Makom Israel Teachers Lounge

We all know individual aliya stories. But returning guest Marc Rosenberg, of Nefesh B'Nefesh, helped Liel and Mike get a sense of the big picture. How has Covid affected aliya? How has aliya changed over time and history? Do more Jews move into or out of Israel? Join us for this engaging and insightful discussion of these and so many more questions!Profile of MarcRe-listen to our 2017 interview with MarcThe Israel Conversation by Masa Israel Journey is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Liel Zahavi-Asa.Facebook pagePlease rate, review, share and recommend our podcast.If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Masa teacher.

The Israeli government is turning it attention to the high crime rate in Arab cities. Why is the violent crime rate so high? How does it affect broader Israeli societies? How do journalists uncover the facts within these stories? Liel and Mike spoke to Times of Israel's Emanuel Fabian to get a better understanding of this ongoing Israeli problem. Join us! Emanuel FabianRecent stories on the topic in the Times of IsraelThe Israel Conversation by Masa Israel Journey is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Liel Zahavi-Asa.Facebook pagePlease rate, review, share and recommend our podcast.If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Masa teacher.

United States funding for Israel's Iron Dome program was called into question by some Democrats. What do these complications mean for the relationship between the two countries? What does it mean for American politics? What are the Zionist implications? And why is twitter so full of bad takes? Benji joined Liel and Mike to hash out these questions in a surprisingly wide ranging conversation. Join us! (note: the episode was recorded on Thursday morning before the funding was passed overwhelmingly in the US House of Representatives.) TOI ArticleThe Israel Conversation by Masa Israel Journey is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Liel Zahavi-Asa.Facebook pagePlease rate, review, share and recommend our podcast.If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Masa teacher.

Calev Ben Dor joined Liel and Mike to forecast the new Jewish year 5782. What stories should we be watching for? What might surprise us? What are leaders worried about, and what should we look forward to? Join us!

This week, Liel and Mike spoke to Lazar Berman, the Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter, about his unexpected Shabbat in Washington D.C. with Prime Minister Bennet's entourage. What was the experience like? Is it hard for a journalist to become part of the story? What did Prime Minister Bennet accomplish? What did they hear off the record? (also, what does "off the record" really mean?) To hear about all of this and more, join us! Lazar's article at the TOI The Israel Conversation by Masa Israel Journey is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Liel Zahavi-Asa. Facebook page Please rate, review, share and recommend our podcast. If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Masa teacher.

The unfolding chaos of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan is painful to watch. What does it mean to the region? What does it mean to Israel? When we have questions about the region, we turn to Geo-politics expert and master educator Miri Eisen. Mike and Liel asked her for context, perspective, and any possible reasons for optimism. Join us!  (audio repaired) Miri Eisen (Col. Ret.) The Israel Conversation by Masa Israel Journey is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Liel Zahavi-Asa. Facebook page Masa Israel Journey strengthens the strategic bond between the Jewish People and the State of Israel, by providing every young Jew with the opportunity for a life-changing long-term experience in Israel. Masa offers hundreds of diverse semester to year long programs, as well as complimentary mid-length programs, with a focus on career development, Jewish learning, tikkun olam and Aliyah preparation. Please rate, review, share and recommend our podcast. If you have further q

This summer, Israel's largest Olympic team brought back two gold medals! (for an all time total of 4!) What does it mean for such a young country? How is the heterogeneous nature of our society at play here? What were the political and cultural conflicts caused by joining this international event? For a run through and analysis of what the Israelis were talking about, Mike and Liel discuss the social consequences of this summer's Olympics. Join us! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please rate and review us on Apple and recommend us to friends! Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions. If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Makom teacher.

In this extra long episode, listener favorite Haviv Rettig Gur joins Mike and new co-host Liel Zahavi-Asa to discuss his recent article about antisemitism. Why do Israelis struggle to understand antisemitism? What role does antisemitism play in Israeli politics? What did Zionists get right or wrong about antisemitism? Is optimism unrealistic? For this and so much more, join us! Haviv's article Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please rate and review us on Apple and recommend us to friends! Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions. If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Makom teacher.

The new government is planning to change religion and state rules in Israel. Kashrut certification is the first item on that agenda. Benji and Matt invited Wendy Barrish and Yochi Rappeport from Women of the Wall to discuss their work, and what they think is possible given the new political horizon. Join us! Women of the Wall Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please rate and review us on Apple and recommend us to friends! Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions. If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Makom teacher.

The recent conflict in Gaza led to difficult conversations. Not least for liberal American Jews. Mike and Benji invited Rabbi Bradley Artson to discuss his open letter to Rabbinical students about framing those conversations with empathy. Where are liberal American Jews today when it comes to Israeli current events? How can we communicate productively when we disagree passionately? How can our different perspectives enrich us, rather than divide us? What do these difficult conversations say about us? What do they mean for our future? Join us! Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson is the Vice President at the American Jewish University, and holds the Abner & Roslyn Goldstine Dean’s Chair at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. Rabbi Artson's Letter The AP Article Rabbi Artson's Website Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please rate and review us on Apple and recommend us to friends! Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and

How can a government coalition work if its members are so different? How did they handle their first week in power? What signs are there for the future? If you are pro-Israel, a Zionist or just a civics nerd, there are all sorts of questions on your mind. Mike, Benji and Matt came together in the good old teachers lounge to share their perspectives on this new experiment in Israeli democracy. Join us! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions. And please rate and review us on Apple. Recommend us to friends. If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Makom teacher.

Blake Flayton helped form the New Zionist Congress in response to growing antisemitism on college campuses. What are his goals? What is really happening on campus? Why is there a rise in antisemitism on the left? What does all of this mean for the future? Mike and Benji invited him to the podcast to find out what he's doing and what his goals are. Join us! Blake Flayton on Tablet Blake on Twitter Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions. And please rate and review us on Apple. Recommend us to friends. If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Makom teacher.

After four elections in two years, a new coalition agreement has been formed! But will it actually work? Who are the very different parties that have agreed to join? What are they getting out of it? Is this good for Israeli culture and democracy? Alan returns as a guest to hash it all out with Mike and Benji. Join us! (recorded at 3:30 Israel time on Thursday) Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions. And please rate and review us on Apple. Recommend us to friends. If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Makom teacher.

Before the current crisis and today's ceasefire, the conversation about Israel was already hard for us to grasp. Why is there so much focus on, and misunderstanding about, Israel and Zionism? How do we deal with it all? We invited journalist, writer and translator, Eylon Levy, to speak to a group of Rimon students. The past couple of weeks have been hard to deal with for all of us. We are sharing Eylon's international Zoom session with you this week, because we think it helps put things into perspective. Enjoy! Eylon Levy on Twitter The Rimon Movement Our Rimon Episode Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions. And please rate and review us on Apple. Recommend us to friends. If you have further questions about the events happening in Israel, please feel free to contact your Makom teacher.

Why the rockets from Gaza? Why are there race riots in Israeli cities? Why does social media and journalism distort the story? What should we do to maintain our equilibrium? Mike recorded his class at Midreshet HaRova unpacking these questions. Listen to the first half hour as Mike gives his personal understanding and perspective. Then listen in for the Q&A as long as you like. If you're a current or former student of our Israel course, it will feel very familiar. If not, buckle up for the ride and join us! (Because it was recorded live in a classroom, the sound quality may not be quite the same as usual. But we think you'll agree that it came out very well. Mike repeated questions from students, so if you have trouble hearing them it will be made clear) Previous episodes interviewing Israelis from the South explaining life under rocket fire: Interview with Judith Spanglet in Ashkelon, explaining mental health challenges in the region. Interviews with members of Kibbutz Alumim about life on the Gaza bor

Alan Goldman visited Mike and Matt in the teachers lounge to discuss current events. What caused the Lag Ba'Omer tragedy in Meron? What do we know a week later and what are people saying? Why are there evictions and protests in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah? These are troubling and difficult issues and Alan helps us understand them. Join us! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions. And please rate and review us on Apple. Recommend us to friends.

Wondering why there's still no Israeli government? What's the holdup? Will Netanyahu pull it off? Or has he gone a magic trick too far? Can the anti-Netanyahu bloc outmaneuver him and form their own coalition government? Political experts (and friends of the podcast) Calev Ben-Dor & Rajel Leghziel joined Mike and Matt to explain it all. Join us! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions. And please rate and review us on Apple. Recommend us to friends.

What just happened in Jordan? Was it an attempted coup or wasn't it? How should we understand Israel's warm/cold relationship with Jordan? What are its internal dynamics? Mike and Matt invited returning guest Dr. Eran Lerman to give us a Jordan primer and explain current events. Join us! Eran Lerman Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions. And please rate and review us on Apple. Recommend us to friends.

What is the ICC? Why are they investigating alleged war crimes among Israelis and Palestinians? Why does it anger so many Israelis? Dr. Shany Mor returns to the podcast to explain. Join us! Shany Mor ICC Investigation - Wikipedia Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions. And please rate and review us on Apple. Recommend us to friends.

It's an extra long episode. We invited friend of the podcast Haviv Rettig Gur to explain Israeli elections to a group of Rimon students. (see links below about the Rimon Movement. As usual, Haviv wove data and anecdotes into an explanatory narrative that made so much sense out of Israel's unique system of government. We just had to share it! The first hour is Haviv explaining his thesis, in his usual engaging manner, followed by Q&A with students. You can listen to all or part of it, but we think the whole episode is rewarding from start to finish. Enjoy! Haviv at TOI Rimon Episode Rimon Movement Mike's Comic with Zvi Ron explaining Israeli Elections Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg. Facebook page Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic requests and questions. And please rate and review us on Apple. Recommend us to friends.