29: A Better Place?

29: A Better Place?

Author: Israel Story September 8, 2017 Duration: 49:20

Not that long ago, an Israeli vehicle was about to change the world. But it didn’t. In today's episode, we find out why the Better Place electric car generated such excitement and inspired such devotion, and why its ultimate demise was so devastating.

In 2007, long before Tesla and Elon Musk became household names, a thirty-nine-year-old Israeli tech entrepreneur by the name of Shai Agassi came out with an announcement that rattled the world: He was going to revolutionize transportation, make countries oil-free by 2020, and curb the effects of climate change. Agassi hoped to put millions and millions of drivers, all around the globe, behind the wheel of an inexpensive electric car, with virtually unlimited range. And that, he told anyone who would listen, was going to make the world a “Better Place.”

The music in this episode includes original tracks composed and performed by David Peretz, as well as music by Blue Dot SessionsJason Shaw and AudionautixKevin MacLeod and Royal Free SoundBird CreekTwin MusicomChris Zabriskie and Bensound. The final song, “Mechonit,” is by Mashina. The episode was edited by Julie Subrin and mixed by Sela Waisblum.

Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and by signing up for our newsletter at israelstory.org/newsletter/. For more, head to our site or Tablet Magazine.

Stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and by signing up for our newsletter at israelstory.org/newsletter/. For more, head to our site or The Times of Israel.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Hosted by Mishy Harman, Israel Story is an award-winning weekly podcast that moves beyond headlines to explore the nuanced, surprising, and deeply human realities of life. Each episode is built around true, meticulously crafted narratives about ordinary people, revealing the complex tapestry of Israeli society in ways that news reports rarely capture. These are extraordinary tales found in everyday moments-a portrait of a community, a personal dilemma, or a forgotten piece of history, all told with empathy and a journalist's eye for detail. The podcast, produced in partnership with The Jerusalem Foundation and The Times of Israel, offers an intimate auditory experience that connects listeners to the spiritual, religious, and cultural heartbeat of a place through the voices of those who live there. It’s a listening journey that challenges preconceptions and illuminates shared humanity. For Hebrew episodes, you can find them under סיפור ישראלי.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 221

Israel Story
Podcast Episodes
From the Vault: Herr Eichmann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:44
To most, Adolf Eichmann - the mastermind behind the Nazis’ ‘Final Solution’ - is the ultimate symbol of evil. But to a small group of Israelis, he was no more than a gaunt and balding middle-aged prisoner. This is the st…
46: The Needle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:01
In May 1960, the Mossad captured Adolf Eichmann in Buenos Aires, and brought him to stand trial in Jerusalem. It's one of Israel's most glorified chapters, right up there with Entebbe, the bombing of the Iraqi Nuclear Re…
45: Explosive Confession - A Yom Kippur Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:21
The special was recorded in Ben Wallick’s studio and was mixed by Sela Waisblum.Repentance, prayer and charity, we are told, are our saving graces when Yom Kippur comes around. And, of course, confession is a big part of…
44: Dear God - A Rosh HaShanah Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:59
Rosh HaShanah is cleanup time, even at the Kotel. But what happens to the millions of notes tucked away in its cool crevices? And what on earth does that have to do with Leonard Cohen, impromptu sword-fights and carp fis…
43: "The Wall" Part IV - This Wall is My Wall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:29
In its final installment, our 'Wall' series comes full circle, back to where we began - the Kotel. But this time we won't be meeting Holocaust-survivors-turned-Palestinian-housewives. Instead, we will meet Jews who - in…
Welcome, Shalom and Call Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:19
If you are new to the show, there are so many episodes for you to check out. Why not start with Operation Hulda, Love Syndrome, and Milk, Honey and Sweet Mary Jane?You can also sign up to our newsletter, and follow us on…
42: "The Wall" Part III - The Invisibles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:53
After visiting two of Israel's most visible walls, we shift gears to slightly more abstract ones. Walls, both new and old, that you might have a harder time finding on the ground, but will - nevertheless - show us where…
41: "The Wall" Part II - The Other Side [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:51
Some call it the 'security fence,' while others prefer the 'West Bank barrier.' But to most around the world it is known simply as the 'separation wall.' Our series continues with a visit to what is perhaps the most divi…
40: "The Wall" Part I - Operation Hulda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:00
And... we're back! We kick off our fourth season with a brand new miniseries - "The Wall." Today's roller-coaster of a mystery begins with Israeli paratroopers liberating the Kotel, continues with a symbolic mid-war birt…
Now That’s a Buzzword! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03
A quick note from a big celebration.For more, head to our site.Stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and by signing up for our newsletter at israelstory.org/newsletter/. For more, head to our site or The Times o…