The "Synagogues & Stadiums" Edition

·1 hr 44 min·5 clips

On day 502 of hostage captivity, the bodies of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel Bibas and Oded Lifshitz are returned, framing a day of anguish in Tel Aviv.

The episode begins with host Noah Efron marking day 502 of the hostage crisis in Gaza and the return of four bodies, setting a somber tone. He describes a Tel Aviv bus shelter initiative offering free dry socks, illustrating small comforts in difficult times. Efron introduces guests Alison Kaplan, a Haaretz columnist, and Miriam Hershlag, Times of Israel editor, in TLV1's satellite studio. The first major segment revisits the 1985 protest song 'Mechakim L'mashiach' by Shalom Chanuch, detailing its accidental creation due to a producer's technical error and a late-night vocal experiment. The song critiques both religious and secular institutions, resonating as a cultural anthem. Efron connects its message of self-reliance to current events, including the October 7th attacks and grassroots aid efforts. The second discussion focuses on why religious Zionist politicians, such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Orit Strouk, oppose moving to phase two of a ceasefire-hostage deal, contrasting with ultra-Orthodox and secular views. Guests debate whether this stems from religious interpretation, political ideology, or historical trauma like the 2005 Gaza withdrawal. The third topic examines the bond between sports teams and hostages, citing examples like Yair Horn's helicopter flyover request for his Hapoel Be'er Sheva team and Hapoel Jerusalem's advocacy for hostage Hirsch Goldberg-Poland. Guests theorize this connection arises from tribal loyalty and emotional expression in sports fandom. The episode includes musical interludes and ends with a 'Vada Country' segment where guests share personal stories, like a taxi driver's journey from Syria and a grandfather's birthday dilemma.

As heard by us

A grief-heavy, wandering episode about the hostage dilemma and the moral weight of wartime choices.

The Promise Podcast begins on day 502 of captivity for 69 hostages, living and dead, in Gaza, as the return of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel Bibas and Oded Lifshitz gives the episode a grief it refuses to smooth over.

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Why you'd press play

You want a grave hostage dilemma that somehow begins at a Tel Aviv bus stop stocked with dry socks? Press play.

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