Episodes

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 Mi...

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...

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...

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 th...

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 th...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 Loun...

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 Loun...

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 Stu...

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 Stu...

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 Israel...

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 Israel...

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, an...

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, an...

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 topi...

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 topi...

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 r...

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 r...

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 thes...

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 thes...

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...