Linda Gradstein, Don Futterman 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 Special on Patreon

—The Other War—

The war with Hezbollah up north seems to be getting hotter and more deadly with each passing day. Will missiles rain down on Tel Aviv? And when can the nearly 100,000 evacuees from their homes near the Lebanese Border expect to go back home?

—Spring of Despair—

New polls show despair and pessimism of a sort Israelis have never known before. What do we do when more than 2/3 of Israelis are not optimistic about our future?

—When Nothing Feels Right—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Summer’s here and the time is right for what exactly?

Plus, Bnei Brak at 100, and more music of our times.

The “Down and Out” Edition