Linda Gradstein, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron talk about (1) the anti-Hamas demonstrations in Gaza and what, if anything, we learn from them about the hearts and minds of Gazans, and (2) on the fifth anniversary of the pandemic, how, if at all, COVID-19 changed us as a society and as individuals.

All this and bagels, boondoggles and kabbalistic blessings. Plus, brand new music of our troubled times.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Qatargate?

A hundred years ago this week, a Hebrew University was founded in Jerusalem.

Miriam Herschlag, Don Futterman and Noah Efron talk about (1) Israel’s return to active fighting in Gaza, and what it may mean for the hostages, for Gazans and for the rest of us here and (2) Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to sack Ronen Bar, the head of the General Security Services, the Shabak, and what it says about the state of Israel’s government and the state of Israeli democracy.

All this and the return of a crown, the football playoff, and surprise brain surgery. Plus, brand new music of our troubled times.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Trying to shore up the fortitude to face a return to fighting in Gaza, and coming up short.

Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Horror Vacui—

There’s an odd mélange of diplomatic proposals for what-comes-next-in-Gaza, from an Egyptian and Arab League plan to various American plans, including one hatched in direct negotiations with Hamas. This leads us to wonder, why is Israel silent about something that matters so much?

—Amalakites—

It is a fact that we are living in a moment of “peak-Amalek,” especially as we celebrate Purim. What are we to make of this problematic idea?

—Is Yad Vashem Pandering to the TikTok Generation?—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Is Yad Vashem pandering to the TikTok generation?

All this and Rav Menachem Froman, the unveiling of under-wraps art and the Simba we need today, plus brilliant new music by Amir Sade.

Sara Hirschhorn, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

—Out of Phase—

With the stalled ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas giving way to the emergence of the mysterious “Witkoff Plan,” what might (and should) happen next?

—Commission Perdition—

What should we make of the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Netanyahu’s proposed “Egalitarian State Commission of Inquiry” into the October 7 attacks?

All this and the centenary of Israel’s greatest “Bible Reciter”, plus new, sad music from Eran Tzur.

Linda Gradstein, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Findings—

The IDF shares its investigation of itself and what it did and did not do on October 7 with the victims of the attack on a community-by-community basis. Is this the sort of investigation we need?

—No Other Land—

The Palestinian-Israeli movie up for an Oscar next week for best documentary feature, “No Other Land,” is about an ongoing effort of the IDF to evict Palestinians from a contested tract of land in the West Bank. What we do and don’t learn from it?

—Podcasts = the Death of Civilization—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Are podcasts the death of civilization (wonder three long-time podcasters)?

All this and counting our blessings, plus brand new music of our troubled times.

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Why Does a Knitted Kippah Mean Keep-on Fighting?—

Religious-Zionists oppose the hostage and prisoner release and ceasefire agreement more than any other sector of society (more than secular Zionists, more than Haredim). Why?

—War Games—

There’s a strange and profound simpatico between sports clubs, athletes and fans, on the one hand, and the hostages and their families on the other.

—What We Knew and When Did We Know It—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Bringing home the bodies of the Bibases (and Oded Lifshitz).

All that and the 40th anniversary of the most popular protest song in Israel’s history. Plus, more music of our troubled times.

Sara Yael Hirschhorn, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Rite of Return—

How and why did the images of the gaunt, shrunken, clearly-tortured hostages change something and cast into doubt the future of the present ceasefire agreement?

—Our Side, Their Side, Genocide—

What should we make of Historian Benny Morris’s warning that, if Palestinians and Israelis do not find to see in each other humans deserving of life, liberty and dignity, a genocide is inevitable (though just who kills whom is still up in the air)?

—Arguing With Celebs on Twitter—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: When you find yourself arguing with TV stars on Twitter.

All that and an appreciation of Liri Albag. Plus, a new war record by Maor Ashkenazi.

Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—Nobody Expects the Pax Trumpiana!—

What’s behind US President Donald Trump’s plan to move Gazans to Jordan and Egypt and turn Gaza into a place where maybe they’ll film the next season of White Lotus?

—Suitable for Framing?—

Why do Hamas men in black balaclavas and semi-automatic rifles give gift bags and souvenir swag to hostages they let go?

—Peter Beinart Questions Israel’s Right to Exist—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: When Peter Beinart writes in the times that “States Don’t Have a Right to Exist. People Do,” he ain’t talking about Mississippi!

All that and an appreciation for Yisroel Rutnitsky, may his memory be for a blessing, and tales of returning hostages. Plus, a sad and soulful new album by Ravid Plotkik.

Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—A New Crisis, and this Time, It’s Constitutional—

What does it augur when the Justice Minister refuses to “recognize” the newly selected chief justice of the Supreme Court?

—Survivors—

Why did this year’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day become a referendum on October 7th?

—The Trump-Netanyahu Tete-A-Tete—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What should we think, ahead of the Trump-Netanyahu tete-a-tete next week?

All that and how living-and-dead have stopped being a simple binary. Plus, the music of Aviv Shriki.

Miriam Herschlag, Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

—You Be the Judge—

Is the new “compromise” proposal for judicial reform any good, and is now the time to debates such matters?

—Word—

How have the hostages become the aperture through which we understand most everything that has happened here since October 7?

—What A Week—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: None of us have ever had a week like this last week.

All that a stab at making sense of this weird, wonderful, unnerving week of great joy and high anxiety.

Songs

• Yakir Hillel — Laila
• Bar Tzabari — Chan Yunis, Live
• Esther Shamir — Od Neshama Ehat