The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

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.
After Borschel-Dan reads out a listener's cottage cheese-themed email, Hoffman brings us a news "Jangle" involving "Marty Supreme" actress Odessa A'zion.
Next, we hear how to pickle lemons, and then we turn to an Israeli student film, "The Butcher's Stain," that is up for an Oscar this year for Best Short Film. Hoffman weighs in on its chances.
Finally, we explore Spike Lee's 2018 "BlacKkKlansman," which has several surprisingly deeply Jewish moments.
Check out the "meh plus!" and "not bad" 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.
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Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Alice Miller, the CEO of Natan Worldwide Disaster Relief.
Miller is nationally known for her landmark Supreme Court case in 1995, which opened the gates of the Israel Air Force to female fighter pilots. This decision paved the way for today's female combat soldiers and made Miller a household name.
However, that was just the start of Miller's incredible journey that has taken her around the globe -- and her work as an aeronautical engineer may even reach the moon.
Today, Miller serves as the head of an NGO that brings volunteer medical staff and therapists into international disaster zones. In the past year alone, teams have landed in Syria, Mexico and are shortly taking off for Mozambique.
Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas onslaught on southern Israel, the organization began work in Israel for the first time -- and eventually, also in the Gaza Strip.
We learn about the principled decision that has Israelis serving Gazans as we ask Miller, what matters now.
What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.
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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.
Only 16 days before the October 7, 2023, attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to the podium at the United Nations. As a Saudi diplomat listened intently, he said, "We are on the cusp of an even more dramatic breakthrough, a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia.”
The war that erupted with the Hamas invasion has, not surprisingly, pushed off normalization, but it was still seen as likely once the hostages came back and Hamas was beaten.
That prognosis has been replaced by alarm in recent months. The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE -- a close Israeli ally -- spilled out into the open in Yemen, and continues to simmer in Sudan and Libya.
Meanwhile, Riyadh's relations with Ankara and Doha continue to improve. In parallel, Saudi media and clerics launched a bitter war of words on the UAE, Israel, and even Jews.
Berman drills down into the economic, strategic, and military roots of the UAE-Saudi regional rivalry, and whether the idea of blocs in the Middle East is even accurate.
He then gives his assessment of whether Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is really realigning the kingdom's foreign policy, and what it means for a peace deal with Israel.
Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.
US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
US President Donald Trump met privately with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, and later said he had insisted to the Israeli leader that American negotiations with Iran continue. We unravel Trump's Truth Social statement and learn what Netanyahu released following the meeting.
The inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace is set for next week in DC. Who is confirmed to attend -- and who is still on the fence?
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas received a draft constitution last week that aims to transition the PA to a full-fledged state. Magid weighs in on whether or not it may be ratified and delves into Israel's security cabinet announcement on Sunday that details new areas under Israeli control in the West Bank.
Finally, we turn to a curious AIPAC campaign that thwarted a candidate who perceives himself as "pro-Israel."
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Trump says he ‘insisted’ to Netanyahu that Iran talks go on, as PM stresses ‘security needs’
US aims to fundraise for Gaza reconstruction amid fog over Hamas disarmament
Abbas receives draft constitution that aims to transition PA to full-fledged state
AIPAC defends spending $2.3m to thwart ‘pro-Israel’ NJ congressional candidate
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves and Ari Schlacht.
IMAGE: A member of the Revolutionary Guard flashes a victory sign while taking position as a man holds an Iranian flag under the Azadi, or freedom, monument tower during an annual rally marking 1979 Islamic Revolution at the Azadi square in Tehran, Iran, February 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
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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.
Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he planned to convey Israel’s position on US nuclear talks with Tehran during his meeting with US President Donald Trump today. Horovitz weighs in on what that position may be.
Even as Hamas continues to refuse to lay down its arms, Indonesia is preparing for the potential deployment of 5,000 to 8,000 troops to Gaza under US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, according to the country’s army chief of staff, Maruli Simanjuntak. We hear why the largest Muslim nation in the world is ready to step into the Strip.
After Israel's security cabinet announced unprecedented steps to regulate the settlement of the West Bank, the Trump administration reiterated its opposition to Israel annexing the territory. What are among the series of measures aimed at expanding Jerusalem’s grip in the areas Palestinians hope will make up their future state?
On Monday night, Netanyahu shared a post on social media accusing former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar of falsifying the intelligence agency’s probe into the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault and positioning himself as “de facto prime minister” after the attack. Why lies behind this most recent social media storm?
President Isaac Herzog continues his solidarity tour of Australia this week and is greeted with pro-Palestinian protesters at every stop. Horovitz expresses his shock and dismay.
Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.
For further reading:
Trump: Netanyahu ‘wants a good deal’ with Iran, nuclear talks this time ‘are different’
Jetting to DC, Netanyahu says he’ll present Trump with ‘our approach’ to Iran talks
Trump stresses opposition to annexation after Israel takes steps to expand West Bank grip
Security cabinet okays deepened Israeli control of West Bank; Hamas urges ‘escalation’
Netanyahu shares post accusing ex-Shin Bet chief of appointing himself ‘de facto PM’
Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves.
IMAGE: An Israeli soldier stands guard during the inauguration ceremony for the newly legalized Jewish settlement of Yatziv, near the Palestinian town of Beit Sahour, in the West Bank, January 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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