
Unholy: Two Jews on the News
Yonit Levi of Israel's Channel 12 News and Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian are two of the most prominent journalists in the world today. They are also Jews. Each week, join what MSNBC's Rachel Maddow calls "two great, smart smart smart hosts" as they dissect and debate current events shaping Israel, Jewish life - and the wider world.
Their blend of nuanced discussion and sparkling conversation, featuring a dazzling range of guests, is why New Yorker editor David Remnick calls himself a “proud, avid listener," why Ira Glass says he "completely enjoys this show" and why Malcolm Gladwell calls it an "incredibly fun podcast".
For a weekly fix of globally informed talk – including nominations for the greatest act of chutzpah and outstanding mensch of the previous seven days – there’s only one destination. Make every Friday morning Unholy.
Contact us via: unholy@unholy-media.com
Latest episodes

Dec 17, 2021 • 36min
Trump, Bibi and Some of My Best Friends Are Jews - with Barak Ravid
Yonit and Jonathan are joined by Israeli journalist Barak Ravid following his explosive interview with former President Donald Trump, including never before heard excerpts: What Trump thinks of the Jewish community, Sheldon Adelson and the New York Times? Speaking of U.S. Presidents – we pick one for mensch nominee of the week And what film did Jonathan embarrassingly admit to never seeing? -- 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.

Dec 10, 2021 • 39min
Trump Blasts Bibi, People Love Dead Jews - with Dara Horn
New quotes from Donald Trump shed a new and disturbing light on the relationship between the Former US President and Former Israeli PM. This week Yonit and Jonathan are joined by Dara Horn, acclaimed author of "People Love Dead Jews", the thought provoking book about the double standard when treating Jews and Jewish history. Boris Johnson is claiming Chutzpah again, and we have a new found group of Mensches. -- 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.

Dec 3, 2021 • 30min
Can’t Buy Me Life in Tel Aviv
No one living in Tel Aviv was surprised it was crowned the most expensive city in the world; Yonit and Jonathan return to the topic of the high cost of living in Israel compared to the rest of the Western world. Anti-Vaxxers' campaign evoking insulting comparisons to the Holocaust even in Israel, A new BDS initiative in Canada aimed at kosher food. And we don't let you down -- the mensch award this week just has to be connected to the Beatles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 26, 2021 • 34min
Hanukkah, Vaccines for kids, Return of the Bibi Trial
As we light our first candle, we deeply fry some Israel/Diaspora Hanukkah traditions. Yonit and Jonathan also talk about the lively discussion following Israel's project to vaccinate its children, and the new plot twist in the never ending Netanyahu trial. And how did Yonit end up in the Back to the Future Delorean? Happy Hanukkah everyone!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 19, 2021 • 38min
"Why is Israel So Expensive?" - with Guy Rolnik
As the new Israeli coalition passes its budget, Yonit and Jonathan are joined by Guy Rolnik, Founder of TheMarker, Israel's leading business publication and Professor at University of Chicago Booth School of Business. We ask how Israel has become one of the most expensive places to buy a house (or go to a restaurant?), why does it continue to attract so many foreign investments, and why isn't the economy on top of the political agenda for Israelis? Also - Yonit shares some interesting finds from her moving house experience, and Jonathan gives us a sneak peek at his upcoming book. -- 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.

Nov 12, 2021 • 1h 2min
A Conversation with Yuval Noah Harari
We are delighted to have Prof. Yuval Noah Harari as our special guest this week. Right before he leaves for a two month meditation retreat, Yuval gets together with Yonit and Jonathan for a conversation on pandemics, climate change, corporations vs. governments, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, trans rights and shares some interesting Bar Mitzvah experiences. Yuval's new book Sapiens: A graphic history is available now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 5, 2021 • 29min
Israel's Life in Plastic and France's Far-Right Jewish Populist
Israeli PM Bennett left quite an impression at COP26. In reality, Israel is nowhere near the environmental targets set, and the Israelis aren't doing much to get there.Yonit and Jonathan also discuss the alarming rise of the far right populist newcomer in France, who, unfortunately, can play the 'I'm Jewish' card.In Chutzpah, we re-enact a Jewish version of Succession, courtesy of an NYC synagogue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 29, 2021 • 43min
It's Not Easy Being Green - with Ben Rhodes
As world leaders come to Glasgow for COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, Yonit and Jonathan talk to former Obama Advisor Ben Rhodes. We discuss the dynamics behind the scenes and what the US and the world are missing as we tackle this challenge. In Israel, PM Bennett's coalition is starting to show some cracks, only 4 months in and ahead of a crucial budget vote. Finally, Yonit reclaims her spot at the nominating committee of Mensch of the weekSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 22, 2021 • 40min
Israel's Dr. Fauci and Sally Rooney - with Sharon Alroy-Preis
Yonit and Jonathan are back together after meeting up in London! This week, we have an in depth conversation with the woman who leads the Israeli efforts to fight COVID, Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, Head of Public Health Services at Israel's Ministry of Health. She shares how she makes decisions as a worldwide leader in vaccinations and booster shots, and her concerns of a fifth wave. Finally, we discuss why it's only the normal people who suffer from the Sally Rooney boycott scandalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 8, 2021 • 32min
The Mossad, Sarah Silverman and Saving a Synagogue - with Ronen Bergman
Israeli PM Naftali Bennett reveals the Mossad's latest attempt to unearth information in a mystery that has haunted Israel for 35 years. We are joined by New York Times journalist Ronen Bergman to discuss the frustrating and futile search for missing Israeli Airman Ron Arad. In Hollywood – actress and comedian Sarah Silverman ignites a debate about the casting of non- Jewish actors in Jewish roles – Yonit and Jonathan discuss the provocative term "Jew-face". Also, the heartwarming story of how London's Jews came together to save a synagogue, And a chutzpah award worthy of a king. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.