Inside Israel with Joel Chasnoff

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.

It’s been a year and a half since October 7, and as Passover approaches—a holiday also known as the Festival of Spring—we ask: Springtime, but for who? 

In this episode, I’ll talk about the psychological state of Israelis right now, through the lens of several unfolding stories: Netanyahu’s European vacation, the firing of Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, the Gaza ambulance strike, and talk of an upcoming conflict with Iran. 

What connects them all is a public that feels increasingly powerless.

I’ll also takes your questions—from Pesach hikes into Syria and ethics in the IDF. 

Don’t forget: the Inside Israel live broadcast is now Wednesdays only, with the next episode airing April 20 at 1pm ET.

Grab our free Passover PDF at joelchasnoff.com, and check out our comedic Passover shorts on Instagram, @joelchasnoff.

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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.

I’m in the U.S. this week to perform comedy at Beren Academy, an Orthodox Jewish day school in Houston.

In this episode of Inside Israel, I reflect on what it’s like to be back in America. The longer I live in Israel, the more the cultural differences stand out — and the more I realize just how Israeli I’ve become. 

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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.

What does it mean for the future of the Jewish state that 22% of our population isn't Jewish? 

And more importantly, how do Jewish Israelis feel about it?

On today's episode of Inside Israel, we explore this complex demographic reality through the lens of two recent experiences Joel had while in Israel.

And, as always, Joel answers listener 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.