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.

Health reporter Diana Bletter joins host Gabriella Jacobs for today's episode.

Residents of the Western Galilee — a diverse mix of Jews, Muslims, Druze and Christians — came out in full force to vote in the October 27 polls. Bletter discusses the factors which these Israeli citizens say informed their voting decisions.

On election day, Bletter visited Yarka, Nahariya and Mazra'a and noticed a different energy than in past elections. Yet now, as the country struggles to form a new government, Bletter reports a total lack of consensus across the region, and that the initial atmosphere of optimism has faded into uncertainty.

 After the break we take a look at Israel’s trailblazing protocols for repatriating October 7 hostages, which are detailed in new study published in the journal Healthcare.

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited by Ari Schlacht.

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.
Health reporter Diana Bletter joins host Gabriella Jacobs for today's episode.
Residents of the Western Galilee &mdash; a diverse mix of Jews, Muslims, Druze and Christians &mdash; came out in full force to vote in the October 27 polls. Bletter discusses the factors which these Israeli citizens say informed their voting decisions.
On election day, Bletter visited Yarka, Nahariya and Mazra'a and noticed a different energy than in past elections. Yet now, as the country struggles to form a new government, Bletter reports a total lack of consensus across the region, and that the initial atmosphere of optimism has faded into uncertainty.
&nbsp;After the break we take a look at Israel&rsquo;s trailblazing protocols for repatriating October 7 hostages, which are detailed in new study published in the journal Healthcare.
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited by Ari Schlacht.

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

Why Muslims and Druze cast very different ballots in the north

Welcome to "Still Life in Israel with Jessica Steinberg," a new weekly podcast in which The Times of Israel’s arts and culture editor explores what life in Israel looks and feels like right now, through conversations with the artists, writers, musicians, and other voices helping us make sense of this moment.

For this second episode in the new series, we speak with Mark Feuerstein, a veteran character actor who has appeared in dozens of films and television series, including "The West Wing," "Prison Break," "Royal Pain," and "In Her Shoes."

Feuerstein is in Israel filming the YES intelligence thriller "Midair” produced by Paramount-owned Ananey Studios in collaboration with KODA and Jaya Entertainment.

Feuerstein plays a CIA agent in this latest role, racing to neutralize a mysterious weapon aboard a fighter jet flying above Israel, before the crisis turns into a catastrophe.

The actor arrived in Israel a month ago for his first trip to the country in 40 years, and he discusses his New York Jewish upbringing, raising his three kids in Los Angeles, and the existential realities of being an "October 8" Jew.

Feuerstein also talks about being Jewish in Hollywood, where there is both subtle and blatant antisemitism since the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack and how he has responded.

At the end of the podcast, Steinberg adds the Still Life calendar, a brief listing of upcoming arts and culture events over the next few weeks.

For further reading:

Global industry professionals spurn major Israeli music showcase amid cultural boycott

Israel’s traumas, absurdities come into focus via a veteran photojournalist’s lens

Jerusalem’s largest Biennale yet asked artists to plumb their depths

Still Life in Israel podcast episodes are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.

IMAGE: Actor Mark Feuerstein appears on Still Life in Israel with host Jessica Steinberg (Courtesy)

Welcome to "Still Life in Israel with Jessica Steinberg," a new weekly podcast in which <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jessica-steinberg/">The Times of Israel&rsquo;s arts and culture editor</a> explores what life in Israel looks and feels like right now, through conversations with the artists, writers, musicians, and other voices helping us make sense of this moment.
For this second episode in the new series, we speak with Mark Feuerstein, a veteran character actor who has appeared in dozens of films and television series, including "The West Wing," "Prison Break," "Royal Pain," and "In Her Shoes."
Feuerstein is in Israel filming the YES intelligence thriller "Midair&rdquo; produced by Paramount-owned Ananey Studios in collaboration with KODA and Jaya Entertainment.
Feuerstein plays a CIA agent in this latest role, racing to neutralize a mysterious weapon aboard a fighter jet flying above Israel, before the crisis turns into a catastrophe.
The actor arrived in Israel a month ago for his first trip to the country in 40 years, and he discusses his New York Jewish upbringing, raising his three kids in Los Angeles, and the existential realities of being an "October 8" Jew.
Feuerstein also talks about being Jewish in Hollywood, where there is both subtle and blatant antisemitism since the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack and how he has responded.
At the end of the podcast, Steinberg adds the Still Life calendar, a brief listing of upcoming arts and culture events over the next few weeks.
For further reading:
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/global-industry-professionals-spurn-major-israeli-music-showcase-amid-cultural-boycott/">Global industry professionals spurn major Israeli music showcase amid cultural boycott</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-traumas-absurdities-come-into-focus-via-a-veteran-photojournalists-lens/">Israel&rsquo;s traumas, absurdities come into focus via a veteran photojournalist&rsquo;s lens</a>
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalems-largest-biennale-yet-told-artists-to-plumb-their-depths/">Jerusalem&rsquo;s largest Biennale yet asked artists to plumb their depths</a>
Still Life in Israel podcast episodes are available for download on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/still-life-in-israel/id6829397890">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2O64xlFbihlrBCWrGHVo2A">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF46NhuEWZy0">YouTube,</a> or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.
IMAGE: Actor Mark Feuerstein appears on Still Life in Israel with host Jessica Steinberg (Courtesy)

Hollywood's Mark Feuerstein back in Israel after 40 years for CIA role

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.

Continuing in our decade-by-decade comedy viewing, this week's featured Schmooze film is 1998's "Slums of Beverly Hills."

Set in 1976, the film was written and directed by Tamara Jenkins and is loosely based on her life story of growing up poor with her divorced Jewish father and brothers.

Brilliantly cast, it stars then 19-year-old Natasha Lyonne as a 14-year-old Vivian Abromowitz who is on the cusp of discovering -- and exercising -- her feminine power.

Alan Arkin is Murray, her 65-year-old out-of-luck father; Marisa Tomei is her drug-addled 29-year-old cousin; David Krumholtz is her obnoxious older brother and Kevin Corrigan plays the friendly Jewish pot dealer from next door. There are great scenes with Jessica Walter, Carl Reiner and Rita Moreno, who all play against type and are even better for it.

The movie is racy, and it includes disturbing and provocative scenes (dildo dance, anyone?).

Let’s hear who gave this film an “oy,” “meh” or the prized “not bad” this week on 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.
Continuing in our decade-by-decade comedy viewing, this week's featured Schmooze film is 1998's "Slums of Beverly Hills."
Set in 1976, the film was written and directed by Tamara Jenkins and is loosely based on her life story of growing up poor with her divorced Jewish father and brothers.
Brilliantly cast, it stars then 19-year-old Natasha Lyonne as a 14-year-old Vivian Abromowitz who is on the cusp of discovering -- and exercising -- her feminine power.
Alan Arkin is Murray, her 65-year-old out-of-luck father; Marisa Tomei is her drug-addled 29-year-old cousin; David Krumholtz is her obnoxious older brother and Kevin Corrigan plays the friendly Jewish pot dealer from next door. There are great scenes with Jessica Walter, Carl Reiner and Rita Moreno, who all play against type and are even better for it.
The movie is racy, and it includes disturbing and provocative scenes (dildo dance, anyone?).
Let&rsquo;s hear who gave this film an &ldquo;oy,&rdquo; &ldquo;meh&rdquo; or the prized &ldquo;not bad&rdquo; this week on The Reel Schmooze.&nbsp;
The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

'Slums of Beverly Hills': What wouldn't a Jewish family do for a good education?

Welcome to "A Mandatory Listen," a new weekly podcast in which The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan asks the big questions facing Israel and the Jewish people.

For this seventh episode in the new series, we speak with Palestinian activist and writer Samah Salaime to hear why this past election was so significant for the Arab Israeli voter.

Salaime is a longtime contributor to the +972 Magazine, where she focuses on feminism and Arab-Jewish relations.  

She was born in the northern town of Tur’an located between Haifa and Tiberius and moved to the mixed Jewish-Arab oasis of Neve Shalom/ Wahat al-Salam in 2000, where she raised her three boys.

Salaime, a social worker by education and training, was a fellow at the prestigious Mandel School for Educational Leadership and, among other accolades, was awarded the Rappaport Prize for Longstanding Achievement in 2020.

In this post-election period, in which the Arab vote translated into an unprecedented combined 19 mandates for The Joint List and Ra'am, Salaime provides nuanced insight into what drew Arab Israeli citizens to the ballot box this time and the parties for whom they voted.

In this tolerant, free-flowing conversation, the pair voice frustration with Israeli society's longtime status quo of mutual distrust and wonder aloud about another way forward.

A Mandatory Listen podcast episodes are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee.

Welcome to "A Mandatory Listen," a new weekly podcast in which The Times of Israel deputy editor <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/amanda-borschel-dan/">Amanda Borschel-Dan</a> asks the big questions facing Israel and the Jewish people.
For this seventh episode in the new series, we speak with Palestinian activist and writer Samah Salaime to hear why this past election was so significant for the Arab Israeli voter.
Salaime is a longtime contributor to the +972 Magazine, where she focuses on feminism and Arab-Jewish relations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
She was born in the northern town of Tur&rsquo;an located between Haifa and Tiberius and moved to the mixed Jewish-Arab oasis of Neve Shalom/ Wahat al-Salam in 2000, where she raised her three boys.
Salaime, a social worker by education and training, was a fellow at the prestigious Mandel School for Educational Leadership and, among other accolades, was awarded the Rappaport Prize for Longstanding Achievement in 2020.
In this post-election period, in which the Arab vote translated into an unprecedented combined 19 mandates for The Joint List and Ra'am, Salaime provides nuanced insight into what drew Arab Israeli citizens to the ballot box this time and the parties for whom they voted.
In this tolerant, free-flowing conversation, the pair voice frustration with Israeli society's longtime status quo of mutual distrust and wonder aloud about another way forward.
A Mandatory Listen podcast episodes are available for download on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/times-will-tell/id1067953235?mt=2">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5Hqgs4Cy5VkdXB51eW2jjd">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnR6FOcOvFdMHmmVLVJUNrE198zXKQWna">YouTube,</a> or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee.

Why Muslims and Druze cast very different ballots in the north

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