The Israel Connexion

David Schulberg
  • 5.0 (3)
  • News
  • Weekly

Exploring our close links with Israel and delves into the news behind the news and aims to provide detailed analysis of important current political, social and cultural issues to do with Israel. In collaboration with experts from all walks of life, who specialise in various aspects of Israel’s political life, arts and culture you can hear in depth interviews delving into issues affecting Israel, on topics to do with Israelis and their involvements around the world.

  1. 9h ago

    Antisemitism Envoy's Latest Report, The Choice

    Last week Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal AO released her latest report, which has updated priorities aiming to push antisemitism back to the margins The report calls on institutions to adapt codes of conduct, ensure people understand the nature of antisemitism, and recognise the ascension of a new pervasive coded antisemitism identified as modern, ‘progressive’ antisemitism as being rife in Australia today, taking the hostility of Islamic extremism and far-left antisemitism, together with traditional antisemitic tropes, and giving it a respectable face through the language of social justice and human rights.(0:31-30:12) Showing at JIFF 'The Choice' is an extraordinary documentary film that explores trauma, survival, and the radical power of choice through the interconnected lives of three women: Dr. Edith "Edie" Eger: A renowned psychologist, Holocaust survivor, and author of the bestselling memoir The Choice: Embrace the Possible. Iris Haim: An Israeli mother who turned to Dr. Eger’s book as a lifeline after her son, Yotam Haim, was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.  Sapir Cohen: A former hostage who independently discovered the same core message of resilience and personal agency even while in captivity I speak with the film's director John David Coles. (30:18-57:29) Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Antisemitism Envoy's Latest Report, The Choice

  2. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    The Wedding Entertainer (Gidi Dar)

    Set in the heart of Hassidic Jerusalem, this comedic, modern-day caper screening at JIFF and starring the famed Israeli film actor, writer, and singer Shuli Rand follows a disgraced badhan (a traditional Jewish wedding emcee) as he fights to reclaim his former glory. I speak with the film's director Gidi Dar who created the film Ushpizin in 2004 which was the first feature film ever made in Israel's ultra-Orthodox Haredi community. One of history’s most consequential and under-recognised Jewish women, Henrietta Szold left an indelible mark on the 20th century with her compassionate leadership founded on equality. Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Wedding Entertainer (Gidi Dar)

  3. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold 

    One of history’s most consequential and under-recognised Jewish women, Henrietta Szold left an indelible mark on the 20th century with her compassionate leadership founded on equality. This powerful documentary Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold by Peabody award-winner Abby Ginzberg that is showing at JIFF brings a compassionate new insight to a woman who reshaped history and became mother and mentor to thousands of young Jews with her rare blend of logistical genius, hands-on dedication and an unwavering belief in the power of humanity. Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold 

  4. Oct 28 ·  Bonus

    UNRWA and Francesca Albanese

    Dina Rovner is the Legal Advisor of United Nations Watch (UN Watch), an independent human rights monitoring organization in Geneva, Switzerland. UN Watch has produced a couple of comprehensive reports, one repudiating UNRWA's claim that it is successfully implementing reforms and the other providing a comprehensive legal analysis of Francesca Albanese’s October 2026 Report to the UN General Assembly.  I deal with both of these issues in my full interview here with Dina Rovner.  Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    UNRWA and Francesca Albanese

  5. Oct 28

    UNRWA has to go, The Wedding Entertainer, Henrietta Szold

    Dina Rovner is the Legal Advisor of United Nations Watch (UN Watch), an independent human rights monitoring organization in Geneva, Switzerland. UN Watch has produced a couple of comprehensive reports, one repudiating UNRWA's claim that it is successfully implementing reforms and the other providing a comprehensive legal analysis of Francesca Albanese’s October 2026 Report to the UN General Assembly.  On today's show I will only have time to deal with the UNRWA issues but a separate podcast will cover my full interview with Dina Rovner.  (0:31-29:46) Set in the heart of Hassidic Jerusalem, this comedic, modern-day caper screening at JIFF and starring the famed Israeli film actor, writer, and singer Shuli Rand follows a disgraced badhan (a traditional Jewish wedding emcee) as he fights to reclaim his former glory. I speak with the film's director Gidi Dar who created the film Ushpizin in 2004 which was the first feature film ever made in Israel's ultra-Orthodox Haredi community. One of history’s most consequential and under-recognised Jewish women, Henrietta Szold left an indelible mark on the 20th century with her compassionate leadership founded on equality. (29:51-46:00) This powerful documentary Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold by Peabody award-winner Abby Ginzberg that is showing at JIFF brings a compassionate new insight to a woman who reshaped history and became mother and mentor to thousands of young Jews with her rare blend of logistical genius, hands-on dedication and an unwavering belief in the power of humanity. (46:05-57:53) Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    UNRWA has to go, The Wedding Entertainer, Henrietta Szold

  6. Oct 24 ·  Bonus

    UNRWA's Sorry Legacy

    I spoke wirh Duki Dror, the director of Unraveling UNRWA a probing and scrupulous documentary that dives into the history of the relief agency founded to aid Palestinian refugees in the wake of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and how it evolved to become an organisation at the centre of global scrutiny. In the wake of October 7 massacre and explosive allegations implicating UNRWA staff in kidnappings, Israel severed legislative ties with the agency amid Gaza’s deepening humanitarian crisis. Drawing on historical and political perspectives, insider’s testimony, and archival footage, this documentary traces UNRWA’s 75-year evolution bringing its organisational dysfunction into focus and asking urgent questions about its legacy and future. [Full interview] Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    UNRWA's Sorry Legacy

  7. Oct 23 ·  Bonus

    Ruminations on Israel's Coming Elections

    Gideon Rahat is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a Senior Fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute and an International Fellow at the Center for the Study of Democracy at the University of California, Irvine.  His research fields are comparative politics and Israeli politics. His interests include political parties, electoral reform, the personalization of politics and candidate selection methods.  He is a co-editor (together with Shlomit Barnea, Chen Friedberg, and Ofer Kenig) of the book Reforming Israel’s Political System. With Israeli elections less than a week away we look at the candidates, discuss the state of play with the possible result being suggested by the polls and consider the main issues that are influencing Israelis. [Full interview] Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Ruminations on Israel's Coming Elections

  8. Oct 21

    Unraveling UNRWA, Israeli elections

    I spoke wirh Duki Dror, the director of Unraveling UNRWA a probing and scrupulous documentary that dives into the history of the relief agency founded to aid Palestinian refugees in the wake of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and how it evolved to become an organisation at the centre of global scrutiny. In the wake of October 7 massacre and explosive allegations implicating UNRWA staff in kidnappings, Israel severed legislative ties with the agency amid Gaza’s deepening humanitarian crisis. Drawing on historical and political perspectives, insider’s testimony, and archival footage, this documentary traces UNRWA’s 75-year evolution bringing its organisational dysfunction into focus and asking urgent questions about its legacy and future. (0:31-29:52) Gideon Rahat is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a Senior Fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute and an International Fellow at the Center for the Study of Democracy at the University of California, Irvine.  His research fields are comparative politics and Israeli politics. His interests include political parties, electoral reform, the personalization of politics and candidate selection methods.  He is a co-editor (together with Shlomit Barnea, Chen Friedberg, and Ofer Kenig) of the book Reforming Israel’s Political System. With Israeli elections less than a week away we look at the candidates, discuss the state of play with the possible result being suggested by the polls and consider the main issues that are influencing Israelis. (29:57-57:40) Support the show: https://www.j-air.com.au/get-involved/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Unraveling UNRWA, Israeli elections
See All (92)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Exploring our close links with Israel and delves into the news behind the news and aims to provide detailed analysis of important current political, social and cultural issues to do with Israel. In collaboration with experts from all walks of life, who specialise in various aspects of Israel’s political life, arts and culture you can hear in depth interviews delving into issues affecting Israel, on topics to do with Israelis and their involvements around the world.

Information

  • Creator
    David Schulberg
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    92
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 J-AIR Radio
  • Show Website
    The Israel Connexion

You Might Also Like