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This Week Unpacked

Unpacked

In a world that is increasingly polarized, we invite you to break out of the echo chamber to hear what’s really going on. Each Tuesday, Rivky Stern, senior podcast producer for Unpacked, will unpack the most interesting, controversial news stories from Israel and the Jewish world.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 17 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • Mar 15, 2023 · 26 min

    Introducing: Unpacking Israeli History, Season 4!

    This Week Unpacked introduces another podcast from Unpacked: Unpacking Israeli History. Season 4 just launched, and we're running the first episode here, entitled Ma'alot: 30 Seconds That Devastated A Nation. It was supposed to be a fun field trip. A little celebration in honor of Israel’s 26th birthday. Over a hundred religious high school students, exploring northern Israel and sleeping under the stars. But the three Palestinian terrorists who sneaked in from Lebanon had other plans. This is the story of the Ma’alot massacre. It’s a story of horror and blood. But it’s also a story of hope and resistance. A reminder that every hour of our lives matters.

  • Apr 28, 2022 · 35 min

    Introducing Unpacking Israeli History

    This Week Unpacked introduces another podcast from Unpacked: Unpacking Israeli History. Season 3 just launched, and we're running the first episode here, entitled Hebron: When Tensions Erupt.   In the summer of 1929, Jews and Arabs alike found...

  • S1 · E29
    Jan 20, 2022 · 1 min

    Goodbye to This Week Unpacked

    This week, Rivky and This Week Unpacked say goodbye.   Check out our other podcasts: Unpacking Israeli History: https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/unpacking-israeli-history/ The Power Of:...

  • S1 · E27
    Dec 22, 2021 · 9 min

    Israel and Antisemitism: Takeaways from IAC

    My colleague Sarah Himeles attended the Israeli-American Council conference this weekend in Florida. Here are 8 big ideas we’re taking away from it. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: ~~~~...

  • S1 · E26
    Dec 15, 2021 · 11 min

    Is War With Iran Close?

    The seventh round of the Iran nuclear talks stalled last week and American officials say they are preparing for a scenario in which there is no return to the Iran deal. This week, we unpack the conversation in Israel regarding these events. How will...

  • Dec 8, 2021 · 4 min

    TWU Presents...The Power Of

    What if we told you that Jewish texts written thousands of years ago had something to say about our personal experiences today? Join Dr. Noam Weissman each week for honest and relatable conversations with a diverse range of guests. Each episode in...

  • S1 · E24
    Dec 1, 2021 · 11 min

    How the Ethiopian Civil War Ignited an Aliyah Debate

    The civil war in Ethiopia has ignited a fierce debate over whether Israel should bring Ethiopians seeking aliyah to the Jewish state. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: Unpacking Israeli...

  • S1 · E23
    Nov 24, 2021 · 10 min

    The First Non-Boring Budget Analysis! (Hopefully?)

    For the first time in over three years, Israel passed a new budget! Mazal tov!! So, now we ask: what’s in the budget and what do the government priorities reveal? ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on...

  • S1 · E22
    Nov 17, 2021 · 16 min

    Breaking Down the Women of the Wall

    Minor clashes periodically break out between Women of the Wall, protesters, and the Israeli police, as the Women of the Wall hold their monthly services as the Western Wall. Who are these “Women of the Well,” and why are they in the center of such...

  • S1 · E21
    Nov 10, 2021 · 12 min

    Why is Israel banning Palestinian NGOs?

    Benny Gantz, Israel’s Defense Minister, recently declared that the country was designating six Palestinian NGOs (or “nongovernmental organizations”) as terror groups. Why? Are these NGOs really connected to terrorist organizations? And what do...

  • S1 · E20
    Nov 3, 2021 · 12 min

    Chaos In Lebanon

    There are now 100,000 trained and ready fighters in Hezbollah, according to its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. This week, we explore: what is Hezbollah? What is its history, and its relationship with Israel? And how worried should we be? ~~~~ Learn more...

  • S1 · E19
    Oct 27, 2021 · 12 min

    Shmita, Unpacked

    This year in Israel is a sabbatical year, also known as a shmita year. We’ll explain what that is, and what the practical implications are for Jews all over the world. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked...

  • S1 · E18
    Oct 20, 2021 · 14 min

    Israel’s Choice: Never Leave A Soldier Behind

    Ron Arad, an Israeli Air Force navigator, has been missing since 1986. Recently, the Mossad carried out an operation to find out any new information about his fate. In this week’s episode, we explore Israel’s philosophy to never give up, and never...

  • S1 · E17
    Oct 13, 2021 · 13 min

    Are Iraqis Really Calling For Peace With Israel?

    After hundreds of Iraqi leaders spoke out for normalizing relations with Israel, and potentially joining the Abraham Accords, but then very quickly retracted their call. Rivky tells the whole story, including the history of Jewish Iraq, and asks, what...

  • S1 · E16
    Oct 6, 2021 · 22 min

    Iron Dome: Is Bipartisan Support For Israel Dead?

    After the U.S. House of Representatives voted for Iron Dome funding, calls for the death of bipartisan support for Israel were heard from Jewish media all over the country. But...is it true? And, backing up - why does Israel even get foreign aid from...

  • Sep 30, 2021 · 28 min

    TWU Presents...German Reparations

    For September, we're doing something different. Presenting, Unpacking Israeli History. Begin and Ben Gurion had some epics battles, but one of the biggest ones happened in 1952, as these two Israeli giants battled about whether to take German...

  • Sep 23, 2021 · 29 min

    TWU Presents...UN Resolution 3379

    For September, we're doing something different. Presenting, Unpacking Israeli History. On Nov 10, 1975, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 3379, determining that Zionism is "a form of racism and racial discrimination.” That’s quite a...

  • Sep 15, 2021 · 38 min

    TWU Presents...Israel's "Secret" Nuclear Option

    For September, we're doing something different. Presenting, Unpacking Israeli History. Have you heard about Israel's secret nuclear weapons in Dimona? Yeah, we haven't either. In this episode, Noam digs deep into how Israel's not-so-secret nuclear...

  • Sep 6, 2021 · 31 min

    TWU Presents...The Beta Israel

    For September, we're doing something different. Presenting, Unpacking Israeli History. You might have heard of the Beta Israel, the community of Israel’s Ethiopian community. In this episode, Noam Weissman tells their story - not only their rich...

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes