168 episodes

Yonit Levi of Israel's Channel 12 News and Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian are two of the most prominent journalists in the world today. They are also Jews. Each week, join what MSNBC's Rachel Maddow calls "two great, smart smart smart hosts" as they dissect and debate current events shaping Israel, Jewish life - and the wider world.

Their blend of nuanced discussion and sparkling conversation, featuring a dazzling range of guests, is why New Yorker editor David Remnick calls himself a “proud, avid listener," why Ira Glass says he "completely enjoys this show" and why Malcolm Gladwell calls it an "incredibly fun podcast".

For a weekly fix of globally informed talk – including nominations for the greatest act of chutzpah and outstanding mensch of the previous seven days – there’s only one destination. Make every Friday morning Unholy. 

Unholy: Two Jews on the News Keshet

    • News
    • 4.8 • 32 Ratings

Yonit Levi of Israel's Channel 12 News and Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian are two of the most prominent journalists in the world today. They are also Jews. Each week, join what MSNBC's Rachel Maddow calls "two great, smart smart smart hosts" as they dissect and debate current events shaping Israel, Jewish life - and the wider world.

Their blend of nuanced discussion and sparkling conversation, featuring a dazzling range of guests, is why New Yorker editor David Remnick calls himself a “proud, avid listener," why Ira Glass says he "completely enjoys this show" and why Malcolm Gladwell calls it an "incredibly fun podcast".

For a weekly fix of globally informed talk – including nominations for the greatest act of chutzpah and outstanding mensch of the previous seven days – there’s only one destination. Make every Friday morning Unholy. 

    College Break - with Hadley Freeman, Noa Fay & Maya Ilany

    College Break - with Hadley Freeman, Noa Fay & Maya Ilany

    In a week when the Gaza conflict seemed to be relocated to the lawns of America’s Ivy League campuses, Yonit and Jonathan talk to Columbia student Noa Fay and to Maya Ilany of Harvard - followed by a conversation with award-winning columnist Hadley Freeman about her new essay on October 7 and the left. Plus: an update on renewed efforts to broker a ceasefire deal and hostage release, and the perennial indecision of Benjamin Netanyahu.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 24 min
    Rewind: Scott Galloway vs. the World

    Rewind: Scott Galloway vs. the World

    During the Passover break, another chance to hear one of our most forceful conversations - one that, in many ways, has only become more timely. Yonit and Jonathan talk to the entrepreneur, scholar and podcaster Professor Scott Galloway about the war that is waged not through bombs and rockets, but in the media, online - and especially on campus.

     
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 55 min
    The 11th Plague - with Fania Oz-Salzberger & Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib

    The 11th Plague - with Fania Oz-Salzberger & Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib

    In an episode recorded before Israel’s reported targeting of Iranian sites in the early hours of Friday morning, Yonit and Jonathan discuss the ongoing fallout from Iran’s attack on Israel six days earlier — assessing the arguments and dilemmas that have gripped Israel’s policymakers. Plus: a conversation about the future for Israelis and Palestinians when the current war in Gaza is finally over, with Israeli scholar and thinker Fania Oz-Salzberger and Palestinian writer and analyst Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib. And, of course, some thoughts for the seder table as Pesach, or Passover, approaches

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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 20 min
    Urgent Update: Iran Attacks

    Urgent Update: Iran Attacks

    Yonit and Jonathan talk through an unprecedented night in which Iran launched a direct attack on Israeli territory for the first time - and in which a series of Arab nations joined the US, UK, France and Israel itself in protecting the country from a sustained Iranian drone and missile attack. How will - and how should - Benjamin Netanyahu respond? Is there a way to retaliate without triggering a wider regional war? And what are the implications for both Israel's battle against Hamas and its place in the Middle East?
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 27 min
    This Jewish Life: A Conversation with Ira Glass & Etgar Keret

    This Jewish Life: A Conversation with Ira Glass & Etgar Keret

    Israeli writer and satirist Etgar Keret and US broadcasting legend Ira Glass have been friends for two decades - but October 7 put that friendship under strain. They found themselves seeing the same events differently. Like Yonit and Jonathan, one was inside, the other outside. The four of them talk about that, about grief, friendship - and much else. Plus an update on the looming threat from Iran and the state of the war in Gaza — and there are some choice nominees for the chutzpah and mensch awards
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 15 min
    The Six Month War - With Amos Harel, Angela Buchdahl and Bianna Golodryga

    The Six Month War - With Amos Harel, Angela Buchdahl and Bianna Golodryga

    The war that began on October 7 is six months old: to mark the occasion, a special episode with three unique voices. Yonit and Jonathan hear from Israel's pre-eminent military analyst, Amos Harel, on the state of the conflict in Gaza - what's happened, what might come next and the prospects for a wider clash with Iran and Hizbullah. They speak with Rabbi Angela Buchdal of New York about how October 7 shook the Jewish diaspora, and how Judaism might serve as a consolation in these dark days. And they hear from CNN's BIanna Golodryga about the hostages taken that day and the challenge of keeping global attention on their increasingly desperate fate. Plus: some award winners - and an unexpected moment of song.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 39 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
32 Ratings

32 Ratings

Didi-Oz ,

Elaine D

Unholy has become my religion on a Friday afternoon as I prepare for Shabbat dinner with my somewhat secular, but always together for Shabbat, family.

Your podcast is always a subject for discussion at our table and mostly it’s one of appreciation and consensus.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate what you both do, especially bringing the views from inside and outside of Israel into focus. I also appreciate the interesting, informed people you interview. I’m learning a lot!!

I’ve spread the word far and wide about you two wonderful journalists!
Continue this great work. And may it in time move on from talking about the war.

Best wishes from Elaine Davidoff in Melbourne Australia

Steph from Sydney ,

What's happened Jonathan?

Have listened and loved this podcast for a very long time. Lately I am finding it harder to listen and enjoy. Jonathan, your views seem very shallow and just seem to be re-hashing traditional media, anti-Israel rhetoric, as though every issue in Gaza is Israel's fault. I rarely hear you mention Hamas. There are so many layers in this conflict, many geopolitical and internal political issues, and yet I rarely hear you offer a deeper explanation or view to the current situations. Sure, Israel has a huge responsibility continue to fight this necessary war, according to Internatiinal law, but continuing to use talking points of our haters is at best hard to listen to. I don't feel your voice accurately represents the diaspora voice of late. Still love Yonit's Israeli perspective and the back and forth between you both. Perhaps your position has changed?

Fayg52 ,

Compulsory listening

Unholy podcast has become one of the most important podcasts I listen to for the latest updates and insights on what’s happening in Israel-Palestine especially now in these unique and difficult times. For most of the year I live in Tel Aviv but still learn so much from Yonit, Jonathan and their expert and amazing guests. I’m in Australia now for part of the year and have shared the podcast with many of my friends here who are bewildered by events and the reaction to them here. You are one of the bright spots of my Friday despite the ongoing tough times. Thank you and best wishes.

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