In this episode of Tel Aviv Diary, host Marc Schulman speaks with Shmuel Rosner, senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) and author of the new book Why Am I a Jew?. Rosner walks us through JPPI’s November 11th survey on Israeli public opinion in the wake of the October 7th war and the Trump ceasefire plan: why a large majority of Israelis back accepting the plan even though most don’t believe it is “good,” why only a tiny minority think Hamas will really disappear from Gaza, and why more than half the country expects the current quiet to last only weeks or months.

The conversation ranges from Israelis’ emotional state—anxious, polarized, and still traumatized—to the battle over a commission of inquiry, the ultra-Orthodox draft, and the political cost of keeping the current coalition. Rosner explains his idea of a “thin constitution” to finally clarify powers and checks between Knesset, government, and courts, and reflects on the paradox of how Israelis view Donald Trump: as Israel’s strongest friend in the White House, yet only “somewhat” trusted. The episode closes with a discussion of his book and the big questions of Jewish identity, survival, and peoplehood in the 21st century.

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In this wide-ranging episode of the Tel Aviv Diary, Marc Schulman opens with something rare in Israel these days—rain. From the welcome arrival of the year’s first storm to Israel’s long-term success in desalination and water planning, he traces how the country turned a national vulnerability into a strategic strength. From there, he pivots to a surge of investment in Israeli AI, including NVIDIA’s major new campus in the north and a broader wave of funding flowing into local startups. But the good news soon meets Israel’s turbulent political reality, with updates on the return of hostage bodies, escalating judicial battles, political scandals, and Netanyahu’s increasingly fraught corruption trial.

Schulman also reflects on his recent participation in a rare Israeli–Palestinian dialogue session near Jericho, exploring the vast gap in expectations and the deep trauma shaping both societies after two years of war. The episode wraps with a stark warning from the world of artificial intelligence, as leading researchers raise alarms about uncontrolled AI capabilities—and what that means for the future. It’s an episode that moves from weather to war, from water strategy to AI, from politics to personal reflection—capturing a complex moment in Israel’s ongoing story.

In this special episode of Tel Aviv Diary, host Marc Schulman sits down with Kerstin Müller, former member of the German Bundestag and ex–Minister of State in the Foreign Office, to discuss her years in Israel, her work fostering dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, and her reflections on rebuilding trust after a year of war and trauma. Speaking candidly, Müller recounts her time heading the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Tel Aviv, her current work at the Center for Liberal Modernity in Berlin, and her recent efforts to organize joint Israeli–Palestinian conferences—even amid political resistance from both sides.

The conversation moves from the personal to the political: the challenges of keeping the two-state vision alive, the role of regional actors like Saudi Arabia, the surprising empathy in international diplomacy, and the rise of anti-Semitism across Europe. Recorded in the aftermath of new dialogue initiatives in Israel and the West Bank, this episode offers a rare glimpse into what genuine reconciliation might require—and why, despite deep wounds, both sides still have voices willing to talk.

Today’s Tel Aviv Diary opens with a concise briefing from Tel Aviv on the fast-moving headlines: the latest in the IDF legal-officer saga, Israel’s strikes and messaging to Lebanon amid Hezbollah tensions, and where the UN Security Council effort for an international Gaza force currently stands. Then, we shift to a deeply moving interview with Liz Hirsh Naftali, author of Saving Abigail, whose family was devastated on October 7. Liz explains how a three-year-old child became the face of a global campaign, why bipartisan outreach in Washington mattered, and how personal storytelling helped decision-makers act.

Across the conversation, Liz traces the arc from shock to sustained action: early meetings on Capitol Hill, coordination with hostage families of many backgrounds, and the relentless push that brought children like Abigail home—while emphasizing the work still ahead for those who remain. She speaks candidly about resilience, grief, and the responsibility to document October 7 so the facts aren’t erased or softened by time. We also discuss how communities—Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Black, Latino—can stand together around basic human truths, even when politics divides.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Marc Schulman sits down with Rabbi Kenneth Brander, President and Rosh HaYeshiva of Ohr Torah Stone (OTS), to trace a remarkable journey from Kew Gardens Hills and Yeshiva University—including formative years living in the Rav’s NY apartment and serving at Lincoln Square Synagogue—to community-building in Boca Raton and, ultimately, Aliyah to lead OTS in Israel. Rabbi Brander outlines how OTS has grown to 32 institutions and 5,000 students, spanning high schools, yeshivot hesder, advanced women’s Torah study, rabbinic training, global shlichut (300 emissaries), and pioneering programs addressing agunot and interfaith civic responsibility.

The discussion goes deep on today’s hardest questions: the shared burden of service in wartime; why Torah study and national service are complementary, not competitive; and what this year revealed about the courage and purpose of Israel’s youth. Rabbi Brander speaks candidly about OTS’s fallen alumni and first-degree family losses, and shares moving classroom moments with students rotating back from the front—studying Gemara between missions and taping shiurim for tanks and tents.

We also look outward: rising antisemitism in the U.S., shifting Jewish demographics, and why more families are exploring Aliyah. Along the way, Rabbi Brander previews new OTS initiatives—from North and South American post-high school programs to a Lower Galilee school opening—arguing that a confident, engaged Modern Orthodoxy can meet the Jewish people’s most urgent educational, spiritual, and civic challenges.

Marc opens with show housekeeping: moving to a steadier cadence—guest episodes every Tuesday and solo weekly wrap-ups every Friday—and a reminder that while the podcast remains free for now, paid subscribers help sustain the broader Tel Aviv Diary project (and get full Monday/Wednesday editions). He then dives into the day’s grim headline: two more hostage bodies returned, intelligence estimates on how many additional bodies Hamas could return immediately, and why the group is stalling—from leverage in ceasefire politics to plain, deliberate cruelty.

From there, Marc widens the lens: what the latest PCPSR polling says about Palestinian attitudes toward Hamas and war; a candid segment on historical illiteracy (including a Hillary Clinton classroom anecdote from Columbia’s SIA) and how that shapes global discourse; and a sober look at U.S. trends—antisemitism and anti-Zionism on both right and left (Tucker Carlson/Nick Fuentes, Heritage’s response, a Turning Point rally exchange), plus New York’s mayoral race. Back in Israel, he covers the Sde Teiman detainee-abuse leak, the army chief legal officer’s resignation, and what the episode reveals about law, accountability, and “deep state” narratives. He also breaks down the mass Haredi anti-draft rally, the new draft bill’s loopholes (quotas, “toothless” sanctions, restored funding), and the broader economic and social costsof non-service amid an IDF manpower crunch. Finally, a quick world wrap: the U.S. shutdown standoff, Trump’s Asia trip and tariff powers, and the AI market’s Nvidia-led surge—what’s hype, what’s durable, and why it matters.

Highlights & Chapters (approx.):

* 00:00 — New publishing schedule; subscriber note

* 01:35 — Hostage bodies returned; why Hamas is dragging releases

* 04:30 — PCPSR poll takeaways; why attitudes aren’t moderating

* 06:40 — History literacy gap (Clinton anecdote)

* 08:10 — U.S. politics: right/left antisemitism, NYC mayoral race

* 12:00 — Israel media blind spots; global standing

* 15:50 — Sde Teiman leak; military legal fallout and narratives

* 18:45 — Haredi rally; draft bill mechanics, quotas, sanctions, economics

* 26:50 — U.S. shutdown, tariffs, courts

* 31:20 — AI corner: Nvidia, monopolies, and market reality

* 33:50 — Closing & Shabbat Shalom

In this episode of The Tel Aviv Diary, host Marc Schulman speaks with Don Futterman, Executive Director of the Israel Center for Educational Innovation (ICEI), about his life journey from Queens to Kfar Saba and his mission to transform struggling Israeli schools. Futterman shares how ICEI’s literacy-based model is helping close Israel’s deep educational and socioeconomic gaps—especially among Ethiopian-Israeli, Arab, and Bedouin students—by retraining teachers, rebuilding school culture, and reigniting children’s love of reading and learning.

The discussion also turns deeply personal as Don reflects on how the war, trauma, and years of disruption have reshaped Israel’s education system and society at large. Together, he and Marc explore what resilience means in today’s Israel, the role of civil society in times of crisis, and their shared hopes for a more equitable and democratic future—one that their grandchildren will be proud to inherit.

This week’s Tel Aviv Diary reflects on a turbulent moment for Israel’s leadership and diplomacy. Host Marc Schulman opens with a deeply personal vignette from Hostage Square — a reminder of families still waiting to bring their loved ones home — before turning to the political missteps that defined the week.

Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit, meant to strengthen ties, was overshadowed by a sovereignty bill that managed to offend both Vance and Donald Trump, prompting a rare public rebuke from Washington. Schulman dissects how Israel’s right wing has become detached from reality, how domestic politics continue to dictate foreign policy, and why the government’s lack of strategic planning has left the nation dependent on the U.S.

Later in the episode, Schulman explores Marco Rubio’s visit, Israel’s ongoing regional challenges, and the broader shifts in U.S. politics under Trump’s second term — from the White House ballroom to fears of growing authoritarianism. He closes with reflections on AI’s promise and peril, and the uneasy balance between technological progress and human control.

In this Tel Aviv Diary episode, Marc speaks with Ari Hoffnung—finance veteran, former NYC Deputy Comptroller, and now a leader at JLens under the ADL—about fighting antisemitism where today’s power concentrates: on platforms and in boardrooms. Hoffnung explains how shareholder activism works in practice (including JLens’ high-profile Meta proposal), why algorithms matter more than one-off takedowns, and how BDS campaigns are targeting dozens of S&P 500 companies from tech to defense. He shares personal snapshots of the post–Oct 7 reality in the U.S.—from armed guards at schools and synagogues to incidents on flights and a British lawyer detained for wearing a Star of David.

We also trace Ari’s path from Wall Street and public service to a decade in medical cannabis and, ultimately, to corporate advocacy at JLens (and the TOV ETF). Along the way: the story behind the surname “Hoffnung” (“hope”), the line between free speech and workplace intimidation, and a historian’s look at why economic discrimination against Jews isn’t new—just newly amplified online. Marc closes by asking what Israel can do, post-war, to repair its global image; Ari’s answer: tell the real, diverse, everyday stories of Israelis—Jews, Muslims, and Christians—working side by side in hospitals, universities, and startups.

On the first Friday after the ceasefire, with hostages back but the bodies of the deceased still withheld, Marc talks with returning guest Ehud Haik about where Israel truly stands—and where it could go next. They unpack the reshaping of the region (a weakened Iran-led Shiite axis and a re-energized Sunni coalition), the Sharm el-Sheikh moment and Donald Trump’s outsized role, and why Israel risks being written out of the script if it keeps relying on power without diplomacy.

They dig into U.S. public-opinion trends, the urgency of rebuilding Israel’s hasbara and policy credibility, and the near-term Gaza scenarios—from Arab-led enforcement to “same old, same old.” Despite hard truths, Ehud lays out a cautious optimism: a rare strategic window, if Israel seizes it with smart diplomacy and a coherent plan.

Topics: ceasefire reality, hostages and missing bodies, Sunni vs. Shia balance, Sharm el-Sheikh, U.S. politics & public opinion, Israel’s diplomacy deficit, Gaza enforcement options, tech & defense partnerships, what it will take to win the next few years.

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