Israeli Puzzle

Reaching for the Stars: Israel Goes to Space

Israel is one of the smallest countries on Earth. It has no spaceport, limited resources, and has spent much of its history focused on challenges much closer to the ground. Yet against the odds, it became one of the few nations capable of launching its own satellites into orbit and a global leader in space technology and research.   This time, we will tell the story of Israel’s journey to the stars, from the country’s first satellite launch to ambitious lunar missions and cutting-edge space innovation. Guest: David Zusiman Host: Elad Simchayoff, Executive Producer: Gusti Yehoshua Braverman, Producer: Nir Goraly, Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Shemer

Pride and Prejudice: Israel's LGBTQ Journey

In the early years of the state, Israel's gay community was hidden, silent, and afraid. To be gay was to risk everything, but over the decades that followed, something remarkable happened. A community found its voice, fought for its rights, and marched its way into becoming strong and proud.  This time, we will tell the story of Israel's LGBTQ revolution, how a country born from ancient texts and conservative traditions became one of the most progressive places in the world for queer life.  Guests: Yair Kedar and Dotan Brom Host: Elad Simchayoff, Executive Producer: Gusti Yehoshua Braverman, Producer: Nir Goraly, Sound Design: Daniel Shemer

The "Mirabilis Effect”: Yossi Vardi’s ICQ Legacy

In the 1990s, a scrappy instant messaging service from Israel became an international sensation. A hundred thousand new users joined every day, and the young internet couldn’t get enough. The man who backed the company early, Dr. Yossi Vardi, knew the world was about to change when he first saw the software in action, but he never imagined it would change this much. This time, we will tell the story of the improbable rise of ICQ. How one company created a generation of tech dreamers and helped turn Israel into the Startup Nation. Guest: Dr. Yossi Vardi Host: Elad Simchayoff, Executive Producer: Gusti Yehoshua Braverman, Producer: Nir Goraly, Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Shemer

Charity Turned Terror Army: How Hamas Happened

It began as a network of Islamic charities: Schools, clinics, and food drives serving Gaza’s poorest families. But within a few years, that network evolved into Hamas: a militant organisation waging jihad against Israel, the absolute ruler of Gaza, and the orchestrator of the October 7th attack. Born from the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood and guided by an antisemitic charter, Hamas built an empire of arms and billions of dollars. It became one of the most powerful terror groups in the world, and it all started with one man in a wheelchair. Today, we bring you - The Origin Story of Hamas.  Join us for more on: israelipuzzle.com  Guest: Shlomi Eldar  Executive Producer: Gusti Yehoshua Braverman, Host: Elad Simchayoff, Producer: Rom Atik, Sound Design and Mix: Assaf Rappaport

Sex, Sun, and Socialism: The Golden Age of Kibbutz Volunteering

In the 1960s and 70s, hundreds of thousands of young volunteers from the UK, Sweden, the US, and across the Western world came to Israel to live and work on kibbutzim. For a generation of idealistic, left-leaning youth, the kibbutz offered a rare opportunity: A living, breathing experiment in equality, community, and hard work under the Mediterranean sun. For many, it was an unforgettable chapter of connection between the Western Left and Israel. But that bond didn’t last. What began as a love affair gradually turned into disillusionment. The same cultural and political movements that once celebrated Israel’s socialist experiment now lead the campaign against it. Join us for more at: israelipuzzle.com    Guests: Professor Yaara Bar-On, Paul Mor, and Yoav Bril Host: Elad Simchayoff, Executive Producer: Gusti Yehoshua Braverman, Producer: Nir Goraly, Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Shemer