I'm Aiton Weinstein. And I'm Naor Menninger. And you're listening to Two Nice Jewish Boys.

Every nation needs a mythical hero, a key figure in its history that against all odds

rebelled and fought the malicious powers that be in order to promise a future.

To us, Zionist Israelis, the Ahrinson family and the Neely Underground is as close to a mythical legend as it gets.

So much has been said and reading about the British and the ruthless 31 years of occupation here in Israel-Palestine between the years

1917 and 1948. But many seem to forget that before the British the Ottoman

Empire ruled this land first centuries. And when the first Zionists came here in the

end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, they had to face

a ruthless, cruel and primitive regime that was soon to bring a Holocaust on the Armenian

people.

It was under these circumstances that the Ahrnsung family, who were Romanian Zionists that

dwelled in the just-established village of Zichon Yaakov, decided

to rebel and assist the British from within. Their underground became a remarkable story

which would inspire generations. Gregory J. Wallens is an American lawyer and an author. His book,

Papa's Game, was nominated to the Edgar Ellen Poe Award,

and he wrote several other critically acclaimed books,

alongside Obeds for leading American newspapers such as the New York Times and the LA Times.

His most recent book is called The Woman Who Fought an Empire, Sarah Aharonson and

her Neely spy ring, and it depicts the incredible story of the Aharonson Underground. We're thrilled

to have him on our show to talk about these turbulent and adventurous times.

This podcast is made in collaboration with the Jewish Journal.

And as you can hear, I'm by myself today, since Aten is abroad on a vacation, but I'm here

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