Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Today is day 168 of the war with Hamas. Jewish world reporter Canaan Lidor joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

Lidor talks about comments made by prominent Reform rabbi Angela Buchdahl about the struggles American Jews are having regarding Israel, the ongoing war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

He also looks at a Knesset bill regarding the appointment of municipal rabbis, a potentially divisive bill that was postponed due to objections from senior lawmakers.

Lidor then discusses evacuees from the Gaza border communities remaining in Dead Sea hotels, because of the sense of trauma and lack of safety they feel in their former hometowns.

Steinberg describes the Fast of Esther prayers at different locations around Israel on Thursday, as well as the massive recitation of the Shema prayer at the Western Wall, for the safe return of the hostages.

For the latest updates, please see The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.

Discussed articles include:

Live blog March 22, 2024

Top US rabbi says Gaza’s plight, distrust of Netanyahu make supporting Israel ‘hard’

After protests, coalition refreezes bill hiking number of municipal rabbis

At Dead Sea hotels, lasting mental, physical traumas delay homecoming for some evacuees

Jerusalem mayor meets hostages’ families, agrees on changes to Purim parade

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel

THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Jews attend a prayer for the return of the Israeli hostages at the Western Wall on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

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