Unpacking Israeli History
Unpacked
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Join self-confessed history nerd Dr. Noam Weissman on a journey through the fascinating and sometimes controversial events and personalities that have shaped Israel’s past and present. Each week, Noam explores the layers of Israeli history, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the cultural forces at play—drawing on a variety of sources and perspectives. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking to better understand this complex region, you’ll find a nuanced, authentic, and thought-provoking take on Israel—free from oversimplification and political spin.
Epizódok
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What Would Rav Kook Think of Religious Zionism Today? 01.10.2026 58pIn the third and final episode of our series on religious Zionism, Noam Weissman explores how every major debate within religious Zionism, from West Bank settlements and the Haredi draft to the relationship between faith, ethics, and nationalism, leads back to Rav Abraham Isaac Kook. Noam is joined by scholar Yehudah Mirsky, author of Rav Kook: Mystic in a Time of Revolution, to discuss the mystic, chief rabbi, and foundational thinker whose complex legacy continues to shape Israeli religious and political life. This episode is sponsored by Jewish Lives, a prize-winning series of biographies from Yale University Press. To learn more about Rav Kook's life, identity, and legacy, you should check out Rav Kook: Mystic in a Time of Revolution by Yehudah Mirsky at www.jewishlives.org and you can use the special promo code KOOKPOD to get 30% off. If you want to sponsor an episode of Unpacking Israeli History email [email protected]. Connect with Noam on Istragram at Noamlweissman_. And check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Borderlines with That Semite Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews -
The Fight for the Soul of Religious Zionism 30.09.2026 1ó 1pUPDATED: In part 2 of his series on Religious Zionism, Noam traces a movement as it moves from the sidelines to the center of Israeli life, and asks what happens when religious certainty collides with political reality. The story moves through the founding of Gush Emunim, the theological rupture of Oslo, the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, and the earthquake of the 2005 Gaza disengagement. It ends by examining where the movement stands today. This is a story about land, redemption, and the danger of being too certain you know God's plan. Here is a link to sources. Special thanks to Yair Ettinger, author of Frayed, for his help with this episode. This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein. Thank you to The Bernstein Foundation for their generous support and partnership. If you want to sponsor an episode of Unpacking Israeli History email [email protected]. Connect with Noam on Istragram at Noamlweissman_. And check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Borderlines with That Semite Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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What Actually is Religious Zionism? 22.09.2026 51pIn Part 1 of our series on Religious Zionism, Noam Weissman traces how Jewish longing for Zion evolved into a religious movement that reshaped Zionism. From early rabbinic thinkers to Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, the founding of Israel, and the Six-Day War, this is the story of how religion and Zionism became intertwined. What happens when a dream of redemption collides with the realities of a modern Jewish state, and what does that mean for Israel today? Here is a link to sources. Special thanks to Yair Ettinger, author of Frayed, for his help with this episode. This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein. Thank you to The Bernstein Foundation for their generous support and partnership. If you want to sponsor an episode of Unpacking Israeli History email [email protected]. Connect with Noam on Istragram at Noamlweissman_. And check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Borderlines with That Semite Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Don’t Leave Zionism to the Extremists – with Yossi Klein Halevi 15.09.2026 50pWhat does it mean to be a Zionist? Yossi Klein Halevi has asked, and lived that question in radically different ways. He tells Noam Weissman about his journey from the Jewish Defense League and the Zionist right to the settler movement and political center, and explains how his views on Israel, the Palestinians, democracy, and Jewish identity have evolved. Yossi Klein Halevi If you like this podcast, you’ll love SAPIR, the quarterly journal of ideas edited by Bret Stephens. Subscribe for FREE at sapirjournal.org/noam. If you want to sponsor an episode of Unpacking Israeli History email [email protected]. Connect with Noam on Istragram at Noamlweissman_. And check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Borderlines with That Semite Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Tel Hai: Rethinking Israel's Founding Myth 08.09.2026 52pTel Hai is a small historic site in the Galilee where, in 1920, a tense standoff between Jewish farmers and Arab fighters erupted into a deadly firefight. Among the dead was Joseph Trumpeldor, a one-armed war hero already legendary before Tel Hai. Within days, the battle became one of the founding myths of the State of Israel, immortalized by Trumpeldor's famous last words and a national narrative of sacrifice. Noam Weissman unpacks what actually happened at Tel Hai, how the myth was built and fought over, and why Yitzhak Rabin once stood at the same site decades later to argue for a very different lesson. Here's a link to sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KM3OSK0ta4wil7xZRfrqOSckWczq14H4guRYCEOSgeg/edit?usp=sharing Check out Noamlweissman_. This episode is sponsored in memory of the very special Melvin S. and Blanche E. Bernstein. If you want to sponsor an episode of Unpacking Israeli History email [email protected]. It's also sponsored by, and made in partnership with, Jewish National Fund-USA. Since 1901, Jewish National Fund-USA has strengthened the land and people of Israel through bold initiatives that secure the country’s North and South. By preserving heritage sites like Tel Hai Courtyard, Jewish National Fund-USA invests in Israel’s future, driving tourism, generating jobs, and helping communities thrive. Find more information about visiting Tel Hai Courtyard and other parts of Israel below. You belong in Israel. Find your Jewish National Fund-USA tour or mission: https://www.jnf.org/travel/?utm_source=partner_opendor&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=boruchin&utm_content=ep4_tel_hai_courtyard Educators can explore Israel on Jewish National Fund-USA's special mission: https://www.jnf.org/travel/tour/index/educators-mission-to-israel-2026?utm_source=partner_opendor&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=boruchin&utm_content=ep4_tel_hai_courtyard Jewish National Fund-USA's Alexander Muss High School in Israel offers semester, summer, and mini-mester academic experiences for North American teens. Find out more: https://www.amhsi.org/?utm_source=partner_opendor&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=boruchin&utm_content=ep4_tel_hai_courtyard Learn more about the Jewish National Fund-USA's work preserving heritage sites in Israel: https://www.jnf.org/our-work/heritage-site-preservation?utm_source=partner_opendor&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=boruchin&utm_content=ep4_tel_hai_courtyard Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Borderlines with That Semite Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Special Crossover: Can Israelis And Palestinians Ever Live In Peace? With Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib 03.09.2026 1ó 4pWill the war ever truly come to an end? Can two populations with so much pain find common ground? Or is the hurt too deep, too vast to overcome? There are no questions more urgent than these, and there is no better guest to wonder with than Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Palestinian activist and author of Hamas And Its Two Million Hostages. In this special crossover episode originally aired on Wondering Jews, Ahmed shares with Noam his own own tragic story of loss, why he holds Hamas responsible for the plight of the Palestinian people, and what Israel--and the world at large--can do to truly bring about peace. Follow Noam on Instagram: noamlweissman_ Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Borderlines with That Semite Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Good Jews Only? Confronting New York Magazine's Habibi City Story 01.09.2026 33pNoam Weissman unpacks the firestorm around New York Magazine’s "Habibi City" issue and traces the deeper historical pattern behind it: the demand that Jews prove they belong by disavowing Zionism, Israel, and sometimes each other. From Poland’s 1968 “anti-Zionist” purge to today’s SWANA purity tests, this episode is about the seductive pull of belonging, and the old politics of exclusion dressed up in today’s language of identity, justice, and solidarity. Here's a link to sources. Follow Noam on Instagram: noamlweissman_ https://www.instagram.com/noamlweissman_/ Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Borderlines with That Semite Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Durban 2001: How Zionism Became a Dirty Word 25.08.2026 1ó 3pIn August 2001, Jewish delegates arrived at the UN World Conference Against Racism in Durban expecting to fight bigotry. Instead they walked into what Tom Lantos called the most sickening display of hatred for Jews since the Nazi period. Noam traces how Durban revived "Zionism is racism," seeded the modern BDS movement, and still shapes how the world sees Jews and Israel today, closing with Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and his question of whether the Jewish people are alone or simply apart. Here's a link to sources. Follow Noam on Instagram: noamlweissman_ This episode is sponsored by Andrea & Larry Gill. If you want to sponsor an episode of Unpacking Israeli History, or to be in touch, email [email protected]. Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Borderlines with That Semite Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Why Israeli Elections Never Produce a Clear Winner 18.08.2026 1ó 4pHow do Israeli elections actually work? Israelis don't vote directly for prime minister, no party has ever won a majority, and a party with just a handful of Knesset seats can sometimes hold the keys to government. Noam Weissman sits down with former Knesset member Rachel Azaria to unpack coalition building, the 3.25% electoral threshold, the power of Haredi and Arab parties, and why Israeli politics can look so confusing from an American perspective. They also explore the biggest divides shaping Israel's next government, and what to watch as the 2026 election approaches. If you like this podcast, you’ll love SAPIR, the quarterly journal of ideas edited by Bret Stephens. Subscribe for FREE at sapirjournal.org/noam. Follow Noam on Instagram: noamlweissman_ Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Borderlines with That Semite Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Live from Camp Tel Yehudah: Teens Talk Antisemitism, Identity, and Israel 13.08.2026 39pWhat do Jewish teens really think about Israel? Noam Weissman takes the podcast to Camp Tel Yehudah for a special live episode, exploring Israel, October 7, Jewish identity, and the future of peace. Their answers might surprise you. Listen to this raw, honest conversation about Israeli history, Jewish identity, and the questions shaping the next generation of Jewish leaders. This episode of Unpacking Israeli History is sponsored by the Marcus Foundation. To sponsor an episode or to be in touch, please email [email protected]. Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. If you like this podcast, you’ll love SAPIR. Subscribe for free at sapirjournal.org/noam ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Israel's Eurovision story: Boos, ballads, and breaking up with Europe (Part 2) 11.08.2026 40pA little Israeli boy from a poor Yemenite family grew up, transitioned, and became the most scandalous, fabulous Eurovision winner in history: meet Dana International. In part 2 of our Eurovision series, the story continues through PingPong's Syrian-boyfriend fever dream, Netta's chicken-noise feminist anthem, and the raw, post-October 7th performances of Eden Golan, Yuval Raphael, and Noam Bettan. Even with low jury scores and boycotts, Israeli songs keep winning the public's heart. Eurovision was never about the trophy. It's about the power to sing your own story, boos and all. Unpacking Israeli History is hosted by Noam Weissman. It's produced by Rivky Stern. This episode was written by Adi Elbaz and edited by Rob Pera. Special thanks to Tzvi Joffre for researching the episode. Click here for links and sources: Watch: Teapacks - Push The Button (LIVE) | Israel | Semi-Final | Eurovision 2007 (mentioned in the episode). This episode is sponsored by Friedkin Philanthropies and the Koret Foundation, and is inspired by ISRAEL 21c If you want to sponsor an episode of Unpacking Israeli History, or if you just want to say what’s up, email [email protected]. Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. If you like this podcast, you’ll love SAPIR. Subscribe for free at sapirjournal.org/noam ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Israel's Eurovision story: How a Middle Eastern country crashed Europe's biggest party (Part 1) 01.08.2026 30pWhy does Israel compete in Eurovision if it's not even in Europe? In Part 1, Noam Weissman unpacks how Israel went from Eurovision newcomer to music powerhouse, exploring the songs, stars, and surprising moments that put the Jewish state on Europe's biggest stage. It's a story of glitter, geopolitics, and Israeli identity. And the biggest Eurovision moment was still to come. Unpacking Israeli History is hosted by Noam Weissman. It's produced by Rivky Stern. This episode was written by Adi Elbaz and edited by Rob Pera. Special thanks to Tzvi Joffre for researching the episode. Click here for links and sources: Link to Munich Olympics: When terrorism won (mentioned in the episode). Links and sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ndVmuFXPBltSDIId47xG_1sRajQ3iMnThBmOyUdrBAo/edit?usp=sharing This episode is sponsored by Friedkin Philanthropies and the Koret Foundation, and is inspired by ISRAEL 21c If you want to sponsor an episode of Unpacking Israeli History, or if you just want to say what’s up, email [email protected]. Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. If you like this podcast, you’ll love SAPIR. Subscribe for free at sapirjournal.org/noam ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Live from Camp Lavi: Teens Take on Israel's Toughest Moments 28.07.2026 43pIt's summer. Where else do you want to be? Sleepaway camp, obviously. Unpacking Israeli History packed its bags and went to camp. Noam Weissman fielded questions from hundreds of Jewish teens at Camp Lavi, in a live show like no other. Real questions from real campers on the moments in Israeli history that spark the fiercest debates: the Altalena Affair, the Entebbe rescue, Zionism, where criticism of Israel crosses into antisemitism, and the moral weight of war. Listen to this raw, honest conversation about Israeli history, Jewish identity, and the questions shaping the next generation of Jewish leaders. This episode of Unpacking Israeli History is sponsored by the Marcus Foundation. To sponsor an episode or to be in touch, please email [email protected]. Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Israel Open Mic: Is the Palestinian flag Illegal in Israel? 21.07.2026 35pA man is detained over a kippah bearing both the Israeli and Palestinian flags. Was it legal? Noam unpacks the surprising history of the Palestinian flag, why Israel once banned it, and why it remains one of the country's most contested symbols. Here are pictures of Alex Sinclair's kippah: https://www.timesofisrael.com/keeping-his-head-educator-detained-for-dual-israeli-palestinian-flag-kippa-dons-replacement/ Check out our episode Oslo: The Peace That Wasn't https://unpacked.media/oslo-the-peace-that-wasnt-2/ Here's a link to sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17R5PM2yXabVEqMKD465pAxKSGVxNINXPwzDLUFWg3VQ/edit?usp=sharing This episode is sponsored by Karen and Mark Holzberg in recognition of the important work OpenDor Media’s ConnectEd program is doing with independent private schools. To sponsor an episode or to be in touch, please email [email protected]. Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Should We Retire the Word ‘Zionism’? With Haviv Rettig Gur 14.07.2026 1ó 1pNoam sits down with Haviv Rettig Gur in Jerusalem to unpack why Israel feels like a tinderbox, whether it's time to retire the word "Zionism," the debate over Palestinian identity, and what the future holds for the US Israel alliance. Fresh off three intense days traveling the country, from the Gaza border to Jerusalem's Old City, Haviv challenges assumptions on the left and the right, offering a provocative look at where Israel is headed. This episode of Unpacking Israeli History is sponsored by Andrea & Larry Gill and is in memory of Leo M. Bernstein. To sponsor an episode or to be in touch, please email [email protected]. Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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50 Years Since Entebbe: Operation Thunderbolt 07.07.2026 33pFifty years ago, Air France Flight 139 took off from Tel Aviv on the morning of June 27, 1976. No one could have suspected that the soon-to-be-hijacked flight was about to lead to one of the world's most daring and risky rescue missions. To mark 50 years since the raid, we're bringing back one of our favorite episodes: Noam unpacks Operation Thunderbolt, Israel's secret operation to rescue the hostages at Entebbe, and asks whether this story has enduring lessons for us today. This episode is generously sponsored by Marci and Alex S. Kaufman. To sponsor an episode or to be in touch, please email [email protected]. Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Nas Daily: The Identity Crisis October 7 Forced Me to Face 30.06.2026 1ó 17pDoes identity define us or limit us? Noam searches for answers with Nuseir Yassin, better known as internet personality Nas Daily. Nas Daily, has 68 million followers and a media company reaching 300 million people a month. He is also Israeli and Arab, and the world keeps telling him to pick one. This is not a political episode. It's a conversation about identity, belonging, and what it costs to hold complicated truths. This episode is dedicated in memory of Armand Lindenbaum, the grandson of Rav Avigdor Amiel, by his wife, Jean, and children, Felice, Amiel, and Ariel Lindenbaum-Sebag. To sponsor an episode or to be in touch, please email [email protected]. Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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The Battle for Jerusalem: Ammunition Hill 23.06.2026 1ó 4pIn June 1967, Israeli paratroopers fought one of the Six Day War's bloodiest battles to reunify Jerusalem. Ammunition Hill, a fortified Jordanian stronghold carved into the limestone hills of East Jerusalem, became the key to the Old City. What followed was four hours of chaos, courage, and carnage in a maze of narrow trenches. This episode unpacks the battle, its heroes, and the complicated legacy of a city reunified. Here are the sources used in this episdoe. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WIB04rolWgTnfCW-puSaNhXkQzBzS1LxABMU1pEFUKo/edit?usp=sharing Here are links to the Unpacking Israeli History's 3-Part series on the '67 War. 6 days that Changed Israel Forever: Lead-up to the 1967 War (Part 1) 6 days that Changed Israel Forever: The Middle East at War (Part 2) 6 days that Changed Israel Forever: The Aftermath (Part 3) This episode is generously sponsored in honor of Dr. Andrew and Marci Spitzer. It is also sponsored by, and made in partnership with, Jewish National Fund-USA. Since 1901, Jewish National Fund-USA has strengthened the land and people of Israel through bold initiatives that secure the country’s North and South. By preserving heritage sites like Ammunition Hill, Jewish National Fund-USA invests in Israel’s future, driving tourism, generating jobs, and helping communities thrive.Find more information about visiting Ammunition Hill and other parts of Israel below. You belong in Israel. Find your Jewish National Fund-USA tour or mission: https://www.jnf.org/travel/ Educators can explore Israel on Jewish National Fund-USA's special mission: https://www.jnf.org/travel/tour/index/educators-mission-to-israel-2026 Jewish National Fund-USA's Alexander Muss High School in Israel offers semester, summer, and mini-mester academic experiences for North American teens. Find out more: https://www.amhsi.org/ Learn more about the Jewish National Fund-USA's work preserving heritage sites in Israel: https://www.jnf.org/our-work/heritage-site-preservation To sponsor an episode or to be in touch, please email [email protected]. ------------------- Check out our episodes on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Yitzhak Rabin: Not the Peacenik You Think He Was (Special Crossover) 16.06.2026 1ó 5pNoam Weissman joins Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab over at Jewish History Nerds for a special crossover episode on Yitzhak Rabin through the lens of Itamar Rabinovich's Yitzhak Rabin: Soldier, Leader, Statesman from the Jewish Lives series. Yitzhak Rabin's life is the story of Israel itself. But who was the real Rabin? Two Unpacked shows, three hosts, one conversation you don't want to miss. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and watch their latest videos on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/show/1JrBAblXuVgF7cWF2EgRRz?si=3ecd5b9fb1274b67 . Check out Jewish History Nerds on Unpacked and YouTube This episode is sponsored by Jewish Lives, a prize-winning series of biographies from Yale University Press. To learn more about Yitzhak Rabin's life, identity, and legacy, check out Yitzhak Rabin, Soldier Leader Statesman by Itamar Rabinovich at www.jewishlives.org. Use promo code RabinPod for 30 % off. That's R-A-B-I-N-P-O-D. Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount. Check out this episode on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. To sponsor an episode or to be in touch, please email [email protected]. ------------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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Hezbollah Revisited: The Origins of Iran's Most Powerful Proxy 09.06.2026 45pTo understand why Iran and Israel are fighting, you have to understand Hezbollah. Noam Weissman revisits the story of Iran's proxy in Lebanon, which has been causing trouble for Israel since its founding in 1982. Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1d68bkgIiKIwWRCn75DGaiWry9N3Oi_rPh6-X1fn_i8Q/edit This episode of Unpacking Israeli History is generously sponsored by Sarala and Danny Turkel. To sponsor an episode or to be in touch, please email [email protected]. Check out this episode on Youtube. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Jewish History Nerds Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Wondering Jews
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