The ultra-Orthodox aren't bringing down the coalition - yet

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. Deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan and religions and Diaspora affairs reporter Canaan Lidor join host Anne Gordon on today's episode. Israel’s current government is thought to be its most right-wing government ever, and also the most religious government in Israeli history -- the secular Likud party is working in lockstep cooperation (or so it seems most of the time) with the Haredi parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, as well as the Religious Zionism party and Otzma Yehudit, which is largely religious as well. Why, then, are the ultra-Orthodox parties on the verge of stepping out of this united front? In Hungary, the country's oldest Orthodox Jewish community may be out of funds to continue. Will Chabad-Lubavitch, historically less welcome in Hungary than elsewhere, step in with the cash to help out? An enterprising American scientist is encouraging STEM education in Ethiopia, with projects designed based on what the students find lacking in their own society. That same enterprising scientist is using data-driven farming to help prevent starvation in Uganda. And Uganda's novel Jewish community may be key to improving the economy there with new jobs. Discussed articles include: Netanyahu, Levin said to seek pause to overhaul after Haredi party revolt How a Boston-based retired physicist is spreading the gospel of science in Africa Seeding STEM centers in Africa, NGO looks for crop of scientists to cultivate continent How homegrown data-driven farming may save sub-Saharan Africa’s Jews from starvation Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.