Best PAX A Peace Podcasts (2025)

1
The “Weeks!” Edition 1:29:35

3d ago1:29:35

1:29:35

The holiday of Shavuot, once about one thing, and then about another, is now about, well, everything. (For your convenience and for the sake of quality control, this episode includes time-tested, proven bits from prior shows!)

1
The “Bread & Circuses” Edition 1:31:28

10d ago1:31:28

1:31:28

Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron talk about (1) Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to reinstate the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza: why did this happen now and why the hell did it not happen before; and (2) What we learn (if anything) from the fact that Israel won the popular vote in this week’s Eurovision Song Contest, and what we learn…

1
The “Facts Americana” Edition 1:29:19

17d ago1:29:19

1:29:19

Linda Gradstein, Sara Hirschhorn and Noah Efron talk about (1) The “Pacts Americana,” being the trade and investment pacts that US President Donald Trump is reaching with Gulf states on his visit to the region this week, and where it leaves Israel; and (2) The “Cracks Americana,” being awkward ambivalence some Israelis feel about a hostage being re…

1
The “Rager in Raanana” Edition 1:37:37

24d ago1:37:37

1:37:37

Linda, Allison and Noah talk about (1) the reserve call-up and the new IDF operation – it’s already got a name: Gideon’s Chariots – that the government plans to launch in Gaza, and whether or not it is a good idea; and (2) The violent protests of a “Joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Event” in Raanana, and what we do and do not learn from them. All…

1
The “Celebrating the Water!” Edition 1:14:06

1M ago1:14:06

1:14:06

To celebrate Israel’s 77th Independence Day, the crew asks "What is Israeli in our eyes?" Plus, midrashic covers of classic Israeli songs!

1
The “Never Again, Again” Edition 1:21:36

1M ago1:21:36

1:21:36

Linda and Noah talk about (1) Head of the General Security Agency, or Shabak, Ronen Bar’s affidavits to the Supreme Court that one journalist says “will shape the security and democratic future of the State of Israel”; and (2) The strange quantum-entanglement of the Holocaust and October 7th, and whether we learn anything about the one event from t…

1
The “Politics of Words” Edition 1:28:37

1M ago1:28:37

1:28:37

Miriam Herschlag, Sara Hirschhorn and Noah Efron talk about (1) The open-letter from Airforce reservists and retirees, calling on the Government to end the war, the army’s scorched-earth response, and the flood of letters-of-support for the original letter – What’s it all mean?; and (2) The decision by Hebrew University’s elite publishing house, Ma…

1
The “Our Version” Edition 1:38:51

2M ago1:38:51

1:38:51

Linda Gradstein, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron talk about (1) the IDF’s at-least-partly debunked explanation for how and why 15 Palestinians in rescue vehicles were shot dead by Israeli soldiers in Rafah, and (2) Prime Minister Netanyahu’s embarrassing visit to the White House this week. All this and new glosses on the Passover Haggadah, a living…

1
The “Status Quo Post” Edition 1:31:28

2M ago1:31:28

1:31:28

Linda Gradstein, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron talk about (1) the anti-Hamas demonstrations in Gaza and what, if anything, we learn from them about the hearts and minds of Gazans, and (2) on the fifth anniversary of the pandemic, how, if at all, COVID-19 changed us as a society and as individuals. All this and bagels, boondoggles and kabbalistic ble…

1
The “Not a Citadel, a Sanhedrin” Edition 43:45

2M ago43:45

43:45

A hundred years ago this week, a Hebrew University was founded in Jerusalem.

1
The “Cessation’s Cessation” Edition 1:51:28

2M ago1:51:28

1:51:28

Miriam Herschlag, Don Futterman and Noah Efron talk about (1) Israel’s return to active fighting in Gaza, and what it may mean for the hostages, for Gazans and for the rest of us here and (2) Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to sack Ronen Bar, the head of the General Security Services, the Shabak, and what it says about the state of Israel’s gov…

1
The “Horror Vacui” Edition 1:28:08

3M ago1:28:08

1:28:08

Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Horror Vacui— There’s an odd mélange of diplomatic proposals for what-comes-next-in-Gaza, from an Egyptian and Arab League pla…

1
The “Out of Phase” Edition 1:34:36

3M ago1:34:36

1:34:36

Sara Hirschhorn, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. —Out of Phase— With the stalled ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas giving way to the emergence of the mysterious “Witkoff Plan,” what might (and should) happen ne…

1
The “Unsettling Findings” Edition 1:45:36

3M ago1:45:36

1:45:36

Linda Gradstein, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Findings— The IDF shares its investigation of itself and what it did and did not do on October 7 with the victims of …

1
The “Synagogues & Stadiums” Edition 1:44:27

3M ago1:44:27

1:44:27

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Why Does a Knitted Kippah Mean Keep-on Fighting?— Religious-Zionists oppose the hostage and prisoner release…

1
The “Sins: Past, Present & Future” Edition 1:37:02

4M ago1:37:02

1:37:02

Sara Yael Hirschhorn, Gilad Halpern and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Rite of Return— How and why did the images of the gaunt, shrunken, clearly-tortured hostages change something an…

1
The “No One Expects the Pax Trumpiana!” Edition 1:29:33

4M ago1:29:33

1:29:33

Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Nobody Expects the Pax Trumpiana!— What’s behind US President Donald Trump’s plan to move Gazans to Jordan and Egypt and turn …

1
The “Justices Supreme and Crises Constitutional” Edition 1:35:24

4M ago1:35:24

1:35:24

Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —A New Crisis, and this Time, It’s Constitutional— What does it augur when the Justice Minister refuses to “recognize” the newl…

1
The “Word” Edition 1:43:57

4M ago1:43:57

1:43:57

Miriam Herschlag, Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —You Be the Judge— Is the new “compromise” proposal for judicial reform any good, and is now the time to debates su…

1
The “Ending this F*#!ing War” Edition 1:35:27

5M ago1:35:27

1:35:27

Miriam Herschlag, Sara Hirshhorn and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Ending this F*#!ing War— What should we make of the hostage release and “permanent cessation of hostilities” agreem…

1
The “Bear Missed the Train?” Edition 1:25:02

5M ago1:25:02

1:25:02

Linda Gradstein, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Thinkin’ Blinken— What are we to make of Antony Blinken’s interview with the times, in which he said it was Hamas, no…

1
The “Trauma-Rama” Edition 1:21:12

5M ago1:21:12

1:21:12

Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Standard Deviation— An expose in the New York Times shows that on October 7th the IDF took an extraordinary decision to double the n…

1
The “What’s Changed” Edition 1:17:02

5M ago1:17:02

1:17:02

Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron are live from the astonishing, brilliant, taste-of-the-world-to-come Limmud Festival in Birmingham, England. —What’s Changed, Here?— How we in Israel, and the lives we lead, have changed since, and because of, October 7th. —What’s Changed, Everywhere Else?— How Jews around the world, and the lives they lead, have cha…

1
The “Manifest Destinies” Edition 1:34:39

5M ago1:34:39

1:34:39

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and scholar-extraordinaire Sara Hirschhorn discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment —(Un)settling— Why do Israeli Jews who think it might be a good idea to set up Jewish towns in Gaz…

1
The “Judgement Days” Edition 1:30:12

6M ago1:30:12

1:30:12

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Gradually, then Suddenly, then OMG— The shocking, sudden fall of strong-man ophthalmologist Bashar al-Assad f…

1
Niveen and Malak on Creating Change Under Occupation 22:29

6M ago22:29

22:29

How do Palestinian women navigate the dual challenges of military occupation and a patriarchal society? This episode features a conversation with Niveen and Malak, two passionate participants from the Youth Bridges for Democracy and Participation project. Recorded in Bethlehem, these inspiring women from Hebron share their personal stories of resil…

1
The “Breaking Ranks” Edition 1:29:36

6M ago1:29:36

1:29:36

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Boogie Unbound— Former IDF Chief of Staff and former Defense Minister Moshe “Boogie” Ya’alon’s flatly asserts t…

1
Raneen Shweiki's Story of Shaping Betlehem's Future 19:57

6M ago19:57

19:57

Join us as we interview Raneen Shweiki, an young voice from Bethlehem, who shares her journey with the Youth Bridges for Democracy and Participation project. Growing up amidst the vibrant yet challenging backdrop of Bethlehem, Raneen reveals how the initiative has empowered her and fellow youth, especially women, to become active participants in lo…

1
Dania Maale's Journey of Youth Advocacy in Beit Jala 18:47

6M ago18:47

18:47

Curious about how young leaders are shaping the future of Palestine? Our latest podcast episode features an inspiring conversation with Dania Mali, a dedicated advocate from Beit Jala, who shares her transformative journey with the Youth Bridges for Democracy and Participation project. Through this initiative by PAX the Palestinian Center for Peace…

1
The “The Paper They’re Written On” Edition 1:29:54

6M ago1:29:54

1:29:54

Linda Gradstein, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. —For the Time Being, Anyway— The cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah: It ain’t victory and it sure ain’t peace. —ICC You— Why does the world court want to put ou…

1
The “Leaders We Got & Leaders We Need” Edition 1:24:40

6M ago1:24:40

1:24:40

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and Tova Cohen discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —“Hope Is Patience With the Lamp Lit” (With Apologies to Tertullian)— A voice in the wilderness. Should we listen? …

1
The “Violence, Here & There” Edition 1:41:15

7M ago1:41:15

1:41:15

Miriam Herschlag, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Jabalia, Again— Israel conquers northern Gaza for a third deadly time. —The “J” is Silent— Is Amsterdam a harbinger?…

1
The “Gallantry & Trumpery” Edition 1:16:43

7M ago1:16:43

1:16:43

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Gallantry— Is it o.k. to sack the guy in charge of your army, while generals in Iran are planning to attack? —T…

1
The “Carets & Sticks” Edition 1:41:11

7M ago1:41:11

1:41:11

Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Days of Repentance, This Time With Bombs— What are we to make of Israel’s weekend attack on Iran? —All We Know— What Wikipedia has …

1
The “For the Wages of Sinwar Are Death” Edition 1:21:14

7M ago1:21:14

1:21:14

Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss one topic of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon Making Sense of Sinwar, asking four questions: Now that Yahya Sinwar is dead, should Israel take the win or fight on? In light of the …

1
The “Peace & Desist” Edition 1:24:50

8M ago1:24:50

1:24:50

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Noah Efron and Tova Cohen discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Best Laid Schemes (Lea’e Us Nought but Grief An’ Pain), With Apologies to Robert Burns (And to Mice)— Bringing dow…

1
The “Casting at Persians” Edition 1:49:41

8M ago1:49:41

1:49:41

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Regional Inferno?— Israel’s war with Gaza may soon become an all-out regional war. How do you say “Yikes!” in F…

1
The “A Year” Edition 34:16

8M ago34:16

34:16

A New Year and a year since. What are we remembering when we remember October 7?

1
The “Selichot” Edition 27:08

8M ago27:08

27:08

Elul is here and people all over the country are keeping the before-the-high-holidays tradition of saying Selihot, asking for forgiveness and offering atonement. All this as rockets and planes fly, and bombs fall.

1
The “Major Pager Rager” Edition 1:28:42

8M ago1:28:42

1:28:42

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Major Pager Rager— A stunning attack-by-pager left dozens of Hezbollah militiamen dead and thousands maimed an…

1
The “Not Too Brotherly, Not Much Love” Edition 1:25:22

9M ago1:25:22

1:25:22

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Not Too Brotherly, Not Much Love— How did the “Philadelphi Corridor” become a matter of life and death? —Err…

1
The “Hersh Ben Perel Chana” Edition 1:14:39

9M ago1:14:39

1:14:39

For 331 days, Rachel Goldberg-Polin went everywhere, spoke to everyone and did everything to save her son, Hersh.

1
The “Remembering Zachariah” Edition 31:48

9M ago31:48

31:48

703 IDF soldiers have fallen since October 7th. Each was an entire world. This is a small bit of the story of one of them, Zachariah Haber.

1
The “Desperately Seeking Sumpin’” Edition 1:33:07

9M ago1:33:07

1:33:07

Linda Gradstein, Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Bennett, Done That— Israel’s next prime minister will be … Naftali Bennett? —Jewish Life During Wartime— Why …

1
The “Time Is on His Side?” Edition 1:37:19

10M ago1:37:19

1:37:19

Miriam Herschlag, Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —TIME Is on His Side?— Prime Minister Netanyahu gives his longest interview since October 7. What’s it tell u…

1
The “Serene & Calm” Edition 1:23:23

10M ago1:23:23

1:23:23

Miriam Herschlag, Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Dead to Rights?— When, if ever, is it o.k. to assassinate deadly enemies? —Now, in the Awful Quiet of the Moment— …

1
The “Northern Fights” Edition 1:31:01

10M ago1:31:01

1:31:01

Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Will Israel and Hezbollah (and Who Knows? Maybe Iran) Go to War?— Will Hezbollah’s murder of twelve kids in Majdal Shams lead …

1
The “Making It About Us” Edition 1:26:50

10M ago1:26:50

1:26:50

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —Move Over, Winston— Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to congress, again. What did he say to the senat…

1
The “The Valley of the Shadow of Deif” Edition 1:13:06

11M ago1:13:06

1:13:06

Allison Kaplan Sommer and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —The Valley of the Shadow of Deif— Can you do a cost-benefit analysis of assassinating a man personally responsible for thousan…

1
The “Comfort Where You Find It” Edition 1:21:46

11M ago1:21:46

1:21:46

Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon —God Will Avenge His Blood?— The IDF has allowed, for the first time ever, military gravestones to add “הי״ד” — “God will avenge his…

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PAX A Peace Podcasts

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