What's it like when war begins in the dead of night? 

In this episode, Joel brings you a firsthand account from Israel as the conflict with Iran unfolds. From the shocking 3 AM air raid siren that marked the war's start, to what we've learned about the Mossad's role, and the heartbreaking truth behind civilian fatalities, Joel discusses it all. 

He'll also talk about how the rhythm of our lives has shifted to the constant anticipation of ballistic missile attacks, and why, amidst the tension, Israelis overwhelmingly agree on the necessity of this fight. 

As always, Joels answers your most pressing questions about this evolving situation. 

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Support Inside Israel: Contribute

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

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Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Inside Israel, a casual catch-up with Joel’s American friend from college inspires a raw discussion about the current housing crisis in Israel. 

To the dismay of many listeners, Joel pushes back on the idea that when foreign Jews purchase property in Ra’anana, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other big cities, they are “supporting” Israel. 

This in turn leads Joel to compare the Israeli take on what it means to sacrifice with those of Jews elsewhere. 

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Support Inside Israel: Contribute

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/shows

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tel Aviv’s Pride Parade isn’t just a spectacle; it’s the second largest in Asia and ranks among the top ten worldwide! 

The city has embraced its reputation as a gay-friendly tourist hotspot, and the IDF prides itself on being one of the most LGBTQ-inclusive militaries globally. Remarkably, the Israeli army has allowed soldiers to serve openly since the early 1990s—long before the U.S. repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Today, the IDF even covers sex-change surgeries for trans soldiers who meet certain criteria.

But the journey isn’t without its hurdles. Same-sex couples, for instance, still can’t marry within Israel’s borders; they have to travel to places like Cyprus or Greece to tie the knot officially. And adopting a child as a gay couple? It's still an uphill battle.

On this episode of Inside Israel, we chat with LGBTQ activist Jay Rosen. Jay reveals a surprising statistic that sheds light on how young Israelis perceive Tel Aviv. He also shares an unofficial yet bold claim that might astonish you: up to one-third of Tel Aviv’s population could be gay, lesbian, or queer.

In the "Hebrew is Magic" segment, Jay dives into the word freier and how it connects to his experience teaching Hebrew to new immigrants in ulpan.

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Support Inside Israel: Contribute

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/shows

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week marks 600 days since October 7, 2023.

In this episode, Joel reflects on where Israel stands—politically, morally, and emotionally—600 days into our war with Hamas. From the failure of the protest movement to rising antisemitism, from Haredi tensions to the implosion of the Israeli Left, this episode challenges what we think we know. Listener questions explore the IDF’s current ethics and allegations about Gaza.

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Support Inside Israel: Contribute

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/shows

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode of Inside Israel, Joel catches up on listener questions.

Topics include air raid sirens, mental health support for moms, reactions to the controversial Yom Hazikaron event in Ra’anana, and more.

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Support Inside Israel: Contribute

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/shows

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This past Sunday was Mother’s Day in the US.

In this week’s episode of Inside Israel, Joel reflects on what it’s like to be a mother in Israel today, based on anecdotal conversations he had with several moms in central Israel.

The mothers he surveyed spoke about everything from the chaos of daily life in a country at war, whether their family might be better off living in Portugal, and the biggest challenge of all – finding a new cleaning lady.

He also answers listener questions about Betzalel Smotrich’s vision for Gaza to how modern-day tech words are spelled in Hebrew.

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Support Inside Israel: Contribute

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/shows

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, right-wing Jewish Israelis staged a violent protest outside a Reform synagogue in Joel’s hometown of Ra’anana.

Due to a lack of police presence, the riot spiraled out of control. Several people inside the synagogue—gathered for a joint Jewish-Palestinian Yom HaZikaron Memorial Day ceremony—were injured.

While this may sound shocking to those in Western democracies, Joel explains that many Israelis actually support the rioters—and in this episode, he breaks down why.

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Support Inside Israel: Contribute

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/shows

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Ep. #80)

Yom Hazikaron 5785

This Wednesday is Yom Hazikaron – Israel’s Day of Remembrance. 

On today’s episode of Inside Israel, I’ll share some personal feelings about this, the most solemn day on the Israeli calendar. 

I’ll also explain what Yom Hazikaron is actually like – including the sirens, the ceremonies, sad music on the radio, and how this year feels even more raw, with over 500 Israeli soldiers lost since October 7. 

I’ll also answer listener questions about negotiating with Hamas for hostage releases, and safety concerns for young people traveling to Israel this summer.

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Support Inside Israel: Contribute

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/shows

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is Israeli comedy so dark?

In Part 2 of our two-part series on Israeli humor, comedian and Israel 201 co-author Benji Lovitt interviews Joel about the sharp contrasts between Israeli and American comedy.

Israeli humor, like Israelis themselves, tends to be fast, bold, and unfiltered—with almost nothing off-limits. Together, Joel and Benji explore why the country’s unique history, culture, and daily realities give rise to a style of comedy that’s darker, edgier, and more direct than what American audiences might expect.

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Support Inside Israel: Contribute

To learn more about Inside Israel, and to submit a question for Joel to answer on-air, visit www.joelchasnoff.com/podcast

Sign up for Joel’s newsletter, Hebrew Is Magic: www.joelchasnoff.com

Joel’s tour schedule: www.joelchasnoff.com/shows

Joel on Instagram: @joelchasnoff

Israel 201, co-authored by Joel and Benji Lovitt and Winner of the 2023 National Jewish Book Award: www.joelchasnoff.com/books

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest host Benji Lovitt turns the tables and interviews Joel about the Israeli stand-up comedy scene.

Benji is a Dallas-born comedian and co-wrote Israel 201 with Joel.

This episode is Part One in a two-episode series.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.