Makom Israel Teachers Lounge

After a brief check in putting the latest political news into perspective, Alan and Mike begin a podcast mini-series. They feel that not enough attention is paid to a text that they are sure will end up as a classic Jewish text: Israel's Declaration of Independence. Join them as they begin the process of unpacking the text, which will continue in upcoming episodes. This is part 1A, and will be continued in episode 37. Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_Declaration_of_Independence Foreign Ministry page http://tinyurl.com/n7jv5zp Old Israeli film about the Declaration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5Y9j1WhrKc Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/ Contact us http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/contact-us

As the USA celebrates its 241 birthday, Lior, Alan and Mike reflect on what it shares in common with the 69 year old Israel. Unusually, both countries were invented to fulfill dreams. Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/ Contact us http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/contact-us

We welcome new regular member Lior Krinski, and Benji's back for a troubling topic. After the government rejected plans to implement agreed upon renovations of the pluralistic prayer space at the Kotel, the relationship between Israel and diaspora Jews has reached a tense crossroads. How did this happen, and where do we go from here? What is happening http://www.timesofisrael.com/there-is-already-pluralistic-prayer-at-the-western-wall-heres-what-would-have-changed/ History of Kotel use http://www.timesofisrael.com/when-men-and-women-prayed-together-at-the-western-wall/ Sharansky Interview http://www.timesofisrael.com/sharansky-we-may-solve-western-wall-and-conversion-crises-im-not-sure-we-can-rebuild-trust/ David Horovitz Op-Ed http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-and-the-wall-he-broke-it-he-must-fix-it/ Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheTeacher

First of all, Zeev is back! With the return of the Zen master of Israel articulation, we turn to lofty subjects like the future of Israel education, gap year studies, and educational technology. With special cameo appearances by an actual smart person for once, my wife Dara. (she tried to stayed bored on the sidelines and read a book, but she couldn't resist joining the conversation. That's a good sign, right?) Neil Postman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Postman Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/ Contact us http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/contact-us

Do you think that Hebrew Book Week shouldn't interest you? Let us convince you otherwise. Alan and Mike interview publicist Stuart Schnee about the role this event has played in the current Jewish renaissance. They discuss how and why we should all participate in it. There is so much going on in Israel that must not be missed! Join us as we begin to explore the cultural explosion being brought about by the Zionist endeavour. Stuart Schnee http://stuartschnee.com/Wordpress/ Hebrew Book Week https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_Book_Week Hillel Halkin on Jewish Culture gap http://bit.ly/2r8o4GG David Hazony on the opportunity it provides http://bit.ly/2s8aqD8 Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/ Contact us http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/contact-us

Ok, so enough about the 50th anniversary already. Alan and Mike zoom out to discuss the current turmoil in the Middle East and how it affects Israelis. While explaining their concept of the "Power Paradigm", Alan nominates Mike for President. Of something or other. We really like this episode a lot. Qatar - https://goo.gl/maps/SFR4FnCPaLp Matti Friedman on the entrenched narrative - http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/183033/israel-insider-guide Matti Friedman interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Fjd3-WQeE Bibi agreed to maximal peace offer that Abbas rejected - http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-okayed-us-draft-setting-67-lines-as-start-for-talks-report/ Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/ Contact us http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/contact-us

Ever wonder what students ask their teachers? With Alan away, this episode takes place in the classroom instead of the teachers lounge. The exceptional young women of Midreshet Harova ask Mike the questions they want answered about being on campus next year. Maybe you have the same questions, or maybe you're curious about the concerns that Jewish gap year students have about life on campus. Either way, we hope that you'll find this episode insightful and interesting. Let us know! Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/ Contact us http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/contact-us

Now that the roads are back open and life has gone back to (what passes for) normal in Israel, Alan and Mike unpack President Trump's trip to the Middle East. Will there be changes to the status quo? Or is this all sound and fury signifying nothing? You can read and watch the Saudi Arabia speech here: http://time.com/4787609/donald-trump-saudi-arabia-speech-2/ The Israel speech: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.791340 Trump denying that he mentioned the word "Israel" to the Russians, despite the fact that nobody claimed that he did. For many, this is him NOT denying leaking sensitive Israeli information. http://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-says-he-never-mentioned-israel-in-leak-to-russians/ Dennis Ross: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Ross Mike on Jews and Presidents: http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/blog/fail-to-the-chief Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page https://www

This year's big Gap Year event was at the Israeli premiere of JerusalemU's new film, "Hummus: The Movie". Alan and Mike decided to interview attendees with questions about gap year, the Jewish future, culture, and of course, hummus. It's an unusual episode outside the walls of the Teachers Lounge, but we thought you might like to meet our students and colleagues and hear what they have to say. We found it to be very interesting, and hope you do too. Curious about the movie? Check out the website: http://www.hummusthemovie.com/ The Venue: http://www.yesplanet.co.il/jerusalem Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/ Contact us http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/contact-us

Its a shorter episode than usual, recorded on a break between classes. But hey, teachas gonna teach. Alan and Mike waste no time getting politically philosophical about Israel's democracy. In what ways is it similar or different from other Western nation states? Why is is so essential to Israel's identity? Why should democracy be essential for every nation? P.S. Why isn't anybody making a musical about Jefferson? Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/ Contact us http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/contact-us

With Abbas visiting Trump, and Hamas releasing a new political document, Alan and Mike discuss their takes on the latest in Palestinian politics. Daniel Polisar discussion of Palestinian opinion poll data https://mosaicmagazine.com/essay/2017/04/do-palestinians-want-a-two-state-solution/ Great source for news about internal Palestinian politics https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/author/Khaled+Abu+Toameh Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/ Contact us http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/contact-us

Identity, ethnicity and nationality are complicated topics underlying much of the turmoil that we are seeing around the world. What does it mean to really be French? Or American? These questions are driving politics in those countries. Is there any wonder that Jews and Israelis face complicated questions as well? Listener Noam was intrigued by last episode's discussion of Jewish Nationalism as the defining idea of Zionism and the State of Israel. He posted his questions on our Facebook page (address is below) and even sent us a voice message! This week, Alan, Benji and Mike address those questions, and explore modern Jewish nationalism. The Ruth Calderon webinar for the Shalom Hartman Institute can be found on our Facbook page. (address below) For a seemingly unrelated discussion that is VERY relevant, you can listen to author Andrew Sullivan discuss the complicated nature of national identity in our time, and how it is impacting global politics. It will be the topic of his upcoming article in New York

Sometimes you need to put daily details aside, and get to the big ideas. Alan and Mike take on what seems like a simple question: What are the Jews? They talk about why even Jews find this difficult to answer, and why Zionism has a pretty specific answer. Believe it or not, the Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews (its not bad!) Listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests. Our Website: http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/podcasts Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/ Contact us: http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/contact-us

Since today in Yom Aliya, we're dropping this bonus mini-episode. Marc Rosenberg from episode 23 explains who he is, and how he got to where he is today. Enjoy!

Happy Yom Aliya! This year, Aliya day falls on April 6th. Before it gets lost in the Passover hubbub, Alan and Mike decided to interview Marc Rosenberg, Director of the Pre-Aliyah Department at Nefesh B’Nefesh. With some surprising data and much food for thought, this episode is fascinating and thought provoking, no matter where you live in the world. Background on Yom Aliya - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_HaAliyah Background on Marc - http://www.nbn.org.il/aliyah-inspiration/nbn-behind-scenes-marc-rosenberg/ Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersLoungePodcast/ Contact us - http://juisrael.jerusalemu.org/contact-us