Rosh Hashanah is right around the corner, and like almost every new Hebrew year lately, the upcoming one already has an Israeli election set in its calendar. The fifth round in three and a half years raises a lot of questions, the salient one being: will it be the last? That’s why we partnered up with The Center for Jewish Impact, to host a live event in which Yonit and Jonathan answer questions sent in by foreign diplomats and Jewish organizations from all around the world.  Plus, we talk about the speech that made headlines even before it was even uttered in the UN general assembly, and the leader who just keeps ending up as the recipient of our Chutzpah award. So, whether you’re ironing your white shirt or setting the dinner table for the holiday, we humbly suggest you let the sound of our special episode accompany you - and of course wish those celebrating a happy, and politically stable, new year. Shana Tova!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While coverage of the Queen's death continues to dominate British news outlets, Yonit and Jonathan dive into the relationship between the Royal Family and the Jewish community - which may see the taking of a long-awaited step with a new king on the block.  Also this week, we explain how the political aspect of applying the core curriculum to Haredi students in Israel coincides with a New York Times piece on the funds invested in Ultra Orthodox schools in Brooklyn. And, as Europe nears a hard winter, Yonit and Jonathan are joined by one of the sharpest minds writing on climate change, David Wallace Wells, to discuss the impending and devastating dangers of our current trajectory but also underscore that we can still avert a total catastrophe.Plus - our host / opinion columnist / author adds yet another title to his expanded resume - debuting a new play on the roots of antisemitism in Britain. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For seven decades, Queen Elizabeth II was a symbol of stability not only in the commonwealth but on the world stage as well, helping to navigate her country through a series of shifts that rattled Britain in the twentieth and twenty first centuries, and placing the royal family as a fortress of reassurance in a time of upheaval. Yonit and Jonathan speak about the end of an era in the UK - from the announcement from Buckingham Palace that every news outlet in Britain braced for - but dreaded having to bear - to the late Queen’s influence on her subjects and on modern history.  Plus, Haaretz Military Correspondent Amos Harel joins our hosts to discuss the IDF’s investigation into the death of Palestinian journalist Shireeb Abu Akleh, and about whether it affects the relationship between Jerusalem and Washington. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August has come to an end, schools have reopened and Jonathan has landed safely from vacation - which means Unholy is back! If you chose to spend your summer break in Israel, you might have met two issues - the first being the high price tags, and the second the extensive construction all around. We also hope you weren’t too bothered by the political situation here - which took quite a few turns while we were away. But don’t fret -if you missed out or spent your vacation elsewhere, we’re here to update you on all of the above.And - Yonit and Jonathan are honored to be joined by a friend of the podcast, editor of The New Yorker and former Moscow correspondent David Remnick, to discuss the legacy of the last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, who passed away this week. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What better way to spend the last days of summer break than by soaking up the sun… and listening to a rerun of a conversation we love? While our beloved British co-host is still away, he and Yonit made sure our listeners are reminded of some of our favorite conversations, before they return for a brand new season next week.  For the last week of August, Yonit and Jonathan revisit a conversation with a sitcom star who recently made her debut as film director. Here’s a clue: Famous Jewish actress and gameshow host for $500. And if you haven’t guessed it: Who is Mayim Bialik? Jeopardy’s frontwoman opens up on being a Zionist in Hollywood and on how she intergrated Jewish grief rituals into her movie, plus settles the age-old question: are our hosts geeks - or nerds? Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We truly hope that by the time you’re reading this, you’re on a beach somewhere, or sipping an alcoholic drink in a European city. We can tell you that our own host, Jonathan Freedland, is probably doing one of the aforementioned activities - but only after he and Yonit made sure our listeners won’t miss out every Friday. For the third week of August, our hosts reminisced on their episode with Professor Scott Galloway, marketing guru and bestselling author. Tune in (again), to hear on issues spanning from the war in Ukraine to how big tech promotes polarization via algorithms, plus tips on "pod-distance" relationships. Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following Operation Breaking Dawn, Yonit and Jonathan are back from break with an emergency episode to speak on the recent conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip. After nearly seventy hours of clashes, a ceasefire was announced - and while it holds, for now, both sides know that it may only be a matter of time before the situation escalates again. Listen to hear our hosts summarize this recent round, with points including tactical aspects, the world's response, and the political aftermath of an operation during election season.  Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan may be away, sitting on a lounge chair positioned on a sandy beach somewhere, but it doesn’t mean Unholy listeners will be deprived of their weekly podcast fix. This summer break, we’re taking you back to some of our favorite conversations with outstanding guests.  In this episode, Yonit and Jonathan revisit their discussion with one of America’s most accomplished journalists, David Remnick. Recorded on the eve of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the editor of The New Yorker reflects on being a correspondent in Moscow during the last days of the Soviet Union and shares his thoughts on why nobody really knows what goes on in Putin’s head. Plus, no podcast hosted by Jews can really be concluded without discussing Jewish identity - nor without a session on Leonard Cohen. Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last episode of the season - and before we pack our suitcases and bring out the bathing suits, we're closing off with an extra long episode. But don't worry - although we'll officially be back in September, we've got some surprises that will keep you entertained all through August.And for this episode: his predecessor may have maintained warm relations with Russia - but the man who now holds the top job at both the Prime Minister’s office and the Foreign Ministry, Yair Lapid, can’t quite maintain the affections of the Kremlin. As a Russian court considers a lawsuit to liquidate the Jewish Agency in the country, Yonit and Jonathan speak to Shimrit Meir, former advisor to Naftali Bennett - on what may signal a decline in ties between Jerusalem and Moscow. Meir also speaks out on what went wrong for the coalition - and why she thinks Bennett hasn't said the last word. And what does she have to say about the Iranian threat?Plus: election season is upon Brits and Israelis alike, but before the votes are cast - our hosts introduce the political players from each home field. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israelis usually flee to Europe during hot summers to experience European weather - but this week’s heatwave made the blistering temperatures here seem normal. But whether or not the countries are well equipped with air conditioning, it seems none are particularly ready with a plan for the effects of climate change. And to another hot topic- the U.S involvement in the Middle East and Israel, in particular, we speak to historian and foreign policy luminary Walter Russell Mead on his new book, which inquires into the historical roots of America’s support for Israel, and the misconceptions about the strength of the Jewish state that led to him writing it. Plus - a story involving a cat and an Israeli MK gets mentioned in both our award categories. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.