The Israel Conversation

Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, famously moved to kibbutz Sde Boker to promote settling the Negev. This week, it hosted a summit of representatives from the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Egypt and the USA. What would Ben-Gurion think about all of this? (including the hotel they stayed at!) Calev joined Liel and Mike to discuss this landmark event. Join us!

Negev Summit 2022

Sde Boker

The Hotel

This episode was edited by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is awesome!

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After brief regional updates, Alan, Calev and Mike discuss Ukrainian President Zelensky's speech to Knesset members. What did he get wrong? Why did he say what he said? How should Israeli leaders react? When is using the term "Genocide" accurate and helpful? For this and more, join us!

Zelensky Speech

Be'er Sheva News

Sharm-el-Sheikh News

This episode was edited by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is awesome!

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Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been the focus of our thoughts and conversations. Long time listeners know the Times of Israel's senior analyst, Haviv Rettig Gur, as a friend of the podcast who helps us make sense of complex topics. In this extra long episode, Leil and Mike talk with him about what the conflict means to Israel and the world, and what it might mean for the future. What are the lessons that we must take from what has happened so far?

We start this important episode with a powerful Masa Moment from Zachary Caplan, an MITF fellow from Bat Yam, and his unique perspective on the war.

You don't want to miss this essential episode. Join us!

Haviv at TOI

This episode was edited by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is awesome!

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A few weeks ago, Knesset Member Bezalel Smotrich visited the UK. The Board of Deputies of British Jews, UK Jewry’s mainstream umbrella organization, greeted him with the following tweet: “We reject the abominable views and the hate-provoking ideology of Bezalel Smotrich. We call on all members of the British Jewish community to show him the door. Get back on the plane, Bezalel, and be remembered as a disgrace forever.” Why were they so negative and uninviting? How should we best characterize Smotrich and his "Religious Zionism" party? How much tolerance should we have for intolerance? Liel, Mike and Calev discuss these questions about the identity of the Jewish State. Join us!

TOI Article on the UK Reaction

This episode was edited by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is awesome!

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What challenges does the war in Ukraine pose to Israeli diplomats? How does Israel balance its relationships with both Ukraine and Russia? What is Jewish life in Ukraine like? What is Israel's responsibilities towards those Jews? Mike and Liel were fortunate to have Lazar Berman, the Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter, as a guest to explain what this conflict means. (and also - what it doesn't mean) Join us for this important and timely episode!

Since 2004, Masa has been at the forefront of bringing Jewish young adults from around the world for long-term immersive programs in Israel. No matter the situation Masa will do everything in its power to continue our mission. The situation in Ukraine will not hinder us. Our programs continue to remain open for everyone and we want our listeners to know Masa is here to provide assistance for young Jewish adults to come to Israel. During troubling times such as these, Masa continues to be committed and supportive of young Jewish adults in the global communities, as well as supporting our Fellows here in Israel.

Contact masa if you need assistance coming to Israel!

Contact Information:

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Phone - (+972) 02 621 6581

This episode was edited by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is awesome!

Masa Website

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Please rate, review, share and recommend our podcast.

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

Middle East expert Calev Ben-Dor joined Liel and Mike for a news roundup. They covered regional diplomacy, the Whoopi Goldberg race weirdness and Amnesty International UK's declaration that Israel is an Apartheid state. Fun times? You be the judge! Join us!

This episode was edited by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is awesome!

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Should non-Jews be cast to play Jews in movies? Is Jewface a thing? Matt and Sharon joined Liel and Mike to discuss this question. Spoiler alert: three out of four of the participants thought this raised interesting questions. Mike was the fourth, and went on a bunch of rants. Just so you know.

Join us!

Golda's grandson ok's Helen Mirren

TOI article from last year

This episode was edited by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is awesome!

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

We were very confused by the angry protests over JNF tree planting in the Negev. What could be less controversial than planting trees? We invited Elianne Kremer of the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality to explain it to us. She gave us the background and discussed the difficulties facing Israel's Bedouin minority. She also sent us the information links below. Join us!

TOI Article

Hi all,

Many thanks for hosting me, I really enjoyed it.

Please see here our website on reports and position papers, including our annual home demolitions report, human rights report, the statistical gap among the Bedouin communities and so forth. 

I would like to share with you some informative slides we have produced with This is Not an Ulpan, which you can find here...

Looking forward to hearing from you regarding a tour in the Naqab ;)

All the best,

Elianne

This episode was edited by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is awesome!

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What is Gush Katif day? It occurs annually on the 22nd of Shevat, which falls on Monday, January 24th, this year. Leil and Mike invited Yoav Yaron, a fellow educator who was born and raised in Neve Dekalim in Gush-Katif. What was it like growing up there? Why is it so important for Israelis and Zionists to learn about their communities and the disengagement? What are the remaining relevant controversies? For this, and much more on this important topic, join us!

This episode was edited by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is awesome!

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

What is life like in Jewish communities in India? What is life like in Israel for Jews from India? This week, Masa Israel Teaching Fellow Maayan Shapurkar joined Liel and Mike to answer these questions and many more. Join us!

This episode was edited by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is awesome!

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Please rate, review, share and recommend our podcast.

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