Two Nice Jewish Boys
Eytan and Naor
Looking for your weekly dose of captivating conversation about Israel? Look no further than the Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast - the longest-running Israeli podcast in English since 2016. Hosts Naor Meningher and Eytan Weinstein deliver free-flowing discussions with fascinating voices from across the country, covering politics, history, entertainment, science, and more. Through free speech and open dialogue, gain a deeper understanding of Israel and its people, and be exposed to Israeli society like never before - tune in now!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 12, 2023 • 58min
#326 - The Nazis Who Spied for Israel (Prof. Danny Orbach)
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Today, we are diving into a fascinating topic that sheds light on a dark chapter of history. After World War II, some Nazis faced persecution in the Nuremberg trials, while others managed to escape justice by fleeing to different parts of the world. We all know that many Nazis found refuge in South America, but what about those who stayed in Europe or fled to Arab countries? This is where the Israeli Mossad, the renowned intelligence agency, enters the picture.
Our guest today is Prof. Danny Orbach, an accomplished Israeli military historian and associate professor at the Hebrew University. With a background in intelligence and military history, Prof. Orbach brings a wealth of expertise to our discussion. He holds a PhD in history from Harvard University, further enhancing his scholarly credentials.
In his latest book, "Fugitives: A History of Nazi Mercenaries During the Cold War" Prof. Orbach explores the stories of Nazi war criminals who found new roles and allegiances after the war. He uncovers the intriguing involvement of the Mossad with former Nazis, revealing previously undisclosed information about their recruitment and interactions. Prof. Orbach's research, backed by classified internal documents, sheds light on the complex relationships between former Nazis and intelligence agencies worldwide.
Join us as we delve into the captivating world of post-World War II Nazi fugitives and the hidden connections between them and intelligence agencies around the globe. Let's welcome Prof. Danny Orbach and explore the astonishing revelations in his latest book, "Fugitives."
Buy the book:
https://www.amazon.com/Fugitives-History-Nazi-Mercenaries-During/dp/1643138952

May 29, 2023 • 52min
#325 - NGO Monitor: Shedding Light on Foreign-Funded NGOs in Israel (Prof. Gerald Steinberg)
In recent years, Israel has faced a critical problem as certain NGOs, funded by foreign countries, have been accused of supporting terror and advocating for the destruction of Israel. Last week, the government, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, introduced legislation aimed at preventing these NGOs from receiving tax reductions. The intention behind this move was to deter foreign countries from supporting Palestinian NGOs with questionable affiliations. However, the proposed law ignited an uproar among EU states, further highlighting the complex and sensitive nature of the issue.
Amidst this landscape, NGO Monitor has emerged as a prominent initiative shedding light on the actions and influence of international NGOs in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Founded by Professor Gerald Steinberg, a distinguished political scientist, NGO Monitor aims to provide critical analysis and distribute reports on the work of these NGOs. By doing so, they seek to promote transparency and provide necessary context in an often complex and polarizing environment.
Today, we are honored to have Professor Gerald Steinberg as our guest. With a background in political science and extensive experience as a consultant to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli National Security Council, Professor Steinberg is a leading authority on the subject. As the founder and president of NGO Monitor, he brings a wealth of knowledge and insights into the motivations and impact of NGOs working against Israel. Join us as we delve into this important topic and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding NGOs in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

May 15, 2023 • 1h 1min
#324 - Monthly Recap: Gaza Mini-War, Eytan's Take on Government and Naor's Twitter Scandal
Naor and Eytan talk about everything that happened in Israel this month!

May 9, 2023 • 48min
#323 - Americanism and Zionism: Two Ideologies that Changed the World (Rick Richman)
Freedom has been at the core of humanity's struggles for centuries. From revolutions and wars to social movements and uprisings, the pursuit of freedom and democracy has been a constant battle. For the Jewish people, this fight has taken on a particular significance, as they have endured persecution, genocide, and exile in the pursuit of personal and national freedom.
In his upcoming book, And None Shall Make Them Afraid, author Rick Richman explores the stories of eight remarkable Jewish figures who embody the revolutionary movements of Americanism and Zionism. These two ideologies, with freedom and democracy at their core, were instrumental in the fight against the murderous ideologies of communism, fascism, and antisemitism in the twentieth century. Richman's book showcases the lives and achievements of individuals like Theodor Herzl, Golda Meir, and Benjamin Netanyahu, whose legacies have shaped the course of history.
We are honored to have Rick join us on Two Nice Jewish Boys to discuss the enduring commonalities between Americanism and Zionism, and the importance of upholding freedom in the US. A Harvard-educated professor and accomplished writer, Rick has written for prestigious publications such as Commentary and The New York Sun, and his first book was a bestseller.
We're honored to have him with us today!
Rick's new book on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/None-Shall-Make-Them-Afraid-ebook/dp/B09NP2XRQ2

Apr 30, 2023 • 59min
#322 - Being An Orthodox Haredi Woman in Modern Israel (Efrat Finkel)
Today we want to take a glimpse into the modern life of Haredi women in Israel. As we've all come to know, the young Haredi Israeli scene has been showcased in popular shows like Shtisel. However, as modern lifestyles present an array of challenges, Haredi women are also burdened with difficult choices between pursuing a career or starting a family, studying for a degree, and navigating the unique Haredi dating scene.
Our special guest today is none other than Efrat Finkel, a prominent Haredi journalist. With a rich background in reporting on various topics, Efrat brings a unique perspective to the table. As a member of a family of rabbis, including Rabbi Haim Ze'ev Finkel, head of the Talmud Yeshiva in Tel Aviv, and an overseer at the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem, her life is a bridge between haredi and modern lifestyles.
With an impressive resume including reporting for prominent Israeli outlets such as Walla, Channel 20 (now 14), and most recently Channel 13, Efrat has made a career by breaking barriers and glass ceilings. Coincidentally, she is also the first Orthodox Haredi woman to appear on our podcast. We couldn't be more thrilled to have her join us today as we explore the challenges and triumphs of young Haredi women in Israel.

Apr 19, 2023 • 1h 20min
#321 - The Anti-Reform Angle: A Candid Conversation with a Law Professor (Dr. Adam Shinar)
Israel is currently in a state of turmoil due to the proposed judicial system reform by the new Netanyahu government. The reforms have caused massive demonstrations from the opposition, leading to reconciliation negotiations between the coalition and opposition at President Herzog's estate. The controversy surrounding the proposed reforms has brought the country's judicial system into the spotlight, making it a relevant topic for discussion.
In today's episode, we have the honor of speaking with Dr. Adam Shinar, one of Israel's most prominent young law professors, who is an avid reform opposer. Dr. Shinar is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) at the Harry Radzyner Law School at Reichman University, specializing in constitutional law and theory, comparative constitutional law, and legal theory. His expertise in various topics related to the judicial system reform in Israel makes him an invaluable guest.
Dr. Shinar holds an S.J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he also served as the Clark Byse Fellow. He also holds an LL.B. from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School. In addition to his impressive academic background, he has worked as an attorney for several human rights NGOs in Israel and India and clerked for the President of the Israeli Supreme Court, Aharon Barak. Dr. Shinar's research has been presented in leading universities such as Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the European University Institute, and he has published his work in top-tier journals.

Apr 3, 2023 • 51min
#320 - The Struggle for Justice: Israel's Terror Victims Fight Back (Nitsana Darshan-Leitner)
For decades, Israel has been a target of terrorist attacks, with hundreds of innocent civilians losing their lives in bombings, shootings, and other acts of violence. Despite the Israeli government's efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, many of the masterminds behind these attacks have remained at large. Frustrated with the lack of progress, a group of terror victims and their families decided to take matters into their own hands and seek justice in international courts. This is the story of their fight for justice, and the NGO that helps them in their pursuit.
The NGO in question is Shurat HaDin, a legal organization founded in 2003 by attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner. Shurat HaDin specializes in representing terror victims in legal actions against those who finance and support terrorism. Using creative legal strategies and a global network of lawyers, Shurat HaDin has won numerous cases against banks, governments, and other entities that have aided terrorist organizations. The organization also provides legal aid to Israeli soldiers and civilians who have been subject to lawsuits and legal harassment in foreign jurisdictions.
Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, the founder of Shurat HaDin, is a prominent human rights lawyer and activist. In addition to her work with Shurat HaDin, she has authored "Harpoon: Inside the Covert War Against Terrorism's Money Masters." The book offers an inside look at the covert operations used to disrupt terrorist financing networks, and the legal and moral dilemmas involved in such operations. Through her work with Shurat HaDin and her writing, Darshan-Leitner has become a leading voice in the fight against terrorism, advocating for a comprehensive and proactive approach that targets the financial and logistical infrastructure of terrorist groups. We're thrilled to have Nitsana on our show today!
Shurat Hadin's webstie and donation options:
https://israellawcenter.org/
Nitsana's book 'Harpoon' on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Harpoon-Inside-Against-Terrorisms-Masters-ebook/dp/B06Y1NDSGZ

Mar 20, 2023 • 1h 23min
#319 - Pro Reform vs. Anti Reform (Lilac Sigan)
For those who have been living under a rock, Israel is going through one of its most turbulent times in history. Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest against the judicial reforms offered by the Netanyahu government, with economists warning of dire consequences and left-wing politicians warning of a dictatorship. Meanwhile, our enemies are watching and taking advantage of the situation - as reserve air force pilots and other intelligence corps reserve officers refuse to show up for duty.
The situation has led to a deep divide within Israeli society, with families and friends cutting ties and blocking each other on social media. It has become almost impossible to have a calm and rational conversation about this issue without being called a dictator or a racist. Today, dear listeners, we will explore whether it is possible to have a civil conversation about this contentious issue.
To do that we invited back a friend of the podcast, Lilac Sigan. Lilac is an accomplished journalist, commentator, and author based in Israel. She has worked for major publications such as Haaretz and Globes and is currently a regular contributor to Maariv. Recently, she conducted a study on the coverage of Israel in The New York Times, which was published in Ma’ariv and other media outlets and became an academic study for Bar Ilan University. We’re super happy to have her on to talk about current events.

Mar 8, 2023 • 1h 14min
#318 - Monthly Recap: Is Israel on the Brink of a Civil War?
Naor and Eytan talk about everything that went down in Israel this month.

Mar 2, 2023 • 1h 10min
#317 - From Medieval Mentality to Modern Politics (Prof. Richard Landes)
Get ready for a journey through time and history, as we explore the impact of media and politics on our world. With the current state of the world being so politically charged and divisive, it's more important now than ever to understand where we came from and how we got here. That's exactly what Professor Richard Landes' new book, Can The Whole World” Be Wrong?: Lethal Journalism, Antisemitism, and Global Jihad, aims to do.
As a medievalist and expert in apocalyptic beliefs, Professor Landes brings a unique perspective to the table. He explores the relationship between the medieval mentality and current events, and how it's affecting the world we live in. His book documents the impact of misguided reactions and the disconnect between politicians, the media, and the public.
So, without further ado, let's welcome our guest, Professor Richard Landes, to the show! With his extensive knowledge and expertise, he's sure to offer us a fresh and fascinating perspective on the state of the world today. Get ready to have your mind blown and your perspectives challenged!
Richard's website:
http://www.richard-landes.com/
Richard's twitter:
https://twitter.com/richard_landes


