561 episodes
The Promised Podcast TLV1 Studios
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- Religion & Spirituality
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4.7 • 389 Ratings
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An inside view of how Israel can warm your heart and make your blood boil. It’s a show by a journalist, a professor and an NGO professional who live in and love Israel even though it drives them crazy, and who each week discuss the latest in Israeli politics, culture, and society.
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The “Calamities, Past and Not” Edition
Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
—Now, Rafah—
What are we to make of Israel’s rolling incursion into Rafah? Oy.
—On Film—
There’s a new hour-long movie about the rape and sexual assault of Israeli women on October 7 and since. Oy.
—A Huge Win Despite the Loss—
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Eden Golan’s amazing adventure at the Eurovision song contest.
All this and more music of these troubled times. -
The “Days Like These” Edition
Allison Kaplan Sommer, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
—Days of Awe—
What do Yom Ha-Zikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha-Atzmaut (Independence Day) mean in this annus horribilis? How can we celebrate, now?
—School Daze—
What should we make of the enraged protests raging on university campuses? Kids these days, am I right?
—Al Jazeera on the Chopping Block—
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Israel blocks Al Jazeera for 45 days, on the grounds that the network is neither fair nor balanced. Dumb move?
Plus, a look back fifty years, a vegetable vending machine, and more music of these troubled times. -
The “Ashes & Dust” Edition
To mark Yom Ha-Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Noah describes the decades-long path Israelis followed to come to terms with the Holocaust, culminating in a record in 1988, fully 43 years after the camps were freed.
(Out of concern for the environment, this episode is reused and recycled, though not reduced.) -
The “Missing” Edition
At Passover Seders all around the world, a place setting was laid before a chair left empty for one of the 133 hostages held in Gaza. We look back at the 200 days of anguish, hope, and despair that divide Simchat Torah on October 7 from this week’s holiday.
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The “Unsmote, but Smitten Nonetheless” Edition
Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
—Going Too Farsi? (Or, the Persian Incursion)—
We — with the help of the US, UK, Jordan and other capable allies — buffly rebuffed the biggest missile and drone attack on Israel ever. But what does it tell us about the past and augur for the future?
—Passover, 5784—
How is this Passover different from all other Passovers?
Plus, a bereaved father on solidarity, flower-girls, fruit bats and more music of our times. -
The “Here and There” Edition
Marking six months since the massacres and the start of the war, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon
—Us, Here—
Whether and how we Israelis have changed, in light of all that has happened. Are we different than we were six months and one week ago?
—Us, There—
Whether and how we Jews around the world have changed, in light of all that has happened. Are we different than we were six months and one week ago?
—Iran’s Promised “Persian Incursion”—
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Are we losing sleep over Iran’s promised “Persian Incursion”?
Plus, the presence of October 7 around the Seder table. And, more music of our times.
Customer Reviews
Brings Israel Back to Me
My husband and I lived in Israel for 7 years in the late 70s, early 80s. Our daughters were born there. We planned to stay, but life and work interfered. And Israel changed and we hardly recognized what it became. And we were estranged.
Then I found The Promised Podcast, and it took me back to those days, while at the same time helping me make sense of the Israel of today. Noah Efron’s poetic soliloquies, the music he plays, and the daily details recall the time of our innocence and almost create a “back to the future” for us. His co-hosts, particularly Alilson Kaplan Somerm, add a tartness and an edgier view.
It is all a podcast can and should be, and more.
I am going to learn so much from The Promise
I came across The Promise as I must, as a NYC progressive Jew, understand Israel. I have so many complicated feelings but not enough knowledge. Because I love an Israeli friend very much I have planted seeds in my heart and mind to learn more about Israel and I have found that perhaps she was the impetus, but I really do want to know Israel for my own sake. I can’t wait to keep listening. Also the music is amazing and Noah’s storytelling is poetry that takes my breath away. Today I listened and learned that y’all are walkable street activists and bike commuters! Me too in NYC! Well that just does it, along with the music, listening to The Promise is a much welcome experience each week. My Israeli friend from Tel Aviv loves it too. And I told her about it, and it makes her feel connected to home. Thank you for making this podcast.
Excellent and informative!
A passionate podcaster and wonderful guests. I always learn something new and the music gives balance!