Makom Israel Teachers Lounge

  A Visit to the Gaza BorderThis past June, Liel took Alan, Matt, Calev and Mike to the sites that were devastated by the October 7th invasion. As a licensed tour guide, Liel wanted to share insights with her colleagues about what happened in the “Gaza Envelope” on, and since, that day. As they went from location to location, they recorded Liel speaking, as well as some of their thoughts and observations along the way. On the one year anniversary of October 7th, we thought it would be meaningful to share the experience with our listeners. Liel, Mike and Calev sat with our engineer Ben in his studio, to choose what to include in this episode. We also added narration to explain and contextualize each of the clips. While we were doing that, we also reflected on our thoughts since the visit, and about this difficult year in general. For those interested to see what we saw, here is a link to our shared photo album of the visit. Wishing you, our listeners, and all of our Nation a year of peace, healing and renewal.

  Is Israel Handling its Problems? Everyone agrees that Israel is beset with problems. Some of them can be managed, and many of them must be solved for Israel to survive and have a healthy future. Is there a danger of reaching a tipping point where Israel has too many problems to succeed? Is whatever is right about Israel in danger of being destroyed by what’s wrong with it? Or is whatever is wrong with Israel going to be fixed by what’s right with it? Liel hosts this debate with Matt taking the position that our problems are out of control, and Calev arguing that we have reason to be optimistic. Am Yisrael Chai!

Are We in the 1920s or 1930s? It is always interesting and helpful to learn from history. And so it's very natural to look to our recent past to find parallels to our current era. With the astonishing global rise of antisemitism many are looking at the previous century and seeing troubling signs for our future. But what part of 20th Century is the clearest precedent? In between the two World Wars, antisemitism rose and shook Jewish security in the Western world. Are we at an early stage like the 20s? Or in a later danger zone like the 30s? Are the analogies even accurate at all? Liel hosts this debate with Alan taking the position that our time is more similar to the 1920s, and Matt arguing that it is like the 1930s. Am Yisrael Chai!

Mass ProtestsWe live in an era when mass protests are just a normal part of weekly life in Israel. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Do they even make a difference? What changes have occurred because of them? And overall, do they create a positive or negative effect on Israeli life, politics and culture? Jordana hosts this debate with Calev taking the position that the protests create positive change, and Alan taking the position that they are problematic.. Am Yisrael Chai!

Campus: Fight or Flight?Young Jews prepare to return to campuses in the near future. Was last year a preview of what this year will be like? What should students do about open antisemitism around them? Should they stay and fight for what’s right? Or should they move on to places where Jews are more welcome and secure? There is no right or wrong answer to these questions, and each individual should decide for themselves. But a debate on the subject will help uncover the issues and factors to be weighed when making such important choices. Alan hosts this debate with Liel taking the position that Jews should stand their ground and fight, Mike taking the position that they should leave and build the Jewish future in other ways. . Am Yisrael Chai!

414 Hostages in the MediaThis is a painful topic. How should images of the hostages be handled by the media? What is informative and what is exploitive? And in terms of viewing, what is the line between being informed and harming self health? May better days arrive soon, and discussions like this no longer be relevant. Calev hosts this episode with Alan and Liel and Matt discussing the issues. Am Yisrael Chai!

413 LebanonThis episode discusses the military threat posed by Hezbollah in the North of Israel. We discuss the ongoing tensions, evacuations of Israeli residents, and the challenges faced in finding a resolution. The conversation highlights the significant military capabilities of Hezbollah, the historical context of conflicts in the region, and the psychological impact on the Israeli population. The uncertainty of diplomatic solutions and the potential for a military confrontation add complexity to the situation. Calev hosts this episode with Alan and Liel discussing the issues. Am Yisrael Chai!

412 ICC and ConsequencesWhat is the ICC? How is it different from the ICJ? What are the consequences of Israel being tried in the ICC? Is the ICC a legitimate judge of Israel? Should we even care? Jordana hosts this debate with Calev arguing that we should care, and Alan arguing that we shouldn’t. Am Yisrael Chai!

411 Iranian IntentionsWhen Iran directly attacked Israel in April they made history. Their proxies have been attacking Israel for years, but last April was the first time that the Islamic “Republic” launched a direct attack on the Jewish State. But was that attack a sign of Iranian strength or weakness? Did the Iranians intend to do more damage, or was the small amount done what they intended? Presumably, how we understand the last attack will help us understand the current impending one. It is of course possible that the Iranians are assessing the current situation in a different way. But they are also likely to be making very similar calculations again. Perhaps the debate in this episode is even more relevant than when we recorded it in June. Matt hosts this debate with Calev arguing that the Irainians failed in their mission, and that they meant for much more damage to be done to Israel. Mike argues that they succeeded in causing minimal damage. Am Yisrael Chai!

410 Complicated current politicsIn this episode, we delve into the turbulent landscape of Israeli politics following the recent departure of centrist ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot from the government. We explore the impact of their exit on the coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who formed an ultra-orthodox far-right government after the fifth elections in November 2022. Our discussion covers the rising discontent among Israeli citizens, marked by increasing Saturday night demonstrations that initially called for the return of hostages and have now merged to demand both a hostage deal and new elections. We examine the internal tensions within the government, particularly between the Shas and Otzma Yehudit parties, and speculate on the government's potential instability as it approaches the end of its shelf life.As the Knesset heads into a long recess, we consider whether Netanyahu can maintain his position amidst growing pressures and internal conflicts. Join us for an in-depth analy

409 Is Judicial Reform Dead? It feels like a million years ago that Israel was debating the government plan for judicial reforms. In the traumatic aftermath of October 7th, all of that fight has been left behind. But is that a permanent or a temporary shift? Once the dust settles after the defeat of Hamas, (God willing) will we once again be plunged into the divisive political battle over checks and balances in Israel? Mike hosts this episode’s debate, where Matt takes the position that it's still in play, and Benji argues that it's all in the rear view mirror. . Am Yisrael Chai!

408 Is it Time for Elections? “... It [is] not best to swap horses when crossing streams”, said Abraham Lincoln when running for reelection during the American Civil War. How well does that argument apply to Israel today?Polls show that Israelis have low confidence in the current government. This is a dangerous situation in a time of multiple major conflicts. But it is also dangerous to create a new election season in such a situation as well. Which is the greater danger? Should we push for elections as soon as possible, or wait till the war(s) settles down? Calev hosts this episode’s debate, where Matt takes the position that it's time to hold elections, and Alan argues we should wait till the war is over. Am Yisrael Chai!

407 National Security and Arab IsraelisIn the context of the Gaza war, many Jewish Israelis argue that their fellow citizens of Arab ethnicity present a security threat. Employment, access and movement must be monitored and perhaps restricted, according to this view. Is that concern reasonable? And even if it hypothetically is, can a democracy functionally discriminate based on the ethnicity of its citizens? How should a democratic Jewish state resolve this dilemma? Mike hosts this episode’s debate, where Matt takes the position that we can racially profile to maintain security, and Jordana argues that ethnicity must be ignored among Israeli citizens. Am Yisrael Chai!

406 Can Hamas be Contained? Until October 6th, the shared Israeli conception was that Hamas could be contained in the Gaza strip. Sure, the IDF would occasionally have to knock out their rocket launchers. But overall, that is something we could live with. Now since October 7th, is it possible to go back to that plan? Or has the reality changed leaving destruction of our enemies as the only valid option?Matt hosts this episode’s debate, where Calev takes the position that we can restore containment of our adversaries, and Mike argues that prompt and utter destruction is the only valid option. Am Yisrael Chai!

405 American AbstentionThe routine is that if Israel doesn’t approve of a United Nation Security Council resolution, the United States vetoes it. But in March, America abstained on UNSC resolution 2728. Israeli leaders (and many Israelis) were furious. Is this a big deal and a sign of things to come? Is the allyship between these two democratic nations deteriorating? Or is this just a typical dustup between administrations, soon to be in our rear view mirror? Benji hosts this episode’s debate, where Matt takes the position that this is a major setback in Israel/US relations that will have lasting consequences, and Mike argues that this is a tempest in a teapot that will be mostly forgotten. Am Yisrael Chai!

404 - How will this war be seen by history?Israel has fought Hamas in Gaza over and over again. There was Operation Cast Lead in 2008, Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, and Operation Protective Edge in 2014 just to name a few. Thousands of rockets have been launched at civilian areas of Israel and Israel has counter attacked over and over again. Will the current war, Operation Swords of Iron be just another battle in this long running war? Or will this war be remembered as a moment of change in Israel and the region? Matt hosts this episode’s debate, where Alan takes the position that this is a major turning point in Israeli History, and Calev argues that this will be another round in our long battles with Hamas. Am Yisrael Chai!

403 Should Freeing Hostages Be the Priority?The Gaza war has challenged Israel with countless moral dilemmas. One of the most painful relates to the efforts to free the hostages. Inevitably, missions to destroy Hamas will put the lives of Israeli hostages at risk. Conversely, delays for negotiations and deals to release hostages give Hamas time to regroup or escape. How should our leaders decide to prioritize between defeating our enemies and rescuing our citizens? Matt hosts this episode’s debate, where Jordana takes the position that the destruction of Hamas must be the highest priority, and Mike argues that freeing the . Am Yisrael Chai! Let us know what you think about the issue, and who you agree with. Enjoy! Please let us know what you think! This episode was edited by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is awesome!Theme music by Akiva Y. Unterberg.Masa WebsitePlease rate, review, share and recommend our podcast.

402 When can we critique the government?  “Don’t swap horses in the middle of the stream” - associated with Abraham Lincoln’s re-election campaign. Israelis, and Zionists worldwide, consistently complain about whatever government is in power.  But in the middle of a war, what are the rules? Can we openly critique, complain or even demand change of a government in the middle of a national crisis? Can we afford not to? Benji hosts this episode’s debate, where Calev takes the position that we must aggressively bring our complaints and demands to the government, and Liel argues that we must currently be cautious and gentle at this time. Am Yisrael Chai!

401 - Proportionality and International Humanitarian Law (IHL)After defining proportionality (enjoy the audio clip from the West Wing) there is so much to debate about the ethical conduct of the current war. While it is difficult for citizens to debate these issues with limited information, it is arguably their duty to do so. Is Israel correctly protecting civilian life in Gaza? Should it be sending in more humanitarian aid? How much should international opinion be taken into account? Calev hosts this episode’s debate, where Matt takes the position that Israel must improve its conduct in the conflict, and Mike argues that it does not. (followed by another West Wing clip)Am Yisrael Chai!

308 Framing the Conflict Post October 7Israelis and Zionists all had to have some understanding of the conflict with Palestinian Arabs. This was as true before October 7th as afterwards. In what ways do we need to reframe those understandings after the massacres? What discomforting truths did we avoid? What misconceptions have been disproven? Calev hosts this episode’s debate, where Benji takes the position that he must reframe his understanding of the conflict, and Mike argues that he does not. Am Yisrael Chai!