Mottle Wolf of Tekoa joins Eve to discuss last week’s brutal murder of his neighbor Ori Ansbacher hy”d. Can we stop this depravity? How do we react as individuals, as a society, as a nation, as Jews? As parents?

The debate over how much detail should be released to the media is not as simple one. We need to consider the victim and the family but also the reaction of the society that raises the perpetrators.
Deep grief and no end in sight.

Don’t let Ori’s light die out with her. At least that’s something we can control.

Chemist Dr. Yael Schuster (aka Dr. Mom) is a woman with a mission –  to educate and excite children via stories, hands on games, animation and adventure towards a lifelong passion for STEM: Science, technology, engineering and mathematics.   This brilliant Israeli by choice founded StellarNova, marrying science and creativity.  Her  book, The Little Spacecraft, is heading for the moon on next month’s launch of an Israeli spacecraft.  Partnering with SPACEIL, the Israeli non-profit that is aiming to have Israel join only 3 other countries (US, Russia and China) who’ve had successful lunar landings, her company published this book to catch a ride on one of the most exciting adventures this little country can have- space exploration.  STEM cells are where life begins and this young mother is nurturing for the future.

On the Eve of Tu B’Shvat, Judaism’s birthday for the trees, Eve plays an interview she taped at Limmud with Rabbi Yonatan Neril. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, based in Israel. Their mission is to use interfaith collaboration as a means to reach a more compassionate, sustainable and spiritually aware society. Can religious leadership and Torah study be catalysts to create a better environment? Rav Yonatan is working hard to clean up the planet and protect God’s world.

Yael Valier is creative director of Jerusalem based ‘Theater and Theology’.  She tells Eve how her personal search for explanations of why bad things happen to good people led her down this path of intellectual, spiritual and artistic creativity and also ultimately prepared her in some way for the recent death of her son.  Why are English speaking Orthodox Jews attending plays with originally Christian themes? Are theaters the place to discuss God?

A thought provoking, even pain-full talk with a talented and deeply devoted Jew.

Yael has now gone international.

After a few minutes sharing her experiences of the last 2 weeks, Eve plays her interview with Dr. Jodi Magness, taped a few days ago at the Limmud UK Festival in Birmingham.  The archaeologist relates her amazing finds at the 1600 year old synagogue of Huqoq, west of the Kinneret in the Galilee.  Elephants, Samson and a Midrashic take of Jonah’s feet in 3 fish share floor space with satyrs, a zodiac wheel and people bopping each other over the head near the Tower of Babel.  Known for her fine work ethic, teaching style and professional publishing record, Jodi’s excitement at the very unique mosaics from the Talmudic era is palpable. What will be uncovered next and what are the different interpretations of the already discovered mosaics?  Check out the stunning, enigmatic scenes at www.huqoq.org.  Israel continues to surprise.

Jerusalem based Jonathan Spyer, Eve’s favorite on the ground Mid East analyst, shares his insights in the UK on the constantly changing landscape and the players in the very real and dangerous game of Risk being played out in the area. What will the US pullout from Syria do to the Kurds? Which weak links will get wiped off the board? Saudis, Iranians, Iraqis, ISIS, Israel, Russia, Jordan and Turkey. One wrong move and blood doesn’t spill, it pours. Listen and then continue to follow him if you don’t already.

While at Limmud UK Eve Harow had the chance to see a live performance by Bat El Bornstein, the enormously talented little lady of the Israeli stage. They speak about challenges, faith and acceptance of who you are as a blessing. This woman׳s heart and soul are almost too big for her tiny frame. Her TED Talk “Bigger is Better” has over 2 million views.

Chaim Silberstein is the Founder of Keep Jerusalem, a private initiative devoted to solving the immensely complex issues facing Jewish Jerusalem. Demographics, illegal Arab neighborhoods, lack of housing, infrastructure and places of employment are just some the daunting topics he and a group of experts have tackled with an in-depth, all encompassing master plan. He speaks with Eve of their ongoing efforts to educate politicians, decision makers and journalists, both local and foreign, to the imperative of dealing creatively with the realities and dynamics of the Holy City. Meanwhile his own family is reeling from both tragedy and miracles. Chaim’s daughter Shira and her husband Amichai are on a long, uncertain journey to recovery after the terror attack that cost the life of his first grandson, Amiad Yisrael hy”d. Their strength and gratitude despite personal loss and unimaginable pain is a testament to true faith, literally tested under fire. We all prayed and cried with them. Be inspired, and let the healing begin.