Sababoosh

Jake Gillis
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  • Judaism
  • Updated fortnightly

Discover the people, sounds, and stories shaping modern Israel. Host Jake Gillis takes you beyond the headlines into real conversations with artists, thinkers, and changemakers. If you love smart storytelling, cultural deep dives, and surprising moments of connection — you’ll love Sababoosh.

  1. Can Comedy Heal? Laughter, Trauma, and the Israeli Spirit | with Yochay Sponder

    3 days ago

    Can Comedy Heal? Laughter, Trauma, and the Israeli Spirit | with Yochay Sponder

    What role does comedy play in a society under constant pressure? Can laughter do more than entertain—can it actually help people heal? In this episode of Sababoosh, I sit down with Israeli stand-up comedian Yochay Sponder to explore the unique role comedy plays in Israeli life. We discuss how humor helps people process pain, bridge differences, and find moments of connection even during the most difficult times. From the nuances of Israeli audiences to performing around the world, Yochay shares why comedy is one of Israel's most revealing cultural lenses. Along the way, we talk about the relationship between trauma and laughter, the responsibility of comedians, the universal language of humor, and why sometimes the best way to understand a society is to listen to what makes it laugh. Whether you're a fan of stand-up or simply curious about Israeli culture, this conversation offers a thoughtful and surprisingly moving look at the healing power of comedy. In this episode, we discuss: Why humor is essential during times of crisis How comedy helps people process trauma and build resilience What makes Israeli comedy different How comedians read a room and adapt to different audiences Why laughter creates connection across cultures Guest: Yochay Sponder, one of Israel's leading stand-up comedians, known internationally for his sharp observations, quick wit, and ability to find humor in even the most complex realities.

    49 min

  2. 21 Jan

    Inside the Newsroom: Truth, Access, and Accountability w/ Journalist Lahav Harkov

    Journalism in Israel doesn’t happen at a distance. It happens up close, in hallways, offices, and crowded Knesset corridors where everyone knows everyone — or at least knows someone who knows someone. Covering Israeli politics means being physically present, making endless cold calls, chasing down statements on tight deadlines, and building relationships that can determine whether a story moves forward or hits a wall. A reporter covering the Knesset isn’t just observing power; they’re constantly negotiating access to it. That can mean interviewing prime ministers and senior ministers one day, and the next day trying to convince a spokesperson to pick up the phone, answer a WhatsApp, or confirm a quote before a deadline hits. In a small country, relationships matter. Trust matters. Knowing how — and when — to ask for a comment matters. Today’s guest lives inside that world. Lahav Harkov is a journalist who covers Israeli politics from the Knesset, navigating the pace, proximity, and pressure that define Israeli journalism. In this conversation, we talk about what it actually means to report from inside Israel’s political system — how stories get made, how access works, and how the job has changed in the age of social media and AI. Our Sponsor Destination Morocco Podcast - Listen here Book a Talk for "Soundtrack of Resilience" - Israeli Music after October 7th- Book here

    39 min

  3. 6 Jan

    Behind the Screen: The Ingenuity and Ambiguity of Israeli Film w/ Award-Winning Filmmaker Joseph Cedar

    In this episode, we sit down with Joseph Cedar, director of the Oscar-nominated film, Footnote, to explore the world of Israeli cinema. From moral ambiguity to inventive storytelling, Cedar discusses what makes Israeli film uniquely compelling — how it thrives in the gray, turns limitations into creativity, and tells deeply personal yet universal stories. We dive into his filmmaking process, the challenges and surprises of telling Israeli stories, and why ambiguity, nuance, and ingenuity define cinema from Israel.

    48 min
  4. The Therapeutic Lens: Documentary Beyond Storytelling w/ Documentary Filmmaker Yonatan Nir

    31/12/2025

    The Therapeutic Lens: Documentary Beyond Storytelling w/ Documentary Filmmaker Yonatan Nir

    In this episode, we hear from Yonatan Nir as he explores how documentary film in Israel functions not only as storytelling, but as a therapeutic act. Drawing on his work as a filmmaker and pioneer of docutherapy, he examines what happens when the camera becomes a space for listening, witnessing, and emotional repair. The conversation moves between the personal and the collective - how individual stories of trauma, memory, and identity intersect with Israel’s broader social reality, and how the process of filming itself can foster healing, insight, and transformation. This episode looks beyond documentary as art or journalism and asks what it means for film to actively participate in care, resilience, and meaning-making. As mentioned in the episode, Yonatan is also the host of DocuNation, an organization that publicizes Israeli documentaries for the world to see. You learn more here.

    48 min
  5. It's Not a Coincidence: Why Israel Produces So Many Mentalists w/ Guy Bavli

    24/12/2025

    It's Not a Coincidence: Why Israel Produces So Many Mentalists w/ Guy Bavli

    In this episode of Sababoosh, we dive into mentalism through a conversation with Guy Bavli. What mentalism actually is, how it works, and why it sits in the gray zone between psychology, performance, intuition, and illusion. A close look at why Israelis are disproportionately drawn to this field: constant situational awareness, reading people under pressure, improvisation, and skepticism as survival skills. Mentalism as a cultural mirror, not a magic trick. How attention, perception, and uncertainty shape both the performer and the audience. Learn more about Guy on his website here. And check out his book, "Smile for a Change: How the World's Favorite Expression Can Affect Your Life", here.

    38 min
  6. How the Coffee Cart Took Over Israel: From Sidewalk Niche to Everyday Institution w/ Owner of Coffee Trail Michal Sapir

    16/12/2025

    How the Coffee Cart Took Over Israel: From Sidewalk Niche to Everyday Institution w/ Owner of Coffee Trail Michal Sapir

    Coffee carts in Israel are not a trend. They are an institution. What began as improvised roadside setups has become a defining feature of Israeli public life: espresso machines on wheels at the edge of highways, outside moshavim, near bases, in industrial zones, and at the margins of cities. They serve soldiers, commuters, farmers, freelancers, families, and early-morning regulars who plan their routes around a specific cart. In this episode, I’m joined by Michal Sapir, founder of Coffee Trail, to trace how coffee carts moved from informal side projects to everyday institutions. We talk about what makes the cart format work in Israel: speed over ceremony, consistency over branding, and community without commitment. We examine what these spaces reveal about Israeli social habits after years of disruption and change. This conversation uses coffee as a lens to understand something larger: how Israelis gather, pause, and connect in public without pretense. The cart is not about artisanal beans or aesthetics. It is about movement, access, and trust. An episode about coffee, yes, but more accurately, about how a society builds shared space on the fly. Check out the Coffee Trail website here.

    29 min
  7. An Anchor of Support for Families of Reserve Soldiers w/ Founder and CEO of HaOgen Rachel Azaria

    09/12/2025

    An Anchor of Support for Families of Reserve Soldiers w/ Founder and CEO of HaOgen Rachel Azaria

    Although Sababoosh is meant to be light and its soul can be found in music, food, TV, art, sports, and other aspects of Israeli culture. Reserve duty is a major aspect of Israeli culture. This episode won't get into the war that much itself, but it will focus on how the families of reservists are impacted when their spouse or parent is away for an average of 70 days, but possibly far longer - hundreds of days. Often back and forth for Shabbat or holidays here and there but many large periods of time away. Rachel and her organization, Haogen, have done some incredible work - helping out 35,000 reservist families. with all sorts of help that she will tell you about. Why did I choose Rachel for this episode? She and her organization Haogen are very much the address for help for miluim families and she provides their story in an informative way. She also has been a member of Knesset, on the Jerusalem city council, and the deputy mayor of Jerusalem, so she understands how the government can help, as well as what is lacking. That hole is what is filled by HaOgen. More info on HaOgen: https://www.haogenmiluim.org.il/abouthaogen Their crowdfunding campaign: https://azm.org/israel-relief/haogen/

    38 min
  8. Turning up the Radio: Israeli Music and Broadcasting Culture w/ Galgalatz Host Ahinoam Baer (Re-release)

    27/11/2025

    Turning up the Radio: Israeli Music and Broadcasting Culture w/ Galgalatz Host Ahinoam Baer (Re-release)

    A re-release of an especially moving episode. One of my personal favorites. All about Galgalatz and its place as the heartbeat of Israel.

    44 min
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About

Discover the people, sounds, and stories shaping modern Israel. Host Jake Gillis takes you beyond the headlines into real conversations with artists, thinkers, and changemakers. If you love smart storytelling, cultural deep dives, and surprising moments of connection — you’ll love Sababoosh.

Information

  • Creator
    Jake Gillis
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jake Gillis
  • Show Website
    Sababoosh

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