The Israel Conversation

The Israel Conversation

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The Israel Conversation episodes

  • Ep. 40 - Those Who Do Not Remember...
    This time... its personal!
    As teachers always trying to show the relevance of history to current events, Alan and Mike were perturbed to hear some of Jared Kushner's leaked comments. They feel that Kushner is accurately expressing a commonly held belief that smart people can solve political problems just by looking around and ahead, but not behind. They aren't really interested in the current administration, but in the reality that this idea seems to be so pervasive in our culture.
    So they embark to show how George Santayana's famous aphorism relates to trying to make peace in the middle east. In this case the relevance of the last 50 years of middle east history to making a peace deal.
    Its a battle royale between two quotes! One from Jared Kushner and one from George Santayana!
    The Kushner quote is, "Everyone finds an issue, that 'You have to understand what they did then' and 'You have to understand that they did this.' But how does that help us get peace? Let's not focus on that. We don’t want a history lesson. We’ve read enough books. Let’s focus on, How do you come up with a conclusion to the situation?"
    The Santayana quote is question is, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
    Who is ready to grumble?!
    Also, here are some other quotes from Santayana that relate to the topic:
    "A child educated only at school is an uneducated child."
    "Fanaticism consists of redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim."
    "The wisest mind has something yet to learn."
    "Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness."
    Kushner leaked remarks http://bit.ly/2hjAxmZ
    George Santayana http://bit.ly/2umHFQS
    Aaron David Miller on Kushner remarks http://politi.co/2vkJqSG
    Freedom House World Map http://bit.ly/2kNaJRs
    Freedom House on West Bank http://bit.ly/2u3HLxz
    Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests.
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    43 min
  • Ep. 39 - Jerusalem Syndrome
    After wrapping up the Jerusalem news from this week, Alan and Mike decide to broaden the context. Although many say that Jerusalem is a shared city, they explain its unique role to the Jews. These are fundamental understandings that are needed for understanding politics, history, or even one's own identity. Needless to say, we think that this is an important issue.
    Times of Israel update at posting time http://bit.ly/2w41GwG
    Wikipedia on Jerusalem http://bit.ly/1RMJb9B
    A video example of the "Jerusalem belongs to everyone" narrative http://bit.ly/2w43R3B
    Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests.
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    43 min
  • Ep. 38 - Temple Mount: Beyond the Headlines
    Alan and Mike felt that the current simmering crisis warranted some analysis. They discuss why the Temple Mount is always such a source for tension, and where things might go moving forward. What should the Israelis do now? What should the Palestinians do, and why aren't they? There are no easy answers, but there is a lot to unpack.
    Supporting Alan's memory http://bit.ly/2uoWML9
    Supporting Mike's memory http://bit.ly/2gUuiWE & http://bit.ly/2gUv1XS
    All helpful comments and suggestions will be appreciated.
    From Martin Kramer's Post: http://bit.ly/2up2Gfn
    Here are four perceptive but divergent analyses of what Israel should do in the Temple Mount crisis:
    • Dror Eydar, “Keep the metal detectors,” http://bit.ly/dreydar
    • Yoaz Hendel, “It's time to seize opportunities at the Temple Mount,” http://bit.ly/yhendel
    • Ron Ben Yishai, “Finding a compromise in the Temple Mount crisis,” http://bit.ly/byishai
    • Avi Issascharoff, “Israeli leaders can still contain Temple Mount crisis, but require political courage,” http://toi.sr/2toUZEP
    Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests.
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    48 min
  • Ep. 37 - Declare Independence! Part 1B
    Alan and Mike continue a podcast mini-series. They feel that not enough attention is paid to a text that they are sure will end up as a classic Jewish text: Israel's Declaration of Independence.
    Join them as they begin the process of unpacking the text, which will continue in upcoming episodes. This is part 1B, and is continued from episode 36.
    Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_Declaration_of_Independence
    Foreign Ministry page http://tinyurl.com/n7jv5zp
    Old Israeli film about the Declaration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5Y9j1WhrKc
    Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests.
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    34 min
  • Ep. 36 - Declare Independence! Part 1A
    After a brief check in putting the latest political news into perspective, Alan and Mike begin a podcast mini-series. They feel that not enough attention is paid to a text that they are sure will end up as a classic Jewish text: Israel's Declaration of Independence.
    Join them as they begin the process of unpacking the text, which will continue in upcoming episodes. This is part 1A, and will be continued in episode 37.
    Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_Declaration_of_Independence
    Foreign Ministry page http://tinyurl.com/n7jv5zp
    Old Israeli film about the Declaration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5Y9j1WhrKc
    Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests.
    Our Website
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    32 min
  • Ep. 35 - Manifest Destiny
    As the USA celebrates its 241 birthday, Lior, Alan and Mike reflect on what it shares in common with the 69 year old Israel. Unusually, both countries were invented to fulfill dreams.
    Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests.
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    1 min
  • Ep. 34 - Sharing Spaces
    We welcome new regular member Lior Krinski, and Benji's back for a troubling topic. After the government rejected plans to implement agreed upon renovations of the pluralistic prayer space at the Kotel, the relationship between Israel and diaspora Jews has reached a tense crossroads. How did this happen, and where do we go from here?
    What is happening http://www.timesofisrael.com/there-is-already-pluralistic-prayer-at-the-western-wall-heres-what-would-have-changed/
    History of Kotel use http://www.timesofisrael.com/when-men-and-women-prayed-together-at-the-western-wall/
    Sharansky Interview http://www.timesofisrael.com/sharansky-we-may-solve-western-wall-and-conversion-crises-im-not-sure-we-can-rebuild-trust/
    David Horovitz Op-Ed http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-and-the-wall-he-broke-it-he-must-fix-it/
    Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests.
    Our Website
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    51 min
  • Ep. 33 - The Future is Back
    First of all, Zeev is back! With the return of the Zen master of Israel articulation, we turn to lofty subjects like the future of Israel education, gap year studies, and educational technology.
    With special cameo appearances by an actual smart person for once, my wife Dara. (she tried to stayed bored on the sidelines and read a book, but she couldn't resist joining the conversation. That's a good sign, right?)
    Neil Postman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Postman
    Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests.
    Our Website
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    48 min
  • Ep. 32 - People of the Book... Week.
    Do you think that Hebrew Book Week shouldn't interest you? Let us convince you otherwise.
    Alan and Mike interview publicist Stuart Schnee about the role this event has played in the current Jewish renaissance. They discuss how and why we should all participate in it. There is so much going on in Israel that must not be missed! Join us as we begin to explore the cultural explosion being brought about by the Zionist endeavour.
    Stuart Schnee http://stuartschnee.com/Wordpress/
    Hebrew Book Week https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_Book_Week
    Hillel Halkin on Jewish Culture gap http://bit.ly/2r8o4GG
    David Hazony on the opportunity it provides http://bit.ly/2s8aqD8
    Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests.
    Our Website
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    50 min
  • Ep. 31 - Not About the Six Day War. Honest!
    Ok, so enough about the 50th anniversary already.
    Alan and Mike zoom out to discuss the current turmoil in the Middle East and how it affects Israelis. While explaining their concept of the "Power Paradigm", Alan nominates Mike for President. Of something or other.
    We really like this episode a lot.
    Qatar - https://goo.gl/maps/SFR4FnCPaLp
    Matti Friedman on the entrenched narrative - http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/183033/israel-insider-guide
    Matti Friedman interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Fjd3-WQeE
    Bibi agreed to maximal peace offer that Abbas rejected - http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-okayed-us-draft-setting-67-lines-as-start-for-talks-report/
    Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests.
    Our Website
    http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts
    Facebook page
    https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/
    Contact us
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    38 min

About The Israel Conversation

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Welcome to The Israel Conversation by the Masa Leadership and Impact Center, the content engine behind Masa Israel Journey. We bring contemporary, challenging, and compelling Israel issues to light in ways that help us stay connected with what’s really going on, on the ground.