This Week Unpacked
37 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 21 ratingsIn 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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Episodes
Introducing: Unpacking Israeli History, Season 4!
March 15, 2023 13:47 - 26 minutesThis 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 ...
Introducing Unpacking Israeli History
April 28, 2022 12:44 - 35 minutesThis 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 themselves caught in an unbearably bloody battle. The aftermath of a deadly riot showed the Jews of British Mandatory Palestine that the British couldn’t protect them, leading them to unite under the banner of Zionism. In this episode, Noam unpacks the ...
Goodbye to This Week Unpacked
January 20, 2022 11:00 - 1 minuteThis 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: https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/the-power-of/ Nice Jewish Girls: https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/nice-jewish-girls/
Why is the Temple Mount a flash point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
December 30, 2021 11:00 - 14 minutesJews aren’t allowed to pray at the Temple Mount, but why? Who “owns” the Temple Mount? We unpack the debate over the site and why this is such a hotbed of controversy. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources: https://www.timesofisrael.com/jews-are-disguising-themselves-as-muslims-to-pray-on-temple-mount-report/ https://www.jpost.com/international/129-nations-ignore-jewish-ties-to-temple...
Israel and Antisemitism: Takeaways from IAC
December 22, 2021 11:00 - 9 minutesMy 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: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources: https://www.israeliamerican.org/ https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-idf-general-bombing-ap-tower-in-gaza-in-may-conflict-was-an-own-goal/
Is War With Iran Close?
December 15, 2021 14:47 - 11 minutesThe 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 Israel respond to Iran’s quickly accelerating nuclear program, and is the U.S. willing to step in militarily? ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ S...
TWU Presents...The Power Of
December 08, 2021 11:00 - 4 minuteshttps://jewishunpacked.com/podcast-series/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 this 10-part series offers new approaches for how to navigate your own life. Brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
How the Ethiopian Civil War Ignited an Aliyah Debate
December 01, 2021 11:00 - 11 minutesThe 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: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked Unpacking Israeli History about the Ethiopian aliyah: https://jewishunpacked.com/ingathering-of-exiles-from-ethiopia-to-israel/ ~~~~ Sources Sources: https://unpacked.education/video/homeland/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=weekly-...
The First Non-Boring Budget Analysis! (Hopefully?)
November 24, 2021 11:00 - 10 minutesFor 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 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/large-scale-subway-system-planned-for-central-israel-633175 https://unpacked.education/will-israels-new-government-last/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=wee...
Breaking Down the Women of the Wall
November 17, 2021 11:00 - 16 minutesMinor 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 an intense controversy?
Why is Israel banning Palestinian NGOs?
November 10, 2021 13:58 - 12 minutesBenny 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 Israelis think about these designations? ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked See more about Entebbe: https://jewishunpacked.com/operation-thunderbolt-the-raid-...
Chaos In Lebanon
November 03, 2021 10:00 - 12 minutesThere 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 about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked See more about the Lebanon War: https://jewishunpacked.com/sabra-and-shatila-what-happened-and-why-it-matters/ ~~~~ Sources https:...
Shmita, Unpacked
October 27, 2021 18:38 - 12 minutesThis 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 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources https://drive.google.com/file/d/19MiVPVA19C6GJB9KufhQiM_1JV7amB_l/view https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-israelis-who-buy-farmland-to-let-it-lie-fallow/ https://buy.otzar-haretz.co....
Israel’s Choice: Never Leave A Soldier Behind
October 20, 2021 10:00 - 14 minutesRon 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 leave a soldier behind. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked Teaching about this topic? Check out our relevant educator resources here: https://unpacked.edu...
Are Iraqis Really Calling For Peace With Israel?
October 13, 2021 10:00 - 13 minutesAfter 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 should we make of this story? ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked Teaching about this topic? Check out our relevant educator resources here: https://un...
Iron Dome: Is Bipartisan Support For Israel Dead?
October 06, 2021 10:00 - 22 minutesAfter 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 the U.S.? Is it different than other types of aid? And what are people saying about it? Rivky breaks down everything you need to know. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.you...
TWU Presents...German Reparations
September 30, 2021 10:00 - 28 minutesFor 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 reparations after the Holocaust. In this episode, Noam looks all the way back at this crazy story, and leaves us asking, who was right? ~~~~ Unpacking Israeli History is generously sponsored by Alan Fisher and Barbara Sommer, and Jon and Rachie T...
TWU Presents...UN Resolution 3379
September 23, 2021 10:00 - 29 minutesFor 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 loaded description! In this episode, Noam Weissman breaks down what led to this infamous resolution, the UN’s relationship with Israel, and what it means to us, almost 50 years later. ~~~~ Unpacking Israeli History is generously sponsored by Alan Fis...
TWU Presents...Israel's "Secret" Nuclear Option
September 15, 2021 10:00 - 38 minutesFor 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 program came to be, and asks, does the nuclear program make Israel safer? ~~~~ Unpacking Israeli History is generously sponsored by Alan Fisher and Barbara Sommer, and Jon and Rachie Teller. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpack...
TWU Presents...The Beta Israel
September 06, 2021 11:42 - 31 minutesFor 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 Jewish heritage and history, but also the story of how they got to Israel, in Operation Solomon, and their integration into Israeli society over the last thirty years. It’s thrilling, inspiring, but also complicated, and difficult at times. In other w...
TWU Presents...The Raid On Entebbe
August 31, 2021 10:00 - 32 minutesFor September, we're doing something different. Presenting, Unpacking Israeli History. When Air France Flight 139 took off from Tel Aviv on the morning of June 27th, 1976, no one could have suspected that the soon-to-be-hijacked flight was about to lead to one of the world's most daring and risky rescue missions. In the first episode of season two, Noam Weissman unpacked Operation Thunderbolt, Israel's successful secret operation to rescue the passengers, and asks, does this story have enduri...
What Afghanistan Means for Israel
August 24, 2021 10:00 - 14 minutesAs Americans process the rapid fall of Afghanistan’s government, desperation and chaos in Kabul, and implications for U.S. security, Israelis are discussing how this impacts the Jewish state. We unpack the history of the Taliban and Israeli reactions to the U.S. withdrawal and Taliban takeover. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked Check out Unpacking Israeli History: https://jewishunpacked.com/podcast...
Can Israel and American Jews Stay Together?
August 17, 2021 10:00 - 15 minutesA recent survey by the Jewish Electorate Institute found that 25% of American Jewish voters agreed that Israel is an apartheid state, and 22% agreed that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians. Is this an accurate picture of the American Jewish community, and how did we even get to this point? ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked Teaching about this topic? Check out our relevant educat...
Why Can’t Israel’s Olympic Champion Get Married in Israel?
August 10, 2021 11:42 - 15 minutesIsraeli gymnast Artem Dolgopyat won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Immediately afterward, his mother revealed that her son is unable to get married in Israel because he is not Jewish according to traditional Jewish law. We unpack the history of Israel’s marriage laws and Israeli perspectives on whether these laws should change. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources https://unpacked...
Why #FreeBritney is a Jewish Issue
August 04, 2021 10:30 - 19 minutesThis week, Avi and Sara discuss Britney Spears’ conservatorship and the Free Britney movement through a Jewish lens, one you never expected. It’s time to #FreeBritney. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources https://variety.com/2021/music/news/britney-spears-full-statement-conservatorship-1235003940 https://www.etzion.org.il/en/shiur-09kevod-ha-beriyot-%D7%A0more-human-dignity http://...
Is the Ben & Jerry’s Boycott a Turning Point?
July 27, 2021 10:30 - 17 minutesBen & Jerry’s announced that it would end its sales of ice cream in the West Bank. How are Israelis reacting to this decision, and will this boycott influence other countries to boycott the settlements or Israel? How should we teach our students about boycotts against Israel and the settlements? ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources https://open.spotify.com/show/2snXKBKP3rXeb9x6XquW...
“Long Live the President”
July 20, 2021 10:30 - 15 minutesFormer Labor party leader and Jewish Agency head Isaac Herzog was sworn in as Israel’s 11th president in an elaborate ceremony at the Knesset. We unpack Herzog’s background as a member of a prominent Israeli family and the role of the Israeli president. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources https://danielgordis.substack.com/p/they-sounded-the-horn-and-all-the https://ww...
This Tisha B’Av, Jews Wonder, What’s Next?
July 14, 2021 11:00 - 14 minutesFollowing the creation of the state of Israel and the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, new questions emerged about whether and how to commemorate Tisha B’Av. Here’s why many Jews continue to view this as the saddest day of the year. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources Mishna Taanit 4:6 Gittin 55 Yoma 90 https://www.etzion.org.il/en/shiur-16sinat-chinnamand-destruction-temple ...
What Does Poland's Holocaust Restitution Bill Mean?
July 07, 2021 11:00 - 15 minutesPoland’s lower house of parliament passed a bill that would make it more difficult for Holocaust survivors and their families to recover property that was seized by the Nazis. Why did Poland pass this legislation, and what does it mean for the international Jewish community? ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources https://twitter.com/ADL/status/1408444874341355528 https://www.theatlanti...
Why a Druze is the Jewish Agency's Next Emissary
June 30, 2021 11:00 - 15 minutesThe Jewish Agency appointed Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh to become its first-ever Druze emissary to the U.S. Why is an Israeli Druze woman representing the Jewish Agency, and who are the Druze community? ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources https://unpacked.education/video/israeli-druze/ https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-why-israel-s-druze-community-is-up-in-arms-1.6316228 https...
Israel's Coalition: “Team of Rivals” or Frenemies?
June 23, 2021 11:00 - 16 minutesIsrael’s new government is made up of eight parties that don’t see eye to eye with one another on many key issues. Will this government of clashing ideologies actually work, and what can we learn from the theory of a “team of rivals”? ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked Teaching about this topic? Check out our relevant educator resources here: https://unpacked.education/video/israels-disengagement-...
The Future of Judaism in America
June 16, 2021 11:00 - 10 minutesPew’s recent survey of American Jewry brought some odd results. Are we more religious, or less religious? More diverse, or even more siloed? Do we feel connected to Israel, or feel more apart than ever? This week, Avi and Sara unpack the Pew study, and ask, what is the future of Judaism in America? ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked Teaching about this topic? Check out our relevant educator resourc...
Is Netanyahu Really Out?
June 09, 2021 11:00 - 17 minutesLast week, a surprise coalition was formed between a motley crew of characters and parties from all over the political spectrum, all in an effort to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and usher in a new era in Israeli politics. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources https://jewishunpacked.com/who-is-naftali-bennett-and-what-does-israels-new-government-look-like/ https://jew...
Invisible Wounds of War: PTSD in the IDF
June 02, 2021 11:00 - 19 minutesLast month, a wounded IDF veteran with PTSD set himself on fire in an act of protest, leading to a government plan to reform care for veterans with PTSD. ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked ~~~~ Sources https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-vet-with-ptsd-warned-he-may-hurt-himself-before-self-immolation-report/ https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/society/1618745120-main-tel-aviv-highway-br...
Operation Solomon, 30 Years Later
May 26, 2021 12:28 - 16 minutes30 years ago, this week, was Operation Solomon, the famous Israeli airlift that brought more than 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in less than 36 hours. We’ll remember Operation Solomon and ask, how has the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel fared in these 30 years? ~~~~ Learn more about Unpacked: https://jewishunpacked.com/about/ Visit Unpacked on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unpacked Teaching about this topic? Check out our relevant educator resources here: https://unpacked.educ...
Unpacking Sheikh Jarrah
May 14, 2021 00:40 - 13 minutesHow did a small neighborhood in East Jerusalem lead to such a big crisis? Sheikh Jarrah has become a focal point for the current situation in Israel. Avi and Sara unpack the complex history of Sheikh Jarrah and how what started thousands of years ago is playing out in real time today. We’re not trying to show that the Palestinians are wrong and the Israelis are right, or vice versa. We’re educators and journalists who try to dig into complex stories, and explain each one in a way that is ...
Introducing: This Week Unpacked
March 30, 2021 14:01 - 2 minutesPolarized. In more and more areas of life, that’s how the world increasingly feels. Whether on social media, our favorite YouTube channel, or at our schools and universities, it’s easy to spend our days in an echo chamber, hearing ideas we agree with, and not even encountering the ideas we disagree with. But is there any way to break out of these silos? To see the bigger picture, in a way that helps us understand stories, in all of their complexity — and empathize with the people impacted by...