In this episode Liz and Alan reach out to longtime friend Shiri Phillips and ask her questions about growing up connected to the two worlds of Israel and America. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.

Liz and Alan discuss with Sharon why Israel is important to her and her connection to Israel today. 

Such a great conversation with former Omahan Dan Bleicher that we had to break it up into 2 episodes. We think you will enjoy both epsiodes and we will probably bring him back for another interview. He has been in Israel since 1973. I hope you enjoy it.

Liz also talks about Israel advocacy and references a documentary check the link for the film. 

In this episode Liz and Alan explore personal stories of where connections between Nebraska and Israel have impacted them. 

Liz and Alan review the success Israel had at the Olympics and dive into the situation that challenges civil marriages in Israel.

Times of Israel's David Horovitz op-ed on the subject supporting the right of Artem Dolgopyat to get married in Israel.

Explore how other Jewish Athletes did in the Olympics. 

In this episode Liz and Alan invited former Nebraskan Nancy Coren to share her journey to Israel. Nancy and her husband made Aliyah from Lincoln, Nebraska during the pandemic. She walked us through the process and challenges of fulfilling the dream of moving to Israel.

Here are a few links that might help others who might be interested in doing the same.

Nefesh B'Nefesh
How to learn  Hebrew

Tune in next week as Liz and Alan will recap the Olympics and update on issues in Israel.

Thank you for listening.

In this episode Liz and Alan follow up more on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the chances for Israelis and Jewish athletes from around the globe to achieve their dreams.
And the memory of the 11 Israeli athletes murdered in Munich at the 1972 Olympics
When we spoke Israeli 19 year-old Avishleg Semberg won Israel's first medal of the games a bronze in taekwondo.  I can't wait to watch  baseball.

So many exciting moments in the Olympics and several close calls 17-year-old Anastasia Gorbenko in the finals for swimming and Omer Shapira on the bike.

The Times of Israel also reported on how Palestinians competing.

We also talked about Ice Cream and boycotts check out this great pieces by Daniel Gordis

Tune in again next week as we will talk more about the Olympics and we will have a guest on the show too. 

Alan and Liz took the week off and came back together to debrief and discuss current events that took place in Israel. They focused on the status of the coalition the opposition and a few missteps in the Knesset. Alan shared the story of the first deaf member of Knesset making her maiden speech through sign language. This led to a greater conversation about the inclusiveness of the Knesset.

Links:
MK Shirley Pinto Kadosh
New study on Jewish attitudes 

Liz and Alan take a different approach to discussing current events in Israel. Liz revealed the new name for the Lower Galilee. They discuss summer food festivals in Jerusalem and Alan introduces the World Happiness Index.

Here are links to some of the issues discussed.
The World Happiness Index
Jewish Athletes to watch at the Olympics
Name Change of the Lower Galilee