Makom Israel Teachers Lounge

Ready or not, the September Knesset elections are coming! Alan and Mike are here to catch you up on the new parties that have formed, how things look in the polls, and what to expect this time around. Join us! JU 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!

Sometimes, feedback to our podcast takes us by surprise. Several listeners couldn't understand why we listed problems with Israel's schools as something that troubled voters. Well, People of the Book have waited a long time to get our state back, and we need to get our national school system working right. So we decided to devote an episode to explaining the evolution, successes and challenges of our educational infrastructure. To do that, we invited an expert in the field of education and school building, Rabbi Dr. Barry Kislowicz. Mike interviews him to get to the bottom of what we're getting right, and what we aren't. Mike walked out much more informed, and even more optimistic, about Israeli schools. Join us! Barry Kislowicz's Book This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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

Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and Bashar al-Assad oversee a toxic brew in the country that used to be called Syria. What does that mean for Israel? How did it become this mess? Why is it keeping Israeli generals up at night? What has Israel been doing about it? What will Israel do about it? What does the Israeli military slang, "Mabam" mean? How does citizen morale on the homefront affect the strategy? Alan, Mike and Matt go evaluate the messy status quo, and discuss what this means going forward. Join us! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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!

In response to a listener request, Alan and Mike review the basics regarding the Palestinian refugee problem. Why is this an issue that's entering its eight decade? How did the problem begin, what has been done to address it? his episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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!

Israel is a major exporter of military resources, including weapons and training. But should countries have to reach at least a basic level of ethical policy before Israel sells them implements of destruction? Rabbi Avidan Freedman thinks so, and he explains why to Alan and Mike. They discuss the issue with him, and what can possibly be done about it. Join us! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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!

Was the Bahrain peace conference a meaningful attempt to break the status quo of the Israeli Palestinian conflict? Or a cynical attempt to bribe Middle Easterners into acquiescence? Alan and Mike debate the pros and cons of the initiative, and what a sensible response should be from the Palestinian leadership. Join us! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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!

Is there a culture war brewing in Israel over religion in the public sphere? If so, is it being driven by politicians and the media? Or is it much ado about nothing? Join Alan and Mike as they separate reality from hype. This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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 New York Times tried to make a big story out of a passing statement by US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman. Alan and Mike make sense out of it, and explain what is (and isn't) going on in the West Bank. Join us! Saeb Erekat explains why he gives up. This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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!

It caused quite a hubbub around Israel when MK Bezalel Smotrich claimed that he wanted the Israeli legal system to go back to Torah law, like in the days of King David. Alan, Mike and Matt sort out the backlash, backtrack and vitriol. What sort of legal system should Israel follow? What are the options? Join us! Time of Israel Article Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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!

Two Knesset elections in 2019?! What is going on? Clearly, this is a mess. We put the main actors in this bizarre and unprecedented Israeli political event "on trial." Liberman, Bibi and Litzman each get prosecuted and defended by Alan, Mike and Matt. Are there good guys and bad guys? Is this messiness part of global governmental dysfunction? Join us as we decipher the bizarre aftermath of the failed 21st Knesset! Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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!  

Its coming down to a nail biting finish! Will Israel have a government by Wednesday? Or will the coalition talks collapse bringing us to new elections? This 10 minute update will fill you in on the situation, and we'll bring you up to date on what happened on the regular Thursday episode. Yikes! Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page! These episodes are usually recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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

We have all noticed the increasing number of Anti-Semitic incidents over the past few years? But has a qualitative change occurred as well? What data would help us decide? Are discussions of Jews and Israel in foreign governments an indication of some change? Alan, Mike and Matt discuss matters of existential importance to Jews everywhere. Join us! Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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 summarising Israel's 70th year, Alan and Mike discuss how Israel has measured up to its founders' dreams. What would the Labor Zionists think of Israel in 2019? What about the Cultural and Political Zionists think? What would surprise them for exceeding their wildest dreams? What would disappoint them as failures? Join us! P.S. Let us know if you want a bonus episode about Revisionists and Arabs. Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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 Gaza battles this past weekend were, to some, just another round in the ongoing conflict. But for the people who live in the communities on the border, it was dangerous, painful and stressful to say the least. Alan and Mike headed down to Kibbutz Alumim to hear what it is like. Please listen to this important episode, and stay tuned for upcoming episodes analysing this round of the conflict, and reflecting on the state of the State as it turns 71. Kibbutz Alumim Website Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page! JU 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!

How is the Holocaust taught differently to Israeli and Diaspora students? How is the Holocaust relevant to this generation? Alan and Mike sat down with Mesorati High School educator, David Behrman, and talked about the role the Shoah plays in Jewish identity today and in the future. Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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!

Passover celebrates the Jews becoming a nation. What does that nation stand for? Join us for a discussion with Professor Benjamin Ish-Shalom. First, he makes his case that our values must define our national identity. Then he goes through actual case studies of military ethical dilemmas that he and his staff have dealt with at Beit Morasha. Patient and curious listeners will be rewarded ad inspired. If Passover is the festival of freedom, Professor Ish-Shalom reminds us that we are free to become out best selves. Enjoy! The Professor's Beit Morasha Web Page Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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!

Alan and Mike sit down with Benji on the day that President Rivlin begins the process of assembling a Government out of the newly elected Knesset. What is the role of the President? How meaningful is it? Why is he choosing to begin the negotiations on a public broadcast for the first time? Can Israel maintain a sense of national unity in such a divisive political atmosphere? If so, how do we do it? For answers to these questions and more, join us! Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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 results are in! (Well, at least 97% of them as of Wednesday, April 10th in the afternoon) Alan, Mike and Matt sit down on the morning after to sort out the surprises, the non-surprises, and what these results mean for the future. Who's in? Who's out? Who's in control? Want to try to make order out of the hubbub? Join us? Google Election Result Chart Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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!

Oh boy!!! Elections are next week, and we are all on the edge of our seats! Alan, Mike and Matt catch up on what has changed since our last election episode, (Zehut crossed the threshold, last minute Likud and Labor surges) and then turn to the issues that confront Israeli voters. What concerns will Israelis bring to the polls? How will those concerns be prioritised? What concerns do our intrepid teacher's bring with them to the lounge as well as the ballot box? Join us to find out! Our Election resources Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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!

Why has Hamas been launching rockets into central Israel? Why now? How is Israel responding? Why did President Trump change the US policy toward the Golan Heights? Why now? What will all of this mean for the upcoming elections? Alan, Mike and Benji address all of these questions and more. Trying to understand these current events? Join us! Let us know what you think on our Facebook Page! This episode was recorded at the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is the best! JU 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!