Unholy: Two Jews on the News

As Yonit enjoys the novelty of a heavy snowfall (by Middle Eastern standards) in Jerusalem, Jonathan is captivated by the political drama in London with scandal and cake simultaneously ambushing Prime Minister Boris Johnson. They also contemplate how Israel is walking a diplomatic tightrope in trying not to offend either the US or Russia as the danger of war looms in Ukraine. Also on Holocaust Memorial Day, Yonit and Jonathan reflect on the memory and meaning of the Shoah for Jews and non-Jews. And finally, our chutzpah and mensch awards range from America's highest court to the supermarket checkout. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this edition Yonit and Jonathan consider the 'deal of the century', in the light of the negotiations underway between former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the legal authorities in Israel for him to avoid a trial in exchange for lesser charges and being excluded from public office. They ask what it could mean for him, his party and the politics as a whole in israel. And in the week following the hostage crisis at a synagogue in Texas, Yonit and Jonathan assess the impact of yet another attack on a Jewish institution in the US. They speak to a leading Los Angeles Rabbi, Sharon Brous, about the implications of rising anti-Semitism for American Jews and the sense of vulnerabilty despite the community's apparent success. And finally for chutzpah and mensch, we get a fallen star of Hollywood and a super-Rabbi. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David Baddiel, the British writer, comedian, commentator, and author of the acclaimed polemic ‘Jews Don’t Count’ joins Yonit and Jonathan to talk about who gets to play Jewish figures on stage and screen, along with the complexities of identity amid discussions of antisemitism, Israel, and progressive politics.   For chutzpah of the week Jonathan sounds a discordant note (that’s a hint!), and to mark Unholy’s first ‘podiversary’ Yonit brings Jonathan a special gift. -- 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Hebrew word of the year marks a good way to start 2022. Yonit and Jonathan discuss how Israel is losing its place as the trailblazer on COVID, allowing a more flexible policy on testing and policy of living alongside the pandemic. Benny Gantz is ruffling political feathers meeting with Arab leaders, including Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, cementing his position as an alternative to Bennett and Netanyahu. Also, we talk about the appearance of the Jew-goblins of Harry Potter, courtesy of Jon Stewart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the cusp of the new year, Yonit and Jonathan talk about what they dread and what they look forward to in 2022. As optimistic as we are, expect more of the former than the latter. Wishing us all a happier, healthier 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Outside Israel, the world is preparing for the festive holiday period. In Israel, meanwhile, this is just another work week. Yonit and Jonathan catch up to discuss what Christmas is like for jews around the world. We also discuss the fallout of Donald Trump's comments on the Jewish community we aired last week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.