Israel News Talk Radio
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PULL UP A CHAIR w/Andrea Simantov

Refreshing!
Crazy!
"So funny, you need to make sure you are wearing diapers before listening!"
These are just some of the things people are saying about Andrea Simantov's new show called, "Pull Up a Chair".
Andrea is a mom who lives in Jerusalem and shares her almost 'Lucille Ball' antic filled life.  Relax, pull up a chair with something nice and comforting to drink, but don't spit it out laughing when you hear this show.  
And share, share, share!

Pull Up a Chair 06Sept2017 - PODCAST

INTR Pull Up a Chair

"Pull Up a Chair" with Andrea Simantov - DEBUT SHOW!

Rabbi Ian Pear, spiritual director of Shir Hadash Learning Center and author of "The Accidental Zionist: What a Priest, a Pornographer and a Wrestler named Chainsaw Taught Me About Being Jewish”, "The Zionist: Why You Should Move To Israel", and "Shir Hadash: New Journeys Along An Ancient Path"  joins Andrea in a special program to usher in the new year.  Together they discuss the universal nature of the holiday, what the ram’s horn teaches us about the importance of listening and how making integrity a first step towards atonement can open the doors that seemed forever closed.

Pull Up a Chair 13Sept2017 - PODCAST

Rosh HaShanah: Redemption, Atonement and Making Sin Work for You!  - Pull Up a Chair

In a "Welcome Back After the Holidays" show, Andrea speaks with David London, Director of AACI, the Association of Americas and Canadians in Israel.  This episode of "Pull Up a Chair" offers an eye-opening account of life in Israel, especially for those who erroneously believe that living in the Jewish State means 'giving up' culture, travel and easy-access advice on taxes, employment, healthcare and legal assistance in the language that we all understand!

In addition to learning about AACI, Andrea shares the many humorous discoveries she made during her recent hospitalization.  If you are ready for a dose of twisted humor and irreverent dissing, tune in to this week's segment of "Pull Up a Chair" with Andrea Simantov

Pull Up A Chair 19Oct2017 - PODCAST

Pull Up A Chair 

RED, WHITE, BLUE -  AND YOU!  - Pull Up A Chair

Israel is rife with brave souls who, when confronted with the tart-lemons of making ends meet, have rolled-up their sleeves and mastered the art of ‘lemonade.’  

Along with bits of her own personal tale, Andrea speaks with the delightful Paul Serkin aka ‘Paul-the-PC-Guy’ who - in the old days - was responsible for bringing institutions like Bellevue and Montefiore hospital into the digital age and today is a highly respected one-on-one technology teacher and coach in Jerusalem.  

She also introduces her friend and former sister-in-law Debbie Siman-Tov who serves as a superb example of someone who reinvented herself after years of being a stay at home wife and mother.  Having never earned a paycheck, with the support of a loving community, the newly divorced Debbie worked nights until she eventually became an accomplished administrator at Emunah Women International.  Her story is both riveting and familiar to so many women who are unprepared for a ‘gear-shift’ as they stand at the cusp of middle age.

Pull Up a Chair 02Nov2017 - PODCAST

Pull Up a Chair 02Nov2017 - PODCAST

REINVENTION!  Starting Over in Israel - Pull Up a Chair

Sharon Dobuler Katz is a production manager for two film companies. At night she is either rehearsing for a show or tap dancing in the studio. Sharon is the co-author and co-composer of several musicals including and is the founder of four performance companies including “Raise Your Spirits” (2001), “Dames of the Dance” (2007), “NOARoked” for teenagers (2014) and “The Women's Performance Community of Jerusalem” (2016).  In addition, today she runs The Women’s Performance Community of Jerusalem and has created an age-celebrating blog called yesthisstageoflife. 

 Keep the digitalis handy because the above represents only a fraction of the holy work that occupies her days. Quality theater for and by quality women is the oxygen that keeps Sharon Dobuler Katz on her toes while we hum, tap and wait for more!

Reference info from show:		

Blog: 			https://yesthisstageoflife.blogspot.co.il

 Dames of the Dance	www.facebook.com/damesofthedance/

 “Hidden: The Musical”	www.facebook.com/HiddenTheMusical/

Women’s Performance Community of Jerusalem

			www.facebook.com/wpcjerusalem/
 CD for purchase
http://wpcjerusalem.wixsite.com/wpcjerusalem/buy

Pull Up A Chair 09Nov2017 - PODCAST

Pull Up A Chair

APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! - Pull Up A Chair

Andrea interviews wonderwoman Joanna Shebson, owner/founder of “Fun in Jerusalem”, the ultimate go-to website that any resident or visiting family needs when planning a visit to the capital city..  Joanna shares up-to-the-minute information about  activities, attractions and events along with happenings so new that they have yet to be announced!   The acclaimed maven on everything including catering, camps, bar and bat mitzvah venues, jeeps, family-friendly hotels, corporate activities, gyms and more is a hands-on wife and mother of three who manages the near-impossible with grace and humor. 

“Pull Up a Chair” with Andrea Simantov provides a wonderful opportunity to do your Shabbos cooking while hanging out with ‘friends.’
8:00 pm (Israel)/1:00 pm (NYC) on www.israelnewstalk.radio.com; andrea@israelnewstalkradio.com
___________________________________________________________________
Relevant links:
www.funinjerusalem.com 
info@guninjerusalem.com
wine@funinjerusalem.com
Pull Up A Chair 16Nov2017 - PODCAST

FUN, FUN, FUN IN JERUSALEM! - Pull Up A Chair

Andrea discusses both the universality of Thanksgiving Day as well as the Jewish attitude toward expressing gratitude.  Her special guest is tour guide, composer, cartoonist and jazz pianist Kay Wilson who barely survived a ferocious machete attack by Arab terrorists while hiking with a Christian friend in the Jerusalem forest.  The friend, Kristine Luken, died in front of her eyes and Kay miraculously lived to become a defiant activist, writer and spokesperson on behalf of terror victims.  Listen to this riveting and life-altering interview which offers new meaning to the concepts of ‘thanks’ and ‘redemption.’ 
Relevant Links:  www.letmypeoplegiggle.com
   kayw@standwithus.com

Pull Up a Chair 23Nov2017 - PODCAST

Pull Up a Chair - “ON GIVING THANKS”

In the 1960’s and ‘70’s, communal housing was the de-rigeur on many college campuses and in surrounding communities. Fifty years later, co-operatives are arising on all continents and Israel is part of this trend. Whether the creation of ‘Besties’ developments or housing units designed according to age, lifestyle, religiosity or finance, the movement is rapidly growing.
Andrea speaks with Idele Ross of CHI-Co-Housing Israel about the high housing costs in Israel, creative alternatives to senior housing, and what the government is willing to do in support of this irrefutable trend . . . .
______________________________________________________________________Relevant Links: 
CHI - Co-Housing Israel: https://www.facebook.com/groups/479676772172695/about/

Pull Up A Chair 30Nov2017 - PODCAST

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS - Pull Up A Chair

What is all the hoopla about? Doesn’t the sovereign nation called Israel have a right to determine which city is its capital?

In fulfilling a campaign promise that garnered support from world Jewry and friends of the Jewish people, U.S President Donald Trump announced that he formally recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and, consequently, has ordered the State Department to develop a plan for moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.

However - Surprise! - the intended move has resulted in familiar threats and calls for violence in Israel and around the region. Throngs of Arabs, both organized and emerging at whim, are planning three "days of rage" Wednesday through Friday to protest the decision.

Guest Judy Lash Balint, journalist and author, discusses the history, potential ramifications and critical points that will directly impact both Israel and the world.

Pull Up A Chair 07Dec2017 - PODCAST

INTR Pull Up A Chair

Breaking Ground on America's Embassy in Israel's Capitol - Pull Up A Chair

Joanna Shebson from Fun In Jerusalem lists the must-do activities for the holiday.  Medical clown Stacy Fassberg from Simchat HaLev talks about the ‘mitzvah of happiness’ and her within-reach dream of creating a “Clownmobile” which will enable joy-makers from each corner of Israel’s patchwork society to bring happiness to the elderly, those struggling with illness and children who are living under the constant threat of terror.

Relevant links:
www.funinjerusalem.com
info@funinjerusalem.com
stacy.fassberg@gmail.com
andrea@israelnewstalkradio.com
Pull Up A Chair 14Dec2017 - PODCAST

Chanukkah, Donuts,  Latkes, Light & Laughter are on the Agenda.  - Pull Up A Chair

A surprisingly upbeat conversation about a critically important topic:  Fifteen years ago, Dvora Corn, an American olah to Israel, dived head-first into a societal chasm that rapidly altered the prevalent attitudes about end-of-life treatment.  Partnering with her husband, Dr. Ben Corn, Dvora’s Gisha L’Chaim/Life’s Door introduced workshops for both patients and medical professionals that raise awareness about hope, resilience and compassion in a field that has frequently been associated with silence and darkness.  Today, this unique concept of ‘spiritual care’ reaches every corner of Israel's complex society.  
 
Relevant contact information:
www.lifesdoor.org
pdcorn@lifesdoor.org
andrea@israelnewstalkradio.com

PULL UP A CHAIR 21Dec2017 - PODCAST

INTR PULL UP A CHAIR

TAKING CHARGE: IN SICKNESS & IN HEALTH - PULL UP A CHAIR

It’s December 28, 2017/10 B’Tevet 5778 and we’re still fasting, mourning and repenting over the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash/Holy Temple in 425 BCE!  Why? Isn’t it time to “get over it”? Or is something more powerful and ‘indigenously Jewish’ going on? Which lessons from our vibrant, blood-soaked history are critical for us to revisit and grow from?
Educator and director of ‘The People’s Talmud’, Gedaliah Gurfein joins Andrea to discuss whether or not 'Asarah B’Tevet' really matters today as well tiny-Jerusalem’s eerie prominence on the world’s stage.
_
Relevant links: 
gedaliah@thepeoplestalmud.com
andrea@israelnewstalkradio.com

Pull Up A Chair 28Dec2017 - PODCAST

The Fast of the Tenth of TEVET: JERUSALEM UNDER SIEGE!  - Pull Up A Chair

Joke: “How to you make a small fortune in Israel? Start with a large one!” 
Most immigrants, however, aren’t laughing; love of Zion can take a back seat to the day-to-day struggles incurred by trying to make ends meet.
Financial consultant Rifka Lebowitz helps us rein-in out of control spending.  As a specialist in personal and small business finance, Rifka is a best-selling author of 'Smarter Israeli Banking' and founder of the extremely popular FB group, 'Living Financially Smarter in Israel'. She also serves as the Nefesh B'Nefesh mega-events speaker on personal finance.

Relevant links:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/219528557090/
http://rifkalebowitz.com
rifka@rifkalebowitz.com
andrea@israelnewstalkradio.com

Pull Up a Chair 04Jan2018 - PODCAST

SMART MONEY: FINANCIAL FITNESS FOR A NEW YEAR! - Pull Up a Chair

A challenge for listeners: raise defiant and non-compliant voices after the road-slaughter of Rabbi Raziel Shevach, z'l. Later she dishes with dear friend - writer and artist Ellen Horowitz, author of the book 'The Oslo Years'.  Afterwards, a walk down memory lane with Cousin Eddie as they recall their riotous, fractious childhoods.

Pull Up a Chair 11Jan2018 - PODCAST

Road Slaughter of a Jew - Pull Up a Chair

Corking the hemorrhage of American taxes for a malignant cause with Trump's curbing of UNRWA funding.. Plus obscure stories of the week along with a new segment called “My Jewish Hero” featuring a man or woman who embodies the hope and health of our blessed nation.  This week: Michalli Samuels, wife, mother of 7 and certified economist from the town of Bet El in the West Bank.

Pull Up a Chair 18Jan2018 - PODCAST

Raindrops on Roses - Pull Up a Chair

Smack dab in the middle of winter, we turn our attention toward Spring, renewal and rebirth. Farmers plant before they reap and we, too, "cultivate" our faith and commitment to God. Special guest is Nadia Matar, co-founder of Women in Green, talking about the sovereign land of Israel, where things stand today and an amazing Tu B'Shevat celebration that both memorializes and embodies Jewish defiance and optimism.

Pull Up A Chair 25Jan2018 - PODCAST

JEWISH ECOLOGY: CELEBRATING TU B’SHEVAT - Pull Up A Chair

Are we social animals or, in fact, solitary beings who are forced into unions that do not feel natural?  Listeners weigh in. This week’s  special “You Gotta Meet” guest is Lesley Kaplan, business mentor and founder of L.A.K. Creations & Consulting.  A proponent of positive thinking/positive action, she serves as director for several networking and professional advancement groups for English speakers.  

Relevant Links: 
lak.goal@gmail.com
andrea@israelnewstalkradio.com
Pull Up a Chair 01Feb2017 - PODCAST

Pull Up a Chair

PEOPLE WHO NEED PEOPLE - Pull Up a Chair

Andrea on fire! 

Poland has white-washed their complicity in the murders of millions of men, women and children and, with a swipe of the pen, declared it an actionable crime to protest this revision of history.  In the "You Gotta Meet" segment, author/activist Zahava Englard Shapiro blows the March of the Living out of the water and tells us why we should NEVER send our precious children on tours of blood-soaked Poland.

Pull Up A Chair 08Feb2018 - PODCAST

WE ARE WHAT WE TOLERATE - Pull Up A Chair

'Thought Buffet' for the new month, Rosh Chodesh Adar: Do we set different standards of honest between how we relate to one another versus the way we relate to God?  Will South Africa prosper or plotz with the Zuma resignation? How many cigars can Bibi smoke?

An Erev Shabbos potpourri with love from Jerusalem.

Write Andrea at:  andrea@israelnewstalkradio.com

Pull Up A Chair 15Feb2018 - PODCAST

THE MASKS WE WEAR - Pull Up A Chair

Has human decency and kindness gone the way of the dinosaur? Is the 'art of shallow' the way of the future?  Concert pianist, raconteur, business consultant and motivational lecturer Orit Wolf shares powerful insights regarding music, failure, optimism and the beauty of 'silence'.    

Relevant links:

www.oritwolf.com
http://www.tedxtelaviv.com/he/
http://www.oritwolf.com/music/wp-content/themes/html5blank-stable/pdf/music&muse.pdf
andrea@israelnewstalkradio.com

Pull Up a Chair 22Feb2018 - PODCAST

SPIRITUAL CLEANSING: Spaces Between the Notes - Pull Up a Chair

Israel News Talk Radio is Israel’s premier online radio station for News & Talk programming in English.  

We provide a reliable, inside voice on what is happening on the ground in Israel and are committed to candid and straightforward reporting of Israeli news, events and current affairs. 