Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus.

This Friday, join former hostage Keith Siegel and host Jessica Steinberg for a deep dive into what life is like for Siegel, five months after his release home from captivity in Gaza.

Siegel discusses his need to do everything he can for the remaining hostages, including those with whom he was held hostage during periods of his 484 days of captivity, and who are still held captive.

He speaks about the depraved terror he experienced and witnessed in captivity, the moments of grace, and his hope and optimism that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the White House will possibly bring the war to an end.

Friday Focuscan be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Aviva and Keith Siegel, after Keith's release home from Hamas captivity on February 1, 2025 (Courtesy)

Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/friday-focus/">Friday Focus</a>.
This Friday, join former hostage Keith Siegel and <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jessica-steinberg/">host Jessica Steinberg</a> for a deep dive into what life is like for Siegel, five months after his release home from captivity in Gaza.
Siegel discusses his need to do everything he can for the remaining hostages, including those with whom he was held hostage during periods of his 484 days of captivity, and who are still held captive.
He speaks about the depraved terror he experienced and witnessed in captivity, the moments of grace, and his hope and optimism that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the White House will possibly bring the war to an end.
Friday Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.
IMAGE: Aviva and Keith Siegel, after Keith's release home from Hamas captivity on February 1, 2025 (Courtesy)

Welcome to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing: Your update on what’s important in Israel, the Middle East and The Jewish World.

Welcome to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing: Your update on what&rsquo;s important in Israel, the Middle East and The Jewish World.

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

The Daily Briefing

Day 644 - Former hostage Keith Siegel on wanting to be hopeful

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Israel and the US launched a major joint strike on Iran on Saturday, with waves of attacks on sites across the Islamic Republic. US and Israeli officials confirmed that this coordinated strike has been months in the making.

Fabian updates us that strikes targeted Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, alongside other top regime and military commanders. We hear what we currently know about the strikes' results, even as Iran has retaliated with some 40 ballistic missiles so far.

Schools have been canceled for the near future and medical centers around Israel have switched to emergency mode, moving critical patients and operations to underground complexes or protected spaces.

Finally, Borschel-Dan asks Fabian what he knows about a projected timeline for the war, based on what he is hearing from the IDF.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

US and Israel launch major joint assault on Iran; Trump indicates goal is to topple regime

Full text of Trump’s declaration of ‘major combat operations’ against Iran

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Adina Karpuj.

IMAGE: Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.(AP Photo)

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/emanuel-fabian/">Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian</a> joins <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/">host Amanda Borschel-Dan</a>&nbsp;for today's episode.
Israel and the US launched a major joint strike on Iran on Saturday, with waves of attacks on sites across the Islamic Republic. US and Israeli officials confirmed that this coordinated strike has been months in the making.
Fabian updates us that strikes targeted Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, alongside other top regime and military commanders. We hear what we currently know about the strikes' results, even as Iran has retaliated with some 40 ballistic missiles so far.
Schools have been canceled for the near future and medical centers around Israel have switched to emergency mode, moving critical patients and operations to underground complexes or protected spaces.
Finally, Borschel-Dan asks Fabian what he knows about a projected timeline for the war, based on what he is hearing from the IDF.
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-february-28-2026/">Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.</a>
For further reading:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-and-israel-launch-major-joint-assault-on-iran-trump-indicates-goal-is-to-topple-regime/">US and Israel launch major joint assault on Iran; Trump indicates goal is to topple regime</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-of-trumps-declaration-of-major-combat-operations-against-iran/">Full text of Trump&rsquo;s declaration of &lsquo;major combat operations&rsquo; against Iran</a>
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-times-of-israel-daily-briefing/id1547404042"> Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1vhvFPvN0fFn5YRHCEcxrn">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMbb0w1n0Ev0orcVkufgZ89">YouTube,</a> or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Adina Karpuj.
IMAGE: Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.(AP Photo)

US, Israel strike Iran's top leaders in Operation Roaring Lion

Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman and host Amanda Borschel-Dan, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use.

In today's Oscar-themed episode, movie maven Hoffman begins with a rant against the cynical social media uproar over a misstepped statement made at the Berlin Festival.

We then hear about the 2025 hit "Blue Moon," which portrays a pivotal night in the life of master lyricist Lorenz Hart. The film is up for two Academy Awards, but one of our team would not give it the time of day again. 

Next, we turn to a 14-minute animated film called "Papillion," which captivated the pair. It is a painterly immersive dive into the life of Alfred Nakache, who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics in Nazi Germany, only to end up in Auschwitz that is one of five films competing for best short animation.

Check out the "oy," the "meh" and "not bad" marks given to these films in this week's The Reel Schmooze.

The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jordan-hoffman/">Jordan Hoffman</a> and host <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/">Amanda Borschel-Dan</a>, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use.
In today's Oscar-themed episode, movie maven Hoffman begins with a rant against the cynical social media uproar over a misstepped statement made at the Berlin Festival.
We then hear about the 2025 hit "Blue Moon," which portrays a pivotal night in the life of master lyricist Lorenz Hart. The film is up for two Academy Awards, but one of our team would not give it the time of day again.&nbsp;
Next, we turn to a 14-minute animated film called "Papillion," which captivated the pair. It is a painterly immersive dive into the life of Alfred Nakache, who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics in Nazi Germany, only to end up in Auschwitz that is one of five films competing for best short animation.
Check out the "oy," the "meh" and "not bad" marks given to these films in this week's The Reel Schmooze.
The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

Jordan Hoffman on 'Blue Moon': Brilliant or a waste of space?

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.

There is a religious community in Israel dedicated to spreading peace throughout the country and beyond. Days after October 7, this community opened its doors for hundreds of Israelis from diverse backgrounds, stressing the importance of maintaining peaceful dialogue between ethnic and religious groups.

That community is Muslim.

The Ahmadiyya number only around 2,000 in Israel, but are part of a global community of some 20 million.

In today's Lazar Focus, Imam Imad Al Masri, a Jordanian cleric living in Haifa, explains the origins of his sect and makes an impassioned case for the Ahmadiyya vision for spreading peace around the world.

As he marks the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, he discusses the community's outreach in Palestinian areas, including in the Gaza Strip under Hamas rule and during the recent war there. Al Masri recounts the reaction of the Ahmadiyya community to the October 7, 2023, attacks and how they dealt with initial suspicions from their Jewish neighbors.

As Israel maintains a shaky ceasefire in Gaza and prepares for a possible war with Iran, the Ahmadiyya present an unwavering call for peace that many find refreshing and uplifting.

Lazar Focuscan be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Ari Schlacht.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/friday-focus/">Lazar Focus</a>. Each Friday, join host&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/lazar-berman/">diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman</a> for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.
There is a religious community in Israel dedicated to spreading peace throughout the country and beyond. Days after October 7, this community opened its doors for hundreds of Israelis from diverse backgrounds, stressing the importance of maintaining peaceful dialogue between ethnic and religious groups.
That community is Muslim.
The Ahmadiyya number only around 2,000 in Israel, but are part of a global community of some 20 million.
In today's Lazar Focus, Imam Imad Al Masri, a Jordanian cleric living in Haifa, explains the origins of his sect and makes an impassioned case for the Ahmadiyya vision for spreading peace around the world.
As he marks the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, he discusses the community's outreach in Palestinian areas, including in the Gaza Strip under Hamas rule and during the recent war there. Al Masri recounts the reaction of the Ahmadiyya community to the October 7, 2023, attacks and how they dealt with initial suspicions from their Jewish neighbors.
As Israel maintains a shaky ceasefire in Gaza and prepares for a possible war with Iran, the Ahmadiyya present an unwavering call for peace that many find refreshing and uplifting.
Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Ari Schlacht.

Day 644 - Former hostage Keith Siegel on wanting to be hopeful

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