The battle over whether Haredim should be mandated to serve in the IDF, like the rest of Jewish Israel, is not a new one. But the debate was brought to the forefront when the Sephardic chief rabbi threatened that Haredim would leave the country rather than serve in the IDF. This week, Mijal and Noam discuss the issue of mandatory conscription for Haredi Jews. They push each other to give generous arguments and ask, how can Israel possibly solve this contentious issue?

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Unpacking Israeli History

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Right after 10/7, public intellectual Micha Goodman wrote, “We weren't attacked by a local militia. We were attacked by the Persian Empire. We were attacked by Iran.” Sound familiar? Maybe eerily like the Purim story? This week, Mijal and Noam reflect on the upcoming holiday of Purim and ask, how are we thinking about the holiday differently in the post-10/7 world?

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Micha Goodman reflections, post-10/7

Megillat Esther - full text

Meir Buzaglo and Tikun

Midrash Tannaim on Amalek and tunnels

Matanot l'evyonim resources:

1. OurMishpacha

2. Leket Israel

3. JLIC Tel Aviv

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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

This week, Mijal and Noam explore the potential ways communal Shabbat observance could evolve, for better or worse, in a technologically advanced reality. If you’re interested in AI, ChatGPT, or simply the joys of taking a day off each week, this one’s for you.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

This week, Mijal and Noam explore the complex relationship between anti-Zionism and antisemitism and discuss whether or not they're one and the same. Through the "3 C's" aka consequences, correlation, and (C)symbolization.they discover the importance of continuous education and dialogue to combat antisemitism effectively.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

There are so many terms surrounding Jewish identity today that sometimes... it can get overwhelming. We end up using different definitions and speaking past each other. So, what is Zionism? What is non-Zionism? Anti-Zionism? Join Mijal and Noam to explore the importance of terminology as they discuss the intersection of Zionism with Jewish identity today.

Herzl's Der Judenstaat

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

Can you be both a proud Zionist and a proud American, or do you have to pick sides? Join Noam and Mijal as they tackle this decade long debate, exploring the relationship between intersectionality and patriotism, offering fresh insights on the complexities of dual allegiance and Jewish identity today.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

You've probably heard about DEI - diversity, equity, and inclusion. You might already have an opinion about DEI - is it necessary to change the university and business cultures from within? Or is it an evil that chooses identity over merit? Or...somewhere in between? In this episode, Mijal and Noam discuss DEI, its strengths and weaknesses, their personal experiences, and whether Jewish thought and wisdom can and should change our thinking about DEI.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

In this week's episode of "Wondering Jews," hosts Noam and Mijal explore the nature, history, and implications of antisemitism. They grapple with questions of agency, responsibility, and resilience, offering nuanced perspectives on combating antisemitism while navigating the complexities of Jewish identity and community. Listeners are invited to join a thought-provoking exploration that transcends the Jewish experience, prompting reflection on broader themes of social change and collective action.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

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Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

Join Noam Weissman and Mijal Bitton as they explore the complexities of addressing sensitive questions within the Jewish community. In this engaging conversation, the hosts share personal anecdotes and experiences related to discussions on emotionally charged topics, with a specific focus on recent events in Israel and Gaza. Navigating such conversations can be hard, and Noam and Mijal discuss coping mechanisms and strategies for engaging with diverse perspectives. Discover the importance of disagreeing with love and appreciate diverse viewpoints in this candid exploration of fostering understanding amidst challenging discussions.

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:

Jewish History Nerds

Unpacking Israeli History

Soulful Jewish Living

Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman are two of the most dynamic, interesting, and thought-provoking Jewish leaders today. Two seasoned educators who love to talk, listen, laugh, challenge, and grow, Mijal and Noam are the Wondering Jews, leading us through thought-provoking discussions that are as serious as they are entertaining.