Well, the swearing in of the new government is delayed till Sunday. Here's hoping it will work out. Hours before the delay was announced Alan, Mike and Matt Zoomed to discuss the last minute twists and turns. Will we have a fully mandated government after 18 months of disfunction? Will the priority of a global pandemic force the politicians to get to work? Are there still reasons to be positive and optimistic? Join us! Latest update as of posting Analysis by friend of the podcast Haviv Rettig Gu...
May 15, 2020•Season 4Ep. 174
Due to a technical problem on our part the original release of this episode was missing some audio. This release is the corrected file. Our apologies. Writer and activist Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll joined Alan and Mike to discuss how the Corona crisis has exacerbated tension with and within the Haredi community. Her constructively critical perspective is always worth a listen. Why did it take so long for Haredi neighbourhoods to practice quarantine? What steps need to be taken within the community?...
May 03, 2020•Season 4Ep. 172
Now that Netanyahu and Gantz have come to an agreement, it looks like we won't have a 4th round of elections. Will this work? Will we really have a mandated government after 16 months? What is an Emergency Unity government? Will Gantz become Prime Minister? Will annexations take place this summer? Rajel comes to explain things with Alan and Mike. Join us! This episode was recorded on Zoom, and then sent to the amazing Ben Wallick Studios for editing. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge...
Apr 24, 2020•Season 4Ep. 172
Sometimes reality reminds us that it doesn't care about our opinions. Pandemics don't care what we think, and viruses don't listen to pundits. We would have guessed that Israeli politicians would overcome their differences and form a unity government in a time of crisis. Just how dysfunctional have we become? How do we navigate reality in the age of information overload? How to we separate facts from silliness? How can we develop critical thinking skills under a media deluge? Alan, Mike and Matt...
Apr 17, 2020•Season 4Ep. 171
After a week of trying to set up an emergency government, why are we still stuck in negotiations? How should politicians balance principle with compromise for the sake of functionality? Rajel joins Alan and Mike to help explain the negotiation sticking points. Join us! This episode on Youtube This episode was recorded on Zoom, and then sent to the amazing Ben Wallick Studios for editing. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Mich...
Apr 02, 2020•Season 4Ep. 170
This week, in the middle of the health crisis, economic turmoil and civil rights dilemma, the Knesset was shut down?! Yet somehow, as the week is ending, we have the beginnings of an agreement for a new government?! What just happened? Alan and Mike were privileged to be joined by the Times of Israel's senior analyst, (and friend of the podcast) Haviv Rettig Gur. He helped us make sense of the crazy week that was, what it means for us now, and what it means moving forward. Keep your fingers cros...
Mar 26, 2020•Season 4Ep. 169
Alan, Mike and Benji quickly get up to date on Israel social distancing policy. Then they turn to the current political stalemate in resolving the current political stalemate. What is going on in the formation of a coalition? Why is speaker Yuli Edelstein being asked to step aside? Why isn't he? How should leaders be handling this crisis? What should we be expecting moving forward? We close with an inspirational reading by Alan. Join us! Friend of the podcast Haviv Rettig Gur's article Watch the...
Mar 19, 2020•Season 4Ep. 168
It's a confusing time, and we wanted clarity about the current health situation. So we invited Aviva Yoselis, MPH, BCPA, Director of Advocacy Services at the Shira Pransky Project to help us out. How can we understand what's going on? How do we make decisions going forward? Who is handling this in the Israeli Health ministry, and how are they doing? Aviva did an amazing job explaining things to Alan and Mike in this important episode. If you're looking for guidance to find understanding, wisdom ...
Mar 12, 2020•Season 4Ep. 167
Rajel came to help Alan and Mike explain the election results. What was different this time around? What wasn't? Did anyone win? And what's going to happen next? Join us! This episode was recorded by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. Makom Website Facebook page Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take t...
Mar 05, 2020•Season 4Ep. 166
First, we respond to some listener feedback. Then, Alan makes a wild claim. He thinks that the career of recently deceased former Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak, sheds a lot of light on both the Trump deal of the century and Bernie Sander's comments. And he pulls it off! What does Mubarak teach us about the middle east? How should those insights shape Western policy in the region? Join us! This episode was recorded by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Loung...
Feb 27, 2020•Season 4Ep. 165
Nobody really wants to talk about the elections, but they're coming anyway! So Alan, Mike and Benji get into it, take the political pulse, and argue a bit. Why does Israel function if we haven't had a government in a year? Why role has debating played in Israeli politics? What can possibly break the current political stalemate? Will we have a fourth set of elections? People may be avoiding the topic, but join us for our lively discussion. This episode was recorded by the amazing Ben Wallick Stud...
Feb 20, 2020•36 min•Season 4Ep. 164
Yonah Jeremy Bob is the Jerusalem Post's intelligence, terrorism and legal analyst. Mike and Matt sat with him to discuss his recent book, Justice in the West Bank? The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Goes to Court . Why are there two separate Justice systems in the West Bank? Why are Jews and Arabs under different jurisdictions? What has been done to make it as fair as possible? Why is this complicated arrangement the best we can do for now? How does this effect Israel's image abroad? How is Israe...
Feb 13, 2020•Season 4Ep. 163
Alan's back! He sits down with Mike the Deal of the Century now that it's a week old. What has changed so far? Where does Alan disagree with Mike and Benji? How do Alan's trips to Auschwitz and Jewish heritage education affect him as a Zionist educator? For fans of the podcast, this is a can't miss episode. Join us! Alan's project in Poland This episode was recorded by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and...
Feb 06, 2020•Season 4Ep. 162
Mike and Benji discuss the breaking news. What is this new peace deal about? Why will the Palestinians reject it outright? If everyone knows that they won't accept it, why was it created? What's the point? Join us for background and perspective. Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. Makom Website Facebook page Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic ...
Jan 30, 2020•Season 4Ep. 161
Haviv Rettig Gur is The Times of Israel's senior analyst, and has a lot to say about American and Israeli Jewish identity. Alan and Mike sat down with him to hear his thoughts and insights. How have their experiences shaped their perspective? How does each community define religion and nationality? How does that make mutual understanding difficult? You'll want to hear Haviv's thoughts and insights. Join us! Haviv's review of Daniel Gordis' book , where he writes on the topic. This episode was re...
Jan 23, 2020•Season 4Ep. 160
In recent weeks, two leaders from Israel's religious right have made rude, dismissive remarks about large segments of Israeli society. In these particular cases, the LGBTQ and former Soviet Union immigrant communities were the targets. But sadly, there's a long Israeli history of such inflammatory statements and behaviours. Why does this happen? How has it appeared from the left and right of the political spectrum? Has it become better or worse over time. First, Alan, Mike and Rajel answer these...
Jan 16, 2020•Season 4Ep. 159
As tensions rise between the US and Iran, what does it mean for Israel? Alan, Mike and Matt discuss the local repercussions. How has Israel used the tactic of targeting terrorists? How does the press misunderstand the Middle East? Why is Iran threatening Israel at all? How safe should we feel in Israel? To understand what this means for all of us, join us! This episode was recorded by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by ...
Jan 09, 2020•Season 4Ep. 158
What is the ICC and why is it suddenly looking into Israel and the West Bank? What are the possible implications? What should Israel do about it? Alan and Mike discuss the issue, and Alan makes a compelling case for seeing this as a classic Jewish problem in a new iteration. Join us! Times of Israel report This episode was recorded by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Al...
Jan 02, 2020•Season 4Ep. 157
At the core of the word "Chanukah" is the Hebrew word for education: "chinuch". To celebrate, Alan and Mike brought the Director of Makom, Abi Dauber Sterne, into the recording studio. They reflected on what they do. What is Makom? Why has Israel education become more centrally important than ever? What are the principles and methods that Makom believes in? What Israel knowledge do today's young Jews want? What are our challenges for the future? Join us! Abi Dauber Sterne comes to Makom after 7 ...
Dec 26, 2019•Season 4Ep. 156
Is there a silver lining to holding Knesset elections three times within a year? What was the actual Trump executive order about Jews on campus? Why did it hit such a nerve among so many Jews? What was the hubbub really about, and what does that tell us about Jewish identity in the 21st century? Alan, Mike and Benji share their thoughts and insights. Join us! Mike's blog post This episode was recorded by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly ...
Dec 19, 2019•Season 4Ep. 155
Is Israel too reliant on fossil fuels? How can we become truly sustainable and independent? Is our current energy grid a national security danger? If so, what can be done about that? Can Israel export energy advances around the region? The world? Alan and Mike sat down with Yossi Abramowitz, (aka Kaptain Sunshine) who addresses these questions and more. He explains his amazing accomplishments, and why he thinks his work is quintessentially Jewish and Zionist. Join us! Kaptain Sunshine's Wikipedi...
Dec 12, 2019•Season 4Ep. 154
Are things as problematic as they seem to be in the UK? How did Jeremy Corbyn become leader of the Labour party? Why are they accused of (at least) tolerating antisemitism? Why was the Chief Rabbi speaking out so shocking? What will happen if Labour wins? What is they lose? Alan and Mike get a thorough briefing from Arieh Kovler. Join us! Arieh Kovler is a Jerusalem-based politics and communications expert, and a writer and commentator on global politics. Before his aliya he was the Head of Poli...
Dec 05, 2019•Season 4Ep. 153
As we announced on our breaking news episode , two overlapping unprecedented events just occurred in Israel. The failure of the second attempt to form a government coalition and the multiple indictments of a sitting Prime Minister. Alan and Mike try to make sense of it all, and explain what it means. How is Netanyahu challenging the indictments? What will it mean for forming a coalition? What is happening within Likud now? Is there any way to know what happens next? Join us! This episode was rec...
Nov 25, 2019•Season 4Ep. 152
Just a head up, guys. This is bonkers. Two overlapping unprecedented events just occurred in Israel. The failure of the second attempt to form a government coalition and the multiple indictments of a sitting Prime Minister. Alan and Mike briefly explain what is happening (as best as they can!) and invite you to submit your questions for our full Monday episode. Stay tuned! Don't miss this past week's regular episode about changing American policy on Jewish West Bank settlements. Makom Israel Tea...
Nov 22, 2019•Season 4Ep. 152
After briefly catching up on coalition negotiations and reflecting on Gaza conflict, Alan, Mike and Matt turn their attention to the new American policy on the legality of West Bank settlements. Why did it change? What are the legal arguments on both sides? How will this new policy affect Israeli plans and international politics? What, if anything, will change at all? This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast ...
Nov 21, 2019•Season 4Ep. 151
Once again, hundreds of rockets are launched at Israel by Islamic Jihad in Gaza. After reviewing and explaining this particular round of the conflict, Alan and Mike interview Eli Goldman. Eli recently finished his IDF army service, and explains what its like to serve on the Gaza border during rocket attacks and mass "protests". Who was Baha Abu al-Ata? What's the difference between Islamic Jihad and Hamas? How and why is Israel helping Hamas out? How do soldiers keep safe under fire? How do they...
Nov 13, 2019•Season 4Ep. 150
Coalition negotiations for control of the government seem to be going nowhere. What does it mean that Gantz controls them? What are the possible ways to break the deadlock? How are Israelis viewing this process? Is there light at the end of this tunnel? Alan, Mike and our political expert Rajel hash it out. Join us! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterb...
Nov 07, 2019•Season 4Ep. 149
Zionism's founders wanted to change Jewish character and culture. In 2019, the data is in, and we can now see that they succeeded. (although not necessarily in the ways they intended) In this important episode, Alan and Mike interview Shmuel Rosner . Shmuel Rosner's Webpage with many relevant links This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldm...
Oct 31, 2019•Season 4Ep. 148
Who leads the Boycott Divest and Sanction against Israel movement? What are their goals? What are their methods? Do they really care about human rights, or do they just hate Israel? What have they accomplished? Where are they failing? How do we engage to defeat them without raising their profile and status? Join Alan and Mike as they go through the basics of this disturbing fad. This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a week...
Oct 24, 2019•Season 4Ep. 147
The news is moving quickly, and there's a lot to digest. What is happening to the Kurds in Syria? Who are they? How is this new attack from Turkey going to affect the region? What are Israelis saying about all this? Why is this relevant to us? After discussing the Sukkot holiday season in Israel, Alan and Mike explain the story behind the headlines and why this story matters. Join us! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios . Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is ...
Oct 17, 2019•Season 4Ep. 146
