Us Among the Israelis SoulShop

What are the fundamental dynamics driving the Israeli Knesset and the decisions it makes? What Flexibility do individual MKs have to vote for their consciences, versus rubber stamp for their parties? And even though Israelis elect 120 MKs, why do only a handful wield real power.
In our last episode of season 1, Carrie and Aliza speak with Michael Oren, Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. and later Member of Knesset, to get the inside baseball on how the Knesset operates and what power individual legislators do - and don't - have to represent Israeli citizens.
This episode is in partnership with the Rosen School - click here to save 20% on your course to study modern Hebrew with classes accredited by Hebrew University.

While the image of teenage IDF soldiers toting M-16s is ubiquitous, can those same soldiers obtain a private weapon post-service? Do Israelis see private gun ownership as a right? And why can't our IDF-veteran hosts get a handgun license?
Carrie and Aliza talk with Nadav Kalmar, a professional shooting instructor and two-decade veteran of the nation's security establishment. They speak about Israeli attitudes toward and culture around firearms, and how they are reflected in private gun ownership policy.

What is Yafo and who lives there? Yafo is seamlessly integrated into Tel Aviv...... or is it? And why is it, that during the May 2021 conflict with Hamas, citizens of Yafo faced riots, while just steps north in Tel Aviv, the streets were calm?
Carrie and Aliza speak with lifelong Yafo resident Hilal Habashi to hear a personal perspective on the community and how it fits into the Israeli constellation.
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Carrie and Aliza are taking this week off as they get ready to put the final touches on this season's last 3 episodes. Carrie has a message about the upcoming Summer Mailbox Episodes! She's asking you to write in with your burning questions about life in Israel.
Us Among the Israelis is a part of The Joshua Network, sign up for news about the show here.

Why has the Dead Sea shrunk more than 40% in the last 100 years? Can it be saved, or have we passed the point of no return? Why are companies still allowed to profit off of its mineral harvest? Where are the Israeli and Jordanian governments in this story?
Carrie and Aliza speak with Dr. Clive Lipchin, the Director of the Center for Transboundary Water Management at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, about why the Dead Sea is drying up and, in order to save it, who has to start caring.
Us Among the Israelis is a part of The Joshua Network, sign up for news about the show here!

How come Israel honors gay marriage but impedes gay couples from building families? Why can a single woman employ a gestational surrogate in Israel, but not a single man? And what are the real consequences of going abroad for surrogacy?
Carrie and Aliza speak with father, journalist, and media company owner Grig Davidovitz, who together with his husband made three babies ..... with a little help from a foreign surrogate.



Us Among the Israelis is a part of The Joshua Network, sign up for news about the show here!