Back when I was a lone soldier in the IDF, most Israelis had never even heard the term “lone soldier,” let alone understood who we were or what we were doing there.

That changed in the summer of 2006, when Michael Levin z”l, a lone soldier from Philadelphia, was killed in Lebanon.

On today’s episode of Inside Israel, I sit down with Michael’s mother, Harriet Levin, to talk about her son’s legacy and the work she and her husband, Mark, continue through the Michael Levin Lone Soldier Foundation in his memory.

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

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This week marks 19 years since the death of Michael Levin z”l, the lone soldier from Philadelphia who fell in the 2006 Lebanon War. Ahead of next week’s special conversation with Michael’s mother, Harriet Levin, I take a closer look at the reality of lone soldiers in Israel today. 

From surprising statistics—like the fact that half of the IDF’s 7,000 lone soldiers were born and raised in Israel—to the challenges they face, I’ll share key insights you need to know about this important part of Israeli society.

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Support Inside Israel: Contribute

Book Joel during his fall 2025 lecture and comedy tour: www.joelchasnoff.com

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.

As we approach the two-year mark since October 7, 2023, it's time to take a hard look at the war in Gaza—and how we got here. 

In this episode, I revisit the goals we were told would guide the war effort, and the assumptions behind them. 

I also share personal conversations I’ve had with various Israelis about the war, explore shifting public sentiment in Israel, and examine how the world now sees us. From military strategy to the war narrative to the question of a Palestinian state, I’ll attempt to change your perspective on what Israel needs to do next. 

Because if we’re serious about protecting Israel’s future, we have to be willing to rethink everything—even the things we once thought were sacred.

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Support Inside Israel: Contribute

Book Joel during his fall 2025 lecture and comedy tour: www.joelchasnoff.com

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.

In everyday Hebrew, chinam means “free.”

But as we approach Tisha B’Av—the day we mourn the destruction of the Temple—chinam takes on a darker meaning.

Our sages say the Temple was destroyed because of sin’at chinam, which I translate as “hatred without cost.” 

In today’s episode, I’ll speak about the current divisions in Israeli society and why these very divisions are the greatest threat to Israel’s existence – far greater than that posed by Hamas, Hezbollah, or even Iran. 

I’ll also offer reasons for hope. 

And, as always, I answer listener questions.

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Book Joel during his fall 2025 lecture and comedy tour: www.joelchasnoff.com

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 on Inside Israel, listener reactions pour in after last episode’s revelations about FIDF. Joel responds to powerful messages—from outrage over donor betrayal to personal stories of involvement—and explains why, despite his own concerns, he didn’t blow the whistle himself.

Plus: A deep dive into one of Israel’s most remarkable systems—the emergency response network. Why does Israel have no government budget for ambulances? The answer reveals a uniquely Israeli combination of volunteerism, resilience, and public trust.

Also in this episode: soldiers jailed for refusing another round in Gaza, hostage talks stall again, and disturbing anti-Israel attacks in Europe leave many Jews wondering how visible they can afford to be.

And finally, a bittersweet goodbye to our podcast editor, Adina—and a warm welcome to our new one, Yael.

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Book Joel during his fall 2025 lecture and comedy tour: www.joelchasnoff.com

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.

Turmoil at FIDF

Today’s episode is dedicated to the memory of Ari Loren, z’’l. 

Ari, his wife Miri, and their five boys have been dear friends of ours since our Carmel Academy days, back when we lived in Westchester, NY. Ari was one of the most passionate Zionists I’ve ever known—so much so that he and Miri chose to be the lead sponsors of my recent book, Israel 201, which I co-wrote with Benji Lovitt. I’m deeply grateful—for their support, and even more so for the privilege of knowing Ari.

May his memory be a blessing.

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In this episode of Inside Israel, I talk about recent troubling revelations about Friends of the IDF (FIDF)—including misleading messaging, misuse of funds, and a lack of transparency around where your donations actually go. 

I’m not here to tell you whether to give or not. But if you’ve ever supported FIDF—or considered it—you deserve to know what’s going on. 

I’ll share what’s been reported, what I’ve personally seen as a longtime host for the organization, and how you can make informed choices moving forward.

And as always, I’ll answer your questions. 

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Book Joel during his fall 2025 lecture and comedy tour: www.joelchasnoff.com

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.

Two weeks ago, seven Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza in what first seemed like a tragic, one-in-a-million accident. 

But new details reveal a painful truth: this wasn’t random bad luck—it was preventable.

In this episode, I break down what really happened, what it says about the Israeli army and mindset, and why this human, flawed side of the IDF is rarely talked about. It’s an aspect of the IDF that has led to the death of far too many IDF soldiers in the past, and one that I witnessed firsthand when I myself was an IDF soldier in the Armored Corps.

And of course, I’ll answer your questions.

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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, Joel reflects on three deeply emotional events that took place within 48 hours—attending the funeral of a fallen soldier, going to a shiva visit for another soldier killed in Gaza, and, l’havdil, attending his son’s middle school graduation ceremony in a nearby park. 

In Israel, the phrase l’havdil—used to separate the sacred from the mundane—isn’t just a superstition, it’s a coping mechanism. 

Joel explores how this strange, almost absurd linguistic habit helps Israelis navigate the emotional whiplash of daily life. And, of course, Joel answers your questions. 

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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's episode of Inside Israel finds the country navigating a shaky ceasefire with Iran.

While the war is officially "over," the conversation here is anything but. Today, I'll explore two deeply conflicting narratives: Was this war a decisive victory, setting back Iran's nuclear program for years and embarrassing them globally? Or were Israelis "played," with heavy sacrifices – 13 dead, 10,000 families homeless, and a crippled economy – for a temporary reprieve, leaving critical questions about Gaza hostages and soldiers' deaths unanswered?

We'll talk about the the unspoken consequences, too: the shattered faith in Iron Dome, the disruption to daily life, and the emotional toll on a nation. I'll also share a bit about my personal experience of economic impact, providing a candid look at life on the ground.

Plus, listener questions tackle everything from NYC mayoral politics to the global understanding of the conflict.

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

This week on Inside Israel: as the conflict intensifies following the US attack on Fordo, Joel shares what Israelis are really saying about "Operation Rising Lion" and Bibi's role. 

We’ll talk about Iran's new, disturbing retaliation tactics and the true human cost: 10,000 displaced families and the growing national exhaustion. 

In attacking Iran, Israel is doing the world a favor. So why don’t more Americans see it that way? We’ll talk about that too, plus, listener questions answered.

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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.