Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider and US reporter Jacob Magid join host Jessica Steinberg.

Magid discusses why the Western Wall compromise fell apart,  the political machinations behind the scenes, after years of seeking a solution that would work for the ultra-Orthodox and Reform and Conservative movements.

Schneider looks at what changed to push through the recent passage of the first of three votes on legislation that would lower the age at which yeshiva students are exempt from the military draft.

She also talks about the recent rise in electricity, fuel prices and consumer product costs and the latest scuttlebutt involving Aryeh Deri, leader of the ultra Orthodox Shas party, who came out against the price hikes while vacationing at a five-star resort in Switzerland.

Magid finishes up the podcast with a brief look at President Joe Biden's Israel policy record during his first year in office.

Discussed articles include:

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IMAGE: Then-education minister Naftali Bennett delivers a statement at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, on December 25, 2016. (Hadas Parush/Flash90, file)

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Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and Heath reporter Nathan Jeffay join host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Esther Pollard, the wife of Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, died on Monday from coronavirus-related complications at the age of 68. We hear why hers is a household name in Israel.

Israeli President Issac Herzog took an unprecedented trip to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, meeting with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and members of the Jewish community, among others. Later that day, however, the UAE’s air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi terrorist group towards the country. Why are the optics on this so important geopolitically?

Jeffay wrote a heart-wrenching article last week after speaking with Shaarei Zedek’s Dr. Ariel Rokach, who minutes prior had just lost another patient. With all the media discussions on how Omicron is a relatively "light" wave, Jeffay explains why is it important to hear these stories as well. Next, we hear how Israel's HMOs are the real frontline of the Omicron wave, and how successful they have been in keeping the hospitals functioning.

Jeffay brings us newly published research conducted during that Alpha and Delta waves that shows how children living with inoculated parents had 72% fewer infections than unvaxxed parents’ offspring.

And finally, Berman brings us a few words about Tom Brady.

Discussed articles include:

Esther Pollard, wife of Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, dies at 68

As Herzog visits, UAE downs ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Houthis

In meeting with UAE Jewish leaders, Herzog says he draws inspiration from MBZ

‘I see death daily’: Under record strain, doctor describes misery of Omicron wards

Tireless triage: How Israeli community medicine prevents Omicron swamping system

Vaccinated, boosted parents slash their kids’ COVID risk — pre-Omicron Israeli study

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IMAGE: Israeli President Isaac Herzog, center, and First Lady Michal Herzog are received by UAE Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January 30, 2022.(Amos Ben Gershom/GPO via AP)

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Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur join host Jessica Steinberg.

Horovitz and Rettig Gur discuss Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's conversations about a new right-wing bloc in Israeli politics, including who would be part of it, and why he's starting to talk about that now.

They then take a closer look at Israel's worst-ever score in Transparency International’s ranking of public sector corruption worldwide, and whether that means the country is doing better or worse in terms of awareness and responsibility.

Horovitz also talks about the plea deal and lenient sentence for United Torah Judaism MK Yaakov Litzman who admitted to using his former position as deputy health minister to thwart the extradition to Australia of Malka Leifer, the former school principal accused of sexually assaulting minors.

Finally, Steinberg offers some good news about Tel Aviv art galleries that banded together in solidarity and support of freedom of expression to show the artworks of artists who withdrew their pieces from the Ramat Gan contemporary art museum after the work of fellow artist David Reeb was pulled at an opening event.

Discussed articles include:

Bennett said to eye ‘new national camp’ with coalition partners Liberman, Sa’ar

Israel’s deepening slide into corruption

Litzman signs plea deal in Leifer case, avoiding jail time and paying symbolic fine

Galleries to present protesting artists’ works in weekend show of solidarity

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IMAGE: UTJ MK Yaakov Litzman seen in the assembly hall of the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, on July 1, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

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This week in honor of the January 27 International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Times Will Tell spoke with Dani Dayan, the new head of Yad Vashem, in his Jerusalem-based museum and Holocaust education center.

We met a few days after the Colleyville hostage situation, in which four Jews were held captive for some 11 hours in their Reform synagogue in what was arguably an antisemitic attack. We discuss what role Holocaust education could play in mitigating such attacks and how Dayan once naively thought they would not occur in the United States. 

Dayan was born in 1955 in Argentina and moved to Israel in 1971. Prior to heading Yad Vashem, he was the Consul General of Israel in New York. Before that, he was a longtime activist and head of the right-wing Settler Movement’s Yesha Council.

In the most recent elections, he ran on Gidon Sa’ar’s New Hope ticket and was appointed chair of Yad Vashem by the party’s Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton in August. Despite his former political ties, Dani tells me that he and Yad Vashem are strictly non-partisan in their work -- and why that is increasingly important. 

IMAGE: Head of Yad Vashem Dani Dayan. (Alex Kolomoisky/Yad Vashem)

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Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Senior Analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and Holocaust correspondent Matt Lebovic join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for a special International Holocaust Remembrance Day episode.

We first ask the question why Anne Frank is continually a target of antisemitic rhetoric, most recently in the much-decried statements by United States politician Robert F. Kennedy said that it’s harder for Americans under COVID measure than it was for the Jews during the Holocaust. “Even in Hitler’s Germany, you could cross the Alps to Switzerland. You could hide in an attic like Anne Frank did.”

Next, we discuss controversial new research which claims to have pinpointed who turned Anne Frank and her family over to the Nazis, included in author Rosemary Sullivan’s “The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation.” Why does Lebovic think this is a wasted last, best chance?

Discussed articles include:

RFK Jr. apologizes for Anne Frank comparison at anti-vaccine rally

Historians bash ‘rubbish’ findings of investigation into Anne Frank betrayal

Anne Frank Fund head slams findings on betrayal of diarist as ‘full of errors’

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IMAGE: A journalist takes images of pictures of Anne Frank at the renovated Anne Frank House Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, November 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

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Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Health reporter Nathan Jeffay and Tech Israel editor Ricky Ben-David join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

The one thing on every Israelis' minds today is snow -- how much and where? Love it or hate it, a snowy Holy Land is a relatively rare, national event. How are our guests getting prepared?

One in 20 Israelis is currently infected with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Jeffay gives context to the dire-sounding numbers even as Israel appears set on a fourth vaccination for all above age 18.

The pandemic has led to some pupils being sent home to multiple quarantines. This, along with other side-effects of the ongoing crisis, has led to a marked increase in depression among children. Jeffay weighs in. And finally, what about those reports that the pandemic is basically over?

Ben-David sheds light on how the Abraham Accords has opened up new markets for Israeli medical tech. She spotlights one company, TytoCare, a telehealth startup that developed an artificial intelligence-based device that enables clinicians to perform remote medical examinations.

And finally, following the Colleyville hostage situation last week, a philanthropist is investing $1 million into Blue Systems Ltd's Gabriel — inspired by the biblical guardian angel of the same name — a “smart panic-button” system, equipped with sensors, a camera and a microphone that can be installed in school and institution rooms.

Discussed articles include:

Winter storm Elpis brings heavy snow to Golan; schools in north, Jerusalem to shut

1 in 20 Israelis infected, yet experts optimistic Omicron won’t defeat hospitals

Health officials said to warn country will soon break own record for serious cases

Depression, anxiety in children jumped during pandemic, study shows

Israeli startups head to Dubai to tout medical, health technologies

Rabbi creates ‘guardian angel’ panic button to cut chaos in school shootings

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Illustrative image: Despite freezing temperatures following the first snow fall, Israelis enjoy the abundant snow and warm spring waters near Kibbutz Merom Golan, Northern Golan Heights on January 20, 2022. (Michael Giladi/Flash90)

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Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Military correspondent Judah Ari Gross and Arab Affairs reporter Aaron Boxerman join host Jessica Steinberg.

Boxerman and Gross discuss the ongoing increase of extremist settler violence against Palestinians and whether it's a matter for the Israel Defense Forces or the Israel Police to handle in the West Bank.

Gross takes a quick look at why Russia held a joint jet patrol with Syria along the Golan Heights, and how Israel will delicately approach the matter with Russian military officials.

We also briefly talk about vegan bacon startup being funded by Natalie Portman and whether meat eaters will ultimately be interested in plant-based meat products.

Discussed articles include:

3 Palestinians injured after Jewish extremists attack West Bank village near Nablus

Israel said holding talks with Russia over Syria standoff, may limit air campaign

Russia said conducting joint patrols of Syrian border airspace, including over Golan

Natalie Portman, French firm work to create vegan bacon

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IMAGE: An Israeli soldier stands by as Israeli settlers enter a Palestinian playground in Susiya, a Palestinian hamlet in the West Bank, on Saturday, November 6, 2021 (Credit: Guy Butuvia)

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Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider and Diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's packed episode.

The intensified situation on the border between Ukraine and Russia has Israeli officials updating plans for the possible evacuation of potentially some 75,000 Jews. Who is working on that?

Last week, the United Nations unanimously adopted an Israeli-led resolution against Holocaust denial. How did serial Holocaust-denier Iran try to play a role here?

Also late last week, Israel finally signed the controversial deal to purchase three submarines from Germany. Yesterday, the cabinet voted to create a state commission of inquiry into submarine and naval vessel purchases that occurred under former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Schneider takes a deep dive into the issue.

Aside from political aftershocks, Israel felt two earthquakes within 24 hours this week. Is the country prepared for the big one?

And finally, Berman sheds light on how Israel's relationship with the European Union may or may not shift with France at the helm.

Discussed articles include:

Israel said preparing for potential need to evacuate Ukrainian Jews in case of war

UN General Assembly adopts Israeli resolution aimed at combating Holocaust denial

Israel signs scandal-ridden €3 billion deal with Germany to buy new submarines

Cabinet votes to establish state inquiry into submarine affair

2nd minor earthquake within hours rattles northern Israel; some buildings evacuated

Israel-Europe ties may not get much warmer with Macron as president of EU Council

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Illustrative: Ivan Perchek dresses in a traditional bear costume ahead of the Malanka festival in the village of Krasnoilsk, Ukraine, January 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

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Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz and political and legal correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn join host Jessica Steinberg.

Horovitz and Keller-Lynn discuss the ongoing possibility of a Netanyahu plea deal being considered by attorney general Avichai Mandelblit.

Keller-Lynn discusses that the possible plea deal is important for the government's coalition stability, while Horovitz makes the point that this is not an ordinary case, with the indictment of a serving prime minister who has since lost power and shouldn't be wrapped up in a behind-the-scenes negotiation.

Horovitz and Keller-Lynn also take a look at the ongoing case of NSO's Pegasus spyware and the Israel Police. While the police have acknowledged using it, they claim they haven't used it in breach of the law.

Keller-Lynn reports that a Knesset committee will be discussing the matter on Monday, given the suspicions that existing legislation isn't sufficient and the lack of oversight.

Finally, for some good news, Horovitz recaps Pfizer CEO's prediction that world should be back to near-normal in a few months.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, speaks with then-cabinet secretary Avichai Mandelblit, later Israel's attorney general, during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, September 21, 2014. (AP/Menahem Kahana, Pool/File)

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Hey Daily Briefing listeners, we'll be back with more news about Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World on Sunday, but in the meantime, have a listen to Times Will Tell, the weekly podcast from The Times of Israel.

We’re taking a deep dive today into Israel’s kosher certification system, as the government undertakes the first step in overhauling the industry.

The new plan, unveiled in July by religious affairs minister Matan Kahana, would presumably end the monopoly of the chief rabbinate and local rabbinates as the only bodies that can issue kosher certificates, which costs businesses upwards of $2 million a year, and allow for other private kosher certification agencies.

This long-awaited privatization of the kosher certification industry follows a path paved by the religious Zionist Tzohar organization, which launched its own kosher certification agency in 2018. They took over for a grassroots group that first entered the industry years before, aiming to break the rabbinate’s grip on what can be considered kosher.

You'll hear from several people involved in this industry, including Rabbi David Stav, chairman of Tzohar; Tzvi Maller, the American-born owner of Crave, a restaurant in Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market that grappled with a fakin' bacon issue; Itzik Kadosh, a pastry chef and owner of a beloved Jerusalem cafe who fought the rabbinate over turning his croissants into triangles; Yittie Lawson, who runs Tacos Luis, a Mexican restaurant down the block from Kadosh; Dan Male, who runs Jerusalem's Angelica, a fine chef restaurant whose customers won't stand for anything other than the rabbinate's stamp of approval and Leon Avigad, who owns and operates the Brown Hotel chain in Israel, Greece and Europe and just wants his kosher supervisors to tell him what to do and how to do it.

It's a wacky world of kosher laws and these people live it, every day.

Times Will Tell podcasts are available for download on iTunes, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, PlayerFM or wherever you get your podcasts.

IMAGE: Crave Jerusalem's 'facon' duck bacon on its Black Forest Special (Courtesy Crave)

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