The Promised Podcast

TLV1 Studios

About

An inside view of how Israel can warm your heart and make your blood boil. It’s a show by a journalist, a professor and an NGO professional who live in and love Israel even though it drives them crazy, and who each week discuss the latest in Israeli politics, culture, and society.

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553 episodes

The “The P Word?” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and ubermensch writer Bradley Burston 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/100799539   —DESPITE IT ALL, PEACE?— Is all we are sayin’, just give peace a chance? —AMALEK— Is it like reverse anti-Semitism? —THE END OF ISRAEL— https://www.patreon.com/posts/100799539 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Kafka said, “A book must be an ice-axe for the frozen sea within us.” This one is. Order Bradley Burston’s new book, , here! Plus a glimpse into the worlds of ultra-Orthodox parents of kids who grew up ultra-Orthodox and were murdered at the druggy, dancy, free-lovey Nova festival.  Plus more music of our times.

1h 24m
Mar 21
The “You Know, I Read It in a Magazine” Edition

Miriam Herschlag, 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/100360456   —אַ סוף צו אַ גאָלדען עלטער אין אַ גאלדענע מדינה— This month’s Atlantic cover story argues that the “Golden Age” for American Jews has come to a close and, with it, maybe the “Golden Age” for America and the “Golden Age” for Jews. Is the US putting the “mean” back into “reversion to the mean”? —RETRACTED— A well-regarded literary journal retracts an essay by an Israeli on account of, well, what exactly? Is it a literary crime to be an Israeli in 2024? —HURRICANE— https://www.patreon.com/posts/100360456 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: This year’s Eurovision is gonna be a sh*tshow. Plus poetry on the moon and more songs of these troubled days.

1h 27m
Mar 14
The “Reckonings” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/99924307   —JERUSALEM, MON AMOUR?— What’s it mean that Jerusalem just elected to its city council a straight-up majority of ultra-Orthodox men? —RECKONING?— Is it time for soul-searching and spiritual reckoning over the death and destruction in Gaza? —FIVE MONTHS— https://www.patreon.com/posts/99924307 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Five months since October 7, we are awfully tired. All that and remembering Beige Shohat, plus more songs of these troubled days.

1h 20m
Mar 07
The “Local Yokels” Edition

Miriam Herschlag, 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/99455605   —GOING LOCAL— They say that, in a democracy, even the most humble among us can be elected to public office. Now we know it’s true! —MAYOR FOR LIFE— Few positions have more job security than mayor of a major city in Israel. —JON STEWART GOES VIRAL ON THE GAZA WAR— https://www.patreon.com/posts/99455605 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Jon Stewart goes viral on the Gaza war. All this and a memorial tribute to MK Charlie Biton, and more songs of our troubled times.

1h 47m
Feb 29
The “138 Days” Edition

138 days in, The Promised Podcast looks back.   —PREMONITION— —CITY OF SLAUGHTER— —SALLY— —THE WHEAT GROWS AGAIN— —THE BATTALION’S WHATSAPP—

1h 11m
Feb 22
The “Yesterday’s Politics, Today!” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/98530778   —ELECTIONS NOW?— Billboards all over the country and full-page ads in the papers call for new elections now. Is this a good idea? —THE DRAFT ON THE DRAFT: GETTING THE SHAFT?— A crisis is a terrible thing to waste. —WARTIME HOOKUPS— https://www.patreon.com/posts/98530778 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What is it about war that makes people want to pair off? All that and risking the lives of dozens of young men to save the lives of two old men, plus more moving songs of these troubled days.

1h 22m
Feb 15
The “Negotiating With Terrorists” Edition

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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/98091589   —NEGOTIATING WITH TERRORISTS— Hamas finally sets out their demands in exchange for releasing the 136 living-and-dead Israeli hostages dragged to Gaza from their homes. Is there anywhere to go from here? —BAR-RAVING TIME!— Itamar Ben-Gvir is having a moment. —THE NEW YORK TALK TIMES— https://www.patreon.com/posts/98091589 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The New York Times brings together five historians to explain how Israelis and Palestinians got to where we got. How’d they do? All that and more moving songs of these troubled days.

1h 19m
Feb 08
The “Gaza of Good & Evil” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/97645369   —A FEW MURDEROUS APPLES— A dozen United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) workers killed, raped and kidnapped on October 7, and one in four Gazan men who work for UNRWA have ties to Hamas. What can you say to that? —SOLDIERS OF THE DREAM— Have the reserve soldiers in Gaza discovered the secret to making Israel a better, more decent place? —WHAT THOSE DOG-TAGS ARE ALL ABOUT— https://www.patreon.com/posts/97645369 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What’s up with those dog-tags millions of Israelis wear these days? All that and still more music of our time.

1h 37m
Feb 01
The “Generals and Genocides” Edition

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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/97175671   —GENERAL MALAISE— Former IDF Chief of Staff and member of Israel’s “War Cabinet” says the government is not telling us the truth or making the right decisions when it comes to the war. What now? —IN THE SHADOW OF THE SHOAH— Seventy-nine years after the Nazis surrendered, there’s more talk of the Holocaust than ever. How come? —SENDING YOUR KID OFF TO THE ARMY WHEN THE COUNTRY’S AT WAR— https://www.patreon.com/posts/97175671 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What is it like to drop your kid off at an army induction camp? All that and new, soulful music of our time.

1h 28m
Jan 25
The “IDF: Inspiring Despite Failing?” Edition

Linda Gradstein, 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/96737138   —WHY DID THE ARMY FAIL US?— The first job of the army is to protect us at our borders. —WHY DO WE STILL BELIEVE IN THE IDF?— Even after everything went wrong, and so many people died, we still trust the IDF. Why? —A NEW “NORMAL”— https://www.patreon.com/posts/96737138 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What’s it like for us to try to get back to some sort of “normal”? All that and a sad voice calling in the wilderness, plus new music for our times by some of the grand eminences of Israeli music.

1h 17m
Jan 18
The “South Africa v. Israel” Edition

Miriam Herschlag, 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/96299217   —PHASE III— The last phase of the Israel-Hamas war is starting. Why don’t we feel relieved? —SOUTH AFRICA V. ISRAEL— Eighty years after the Holocaust ended, Israel is on trial for genocide. —HOW DO YOU PODCAST A WAR?— https://www.patreon.com/posts/95859357 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: How do you podcast this war? (With Jen Richler, genius producer “Can We Talk?”) All that and the music of Idan Amedi, who was injured badly this week as an IDF reservist in Gaza.

1h 27m
Jan 11
The “Days of Future Past” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/95859357   —BASIC— Israel’s Supreme Court decides, by the thinnest of margins, to overturn an amendment to a “Basic Law” passed by the Knesset. Is that a good thing? —OCTOBER 90TH— Are we stuck reliving over and over the nightmare of October 7? —A NEW PTSD TREATMENT— https://www.patreon.com/posts/95859357 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Will oxygen help wipe our trauma clean? All that and new music for coping with grief and worry.

1h 20m
Jan 04
The “End of Consensus?” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/95426196   —BACK TO THE BASICS OF BOUNCING BIBI?— Do you oust the man who is leading you in war? —“UNDER RENOVATION”— Does Israel have any Left left at all? —WATCHING THE WAR IN CINEMATIC 4K— https://www.patreon.com/posts/95426196 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: The IDF, the government, and the public broadcast corporation Kan are making polished high-def videos about the war. Is it bizarre, maybe counter-productive, to make “cinematic” videos about what is, after all, a terrible business? All that and a heartfelt tribute to a heroin dealer and Eviatar Banai’s covers of classic songs for these days of violence and grief.

1h 23m
Dec 28, 2023
The “Opinions, Opinions, Opinions!” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss three 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/95057682   —WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT US— More than half college-age American kids think Israel should be “ended and given to Hamas”? Really? —WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT THEM— 72% of Palestinians on the West Bank think Hamas’s decision to do what it did on October 7 “was the correct one”? Really? —WHAT WE THINK ABOUT US & THEM— Four in five Israelis tell pollsters that the suffering of Gaza civilians shouldn’t change how Israel fights the war? Really? —ADAM UNREHEARSED!— https://www.patreon.com/posts/95057682 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Don Futterman reads part of his new novel, Adam Unrehearsed! It’s like hearing Crime & Punishment read by Dostoyevsky, or the Bible read by God! All that and songs of these times, mostly sung together.

1h 28m
Dec 21, 2023
The “Dogs of War” Edition

William Blake once counselled “to see a world in a grain of sand.” In this very special podcast episode, Noah tries to see our troubled world right now, in a Whatsapp thread or a TikTok “For You.” —THE BATTALION WHATSAPP— —DOG OF WAR— —POST HOC, ERGO TIKTOK—

51m
Dec 14, 2023
The “Kids Out, Kids In” Edition

Star journalist 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/94254919   —KIDS OUT— Every day for a week hostages got out of Gaza until, all of a sudden, they didn’t. —KIDS IN— When your kid calls to say he loves you. —THE JEW-HATE ON CAMPUSES— https://www.patreon.com/posts/94254919 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: We’ve heard all about how scary and contentious Ivy League schools have become. But what’s it like at all the other places? Prof. Noah Stoffman shares what it’s like on the campus of a world-class public campus: Indiana University. All that and wheat, oranges and Torah scrolls.

1h 21m
Dec 07, 2023
The “Women & Other Living Things” Edition

Miriam Herschlag, 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/93819762   —WOMEN & THE WAR— Gender’s gotten weird (even weirder than usual) in this war. Miriam Schler, Executive Director of the Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center, joins us to make sense of it. —THAT THING ABOUT THE MUSES— So many paintings, songs, poems, sculptures, site exhibits, and plays have been made since October 7. But why? —THE RAPE AND OTHER SEXUAL VIOLENCE THAT TOOK PLACE ON OCTOBER 7— https://www.patreon.com/posts/93819762 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: We talk about rape and other sexual violence on October 7 with Miriam Schler, Executive Director of the Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center. All that and weddings, weddings, weddings. (Plus, if you can, maybe give something to the Sexual Assault Crisis Center, which is struggling to meet the massive demand for its services)

1h 41m
Nov 30, 2023
The “Song of War” Edition

Noah takes a break from scrolling and refreshing, to consider the songs of this war (which has produced more music than all of Israel’s past wars rolled into one), and what they say about the country and how it has changed over the years, and for the better.

56m
Nov 23, 2023
The “First Fifty” Edition

Miriam and Noah talk about the deal struck between Israel and Hamas, via the Qataris and the Americans, that would return 50 hostages, mostly kids and their mothers, in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners and a four day cease fire, the execution of which deal was already delayed on its first day. Miriam talks about evil and Viktor Frankl while Noah, as far as we can tell, lay in a fetal position, moaning on the floor of the studio.

31m
Nov 23, 2023
The “Moral and Immoral Dilemmas” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/92995217   —TROLLEY PROBLEMS— If the two goals of the war – crushing Hamas and returning the captives home – turn out to be at odds, what should Israel do? —CEASEFIRE— What is the answer to the question, “Why not stop the war right now?” —WHAT THE LARGE DEMONSTRATION IN DC LOOKED LIKE FROM TEL AVIV— https://www.patreon.com/posts/92995217 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: 300,000 Americans, mostly Jews, demonstrate at the Mall in DC in support of Israel and against anti-Semitism. What was it like seeing that from Tel Aviv? All that and a temporary, new high-rise kibbutz in Tel Aviv, and a tribute in memoriam to Vivian Silver, z”l. Also, buy Don’s book, and if you already did, buy another two copies!

1h 25m
Nov 16, 2023
The “Our Tragedy & Theirs” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/92584538   —OUR TRAGEDY & THEIRS— Should our papers, shows and sites be showing and telling us more about the suffering of Gazans, when we have so much pain of our own to come to grips with? —BEARING ARMS— More people have applied for a gun license in the past month than in the prior decade. Should we be worried? —IS NOAH ABOUT TO GET HIS FIRST TATTOO?— https://www.patreon.com/posts/92584538 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Israelis go in droves to tattoo parlors to ink memento of the October 7 massacres. What’s that all about? All that and good coming from bad, and more new music written in the aftermath of the massacres. Also, last chance to pre-order Don’s book!

1h 23m
Nov 09, 2023
The “Things Change” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/92159896   —LESSONS— What can Israelis learn from October 7 about the prospect of peace with Palestinians? —NETANYAHU, NOW— Can we still rally around our Prime Minister, even now? —WE TRY TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, “HOW ARE YOU?”— https://www.patreon.com/posts/92159896 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: A few weeks in, our nerves are frayed. We each try to answer the vexed question, “How are you?” All that and a mother lobbying God with dough to get her girl out of Gaza and new music about our lives after October 7. Also, pre-order Don’s book!

1h 31m
Nov 02, 2023
The “Jangled Nerves” Edition

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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/91707988   —WAITING— The span of time we have now waited for Israel to counter-attack Hamas is now longer than the entire Yom Kippur War. How much longer can we stay in this strange and terrible in-between period without going crazy? —CAPTIVES— Is our hostage crisis driving us towards our government (as such things often do), or away from it? —HOW THE GOVERNMENT DESERTED AN 85 YEAR OLD HOSTAGE FOR A SECOND TIME— https://www.patreon.com/posts/91707988 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: An 85 year old hostage is releases, and she says in a press conference that after beating her when she was just captured, Hamas treated her well. What do you do with that? All that and an ultra-Orthodox wedding planned by a couple of married-to-each-other lesbians, plus music from the big telethon raising money for the victims of the Hamas attack.

1h 31m
Oct 26, 2023
The “Together, But Not Together-Together” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, 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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/91277006   —UNITY, SURE, BUT NOT NATIONAL UNITY— One leader of Israel’s opposition joined Netanyahu in a “War Cabinet.” The other leader of the opposition did not. Who made the right call? —LEFT BEHIND— Why are some of Israel’s leading leftists surprised that murdering babies, old-folks and everything in between does not discredit Hamas in the eyes of some of America’s and Europe’s leading leftists? —IS JOE BIDEN THE ZIONIST LEADER ISRAEL NEEDS?— https://www.patreon.com/posts/91277006 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Is US President Joe Biden the leader Israelis yearn for? All that and the music made this week in hope of finding consolation.

1h 27m
Oct 19, 2023
The “These Last Awful Days Through the Eyes of a Palestinian” Edition

Peace, co-existence and social-justice activist Sally Abed tells Noah what these last, terrible days of grief, anger and fear have been like for her, as an Israeli Arab. This is not for everyone, not at this moment, and if it is not for you, at this moment, don’t listen to it. For some people, it is maybe just what they want to hear, at this moment.

40m
Oct 17, 2023
The “Cities of Slaughter” Edition

Allison, Miriam and Noah talk about the only thing that could possibly be on our minds at this moment of tragedy, mourning and anxiety. HEAR THE EXTRA-SPECIAL, SPECIAL EXTRA SEGMENT ON PATREON https://www.patreon.com/posts/90836085 —CITIZENS STEPPED IN WHERE GOVERNMENT FAILED— https://www.patreon.com/posts/90836085 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: For the first 24 hours of tragedy, journalists did what our government failed to do. All that and songs of consolation.

1h 40m
Oct 12, 2023
The “Days of Awful” Edition

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 https://www.patreon.com/posts/90382164   —PARTITION PLANS?— On Yom Kippur, Tel Aviv became a battlefield in a religious war. What happened? —THAT WAR— Exactly fifty years ago, Israel was attacked from the south and the north, and 19 days of bloody fighting ensued. What is the legacy of that terrible war? —OUR PEAK SUKKAH EXPERIENCES— https://www.patreon.com/posts/90382164 For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Our peak Sukkah experiences. Come for the booths, stay for Miriam’s joke about the KGB! All that and the music of the supremely talented Ariel Herzog, Shauli Eckel and Seballal!

1h 38m
Oct 05, 2023
The “A Song for Peace” Edition

Noah tells the story of one song that is also, in a way, the story of Israel itself.

1h 1m
Sep 28, 2023
The “Atone Home” Edition

In this very special episode of sustainably recycled stuff devoted to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, hear about the evolution of the great piyyut and prayer, u’netanah tokef, and hear how members of the crew make sense of the strange and beautiful holiday from their strange and beautiful perspectives. JEREMY BENSTEIN, “THE BIKES AND VIBES OF YOM KIPPUR IN THE FIRST MODERN, JEWISH CITY” MIRIAM HERSCHLAG, “SINS FOR THE INTERNET AGE” NOAH, “AND TO THINK THAT I SAW IT ON YOM KIPPUR” All that and indie songs of Yom Kippur!

27m
Sep 21, 2023
The “Noah is What?!?!?” Edition

In this very special holiday Turducken of a podcast, we’ve stuffed into our own carcass an interview that Allison did for the Haaretz Weekly podcast with Noah and his comrade-in-politics Inbal Orpaz on why they are running for city council and what they stand for.  The tryptophan alone is reason enough to listen!

38m
Sep 14, 2023