: https://Masaisrael.org
When you think about the history of the Land of Israel, you probably think about King David, The Romans, Bar Kochva or the Ottoman Empire. But the fact of the matter is, that all of those powerful rulers and leaders roamed this land pretty recently. After all, what is 1000, 2000 or even 3000 thousand years in the history of mankind?
In recent centuries archeologists have been working hard to reveal the many secrets buried in layers upon layers of earth, here in Israel. All of us have heard about the various findings regarding Jewish ancient history. But long before any records of Monotheism, ancient men lived here. Israel’s strategic location, right on the border between Asia and Africa, made it an important crossroads for humanity - for tens of thousands of years. Nowadays, it is the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) who’s responsible for digging up and revealing the secrets of ancient times. Today we’re thrilled to be joined by Archeologist Emily Bischoff Bruintjes, who works and digs for the IAA.
Emily is a Prehistoric Archaeologist who currently digs in southern Israel. She holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota and a Masters from Tel Aviv University. She is originally from Minnesota but now she lives in Israel. We’re super excited to talk to Emily today about her work and Israel’s prehistoric history!
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A month ago 300 Israelis striped naked and posed in the middle of the desert. This demonstration was part of an art installation photographed by world renowned photographer Spencer Tunick. And this wasn’t the first time. Back in 2011, there were 1,200 subjects, all naked, photographed by Tunick. But all this wasn’t done to simply photograph a bunch of nudists in the desert. There was a bigger motivation.
Ari Leon Fruchter, the man who staged this whole thing, hopes these images will raise awareness and ignite a wave of activism that may help slow or even stop the disappearance of the Dead Sea.
We are thrilled today to be joined by Ari Leon Fruchter to talk nudism, environmentalism and activism. So many isms. https://www.thedeadseamuseum.com
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Naor and Eytan discuss everything that happened in Israel and the world recently. INCLUDING: -Eytan's green pass debacle -Why climate summit in Glasgow is a sham -Can Elon Musk solve world hunger? -Fan mail/ hate mail/ death threats And much more!
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About 6 months ago, in May of this year, the entire country was hit with a wave of Arab-Israeli mob violence. Jews were targeted both in the streets and in their homes in cities like Acre, Lod, Jaffa. 2 Jews died, one in Acre, one in Lod. Many were injured. There were also a few incidents of Jewish mob violence but not quite on the same scale.
On May 10th, Israel began it’s fourth military operation in Gaza. Another round in Israel’s ongoing attempt to defend itself against Hamas.
All hope for co-existence seemed gone. And then about a month later the government was formed. In an unexpected and historic twist, Prime Minister Bennett managed to form a coalition by garnering the support of one of Israel’s Arab parties. For the first time in history, an Arab party is part of the ruling coalition.
Is this just a fling or is this a true step in the direction of peace between Israel and the Palestinians?
Today we are joined by comedian and activist Noam Shuster-Eliassi. Noam joined us back in June to talk about her bout of covid and her time in Hotel Corona. But Covid-19 is so 2020. This time, Noam joins us to talk about Peace in the Middle East. Noam hails from quite a unique place - Neve Shalom or Wahat Al-Salam (which translates to Oasis of Peace), a cooperative village founded by Arabs and Jews with the stated goal of showing the world that it’s possible. Noam performs in Hebrew, Arabic, and English and we are thrilled to have her on the show today.
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At the age of 12, he ran away from home - a settlement in the West Bank. It was then he was drawn to a life of right-wing nationalist extremism. He joined the hilltop youth, an informal group of settlers responsible for incessant attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. Soon enough, he found himself indicted for incitement. His crime - dancing with a picture of the murdered Dawabsha baby as another hilltop youth stabbed the photo.
But this is all in his past. Today, Dov is an activist for Palestinian equality, for Feminism and for freedom of religion. Is this just another form of extremism or is Dov a changed man?
Today, we’re joined by Dov Morell to talk about his life as a hilltop youth, his journey and his drastic change of perspective.
Naor and Eytan talk about everything that went down in Israel this past month.
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In 2014, Vanessa Lapa had just released her new documentary film, ‘The Decent One’, about the lost diaries of SS commander Heinrich Himmler. Diaries which miraculously landed in her hands. The film was a huge international success. And after years and years of thorough research, archive deep dives and a life that revolved around Himler - Lapa thought it was probably time to move on and put the Nazis where they belong - on the shelves of history.
But fate had other plans for her.
During one of the screenings of ‘The Decent One’ in New York, an old Jew approached Lapa with an extraordinary offer which eventually led to her next documentary “Speer Goes to Hollywood.” Just when she thought she was out - they pulled her back in. Albert Speer was one of the closest men to Hitler, his minsiter of Arms and the mastermind architect behind Nazi grand-architecture.
Now, ‘Speer Goes To Hollywood’ is premiering worldwide, and we have the great privilege of hosting Vanessa Lapa on the podcast tonight. NYC screening: October 29th L.A screening: November 5th More info: http://speergoestohollywood.com/
We all remember the Holocaust. The gas chambers, the piles of dead bodies, the merciless murder of women and children and men. Of course, you also remember that girl in red. Benigni’s kid on the tank. Or Adrian Brody playing that dusty piano. And how can we forget, Shoshana. So much of our imagery and memory of the Holocaust has been informed by stories, some purely fictional.
But that’s the nature of time. So much of history is surrendered to the narrative - to the storytellers, the filmmakers and the poets. What a heavy responsibility that must be.
Rich Brownstein was born in Portland, Oregon in 1962. In 1989, Rich created what became Hollywood’s largest transcription company: The Transcription Company, used by virtually every major studio and network, including NPR, ABC News, and Oprah. In 2003, he sold the business and moved his family to Jerusalem. He started teaching Holocaust film for Young Judaea in 2010 and branched out into Jewish film in 2013. Since 2015, Rich has been a lecturer at Yad Vashem, specializing in teaching educators how to teach the Holocaust using film. He has lectured at many colleges and universities about the history of Holocaust film.
We’re very honored to be joined by Rich today to talk about the Holocaust in film. Rich's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Holocaust-Cinema-Complete-Analysis-Teaching/dp/1476684162
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The government in Israel is celebrating 2 months since its establishment, and boy, what a ride has it been! This week, PM Bennet will go to Washington for his first meeting with President Biden. But here in Israel, many people feel this government doesn't represent them. 1 million Likud voters were left out of the party, because their leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, is boycotted by the leaders of the left and central wing parties. Some people in Israel claim that Israeli society is divided into two - First Israel, mostly left wing ashkenazis, and second Israel - mostly right wing mizrahis. The elites, which includes mostly ‘first Israel’, is depriving second Israel from the game, according to those who believe in this theory. Many of them are Likud voters. In his new book, ‘The Mobiles and The Fixed - The Struggle of the Elites Against Israeli Democracy’, Taub is debating that the struggle between First Israel and Second Israel, will define the future of the country.
Dr. Gadi Taub is probably one of the most hated and despised people among Tel Aviv’s intellectual elite. The reason is simple: once, he was one of them. An eloquent left winger, a senior lecturer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with a PhD in American Studies from Rutgers University and all the right opinions. But alas, Dr. Taub woke up one morning and decided to “shift sides”. Now Taub publishes in-depth, highly controversial, right-wing op-eds in Haaretz.
We’re thrilled to have Dr. Taub on the show to talk about his new book.
Naor and Eytan talk about all the recent events in Israel and around the world.
Check out our NEW merch store! www.2njb.com/merch
Check out our NEW merch store! www.2njb.com/merch
For so many, the Arab-Israeli World is a mystery. Even in Israel, where we live side by side with Arab-Israelis, it’s a foreign culture to us non-Arabs. We read about it in the news, we see it depicted in movies and television and we hear it talked about endlessly. But we don’t really know what it’s like. Probably the only part of their culture some of us know fairly well is Arab food - Shawarma, Knaffeh, Msabaha, the list goes on and on. It’s a good list too. But other parts of the culture are alien to us.
For example, what is it like to study in an Arab academic institution?
Well, our guest today might just have some insight. Avi Shalev served in Military Intelligence and the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip for 24 years. And then, he had what some might call a crazy idea. He wanted to obtain a teaching certificate in order to teach Arabic in schools and he decided to do it in Al Qasemi College, a Sufi Muslim academic institution in Baqa al-Gharbiyye, an Arab village along the border with the West Bank.
Avi wanted to cross the imaginary lines that divide Jewish and Arab Israelis and try to understand what life is like on the other side. Avi documented his experiences in his new book Al Qasemi Journal, or Yoman Al Qasemi in Hebrew and he joins us today to share his experience. We are thrilled to have Avi Shalev on the podcast today. "The Al-Qassemi Diaries" on Headstart: https://headstart.co.il/project/64485
On October 1st, 1939 Winston Churchill gave a speech on BBC Radio. When talking about the Soviet Union, Churchill said it is ‘A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma’. Now, 82 odd years later, while that definition is still true to modern time Russia, it’s just as much true about another country the west is struggling to understand. It’s Iran.
Iran is vast. With 1,684,000 square Kilometers, it is larger than the combined territories of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. It’s the 16th most populous country in the world, with almost 83 million citizens. It has an army of almost a million people. And all of this might is ruled by a bizarre combo of a kinda-democratically-elected president, alongside an almighty supreme leader, the Ayatolla.
Iran is the number 1. sponsor of terrorism on the entire globe, with the intent to ‘spread the shiite-islamic revolution’. They are the main funding source for terror organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. And they also don’t hesitate to kill their own, with tens of thousands of innocent Iranians who died for no reason since the 1977 revolution. Last week a new president was sworn to office in Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, ‘The Butcher of Tehran’, who massacred thousands of innocent Iranians when he served in various roles in Iran’s judiciary system.
Today, it is safe to say Iran seeks to become a world superpower, and eventually destroy the ‘small devil’ - Israel, and the ‘Big devil’ - the United States. Will they succeed? To try and understand what makes Iran tick we figured we’d bring someone who knows it best. Today we’re joined by Dr. Thamar E. Gindin. Dr. Eilam Gindin is an Iran expert from the Ezri Center in Haifa University. She is also the host of the Podcast ‘Enriched Iranium’ in Hebrew. We’re super happy to have her on the show today!
In a little over a year, the United States will head to midterm elections. While these elections usually get less coverage and less voter turnout than presidential elections, they play a major role in American Politics. Congress is the main event with all 435 seats up for election. Also up for grabs - about one third of the senate seats and two thirds of the gubernatorial seats.
With the progressive discourse growing more dominant in the states, these upcoming elections are not only relevant for the US but also foretell of US - Israel relations and American foreign policy in general.
One thing’s for sure, Andrew Cuomo will most likely no longer be the governor of New York…
To discuss all this and more, we’re joined today by Yiftach Dayan. Yiftach is a commentator of American politics and author of the Hebrew blog “On Elephants and Donkeys.” And according to his Twitter bio, apparently a world renowned bed sheet folder - we’ll have to see about that.
US President Joe Biden has just decided to nominate Deborah Lipstadt as the next US Ambassador to Combat and Monitor Antisemitism.
We interviewed Prof. Lipstadt in 2017 when the movie 'Denial' premiered. The movie depicted her incredible life story. We're re-uploading the episode so that you can listen to it if you haven't yet!
Join us as we talk about the latest news this month in Israel. The delta variant ushers back mask mandates and other restrictions; NSO sells spyware to Morocco helping in their surveillance of French President Macron; and the Israeli governments mulls new taxes on everything from electricity to plastic.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
Since Delta is on the rise and we might all be put back in our cages in a few weeks time, we thought it would be a great idea to revisit our old friend, Covid. But this time, from a different angle.
The poop angle.
Dr. Yair Lewis was part of the team led by Health Ministry’s national lab for environmental virology which is testing sewage across Israel to help pinpoint high risk coronavirus infection areas.
Dr. Lewis is also the VP Medical at Navina, a medical AI startup that makes patient data accessible for care providers. He earned his MD from the Hebrew University, and is board certified in Internal Medicine. Yair also holds a PhD in molecular biology from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.
We are super excited to be joined by Dr. Yair Lewis today to talk about Covid… and poop.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
It seems that in the past couple of years, the ultra-orthodox and Charedi community in Israel are constantly under the spotlight. It began with the Corona outbreak, when they were, quite despicably, tagged by the media as ‘disease spreaders’. Then, a couple of months ago, with the disaster at Mount Miron, in which 45 Charedis lost their lives as they visited the holy grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai. And now, the Charedis are again in the spotlight, as the new minister of Finance, Avigdor Liberman, announced that he will be cutting funds to the community unless, as he says, Orthodox men go out to work, instead of studying Torah all day.
Exactly a month ago, on June 15th, Rabbi Doniel Katz wrote a post on Facebook that went viral. “Having lived exclusively immersed in this culture for the last 21 years, I think I'm sufficiently qualified and well-researched enough to state that the consistent depiction of Chareidim and Torah Judaism by mainstream media, from Netflix to the daily news, is somewhere between delusion, slander and the literal equivalent of racism.“ We’ll read the entire post for you soon.
Rabbi Katz is the founder and director of The Elevation Project, an organization which aims to unlock the Torah & Kabbalah's definitive model of consciousness, meditation, and human psychology. Rabbi Katz is of course by no means an official representative of the ultra-orthodox community. But he is an educator, a lecturer, and a member of the Charedi community, so we thought it’d be interesting to hear his perspective. We’re extremely happy to have Rabbi Katz on the show.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
A few months ago, on episode 237, we had Daniel Wolfson on the show. Daniel told us her incredible story, about how she almost became handicapped but eventually recovered and became a mountain climber. Daniel was going to peruse her biggest dream, and become the first woman ever to climb mount Everest. Well, a few weeks ago, it happened. Daniel did it, and made history. Today, we’re super proud to have Daniel again to talk about her incredible, extremely dangerous journey.
Naor and Eytan talk about everything that happened in Israel this month.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
*Support Jeremy's Circle! Jeremy’s Circle is the first and only community in Israel to support children and teens growing up in families struggling with cancer or cancer loss. www.jeremyscircle.org *
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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As we record this episode, we are about 2 weeks after Operation Guardian of the Wall, aka - Israel’s 4th war with Gaza. In the 12 day war, Hamas shot thousands of rockets on innocent civilians, as the IDF retaliated against military targets in Gaza, doing everything it could to harm as few civilians as possible. While Operation Guardian has come to an end, there is another battle that is ongoing. One that probably won’t end anytime soon. The battle for public opinion. Israel is fighting an uphill battle when it comes to advocating its case to the world. And some say it’s not doing the best job. As the Palestinians have a sophisticated propaganda wing, reinforced by a chain of influencers and celebrities like the Hadid family, John Oliver and Trevor Noah, we have…. well, not much at all. Even our biggest celebrity, Gal Gadot, refrained from stating her clear unequivocal support for Israel. So, on to that almost empty stage stepped Rudy Rochman. Rudy is a noted speaker and writer on Jewish rights and an avid advocate for Israel worldwide. He was born in France but made aliya at the age of 3. He studied at Columbia University, where he joined Students Supporting Israel and served as the president. Since then he’s been creating viral content on Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We are super thrilled to have Rudy Rochman on the podcast today!
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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Last February, Gal Uchovsky said something provocative. So far, that’s not really news - since Uchovsky, who’s a very well known publicist, filmmaker and gay-rights-advocate, is also very well known for his eccentricity, his though provoking columns and television appearances. But this time, things have gotten a bit out of hand. On a Friday-evening family talk show, Uchovsky said ‘we should declare war on the Charedis. They’re like a cult.” Almost immediately, Uchovsky received hundreds of phone calls and messages, from random people who called him for very peculiar reasons. Thankfully, Uchovsky’s life and career has made his skin thick. As a screenwriter, he wrote some of Israel’s most famous movies, including ‘Walk on Water’ and ‘The Bubble’, directed by Eitan Fox, his partner. Those movies redefined the conversation about homosexuality in Israeli cinema. As a columnist, he wrote for many years in Maariv newspaper, and now he’s writing for the popular website ‘mako’. And in 2020, his documentary series, ‘The Gay Revolution’, was aired and was in the center of numerous debates and opinion pieces. Uchovsky is the producer of Eitan Fox’s new movie, ‘Sublet’ now in theaters!
It’s safe to say then, that today’s guest is an extraordinary and opinionated person, so tune in, because today’s episode is bound to be interesting!
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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It seems like forever ago when rockets hit Israel and we ran to shelters to the soothing sounds of the sirens. Actually, wait, that was a week ago! That’s the pace of things in the Middle East. Still, something big happened here. Tectonic changes. Things will never quite be the same as they were.
Many people blamed the recent round of hostilities on Jerusalem-related events. Be it the Temple Mount, where we made the Palestinians angry, or Sheik Jarah, where… Apparently we made the Palestinians angry. They get angry quite often, I’ve noticed. But I digress.
In the aftermath of Operation Guardian of the Walls, we decided to summon some of our favorite past guests to talk about what went down and the current situation.
Ofir Dayan is a Temple Mount Enthusiast, an Al Aqsa aficionado if you will, and an advocate for Israel in the world. As a student at Columbia University in New York, she served as the head of SSI, Students Supporting Israel. Our second guest tonight, Jonathan Elkoury, was one of our first guests on the podcast back in 2001. Jonathan is an avid advocate for Israel in international media, he’s a political activist and recently, a reality tv star in a new upcoming show.
We are thrilled to be joined by Ofir and Jonathan today to try and understand what the hell happened here, and what the future holds for Israel and Jerusalem.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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Naor and Eytan talk about the current hostilities in Israel
(This episode was recorded before the recent events in Jerusalem and Gaza)
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
We’re also sponsored by the Susie & Kevin Davis Foundation, please check it out at FirstWorkings.org, and consider supporting their efforts.
Exclusive subscription offer for podcast listeners: Get 6 months of The Forward for only $15: Forward.com/partneroffer promo code: 2NJB Our guest today is a great friend of the podcast. We’ve had the honor of hosting him quite a few times, but always in a very different capacity than today. In the past, we’ve introduced Dr. Michael Oren as someone who served as the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's office, as Member of Knesset in the Kulanu Party and as the Israeli ambassador to the United States in the years 2009-2013.
Today, we’re introducing Dr. Michael Oren as a novelist.
Dr. Oren has released several non-fiction books in the past, including Sand Devil, Reunion and a collection of short stories titled The Night Archer and Other Stories. But in just about a week, Michael’s latest novel is going to hit the bookshelves. To All Who Call In Truth tells the story of Sandy Cooper, a guidance counselor and coach in a suburban junior high school, who’s otherwise uneventful life turns upside down after a word of advice to a troubled student embroils him in a forbidden relationship and the exposure of a twisted murder.
Aside from his extensive service to the country, Dr. Michael Oren also taught history at the Ben Gurion University and was a visiting professor at Harvard, Yale and Georgetown. We are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Oren on the podcast today to talk about his new novel and of course a little bit of politics - how could we not?
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
We're also sponsored by the Susie & Kevin Davis Foundation, please check it out at FirstWorkings.org, and consider supporting their efforts.
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CEO of a company that was valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, executive at Nickelodeon and MTV and novelist. These are just a few of the entries on today’s guest’s resume.
Shaul Olmert was CEO of Playbuzz, a company that for quite a while dominated online content. If you were on Facebook in 5 years ago, there’s 0 chance you didn’t come across a Playbuzz article. Today he is CEO and Co-founder of a stealth-mode startup called Piggy. And, recently, he’s written a novel. One that’s caused him to ask himself: Is Shaul Olmert an entrepreneur and businessman who just wrote a book? Or is he a novelist who’s been masquerading as an entrepreneur and businessman?
Well, today we get to find out. We are super excited to be joined by Shaul Olmert to talk about his business endeavors, his new novel and what his favorite Playbuzz article was.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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Naor and Eytan talk about everything that happened in Israel this month.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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What would you do if you woke up one day, and you were told that you’re going to be given 2.5 million dollars. No ifs or ands or buts. Just take the money, and make something good out of it. Unfortunately, us simpletons seldom face these kinds of problems. But today’s guest was recently put to this very test.
Prof. Oded Rechavi is one of the youngest, most promising scientists in the Israeli academia today. He’s a Professor of Neurobiology and Genetics in Tel Aviv University, where he researches various subjects, from diseases, to irrationality and even ancient scrolls. Prof. Rechavi is a laureate of many awards, including the Blavetnik award, the Schmidt award and the Polymath award, which recently granted him with 2.5 million dollars, and one goal - make something interesting out of it, whatever you see fit.
We are extremely excited to have Prof. Rechavi on the show today!
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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Back in 2018, President Trump made a bold move when he exited the Iran Nuclear Deal and levelled crippling sanctions on the Iranians. Iran, in retaliation, cranked up its Uranium enrichment - well, at least they no longer hid it.
Last week, in a quiet corner of Vienna, the US began back channel negotiations with Tehran with the aim of reentering what is officially known as The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Talks are set to continue this week. Yesterday, Natanz nuclear facility in Iran experienced a devastating power outage which experts are saying has set back Iran’s nuclear goals by about 9 months! And guess who most are saying is responsible?
Dan Schueftan is the head of the National Securities Graduate Program at the University of Haifa. He has taught at the IDF National Security College and Command and Staff College. He was an advisor to Israel’s National Security Council and former Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Ariel Sharon. He’s also the author of several books and articles on issues pertaining to Israel’s National Security. He joins us today for the second time to talk about the Iranian Threat.
We’re thrilled to welcome Dan Schueftan to the podcast.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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What do you do in your free time? Do you paint? Cycle? Study a foreign language? Well, our guest today climbs mountains. But not just any type of mountain. She climbs the mountains that are almost impossible to climb. Her most recent peak was Ojos Del Salado in Chile, the highest active volcano in the world. And this is what she does in her free time.
Daniel Wolfson is a lawyer by trade but in her free time she runs marathons, does triathlons and conquers some of the highest summits in the world.
We are super thrilled to have Daniel Wolfson on the podcast tonight to talk about the injury that led her to mountain climbing, the crazy dreams climbers have at high altitudes and the crazy dream she has at ALL altitudes - the dream of being the first Israeli woman to climb Mount Everest.
Naor and Eytan talk about recent events in Israel and the world.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
Exclusive subscription offer for podcast listeners: Get 6 months of The Forward for only $15: forward.com/2njb
On the 1st of March, Prof. Eitan Friedman, the director and founder of the Oncogenetics Unit at the Sheba Medical Center, will end his tenure there.
On several occasions over the several months, Professor Eitan Friedman has publicly denounced the government’s policy of lockdowns as an ineffective measure in dealing with the pandemic. Some suspect this might be one of the reasons he will no longer serve as a director at Sheba Medical Center.
Professor Friedman has been a professor at Tel Aviv University since 1999. His research is focused on the inherited predisposition to cancer and population genetics. He is also the first Israeli to swim solo across the English Channel. We are thrilled to have Professor Eitan Friedman with us today to discuss Israel’s Corona policies, the current situation of the pandemic and the price he’s paid for speaking his mind.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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In a bit less than 3 weeks, on March 23rd, Eytan Weinstein will turn 32. Oh yeah, and Israel will hold its 4th election round in the past 2 years. If you don’t live here and follow the news obsessively, you might find yourself baffled as to the amount of parties, agendas, boycotts and potential Prime Ministers in our tiny political pool. Don’t you worry though, because today - we got you covered. Who’s ‘we’, you ask? Well, to try and make sense of the chaotic Israeli political map, we are joined today by Yoav Rabinowitz!
By day, he’s the chief-editor of the super influential tv show “The Other Side with Guy Zohar”, which deconstructs news items and political speeches, and confronts them with the cold hard facts. By night, Yoav takes off his suit and becomes a stand-up comedian and the wittiest tweeter in the Middle East.
Tonight, we have one goal for the show. We’re going to walk you through all the main parties on the ballot (and some not so main ones) and try to find one that doesn’t make us want to vomit. Buckle up!
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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There's no better way to introduce our next guest than by telling you about the following tweet. A few days ago Gideon Levy published an op-ed in Haaretz and wrote "There is not and there can't be an Arab who stands silent for the siren on the Memorial Day for fallen IDF soldiers, the soldiers who killed his fellow nationals, who conquered his land, who banished his fathers and who continue to abuse his brothers. An Arab who stands during the siren commits a lie in his soul and betrays his nation. Period."
Yoseph Hadad, an Arab Israeli and CEO of the NGO Aravim Ze Le Ze, tweeted a photo of the excerpt and wrote: "Gideon, I am an Arab Israeli and I'm a wounded IDF veteran. I stand during the siren with pride and with sorrow every single year and think about my friends who I lost as they fought for the entire country - Jews and Arabs."
Aravim Ze Le Ze is an NGO dedicated to connecting the Arab community to Israeli society. Aravim Ze Le Ze directly translates to "Arabs, one for another '' but is also a play on the old Jewish proverb "All of Israel is responsible one for another. We are super thrilled to be joined by Yoseph Hadad today to talk about just how integrated Arabs are in Israeli society.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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Let’s talk about your underpants. The undies you’re wearing right now, were most likely not manufactured in your home country. Chances are, they were made in China or Malaysia or Taiwan, thousands and thousands of kilometers away, by a kid who’s paid a fraction of what you make in an hour. Then, with the click of a button, dem undies you’re wearing, traveled across the globe and landed on your doorstep. And that’s just undies. Information travels infinitely faster.
This, in a nutshell, is the story of globalization. The incredible historic process that has connected our planet in an unprecedented way, and which is now under attack - at least according to Nadav Eyal.
Nadav Eyal, is a renowned Israeli journalist. He’s currently a columnist for Yediot Ahronot newspaper. Until recently, he was the head of the Foreign Desk at Channel 13 News and before that, he was on the political beat for various outlets including Maariv and Galey Tzahal. His new book - Revolt: The Worldwide Uprise Against Globalization, depicts the major undercurrents that he believes might threaten modern civilization. We are thrilled to be joined by Nadav Eyal to discuss his new book, as well as a subject he’s been covering thoroughly for over a year - the battle against covid.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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Naor and Eytan talk about everything that happened in Israel during the last month.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at http://masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
Exclusive subscription offer for podcast listeners: Get 6 months of The Forward for only $15: forward.com/2njb
Naturally, there are feelings that we don’t enjoy. Feelings we feel we’d be better off without. Hate, sadness, fear. Fear, what a useless emotion. Right? Almost a century ago, at his inaugural address, FDR said those now famous words, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” But hasn’t fear been ensuring our survival since the dawn of our species? Would we really be nature’s apex predator if we didn’t have that cautious, neurotic, loss-averse coward we all do deep down inside?
Kfir Itzhaki has been fascinated with fear all his life. He faced fear time and time again, as a professional martial art fighter, as a fauda-style ‘mista’arev’ in Duvdevan unit in the IDF, and as a citizen who stormed an Islamic terrorist during the second intifada. Today, Kfir lectures on fear and the art of dealing with it, and his new book “Unconventional Weapon”, is all about utilizing fear to our advantage. 2NJB is happy to have Kfir Itzhaki on the show.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at http://masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys *
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Yesterday, Joe Biden was sworn in as President of the United States of America and Kamala Harris as the first female Vice President in American History. With them Israel waved goodbye to one of the friendliest American administrations in modern history.
And if that’s not enough, Israel is on its own way to an inauguration… but first it has to get through another election (the fourth in two years).
Meanwhile, Israel has extended the lockdown for another 10 days while the national vaccination effort is progressing at an unprecedented speed.
We’ll be discussing all this and more today with a great friend of the podcast, and old guest and an Instagram sensation, Hananya Naftali.
While serving in the IDF, Hananya was unable to turn a blind eye to all the fake news he heard about Israel. So he decided to do something about it. Fast forward 4 years - he’s got huge followings on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We are super thrilled to be joined by Hananya Naftali.
*This episode is sponsored by Masa Israel Journey. Check them out at http://masaisrael.org/twonicejewishboys * From Mark and Steve to Bill and Elon, when scrolling through any list of the top figures in tech, there are practically no female faces. And it’s not just at the top. According to some statistics, in the US, women represent only 14% of software engineers and only 25% of all computer-science related jobs. It’s not much better in Silicon Wadi either. As of 2017, women made up only 29% of all computer science students in Israel.
So why is this? Why in 2021, in the age of equality, is there still such a wide gap? And finally, are we doing something about it?
Ruth Polachek is the Chairwoman, Founder and CEO for 6 of the last 7 years of “she codes”, a community of 30,000 Israeli female software developers. “she codes” has as its mission statement the goal of reaching 50% female representation in the tech industry within a decade. Ruth is also currently CEO and Co-Founder of a new Digital Health venture, LessTests, which aims to make Covid-19 testing as accessible as possible to everyone around the world. We are thrilled to be joined today by Ruth Polachek.
We had to reschedule all our guests because of the lockdown. So guess what? You're stuck with us for the second time in a row. Enjoy it while it lasts!
It's time to wrap up 2020! We talked about elections, vaccinations, horrible dating dilemmas, and Eytan's promising new political party that's gonna conquer Israel by storm.
Covid has been with us for a year now - happy birthday! But as we’re all gonna be vaccinated pretty soon, some aspects of the disease are going to remain with us for a long time in the future.
Because even though most people didn’t end up getting infected with the virus, a huge amount of households - here in Israel at least - suffer from the devastating economic impact, that two lockdowns and more ever-lasting draconic restrictions, have brought upon middle class and lower class people who simply try to make ends meet. When Tamara Harel Cohen decided to make Aliyah and devote her career to build a socially impactful startup, she didn’t imagine the %@#$%-storm that would hit us all. Her company, Riseup, tries to help households make better economic decisions, and get out of debt. As debt in Israel rises constantly each year - that is not an easy mission to embark on. We’re super excited to have Tamara Harel-Cohen with us today, to talk about her fascinating and innovative company, economic decisions, and much more.
What makes up the DNA of a nation? It’s hard to think of one quality, or even a handful of qualities that unite millions or hundreds of millions of people. After all, societies are, in the end of the day, just a bunch of individuals. And still, it’s hard not to wonder sometimes, what makes a nation tick, and why do certain people - and certain countries - stand out?
Only a little over 70 years old, Israel is already a huge success story in so many ways. For decades Israel enthusiasts have been trying to find the answer to the question - why has the Jewish nation thrived in such extraordinary ways? Is it our culture, our upbringing, or perhaps something in the tap water?
Today we’re joined by Michael Dickson. Michael and his co-author Dr. Naomi L. Baum have recently released Isresilience, a new book which, through a series of conversations with inspiring Israelis, endeavors to answer just these types of questions. Michael is the Executive Director of Stand With Us in Israel - an organization that advocates for Israel and fights against the BDS movement worldwide. We’re super thrilled to have Michael Dickson with us today to talk about his new book, about StandWithUs and about much much more.
(Photo by Jared Bernstein)
Naor and Eytan talk about everything that went down in Israel during the past month.
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Israel is a pretty small country. Just about 9 million. But for our size, we pack quite a punch. Everybody knows the ol’ Nobel Laureate spiel - Israelis have won a whopping 12 since 1966 and that’s crazy for a country of our size. It seems like we got the brains. But what about the muscle?
Unlike the USA, Russia and China, we don’t have the resources to nurture younglings from an early age on their journey to become the best athletes in their field. This is why we never particularly excelled at the Olympics. There are, however, a few fields of sports in which we are really good at. Surfing and sea sports is one of them, and Judo is another.
Out of 9 Olympic medals Israel has gotten in the Olympics throughout the years, 5 were in the field of Judo. Yael Arad was the pioneer, when she brought us the Silver medal in 1992, and became the first ever Israeli to win an Olympic Medal. More than a decade later, in 2004, Arik Zeevi won the Bronze medal, and made history. Since then, Arik has been inspiring generations of Martial Artists, in Israel and throughout the world. So without further ado, 2NJB are proud to have our first ever Olympic Medalist, ladies and gentlemen - Mr. Arik Zeevi.
If you grew up in a religious or even a traditional Jewish home, this might sound familiar to you: It’s dinner time on Tuesday night and you served yourself way more food than you could eat. Seeing that you didn’t finish the food on your plate your mother reprimands you with those two words: “Bal Tashchit!”
“Bal Tashchit” is one of the 613 commandments in the old testament and it literally translates to “you shall not destroy” or “you shall not waste”. These two words are at the center of the Jewish debate on environmentalism.
Today we’re joined by Rabbi Yonatan Neril, co-author of Eco Bible, a publication on what the Bible says about ecology and creation care. We are happy to be joined by Rabbi Neril to talk about the environment, about climate change and about what nice Jewish Boys (and girls) should do to care for our planet.
Corona, it seems, is wreaking havoc throughout Israel, as we’re in the midst of a semi-lockdown, and the worst is yet to come. The theaters have been closed since winter, the movie industry is on hold, and thousands of artists, actors, producers and others from the entertainment industry, find themselves at a crossroads. Some choose to take the stimulus checks the government is sending, and keep their heads down. Others, take another approach.
If you grew up in Israel, there’s no way you haven’t heard of Aki Avi. Aki is one of the busiest, most talented actors in Israel. There isn’t an angle of Israeli culture where he didn’t leave his mark - theater, tv host, cinema, tv shows and even Hollywood - Avni’s career is simply breathtaking.
2NJB is happy to have Aki Avni on the show today, to talk about finding inspiration during pandemic times, the craft of acting, expressing your political views in Israel, and much more.
Join us as we talk about the US elections, censorship by Israel’s Public Broadcasting Corporation and how to avoid getting caught being adulterous on camera (hint: don’t do it.)
Tomorrow is a big day for America, and naturally for the world. Many US citizens have already voted and many more will as the country faces the big decision - who will be the man to lead the free world for the next four years? Donald Trump or Joe Biden?
If Israelis were voting, the outcome would be definitive. In a recent poll held by i24News, 63% of Israelis said Trump would be a better president for Israel. Only 18.8% said the same about Biden.
Trump also represents a big divide in the American Jewish community: whereas most of American born Jews living in the States do not support Trump, the majority of Israeli-born Jews living in the States do.
So is Trump good for the Jews? Is he good for Israel? And, what will happen if Joe Biden wins tomorrow?
To discuss all of this, and much more, we are joined by Oren Nahari. We hosted Oren on the podcast almost 4 years ago to discuss Trump after 30 days in office. Oren is a legendary Israeli foreign affairs correspondent, an author, a sci-fi geek and an avid cat person. We are thrilled to have him on the show today.
Communist. Arab-lover. Tree-hugger. These are just a few of the nicknames his rivals use against him. He’s one of only a select few Jewish Israelis to have served as a Member of Knesset in a majority Arab party. He’s a proud communist who until recently had pictures of Che Guevara and Vladimir Lenin hanging in his parliamentary office. He’s an activist for socio-economic equality and environmental justice. HE is Dov Khenin.
All the descriptors we just mentioned probably either make your blood boil in rage or simmer with excitement but either way, this is bound to be an interesting conversation. And if you want to learn more, after you’re done with this episode, check out “Comrade Dov”, a recent documentary directed and produced by Barak Heyman, which tells the story of Dov Khenin.
We are thrilled to be joined by former Member of Knesset Dov Khenin today to talk about his recent resignation from political life, the documentary, his beliefs and the future of Israel. To watch the movie, please email Info@heymannfilms.com
Back in November 2019, when the world was still a relatively normal place, and our biggest concern was which Ice Cream taste we should get on our midnight-munch-Wolt-Delivery (yes, wolt delivers ice cream in TLV) - anyway, last year, we had the distinct pleasure of having Yoram Sheftel on our podcast. Sheftel was one of the central characters (and what a character) of Netflix’s hit documentary series, The Devil Next Door, which depicted the incredible story of John Ivan Demjanjuk. Demjanjuk was a Ukranian-American, who was charged back in 1989 in Israel of being Ivan The Terrible - a sadist and cruel guard of Sobibor camp, during the Holocaust. The show was a phenomenal success, and was one of the pioneering Israeli TV documentary shows to be showcased on Netflix. If you haven’t heard our episode with Sheftel, then once you’re done with this one, got check it out - it’s a must. Episode 167. Today we’re joined by Yossi Bloch. Yossi is one of the busiest and most successful documentary filmmakers working in Israel currently. He co-created The Devil Next Door with Daniel Sivan, and coincidentally, he’s a fan of our Show! So without further ado, Yossi Bloch.
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In 2019 Israel spent about 20 billion dollars on defense. That’s around 11 percent of its annual budget and puts Israel amongst some of the highest spenders on defense. All in all, makes sense.
What doesn’t make sense is that starting in the early 2000s, Israel was seeing a barrage of constant rocket fire from Gaza injuring hundreds, killing dozens and terrorizing entire communities.
Sometimes all the money in the world won’t solve a problem. For that you need bright minds all set to a singular goal. And of course, someone to manage them.
Chanoch Levin was that man. Chanoch was the project manager for Iron Dome, the anti missile defense system developed by Israel and the US to counter the constant rocket fire from the Gaza strip. Against all odds Chanoch and his team at Raphael were able to achieve the unimaginable.
The story of Iron Dome is being told through a new documentary series featuring Chanoch Levin and other top Israeli brass responsible for making this miraculous missile defense system come to life. The new 3-part documentary series is now available to stream, worldwide outside of Israel, exclusively on IZZY. Visit https://helloisrael.tv/2njb/
Today, we’re extremely honored to be joined by Chanoch Levin to talk about the Iron Dome defense system.
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Photo credit: Nehemia Gershuni-Aylho http://www.ngphoto.biz CC-BY-SA 4.0
Naor and Eytan talk about everything that went down in Israel during the last month.
Exclusive subscription offer for podcast listeners: Get 6 months of The Forward for only $10 — that’s 67% off: forward.com/2njb
We all have our soundtracks. A song or an artist that truly resonates with people becomes the soundtrack of those people’s lives. For many Jews across the world, and non-Jews as well, Idan Raichel is the soundtrack of some part of their life.
Raichel is one of the most well known Israeli artists in the world. Since his hugely successful debut album The Idan Raichel Project was released in 2002, Raichel has zigzagged across the globe on countless tours. He performed a private concert for the visiting President Obama in 2013 (and that was the second time he performed in front of the president) and he’s collaborated with many world renowned artists including Alicia Keys.
Ladies and gentlemen, today we are incredibly excited and so honored to be joined by the one and only, Idan Raichel.
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Humanity, in general, can be divided into two main groups: those who watch the news, and those who live a happy and prosperous life.
But if you’re a sucker for news and politics like us, you’re doomed to cope with an endless stream of spins, fake news and manipulations, that it’s hard to sometimes really know what the hell’s going on.
Fortunately there are good people who take upon them the burdensome job of fact-checking, sifting through dusty archives, watching hours upon hours of materials, in the quest for a slippery thing called The Truth.
Yoav Rabinovitz, our guest today, is one of those people. By day, he’s the chief-editor of the super influential TV show “The Other Side with Guy Zohar”, which deconstructs news items and political speeches, and confronts them with the facts. And by night, Yoav takes off his suit and becomes a stand-up comedian, the wittiest tweeter in the Middle East, and a guy that can dance as if he’s the love child of Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger.
2NJB is happy to have Yoav Rabinovitz to talk about these turbulent times in Israeli politics, the justice system, and above all - why he thinks Aroma, the Israeli coffee chain, is the best place in the world.
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Israel recently went through a traumatic year of election cycles in which it seemed like there were no winners - only losers. But eventually, amidst all the political gunfire and smoke, a government was formed. One of the figures that emerged from that year is Michal Cotler-Wunsh.
Michal is the daughter of a former Canadian Justice Minister and the former Parliamentary Secretary of Begin’s Gahal and Likud parties. So it’s no surprise that she’s risen to such prominence.
Michal joined the Knesset as a member of Benny Gantz’s Blue and White Party after the March elections. She recently rose to national and international headlines after leading a string of hearings of the largest social media companies including Facebook, Twitter and Google, questioning them on their censorship policies last month.
We are very excited and very honored to be joined today by Michal Cotler-Wunsh to talk about censorship on social media, about the protests going on in Israel and about much much more!
Naor and Eytan talk about all the hot topics of September 2020.
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He’s been nicknamed “Europe’s Last Dictator” by much of the media. He’s been in power for over 24 years. He’s suppressed and even arrested much of his political opposition and he just prevailed through his 5th consecutive electoral win but many, if not most, question its legitimacy.
Can you guess which head of state we’re talking about?
Alexander Lukashenko has been the president of Belarus since 1994 and today the country seems like it might be on the brink of a revolution.
Shalom Boguslavsky organizes study tours in Eastern-Europe. He writes and lectures about both Eastern Europe and Israel with a focus on geopolitics and Jewish history. We’re happy to be joined by Shalom today to talk about the situation in Belarus. (Photo by Serge Serebro, Vitebsk Popular News )
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No matter where you’re from, it’s hard to ignore what’s going on in the United States as of May. The killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer ignited massive protests and widespread riots across the country. Covid and an approaching election did nothing to calm the storm.
When something this dramatic happens to Israel’s most powerful ally, it’s especially hard for Israelis to ignore. Unrest usually doesn’t bode well for either Israel or Jews in general.
Today we’re with an old guest of the podcast, Ofir Dayan. Ofir studies at Columbia University in New York and she’s the head of SSI, which stands for Students Supporting Israel. She joins us today to talk about the unrest in the United States and about what it all means for the people who will probably end up being blamed for causing it all, the Jews.
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What do you have in your fridge right now? Some eggs, a head of wilted lettuce, maybe a loaf of bread? How do you decide when it’s time to move on, when your food is overdue, and destined to be thrown out and replaced by fresh, shiny, new food?
According to some estimations, about 30-40% of all food in the United States is being wasted, thrown to the garbage because it wasn't eaten in time. Sometimes, we even throw good food - food that’s still completely edible. And it makes you think - what if we were smarter about how we treat our old, perhaps less enticing, but still very much nutritious, food?
Shai Rilov is a social entrepreneur from Haifa. He came up with an ingenious idea - take the food that people don’t want, make delicious dishes out of it, and serve it to those who can’t afford it in restaurants. That’s how Robin Food came to be, a restaurant that Shai opened in Haifa’s historic food market, Talpyiot.
Shai joins us today to talk about Robin Food, and his next exciting ventures.
Two months ago, against the backdrop of a global pandemic, a subsequent economic crisis and a prime minister accused of corruption, thousands of Israelis decided to hit the streets. Gathering in Jerusalem, right next to the Prime Minister’s residence, they had one goal in mind. Benjamin Netanyahu must resign. His failure in handling the health and economic crises and his questionable legal standing means one thing - he’s gotta go.
These protests continue today both in Jerusalem and across the country. Many Israelis criticize the protests for being unfocused, for exploiting global and national instability to secure political objectives and for being unruly and sometimes even violent.
On the other hand, these protesters themselves claim to be the victims of both police and civilian violence.
As usual, Israel ain’t a walk in the park.
Joining us today is a former guest of the podcast, the journalist and activist Maya Rimer. Maya is a participation specialist and group facilitator who took part in the 2011 protests in Israel and is currently one of the voices that’s calling for change.
A legendary Jewish poet once wrote: “It’s lonely at the top”. And indeed, the higher you climb in politics, the lonelier it gets. And when you’re the Prime Minister of Israel - which some might argue is the most difficult job in the world - and you need to decide whether or not to attack Iran, you can listen to smart people, sure, but no one will be there when you make the final decision. No one but you.
And still, even prime ministers can’t do everything by themselves. They must surround themselves with dedicated, smart and excellent people who will help them, say what they think from time to time, and most of all will be there when they are needed.
Topaz Luk was only 22 years old when he got a phone call from the Prime Minister of Israel. He was freshly out of Dover Tzahal, the luxurious “IDF Spokesman” unit, where he specialized in social media and helped the IDF revolutionize its online presence. Not long after, he found himself working with Benjamin Netanyahu, one of the most influential, historic - but also controversial - leaders in the history of our young country. More than five years and a gazillion political campaigns later - Topaz is still the Prime Minister’s new media consultant, and one of his most devoted and closest advisors. We’re thrilled to have Topaz on the show today to talk about these turbulent times in Israel, his work with the Prime Minister, his world views and much more.
Most people don’t hang flags above their beds. But Ariel Karlinsky isn’t most people. Above his bed, throughout his childhood and well into high school, Ariel hung the red flag of the Soviet Union - its yellow sickle and hammer watching over him every night.
Until one bright day he decided to take it down, fold it up and tuck it away, along with his strong beliefs in the Communist system.
Ariel Karlinsky is an Economist at the Kohelet Policy Forum, a conservative think tank dedicated to (quote) “secure Israel's future as the nation-state of the Jewish people, to strengthen representative democracy, and to broaden individual liberty and free-market principles in Israel.” Ariel joins us today to talk about how a communist became a capitalist.
6,744 miles. That’s the distance between Israel and America. Together, the two countries are home for 90% of Jewry around the globe. But while in Israel Jewish identity is obvious to almost everyone, from the moment they are born to the moment they punch their ticket - in America, things are a bit different. As the years progress, some young Jewish Americans feel more and more detached from their Jewish identity. Some are only half Jewish, or quarter Jewish, some don’t even know about their Jewish roots. It is feared, therefore, that within a few generations, not much will be left of the American Jewish, non-haredi community.
To battle this possibility, an initiative named Birthright was established in 1999. The idea was simple - bringing young Jews from all around the world to Israel, so that they can understand their roots, get to know the country, and hopefully, fall in love. Since then, more than 750K people participated in the project, 75% of which are Americans and Canadians. It was a wild success.
But now, as Corona emerged in our life, the future of the entire operation is being put to the test. So what does the future hold for Birthright? And did the project achieve any actual results?
To answer these questions, we have Gidi Mark on the show today. Gidi is the CEO of Taglit. He started his career as a diplomat, and he served the country of Israel in many embassies, including Istanbul, Bonn and New York. He’s been serving as CEO since 2008, and let is to impressive success. We’re happy to be joined by Gidi Mark to discuss Birthright, American Jewry, and much more.
July 1st was a date some Israelis were looking forward to. For the past few months, most Israelis have been speaking about one thing, (well, except for corona) - Annexation. Aka instilling Israeli law in much of the West Bank, or Judea and Samaria. Since the Six Day War in 1967 when Israel conquered the area - Israeli citizens have been living there in settlements under military rule. Annexation would change that permanently, and settlers would cease to be settlers. They would be living, de facto, in the State of Israel.
Of course, in Israel, nothing’s ever that simple. This plan split the country in two - those who prayed for annexation, and those who dreaded it.
Uri Zaki is a political activist, a member of the Meretz party, one of Israel’s more left-wing parties. He is the founder of “The Front for the Protection of Democracy”, an organisation that strives to be (quote) “the assaultive tool in the struggle for the Israeli democracy”. Uri is also the partner of MK Tamar Zandberg, who we had the please of hosting on the podcast - check out episode 34. We’re happy to be joined by Uri Zaki to discuss the Deal of the Century, democracy in Israel - and much more!
Israel is one of the youngest democracies on the face of the planet. If you turn on the news here in Israel, or a reality TV show for that matter, even if you just go out to buy a carton of milk at the supermarket, you’re bound to hear people arguing. Everyone here has a strong opinion and they’re not afraid to share it. Right-wing, left-wing, you name it. In Israel, free speech is the word.
But every once in a while, someone says something that stretches the boundaries and tests the tolerance of Israelis. Today, we’re joined by someone who basically does this every time he speaks. Prof. Amir Hetsroni.
From the time he said that Israel would’ve been better off without its Mizrachi Jews, who came from arab-speaking countries - and the time he engraved anti-Zionist messages on his parents’ graves, to the time he ridiculed Israel’s fallen soldiers for being “idiots who didn’t know how to avoid the draft”, Prof. Hetsroni has been involved in countless controversies and he definitely hasn’t escaped unscathed.
Prof. Hetsroni previously taught communications at Ariel University, and currently teaches at Koch University in Turkey.
Today we are joined by Professor Amir Hetsroni to talk about his career, his world views and an upcoming documentary film about him. So buckle up, here we go.
If you live in Tel Aviv, you simply can’t miss them. They are part of your life. When you hang out with your friends at the local bar - they’re there. When you go out for jogging - they are there. When you come home from your parents on Friday night and waiting at a red light in the entrance to Tel Aviv - they’re there. They are Tel Aviv’s saddest souls, the homeless. Yes, Tel Aviv is not Seattle nor is it San Francisco. But the city struggles with its own homeless people, asking the passersby to spare a shekel. Most of us walk right by them, don’t look, don’t care. But today we’re joined by someone who just can’t ignore them.
Mor Shaal is an artist who was living in Haifa up until a year ago. When she moved to Tel Aviv, she was amazed by the amount of homeless people in the streets, and became fascinated by them. She started talking with some, and then began documenting these encounters for a project which went viral on social media.
Mor Shaal joins us today to speak about her amazing work with the Street Dwellers Project.
As of today, Israel hasn’t been hit very hard by the Coronavirus, relatively speaking. The government took extreme measures early on, and managed to limit the spread of the virus and death toll. One of the unique steps taken by the Israeli government was to rent out entire hotels throughout the country, and convert them into Quarantined Hotels. The idea was simple - if you have Corona, and can’t isolate, check into the hotel, receive food and medical treatment and once you recover, you can checkout. Welcome to The Hotel Corona! Such a lovely place.
Noam Shuster is a stand up comedian, a peace activist and recently, patient number 3555. When she checked into Hotel Corona in Jerusalem, nothing had prepared her for the multicultural, unforgettable experience that would unfold in the following days.
We’re happy to host one of the only people in Israel who CAN’T infect us with covid19 (hopefully), Noam Shuster.
Once upon a time, in an election far far away, in April of 2019, amidst the political cacophony of right and left, one party stepped into the lime light as a possible king maker.
You see here in Israel, as a small party, you can tip the scales of a coalition - and thus hold a lot of power.
Zehut, or Identity, led by Moshe Feiglin was predicted to receive as much as 7 mandates.
For many, Zehut is an enigma. On one hand the founder of the party Moshe Feiglin leads a libertarian approach to government and economics. He believes in lowering taxes, abolishing social security and a separation of church and state. And as an added bonus, he wants to legalize pot. On the other hand, he's a devout religious Jew who believes the Temple Mount should be under Israeli control and that the third temple is soon to be built - g-d willing.
Some people adore him, others despise him, but one thing is certain. Moshe Feiglin is one of the most intriguing Israelis to hit the political stage in recent times.
We are very thrilled and honored to be joined today on the podcast by Moshe Feiglin.
For many, during these times, it’s all too easy to slip into hibernation after a steady diet of Netflix, while suffering existential angst, anxiety and apathy. Anything beyond that can seem, well, just too hard.
But, let’s face it. Nothingness - doing nothing - simply breeds more nothingness. So, it’s no surprise that the nation that made the desert bloom, has created a whole lot of some things out of this current Covid climate (CCC).
Australian-born Israeli Achi Kushnir could be considered your typical intelligent, driven Israeli. Yet, like most Israelis, there’s nothing typical about Achi.
Achi’s volunteering has led him to discover the amazing grassroots initiatives everyday Israelis have developed in helping those affected by the Coronavirus.
We are thrilled to be joined today by Achi Kushnir to talk about his group Here For Good, volunteering and staying positive in trying times.
Eytan and Naor talk about everything that's happened in Israel during the last month, and much more.
Coming from a long line of musicians and artists, our guests today has been praised by the New York Times as “sensational in concert” and as a “striking virtuoso” by the Los Angeles Times. Her awards and accomplishments are way too long to list, but suffice it to say that she’s performed as a solo artist and a chamber musician at some of the world’s most renowned venues - Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Suntory Hall of Tokyo, the list goes on and on and on. She’s serving as a visiting professor at Tel Aviv University here in Israel and she has been so kind and brave as to accept our invitation and join us on the podcast today. We are thrilled to be joined by the amazing cellist, Kristina Reiko Cooper.
We could all use a good laugh. Especially now while many of us are secluded in our homes, far away from our loved ones, with nothing better to do but watch Too Hot To Handle on Netflix. True story. Don’t watch it unless you want to feel a strong, deep, unshakable sense of shame.
If only there was an Israeli English speaking comedian who would agree to risk her life and come to our studio, to boost the national morale and give hope to our listeners around the world. How amazing would that be?
Well, unfortunately we couldn’t find anyone like that, so that’s that for today’s episode guys, stay safe! Bye!
Just kidding.
We have the perfect comedian for the job right here with us. Her name is Kandi Ableson, she’s American, she made aliyah, she’s a superstar in the local comedy clubs doing stand up IN HEBREW, at least she was when going out and comedy clubs still existed.
We’re delighted to have Kandi on the show with us today, and a quick disclaimer - this episode might include profanities!
We all want to be the best we can be. And of course, we want to surround ourselves with the best of the best. But this seemingly positive motive has led some people to say and do some pretty horrific things throughout history.
The Greek Philosopher Plato suggested selective mating to breed a higher class of humans. In Sparta, a council of elders inspected every child to determine if he or she was fit to live. In early ancient Rome, fathers were expected to immediately kill their child if they were disabled in any way.
But it’s not just ancient history. In the 19th and 20th century a new system of beliefs began to emerge - Eugenics. The idea that through selective breeding we can improve the genetic make-up of the human race. Sound familiar?
But where did Eugenic thought originate?
Professor Amir Teicher discusses exactly that in his new book, “Social Mendelism: Genetics and the Politics of Race in Germany, 1900-1948” Professor Teicher is an assistant professor of history at the University of Tel Aviv. His research is focused on Germany, eugenics, the development of modern biological thinking, racism and antisemitism, and the history of medicine.
We are super thrilled to be joined today by Professor Amir Teicher to talk about his new book and the history of Eugenics.
Is the world overreacting to coronavirus? How has it influenced the political arena? Will a new government finally be formed or is Israel headed to a 4th round of elections? And finally, how long before life returns to normal?
Tune in to the Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast!
Hey everyone! We have a new podcast! It's called Economize Me, and here's the first episode. What forces are at play in our relationship with our wallets (and our hair)? What exactly causes us to spend money? And how does that influence the way we behave? As a student of film and television, my acquaintance with economics was... non existent. But after 4 awful haircuts (one of which was free), I found myself asking: “Why did I act so irrationally?” In an attempt to understand my own behavior, I contacted Professor Barry Schwartz of the Haas School of Business at Berkeley. Professor Schwarts has been investigating the link between economics and psychology for over 40 years. Just the man to answer my questions.
These are highly turbulent times in Israel. Not only are we facing the Corona crisis with a health system that’s more or less stuck in the 80’s, we are also in the midst of a political earthquake that’s shattering the entire Israeli political landscape as we know it. Here’s a small recap of what’s happened here in just the past few days: the Supreme Court ordered Yuli Edelstein, the head of the Knesset, to hold an election for his successor, he refused and resigned, thus causing a constitutional rift (if Israel had a constitution); Ganz, the head of the Blue and White Party, decided to cross his most loyal political partner, Yair Lapid, and against all odds join Bibi for a right-wing-orthodox government; And if nothing crazy happens (which at this point, is just like saying if nothing normal happens), it looks like Bennet, Israel’s Defence Minister, will be left out of the upcoming coalition. And that’s just the appetizer.
To discuss all this sweet sweet craziness, we decided to talk to Vivian Bercovici. Vivian served as Canada’s Ambassador to Israel between 2014-2016. She’s a Lawyer, a business consultant and a columnist for several outlets including the Jerusalem Post, the National Post, and Commentary Magazine. Vivian was also brave enough to risk her life and join us today on the podcast, and for that we’re extremely thankful.
From the time of the cave-men to this day, painting has been deeply rooted in the DNA of mankind. It’s as primal as humanity itself, and can teach us much about what it means to be human. Maybe that's why millions of people visit the louvre to see the Mona Lisa, or to Rome to behold the Sistine Chapel - maybe through these works of art, they can understand themselves. Miriam Cabesa’s career has reached peaks many Israeli artists can only dream of. For the past 20 years, she's lived in NYC, devoting herself to her art. Since the 90’s Cabesa has been known as one of the most important Israeli artists. She was born in Casablanca, Morocco grew up in a kibbutz and became extremely influential, showcasing in the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and various galleries in NYC and throughout the United States and even representing Israel in the Venice Biennale. Now she’s back in Israel, which gives us a rare opportunity to talk with her about her art and her life story.
It’s officially the end of the world, so we thought we’d do one last, no holds barred, all-in, episode extraordinaire! And who better to do that with that an old friend of the podcast, the man, the legend, the one who a Mako blog recently described as “pretentious, possessing an awful sense of humor, nerdy, out of his element, with a hint of personal and professional self-disappointment.”, ladies and gentlemen, Roy Iddan!
Roy Iddan is a scriptwriter, he’s created and/or written many Israeli TV shows. Roy was also the production designer for the 2009 MTV show Dj & the Fro. But that’s only by day, by night, Roy is a political columnist, radio show host and even a political consultant for various campaigns. cough cough Likud cough cough Blue and White cough cough.
We’re super thrilled to have Roy Iddan on the show today to talk about Corona, Politics and being on Reality TV!
Mordecai Chertoff came to Palestine in 1947 as a twenty-five-year-old, determined to make his contribution to the emerging Jewish State. Between 1947 and 1949 he was variously, local news editor, foreign news editor and war correspondent for the Palestine Post, soldier in the Haganah and resident of Jerusalem. In a series of vivid and often moving letters to his family back in the United States, Mordecai described the news of the UN vote for partition, the ongoing battles along the dangerous Jerusalem–Tel-Aviv highway and the attempts to break the siege of Jerusalem, the bombing of the Palestine Post, the declaration of the State of Israel, and, inevitably, the loss of friends.
These letters have been annotated and contextualized in the book, Palestine Posts: An Eyewitness Account of the Birth of Israel, written by Modecai’s son, Daniel Chertoff.
Daniel worked in the investment industry and as a senior executive in a large Israeli high tech company. Before discovering his father’s letters, he was an adviser to the World Jewish Congress and happily writing his doctoral dissertation in English literature at the Hebrew University. Daniel is an Associate Editor of Partial Answers and he joins us today on the podcast to talk about his new book, about his father and about the founding of the state of Israel.
LIVE: 2NJB Monthly Recap - Corona and Elections in Israel (third time is NOT a charm), Dem Primaries and much, much more!
Jews have always loved a good argument. From the oral teachings to the Talmud, the culture of arguing, making a point and then a counter point - is deeply rooted within the Jewish tradition. Maybe that’s the reason that in recent years, under the radar, Israel has become an international juggernaut in the debate world. The debating clubs are thriving, and in international debating competitions Israel is winning big prizes. Yoni Cohen Idov is the world debate champion for 2019. He’s a debate coach and currently works in Israel, USA and China. He joins us to discuss the art of debating, so that hopefully, we’ll be a bit better at it.
The fires this season in Australia have claimed the lives of 29 people to date. 15 Million acres of woodland have burned in Australia. Not to mention the 4.6 million acres that have burned in America and over 2 million in Brazil. It is estimated that in Australia alone, between 500 million to one billion animals have died, including approximately half of the entire Koala population.
In many cases, governments are either helpless or completely uninterested in the problem. And although it is clear that 90% of the fires are caused by people, it’s not clear if there’s something that could be done to change the situation. One thing is for certain: around the world many nations are seriously struggling to preserve nature and wildlife.
In 2015, Prof. Uri Shanas of Haifa University came up with a groundbreaking idea - what if private people got together to buy a big chunk of nature, and committed to preserve it. With several partners, Uri created TiME - This is My Earth, an organisation that strives to purchase and preserve 2.3% of Earth’s entire territory. We’re happy to have Prof. Shines on the podcast today to discuss the initiative.
Recently, President Trump and his team unveiled the much awaited Deal of the Century, a plan to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This immediately led to a media frenzy. Several obvious opponents including the PA and the Arab League rejected the plan flat out. Others joined in their rejection claiming that it completely ignores the Palestinian side. On social media, many people shared a meme comparing the plan to the one laid out at the Oslo Accords, claiming the two to be identical. We figured, we should try and figure this out. What is actually in the plan? Is it fair? Is it feasible? Is it really the deal of the century? To help us unravel all this is a good friend of the podcast, Dr. Michael Oren. Dr. Michael Oren was Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's office, Member of Knesset in the Kulanu Party and served as the Israeli ambassador to the United States in the years 2009-2013. Oren also taught history at the Ben Gurion University and was a visiting professor at Harvard, Yale and Georgetown. He is the author of several books, both fiction and non-fiction, which we’ve discussed here on the podcast. We are honored to be joined by Deputy Minister Oren to discuss the so-called Deal of the Century.
The cover of Time. Many monumental figures of history have graced this much coveted magazine cover: Albert Einstein, JFK, MLK, Pope John Paul II. This year, joining these ranks is Greta Thunberg, this year’s Time Magazine Person of the Year. So much has been said and written about Greta, the 16 year-old Swedish girl who took the world by storm with her furious speeches and international Friday demonstrations. Here in Israel, Greta didn’t receive much coverage. However, many young people felt connected to Greta’s movement, and joined the environmental zeitgeist that was taking over the world. Today we’re finally going to talk about climate change, one of the most controversial topics of our time. Michael Buckland was born in Finland, and made Aliyah 2 years ago. He quickly became aware of issues like the use of plastic and air pollution in Israel, and started getting involved. Soon enough he began organizing protests and today he’s one of the leaders of a new Israeli green movement. We’re happy to have Michael Buckland on the podcast today to talk about climate change!
Sitting right across from the Cinematheque, Bodega is Tel Aviv’s newest, American-style burger joint. That’s where Todd Aarons and James Oppenheim serve kosher Philly Cheese Steaks and B.L.T.s, and everything is certifiably, mouth-wateringly delicious. Todd Aarons grew up in LA and has been a professional chef for over 20 years. He has worked in kitchens in Italy, NYC, San Francisco, LA, and Israel, and was founding executive chef of Tierra Sur in Oxnard, CA. James Oppenheim has been working in high tech for over 20 years before entering the food business. We are super excited to host Todd Aarons and James Oppenheim on the podcast today.