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Unpacking Israeli History

Ma'alot Revisited: When Terrorists Came for the Children

Unpacking Israeli History

Unpacked

Judaism, Religion & Spirituality, Society & Culture, History

4.81.3K Ratings

🗓️ 30 December 2025

⏱️ 32 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Noam revisits one of the most devastating episodes in Israeli history—the 1974 Ma’alot school hostage massacre—and explains why, after October 7, this story feels more urgent and unbearable than ever. What began as a joyful field trip marking Israel’s 26th birthday—over a hundred religious high school students exploring northern Israel—turned into a nightmare when three Palestinian terrorists crossed in from Lebanon. This episode tells the story of Ma’alot in all its horror and bloodshed, but also in its defiance and resilience—a reminder that even in the darkest moments, every hour of life matters. This episode was generously sponsored by Pam and Neil Weissman. To sponsor an episode or to be in touch, please email noam@unpacked.media. This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. ------------------- For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wondering Jews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hey everyone, Rifky Stern here, head of podcasts at Unpact.

0:03.6

Right now, young people are navigating one of the most confusing and emotionally charged moments in recent history.

0:09.5

They're surrounded by misinformation, polarization, and oversimplified narratives about Israel and the Jewish experience.

0:16.8

That's the challenge. At Unpact, we're stepping in with nuanced, depth, and clarity.

0:20.7

And this year alone, our podcast have been downloaded millions of times. That's the challenge. At Unpacked, we're stepping in with nuanced, depth, and clarity.

0:24.9

And this year alone, our podcasts have been downloaded millions of times.

0:27.8

That's part of the solution that we're building together.

0:33.0

But to keep creating this type of content, and to grow it in 2026, we need your help.

0:37.1

We've launched a crowdfunding campaign, and if these conversations have mattered to you,

0:37.8

we'd be so grateful for your support. Head to unpack.bio slash pod gift 2025 or click the link in the show notes.

0:45.4

That's unpacked. bio slash P-O-D gift 2025. Thank you for being part of our unpacked community.

0:56.8

Hey, friends, before we get into the episode, I want to ask you for a quick favor. You know that

1:02.2

this show is really a conversation with you, not just at you. And to keep making, unpacking

1:07.0

his early history the best it can be, I genuinely need to hear from you.

1:11.6

What you're loving, what you're not loving so much, what you wish we would just say, hey,

1:16.6

let's do this a little bit differently now.

1:18.6

It's a super short survey, truly two minutes, but your answers help us shape where the show

1:24.8

goes next.

1:26.0

The link is in the show notes,

1:31.9

or you can go to unpacked.bio slash UiH survey.

1:36.5

Again, that's unpacked.bio slash uiH survey.

1:39.7

Thanks for listening, for thinking with me,

...

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