The ”But For Mel” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Listen to the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon

 

—Bezalel and Naftali Love You Very Much—

Is there no room anymore for “religious Zionist” parties in the Knesset?

—Lift My Eyes Unto the Hills—

Idealists? Dropouts? True-Believers? Anarchists? Pioneers? Thugs?: What should we make of “Hilltop Youth”?

—The Medium Is the Message?—

Why will Israelis never ever delete Whatsapp from our phones, no matter how much private information they fork over to Facebook?

—The Man of Grand Generosity Who Also Made Israel Less Democratic, Less Welcoming and Less Decent—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion, we try to figure out what (and how) to think about Sheldon Adelson, a man of grand generosity who also used his vast wealth to make two countries we love less democratic, less welcoming, and less decent. (With appreciation to Seffi Kogan and Allie Lipner Rosenblum.)

All that and the ayahuasca-inspired musical and emotional genius of Gon Ben Ari and the Zulat Choir!