The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

Available Episodes

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Bonus episode [SPONSORED]: Identity/Crisis - Staying Human in the Age of AI - with David Zvi Kalman
In this episode of Identity/Crisis, Yehuda Kurtzer talks with technology guru, Hartman scholar, and founding Identity/Crisis Producer David Zvi Kalman about the religious and ethical dilemmas AI poses for Jewish life — from sermons written by bots to the erosion of truth and authority. This thoughtful conversation is for anyone wondering whether Judaism can move fast enough to meet technology’s challenges while preserving the core Jewish value of human dignity. Join our mailing list for more Hartman ideas. Subscribe to Identity/Crisis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you receive your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 799 - ToI's movie maven reviews 'Jay Kelly,' now on Netflix
Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman and host Amanda Borschel-Dan, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use. This week, the pair speaks about two new movies, the feature film, "Jay Kelly," and the short documentary "Carol & Joy." But first, we hear in this week’s “Jangle” segment, an update on a story from last week regarding one of the Holocaust survivors featured in the film, "Eleanor the Great," Sami Steigmann, who was asked not to speak at a Brooklyn middle school about antisemitism due to his pro-Israel views. Our second Jangle involves the impending sale of Warner Bros Studio. Hoffman has some passionate thoughts. We then speak about "Jay Kelly," a 2025 comedy-drama directed by Noah Baumbach and written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer. For Borschel-Dan, it was a screening in two sleepy parts that ended with a "meh" rating. Hoffman was (slightly) kinder. Both were united in their appreciation for the documentary, "Carol & Joy," directed by Nathan Silver and starring actress Carol Kane and her 98-year-old mother, Joy Kane. It is a delight of a film and... executive produced by a The Reel Schmooze regular, Natalie Portman. Hear which film got a seal of approval on this week's The Reel Schmooze. The Reel Schmooze is produced by the PodWaves and can be found wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: George Clooney, from left, director Noah Baumbach, and Adam Sandler pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Jay Kelly' during the London film festival, October 10, 2025. (Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 798 - Jacob Magid on the day that never came - Blinken's vision for postwar Gaza
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. This week, US bureau chief Jacob Magid fills in for Berman and goes in-depth into an exclusive report he published on just how close the Saudis were to normalization with Israel ahead of the Hamas onslaught on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and the finer details of former Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s vision for post-war Gaza. We learn that months ahead of Hamas’s attack on Israel, the US had been hard at work crafting a document with Saudi Arabia, laying out what Israel would need to do in exchange for Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords. We begin by discussing what steps were taken towards a pathway to a Palestinian state. A few weeks following the Hamas massacre, Blinken presented his "Tokyo Principles," to G7 countries, essentially outlining his guiding principles in working towards a day after the war. We learn about the 5 "nos" and the three "musts." Magid compares and contrasts the differences between Blinken's eventual 14-point plan and the finally adopted 20-point Trump peace plan, including the idea of a multinational force and the role of the Palestinian Authority. We discuss the role of former British prime minister Tony Blair, who is the most well-known personality who worked with both the Biden and Trump administrations. And we hear about what a Hamas official told Magid over the weekend regarding why the terrorist organization took the current ceasefire deal. Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Jacob Magid (courtesy) / Then-US Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he arrives at Ben Gurion Airport, June 10, 2024. (Jack Guez/Pool via AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 797 -- Final Columbia antisemitism report reveals classroom aggressions
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US reporter Luke Tress joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As the fourth and final report of the Columbia University antisemitism task force is released, it focuses on what happened in the college's classrooms, says Tress, addressing the discrimination against Jews and Israelis throughout the months of protests, and finding the balance between free speech and academic freedom. Tress discusses two related situations at two California colleges, as a livestreamed class of a prominent academic and activist at Cal State showed her coaching students to oppose a state bill meant to combat antisemitism in local schools. He also mentions a legal settlement at the University of California at Berkeley regarding a visiting Israeli lecturer who sued the school after being disinvited to lecture due to her nationality. Ahead of mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's taking office, Tress discusses that liberal Democrat Brad Lander is running for state office with Mamdani's backing, as progressive Democrats look to Mamdani's victory. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Jewish students singled out, scapegoated: Columbia releases final antisemitism report Cal State investigating professor seen coaching class to oppose antisemitism bill In legal settlement, UC Berkeley acknowledges discriminating against Israeli prof Herzog, in NYC, calls Mamdani’s rhetoric about Israel ‘outrageous,’ ‘anti-American’ Prominent NY rabbi: Mamdani understood Jewish community fissures better than we did NYC’s Lander announces run for Congress with Mamdani’s endorsement Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Pod-Waves. IMAGE: A pro-Israel protester outside Columbia University in Manhattan, April 22, 2024. (Luke Tress)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Day 796 - Knesset debate on Haredi draft bares PM's closed-door efforts to pass bill
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Political correspondent Ariela Karmel and diplomatic reporter Nava Freiberg join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As the Prime Minister's Office announces Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump on December 29 in the US, Freiberg notes that the two leaders will discuss the next phases of the Gaza peace plan. She says the emerging security arrangements between Israel and Syria are also on the table and discusses media reports that Netanyahu was meant to sign a security agreement with Syria in September, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Karmel and Freiberg review different aspects of the 40-signature debate earlier this week in the Knesset, in which Netanyahu publicly supported the current Haredi draft bill for the first time. The prime minister also defended Israel's international standing, pointing to the recent visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his regular phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Karmel discusses a special Knesset panel formed to advance Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s controversial media bill and bypass the Knesset Economics Committee run by Likud MK David Bitan, given the lack of consensus in Karhi's own Likud party over the bill meant to overhaul Israel's broadcast media. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Trump to host Netanyahu on December 29 for talks on advancing Gaza plan Netanyahu denies report he refused to ink deal with Syria on sidelines of UN in September Netanyahu backs ‘historic’ Haredi draft bill in fiery Knesset debate on wartime conduct Panel chair assails press as special Knesset committee takes up media oversight bill Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at 40 signatures debate in the Knesset on December 8, 2025. (Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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