Unholy: Two Jews on the News

Only a week until we resume our regular programming - and trust us, there's a LOT to talk about. But in the meantime - to conclude Passover break - we're airing yet another of our favorite talks from this season. This Friday - we're sending listeners back to Yonit and Jonathan's talk with the greatly influential literary giant, Malcolm Gladwell, to discuss how he popularized non-fiction, why social media damages the way we interpret reality, and that time a wedding toast ruined a friendship of his. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hag Semach, listeners! Following weeks of reporting on political turmoil in Israel, we're going into Passover break with reruns of our favorite conversations as of late: starting with a fascinating chat with MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow. Tune in (again) as Rachel talks about her hit podcast, "Ultra", on an all-but-forgotten Nazi scheme to overthrow the American government, plus her take on social media as a platform for extremism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For Unholy's 100th episode, a very special guest indeed: Yonit and Jonathan talk with one of the world's foremost thinkers and writers, Yuval Noah Harari. Usually preoccupied with the climate emergency and the rise of AI, right now Harari is focused on his own country - because, he says, "the house is on fire." A wide-ranging, heartfelt conversation about Israel, the protests against the judicial overhaul - and Harari's fear that democracy could give way to dictatorship. Plus a look back at two favourite Unholy moments from the last 100 episodes. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After 24 hours of stunning drama in Israel, a special update from Yonit and Jonathan. Join them as they unpack the chaotic timeline - Sunday night's spontaneous eruption of mass protests around the country following the sacking of the defence minister, the general strike by trade unions and bosses and Monday's eventual offer of a "timeout" on the judicial overhaul from Benjamin Netanyahu - and try to determine: was this a climbdown by the prime minister or a chance for him to regroup and weaken the opposition? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As protests continue and contrasting opinions over the judicial reform surface from within the coalition, it seemed this week the prime minister himself was almost on the brink of backing down. Yonit and Jonathan talk with lead journalist and "Uvda" host Ilana Dayan on how this ends - and, on her decision to speak up against the overhaul. Plus, a literary giant takes the mensch award and two veterans battle for the chutzpah prize. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As protests continue against the Netanyahu government’s overhaul of the judicial system, the prospect of compromise is receding. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the fallout of the ruling coalition’s rejection of President Herzog’s proposed alternative — amid warning signs that Israel's enemies are taking advantage of what they perceive as a moment of weakness. Plus a conversation with Dave Rich, author of "Everyday Hate", on modern antisemitism - and how everyone from Kanye to a hit Broadway show draw on ideas about Jews that have endured for centuries. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

***This episode was recorded before the terror attack in Tel Aviv*** The protests against the judicial reform in Israel escalate as demonstators rally nationally in a day of resistance, while the attempts to negotiate a compromise seem to falter. Plus, a homage to world-renowned actor Chaim Topol, iconic 'Tevye' of film and stage, who passed away this week. And - what better way to celebrate Purim than with someone whose job is to make people laugh? Yonit and Jonathan are joined by MODI, the Israeli-American comedian headlining shows all around the world, to talk about various Jewish audiences, sexual identity, and the theory of "Messiah Energy".-- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A morning of stun grenades and police horses at a protest, followed by an evening of a siege on a hair salon in central Tel Aviv? Just another regular day in Israel, apparently - which has also been facing an increasing security threat in the West Bank. Major General (ret.) Amos Yadlin gives his take to Yonit and Jonathan on the tensions with the Palestinians, plus why he thinks that when it comes to politics, the military shouldn't be involved. And - as usual - a mini award ceremony with worthy victors in our chutzpah and mensch categories. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Two guests, two perspectives - Yonit and Jonathan talk to two Israelis with sharply conflicting views of the current state of their country. Legal activist Yonatan Green is a staunch advocate of the judicial overhaul - while New Yorker writer Ruth Margalit has profiled the hard right nationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir, who she calls the Minister of Chaos. Plus - the government that keeps supplying us with undisputed chutzpahs. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You asked - and we answered. Yonit and Jonathan give their take on listeners’ questions on Benjamin Netanyahu’s “judicial reform” plan and its political repercussions, chat about the Super Bowl ad that portends a new future for American Jews - and delight in two examples of truly jaw dropping chutzpah.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The battle for Israeli democracy, to quote the opponents of Benjamin Netanyahu's "judicial reform" plan, moved to a new front this week - with an effort to enlist the Jewish diaspora into the protest movement. Yonit and Jonathan speak to writer and journalist Matti Friedman about his "Open Letter to Israel's Friends". Plus an update on the earthquakes that shook the Middle East and a chutzpah award to a woman in (British) politics and to the absence of women in (Israeli) politics. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A letter signed by top Israeli economists, warning against the financial implications of the judicial reform, featured the name of one of the country's only Nobel Prize winners - world-renowned professor Daniel Kahneman, pioneer of behavioral economics. This week, he joins our hosts to discuss the responses to his description of the reform as "the worst threat to Israel's existence to date", and what combination of pressure he thinks could really affect the lawmakers. Plus - the maven of tidiness who surrendered to a mess that can only be brought on by three kids, and the Hebrew quote that German television viewers learned this week from a friend of the podcast. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the week of Holocaust remembrance, Yonit and Jonathan talk to one of the country’s finest, funniest writers, Etgar Keret - to reflect on his late mother, a survivor of the Shoah who never wanted that label, and give his take on the political turmoil. Plus, classic chutzpah and mensch awards – and a look at the gap between what Brits say and what they actually mean (also known as: the guide to understanding your British co-host). Special thanks to Ira Glass and the team of "This American Life" for their assistance in the making of this episode. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Israel's constitutional crisis deepens. As the country's Supreme Court tells Binyamin Netanyahu to fire one of his most senior ministers, we hear from one of Israel's leading jurists, Professor Michael Karayanni of the Hebrew University - about how he - and his fellow Arab citizens of Israel - see the stand-off between the judges and the government. Plus: Mel Brooks, the girls who defied their rabbis - and a chutzpah award to a top British politician. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The judicial reform announced last week in Israel sparked a protest this week - as it continues to draw international attention. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by three-time Pulitzer winner, Thomas Friedman of the New York Times, to discuss US reception to the law revolution, why he eulogized the Israel he once knew, and what peace prospects might come out of the new government. And on a lighter note - a certain author wonders about the sales of a ghost-written royal memoir and we ask ourselves: what things - or people - seem Jewish, but aren’t? -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's been one week since Netanyahu began his sixth stint in office - but boy, has it been a heck of a week, one our hosts are here to unpack. Ben Gvir's ascent to the Temple Mount already had international attention leveled towards the new coalition in Israel, only to have it shift to the government's judicial reform - labeled by some as a constitutional revolution and conveniently announced the day before a crucial Supreme Court discussion. Plus, we talk comic books, rom-coms and public transport.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Benjamin Netanyahu returned to his old office this morning, taking his place as Israel's prime minister - again - with the formation of his sixth government. Following several weeks of negotiations, Netanyahu's coalition - comprised of right-wing allies - was sworn in yesterday, kicking off Israel's most conservative leadership yet. In the hours leading to the ceremony, Netanyahu handed Likud members their respective occupations, including appointing an openly-gay MK as Speaker of the Knesset - against far-right allies in the government calling to limit LGBT rights. Now, the public looks to the new government to see which of the clauses in the coalition agreements will effectively be applied - with some sections regarding discrimination causing controversy and protests both locally and internationally.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you’re a regular podcast listener, chances are you’ve heard of Rachel Maddow’s Ultra, the chart-topping podcast that takes the audience back to the 1940s, when the Nazi regime managed to infiltrate the top branches of the U.S. government. This week, we’re delighted to be joined by Maddow herself, to discuss how she uncovered this largely forgotten threat to American democracy and the parallels to what we’re witnessing today. Plus, we discuss Kanye West and Elon Musk. And - Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating! It doesn’t matter whether you prefer donuts or latkes - this week’s batch of Chutzpah and Mensch awards are served quite hot, even accompanied by a royal cup of tea. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What do British people bring up in a conversation when they need to change the subject? The weather, of course. The rare occurrence of heavy snowfall this week provided not only a means of alternate topic for our co-host’s nation - but rather headlined UK news, with many unable to afford to heat their home due to the soaring prices caused by Europe’s energy crisis. Israel, on the other hand, has been enjoying a rather warm December, but it seems the excitement from last month’s election night has cooled down, with negotiations taking a little longer than expected. Netanyahu and his partners need to get through a few more legislation rounds and coalition agreements before they can form a government - moves which are already creating friction. We are joined by Eli Paley, publisher of the Haredi Mishpaca magazine, to discuss one of the most debated issues this week - the potential deal with Yahadut HaTorah, which includes a clause banning electricity production on Shabbat - and what the backlash has to do with the integration of Haredim in Israeli society over the next few years. Plus, the FBI’s data on antisemitism showed a decline in antisemitic cases in the US - which is pretty great, until you realize they didn't take into account the two largest Jewish epicenters in the US. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Herzog is expected to grant Prime Minister-delegate Netanyahu a two week extension to tie things up with his coalition partners - but the agreements reached until now between said parties have already been a source of much dispute. From giving the authority of the Civil Administration in the West Bank to Smotrich, to supplying extremist Avi Maoz with access to the Ministry of Education, the Likud has complied to a list of demands that may be the key to keeping everyone happy - but are also potentially flammable. Yonit and Jonathan analyze the understandings made already, and their controversial outcomes. And while in Israel there are people engaged with forming a government, a group in Germany tried to take down its own. A self-styled prince and an ex-judge were among those arrested in a large raid this week for a bizarre coup plot, borned from the far-right Reichsburger scene, a movement that seeks to return Germany to the system of the second Reich - and has not shied away from antisemitism. We’re joined by Bild correspondent Antonia Yamin to discuss the threat of violence and the potential return of Germany’s darker days. Plus, all about an author tweeting this week about having two people show at her book - and gaining responses from best-selling novelists who shared that even their literary events weren’t always met with a large turnout. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tel Aviv had to forfeit a crown yesterday - one it wasn’t quite proud of - after this year’s ranking of the most expensive cities in the world moved it from the top spot to third place. But anyone living in the Israeli financial capital can tell you that that cost of living hasn’t gotten any cheaper - it’s just that two other cities became significantly more expensive.And while Tel Aviv was dethroned, there’s someone who has yet to resume his place at the top - prime-minister delegate Netanyahu, who has yet to accomplish forming a government. Although Bibi still hasn’t addressed the Israeli public, he gave an interview to Bari Weiss this week - with a few headlines. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the highlights - including what’s behind Netanyahu’s claim his government won’t be “ruled by Talmud”, and why calling Trump’s meeting with Kanye West and a Holocaust denier “a mistake” isn’t enough of a condemnation.Plus, the lawsuit in France that determines - no, you really don’t have to be fun at work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Following yet another stall in the negotiations between designated PM Netanyahu and his presumptive partners, it seems the parties are slowly heading towards agreements on key issues. But while the important ministerial offices seem to be assigned, it may take some more time until all demands are settled - ranging from a judicial reform to new conversion laws. And interior matters aren’t the only ones on the upcoming government’s plate. The relationship with the Biden administration is likely to get off to a rocky start, with White House officials already expressing concern regarding members of Netanyahu’s coalition. We are joined by historian Eric Alterman, to discuss Israel-US ties and the future of American Jews, who appear to be steering left - while Israelis, for the most part - are turning to the right. Plus, is “Jew to Jew” a legitimate excuse to get out of something bad? Yonit and Jonathan discuss the matter of attempting to persuade reporters to let go of a story on the basis of shared religion. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a time when Twitter is the main source of information for many people, Malcolm Gladwell remains on a near-celebrity status by doing the exact opposite: publishing lengthy, thought-provoking examinations of human behaviors and, most recently, historic events. His name is regularly etched in the New York Times best seller list, the podcast company he heads garners millions of listens, and theories from his books are often mentioned by politicians, academics and just regular readers. That includes our hosts, who are very honored to switch things up and have Gladwell on Unholy this week! The rockstar of American journalism (who is actually a UK-born Canadian), credited with the popularization of non-fiction, joins Yonit and Jonathan for a talk about, well, lots of things. How social media gave a platform to unhinged voices, which version of success complies with his Menonite upbringing, why humanity is actually more equipped to handle its problems than we think, and that one time he ruined a friendship over a song - tune in to hear all this, plus more anecdotes, impressions and even an analysis of ‘chutzpah’. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Benjamin Netanyahu may have coasted into a clear victory in the fifth Israeli election round last week, but for Israel’s closest ally, the United States, the midterms have been startlingly close, with control of both chambers of Congress remaining up in the air as of this morning. And although Democrats have been breathing a sigh of relief after avoiding the sweeping midterm losses that were forecasted, Republicans could still be edging toward a narrow majority in the House of Representatives. This week, Jonathan joins us from DC, to detail his take-aways from a few weeks following the campaign, where he hopped from one key state to another, attended political rallies of former Presidents and even ushered in Shabbat at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. In Israel, despite the aforementioned win on Netanyahu’s end, the road to forming a right-wing government isn’t exactly a smooth one, with demands from every faction of the bloc and a series of controversial statements from members of the Religious Zionist party. Yonit and Jonathan analyze the potential landmines of the apparent coalition, and the implications of the leftist parties’ downfall. Plus - which fast food restaurant chain offered a bargain this week that left a bad taste? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May three and a half years of political turmoil conclude with Israel’s fifth election - and the forming of the most right-wing government in its history? With the majority of the votes counted, Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be on a course for an even bigger victory than yesterday’s initial exit polls suggested, his bloc currently projected to win 65 seats in the Knesset. And with the leftist Meretz party laying below the election threshold, the other parties that form the current coalition are left wondering about the future of the Israeli left. In this special update, Yonit and Jonathan summarize up everything you need to know about Israeli politics at this point - and fill you in on what is expected to happen upon Bibi’s return to power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Elections are supposed to be a special occasion, but Israelis already know the drill. Wake up on a Tuesday, proceed to the ballots, drop their selected note into the box, turn on the television at 10PM - and, if things go as usual, learn yet again that there is no conclusive outcome due to another deadlock. But as the clock ticks by, the candidates are making their final attempt to garner more votes - even on behalf of other parties in their bloc. Yonit and Jonathan discuss last-minute mishaps amongst the parties, and the unlikely scenarios that could tip the scales come election night. But while next week’s elections may result in an Israeli prime minister exchange- at least Downing 10 is no longer vacant. After its former resident resigned with a mere forty four days spent in office, and a cat became its most permanent resident, the official home of the British leader this week was entered by Rishi Sunak, the UK’s third prime minister in two months. Plus, whether you pronounce it Adi-das or A-didas, there’s no question if the sports retailer should have dropped Kanye West, adding to the list of affiliates who cut ties with the rapper after a series of antisemitic remarks. But while some attribute the rant to mental illness, it seems the intolerance in the US towards Jews may be more evident than ever. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Israeli politics nearing the finish line - 11 days to go till the country’s fifth election in three and a half years. But, political turmoil, it appears, is not exclusively Israeli: as many ask if Yair Lapid’s tenure as Prime Minister can be the the shortest in Israeli history, the U.K. raises the stakes - and in a breathtakingly rapid fall from power, Prime Minister Liz Truss resigns after only 44 days in office. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the non-stop political news from London and Tel Aviv. A week after Kanye West was removed from social media due to antisemitic remarks he since has doubled down on, yet another high level personality banned from social media - former US President Donald Trump - writes that American Jews “have to get their act together [...] before it is too late”, and despite the fallout between them in the past, former Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is there to defend him. Not one - but two Israeli politicians make our chutzpah award nominee list this week, and find out why Jonathan was compared to Mel Brooks! Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eighteen days to Israeli elections – recent polls show the far right Legislator Itamar Ben Gvir gaining momentum, at the expense of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party. We discuss the possible ramifications of Ben Gvir's ascension inside and outside Israel. And, on a lighter tone – Yonit is giving Jonathan a behind the scenes look at her preparations for the upcoming election night broadcast. Israel and Lebanon are on the verge of signing a maritime border agreement, and now that the political dust has settled - what is actually in the deal, and what does each side set to gain and lose. Our special guest this week is Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. She Joins Yonit and Jonathan for a conversation about ways to counter anti-Semitism - old and new, from the right and from the left, and shares her thoughts about Kanye West's anti-Semitic outburst. Finally, what country hits our chutzpah award list, and one courtroom in Connecticut that can restore your faith in the power of truth. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The holiday season is no excuse for the news cycle to stop turning, and boy - did it turn! From the maritime talks between Israel and Lebanon that are causing a skirmish, through protests on the streets of Iran, to a new political autobiography on bookshop shelves - there’s a lot to catch up on, and luckily we’re here to fill you in. Our special guest this week is financial columnist for the New York Times, anchor for CNBC and Emmy award winner Andrew Ross Sorkin. He joins Yonit and Jonathan for a conversation about the global economic crisis and will it develop into a total crash in the markets, the sustainability of the high cost living in Israel and the U.K., and of course - Jewish mothers, because no guest on this podcast gets a waver from that question. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

These are days of reflectiveness, between the Jewish New Year - Rosh Hashanah, and the holiest day of the Jewish calendar- Yom Kippur. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by acclaimed author Nicole Krauss, for a discussion about Judaism that reverberates throughout her work, writing in the voice of a woman and a of a man, the place of Israel in her works and in her life, and what has changed in the literary world since she wrote her first novel at the age of 25. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rosh Hashanah is right around the corner, and like almost every new Hebrew year lately, the upcoming one already has an Israeli election set in its calendar. The fifth round in three and a half years raises a lot of questions, the salient one being: will it be the last? That’s why we partnered up with The Center for Jewish Impact, to host a live event in which Yonit and Jonathan answer questions sent in by foreign diplomats and Jewish organizations from all around the world. Plus, we talk about the speech that made headlines even before it was even uttered in the UN general assembly, and the leader who just keeps ending up as the recipient of our Chutzpah award. So, whether you’re ironing your white shirt or setting the dinner table for the holiday, we humbly suggest you let the sound of our special episode accompany you - and of course wish those celebrating a happy, and politically stable, new year. Shana Tova!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While coverage of the Queen's death continues to dominate British news outlets, Yonit and Jonathan dive into the relationship between the Royal Family and the Jewish community - which may see the taking of a long-awaited step with a new king on the block. Also this week, we explain how the political aspect of applying the core curriculum to Haredi students in Israel coincides with a New York Times piece on the funds invested in Ultra Orthodox schools in Brooklyn. And, as Europe nears a hard winter, Yonit and Jonathan are joined by one of the sharpest minds writing on climate change, David Wallace Wells, to discuss the impending and devastating dangers of our current trajectory but also underscore that we can still avert a total catastrophe.Plus - our host / opinion columnist / author adds yet another title to his expanded resume - debuting a new play on the roots of antisemitism in Britain. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For seven decades, Queen Elizabeth II was a symbol of stability not only in the commonwealth but on the world stage as well, helping to navigate her country through a series of shifts that rattled Britain in the twentieth and twenty first centuries, and placing the royal family as a fortress of reassurance in a time of upheaval. Yonit and Jonathan speak about the end of an era in the UK - from the announcement from Buckingham Palace that every news outlet in Britain braced for - but dreaded having to bear - to the late Queen’s influence on her subjects and on modern history. Plus, Haaretz Military Correspondent Amos Harel joins our hosts to discuss the IDF’s investigation into the death of Palestinian journalist Shireeb Abu Akleh, and about whether it affects the relationship between Jerusalem and Washington. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August has come to an end, schools have reopened and Jonathan has landed safely from vacation - which means Unholy is back! If you chose to spend your summer break in Israel, you might have met two issues - the first being the high price tags, and the second the extensive construction all around. We also hope you weren’t too bothered by the political situation here - which took quite a few turns while we were away. But don’t fret -if you missed out or spent your vacation elsewhere, we’re here to update you on all of the above.And - Yonit and Jonathan are honored to be joined by a friend of the podcast, editor of The New Yorker and former Moscow correspondent David Remnick, to discuss the legacy of the last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, who passed away this week. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What better way to spend the last days of summer break than by soaking up the sun… and listening to a rerun of a conversation we love? While our beloved British co-host is still away, he and Yonit made sure our listeners are reminded of some of our favorite conversations, before they return for a brand new season next week. For the last week of August, Yonit and Jonathan revisit a conversation with a sitcom star who recently made her debut as film director. Here’s a clue: Famous Jewish actress and gameshow host for $500. And if you haven’t guessed it: Who is Mayim Bialik? Jeopardy’s frontwoman opens up on being a Zionist in Hollywood and on how she intergrated Jewish grief rituals into her movie, plus settles the age-old question: are our hosts geeks - or nerds? Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We truly hope that by the time you’re reading this, you’re on a beach somewhere, or sipping an alcoholic drink in a European city. We can tell you that our own host, Jonathan Freedland, is probably doing one of the aforementioned activities - but only after he and Yonit made sure our listeners won’t miss out every Friday. For the third week of August, our hosts reminisced on their episode with Professor Scott Galloway, marketing guru and bestselling author. Tune in (again), to hear on issues spanning from the war in Ukraine to how big tech promotes polarization via algorithms, plus tips on "pod-distance" relationships. Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Following Operation Breaking Dawn, Yonit and Jonathan are back from break with an emergency episode to speak on the recent conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip. After nearly seventy hours of clashes, a ceasefire was announced - and while it holds, for now, both sides know that it may only be a matter of time before the situation escalates again. Listen to hear our hosts summarize this recent round, with points including tactical aspects, the world's response, and the political aftermath of an operation during election season. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jonathan may be away, sitting on a lounge chair positioned on a sandy beach somewhere, but it doesn’t mean Unholy listeners will be deprived of their weekly podcast fix. This summer break, we’re taking you back to some of our favorite conversations with outstanding guests. In this episode, Yonit and Jonathan revisit their discussion with one of America’s most accomplished journalists, David Remnick. Recorded on the eve of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the editor of The New Yorker reflects on being a correspondent in Moscow during the last days of the Soviet Union and shares his thoughts on why nobody really knows what goes on in Putin’s head. Plus, no podcast hosted by Jews can really be concluded without discussing Jewish identity - nor without a session on Leonard Cohen. Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last episode of the season - and before we pack our suitcases and bring out the bathing suits, we're closing off with an extra long episode. But don't worry - although we'll officially be back in September, we've got some surprises that will keep you entertained all through August.And for this episode: his predecessor may have maintained warm relations with Russia - but the man who now holds the top job at both the Prime Minister’s office and the Foreign Ministry, Yair Lapid, can’t quite maintain the affections of the Kremlin. As a Russian court considers a lawsuit to liquidate the Jewish Agency in the country, Yonit and Jonathan speak to Shimrit Meir, former advisor to Naftali Bennett - on what may signal a decline in ties between Jerusalem and Moscow. Meir also speaks out on what went wrong for the coalition - and why she thinks Bennett hasn't said the last word. And what does she have to say about the Iranian threat?Plus: election season is upon Brits and Israelis alike, but before the votes are cast - our hosts introduce the political players from each home field. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Israelis usually flee to Europe during hot summers to experience European weather - but this week’s heatwave made the blistering temperatures here seem normal. But whether or not the countries are well equipped with air conditioning, it seems none are particularly ready with a plan for the effects of climate change. And to another hot topic- the U.S involvement in the Middle East and Israel, in particular, we speak to historian and foreign policy luminary Walter Russell Mead on his new book, which inquires into the historical roots of America’s support for Israel, and the misconceptions about the strength of the Jewish state that led to him writing it. Plus - a story involving a cat and an Israeli MK gets mentioned in both our award categories. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Armed vehicles, numerous flags and even a presidential menu - after much preparation, President Joe Biden landed in Israel this Wednesday, kicking off his Middle East visit with a jam-packed schedule in the Holyland. But a moment before leaving for Jerusalem, Biden sat down with our host, Yonit Levi, for a one-on-one, exclusive televised interview - the first ever for a foreign network. In this week's special edition of Unholy, Yonit gives Jonathan - and you listeners - the juiciest behind-the-scenes details from the interview, including the one question she didn't have time to ask - and the moment the leader of the free world serenaded her with "Happy Birthday". Listen to the full interview: https://mobile.mako.co.il/news-world/2022_q3/Article-e01937823a10281026.htm Find us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Roll the red carpet and get the cameras ready - in less than a week, the leader of the free world will make his way to Israel, only to be greeted by a freshly-appointed Prime Minister of a caretaker government. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by the New York Times’ Chief White House correspondent, Peter Baker, to discuss the objectives of the visit, the upcoming midterms and the American relations with Saudi Arabia. And, it seems our British friends got a bit jealous of Israel hogging all the political drama - and decided to take a shot at it, with the announcement of Boris Johnson (Br)exiting office. But as the United Kingdom is left prime minister-less, one issue troubles our co-host most - who will replace Johnson, the star of more than one of Jonathan’s columns?! Plus - here’s a scoop: this ice cream manufacturer is losing cone-trol (okay, we’re done with the gelato puns) over a battle on selling their products in the settlements. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The term Prime Minister Yair Lapid may take some getting used to - but don’t take too long, as it’s paired with “interim”. After dissolving the Knesset and bidding farewell to his coalition partner, Naftali Bennett, Lapid embarked on his spell as head of a caretaker government - but all heads are turned to the fifth election round, which will determine whether the late-night host turned premier will be more than just another anecdote in a continuous political narrative. Yonit and Jonathan aren’t scientists (yet), it's safe to say this political experiment didn’t quite go according to plan. Joined by author and unofficial philosopher to the coalition, Micah Goodman, our co-hosts discuss whether the results should really be seen as a failure, what the lab conditions to shrink the conflict are - and also, why Israelis are both closer, and further than ever. And - for many, the United States Supreme Court ruling abolishing women’s right for abortions reflects the capacity conservatives have to turn the wheel backwards while imposing their beliefs on the public. But with protesters marching daily through D.C., concerns on the extent of these perceptions are heard as far as Israel - where some view the ruling as a warning sign of what may occur here under a more conservative leadership - and an unyielding American influence. Plus - what Jewish ritual did the chutzpah recipients of this week make profitable? -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you look up the words “Israel” and “Elections” in any search engine at any given time during these last three years, chances are you either saw articles about upcoming ballots - or results of a recent round. That’s why this week’s results won’t come as a surprise. This week, Bennet and Lapid themselves hammered the final nail into the coalition’s coffin - sending Israelis to vote yet again. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by Channel 12 political analyst Amit Segal, to chat about the open questions - from Lapid, the caretaker government’s appointed caretaker, to his failed coalition’s legacy, and to the odds that an Arab party will fit into a governmental puzzle again. But, even though the Holy Land seems to hold first prize - topsy-turvy politics aren’t exclusively Israeli. French President Emmanuel Macron lost his absolute majority in Parliament by a wide margin this week, in a political blow that complicates his leadership - with far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s party coming in with a strong showing that exceeded expectations. Plus, coming to shelves soon - gefilte fish hot dogs?! Yonit and Jonathan try and stomach the news of this culinary crossover that probably won’t become a bestseller at ball games. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week's guest is someone Unholy listeners are quite familiar with - our very own co-host (and bestselling author) Jonathan Freedland! In this episode, Yonit gives him the tried and tested interviewee treatment as they discuss his new book, The Escape Artist, which details the all but unknown story of Rudolf Vrba. Vrba is one of only four Jews to escape Auschwitz, and is credited with publishing a detailed report on the atrocities being perpetrated behind barbed wire, a report which led to halting the deportations of Hungarian Jews, ultimately saving tens of thousands of lives. In other matters - is an Unholy episode ever complete without Israeli political drama? We continue to follow the slow-motion train wreck that is the Bennett coalition - who might not hold on to the reigns long enough to greet President Joe Biden when he arrives in Israel in less than a month. Plus, these two prime ministers have seen their fair share of courtrooms, but now they meet in the same one, head to head, and it's the best show in town. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the same night and only twenty minutes apart, members of parliament from two different countries cast votes which would determine the fate of their current head of government. On one end, lawmakers voted against a bill that represented their opinions just to wound the coalition, and on the other - a Prime Minister rejoiced even though nearly half of his party voted in favor of outing him. Sounds crazy, right? Well - for our Israeli and British co-hosts, respectively, that’s just called internal politics. And- "Fight like a girl" may have been an insult once, but now, for young women in the IDF, it’s becoming more and more of a reality. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the Israeli military’s latest promise for a gender based revolution - and how, despite the strict conditions for recruitment and prolonged timetable for implementation - this decision to integrate more women into combat units still counts as a victory. Plus - being named mensch once doesn’t guarantee you won’t be brought up again - even if it’s the opposite category. Find out which former world leader (and former Mensch) landed herself in the Chutzpah slot. Follow us on Instagram @unholypodcast | Facebook: Unholy Podcast Get Jonathan's book, The Escape Artist: https://www.amazon.com/Escape-Artist-Broke-Auschwitz-World/dp/0063112337See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re celebrating - and you’re all invited! After all, it only took sixty episodes of Unholy - and seventy years on the throne - to convince Jonathan to discuss the monarchy favorably. This week’s special guest, Ira Glass, set the gold standard for podcasts with his award winning "This American Life", he is the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize - but if you ask him, he doesn’t really consider himself a celebrity. Glass talks with Yonit and Jonathan about being the non-traditional voice that reinvented radio, about journalism losing its grip on the truth, and- naturally- about letting down his Jewish parents by deciding to not be a doctor. Plus, in the Chutzpah category - they say Bat Mitzvahs are the rite to adulthood, but these invitees may have taken that too literally. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the aftermath of the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, Yonit and Jonathan discuss how Israel, compared to the U.S. is both well-armed and at the same time well- regulated when it comes to guns. This week's episode also features a discussion about the reality television episode of "Married at First Sight" that made LGBTQ history, with two men under the Jewish wedding canopy, shattering the glass (both literally and metaphorically). Plus, if you're a "Jewish-looking" actor - we suggest you tune into our award session at the end of our program, as Jonathan and Yonit may have found you a job on the small screen. Follow us on Instagram @unholypodcast | Facebook: Unholy Podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Israel's PM Naftali Bennett hoped to silence his government’s swan song - but the music is getting louder by the moment, with a surprising exit stage left of the coalition, possibly giving Netanyahu the one-up he needed. We discuss the great replacement theory, how the world viewed one funeral in Jerusalem, and why everyone is talking about AIPAC. And this week we are joined by special guest Mayim Bialik, actress and host of "Jeopardy!", who tells us how Jewish mourning rituals influenced her directorial debut, the film "As They Made Us"; shares her experiences as a pro-Israel actress in Hollywood; plus - helps us determine once and for all: is Jonathan Freedland a geek or a nerd? -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh during an IDF raid in the Palestinian city of Jenin has shifted the international spotlight back on Israel. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the contradicting narratives and the implications of this tragedy for both sides. In the meantime, the Bennett-Lapid coalition is keeping its head above water for now, but the answer to whether it makes it to safe shores or drowns is still pending. For dessert, we hope you don’t mind a dish served cold - as our mensch of the week award is an excuse for a bit of revenge against a certain English co-host.... Follow us on Instagram @unholypodcast | Facebook: Unholy Podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.