Aron Heller: 1.5 million-strong Jewish band of brothers

Aron Heller: 1.5 million-strong Jewish band of brothers

Author: The Times of Israel April 13, 2026 Duration: 34:27

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with journalist and debut author Aron Heller.

Some 1.5 million Jewish soldiers fought for the Allies in World War II, and 250,000 of them died in battle. One of those who fought and returned was Heller's grandfather, Mickey Heller.

In his new book, "Zaidy’s Band," Heller attempts to trace his grandfather's military service, but is met with resistance by his patriarch whenever the subject is broached.

However, before we learn about Heller's grandfather and his friends, we delve into the longtime journalist's vast experience covering Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day and hear how the concepts of "hero" and "survivor" have shifted over the years.

And so this week, we ask Aron Heller: What matters now?

What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.

IMAGE: Author Aron Heller (courtesy) / Background: Mickey Heller (far left), Ralph Oren (second from right), and friends in front of a bomber plane. (Courtesy of the Heller family)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Each week, What Matters Now from The Times of Israel focuses deeply on a single, pressing story. This isn't a rapid-fire news recap, but a thoughtful dive into the one topic currently defining life in Israel and influencing Jewish communities worldwide. You'll hear from journalists, analysts, and people directly affected, providing clarity and context on complex developments. The conversation moves beyond headlines to examine the historical roots, present-day realities, and potential futures of each chosen subject. Tune into this weekly podcast for a sustained and nuanced look at the forces at play. It’s an essential listen for anyone seeking to understand the evolving narrative of the region, offering a dedicated space to truly grasp what matters now.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

What Matters Now
Podcast Episodes
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: Hamas still holds two million hostages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:43
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, the head of Realign for Pa…
Dr. Deborah Gilboa: The neuroscience of resilience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:56
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Deborah Gilboa, MD, an expert in resilience and navigating cha…
Etgar Keret: Celebrated author feels the world is losing its story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:06
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Jessica Steinberg speaking with celebrated writer Etgar Keret. Etgar Keret, a leading voice in I…
Naftali Bennett: This existential moment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:02
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World. This week, we hear from former prime minister Naftali Bennett in conversation with founding editor David H…
Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler: How AI is poisoning the information well [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:24
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Israel Democracy Institute senior fellow Dr. Tehilla Shwartz A…
Dara Horn: The answer to the Jewish question [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:02
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan, speaking with author and scholar Dara Horn. Horn visited ToI'…
Yishai Ishi Ron: Ex-commando writes novels about trauma and recovery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:12
Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Jessica Steinberg speaking with author Yishay Ishi Ron. Ishi Ron's award-winning 2023 book, "Dog…