It’s been 2 weeks since Blue and White MK Michal Cotler-Wunsch brought her formidable skills, energy and experience to the Knesset and her passion for the challenges ahead is palpable. The Canadian/Israeli lawyer shares with Eve Harow her visions for: Aliya; a plan for Israel’s battles in the international legal arena; a burning desire to bring our hostages out of Gaza and correct the human rights wrongs that have gone on for years; how to balance government involvement with personal responsibility to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic – and much more. She’s a breath of fresh arctic air and a politician to watch in the coming months and years.

Eve Harow shares her thoughts on everything but what’s on everyone’s minds (and mouths) with July 1st looming. Touristless Jerusalem, foamy coffee, Cicero’s prescience, higher education, historical negation, wild blueberry muffins and the uncomfortable convergence of sunglasses, earrings, mask and scarf on cartilage challenged ears.

Photo Credit: Flickr / Veganbaking.net

Aharon Ariel Lavi is the founder and director of Hakhel: The Jewish Intentional Communities Incubator in the Diaspora, which just won the prestigious Jerusalem Unity Prize established by the families of the 3 boys murdered 6 years ago. Lavi, with his eclectic, broad educational background, speaks with Eve Harow on his unique vision for global Jewishly based networks and shared-ideals communities. The current COVID-19 situation is challenging for those unprepared for crises; could planning for the Torah mandated sabbatical cycle provide an economic template for our rapidly changing world?

Former Defense Minister and Leader of the Yamina Party Naftali Bennett joins Eve Harow for a wide ranging, frank conversation. He speaks from heart and head on Aliya, Iran, COVID-19, Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria -sans a Palestinian state – hi-tech, Shabbat and more. MK Bennett is busy in the opposition, continuing to apply his formidable skills and vast experience in many spheres to build and secure Israel’s future as a vibrant, stable, creative and successful Jewish state in the fullest meaning of the term.

Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman, a professor of Bible at Bar-Ilan University, has written the book many of us have been waiting to read. An expert in the Bible as well as post Biblical Jewish and Near Eastern studies, he challenges the critics who take issue with the Torah as divinely sourced. Can we use both academics and tradition to develop our understanding of historical truth and still hold onto our principles of faith?
His book is called Ani Ma’amin: Biblical Criticism, Historical Truth and the Thirteen Principles of Faith. “Ani Maamin” means “I Believe.” Put your surety down before you pick up this book.

After sharing her thoughts on the riots in the US, Eve Harow turns her attention to the distractions of entertainment.

Izzy: Stream Israel- has just launched and media expert and co-founder Jessica Cohen joins Eve to explain the new Netflix type streaming platform that has so many people very excited about showing the magic of Israel to the world.

We’re all home more now for one reason or another, let’s enjoy it. Original content coming soon when post COVID-19 production kicks in. (https://helloisrael.tv/rejuvenation subscribe with this link and get 50% off your first 3 months, a gift for listeners of Rejuvenation.)

On the eve of Shavuot, one of the 3 Biblical pilgrimage festivals, our thoughts naturally go to Jerusalem. Eve Harow interviews Atara Spero-Harow, Director of the City of David Archives and the uber talented photographer Koby Harati on their new project, City of Gold in Black and White.

Atara and Koby took archival pictures of ancient Jerusalem and blended them with modern photos taken at the exact same spots. As with so much associated with the City of David, theirs was a labor of love and excitement, bringing the past and present together for our viewing pleasure.

Looking forward to a healthy, caring world and future pilgrimages to the Holy City. She awaits in golden splendor.

Shavuot Sameach!

On Sunday, May 24th, the first day of Sivan, there will be an unprecedented day of Achdut- worldwide Torah learning together, on line, with classes by some of the top men and women educators, rabbis, philosophers and leaders of the Jewish world. Rav Reuven Taragin, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat HaKotel, Educational Director of World Mizrachi and the force behind this initiative, joins Eve Harow to share his excitement at the ingathering of representatives of so many streams of the Orthodox community to bring ‘Sinai’ to a global audience. Rav Hanoch Teller, one of the greatest motivational speakers of our time and part of the program, also joins the show to share his thoughts on how we need to be decent, modest people in order to be good Jews. A novel way of using the distancing imposed by the COVID -19 pandemic crisis to bring us together.

Yeshivat HaKotel’s Worldwide Achdut Program.

See you Sunday at the 5780 version of Sinai. Meanwhile-Yom Yerushalayim Sameach!

It’s warming up, it’s Lag Ba’Omer and Israelis are gradually coming out of isolation and adjusting to whatever the COVID-19 chaos is deeming a new normal. Temporary, at best. Eve Harow opens up her disparate thoughts on politics, prayers, pizza and plagues and what she’s been up to as she starts to get out and about. Virtual touring, surprise tears and no standing on her head. Relate to her or not, we’re all in flux, for good or for less good. Stay well!

Gil Hoffman, Chief Political Correspondent and Analyst at the Jerusalem Post (and Land of Israel Network podcaster on hiatus) speaks with Eve Harow about his roller-coaster April. The life and recent death of his mother, Yael Hoffman z”l, from cancer; mourning during COVID-19 isolation; dealing with loss -of a parent and as a parent; virtually connecting in grief and celebration. He also explains some of the current chaos in Israel’s political scene and the needed balance for a healthy, functioning society.

Israel is seeking a new post-crises normal, in the Knesset and the public sphere.
Be well, everyone.