Makom Israel Teachers Lounge

Is Israel too reliant on fossil fuels? How can we become truly sustainable and independent? Is our current energy grid a national security danger? If so, what can be done about that? Can Israel export energy advances around the region? The world? Alan and Mike sat down with Yossi Abramowitz, (aka Kaptain Sunshine) who addresses these questions and more. He explains his amazing accomplishments, and why he thinks his work is quintessentially Jewish and Zionist. Join us! Kaptain Sunshine's Wikipedia page This episode was recorded by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. Makom Website 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.

Are things as problematic as they seem to be in the UK? How did Jeremy Corbyn become leader of the Labour party? Why are they accused of (at least) tolerating antisemitism? Why was the Chief Rabbi speaking out so shocking? What will happen if Labour wins? What is they lose? Alan and Mike get a thorough briefing from Arieh Kovler. Join us! Arieh Kovler is a Jerusalem-based politics and communications expert, and a writer and commentator on global politics. Before his aliya he was the Head of Policy and Research at the UK's Jewish Leadership Council and the founding director of the anti-boycott Fair Play Campaign Group. Arieh was a steering committee member of the Global Coalition for Israel and has advised the Israeli government. This episode was recorded by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. Makom Website Facebook page Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us

As we announced on our breaking news episode, two overlapping unprecedented events just occurred in Israel. The failure of the second attempt to form a government coalition and the multiple indictments of a sitting Prime Minister. Alan and Mike try to make sense of it all, and explain what it means. How is Netanyahu challenging the indictments? What will it mean for forming a coalition? What is happening within Likud now? Is there any way to know what happens next? Join us! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. Makom Website 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.  

Just a head up, guys. This is bonkers. Two overlapping unprecedented events just occurred in Israel. The failure of the second attempt to form a government coalition and the multiple indictments of a sitting Prime Minister. Alan and Mike briefly explain what is happening (as best as they can!) and invite you to submit your questions for our full Monday episode. Stay tuned! Don't miss this past week's regular episode about changing American policy on Jewish West Bank settlements. Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. Makom Website Makom staff page with emails 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.

After briefly catching up on coalition negotiations and reflecting on Gaza conflict, Alan, Mike and Matt turn their attention to the new American policy on the legality of West Bank settlements. Why did it change? What are the legal arguments on both sides? How will this new policy affect Israeli plans and international politics? What, if anything, will change at all? This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. 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 your friend

Once again, hundreds of rockets are launched at Israel by Islamic Jihad in Gaza. After reviewing and explaining this particular round of the conflict, Alan and Mike interview Eli Goldman. Eli recently finished his IDF army service, and explains what its like to serve on the Gaza border during rocket attacks and mass "protests". Who was Baha Abu al-Ata? What's the difference between Islamic Jihad and Hamas? How and why is Israel helping Hamas out? How do soldiers keep safe under fire? How do they protect civilian lives? What does it feel like to be in such close proximity to terrorists? How does it feel to be at home this time watching the conflict on tv instead of from your army base. So many questions! Join us for answers! Previous episodes about life on the Gaza border: Episode 123 - Adults and kids in Kibbutz Alumim Episode 81 - Judith Spanglet ~ From Trauma to Resilience This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced

Coalition negotiations for control of the government seem to be going nowhere. What does it mean that Gantz controls them? What are the possible ways to break the deadlock? How are Israelis viewing this process? Is there light at the end of this tunnel? Alan, Mike and our political expert Rajel hash it out. Join us! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. 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 your friends!    

Zionism's founders wanted to change Jewish character and culture. In 2019, the data is in, and we can now see that they succeeded. (although not necessarily in the ways they intended)  In this important episode, Alan and Mike interview Shmuel Rosner. Shmuel Rosner's Webpage with many relevant links This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. 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 your friends!

Who leads the Boycott Divest and Sanction against Israel movement? What are their goals? What are their methods? Do they really care about human rights, or do they just hate Israel? What have they accomplished? Where are they failing? How do we engage to defeat them without raising their profile and status? Join Alan and Mike as they go through the basics of this disturbing fad. This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. 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 your friends!

The news is moving quickly, and there's a lot to digest. What is happening to the Kurds in Syria? Who are they? How is this new attack from Turkey going to affect the region? What are Israelis saying about all this? Why is this relevant to us? After discussing the Sukkot holiday season in Israel, Alan and Mike explain the story behind the headlines and why this story matters. Join us! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. 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 your friends!

After Rosh HaShana, Israeli media focused on several stories. These included a domestic murder, Arab Israeli protests and several fluid scenarios in the Middle East. What does the murder of Michal Sela tell us about Israeli society? What do Arab protests over insufficient policing tell us about minorities in Israel? What do the shifting diplomatic sands in the region mean for Iran and Israel? How do these stories connect? Alan, Mike and Matt discuss these weighty matters. Join us! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. 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 your friends!

If coalition building wasn't consuming the headlines, the possible torture of an alleged terrorist ringleader would be getting more attention. Alan, Mike and Benji discuss the case of Samer Arbid, the man accused of being responsible for the murder of 17 year old Rina Shnerb last August. What happened in this case? What is a "ticking time-bomb" case, and why is it treated differently by Israeli security forces? Does torture raise the same questions as the security barrier? What are the ethical and legal guidelines for torture of a suspect? Who decides what's allowed and what isn't? How does this connect back to the brewing coalition talks? For this and more, join us! Latest News on the Case (as of recording) This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. Please subscribe, listen to more episodes, and let us know what you think! We are happy to take topic r

Dr. Steve Klein joins us to help explain the fascinating but complicated role that Arab parties play in Israel politics. Often minorities get overlooked, but in this unusual week, Israelis are talking about an ever evolving demographic. What about this past week was so unusual? Why don't Arab parties usually want to join government coalitions? How do social and cultural issues complicate the politics? Are there political parallels to this situation in other countries? Are there other similar complicated parties in Knesset? What are the subdivisions in the Arab demographic and how do express their voices politically? Its an important episode addressing an often overlooked topic that requires unpacking. Join us! Information on Steve's upcoming Winter mini-course at Hebrew U - Minorities in Israel Dr. Steven Klein is an adjunct professor at both Tel Aviv University and Ben Gurion University. He is an editor at the Haaretz newspaper and a frequent contributor of op-eds to Haaretz and other news outlets. He earned

Welcome new team member Rajel Leghziel to help us figure out what just happened. The results are (mostly) in, so what will happen now? What do we find our students asking the most? Why shouldn't we ask "who won"? Also, did Liberman just win? What might happen in the next several weeks? Was this a good outcome for Israeli democracy? Rajel is a great new addition to the podcast, with a new voice and perspective and this is her inaugural episode. Join us! For Makom's full package of election materials, perfect for teachers or students, go to this link. This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. 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 your friends!

Knesset elections are this coming Tuesday! Alan and Mike gained wisdom and insight from Haviv Rettig Gur, Senior Political Analyst at Times of Israel. After explaining what that job is, and why he does it, we challenged him to make sense out of the pre-election chaos. Why has politics become all about shenanigans, instead of policy discussions? How is that shaping our culture? What are the parties really arguing about? What are they agreeing on? How will the next coalition process work, and what happens if they fail? Will we really annex the Jordan valley? Most importantly, should we be optimistic about Israeli democracy?! Whether you are a political junkie or a neophyte, Haviv explains things in a way that is accessible and fascinating. DON'T MISS THIS EPISODE!!!! Haviv's byline at the Times of Israel For Makom's full package of election materials, perfect for teachers or students, go to this link. This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is

After debating Israel's new tactic of faking out Hizbullah with staged casualties, Alan, Mike and Benji weight the value of gap year Israel study. What role should it play in Israel education? Why are the number of gap year students so small outside of the Orthodox community? Are the Orthodox using the experience wisely? How has the experience changed over the last 30 years? What can we expect in the future? Interested in security on the northern border and Israel education? Join us! [This is the repaired version of this episode! Sorry about this week's glitches! :(] Matt's Times of Israel Blog This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. 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 your friends!

Israeli's are hardly focusing on the upcoming elections, but are watching the news from the Northern front very carefully. What was the Israeli attack in Syria about? Why are the public statements from Lebanon so belligerent? Why is Iran always at the center of this, and why is Bibi so focused on them? What role does religion play in this conflict? Alan and Mike lay out the facts and share their perspectives. Join us! Hezbollah on Wikipedia We are so thrilled to be back recording at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. 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 your friends!

Are you as exhausted as we are? Between Omar and Tlaib's bad faith Israel trip, Israel barring congressional representatives and Trump questioning Jewish loyalty, its been a pretty crazy week. Alan, Mike and Matt try to find the teachable moments in the current political bruhaha. Welcome back, Matt! Thanks for bringing us a load of news from the States. Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. 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 your friends!

After this summer's protests, the Ethiopian Israeli community was a major topic of discussion. How did those clashes with police come to be?How far has the Israeli Ethiopian community come in their decades of aliya? How are they treated by their fellow Israelis? What is it like to be a minority among other Jews? What is yet to be accomplished? Pnina Agenyahu sat with Alan and Mike to discuss police profiling and the complexity of being Jew of color in Israel. She shared her views on the accomplishments and challenges of this important demographic. Also, she explained why we need to discuss these issues with more understanding, frequency and urgency. Please join us for this moving and important conversation! Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. 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 y

What's happening with the American Peace plan? Why is UNRWA losing money? Why is Israel permitting building 700 Arab homes in the West Bank but demolishing others in Jerusalem? Alan and Mike join guest contributor Calev Ben Dor of the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre to get you up to date. Join us! Calev Ben Dor at BICOM Makom Israel Teachers Lounge is a weekly podcast produced by Matt Lipman, and hosted by Michael Unterberg and Alan Goldman. 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 your friends!