I am new to your substack and podcast and am enjoying listening to the current episode. I am not too far in, but I wanted to share something small and moving about the power of Israeli music. A friend of mine who lives in a kibbutz near the Gaza border has been telling me about everything she has gone through, sharing heartbreaking stories about her friends who were murdered or kidnapped. And other friends and family still alive who are dispersed through the country and cannot return home. Her life right now is going to funeral after funeral. Her grandchildren cannot go to school and cannot live on the kibbutz anymore.
It's such a dark time for her and other Israelis, but the lovely piece I wanted to share is that famous Israeli musicians are donating their time to singing at these funerals, when they find out they were the favorite artist of the deceased. People weep when they hear the music, awakened from the numb and shock into grief which must be felt. I am a musician and songwriter, and I know how powerful and healing music can be.
This was an absolutely fantastic podcast. I really appreciate how you three discussed the issues. I am old enough to remember the Jewish “whisper.” Later, When I was in college during the mid 70’s in California, I was made uncomfortable by anti-Zionist, pro Palestinian points of view rampant on my campus. A open discourse was not what was happening. Now here we are so many years later and nothing has changed for the better; it has gotten bolder.
But, I am encouraged by this conversation! So thank you and keep doing your amazing work. It is truly a gift
I loved this episode so much. I needed to laugh and smile. It was really interesting to hear you talk about Israel coming together after this attack. Not surprising at all but it made me realize that that kind of unification would not happen in America right now. We're too far gone. We also don't have the same foundation that Israel does, but I could see the deterioration that Yossi mentioned happening. Such an amazing conversation.
Very interesting conversation, I have some issues - but don't feel like airing them. It has to do with a blanket statement about Orthodox and right wing
I would like to add, I used to be modern Orthodox, here in the US I am right-leaning - most people would just call me a braindead right winger - without asking questions. I grew up in Israel and my brothers there can't stop spewing Netanyahu hate, even now. In the last election I wasn't happy he won - but he did - the hatred and rage were something to see - they are still something to see coming from my brothers. Of course he should go - the whole government should go - but then to hear shades of it from Halevi - yeah it bothers me. Btw, he and my brothers go on and on about the left - Edot Hamizrach who have their own reasons for being on the right - simply aren't mentioned.
Is the rage all the more so because the victims of this awful attack were mostly on the left? I don't know, but at a time when we are fighting for our lives - and yes, the Charedim have woken up and are joining in every way we can - I'd like to see less hate towards them.
Love the show. I was hoping the show notes would include a link to that Eretz Nehederet skit about summoning every type of Israeli to the front. The mere discussion of it got me weepy. I'd really like to see it.
I am new to your substack and podcast and am enjoying listening to the current episode. I am not too far in, but I wanted to share something small and moving about the power of Israeli music. A friend of mine who lives in a kibbutz near the Gaza border has been telling me about everything she has gone through, sharing heartbreaking stories about her friends who were murdered or kidnapped. And other friends and family still alive who are dispersed through the country and cannot return home. Her life right now is going to funeral after funeral. Her grandchildren cannot go to school and cannot live on the kibbutz anymore.
It's such a dark time for her and other Israelis, but the lovely piece I wanted to share is that famous Israeli musicians are donating their time to singing at these funerals, when they find out they were the favorite artist of the deceased. People weep when they hear the music, awakened from the numb and shock into grief which must be felt. I am a musician and songwriter, and I know how powerful and healing music can be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMDm03OXtEY
Thank you for sharing this example, as I had only heard about it from my friend. Heartbreaking and beautiful.
This was an absolutely fantastic podcast. I really appreciate how you three discussed the issues. I am old enough to remember the Jewish “whisper.” Later, When I was in college during the mid 70’s in California, I was made uncomfortable by anti-Zionist, pro Palestinian points of view rampant on my campus. A open discourse was not what was happening. Now here we are so many years later and nothing has changed for the better; it has gotten bolder.
But, I am encouraged by this conversation! So thank you and keep doing your amazing work. It is truly a gift
I loved this episode so much. I needed to laugh and smile. It was really interesting to hear you talk about Israel coming together after this attack. Not surprising at all but it made me realize that that kind of unification would not happen in America right now. We're too far gone. We also don't have the same foundation that Israel does, but I could see the deterioration that Yossi mentioned happening. Such an amazing conversation.
Very interesting conversation, I have some issues - but don't feel like airing them. It has to do with a blanket statement about Orthodox and right wing
Yes, very fair! Anything in particular?
Oh Chabad is different, but everyone else is lumped together as one. Same goes for ‘right wing’ there is no nuance, they are destroying democracy
I loved this article about Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum and American Orthodox voting habits. It brought more nuance to the convo here in the US https://forward.com/fast-forward/524348/hasidic-rabbi-assails-trumpism-rampant-among-the-orthodox/
I would like to add, I used to be modern Orthodox, here in the US I am right-leaning - most people would just call me a braindead right winger - without asking questions. I grew up in Israel and my brothers there can't stop spewing Netanyahu hate, even now. In the last election I wasn't happy he won - but he did - the hatred and rage were something to see - they are still something to see coming from my brothers. Of course he should go - the whole government should go - but then to hear shades of it from Halevi - yeah it bothers me. Btw, he and my brothers go on and on about the left - Edot Hamizrach who have their own reasons for being on the right - simply aren't mentioned.
Is the rage all the more so because the victims of this awful attack were mostly on the left? I don't know, but at a time when we are fighting for our lives - and yes, the Charedim have woken up and are joining in every way we can - I'd like to see less hate towards them.
Glad to see you have the bandwidth to podcast and cope simultaneously. You are strong. Love you two.
Love the show. I was hoping the show notes would include a link to that Eretz Nehederet skit about summoning every type of Israeli to the front. The mere discussion of it got me weepy. I'd really like to see it.