The Israel Conversation

We all know individual aliya stories. But returning guest Marc Rosenberg, of Nefesh B'Nefesh, helped Liel and Mike get a sense of the big picture. How has Covid affected aliya? How has aliya changed over time and history? Do more Jews move into or out of Israel? Join us for this engaging and insightful discussion of these and so many more questions!

Profile of Marc

Re-listen to our 2017 interview with Marc

The Israel Conversation by Masa Israel Journey is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Liel Zahavi-Asa.

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If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Masa teacher.

The Israeli government is turning it attention to the high crime rate in Arab cities. Why is the violent crime rate so high? How does it affect broader Israeli societies? How do journalists uncover the facts within these stories? Liel and Mike spoke to Times of Israel's Emanuel Fabian to get a better understanding of this ongoing Israeli problem. Join us!

Emanuel Fabian

Recent stories on the topic in the Times of Israel

The Israel Conversation by Masa Israel Journey is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Liel Zahavi-Asa.

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Please rate, review, share and recommend our podcast.

If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Masa teacher.

United States funding for Israel's Iron Dome program was called into question by some Democrats. What do these complications mean for the relationship between the two countries? What does it mean for American politics? What are the Zionist implications? And why is twitter so full of bad takes? Benji joined Liel and Mike to hash out these questions in a surprisingly wide ranging conversation. Join us!

(note: the episode was recorded on Thursday morning before the funding was passed overwhelmingly in the US House of Representatives.)

TOI Article

The Israel Conversation by Masa Israel Journey is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Liel Zahavi-Asa.

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Please rate, review, share and recommend our podcast.

If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Masa teacher.

This week, Liel and Mike spoke to Lazar Berman, the Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter, about his unexpected Shabbat in Washington D.C. with Prime Minister Bennet's entourage. What was the experience like? Is it hard for a journalist to become part of the story? What did Prime Minister Bennet accomplish? What did they hear off the record? (also, what does "off the record" really mean?) To hear about all of this and more, join us!

Lazar's article at the TOI

The Israel Conversation by Masa Israel Journey is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Liel Zahavi-Asa.

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Please rate, review, share and recommend our podcast.

If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Masa teacher.

The unfolding chaos of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan is painful to watch. What does it mean to the region? What does it mean to Israel? When we have questions about the region, we turn to Geo-politics expert and master educator Miri Eisen. Mike and Liel asked her for context, perspective, and any possible reasons for optimism. Join us!  (audio repaired)

Miri Eisen (Col. Ret.)

The Israel Conversation by Masa Israel Journey is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Liel Zahavi-Asa.

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Masa Israel Journey strengthens the strategic bond between the Jewish People and the State of Israel, by providing every young Jew with the opportunity for a life-changing long-term experience in Israel. Masa offers hundreds of diverse semester to year long programs, as well as complimentary mid-length programs, with a focus on career development, Jewish learning, tikkun olam and Aliyah preparation.

Please rate, review, share and recommend our podcast.

If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Masa teacher.

This summer, Israel's largest Olympic team brought back two gold medals! (for an all time total of 4!) What does it mean for such a young country? How is the heterogeneous nature of our society at play here? What were the political and cultural conflicts caused by joining this international event? For a run through and analysis of what the Israelis were talking about, Mike and Liel discuss the social consequences of this summer's Olympics. Join us!

Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg.

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Please rate and review us on Apple and recommend us to friends! Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions.

If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Makom teacher.

In this extra long episode, listener favorite Haviv Rettig Gur joins Mike and new co-host Liel Zahavi-Asa to discuss his recent article about antisemitism. Why do Israelis struggle to understand antisemitism? What role does antisemitism play in Israeli politics? What did Zionists get right or wrong about antisemitism? Is optimism unrealistic? For this and so much more, join us!

Haviv's article

Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg.

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Please rate and review us on Apple and recommend us to friends! Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions.

If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Makom teacher.

The new government is planning to change religion and state rules in Israel. Kashrut certification is the first item on that agenda. Benji and Matt invited Wendy Barrish and Yochi Rappeport from Women of the Wall to discuss their work, and what they think is possible given the new political horizon. Join us!

Women of the Wall

Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg.

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Please rate and review us on Apple and recommend us to friends! Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions.

If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Makom teacher.

The recent conflict in Gaza led to difficult conversations. Not least for liberal American Jews. Mike and Benji invited Rabbi Bradley Artson to discuss his open letter to Rabbinical students about framing those conversations with empathy. Where are liberal American Jews today when it comes to Israeli current events? How can we communicate productively when we disagree passionately? How can our different perspectives enrich us, rather than divide us? What do these difficult conversations say about us? What do they mean for our future? Join us!

Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson is the Vice President at the American Jewish University, and holds the Abner & Roslyn Goldstine Dean’s Chair at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies.

Rabbi Artson's Letter

The AP Article

Rabbi Artson's Website

Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg.

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Please rate and review us on Apple and recommend us to friends! Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions.

If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Makom teacher.