{"podcast":{"title":"Shalom From Tel Aviv with Paul Maleary & Nigel Lithman KC","slug":"shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc-7884133","podcast_index_feed_id":7884133,"rss_url":"https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/6a18c72069630795d8cfed98","website_url":"https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc","image_url":"https://assets.pippa.io/shows/cover/1780008583659-82ddc57d-16ec-4dcf-a744-385dc4f98d63.jpeg","author":"Paul Maleary","episode_count":8,"summary":"Shalom From Tel Aviv What happens when a retired detective and a former Crown Court Judge look past the headlines and dive straight into the beating heart of Israel? You get Shalom From Tel Aviv . Join lifelong friends Paul Maleary (a straight-talking, 30-year veteran detective) and Nigel Lithman KC (a razor-sharp retired Judge and King's Counsel) as they bring their unique legal, investigative, and deeply human perspectives to the table. This isn't your standard current affairs podcast. As seasoned raconteurs, Paul and Nigel aren't afraid to tackle the complex, sensitive, and heavy-hitting issues that others shy away from. But they do it with a twist. Grounded in their deep affection for the region, they explore the side of Israel that the mainstream media often misses: a vibrant, all-embracing society that offers incredible opportunities to people from all walks of life, faiths, and backgrounds. Expect a masterclass in storytelling, sharp banter, and a healthy dose of wit. Alongside the grit of major discussions, the duo serves up fascinating, lesser-known, and downright funny facts about the country’s history, culture, and daily life. Pull up a chair for an unfiltered, enlighte…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-12T18:19:05.677013+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc-7884133"},"episode":{"title":"Buying Our First Car: Life as an Israeli New Citizen","slug":"buying-our-first-car-life-as-an-israeli-new-citizen","published_at":"2026-06-03T21:49:13+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc-7884133/buying-our-first-car-life-as-an-israeli-new-citizen","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc-7884133","url":"https://shows.acast.com/shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc/episodes/retrying-for-a-right-hand-drive-life-as-an-israeli-new-citiz","audio_url":"https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6a18c72069630795d8cfed98/e/6a20a15af8e85cfadaf537bf/media.mp3","summary":"In this episode of Shalom from Tel Aviv , host Paul Maleary checks in with Nigel Lithman KC to discuss the practical realities and unexpected hurdles of adjusting to life as a retired new citizen in Israel. Nigel shares a breakdown of his eventful week, shedding light on the nuances of local culture and public services The Car Buying Conundrum : Nigel recounts his chaotic experience purchasing a car, noting that Israeli law prevents individuals from buying a vehicle until they have officially made Aliyah (gained citizenship). After choosing a light blue vehicle, a change of heart forced them to undo the paperwork for a right-hand drive model. Driving and Infrastructure Reality : He reflects on the harrowing nature of Israeli traffic, citing a recent trip to Jerusalem where a standard 1-hour and 40-minute drive devolved into a three-and-a-half-hour traffic jam. Nigel jokes that the true existential threat to Israel isn't international conflict, but rather the local driving habits and a failure to clean up dog waste. Financial and Bureaucratic Hurdles : Navigating foreign driver licensing rules requires Nigel to take eye exams and medical tests to convert his English license after a year. Furthermore, because of Foreign Office travel advisories, securing vehicle and medical insurance is highly complex, with car insurance premiums skyrocketing to around £5,000. Travel and the Reliability of El Al : Discussing flight options via Wizz Air through Luton Airport, Nigel notes the cultural quirks of seat-shuffling often practiced by ultra-Orthodox passengers. He commends Israel's national carrier, El Al, emphasizing that they deserve patronage for flying uninterrupted through every war the country has faced. Contrasting Healthcare Systems : Nigel compares the UK's NHS with the…","meta_description":"In this episode of Shalom from Tel Aviv , host Paul Maleary checks in with Nigel Lithman KC to discuss the practical realities and unexpected hurdles of a…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3306,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc-7884133/episodes/buying-our-first-car-life-as-an-israeli-new-citizen/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc-7884133/buying-our-first-car-life-as-an-israeli-new-citizen.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}