Podcasts about Israelis

Wednesday on the News Hour, Ukraine proposes demilitarized zones in Russian-occupied areas, the latest plan for ending the nearly four-year invasion. Judy Woodruff reports from a small New Hampshire town on how the answer to nationwide political divisions may begin within our own communities. Plus, Palestinian Christians make the journey to Bethlehem, navigating Israeli checkpoints along the way. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

*Previously aired episode* Matt Faircloth interviews Jonah Bamberger of Aulder Capital, diving into his journey from growing up in Maryland, serving in the Israeli military, and transitioning into real estate investing. Jonah shares how he started with rent-stabilized multifamily in Brooklyn, expanded to suburban areas along the East Coast, and recently ventured into development in Portugal. The conversation covers the importance of networking, regulatory challenges in different markets, and the shift in real estate opportunities amid changing economic conditions. Jonah also discusses how Aulder Capital is focusing on value-add multifamily deals in the U.S. while leveraging unique opportunities in international markets. Jonah Bamberger CEO Based in NYC, Maryland, Myrtle Beach, Portugal Join us at Best Ever Conference 2026! Find more info at: https://www.besteverconference.com/  Join the Best Ever Community  The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It's free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.  Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow. Apply now at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.bestevercommunity.com⁠⁠ Podcast production done by⁠ ⁠Outlier Audio⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this deeply moving Mussar Masterclass (Day 109), Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe concludes the Gate of Remembrance in Orchos Tzaddikim with the final three remembrances, dedicating the session to the speedy recovery of his newborn preemie grandson (Tinoch ben Mi'ira bat Zahava) in the Jerusalem NICU. He urges listeners to pray Psalms and dedicate Torah study as merit for the baby and mother.The 28th remembrance: Treat everything—soul, spouse, children, possessions—as an outright gift to Hashem, fully dedicated to His service. Accept all decrees with love, trusting Hashem completely, earning immense reward even without trials.The 29th: Internal value trumps external—beauty, wealth, or status mean nothing without inner holiness, Torah, and spirituality. Avoid superficiality; invest in wisdom and purity over fleeting externals.The 30th (final): This world is a foreign land; we arrive as strangers sustained solely by Hashem's miracle. Like a vulnerable immigrant under a king's protection, humble yourself, abandon pride, and exert every effort to serve the King (Hashem) faithfully, knowing He alone controls life, success, and exit—without intermediaries.Rabbi Wolbe emphasizes constant awareness of divine control (illustrated by recent missile miracles near Tel Aviv airport), rejecting "happenstance" (mikre = only from Hashem), and prioritizing spiritual investment over materialism. The episode ends with profound gratitude for life's fragility and Hashem's constant presence.Recorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on May 5, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 25, 2025_____________This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired! Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.Your support makes a HUGE difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#JewishInspiration, #Mussar, #MasterClass, #Remembrance, #Dedication, #Internal, #Holiness, #Divine, #Miracles ★ Support this podcast ★

Jewish immigration to Israel, and Israeli emigration from it, is actually a sign that Zionism has been a great success.

Senate Democrats fail to stop the confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI director. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has decided to call it quits … in two years. Civics lesson for members of the White House press. Update on ending the income tax. DOGE dividend checks coming? DEI is withering on the vine … or is it? Update on the asteroid's chances of hitting Earth. Hamas celebrates the deaths of innocent Israelis while releasing remains of hostages. Vice President JD Vance discusses his faith and tries to encourage young people in America. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) says we don't need a refund check from the government. Democrats are in disarray. President Trump wants to inspect Fort Knox to see if there's any gold in there. KFC moving to Texas! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Public perception of the US-Israel relationship has swung wildly in recent years. With a growing number of Americans more critical of the Israeli government than ever, it's high time for Democrats to have an open and honest debate about the future of US policy in the region. Amb. Daniel Shapiro joins David Rothkopf to break down this thorny issue and what difficult choices lie ahead.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Legal and settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Defense Minister Israel Katz told settlements leaders on Tuesday that, “With God’s help when the time comes, we will also establish… pioneer groups in northern Gaza, in place of the settlements that were evacuated.” He later walked back his statements, but not before Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich doubled down on them and also pushed for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convince US President Donald Trump to recognize annexation of the West Bank in his upcoming US trip. We dive into the issues of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and West Bank in the first half of the program. The IPC famine monitoring organization stated on Friday that food security conditions in the entire Gaza Strip “remain critical,” in a new report covering the second half of October and all of November that classified the territory as being in its “Emergency” Phase 4 category — the fourth highest of its five levels of food insecurity. Sharon explains Israel's criticism of the report and raises the question of whether the Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry has been manipulating its numbers of war casualties. Earlier this month, the High Court of Justice ruled unanimously 7-0 to annul the government’s decision to fire Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, asserting that the government had failed to provide legal justification for its decision to change the way an AG is fired, and determining that the new system it designed was fundamentally flawed. Sharon reviews the decision and updates us on the ongoing existential crisis between the government and the court. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Katz vows Israel will build settlements in northern Gaza, later walks back comments Dozens of settler activists enter Gaza, plant Israeli flags in bid to resettle enclave PA accuses Israel of ‘tightening colonial control’ over West Bank with new settlements Government announces 19 new West Bank settlements and legalized outposts IPC monitor says ‘famine conditions’ over but Gaza food security still ‘critical’; Israel rejects findings Israel says famine monitor did not seek aid facilitators’ input for upcoming Gaza report High Court annuls firing of attorney general; cabinet ministers urge defiance of ruling Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: A tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, December 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran is conducting large-scale ballistic missile tests, and Israeli officials fear these launches may be cover for a potential attack. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered war simulations, issued direct warnings to Tehran, and placed Israel's defense establishment on high alert. At the same time, new reports from Lebanon suggest a former Lebanese security officer may have been kidnapped by Israel's intelligence services—possibly connected to the decades-old mystery of missing Israeli airman Ron Arad. Meanwhile, Egypt and Turkey are quietly strengthening military and security cooperation, raising serious concerns in Jerusalem as these two regional powers deepen ties along Israel's borders.

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For the first time since the 2005 disengagement/expulsion, Israeli civilians entered Gaza and flew the Israeli flag there, reclaiming a truth the world has tried to deny. This is more than a moment; it is a promise that the Jewish people will return, rebuild, and restore our rightful place thereJoin Our Whatsapp Channel: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GkavRznXy731nxxRyptCMvFollow us on Twitter: https://x.com/AviAbelowJoin our Telegram Channel: https://t.me/aviabelowpulseFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pulse_of_israel/?hl=enPulse of Israel on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelVideoNetworkVisit Our Website - https://pulseofisrael.com/Donate to Pulse of Israel: https://pulseofisrael.com/boost-this-video/

A Palestinian baby who was evacuated for medical treatment has returned to Gaza and is back in hospital. The BBC has discussed Siwar Ashour's case with the Jordanian and Israeli governments. Also: President Trump announces new US navy battleships named after himself; Nigeria designates kidnappers as terrorists; Call of Duty creator Vince Zampella dies; Amazon warns of North Korean agents applying for remote IT jobs; and a Spanish town turns its luck around with huge "El Gordo" lottery win. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Part 2 of our conversation with Jasper Nathaniel, the New York–based writer and reporter who covers Israel's occupation of the West Bank on his Substack, Infinite Jaz. Nathaniel helped bring national attention to the case of Mohammed Ibrahim, the Palestinian American teenager who was released in late November after more than nine months in an Israeli military prison.

President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" passes the U.S. House by one vote. Two young Israelis killed by a pro-Palestinian terrorist in Washington, D.C. South Africa delegation visits the White House and gets treated to facts about a genocide happening in South Africa. U.S. media accuses Trump of ambushing the leader of South Africa in a tense Oval Office visit. Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio push back on those upset at Trump's immigration policies. Tom Cruise: Greatest stuntman of all time. Five of the 10 New Orleans escapees have been caught. AI is getting more and more realistic. Elon Musk updates us on the very near future of self-driving cars. How much political spending is Elon Musk planning to do going forward? CDC changing recommendations for the COVID vaccine. The Biden administration hid the truth about the dangers of the COVID vaccine from the public. Hilary Kennedy health tips! Will anyone ever be held accountable for the major scandals of the Biden administration? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 2 of our conversation with Jasper Nathaniel, the New York–based writer and reporter who covers Israel's occupation of the West Bank on his Substack, Infinite Jaz. Nathaniel helped bring national attention to the case of Mohammed Ibrahim, the Palestinian American teenager who was released in late November after more than nine months in an Israeli military prison.

Complete our 2025 survey: ⁠⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/uihsurvey⁠⁠⁠ Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: ⁠⁠⁠https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 How do you get people who don't talk to talk? In this special live Unpacking Israeli History, Noam Weissman sits down with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and Israeli intelligence expert Ronen Bergman (author of Rise and Kill First) for a smart, funny, and deeply human look at the Mossad, Shin Bet, and Israel's security establishment. Recorded in front of a packed audience at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, Bergman explains how he persuaded hundreds of operatives to open up, why secrecy and ego can be dangerous, and why he believes Israel's real “secret weapon” is democracy and accountability. Then, the discussion turns to the hardest question of all—how October 7 happened—through the lens of misread signals, misallocated attention, and hubris. It's a conversation that's messy, meaningful, and genuinely accessible. Ronen Bermgan writes for the New York Times and Yedioth Ahronoth. He is the author of Rise and Kill First The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations To sponsor an episode or to be in touch, please email noam@unpacked.media. Check out this episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wondering Jews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The US Department of Justice has published thousands more files relating to the late sex- offender, Jeffrey Epstein -- its largest such release to date. Among the documents is an email from an investigator that says Donald Trump travelled many more times on Epstein's private jet than was previously reported. Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the Epstein scandal.Also on the programme: Amid ongoing violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, we report on the trauma of modern-day birth in Bethlehem; and we hear from Mulatu Astatke, known as the father of Ethio-jazz. (Photo: A newly-released unsealed indictment of disgraced late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is seen in this handout image released by the U.S. Justice Department and printed and arranged for a photograph by Reuters in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 19, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

Are we in a 'plastic moment,' an inflection point where the future of the Middle East can finally be reshaped? Veteran peace negotiator Dr. Tal Becker joins the podcast to analyze the shifting tides of regional diplomacy. Reflecting on his recent discussions in Abu Dhabi, Becker describes the Abraham Accords as an emerging "Judeo-Muslim civilization" where the focus isn't on "who the land belongs to," but the realization that "we all belong to the land."  Beyond geopolitics, Becker addresses the trauma of rising Western antisemitism—which he likens to a "zombie apocalypse"—and calls for a resurgence of liberal nationalism. This episode is a masterclass in navigating a zero-sum world to build a future of prosperity, courage, and shared belonging. Key Resources: The Abraham Accords, Explained AJC CEO Ted Deutch Op-Ed: 5 Years On, the Abraham Accords Are the Middle East's Best Hope AJC's Center for a New Middle East Listen – AJC Podcasts: Architects of Peace The Forgotten Exodus People of the Pod Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript of the Interview: Manya Brachear Pashman:   As the international community looks to phase two of the cease fire between Israel and the Hamas terror group in Gaza, the American Jewish Committee office in Abu Dhabi invited Dr Tal Becker to participate in discussions about what's next for the region. Dr Becker is one of Israel's leading experts on international humanitarian law and a veteran peace negotiator with Palestinians, Lebanese and Syrians. He is currently vice president of the Shalom Hartman Institute, and he joins us now right after the conference in Abu Dhabi to share some of the insights he contributed there.  Tal, welcome to People of the Pod. Tal Becker:   Thank you very much, Manya. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So Tal, you have just returned from a conference in Abu Dhabi where you really took a deep dive, kind of exploring the nature of Arab-Israeli relations, as we are now entering the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza.  So I'm just curious, you've been steeped in this for so long, for decades, do you sense, or did you sense a significant shift in the region when it comes to Arab-Israeli relations and the future? Tal Becker:   So I think Manya, we're at a very kind of interesting moment, and it's hard to say exactly which direction it's going, because, on the one hand, we have had very significant military successes. I think a lot of the spoilers in the region have been significantly set back, though they're still there, but Israel really has had to focus on the military side of things a lot. And it, I think, has strained to some extent, the view of what's possible because we're being so focused on the military side.  And I think it is a moment for imagining what's possible. And how do we pivot out of the tragedy and suffering of this war, make the most of the military successes we've had, and really begin to imagine what this region could look like if we're going to continue to succeed in pushing back the spoilers in this way.  Israel is a regional power, and I think it for all our vulnerability that requires, to some extent, for Israel to really articulate a vision that it has for the region. And it's going to take a little bit of time, I think, for everybody to really internalize what's just happened over these last two years and what it means for the potential for good and how we navigate that. So I really think it's kind of like what they call a plastic moment right now. Manya Brachear Pashman:   A plastic moment, can you define that, what do you mean by plastic? Tal Becker:   So what I mean by a plastic moment, meaning it's that moment. It's an inflection point right where, where things could go in one direction or another, and you have to be smart enough to take advantage of the fluidity of the moment, to really emphasize how do we maximize prosperity, stability, coexistence? How do we take away not just the capabilities of the enemies of peace, but also the appeal of their agenda, the language that they use, the way they try to present Muslim Jewish relations, as if they're a kind of zero sum game. So how do we operate both on the economic side, on the security side, but also on the imagining what's possible side, on the peace side. As difficult as that is, and I don't want to suggest that, you know, there aren't serious obstacles, there are, but there's also really serious opportunities. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So what did you sense when you were there, in terms of the perception of Israel? I mean, were people optimistic, for lack of a better term? Tal Becker:   So first of all, it was, you know, a great opportunity to be there. And having been involved, personally, very intensively in the Abraham Accords, I always feel a bit emotional whenever I'm in the Emirates in particular, and Morocco and Bahrain and so on. And to be honest, I kind of feel at home there. And so that's a lovely thing.  I think, on the one hand, I would say there's a there's a relief that hopefully, please God, the war in Gaza is is behind us, that we're now looking at how to really kind of move into the phase of the disarmament of Hamas and the removal of Hamas from governance, you know, working with the Trump team and the Trump plan. And I think they have a bunch of questions. The Emiratis in particular, are strategic thinkers. They really want to be partners in advancing prosperity and stability across the region in pushing back extremism across the region, and I think they're eager to see in Israel a partner for that effort. And I think it puts also a responsibility on both of us to understand the concerns we each have. I mean, it takes some time to really internalize what it is for a country to face a seven-front war with organizations that call for its annihilation, and all the pressure and anxiety that that produces for a people, frankly, that hasn't had the easiest history in terms of the agenda of people hating the Jewish people and persecuting them. So I think that takes a bit of appreciation.  I think we also, in the return, need to appreciate the concerns of our regional partners in terms of making sure that the region is stable, in terms of giving an opportunity for, you know, one way I sometimes word it is that, we need to prepare for the worst case scenario. We need to prevent it from being a self fulfilling prophecy.  Which really requires you to kind of develop a policy that nevertheless gives an opportunity for things to get better, not just plan for things to get worse. And I think our partners in the Gulf in particular really want to hear from us, what we can do to make things better, even while we're planning and maybe even a bit cynical that things might be very difficult. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So you mentioned the Abraham Accords, and I'm curious if you feel that Israel, I know Israel has felt isolated, at times, very isolated, and perhaps abandoned, is even the correct word.  Do you feel that is the case as we enter the second phase of the ceasefire? Do you feel that is less so the case, and do you feel that that might be less so the case because of the Abraham Accords existence? Tal Becker:   Well, so let's first talk about the Abraham Accords and their significance.So I think a lot of people present the Abraham accords as kind of an agreement that is about shared interests and shared challenges and so on, and that's definitely true. But they are, in my view, at least aspirationally, something much bigger than that. First of all, they are almost the articulation of what I call a Judeo Muslim civilization, the view that Jews and Muslims, or that all different peoples of the Middle East belong to this place and have a responsibility for shaping its future. The way I describe the Abraham Accords is that they're a group of countries who basically have said that the argument about who the land belongs to is not as important as the understanding that we all belong to the land. And as a result of that, this is kind of a partnership against the forces of extremism and chaos, and really offering a version of Israeli Jewish identity and of Muslim Arab identity that is in competition with the Iranian-Hezbollah-Hamas narrative that kind of condemns us to this zero sum conflict.  So the first thing to say is that I think the Abraham Accords have such tremendous potential for reimagining the relationship between Muslims and Jews, for reimagining the future of the region, and for really making sure that the enemies of peace no longer shape our agenda, even if they're still there. So in that sense, the opening that the Abraham Accords offers is an opening to kind of reimagine the region as a whole. And I think that's really important. And I think we have now an opportunity to deepen the Accords, potentially to expand them to other countries, and in doing so, to kind of set back the forces of extremism in the region. In a strange way, I would say Manya that Israel is more challenged right now in the west than we are in the Middle East. Because in the West, you see, I mean, there's backlash, and it's a complicated picture, but you can see a kind of increasing voices that challenge Israel's legitimacy, that are really questioning our story. And you see that both on the extreme left and extreme right in different countries across the West, in different degrees. In the Middle East, paradoxically, you have at least a partnership around accepting one another within the region that seems to me to be very promising.  And in part, I have to say it's really important to understand, for all the tragedy and difficulty of this war, Israel demonstrated an unbelievable resilience, unbelievable strength in dealing with its its adversaries, an unbelievable capacity, despite this seven front challenge, and I think that itself, in a region that's a very difficult region, is attractive. I think we do have a responsibility and an interest in imagining how we can begin to heal, if that's a word we can use the Israeli Palestinian relationship, at least move in a better direction. Use the Trump plan to do that, because that, I think, will also help our relationship in the region as a whole, without making one dependent on the other. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So I want to follow up with what you just said, that Israel faces perhaps many more challenges in the west than in the region. What about the Jewish people, would you apply that same statement to the Jewish people? Tal Becker:   Well, I think, you know, we've seen, we've seen the rise of antisemitism. And in my view, one way to think about October 7 is that October 7 marks the end of the post-Holocaust era. So there were a few decades there where, even if antisemitism existed, there were many circles in which it was socially unacceptable to give it voice. And something has shattered in the West in particular that it seems to be more socially acceptable to express antisemitism or antisemitic-adjacent type views, and that, I think has has really shocked and shaken many Jews across the western world.  I guess the thing I would say about that is, you know, some of the Jews I come across in the West were under, in my view, a bit of an illusion, that antisemitism had somehow been cured. You feel this sometimes in North America, and that essentially, we had reached a stage in Jewish history where antisemitism was broadly a thing of the past and was on the margins, and then the ferocity with which it came back on October 8 was like a trauma. And one of the definitions of trauma is that trauma is a severe challenge to the way you understand the world and your place in it.  And so if you had this understanding of your reality that antisemitism was essentially a thing of the past in North America in particular. And then all of a sudden it came back. You can see that traumatic experience. And what I want to argue or suggest is that the problem isn't that we had the solution and lost it. I think the problem was we had an illusion that there was a solution in the first place. Unfortunately, I think the Jewish people's history tells the story that antisemitism is kind of like the zombie apocalypse. It never exactly disappears. You can sometimes marginalize it more or marginalize it less. And we're now entering an era which I think Jews are familiar with, which is an era that it is becoming more socially acceptable to be antisemitic. And that to some extent, Jewish communal life feels more conditional and Jewish identity, and while being accepted in the societies in which you live also feels more conditional.  And while that is a familiar pattern, we are probably the generation of Jews with more resources, more influence, more power, more capacity than probably at any other time in Jewish history. And so it would be a mistake, I think, to think of us as kind of going back to some previous era. Yes, there are these challenges, but there are also a whole set of tools. We didn't have the F35 during the Spanish Inquisition.  So I think that despite all these challenges, it's also a great moment of opportunity for really building Jewish communities that are resilient, that have strong Jewish identity, that are that have a depth of Jewish literacy, and trying to inoculate as much as possible the societies in which we live and the communities in which we live from that phenomenon of antisemitism perhaps better than we had had done in previous iterations of this.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   I also want to go back and explore another term that you've used a couple of times, and that is enemies of peace. And I'm curious how you define the enemies of peace. Who are you talking about? And I'm asking you to kind of take a step back and really broaden that definition as much as possible. Tal Becker:   I mean, it goes back to that idea that I mentioned about the Abraham Accords, which is an understanding that there are different peoples in the Middle East that call it home, and each of those peoples deserves a place where they can nurture their identity and cultivate it and have their legitimacy respected, and in that sense, those who are engaged in a kind of zero sum competition, that feel that their exist, existence depends on the obliteration of the other. I see those as enemies of peace.  Now, I believe that both Jews and Palestinians, for example, have a right to self determination. I think that both belong in the sense that both deserve the capacity to cultivate their own identity. But the right to self determination, for example, the Palestinian right to self determination doesn't include the right to deny the Jewish right to self determination. It doesn't include the right to erase Jewish history.  In the same way that we as Jews need to come to terms with the fact that the Palestinian people feel a real connection to this place. Now, it's very difficult, given how radicalized Palestinian society is, and we have to be very realistic about the threats we face, because for as long as the dominant narrative in Palestinian society is a rejection of Jewish belongingness and self determination, we have a very difficult challenge ahead of us. But I essentially, broadly speaking, would say, the enemies of peace are those who want to lock us into a zero sum contest. Where essentially, they view the welfare of the other as a threat to themselves. Y You know, we have no conflict with Lebanon. We have no conflict with the people of Iran, for example. We have a conflict, in fact, a zero sum conflict with an Iranian regime that wants to annihilate Israel. And I often point to this kind of discrepancy that Iran would like to destroy Israel, and Israel has the audacity to want not to be destroyed by Iran. That is not an equivalent moral playing field. And so I view the Iranian regime with that kind of agenda, as an enemy of peace. And I think Israel has an obligation to also articulate what its aspirations are in those regards, even if it's a long time horizon to realize those aspirations, because the enemies are out there, and they do need to be confronted effectively and pretty relentlessly. Manya Brachear Pashman:   For our series on the Abraham Accords, Architects of Peace, I spoke with Dr Ali Al Nuami, and we talked about the need for the narrative to change, and the narrative on both sides right, the narrative change about kind of what you refer to as a zero sum game, and for the narrative, especially out of Israel, about the Palestinians to change. And I'm curious if you've given that any thought about changing, or just Israel's ability or obligation to send a message about the need for the Palestinians indeed to achieve self determination and thrive. Tal Becker:   Well, I think first, it's important to articulate how difficult that is, simply because, I mean, Israel has faced now two years of war, and the sense that I think many Israelis felt was that Palestinian society at large was not opposed to what happened on October 7, and the dominant narratives in Palestinian society, whether viewing Israel as some kind of a front to Islam, or viewing Israel as a kind of colonial enterprise to then be like in the business of suggesting a positive vision in the face of that is very difficult, and we do tend Manya, in these situations, when we say the narrative has to change, we then say, on the other side, they have to change the narrative, rather than directing that to ourselves. So I think, you know, there is an obligation for everyone to think about how best to articulate their vision.  It's a huge, I think, obligation on the Palestinian leadership, and it's a very one they've proved incapable of doing until now, which is genuinely come to terms with the Jewish people's belongingness to this part of the world and to their right to self determination. It's a core aspect of the difficulty in addressing this conflict. And having said all that, I think we as Israeli Jews also have an obligation to offer that positive vision. In my mind, there is nothing wrong with articulating an aspiration you're not sure you can realize, or you don't even know how to realize. But simply to signal that is the direction that I'm going in, you know?  I mean Prime Minister Netanyahu, for example, talks about that he wants the Palestinian people to have all the power to govern themselves and none of the power to threaten Israel. Which is a way of saying that the Palestinian people should have that capacity of self determination that gives them the potential for peace, prosperity, dignity, and security, But not if the purpose of that is to essentially be more focused on destroying Israel than it is on building up Palestinian identity. Now that I think, can be articulated in positive terms, without denying Israel's connection to the land, without denying the Jewish people's story, but recognizing the other. And yes, I think despite all the difficulties, victory in war is also about what you want to build, not just what you want to destroy. And in that sense, our ability to kind of frame what we're doing in positive terms, in other words, not just how we want to take away the capacities of the extremists, but what we want to build, if we had partners for that, actually helps create that momentum. So I would just say to Dr Ali's point that, I think that's a shared burden on all of us, and the more people that can use that language, it can actually, I think, help to create the spaces where things that feel not possible begin to maybe become possible. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Which in many ways Trump's 20 point plan does that. It doesn't just only talk about disarming Hamas. It talks about rebuilding Gaza. Are there other ways in which Israel can assure the success of the Palestinian people and push forwards. Can you envision other ways? Tal Becker:   Well, I mean, I'm sure there's lots that people can do, but there is a burden on the Palestinian people themselves, and I do find that a lot of this discourse kind of takes agency away from the Palestinian people and their leadership. In a way, there's a kind of honesty to the Trump plan and the Security Council resolution that was adopted endorsing the plan that has been missing for quite a while. The Trump plan, interestingly, says three things.  It says, on this issue of a kind of vision or pathway. It says, first of all, it basically says there is no Palestinian state today, which must have come as a bit of a shock for those countries recognizing a Palestinian state. But I think that is a common understanding. It's a little bit of an illusion to imagine that state.  The second thing is how critical it is for there to be PA reform, genuine reform so that there is a responsible function in Palestinian governing authority that can actually be focused on the welfare of its people and govern well.  And the third is that then creates a potential pathway for increasing Palestinian self-determination and moving potentially towards Palestinian statehood, I think, provided that that entity is not going to be used as a kind of terror state or a failed state. But that, I think, is a kind of honest way of framing the issue. But we don't get around Manya the need for responsibility, for agency. So yes, Israel has responsibility. Yes, the countries of the region have responsibilities.  But ultimately, the core constituency that needs to demonstrate that it is shifting its mindset and more focused on building itself up, rather than telling a story about how it is seeking to deny Jewish self determination, is the Palestinian leadership. And I do think that what's happening in Gaza at least gives the potential for that.  You have the potential for an alternative Palestinian governance to emerge. You have the potential for Hamas to be set back in a way that it no longer has a governing role or a shape in shaping the agenda. And I think if we can make Gaza gradually a success story, you know, this is a bit too optimistic for an Israeli to say, but maybe, maybe we can begin to create a momentum that can redefine the Israeli Palestinian relationship. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So I asked what can Israel do to move forward to assure the Palestinians that they are behind their success and thriving? What can Israel do to make sure that it's respected, that is not facing the challenges from the West, from that region. What can Israel do? What is Israel's obligation, or is that an unfair question, to ensure its success and its moving forward? Tal Becker:   I think it's a really difficult question, because the criticism that Israel has gotten throughout this war and the threats to its legitimacy in the way that they've erupted, I think, is a really complicated phenomena that has many moving parts. So some part of it, I think, rightly, is about Israeli policy and Israeli language and the way it has framed what it has been doing, and really the unbelievable moral dilemmas that the war in Gaza posed, and how Israel conducted itself in the way of those dilemmas. And people can have different views about that.  I think there's a misunderstanding, very significantly, of the nature of the battlefield and how impossible Hamas in its deliberate kind of weaponization of the civilian population, made that. So there's one component that has to do with Israel. There's another component that we can't ignore, that has to do with antisemitism. And that, I think, for that group right who almost define themselves through their hostility towards the Jewish people and towards the very idea of Jewish self determination, it's hard to think anything that Israel says or does that actually matters, right? These were the people who were criticizing Israel even before it responded.  And so in that sense, I think putting too much on Israel is a problem. Maybe I'll just focus on the area that I think is most interesting here, and that is, in my view, a lot of the argument about Israel in the West, we'll take the US, for example, is actually not an argument about Israel, but more an argument about the US that is channeled through Israel. In other words, a lot of people seem to be having their argument about America's story of itself channeled through their argument about Israel. And what they're actually arguing about is their vision of America.  And you can see different versions of this. There's a story of America as perhaps a kind of white Christian country that was exploited by immigrants and is exploited by other countries in the world, and that narrative kind of tends pushes you in a direction of having a certain view, in my view, mistaken, in any event, about Israel. That is more to do about your story of America than it has anything to do with what Israel is doing or saying. And then you hear this very loudly, and I'm not suggesting these are exactly even.  But on the more radical kind of progressive left, you have a story of America as essentially a country that never came over the legacy of slavery, a country that has to kind of apologize for its power, that it sees itself as a colonial entity that can't be redeemed. And when you're kind of locked in that version of America, which I kind of think is a kind of self hating story of America. Then that then projects the way you view Israel more than anything Israel says or does. So this has a lot to do with America's, and this is true of other countries in the West, that internal struggle and then the way different actors, especially in the social media age, need to position themselves on the Israel issue, to identify which tribe they belong to in this other battle.  So in my view, people who care about the US-Israel relationship, for example, would be wise to invest in this, in the battle over America's story of itself, and in that sense, it's less about Israeli public diplomacy and less about Israeli policy. It's much more about the glasses people wear when they look at Israel. And how do you influence those glasses? Manya Brachear Pashman:   I could sit here and talk to you all day, this is really fascinating and thought provoking. I do want to ask two more questions, though, and one is, I've been harping on what can Israel do? What are Israel's obligations?  But let me back up a step. What about the Arab states? What are the other neighbors in the region obligated to do to assure the Palestinians that they're going to succeed and thrive? Tal Becker:   Yeah, I mean, it's a really important question and, and I think that for many, many years, we suffered from, I would say, a basic lack of courage from Arab states. I'm generalizing, but I hope that others would advance their interests for them. And in some sense, I think the Abraham Accords really flipped that, because Abraham Accords was the Arab states having the courage and the voice to say, we need to redefine our relationship with with Israel, and in that way, create conditions, potentially for Palestinians to do, to do the same.  I would say that there are a whole set right, and, not my position to kind of be the lecturer, and each country is different in their own dynamics. I think the first from an Israeli perspective, of course, is to really push back against this attempt to delegitimize the Jewish people's belonging in the Middle East, and not to allow this kind of narrative where the only authentic way to be a Palestinian or a Muslim is to reject the idea that other peoples live in the region and have a story that connects them to it, and Israel is here to stay, and it can be a partner. You can have disagreements with it. But the idea that it's some kind of illegitimate entity, I think, needs to be taken out of the lexicon fundamentally. I think a second area is in really this expectation of Palestinian especially in the Israeli Palestinian context, of being partners in holding the Palestinians accountable not to have the kind of the soft bigotry of low expectations, and to really recognize Palestinian agency, Palestinian responsibility and also Palestinian rights, yes, but not in this kind of comic strip, victim villain narrative, where Israel has all the responsibilities and the Palestinians have all the rights. My colleague, Einat Wilf, for example, talks about Schrodinger's Palestine. You know, Schrodinger's Cat, right? So Schrodinger's Palestine is that the Palestinians are recognized for rights, but they're not recognized for responsibilities. And Israel has rights and responsibilities. And finally, I would say in terms of the the taking seriously the spoilers in the region, and working with Israel and with our partners to make sure that the spoilers in the region don't dictate the agenda and don't have the capacity to do so, not just hoping that that, you know, Israel and the US will take care of that, but really working with us. And I think a few countries are really stepping up in that regard. They have their own constraints, and we need to be respectful of that, and I understand that.  But I think that, you know, this is a strategic partnership. I sometimes joke that with the Emirates, it's a Jewish and a Muslim state, but it's a Catholic marriage. We've kind of decided to bind together in this kind of strategic partnership that has withstood these last two years, because we want to share a vision of the Middle East that is to the benefit of all peoples, and that means doing kind of three things at once. Meaning confronting the spoilers on the one hand, investing in regional integration on the other, and seeing how we can improve Israeli Palestinian relations at the same time. So working in parallel on all three issues and helping each other in the process and each other thrive. I mean, there's a whole bunch of stuff beyond the conflict. There's, you know, AI and fighting desertification and irrigation and defense tech and intelligence, and a whole host of areas where we can cooperate and empower each other and be genuine partners and strengthen our own societies and the welfare of our own peoples through that partnership for ourselves, for each other and for the region. So there's a lot to do. Manya Brachear Pashman:   And my last question – I've asked, what do the Arab states need to do? What does Israel need to do? What do Jewish advocates around the world need to do?  Tal Becker:   So I think the most important thing at this moment for me, Manya, is courage. There is a danger, because of the rise in antisemitism and the kind of hostility that one sees, that Jews in particular will become more silent. And they'll kind of hide a little bit in the hope that this will somehow pass them. And I think what our history has taught us, is generally, these are phenomena that if you don't stand up against them early, they become extremely powerful down the line, and you can't, and it becomes very, very costly to confront them.  So it takes courage, but I would say that communities can show more courage than individuals can, and in that sense, I think, you know, insisting on the rights of Jews within the societies in which they live, fighting for those kind of societies, that all peoples can prosper in. Being strong advocates for a kind of society in which Jews are able to thrive and be resilient and prosper, as well as others as well. I think is very important.  Just in a nutshell, I will say that it seems to me that in much of the world, what we're seeing is liberalism being kind of hijacked by a radical version of progressivism, and nationalism being hijacked by a version of ultra-nationalism. And for Jews and for most people, the best place to be is in liberal nationalism. Liberal nationalism offers you respect for collective identity on the one hand, but also respect for individual autonomy on the other right. That's the beautiful blend of liberal nationalism in that way, at least aspirationally, Israel, being a Jewish and democratic state, is really about, on the one hand, being part of a story bigger than yourself, but on the other hand, living a society that sees individual rights and individual agency and autonomy. And that blend is critical for human thriving and for meaning, and it's been critical for Jews as well. And so particularly across the diaspora, really fighting for liberal national identity, which is being assaulted from the extremes on both sides, seems to me to be an urgent mission. And it's urgent not just for Jews to be able not to kind of live conditionally and under fear and intimidation within the societies they live, but as we've seen throughout history, it's pretty critical for the thriving of that society itself.  At the end of the day, the societies that get cannibalized by extremes end up being societies that rot from within. And so I would say Jews need to be advocates for their own rights. Double down on Jewish identity, on resilience and on literacy, on Jewish literacy. At the same time as fighting for the kind of society in which the extremes don't shape the agenda. That would be my wish. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Making liberal nationalism an urgent mission for all societies, in other words, being a force for good. Tal Becker:   Yes, of course. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Our universal mission. Thank you so much. Thank you so much for sharing all of these thoughts with us and safe travels as you take off for the next destination. Tal Becker:   Thank you very much, Manya. I appreciate it. Manya Brachear Pashman:   As we approach the end of the year, and what a year it's been, take some time to catch up on episodes you might have missed along the way, rewind and listen to some of my more memorable interviews, such as my conversation with former Israeli hostage Shoshan Haran, abducted with her daughter, son in law and grandchildren during the Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023. Meet doctors or hen and Ernest Frankel, two MIT professors who amid anti Israel academic boycotts, are trying to salvage the valuable research gains through collaboration with Israeli scholars. And enjoy my frank conversation with Jonah Platt, best known for playing Fiyero in Broadway's wicked who now hosts his own hit podcast Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. Hard to believe all of this and more has unfolded in 2025 alone. May 2026 be peaceful and prosperous for us all.  

In this emotional Mussar Masterclass (Day 108), Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe begins with a heartfelt plea for prayers for his newborn preemie grandson (Tinoch ben Mi'ira bat Zahava) in the NICU in Jerusalem, dedicating the session to their speedy recovery. The class concludes the Gate of Remembrance in Orchos Tzaddikim with the final three remembrances:Always investigate and ask questions deeply—never rely solely on childhood understanding of Torah; as intellect matures, revisit and enrich knowledge (illustrated by stories of Rav Moshe Feinstein's meticulousness and sensitivity).Remove excessive love of this world and intensify love for Olam Haba—physical pleasures and spiritual growth cannot coexist; this world is solely a tool to invest in the next (via mitzvot, teshuvah, and using possessions for holiness), as fire and water cannot share a vessel.Remember accountability before Hashem—we will be judged not against others, but on whether we maximized our unique potential ("Why weren't you you?").Accept afflictions with joy—they are merciful "slap on the wrist" instead of the death penalty we deserve; teshuvah and small sufferings are gifts of divine kindness.Rabbi Wolbe weaves in awe-inspiring modern miracles (e.g., the May 4, 2025, missile landing harmlessly near Tel Aviv airport) as open reminders that Hashem alone controls everything—not technology, military, or human effort—urging constant gratitude and recognition of divine protection.Recorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on May 5, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 23, 2025_____________This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired! Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.Your support makes a HUGE difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#JewishInspiration, #Mussar, #MasterClass, #Remembrance, #OlamHaba, #Accountability, #DivineMiracles, #Teshuvah ★ Support this podcast ★

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Israeli civilians arrested for crossing the border;  50-year-old man was hit by a car in Israel on Highway 34 Sunday near Kibbutz Nir Am; Army Radio shuts down after 75 years. Plus! A special report from the north of Israel highlighting how the Western Galilee celebrates the holiday season.Hasod Story: IDN10 for 10% off - https://www.hasodstore.com/shopsmall/p/israeldailynewssupportIsrael Daily News website: https://israeldailynews.orgYOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@israeldailynews?si=UFQjC_iuL13V7tyQIsrael Daily News Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shannafuldSupport our Wartime News Coverage: https://www.gofundme.com/f/independent-journalist-covering-israels-warLinks to all things IDN:⁠ https://linktr.ee/israeldailynews⁠

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts Col. (ret.) Dr. Michael Milshtein, former head of the Department for Palestinian Affairs in Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate. They discuss the current status of the Gaza ceasefire deal, the contrasting realities on the ground in the Hamas-controlled red zone and the Israeli-controlled green zone, prospects for the U.S.-led Phase II of the deal, the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump, fear of escalation in Lebanon, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor speaks with analyst Yousef Munayyer about shifts in US public policy and public opinion over the past 20 years and especially the last 2.5 years, including an analysis of the Biden Administration's support for Israeli genocide. They discuss the BDS movement and the impact of the Palestinian boycott of the New York Times in light of dispersed media access. Finally, drawing from the current landscape, they look ahead at coming threats and shifts. The conversation references this Intercept article, '“Between the Hammer and the Anvil”: The Story Behind the New York Times October 7 Exposé," from February 2024.  Yousef Munayyer is Head of the Palestine/Israel Program and Senior Fellow at Arab Center Washington DC. He also serves as a member of the editorial committee of the Journal of Palestine Studies and was previously Executive Director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights.  Dr. Munayyer holds a PhD in International Relations and Comparative Politics from the University of Maryland. Ahmed Moor is a Palestinian-American writer born in Gaza and a 2025 Fellow at FMEP. He is an advisory board member of the US Campaign for Palestinian rights, co-editor of After Zionism (Saqi Books) and is currently writing a book about Palestine. He also currently serves on the board of the Independence Media Foundation. His work has been published in The Guardian, The London Review of Books, The Nation, and elsewhere. He earned a BA at the University of Pennsylvania and an MPP at Harvard University. You can follow Ahmed on Substack at: https://ahmedmoor.substack.com Original music by Jalal Yaquoub.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, the head of Realign For Palestine, an Atlantic Council project that challenges entrenched narratives in the Israel and Palestine discourse. This week, we dive into the five likely scenarios that could play out in Gaza during 2026, which Alkhatib recently proposed on his social media channels. According to Alkhatib, the five proposals all "undermine Hamas severely and massively change the calculus and geostrategic landscape following the Trump-sponsored ceasefire in October, which has temporarily halted the war." The five proposals include: A mutiny from Hamas’s ranks within Gaza due to economic and cost-of-living pressures; a significant rise and empowerment of anti-Hamas militias in different areas of the Gaza Strip; mass protests and large-scale uprisings against Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip by civilians; a mass exodus of civilians, from the Red Zone controlled by Hamas behind the "yellow line" into the Israeli-controlled Green Zone; and a successful international stabilization force (ISF) deployment with the mandate of battling and demilitarizing Hamas. We go through each scenario point-by-point throughout the conversation, leaving time for a reader's question or two. And so this week, we ask Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Palestinians walk along a street past a tent camp in Gaza City, December 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British members of Palestine Action on hunger strike are close to death, Israel's "ceasefire" is just a continuation of the famine, disease and slaughter Israel continues to deliver to the Palestinian people, and across the west, leaders express their deference to the genocidal killers, ship more weapons, and ban words and phrases that make fascists uncomfortable. The hunger strike continues In the British prisons As the courts refuse To reach a decision Will they judge this time As they have before That the crime is sending  Weapons to the war Because the terrorists here Are the Zionists Who'd try to hide A genocide It's a holocaust  And it's happening now A hundred thousand lives lost And no one knows how How many more Will ever be found  Under the rubble  Beneath the ground  Chorus The Palestinian people Beneath plastic sheets There's no ceasefire, just a famine  As history repeats History from the Nazis Brought down on the holy land Beside the bloody sea With an F-thirty-five at hand  Chorus As the Israelis go on With their endless killing spree  While Egypt plays the pawn With their new refinery And throughout the west  They ban phrases and words As our leaders do their best At being completely absurd Chorus

AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports on frequent Israeli settler violence in the West Bank.

In this Prayer Podcast episode, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe introduces Pesukei Dezimra (Verses of Praise) with Psalm 30—a relatively recent addition (about 400 years ago, per the Arizal)—as the gateway to deeper prayer. Though King David wrote it for the Temple's dedication (which his son Solomon performed), David embedded "Shlomo" acrostically and merited its use through his lifelong investment. The psalm transforms synagogues into a "mikdash me'at" (mini-Temple), elevating our mindset from social gathering to direct encounter with Hashem.Verse-by-verse, Rabbi Wolbe reveals David's profound humility: success is Hashem lifting us, not personal triumph; healing means forgiveness of sin; enemies are our yetzer hara (evil inclination); fleeting anger contrasts Hashem's desire for eternal life. Priorities flip—song precedes praise—reflecting constant gratitude turning into joyous overflow. The psalm parallels personal repentance, the Golden Calf forgiveness (leading to Tabernacle readiness on 25 Kislev—hinting at Chanukah), and dual emotions of joy/mourning.Ultimately, Psalm 30 aligns us: all is from Hashem, challenges are for growth, prayer humbles us to His will, and sincere cries (like David's, Chana's) are answered—preparing our souls to "sing forever" in Pesukei Dezimra's hallway to the Divine sanctuary._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Dr. Leonard & June GoldbergDownload the Prayer Podcast Worksheets:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iBVevW1ydyjSeyeO0iCcina7e8vix3Lt?usp=sharingThis episode (Ep. #42) of the Prayer Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Dr. Leonard & June Goldberg! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 16, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 23, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Prayer, #Tefillah, #Siddur, #PesukaiDezimra, #Psalms ★ Support this podcast ★

We're thrilled to bring this experience closer to you by presenting a prayer read-along in Ashkenazic, Sephardic and Chassidic dialects, enhancing our personal connection to these sacred words. Ashkenazic read-along by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCHSephardic read-along by Rabbi Danny Masri of Congregation Beth Rambam in Houston, TexasChassidic read-along by R' Shloime Zionce of Chassidic Embassy in Houston, TexasThis Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Dr. Leonard & June GoldbergThis episode (Ep. #43) of the Prayer Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Dr. Leonard & June Goldberg! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 16, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 23, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Prayer, #Tefillah, #Siddur, #PesukaiDezimra, #Psalms ★ Support this podcast ★

Angering Denmark, Trump appoints special envoy to Greenland; Flight records show Trump traveled on "at least eight" Epstein flights; CT, U.S. offshore wind projects face second federal pause; Mpls. ends contract with controversial Israeli-founded tech firm; Proposed offshore fish farms along Florida's Gulf Coast spark debate.

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Aviv Frenkel, Co-Founder and CEO of Moonshot AI, to explore the fascinating journey from Israeli media personality to leading an innovative SaaS startup. Aviv Frenkel shares how his background as a radio DJ and television journalist ultimately inspired him to dive into the world of tech entrepreneurship. You'll hear the inside story behind Moonshot AI—a generative AI platform that transforms e-commerce websites into self-optimizing “living organisms,” helping online brands boost their conversion rates without massive teams or endless guesswork. Aviv Frenkel walks us through the company's rapid trajectory, including their recent $10 million funding round, the importance of building with strong design partners, and what it takes to achieve real product-market fit in a crowded space. The conversation covers the realities of founder-led sales, why Moonshot AI chose a straightforward subscription model, and the key operational metrics driving their growth. If you're interested in SaaS metrics, startup fundraising, or the future of AI in e-commerce, this episode is full of actionable insights and candid startup wisdom. Tune in to learn more about Moonshot AI's global journey and discover opportunities to join their growing team! Show Notes: 00:00 "AI-Powered Ecommerce Optimization" 03:47 "Muncho: End-to-End Website Optimization" 07:53 "Scaling Fast from MVP to Funding" 12:21 Key Business Metrics Discussion 15:06 Evolving CEO Roles and Priorities 16:49 "Join Our AI-Driven Team" Links: Aviv Frenkel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aviv-frenkel/ Moonshot AI's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moon-shot-ai/ Moonshot AI's Website: https://moonshot-ai.com/ To learn more about Ben check out the links below: Subscribe to Ben's daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben's SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben's SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

Attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have broken UN records this year, reaching the highest level in almost 20 years.Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed a “minority” that “does not represent the large settler public”. Meanwhile, Israel's security cabinet has just approved the recognition of 19 new settlements as the government continues its settlement expansion push. We're joined by the BBC's Sarah Montague who has been speaking with Palestinians who say they are experiencing settler intimidation, and with a prominent settler who is a member of the Israeli parliament. Producers: Viv Jones, Valerio Esposito and Xandra Ellin Executive Producer: Bridget Harney Mix: Marty Peralta Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: Israeli border police remove settlers near Hebron. Credit Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock.

The total number of people killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza since the ceasefire took place in October has reached 400, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Flooding, low temperatures and makeshift shelters have also presented issues for those in the region. We speak with a Gazan resident about what life is like now for her and her peers. Also in the programme: More children abducted from a Nigerian Catholic school last month look set to be released; CBS News faces criticism for delaying a '60 Minutes' special on the US deportation of migrants to an El Salvadoran megaprison; and Ukraine takes part in a morale-boosting Secret Santa scheme, offering gifts to soldiers on the frontline.(Photo: Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians killed in an Israeli strike on Friday, according to medics, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Credit: Dabou Abu Alkas, Reuters)

For millions of Jews around the world, Hanukkah ended Monday evening at nightfall. A holiday centered on dedication and perseverance, the Festival of Lights is particularly special in Israel, and especially for survivors of Oct. 7, their families and the families of the lost. The News Hour's producer in Israel, Karl Bostic, sent this report from two kibbutzes shattered by terror, and now reviving. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet in Jerusalem this afternoon with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. He will hold a bilateral meeting with each leader, then will host a trilateral summit, followed by statements to the press. We learn about the summit's goals. Israel has warned the Trump administration that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may be using an ongoing military exercise focusing on missiles as cover to launch an attack on Israel, according to a Sunday report, amid fears that Jerusalem and Tehran are readying for another confrontation. At the same time, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned Sunday that the military will strike Israel’s enemies “wherever required, on near and distant fronts alike,” apparently hinting that Israel may again need to attack in Iran. Berman weighs in as the drums of war appear to approach. Berman sat with US Senator Lindsey Graham for a one-on-one interview yesterday in Tel Aviv. We learn how the senator believes Hamas must be given a deadline for relinquishing its weapons, after which Israel will have a green light to return to combat operations across the Gaza Strip. As phase two of the Trump peace plan's ceasefire appears stalled, will the IDF need to move in again? Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Israel warns US that Iran may use missile launch drill as cover to strike – report Army chief, hinting at potential new Iran war, says IDF will strike ‘wherever required’ Leading GOP senator: Hamas must be given deadline to disarm or face renewed war Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: Demonstrators walk on an image of the Israeli flag with blood dripping Star of David as one of them carries a replica of a missile during an annual rally in front of the former US Embassy in Tehran, celebrating the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the embassy, Iran, November 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Monday, December 22nd, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Five Iranian Christians sentenced to 10-year prison term Five Iranian Christians were sentenced to an average of 10 years in prison for “propaganda” and “collusion” for practices such as prayer and baptism, and for distributing Bibles and Christian literature, reports International Christian Concern. Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” Though the verdict was given on October 21, it was not communicated to any of the prisoners until late November and early December. They have been given 20 days to appeal their case before the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. US launches strikes on Syria in response to killing of 2 American soldiers Vengeance struck in Syria Friday as U.S. forces attacked Islamic State targets in retaliation for an attack that killed three Americans last week, reports The Western Journal. A U.S. military official said F-15 and A-10 warplanes, Apache attack helicopters, and HIMARS rockets struck multiple targets, according to the Wall Street Journal. On X, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote, “Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria. This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance.” Hegseth added, “The United States of America, under President Trump's leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people. As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you. Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue.” Netanyahu plans to brief Trump on possible new Iran strikes Israeli officials have grown increasingly concerned that Iran is expanding production of its ballistic missile program, which was damaged by Israeli military strikes earlier this year, reports NBC News.   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to brief President Donald Trump about attacking Iran again. Israeli officials also are concerned that Iran is reconstituting nuclear enrichment sites the U.S. bombed in June. But, they added, the officials view Iran's efforts to rebuild facilities where they produce the ballistic missiles and to repair its crippled air defense systems as more important. RFK Jr calls mutilating “sex-rejecting” trans procedures malpractice Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Thursday that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is taking steps to push back against what he described as "sex-rejecting" transgender procedures for minors, reports The Christian Post. During an hour-long press conference, he warned, "So-called 'gender-affirming care' has inflicted lasting physical and psychological damage on vulnerable young people. This is not medicine; it is malpractice." KENNEDY: “We're done with junk science, drive by ideological pursuits, not the wellbeing of children.” Kennedy said the proposed HHS rules, which are subject to a 60-day comment period, would bar hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid from performing transgender procedures on children, citing risks of irreversible harm such as infertility, impaired sexual function, bone density loss and altered brain development. He added, "Sex-rejecting procedures are neither safe nor effective treatment for children with gender dysphoria.” Abortions up as abortion pills flourish, Democrat states fund killing babies Last week, the Society of Family Planning released updated abortion data which documented over 591,000 abortions were performed in the first six months of 2025, reports LifeNews.com. This represents a 1.1 percent increase when compared to the first six months of 2024. Two state Medicaid programs have recently started to fund elective surgical abortions. Nevada's Medicaid program began covering elective abortions in mid-December of 2024, and Delaware's Medicaid program started covering elective abortions as of January 1, 2025. Not surprisingly, there has been an uptick in abortions in those states – an increase by 8% in Nevada and 10% in Delaware. However, the main takeaway from this new WeCount data is that the percentage of chemical abortions done via telehealth continues to increase. In the first six months of 2024, just under 20 percent of all abortions were done via telehealth. That figure increased to 27 percent for the first six months of 2025. Telehealth abortions are undermining the strong pro-life laws that many states enacted in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision. Isaiah 59:7 says, “Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways.” Preventing telehealth abortions needs to be a top priority for the pro-life movement. State attorneys general in Florida and Texas have recently sued the Food and Drug Administration over policy changes regarding chemical abortions. Kirk Cameron's follow-up podcast on annihilationism Kirk Cameron's recent 39-minute podcast in which he supported annihilationism has created quite a bit of controversy. In the opening to a 16-minute follow-up podcast, Cameron said this. CAMERON: “No doubt you've caught wind of the controversy that's swirling around. Let me ask you a question, and I want you to imagine that this question is not coming from me on a podcast, but from someone you love. “What if your son or your daughter looked you in the eye and said, ‘Dad, Mom, I know you believe in hell. I know you believe that God is just. I know you believe that sin is serious. And I know that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. “So, when a unrepentant person, who doesn't turn to Jesus, dies, what does the Bible actually say happens to them? Are they preserved forever and kept alive by God in a place of endless conscious torment, suffering forever, weeping and wailing and gnashing their teeth with no end? “‘Or is the judgment that Scripture describes something different? Is it still real, still just, still severe, but culminating in what the Bible calls death, destruction, or the second death, which is the lake of fire?' “What would your answer be? I'm not asking for what you've always believed or been taught, but what do you believe the Scriptures actually teach? That's the question that my son asked me, and that's the question that started this conversation.” Cameron's support for annihilationism has sparked debate in Evangelical circles. Longtime ministry partner Ray Comfort, founder of Living Waters and co-host with Cameron on The Way of the Master, responded thoughtfully. “While we believe Kirk is sincere, we believe that conditional mortality and annihilationism are erroneous views, and that the Bible's clear teaching on hell is known as eternal conscious torment,” according to GodReports.com. Other voices, including commentators Samuel Sey and theologian Owen Strachan, expressed concern, viewing the shift as departing from historic Christian teaching. Yet some see growing interest in annihilationism as a biblically grounded alternative that reconciles God's love with His judgment. Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, December 22nd, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

David Waldman and Greg Dworkin have returned, and already it feels like there's more sunshine today. There! The DOJ released less than a percent of the Epstein files. Happy now? Apparently, dumping 500 pages with black lines over previously accessible documents and removing photos that even they had released previously fails to meet the spirit of the Epstein Files Transparency Act… Ok, the law of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, along with several other laws. It does fulfill the spirit of screwing as many as possible while keeping your buddies' backs, however. You couldn't catch the latest 60 Minutes episode because Bari Weiss caught and killed it first. CBS says the story wasn't ready, but it did take a while for Bari Weiss to get her story together as well. Trump is removing dozens of career diplomats from overseas posts, because what would they know? Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry will be special envoy to Greenland, because Jeff is a noted expert on agreeing with Trump.  Landry will remain Governor as Louisiana's constitution does not explicitly prohibit "side hustles". Nobody told ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to not to talk with Jonathan Pollard, who was convicted of selling American secrets for Israeli gold, who now hates Donald K. Trump for selling America for Saudi gold. The getting is good for Cynthia Lummis and Elise Stefanik, so they're gone, while Mike Johnson might not be aware that he's already been quiet fired.  The Federal Reserve pre-fired 11 of its 12 regional bank presidents before Trump could. How does Lindsey Halligan keep not doing it?

Episode 540: The Holiday Special - Unwrapping 2025Today, Jessica, Jamil, Morgan, Lester, Les, Lipsey, Matthew, and Marc take stock of a consequential year in U.S. national security. From President Trump's push to brand himself as a “peace president”—highlighted by multiple diplomatic agreements and the Gaza peace plan—to moments of hard power, including U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear program, 2025 defied easy labels. The team reflects on undercovered but significant developments as well: the dismantling of the U.S. foreign assistance architecture, growing concern over advanced technology transfers to China, sweeping changes to the federal workforce through DOGE, and a renewed focus on the Western Hemisphere, particularly Venezuela and Haiti.Looking ahead to 2026, what will ultimately shape U.S. national security: the trajectory of Ukraine, a recalibration of China policy, or the domestic pressures of a midterm election year? Are tariffs becoming a permanent tool of U.S. leverage or a temporary negotiating tactic? And as the administration continues to reshape how American power is exercised, which lessons from 2025 will matter most?@jamil_n_jaffer@nottvjessjones@lestermunson@WashingtonFlack@morganlroachLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sara started middle school with a target on her back. Her father warned her that some of her classmates were the children of Israeli mobsters that he had exposed. As a journalist for Haaretz Daily, Ran Kislev's relentless investigations uncovered the world of organized crime, political corruption, and other forces lurking in Israel's shadow. This frequently put his family in jeopardy, leaving a young Sara to deal with the consequences.As an adult, Sara struggled to understand her father's motivations and contradictions: Why provoke dangerous criminals by publishing their names? Why defend an accused Nazi collaborator? And what about his philandering and secret children? Then, on the day of Ran's funeral, the man who had been his anonymous source introduced himself to Sara, setting her on an unexpected path.My Father's Shadow is Sara's memoir of what transpired before and after she stepped through a door to memory she had long avoided. Now a psychologist and mother herself, she ventures into the shadows of her and her father's past, revealing a complicated history of trauma, survival, and identity.She is the author of "My Father's Shadow: Uncovering the Stories Between the Lines." https://myfathersshadow.com/http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

A story of one Palestinian's fight against brutality, bureaucracy, and bishops.  We Belong to the Land: The Story of a Palestinian Israeli Who Lives for Peace and Reconciliation By: Elias Chacour and Mary E. Jensen Published: 1990 212 Pages Briefly, what is this book about? An autobiographical account of Chacour's struggles as a Palestinian Christian working to build up his community in Galilee (Ibillin) while under continual pushback from Israeli bureaucracy and internal church politics. What's the author's angle? At the time the book was written Chacour was a Melkite Greek Catholic Priest in the town of Ibillin. (He was later appointed to be the Archbishop of Haifa.) He has worked tirelessly to resolve the Palestinian problem using nonviolent means that emphasize reconciliation and the common background of both people. He pushes for Palestinians to be treated with dignity, but also for them to create dignified institutions. These institutions, particularly the school he founded, take up most of his energy. Who should read this book? As part of my post on Israel and Hamas I asked for books making the pro-Palestinian case. One of my readers recommended this book. It was a good book, but to the extent that it illuminated the problem it did so very obliquely. This is the story of a non-violent Palestinian Christian written over 30 years ago. Certainly it helped my understanding at maybe a 30,000 foot level?  But it didn't shed much light on the current crisis.  However, if you want the story of someone who took a really "bad hand" and did something truly extraordinary with it, then this is your book. Specific thoughts: If every Palestinian and every Israeli resembled Chacour and his congregation then the problem would be solved.

For millions of Jews around the world, Hanukkah ended Monday evening at nightfall. A holiday centered on dedication and perseverance, the Festival of Lights is particularly special in Israel, and especially for survivors of Oct. 7, their families and the families of the lost. The News Hour's producer in Israel, Karl Bostic, sent this report from two kibbutzes shattered by terror, and now reviving. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In this engaging Ask Away episode, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe tackles listener questions on everyday halacha and deeper Jewish concepts. Key topics include:Leaving negative Google reviews: Permissible only if consistently poor (to protect others), not for one-off bad experiences, to avoid lashon hara.Converts reciting Kaddish for non-Jewish parents: Not forbidden, and may merit their souls (as Avraham elevated his father Terach), though its full effect is unclear; honoring parents remains relevant.Modern rabbinic ordination (semicha): The biblical Sanhedrin chain ended with the Second Temple, but the unbroken rabbi-to-student transmission continues today, granting authority through rigorous testing—distinct from mere professional licensing.Blessings on processed foods (juices, oat milk, Pringles, soups): When original form changes significantly, default to Shehakol; priorities and mixtures follow complex rules (e.g., separate blessings for distinct components in soup).Continuing to eat after benching: Allowed, but requires new brachot.Fluctuating faith and synagogue-hopping: Hashem cherishes every effort; simple, heartfelt prayer anywhere strengthens connection—encouragement over self-criticism.Jews as "non-fighters" yet having a strong army: Victories are supernatural miracles (stories from 1948, Six-Day War, recent conflicts), not natural might—Hashem fights our battles when we stay close to Torah.The episode overflows with inspiring stories of divine protection and encouragement to appreciate open Torah study in America amid 2,000 years of relentless persecution.Please submit your questions at askaway@torchweb.org_____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #79) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 7, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 22, 2025_____________Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Everyday Judaism PodcastApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-judaism-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1600622789Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3AXCNcyKSVsaOLsLQsCN1CShare your questions at askaway@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#AskAway, #Torah, #Halacha, #Q&A, #Jewish, #Traditions, #Law, #LashonHara, #GoogleReviews, #Kaddish, #Ordination, #Brachot, #Blessings, #Miracles, #IDF, #Faith, #Struggles ★ Support this podcast ★

The United States has released dramatic footage of its forces seizing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, ten days after taking control of another ship in similar circumstances. Washington says the tankers' oil is funding narco-terrorism, while Caracas accuses the United States of theft and kidnapping. Also: with just one Israeli hostage's remains still held by Hamas in Gaza, Israel's Hostages Family Forum begins winding down its operations. The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has ordered a review into the police and intelligence services after the mass shooting at Bondi Beach last week. President Volodymyr Zelensky says he would support direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian teams if it unlocked prisoner swaps or paved the way for negotiations between him and Vladimir Putin. A German engineer becomes the first wheelchair user to travel to space on a Blue Origin rocket. And astronomers marvel at an unusual lemon-shaped exoplanet the size of Jupiter spotted with the James Webb Space Telescope. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

This week: 81 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 394 Palestinians in Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza continued to struggle to find food. Israel further expanded its presence in Syria. Israel has killed more than 70,925 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Correspondent Gabriel Elizondo, (@elizondogabriel) Al Jazeera Correspondent Gemma Nash, (@GemmaNash10) Al Jazeera Presenter Episode credits: This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. The Israel Defense Forces said Friday it was investigating a strike in Gaza City which reportedly killed at least five people, including civilians. According to the military, during operations on the Israeli side of the ceasefire line in the Strip’s north, troops spotted several suspects in “dominant structures” on the western side of the Yellow Line — meaning not in IDF-held territory. Fabian discusses the idea of "dominant structures" and reports on the uptick of Gazans attempting to cross the Yellow Line into Israeli-controlled Gaza. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said yesterday that his country is close to completing the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River. This comes after Israel struck Hezbollah targets across Lebanon on Thursday morning, hitting weapons stores deep inside the country and a training camp used by the terror group. So which is it? Fabian weighs in. The Israel Defense Forces captured a suspected Islamic State jihadist in an overnight raid earlier this week in southern Syria, the military said in a Saturday statement. We learn how active ISIS is in southern Syria. Finally, an Israeli woman who reported having been kidnapped on Friday was extracted by the Palestinian Authority’s security forces from the West Bank city of Jericho, the military said. We hear about the oft-overlooked close coordination between Israeli and PA forces.Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: 5 said killed in Gaza City strike; IDF says it’s investigating, regrets any civilian harm Army says it killed two terror operatives who crossed Gaza’s Yellow Line Lebanese PM says country close to completing Hezbollah disarmament south of Litani River Widescale IDF strikes target Hezbollah training camp, terror sites across Lebanon IDF says it nabbed suspected ISIS jihadist in southern Syria operation PA forces extract Israeli from Jericho who reported being kidnapped Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: An Israeli woman who was extracted from the West Bank city of Jericho is seen next to an officer from the Civil Administration, December 19, 2025. (Courtesy)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

The writer and lawyer has been documenting the occupation for decades. Somehow, he maintains hope.Thoughts? Email us at theinterview@nytimes.comWatch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcastFor transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

After months of political wrangling, parts of the long-awaited Epstein files have been released by the US Justice Department. The trove consists of thousands of documents related to the late sex-offender. Pictures include the former US President Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor - Britain's former prince, musicians Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson. Being named or pictured in the files is not an indication of wrongdoing. The justice department did not release all existing files, and the published ones were heavily redacted, prompting frustrated reactions from survivors of Epstein's abuse.Also: the US carries out dozens of strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria. Anti-government youth protesters in South Korea are taking cues from the American right's MAGA movement. Italy announces a fee for tourists to visit the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Putin vows revenge on Ukraine after an oil tanker was blown up in the Mediterranean Sea. Palestinians tell the BBC they were sexually abused in Israeli prisons. And how a lost radio play by Tennessee Williams was found more than four decades after his death, and has now been heard for the first time.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

INVESTIGATING THE MADRID AND PARIS ALLEGATIONS Colleague Craig Unger. Unger describes investigating allegations from rogue Israeli operative Ari Ben-Menashe, who claimed Bill Casey met Iranianrepresentatives in Madrid to negotiate delaying the hostage release. Ben-Menashe also alleged George H.W. Bushattended a final meeting in Paris to seal the arms-for-hostages deal just weeks before the 1980 election. NUMBER 3

THE SECRET NETWORK: SAFARI CLUB AND ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE Colleague Craig Unger. The discussion examines the "Safari Club," an off-the-books network used by Casey to bypass oversight. Unger explains how Casey utilized John Shaheen as a cutout to communicate with Iranian arms dealers and confirms through Israelimilitary intelligence officials that Israel facilitated secret arms shipments to Iran to support the scheme. NUMBER 5

BILL CASEY TAKES COMMAND OF THE REAGAN CAMPAIGN Colleague Craig Unger. Unger details how Ronald Reagan hired former OSS spy Bill Casey as campaign manager. Casey utilized a secret intelligence network involving Israeli agents to monitor the hostage situation, fearing a pre-election release would help Carter. Casey aimed to prevent this "October Surprise" while keeping Reagan largely insulated from specific operational details. NUMBER 2

Erika Kirk implodes on stage at AmFest without her script, proving she's a scripted Zionist plant grifting millions off Charlie's blood. The fireworks and rock star act can't hide her family's Israeli ties to the Fort Huachuca plot. Trump spewed garbage on national TV claiming he ended wars from Gaza to Thailand and brought eternal Middle East peace, but Israel keeps slaughtering Lebanese civilians and US forces choke Venezuela's oil for foreign interests. Former VA nurse Laura Hartman joins Stew to expose how the corrupt VA death machine poisoned her own veteran father with a contaminated bioweapon shot, exploding his cancer to stage four while they left him to die in backlog hell.