Reclaiming Identity

Mother and daughter of Yemenite heritage share their return to spirituality and the Yemenite heritage. Geula Vardi is an artist In the past she worked for Ofra Haza, designing her performing clothing, and did some paintings inspired by her music. She also developed a program showcasing the culture and heritage of the Yemenitepeople, including their rich folklore traditions and the culture of Yemen...

Daniel Hakim was born in Adelaide, Australia to a mother from Alexandria and a father from Cairo. Here he talks with us about growing up in an Ashkenazi environment and coming back to his roots to ens

Richard Sassoon is an Iraqi-American of Jewish heritage who graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and Fordham University Law School with a J.D. with an LL.M. in European Business Law from Madrid’s Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Here he tells the story of his Iraqi roots amongst his Ashkenazi community in New York. Thank you, Richard, for joining us. Programs like Recla...

ASF President: Drora interviews David Dangoor

Ashley Perry is a proud Sephardi Jew and advocate for educating towards understanding of the Jews of MENA and the greater Sephardi world. he is a former senior Israeli government advisor and international campaign and communication strategist. Here Ashley discusses his own journey as part of the Sephardi world and his passion for bringing to light the rich heritage of the greater Sephardi world. P...

Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie was born in Lebanon, raised in Mexico, educated in New York, and now lives in Dubai. His story is one of migration and pride around the world. Thank you Rabbi Abadie for sharing your story with us here. Programs like Reclaiming Identity are made possible through sponsors like you. Please consider becoming a member today of the ASF Institute of Jewish Experience: InstituteofJe...

Yael Grafy is an Israeli CEO of the Crossroads of Civilizations Museum in Dubai. Being half Yemenite and half Tunisian she talks about growing up knowing little about her background and coming to understand her rich heritage while living in an Arab country. Special thanks to Yael Grafy for sharing your story with us. If you would like to participate as a sponsor or to share your story please reach...

Rabbi Albert Gabbi was born in Cairo along with his nine siblings. They had a very full Jewish life there with thriving synagogues, schools, and community. Things changed in 1948, then again in 1967 when he was imprisoned along with his brothers for three years. But this was only the beginning of his story. Here he shares his road to becoming a rabbi in Philadelphia and the pride in his Jewish Sep...

Dr. Sasha Goldstein-Sabbah, Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Groningen, here interviews Myriam Levain, founder of InTun on Instagram. Myriam has reconnected with Tunisia the country, the people, and the Jewish heritage. Thank you Sasha and Myriam for your participation. Programs like Reclaiming Identity are available due to patrons and sponsors. Please consider be...

Dr. Alon Tam, an expert in Egyptian Jewry and of Egyptian descent himself interviews sisters Colette and Gigi Winston. All were raised by strong, elegant, sophisticated and educated Jews from Cairo who then raised families in Israel and the US. Thank you Colette, Gigi, and Alon, for sharing your stories. If you would like to participate in an interview and/or sponsor an interview please reach out...