Being Jew-ish Underdog Podcasts

Episode 30! It's election season. Seth and Dave explore how what's happening in Israel and Gaza might impact elections (and other important life events, like looking at colleges for our kids). How are Israel and Antisemitism present in political positions, and how much should we be considering those elements when making our own votes? Seth and Dave take some time to unpack Senator Chuck Schumer's congressional speech on Israel and Gaza. Finally, they explore the importance of finding levity even in moments like these, since Purim is coming up this week.

This is the final show of Being Jew-ish's first season. Seth and Dave will return for season two soon.

This week we share a conversation recorded on Dave's recent trip to Israel with Danny Miran, the father of Israeli hostage Omri Miran, 46-year-old, held in Gaza since October 7, 156 days as of the release date of this podcast. Danny's account is heart-wrenching and yet hopeful. Given the emotional weight of his burden, Danny Miran spoke with us in Hebrew, and Daniel Shek, former Israeli ambassador to France and current head of the diplomatic department at Families of Hostages and the Missing Forum, served as translator.

For Omri's story, click here: https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/bringthemhome/miran-omri

For general information on Families of Hostages and the Missing Forum (the "bring them home now” organization), click here: https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/

Dave is back from leading the synagogue's Solidarity Mission to Israel. It was an emotionally intense and moving trip, where participants volunteered throughout the country (mostly in the food and agriculture sectors) and brought and distributed donations. They met with survivors from the October 7 massacres, grieving and pained family members of people killed and hostages, displaced families from the north, and soldiers currently on duty. Dave learned about the dangers Israelis face every day— while people in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have 1.5 minutes from hearing a rocket siren to seek shelter, in the Gaza envelope, people have no more than a 15-second warning at best. We'll hear a message from Sam, a reservist in an infantry brigade. In future weeks, we'll hear more recordings from the trip. As always, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend!

This week we speak with Shemtov Hollinger, a special forces reservist who has been serving in the West Bank since the national alarm went off on October 7. By the time this is released, for the first time since, Hollinger is returning to his regular work as a nurse. Listen for a fascinating conversation of a first-hand account of what's happening on the ground along with his perspective on what the future may hold. We are so grateful to all those putting their lives on the line for the sake of our people and the State of Israel. Please note that we will not be releasing an episode next week, but the following week, we'll be sharing recordings from Dave's solidarity mission to Israel. Please share with a friend and rate on Apple Podcasts.

This episode is dedicated to Seth's father Lou on his second yahrtzeit. This week, we spoke with Malka Shaw, LCSW. Malka shares with listeners her work at Kesher Shalom, an organization dedicated to supporting mental health professionals with everything connected to the October 7th attacks, the recent rise in Antisemitism, and the general Jewish experience today. Mental health professionals need additional tools for supporting their Jewish clients and Jewish mental health professionals very much need support for their own experiences. Thankfully, Kesher Shalom is there to support them. For more information, go to keshershalom.com.

In episode 25 (a quarter of the way to 100!), Dave and Seth discuss what it means for Israel to have a “moral” military. We explore the issues raised in the Newsweek article, “Israel implemented more measures to limit civilian casualties than any other nation in history.” (link at the end). Is it possible for an army to be moral? They also discuss the current political climate in the United States and what impact it may have on the war in Gaza.

https://www.newsweek.com/israel-implemented-more-measures-prevent-civilian-casualties-any-other-nation-history-opinion-1865613