Major General (res) Gershon HaCohen commanded the IDF mission to expel the Jews from Gush Katif in 2005. How does he see that thru a lens of a life attempting to do God’s will? He and Eve Harow discuss past and current crises and if chaos is actually the normal situation. What can we do as individuals and societies to bring some kind of balance to our daily lives and use the havoc as an opportunity for needed change? No real answers but many other examples of times when thinking creatively and even rebelliously saved the day from a man with vast experience on and off the battlefield.

Sukkot under Coronavirus lockdown in Israel! Malkah Fleisher joins Rabbi Yishai to find positivity – including celebrating Israel’s gold medal victories in a giant international wine competition. Then, Rabbi Yehuda HaKohen of the Vision Movement, on finding refuge in the Sukkah (Biblical booth) and understanding today’s Israeli political segments in terms of the tribes of Israel.

Eve Harow shares some thoughts on a very different Yom Kippur, the passing of Rabbanit Miriam Levinger and an upcoming Sukkot without family and friends under the fronds.

These are weird times – but we’re making the best of it together!! First, Rav Mike Feuer on Moses’ song in the Torah portion of Ha’azinu and the difference between Heaven and Earth – in mindset. Then, straight-talking Rabbi Steven Pruzansky on leaving his Teaneck synagogue of 26 years and finally making Aliyah – to a lockdown!!!

Here is a thought to help focus your practice during these powerful days. May we all be blessed with a sweet, healthy and productive year! Shana tova!

Tamar Hayardeni is a 9th generation Jerusalemite and (as Eve Harow can personally attest to) a phenomenal tour guide specializing in the Holy City. She’s also an excellent author and has penned many articles for Segula Magazine, a top notch publication in English on Israel and Jewish history. Just returned from 2 years in Greensboro North Carolina, Tamar researches a wealth of information for both her guiding and writing and teaches about the many changes in Jerusalem both before and after her ancestors came from Poland in 1777. An editor of the Hebrew Wikipedia site, she also deals with narrative posing as truth on the internet and the need to separate fact from fiction. Busy mother of five, her passion is educating Jews on our history and connection to the Land, especially the capital and her 3000 years of centrality to our lives.

On today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, Josh explains why today (the 3rd of Tishrei) is a fast named after the murdered Babylonian-appointed Jewish governor Gedalia Ben Ahikam. While there is certainly some controversy to the episode, ultimately his death started a chain of events leading to the end of a Jewish presence in Israel for many years. Also on the show, the latest on Israel’s coronavirus lockdown, plus the US has a straight moral compass when it comes to Iran, while other countries try to let the Mullahs off their hook for exporting terror across the globe.

Photo Credit: https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/L0005978.html

First, Malkah Fleisher on getting ready for Rosh Hashanah, but dealing with the challenge of a Coronavirus resurgence in Israel. Then, Rav Mike Feuer on why Ishmael is featured so prominently in the Rosh Hashanah liturgy. And finally, US foreign policy expert, Matthew Brodsky, on why the United Arab Emirates wants sovereignty from the Palestinian issue.

Rabbi Mois Navon joins Eve Harow to discuss some of the philosophical and ethical issues arising from the rapidly developing world of Artificial Intelligence. As an ordained Orthodox rabbi and top computer engineer, Navon works and lives at the intersection of Science and Torah. His explanations of the issues, dilemmas and halachic ramifications of, for example, autonomous vehicles, are riveting and thought provoking. All to be expected from the genius who developed the chip that keeps us from changing lanes when we shouldn’t. We need our brightest minds to illuminate the slippery road ahead and Mois Navon shines some light on the future that’s not around the corner any longer. Expect to be challenged.

Israel has issued a three week corona virus lockdown as we head towards Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. Who is to blame for the skyrocketing pandemic numbers in Israel? On this week’s Israel Uncensored, Josh Hasten weighs in on that, plus an Israeli delegation is on its way to Washington D.C. to sign a historic normalization agreement with the United Arab Emirates. At the same time Bahrain has become the latest Arab country to formally open ties with the Jewish State. Shanah Tovah to all!