Israel: Looking to the past 10/20

Carly Yuenger

On today's show author and journalist Rich Cohen discusses his new book, Israel is Real: An Obsessive Quest to Understand the Jewish Nation and its History, which has gotten much praise, and also much criticism, since it was released earlier this year.

In Israel is Real, Rich Cohen, himself Jewish, treks back through ancient history to understand the Jewish people, especially the notion of Zionism and its relation to the state of Israel. Through a long, and sometimes quirky, view of this history, Cohen expresses his own qualms about the value of the Jewish state to the Jewish people. In the story he lays out, he asks some provocative questions about the long-standing assumptions about what it takes for the Jewish faith to thrive in safety.

As hopes are raised again for productive peace talks, what are the deeply ingrained positions at the center of this conflict you think need to change for peace to be reached? What about the history of the Jewish people and of Jerusalem can offer insight into a peaceful future? Israel is real, but does it need to be re-imagined? If so how? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.

International Day of Peace 9/21

Carly Yuenger

On today's show , in celebration of the International Day of Peace, we speak with Former Prime Minister of Norway, Kjell Magne Bondevik, and former Wisconsin legislator and U.S. Ambassador to Norway, Tom Loftus. After serving as Prime Minister, Mr. Bondevik founded the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights and today, Mr. Loftus serves as the Chair of its U.S. branch.

The Oslo Center brings a special perspective to the cause of peace: the Center sees religion and inter-faith dialog as a means of attaining peace and resolving conflict.

On this International Day of Peace, what do your visions of world peace look like? What do you promise to do in your own community to resolve conflict, build bridges, and increase understanding? Share your ideas and stories by adding a comment below.

The Mechanics of Peace In Gaza - Airdate - 1/13 - 4 p.m. (ET)

Update - 1/13/09: This show has aired. You can download the MP3 from our archive. Let us know what you think!

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Patrick Peczerski

News reporting on the Gaza conflict coming from major media outlets appears to concentrate on the violence and the commentary from politicians in the region. Less rarely do we hear the voices of citizens affected. This Tuesday we will talk to moderates: an Israeli, American Jew and two Palestinians and explore the frustrations and hopes on each side and what the guests believe should be done on to reduce the excuses for violent acts.

Before the show airs, I want to know what your views on the conflict are. We'll read them back on the show.