Although Jerusalem’s most famous structures are quite old, much of the city’s modern look was given it by three architects: Erich Mendelsohn (a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany), Austen St. Barbe Harrison (the official architect of the British Mandate), and Spyro Houris (a Greek Orthodox Arab). They are the subject of a new book, Till We Have Built Jerusalem: Architects of a New City, by Adina Hoffman, which she discusses here. (Interview by Sara Ivry; audio, 43 minutes.)

After several weeks of passionate political conflict in Israel over judical reform, the tensions seem to be defused, or at least dialed down, for the time being. In light of this, and in anticipation of the Passover holiday soon upon us, Eric Cohen considers the way forward for both the Jewish state and the Jewish people. (Video, 8 minutes. A text is available at the link below.)