421 The Fall of Assad and the New Syria 

What is going on in Syria? How did it happen? Who are the major players in these events? What does it mean for Iran? What does it mean for Israel? Our team takes you through this confusing revolution, and helps you understand this tectonic shift in the world of the Middle East. 

Calev hosts this discussion with Matt and Mike. 

Am Yisrael Chai!

Managing Mental Health in Difficult Times

Being under stress isn’t a new condition for Jews. But with decades of Israeli power and relative diaspora security, our people have gotten used to a historically unusual state of calm. As the last few years have shown, political and even physical insecurity may be the new normal. While there’s no need to panic, that kind of chronic stress takes a physical and mental toll. Some are in combat on Israel’s front lines, and some have loved one’s who are. Some are on campus or city streets confronting rising antisemitism. 

We decided to record this unusual episode to address that issue. How do we manage to take care of ourselves when we don’t control the external forces that are causing us stress? What is the basic biologically of stress? What steps can we take, and what habits can we develop, that will help us navigate these difficult times? 

Mike and Alan host our guest expert Dina Kessler. 

Am Yisrael Chai!

  A Visit to the Gaza Border

This past June, Liel took Alan, Matt, Calev and Mike to the sites that were devastated by the October 7th invasion. As a licensed tour guide, Liel wanted to share insights with her colleagues about what happened in the “Gaza Envelope” on, and since, that day. As they went from location to location, they recorded Liel speaking, as well as some of their thoughts and observations along the way. 

On the one year anniversary of October 7th, we thought it would be meaningful to share the experience with our listeners. Liel, Mike and Calev sat with our engineer Ben in his studio, to choose what to include in this episode. We also added narration to explain and contextualize each of the clips. While we were doing that, we also reflected on our thoughts since the visit, and about this difficult year in general. For those interested to see what we saw, here is a link to our shared photo album of the visit. 

Wishing you, our listeners, and all of our Nation a year of peace, healing and renewal.

Shana tova. 

Am Yisrael Chai!

  Is Israel Handling its Problems? 

Everyone agrees that Israel is beset with problems. Some of them can be managed, and many of them must be solved for Israel to survive and have a healthy future. Is there a danger of reaching a tipping point where Israel has too many problems to succeed? Is whatever is right about Israel in danger of being destroyed by what’s wrong with it? Or is whatever is wrong with Israel going to be fixed by what’s right with it? 

Liel hosts this debate with Matt taking the position that our problems are out of control, and Calev arguing that we have reason to be optimistic. 

Am Yisrael Chai!

Are We in the 1920s or 1930s? 

It is always interesting and helpful to learn from history. And so it's very natural to look to our recent past to find parallels to our current era. With the astonishing global rise of antisemitism many are looking at the previous century and seeing troubling signs for our future. But what part of 20th Century is the clearest precedent? In between the two World Wars, antisemitism rose and shook Jewish security in the Western world. Are we at an early stage like the 20s? Or in a later danger zone like the 30s? Are the analogies even accurate at all? 

Liel hosts this debate with Alan taking the position that our time is more similar to the 1920s, and Matt arguing that it is like the 1930s. 

Am Yisrael Chai!

Mass Protests

We live in an era when mass protests are just a normal part of weekly life in Israel. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Do they even make a difference? What changes have occurred because of them? And overall, do they create a positive or negative effect on Israeli life, politics and culture? 

Jordana hosts this debate with Calev taking the position that the protests create positive change, and Alan taking the position that they are problematic.. 

Am Yisrael Chai!

Campus: Fight or Flight?

Young Jews prepare to return to campuses in the near future. Was last year a preview of what this year will be like? What should students do about open antisemitism around them? Should they stay and fight for what’s right? Or should they move on to places where Jews are more welcome and secure? There is no right or wrong answer to these questions, and each individual should decide for themselves. But a debate on the subject will help uncover the issues and factors to be weighed when making such important choices. 

Alan hosts this debate with Liel taking the position that Jews should stand their ground and fight, Mike taking the position that they should leave and build the Jewish future in other ways. . 

Am Yisrael Chai!

414 Hostages in the Media

This is a painful topic. How should images of the hostages be handled by the media? What is informative and what is exploitive? And in terms of viewing, what is the line between being informed and harming self health? May better days arrive soon, and discussions like this no longer be relevant. 

Calev hosts this episode with Alan and Liel and Matt discussing the issues. 

Am Yisrael Chai!

413 Lebanon

This episode discusses the military threat posed by Hezbollah in the North of Israel. We discuss the ongoing tensions, evacuations of Israeli residents, and the challenges faced in finding a resolution. The conversation highlights the significant military capabilities of Hezbollah, the historical context of conflicts in the region, and the psychological impact on the Israeli population. The uncertainty of diplomatic solutions and the potential for a military confrontation add complexity to the situation. 

Calev hosts this episode with Alan and Liel discussing the issues. 

Am Yisrael Chai!

412 ICC and Consequences

What is the ICC? How is it different from the ICJ? What are the consequences of Israel being tried in the ICC? Is the ICC a legitimate judge of Israel? Should we even care? 

Jordana hosts this debate with Calev arguing that we should care, and Alan arguing that we shouldn’t. 

Am Yisrael Chai!