Podcasts about Moroccan

Tune into the fourth installment of AJC's latest limited podcast series, Architects of Peace. Go behind the scenes of the decades-long diplomacy and quiet negotiations that made the Abraham Accords possible, bringing Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and later Morocco, together in historic peace agreements.  From cockpits to kitchens to concert halls, the Abraham Accords are inspiring unexpected partnerships. In the fourth episode of AJC's limited series, four “partners of peace” share how these historic agreements are reshaping their lives and work. Hear from El Mehdi Boudra of the Mimouna Association on building people-to-people ties; producer Gili Masami on creating a groundbreaking Israeli–Emirati song; pilot Karim Taissir on flying between Casablanca and Tel Aviv while leading Symphionette, a Moroccan orchestra celebrating Andalusian music; and chef Gal Ben Moshe, the first Israeli chef to ever cook in Dubai on his dream of opening a restaurant in the UAE. *The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views or position of AJC.  Episode lineup: El Mehdi Boudra (4:00) Gili Masami (11:10) Karim Taissir (16:14) Gal Ben Moshe (21:59) Read the transcript: https://www.ajc.org/news/podcast/partners-of-peace-architects-of-peace-episode-4 Resources: AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace - Tune in weekly for new episodes. The Abraham Accords, Explained AJC.org/CNME - Find more on AJC's Center for a New Middle East Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus  People of the Pod Follow Architects of Peace on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace You can reach us at: podcasts@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript: El Mehdi Boudra: All the stereotypes started like getting out and people want to meet with the other. They wanted to discover the beauty of the diversity of Israel. And this is unique in the region, where you have Arabs Muslims, Arab Christians, Druze, Beta Yisrael, Ashkenazi, Sephardic Jews, Jews from India, from all over the world. This beauty of diversity in Israel is very unique for our region. Manya Brachear Pashman: In September 2020, the world saw what had been years – decades – in the making: landmark peace agreements dubbed the Abraham Accords – normalizing relations between Israel and two Arabian Gulf states, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Later, in December, they were joined by the Kingdom of Morocco.  Five years later, AJC is pulling back the curtain to meet key individuals who built the trust that led to these breakthroughs and turning the spotlight on some of the results. Introducing: the Architects of Peace. ILTV correspondent: Well, hello, shalom, salaam. For the first time since the historic normalization deal between Israel and the UAE, an Israeli and an Emirati have teamed up to make music. [Ahlan Bik plays] The signs have been everywhere. On stages in Jerusalem and in recording studios in Abu Dhabi. [Camera sounds]. On a catwalk in Tel Aviv during Fashion Week and on the covers of Israeli and Arab magazines. [Kitchen sounds]. In the kitchens of gourmet restaurants where Israeli and Emirati chefs exchanged recipes. Just days after the announcement of the Abraham Accords, Emirati ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan formally ended the UAE's nearly 50-year boycott of Israel. Though commerce and cooperation had taken place between the countries under the radar for years, the boycott's official end transformed the fields of water, renewable energy, health, cybersecurity, and tourism.  In 2023, Israel and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to advance economic cooperation, and by 2024, commerce between the UAE and Israel grew to $3.2 billion. Trade between Bahrain and Israel surged 740% in one year. As one of the world's most water-stressed countries, Bahrain's Electrical and Water Authority signed an agreement to acquire water desalination technology from Israel's national water company [Mekorot].  Signs of collaboration between Israeli and Arab artists also began to emerge. It was as if a creative energy had been unlocked and a longing to collaborate finally had the freedom to fly. [Airplane take off sounds]. And by the way, people had the freedom to fly too, as commercial airlines sent jets back and forth between Tel Aviv, Casablanca, Abu Dhabi, and Manama.  A gigantic step forward for countries that once did not allow long distance calls to Israel, let alone vacations to the Jewish state. At long last, Israelis, Moroccans, Emiratis, and Bahrainis could finally satisfy their curiosity about one another. This episode features excerpts from four conversations. Not with diplomats or high-level senior officials, but ordinary citizens from the region who have seized opportunities made possible by the Abraham Accords to pursue unprecedented partnerships. For El Medhi Boudra, the Abraham Accords were a dream come true.  As a Muslim college student in 2007 at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, he founded a group dedicated to preserving and teaching the Jewish heritage of his North African home. El Mehdi knew fostering conversations and friendships would be the only way to counter stereotypes and foster a genuine appreciation for all of Morocco's history, including its once-thriving Jewish community of more than 100,000. Five years later, El Mehdi's efforts flourished into a nonprofit called Mimouna, the name of a Moroccan tradition that falls on the day after Passover, when Jewish and Muslim families gather at each other's homes to enjoy cakes and sweets and celebrate the end of the Passover prohibitions. Together.   El Mehdi Boudra: Our work started in the campus to fill this gap between the old generation who talk with nostalgia about Moroccan Jews, and the young generation who don't know nothing about Moroccan Judaism. Then, in the beginning, we focused only on the preservation and educating and the promotion of Jewish heritage within campuses in Morocco. In 2011, we decided to organize the first conference on the Holocaust in the Arab world. Manya Brachear Pashman: So did the Abraham Accords make any difference in the work you were already doing? I mean, I know Mimouna was already a longtime partner with AJC.  El Mehdi Boudra: With Abraham Accords, we thought bigger. We brought young professionals from Morocco and Israel to work together in certain sectors on challenges that our regions are overcoming. Like environment, climate change, water scarcity and innovation, and bring the best minds that we have in Morocco and in Israel to work together. But we included also other participants from Emirates and Bahrain. This was the first one that we started with.  The second was with AJC. We invited also young professionals from United States and France, which was an opportunity to work globally. Because today, we cannot work alone. We need to borrow power from each other. If we have the same vision and the same values, we need to work together.  In Morocco, we say: one hand don't clap. We need both hands. And this is the strategy that we have been doing with AJC, to bring all the partners to make sure that we can succeed in this mission.  We had another people-to-people initiative. This one is with university students. It's called Youth for MENA. It's with an Israeli organization called Noar. And we try to take advantage of the Abraham Accords to make our work visible, impactful, to make the circle much bigger. Israel is a country that is part of this region. And we can have, Israel can offer good things to our region. It can fight against the challenges that we have in our region. And an Israeli is like an Iraqi. We can work all together and try to build a better future for our region at the end of the day. Manya Brachear Pashman: El Mehdi, when you started this initiative did you encounter pushback from other Moroccans? I mean, I understand the Accords lifted some of the restrictions and opened doors, but did it do anything to change attitudes? Or are there detractors still, to the same degree? El Mehdi Boudra: Before the Abraham Accords, it was more challenging to preserve Moroccan Jewish heritage in Morocco. It was easier. To educate about Holocaust. It was also OK. But to do activities with civil society in Israel, it was very challenging. Because, first of all, there is no embassies or offices between Morocco. Then to travel, there is no direct flights.  There is the stereotypes that people have about you going to Israel. With Abraham Accords, we could do that very freely. Everyone was going to Israel, and more than that, there was becoming like a tendency to go to Israel.  Moroccans, they started wanting to spend their vacation in Tel Aviv. They were asking us as an organization. We told them, we are not a tour guide, but we can help you. They wanted to travel to discover the country.  All the stereotypes started like getting out and people want to meet with other. They wanted to discover the beauty of the diversity of Israel. And this is unique in the region where you have  Arab Muslims, Arab Christians, Druze, Beta Israel, Ashkenazi, Sephardic Jews, Jews from India, from all over the world. This beauty of diversity in Israel is very unique for our region.  And it's not granted in this modern time, as you can see in the region. You can see what happened in Iraq, what's happening in Syria, for minorities. Then you know, this gave us hope, and we need this hope in these dark times. Manya Brachear Pashman: Hm, what do you mean? How does Israel's diversity provide hope for the rest of the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region?  El Mehdi Boudra: Since the MENA region lost its diversity, we lost a lot. It's not the Christians or the Yazidis or the Jews who left the MENA region who are in bad shape. It's the people of the MENA region who are in bad shape because those people, they immigrated to U.S., to Sweden, they have better lives. But who lost is those countries.  Then us as the majority Muslims in the region, we should reach out to those minorities. We should work closely today with all countries, including Israel, to build a better future for our region. There is no choice. And we should do it very soon, because nothing is granted in life.  And we should take this opportunity of the Abraham Accords as a real opportunity for everyone. It's not an opportunity for Israel or the people who want to have relation with Israel. It's an opportunity for everyone, from Yemen to Morocco. Manya Brachear Pashman: Morocco has had diplomatic relations with Israel in the past, right? Did you worry or do you still worry that the Abraham Accords will fall apart as a result of the Israel Hamas War? El Mehdi Boudra: Yes, yes, to tell you the truth, yes. After the 7th of October and things were going worse and worse. We said, the war will finish and it didn't finish. And I thought that probably with the tensions, the protest, will cut again the relations. But Morocco didn't cut those relations. Morocco strengthened those relations with Israel, and also spoke about the Palestinians' cause in the same time.  Which I'm really proud of my government's decisions to not cut those relations, and we hope to strengthen those relations, because now they are not going in a fast dynamic. We want to go back to the first time when things were going very fastly. When United States signed with the Emirates and Bahrain in September 2020, I was hoping that Morocco will be the first, because Morocco had strong relations with Israel. We had direct relations in the 90s and we cut those relations after the Second Intifada in 2000.  We lost those 21 years. But it's not [too] late now. We are working. The 7th of October happened. Morocco is still having relations with Israel. We are still having the Moroccan government and the Israeli government having strong relations together.  Of course, initiatives to people-to-people are less active because of the war. But you know, the war will finish very soon, we hope, and the hostages will go back to their homes, Inshallah, and we will get back to our lives. And this is the time for us as civil society to do stronger work and to make sure that we didn't lose those two years. [Ahlan Bik plays] Manya Brachear Pashman: Just weeks after the White House signing ceremony on September 15, 2020, Israeli music producer Gili Masami posted a music video on YouTube. The video featured a duet between a former winner of Israel's version of The Voice, Elkana Marziano, and Emirati singer Walid Aljasim.  The song's title? Ahlan Bik, an Arabic greeting translated as “Hello, Friend.” In under three weeks, the video had garnered more than 1.1 million views. Gili Masami: When I saw Bibi Netanyahu and Trump sign this contract, the Abraham Accords, I said, ‘Wow!' Because always my dream was to fly to Dubai. And when I saw this, I said, ‘Oh, this is the time to make some project that I already know how to do.' So I thought to make the first historic collaboration between an Israeli singer and an Emirati singer.  We find this production company, and they say, OK. We did this historic collaboration. And the first thing it was that I invite the Emirati people to Israel. They came here. I take them to visit Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and then I get a call to meet in Gitix Technology Week in the World Trade Center in Dubai. Manya Brachear Pashman: Gitix. That's the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition, one of the world's largest annual tech summits, which met in Dubai that year and invited an Israeli delegation for the first time. Gili Masami: They tell me. ‘Listen, your song, it was big in 200 countries, cover worldwide. We want you to make this show.' I said, OK. We came to Dubai, and then we understand that the production company is the family of Mohammed bin Zayed al Nayhan, the president of UAE. And now we understand why they agree.  The brother of Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheik Issa Ben Zahid Al Nahyan, he had this production company. This singer, it's his singer. And we say, ‘Wow, we get to this so high level, with the government of Dubai.' And then all the doors opened in Dubai.  And then it was the Corona. 200 countries around the world cover this story but we can't do shows because this Corona issue, but we still did it first. Manya Brachear Pashman: The song Ahlan Bik translates to “Hello, Friend.” It was written by Israeli songwriter Doron Medalie. Can you tell our listeners what it's about? Gili Masami: The song Ahlan Bik, it's this song speak about Ibrihim. Because if we go to the Bible, they are cousins. They are cousins. And you know, because of that, we call this Abraham Accords, because of Avraham. And they are sons of Ishmael. Yishmael. And we are sons of Jacob.  So because of that, we are from back in the days. And this is the real cousins. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Morocco. They are the real ones. And this song speak about this connection. Manya Brachear Pashman: After Morocco joined the Abraham Accords, you also put together a collaboration between Elkana and Moroccan singer Sanaa Mohamed. But your connection to UAE continued. You actually moved to Dubai for a year and opened a production company there. I know you're back in Israel now, but have you kept in touch with people there?   Gili Masami: I have a lot of friends in UAE. A lot of friends. I have a production company in UAE too. But every time we have these problems with this war, so we can do nothing. I was taking a lot of groups to Dubai, making tours, parties, shows, and all this stuff, because this war. So we're still friends.  Manya Brachear Pashman: Given this war, do you ever go back and listen to the song Ahlan Bik for inspiration, for hope?  Gili Masami: I don't look about the thinking that way. These things. I know what I did, and this is enough for me. I did history. This is enough for me. I did [a] good thing. This is enough for me. I did the first collaboration, and this is enough for me. Manya Brachear Pashman: Moroccan pilot and music aficionado Karim Taissir also knows the power of music. In 2016, he reached out to Tom Cohen, the founder and conductor of the Jerusalem Orchestra East & West and invited him to Morocco to conduct Symphonyat, an orchestra of 40 musicians from around the world playing Jewish and Arab music from Morocco's past that often has been neglected.  Karim Taissir: In 2015 I contacted Tom via Facebook because of a story happening in Vietnam. I was in a bar. And this bar, the owner, tried to connect with people. And the concept was a YouTube session connected on the speaker of the bar, and they asked people to put some music on from their countries. So when he asked me, I put something played by Tom [Cohen], it was Moroccan music played by the orchestra of Tom. And people said, ‘Wow.'  And I felt the impact of the music, in terms of even, like the ambassador role. So that gave me the idea. Back in Morocco, I contacted him. I told him, ‘Listen, you are doing great music, especially when it comes to Moroccan music, but I want to do it in Morocco. So are you ready to collaborate? And you should tell me, what do you need to create an orchestra that do this, this excellency of music?'  And I don't know why he replied to my message, because, usually he got lots of message from people all over the world, but it was like that. So from that time, I start to look of musician, of all conditions, asked by Tom, and in 2016 in April, we did one week of rehearsals. This was a residence of musician in Casablanca by Royal Foundation Hiba. And this is how it starts. And from that time, we tried every year to organize concerts. Sometimes we succeed, and sometimes not. Manya Brachear Pashman: I asked this of El Mehdi too, since you were already doing this kind of bridge building Karim, did the Abraham Accords change anything for you? Karim Taissir: In ‘22 we did the great collaboration. It was a fusion between the two orchestras, under the conductor Tom Cohen in Timna desert [National Park], with the presence of many famous people, politician, and was around like more than 4,000 people, and the President Herzog himself was was there, and we had a little chat for that.  And even the program, it was about peace, since there was Moroccan music, Israeli music, Egyptian music, Greek music, Turkish music. And this was very nice, 18 musicians on the stage. Manya Brachear Pashman: Oh, wow. 18 musicians. You know, the number 18, of course, is very significant, meaningful for the Jewish tradition.  So, this was a combination of Israeli musicians, Moroccan musicians, playing music from across the region. Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Israel. What did that mean for you? In other words, what was the symbolism of that collaboration and of that choice of music? Karim Taissir: Listen, to be honest, it wasn't a surprise for me, the success of collaboration, since there was excellent artists from Israel and from Morocco. But more than that, the fact that Moroccan Muslims and other people with Israeli musicians, they work together every concert, rehearsals.  They became friends, and maybe it was the first time for some musicians, especially in Morocco. I'm not talking only about peace, happiness, between people. It's very easy in our case, because it's people to people. Manya Brachear Pashman: How have those friendships held up under the strain of the Israel-Hamas War? Karim Taissir: Since 7th October, me, for example, I'm still in touch with all musicians from Israel, not only musicians, all my friends from Israel to support. To support them, to ask if they are OK. And they appreciate, I guess, because I guess some of them feel even before they have friends from all over the world. But suddenly it's not the case for us, it's more than friendships, and if I don't care about them, which means it's not true friendships. And especially Tom. Tom is more than more than a brother. And we are looking forward very soon to perform in Israel, in Morocco, very soon. Manya Brachear Pashman: So I should clarify for listeners that Symphonyat is not your full-time job. Professionally you are a pilot for Royal Air Maroc. And a week after that concert in Timna National Park in March 2022, Royal Air Maroc launched direct flights between Casablanca and Tel Aviv. Those flights have been suspended during the war, but did you get to fly that route? Karim Taissir: They call me the Israeli guy since I like very much to be there. Because I was kind of ambassador since I was there before, I'm trying always to explain people, when you will be there, you will discover other things. Before 7th of October, I did many, many, many flights as captain, and now we're waiting, not only me, all my colleagues.  Because really, really–me, I've been in Israel since 2016–but all my colleagues, the first time, it was during those flights. And all of them had a really nice time. Not only by the beauty of the Tel Aviv city, but also they discover Israeli people. So we had really, really, very nice memories from that period, and hoping that very soon we will launch flight. Manya Brachear Pashman: Chef Gal Ben Moshe, the first Israeli chef to earn a Michelin Star for his restaurant in Berlin, remembers the day he got the call to speak at Gulfood 2021, a world food festival in Abu Dhabi. That call led to another call, then another, and then another.  Before he knew it, Chef Gal's three-day trip to the United Arab Emirates had blossomed into a 10-day series: of master classes, panel discussions, catered dinners, and an opportunity to open a restaurant in Dubai. Gal Ben Moshe: Like I said, it wasn't just one dinner, it wasn't just a visit. It's basically from February ‘21 to October ‘23 I think I've been more than six, eight times, in the Emirates. Like almost regularly cooking dinners, doing events, doing conferences. And I cooked in the Dubai Expo when it was there. I did the opening event of the Dubai Expo. And a lot of the things that I did there, again, I love the place. I love the people. I got connected to a lot of people that I really, truly miss. Manya Brachear Pashman: When we first connected, you told me that the Abraham Accords was one of your favorite topics. Why? Gal Ben Moshe: I always felt kind of like, connected to it, because I was the first Israeli chef to ever cook in Dubai. And one of the most influential times of my life, basically going there and being there throughout basically everything from the Abraham Accords up to October 7. To a degree that I was supposed to open a restaurant there on the first of November 2023 which, as you probably know, did not happen in the end.  And I love this place. And I love the idea of the Abraham Accords, and I've had a lot of beautiful moments there, and I've met a lot of amazing people there. And, in a way, talking about it is kind of me missing my friends less. Manya Brachear Pashman: So you were originally invited to speak at Gulfood. What topics did you cover and what was the reception like? Gal Ben Moshe: The journalist that interviewed me, he was a great guy, asked me, ‘OK, so, like, where do you want to cook next?' And I said, ‘If you would ask me six months ago, I would say that I would love to cook in Dubai, but it's not possible.' So having this happened, like, anything can happen, right? Like, if you would tell me in June 2020 that I would be cooking in Dubai in February 2021, I'm not sure I was going to believe you. It was very secretive, very fast, very surprising. And I said, ‘Yeah, you know, I would love to cook in Damascus and Beirut, because it's two places that are basically very influential in the culture of what is the Pan-Arabic kitchen of the Levant. So a lot of the food influence, major culinary influence, comes from basically Aleppo, Damascus and Beirut. Basically, this area is the strongest influence on food. A lot of Jordanians are probably going to be insulted by me saying this, but this is very this is like culinary Mecca, in my opinion.'  And I said it, and somebody from the audience shouted: ‘I'm from Beirut! You can stay at my place!' And I was like, it's just amazing. And the funny thing is, and I always talk about it is, you know, I talk about my vegetable suppliers in Berlin and everything in the Syrian chefs and Palestinian chefs and Lebanese chefs that I met in the Emirates that became friends of mine. And I really have this thing as like, I'm gonna say it is that we have so much in common. It's crazy how much we have in common.  You know, we have this war for the past two years with basically everyone around us. But I think that when we take this thing out of context, out of the politics, out of the region, out of this border dispute or religious dispute, or whatever it is, and we meet each other in different country. We have so much in common, and sometimes, I dare say, more than we have in common with ourselves as an Israeli society. And it's crazy how easy it is for me to strike a conversation and get friendly with the Lebanese or with a Palestinian or with the Syrian if I meet them in Berlin or in Dubai or in New York or in London. Manya Brachear Pashman: I should clarify, you run restaurants in Tel Aviv, but the restaurant that earned a Michelin star in 2020 and held on to it for four years, was Prism in Berlin. Tel Aviv was going to be added to the Michelin Guide in December 2023, but that was put on hold after the start of the Israel-Hamas War. Did your time in the Emirates inspire recipes that perhaps landed on your menu at Prism? Gal Ben Moshe: I was approached by a local journalist that wrote cookbooks and he did a special edition cookbook for 50 years for the Emirates. And he wanted me to contribute a recipe. And I did a dish that ended up being a Prism signature dish for a while, of Camel tartar with caviar, quail yolk, grilled onion, and it was served in this buckwheat tortelet. And at the time, it's a concept dish. So basically, the story is this whole story of Dubai. So you have the camel and the caviar, so between the desert and the sea. And then you have the camel, which basically is the nomadic background of Dubai, with the Bedouin culture and everything, and the caviar, which is this luxurious, futuristic–what Dubai is today. And it was really a dish about the Emirates. And I was invited to cook it afterwards in a state dinner, like with very high-end hotel with very high-end guests.  And basically the chef of the hotel, who's a great guy, is like, sending, writing me an email, like, I'm not going to serve camel. I'm not going to serve camel in this meal. And I was like, but it's the whole story. It's the whole thing. He's like, but what's wrong with Wagyu beef? It's like, we're in Dubai. Wagyu beef is very Dubai. And I was like, not in the way that the camel is in that story. Listen, for a chef working there, it's a playground, it's heaven. People there are super curious about food. They're open-minded. And there's great food there. There's a great food scene there, great chefs working there. I think some of the best restaurants in the world are right now there, and it was amazing. Manya Brachear Pashman: There have been other Israeli chefs who opened their restaurants in Dubai before October 7. I know Chef Eyal Shani opened with North Miznon in a Hilton hotel in Dubai. You recently closed Prism, which really was a mom and pop place in Berlin, and you've now opened a hotel restaurant in Prague. Would you still consider opening a kitchen in Dubai? Gal Ben Moshe: I have not given up on the Emirates in any way. Like I've said, I love it there. I love the people there. I love the atmosphere there. I love the idea of being there. I would say that there is complexities, and I understand much better now, in hindsight of these two years. Of why, basically, October 7 meant that much. I live in Berlin for 13 years, and I work with my vegetable suppliers for the past, I would say nine or eight years. They're Palestinians and Syrians and Lebanese and everything.  And even though October 7 happened and everything that's happened afterwards, we're still very close, and I would still define our relationship as very friendly and very positive. The one thing is that, I don't know, but I think it's because we know each other from before. And I don't know if they would have taken the business of an Israeli chef after October 7. So having known me and that I'm not a symbol for them, but I am an individual.  For them it is easier because we're friends, like we worked together, let's say for five years before October 7. It's not going to change our relationship just because October 7 happened. But I think what I do understand is that sometimes our place in the world is different when it comes to becoming symbols. And there are people who don't know me and don't know who I am or what my opinions are, how I view the world, and then I become just a symbol of being an Israeli chef. And then it's you are this, and nothing you can say at that moment changes it.  So I don't think that me opening a restaurant in Dubai before October 7 was a problem. I do understand that an Israeli chef opening a restaurant in Dubai after October 7 was not necessarily a good thing. I can understand how it's perceived as, in the symbolism kind of way, not a good thing. So I think basically, when this war is over, I think that the friendship is there. I think the connection is there. I think the mutual respect and admiration is there. And I think that there is no reason that it can't grow even further. Manya Brachear Pashman: In our next episode, expected to air after the High Holidays, we discuss how the Abraham Accords have held during one of Israel's most challenging times and posit which Arab countries might be next to join the historic pact.  Atara Lakritz is our producer. T.K. Broderick is our sound engineer. Special thanks to Jason Isaacson, Sean Savage, and the entire AJC team for making this series possible.  You can subscribe to Architects of Peace on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and you can learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace. The views and opinions of our guests don't necessarily reflect the positions of AJC. You can reach us at podcasts@ajc.org. If you've enjoyed this episode, please be sure to spread the word, and hop onto Apple Podcasts or Spotify to rate us and write a review to help more listeners find us. Music Credits: Middle East : ID: 279780040; Composer: Eric Sutherland אלקנה מרציאנו & Waleed Aljasim - אהלן ביכ | Elkana Marziano AHALAN bik أهلاً بيك Moroccan Suite: Item ID: 125557642; Composer: umberto sangiovanni Medley Ana Glibi Biddi Kwitou / Ma Nebra - Symphonyat with Sanaa Marahati - Casablanca - 2022 Middle East: Item ID: 297982529; Composer: Aditya Mystical Middle East: ID: 212471911; Composer: Vicher  

You should hire a personal chef! ...but seriously!  What if the solution to your dinnertime stress isn't another meal kit or recipe app, but a hired professional to join your family and make your life easier? ...that's right, I said it! Janice, founder of Tiny Spoon personal chef service, joins the conversation to challenge our assumptions about who personal chefs serve and how they can transform daily life. Janice's story led her to create a company that's redefining the personal chef industry not just for clients, but for chefs themselves.The conversation peels back the curtain on what makes Tiny Spoon unique: Fortune 500-level benefits for chefs including healthcare, 401(k) matching, and profit-sharing in an industry notorious for burnout and poor work conditions. For clients, the experience begins with a thoughtful consultation focused on understanding family rhythms and preferences, creating a deeply personalized service that goes far beyond meal preparation.If you want to eat spicy but your kids don't, perfect! If you want chocolate peanut butter protein bites and to try Moroccan food for dinner, also perfect! Whether you're a busy professional, overwhelmed parent, or someone who simply wants to delegate food preparation to focus on other priorities, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how we might rethink mealtime. Curious listeners can visit tinyspooncnef.com/gather for $100 off their first service.Support the show

The Soundcheck Podcast series offers up music from recent sessions, all revolving around The Blues –at the root of so much popular music, and where the roots have grown into other fruits worldwide. Listen to French-Moroccan band Bab L' Bluz and their hot psychedelic blues spiked with the Gnawa trance rhythms of northern Africa's Maghreb. There's the “Desert Blues” of West Africa in music by singer and guitarist Mdou Moctar from Niger. He and his band combine rock and psychedelia, call-and-response and accelerating threes, and fiery guitar playing for trancey and ecstatic results. Listen to Texas-raised singer, guitarist, and songwriter Ruthie Foster and her longtime bandmates who play some of their feel-good and hopeful blues. Hear the timeless sound of West Georgia Blues by singer and guitarist Jontavious Willis (along with the wicked tunings and his slide playing), in-studio. Plus, there's the groove and swagger of Yemen Blues, and their fusion of Moroccan trance, Arab and Bedouin folk, and Western funk and rock. The American singer-songwriter Fantastic Negrito plays some of his blues-stomp-and-roll music with roots in his family's past. Plus, hear the vintage soul and blues-rock sound of Memphis and Mississippi-rooted, Brooklyn native singer Bette Smith. Soundcheck Special, Sept. 2025 – “Blues Is the Roots” (First aired 9/20/25)ARTIST: Marco BeneventoWORK: Eagle Rock [1:02]RECORDING: TigerFaceSOURCE: Royal Potato FamilyINFO: https://marcobenevento.bandcamp.com/album/tigerfaceARTIST: Jontavious WillisWORK: Ghost Woman [5:52]RECORDING: Live for the Soundcheck Podcast, Nov. 2024SOURCE: This performance not commercially availableINFO: https://jontaviouswillis.comARTIST: Fantastic NegritoWORK: Son of a Broken Man [5:02]RECORDING: Live on Soundcheck, Oct. 2024SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.INFO: https://www.fantasticnegrito.com/ARTIST: Ruthie FosterWORK: Phenomenal Woman [7:00]RECORDING: Live for the Soundcheck Podcast, March 2023SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.INFO: https://www.ruthiefoster.com/ARTIST: Mdou MoctarWORK: Imouhar [6:18]RECORDING: Live for the Soundcheck Podcast, June 2024SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.INFO: https://www.mdoumoctar.com/ARTIST: Bab L' BluzWORK: Imazighen [4:15]RECORDING: Live for the Soundcheck Podcast, April 2025SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.INFO: https://www.bablbluz.com/ARTIST: Yemen BluesWORK: Allenby [5:26]RECORDING: Live for the Soundcheck Podcast, Sept. 2024SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.INFO: https://yemenblues.com/ARTIST: Bette SmithWORK: Darkest Hour [3:35]RECORDING: Live for the Soundcheck Podcast, Aug. 2024SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.INFO: https://www.bettesmith.com

This episode, Kalid and Joe get folkloric! We're joined by writer, podcaster, and all around creative force, Wi-Moto Nyoka, to talk about her upcoming short film (titled, Affordable Housing), while also geeking out about the 2020 French-language supernatural slasher, Kandisha, inspired by Moroccan folklore. Kandisha is directed by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo.​​*Thank you to Jim Hall for the music! Check out more of his music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and if you like what you hear, please consider donating to support his work⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!*Thank you to Jim Tandberg for the Frankenstein's Podcast artwork!*Shoutout to our Patreon Producer(s), Luke Johnson, Andy Groth, Jake Kohl & Joe Mischo!⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠Featured Guest:Wi-Moto Nyoka is an AfroMexicana horror & sci-fi writer. She is an Ignyte Award Winner for her podcast Black Women Are Scary and the founder of Dusky Projects, producing genre projects for young adult and adult audiences. Her next published work, "And Then I Wake Up", can be found in Latin American Shared Stories from Flame Tree Publishing, available this spooky season. Check out Dusky Projects on Patreon for the exclusive film that goes with it!References:Ro & the StardustKandisha Review - Paste MagazineAisha Qandicha - WikipediaUnder the Hoof of the Merciless Kandisha - The Austin Chronicle“Kandisha” Interview with co-directors and co-writers Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury - FlimCraziest‘Kandisha': A Feminist Slasher? - Dread Central (from Wi-Moto Nyoka)Interview with a VampireDefianceDark WindsDeath Match (Shudder)The Thicket (Tubi)Latin American Shared Stories Dusky PatreonBlack Women Are Scary

Why do Jews mark life's biggest moments with rituals—and what happens when those rituals clash with modern life? In this rich, personal, and sometimes hilarious episode, Mijal and Noam take you on a journey through the Jewish life cycle—from brit milah to bar mitzvah, weddings to funerals. They explore how different communities (Syrian, Moroccan, Ashkenazi, Persian, and more!) celebrate, grieve, and navigate transitions. Along the way, they ask tough questions about tradition, cost, creativity, and meaning—and how showing up for others may be the most Jewish act of all. We're proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along with all the other episodes of our “In the Beginning” mini-series. Learn more about these two incredible organizations here: https://simchattorahchallenge.org/ https://www.sefaria.org/texts Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on ⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠. ------------ This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewish History Nerds⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold 

You can also find the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel here: "Morocco's Getting Busy: Book Your Trip Early!"Azdean is joined today by Destination Morocco producer Ted Cragg for an update on current travel trends and predictions for tourism in Morocco, as we head towards the end of 2025, with an eye on 2026.Morocco is getting busier and busier, and with some major events coming up, there is one key takeaway: book early!Morocco hosts the Africa Cup of Nations, the African equivalent of a continental football tournament like Euro or Copa América, from December 21st, 2025 to January 18, 2026, in cities all around the country. If you're planning on attending, you likely have your ticket and travel plans in place already! Or maybe you're open to being spontaneous.If football/soccer is not your thing though, but you're intending to be in Morocco over that time, you'll still need to be prepared for the crowds and for accommodation being very booked up. Azdean suggests some alternative destinations within Morocco though that you could consider, where there will be fewer football fans and tourists: away from the action, but perhaps blissfully quiet instead.Beyond the football tournaments though, the travel numbers to Morocco continue to increase overall, which puts even more of a stress on activities and accommodations, particularly the riads. If you're going to Morocco, you have to stay in a riad as much as possible. If you have your eyes though on a specific one, especially that's in walking distance to the souks and sights, again you'll need to get that reservation in early.Destination Morocco can help you have a trip of your design and priorities, even during the busy times, by using our contacts and connections to give you the best possible options. Not to mention easing the logistics like transport, luggage, tipping, meals and of course, safety.Reach out to Azdean with your questions and book a free discovery call to let us know what you would like to see in Morocco on your trip! Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

The Rebbe shares Rabbi Raphael Baruch Toledano's plea from Meknes to establish in France a haven for hundreds of children endangered by secular influences during emigration to Eretz Yisrael. He asks the recipient's view and discussions on this urgent request, and blesses them with a good, sweet year. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/004_igros_kodesh/elul/1206

The Rebbe thanks for efforts directing funds to Moroccan yeshivas, stressing the immense merit and responsibility of providing Jewish children with proper education where it is deeply sought. He urges continued support, notes prospects in Holland, and blesses the family with health, children, and a sweet new year. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/004_igros_kodesh/elul/1178

Did you miss us? We missed you!In this episode of Going Places, I share updates on the podcast's return, my work on the book proposal (ICYMI: I'm writing a non-fiction book), and why independent journalism is more important than ever. I talk about our upcoming season, in which you'll hear interviews with a Saudi photographer, a Moroccan professor, and so much more, and share our plans for future projects.BUT: we need you. All of September, we're running a Back Indie Media drive together with dozens of other independent publishers. Corporate-owned media continues dehumanizing people in headlines and framing; your support helps us share stories that bring humanity back.For less than a cup of coffee a month, join us at https://www.goingplacesmedia.com/#/portal/signup/ and get access to member-only creator opportunities (like a travel photography residency) and more.Going Places is a reader-supported platform. Get membership perks like a monthly group call with Yulia at goingplacesmedia.com!For more BTS of this podcast follow @goingplacesmedia on Instagram and check out our videos on YouTube!Please head over to Apple Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE to the show. If you enjoy this conversation, please share it with others on social and don't forget to tag us @goingplacesmedia!And show us some love, if you have a minute, by rating Going Places or leaving us a review wherever you listen. You'll be helping us to bend the arc of algorithms towards our community — thank you!Going Places with Yulia Denisyuk is a show that sparks a better understanding of people and places near and far by fostering a space for real conversations to occur. Each week, we sit down with travelers, journalists, creators, and people living and working in destinations around the world. Hosted by Yulia Denisyuk, an award-winning travel journalist, photographer, and writer who's worked with National Geographic, The New York Times, BBC Travel, and more. Learn more about our show at goingplacesmedia.com.

Othman Choufani is a big wave surfer from Morocco. He's spent thousands of kilometres in a car with Tom Curren driving through the Saharan desert in search of waves. He's earned his stripes at Jaws and on the North Shore of Oahu where he recently earned a spot as an alternate to The Eddie. He's part of the pioneering paddle crew at Nazare. And he is one of surfing's better known underground characters and good times guys. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The late historian Allan Bérubé documented in Coming Out Under Fire (1990) how queer soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have always been a vital part of military readiness. He revealed in a 1983 talk that the first queer news source in the United States was published at an airfield in the deep South more than 80 years ago (produced by David Hunt). And in NewsWrap: Burkina Faso's military junta outlaws same-gender sex for the first time in the nation's history, Pope Leo XIV intends to follow in his predecessor's footsteps when it comes to the queer community, Moroccan feminist/human rights activist Ibtissame Lachgar is heading to jail for more than two years for wearing a “Allah is Lesbian” t-shirt, four people arrested for attempting to restore the rainbow crosswalk near the Pulse Nightclub Memorial in Orlando, Florida are released as others continue to chalk the street, world-famous diving champ Greg Louganis plunges into a journey of self-discovery in Panama, and more international LGBTQ+ news reported this week by Lucia Chappelle and Michael LeBeau (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the September 8, 2025 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Western Sahara is a disputed territory, listed by the United Nations as non-self-governing. Morocco largely controls the area, but for decades has been battling the pro-independence Polisario Front armed group, which is supported by Algeria. Recently there has been a diplomatic shift, with some nations such as the US and France choosing to back Rabat's plan that would grant large autonomy to Western Sahara while remaining under Moroccan sovereignty. The region is also rapidly changing, with huge investments in new infrastructure – particularly in the small city of Dakhla. FRANCE 24's Achraf Abid and Clovis Casali report.

Submit your track or mix for repost? ➩bit.ly/contact8day

We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "How a Blind Tour Guide Shows Tourists the Best of Casablanca"Khalil Nejjary is a blind tour guide in Casablanca, and when Azdean visited the city and the incredible Hassan II Mosque, he finally had the chance to invite him on the podcast, in person.We previously published this episode in audio form, but we now have the complete video to go along with the story, with stunning images of the interior of the mosque, the architecture and the full panorama of the area, on a beautiful, sunny Moroccan summer's day.https://youtu.be/f6gAECOc3c8Khalil's ability to describe in detail, from memory, the features of the mosque and the exact sights of Casablanca is just remarkable.We met Khalil at the entrance hall to the mosque complex, where visitors can get tickets for the guided tours and visit the small museum with photos of the mosque's construction. Khalil and other guides meet their guests here, then escort them across the massive courtyard, or esplanade, to the mosque's entrance. Khalil talks about the mosque's architecture, the materials used and why they were chosen, and the long path from King Hassan II's initial dream of building a great mosque to its eventual completion. Khalil also tells us about the history of Casablanca and its influence on the world, and outlines a typical tour of the city, which would take in many of the famous and important sights. His joy and delight in welcoming visitors from around the world, or bumping into old friends, is deeply evident while watching him in his natural element. Khalil is a wonderful example of the genuine, authentic Moroccan hospitality that awaits your arrival when you come visit as well. Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

Listen to the first episode of AJC's new limited podcast series, Architects of Peace. Go behind the scenes of the decades-long diplomacy and quiet negotiations that made the Abraham Accords possible, bringing Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and later Morocco, together in historic peace agreements.   Jason Isaacson, AJC Chief of Policy and Political Affairs, explains the complex Middle East landscape before the Accords and how behind-the-scenes efforts helped foster the dialogue that continues to shape the region today. Resources: Episode Transcript AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace - Tune in weekly for new episodes. The Abraham Accords, Explained AJC.org/CNME - Find more on AJC's Center for a New Middle East Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus People of the Pod Follow Architects of Peace on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace You can reach us at: podcasts@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript: Jason Isaacson: It has become clear to me in my travels in the region over the decades that more and more people across the Arab world understood the game, and they knew that this false narrative – that Jews are not legitimately there, and that somehow we have to focus all of our energy in the Arab world on combating this evil interloper – it's nonsense. And it's becoming increasingly clear that, in fact, Israel can be a partner. Manya Brachear Pashman: In September 2020, the world saw what had been years – decades – in the making: landmark peace agreements dubbed the Abraham Accords -- normalizing relations between Israel and two Arabian Gulf states, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain.  Later in December, they were joined by the Kingdom of Morocco. Five years later, AJC is pulling back the curtain to meet key individuals who built the trust that led to these breakthroughs. Introducing: the Architects of Peace. Manya Brachear Pashman: On the eve of the signing of the Abraham Accords, AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson found himself traveling to the end of a tree filled winding road in McLean, Virginia, to sip tea on the back terrace with Bahraini Ambassador Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. Jason Isaacson: Sitting in the backyard of the Bahraini ambassador's house with Dr. Al Zayani, the Foreign Minister of Bahrain and with Shaikh Abdulla, the ambassador, and hearing what was about to happen the next day on the South Lawn of the White House was a thrilling moment. And really, in many ways, just a validation of the work that AJC has been doing for many years–before I came to the organization, and the time that I've spent with AJC since the early 90s.  This possibility of Israel's true integration in the region, Israel's cooperation and peace with its neighbors, with all of its neighbors – this was clearly the threshold that we were standing on. Manya Brachear Pashman: If you're wondering how Jason ended up sipping tea in such esteemed company the night before his hosts made history, wonder no more. Here's the story. Yitzchak Shamir: The people of Israel look to this palace with great anticipation and expectation. We pray that this meeting will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Middle East; that it will signal the end of hostility, violence, terror, and war; that it will bring dialogue, accommodation, co-existence, and above all, peace. Manya Brachear Pashman: That was Israel's Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir speaking in October 1991 at the historic Madrid Peace Conference -- the first time Israel and Arab delegations engaged in direct talks toward peace. It had taken 43 years to reach this point – 43 years since the historic United Nations Resolution that created separate Jewish and Arab states – a resolution Jewish leaders accepted, but Arab states scorned. Not even 24 hours after Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948, the armies of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria attacked the new Jewish state, which fought back mightily and expanded its territory. The result? A deep-seated distrust among Israel, its neighboring nations, and some of the Arab residents living within Israel's newly formed borders. Though many Palestinian Arabs stayed, comprising over 20 percent of Israel's population today, hundreds of thousands of others left or were displaced. Meanwhile, in reaction to the rebirth of the Jewish state, and over the following two decades, Jewish communities long established in Arab states faced hardship and attacks, forcing Jews by the hundreds of thousands to flee. Israel's War of Independence set off a series of wars with neighboring nations, terrorist attacks, and massacres. Peace in the region saw more than a few false starts, with one rare exception.  In 1979, after the historic visit to Israel by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, he and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin joined President Jimmy Carter for negotiations at Camp David and signed a peace treaty that for the next 15 years, remained the only formal agreement between Israel and an Arab state. In fact, it was denounced uniformly across the Arab world.  But 1991 introduced dramatic geopolitical shifts. The collapse of the Soviet Union, which had severed relations with Israel during the Six-Day War of 1967, diminished its ability to back Syria, Iraq, and Libya. In the USSR's final months, it re-established diplomatic relations with Israel but left behind a regional power vacuum that extremists started to fill. Meanwhile, most Arab states, including Syria, joined the successful U.S.-led coalition against Saddam Hussein that liberated Kuwait, solidifying American supremacy in the region and around the world. The Palestine Liberation Organization, which claimed to represent the world's Palestinians, supported Iraq and Libya.  Seizing an opportunity, the U.S. and the enfeebled but still relevant Soviet Union invited to Madrid a joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation, along with delegations from Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and Israel. Just four months before that Madrid meeting, Jason Isaacson had left his job on Capitol Hill to work for the American Jewish Committee. At that time, AJC published a magazine titled Commentary, enabling Jason to travel to the historic summit with media credentials and hang out with the press pool. Jason Isaacson: It was very clear in just normal conversations with these young Arab journalists who I was spending some time with, that there was the possibility of an openness that I had not realized existed. There was a possibility of kind of a sense of common concerns about the region, that was kind of refreshing and was sort of running counter to the narratives that have dominated conversations in that part of the world for so long.  And it gave me the sense that by expanding the circle of relationships that I was just starting with in Madrid, we might be able to make some progress. We might be able to find some partners with whom AJC could develop a real relationship. Manya Brachear Pashman: AJC had already begun to build ties in the region in the 1950s, visiting Arab countries like Morocco and Tunisia, which had sizable Jewish populations. The rise in Arab nationalism in Tunisia and rebirth of Israel eventually led to an exodus that depleted the Jewish community there. Emigration depleted Morocco's Jewish community as well.  Jason Isaacson: To say that somehow this is not the native land of the Jewish people is just flying in the face of the reality. And yet, that was the propaganda line that was pushed out across the region. Of course, Madrid opened a lot of people's eyes. But that wasn't enough. More had to be done. There were very serious efforts made by the U.S. government, Israeli diplomats, Israeli businesspeople, and my organization, which played a very active role in trying to introduce people to the reality that they would benefit from this relationship with Israel.  So it was pushing back against decades of propaganda and lies. And that was one of the roles that we assigned to ourselves and have continued to play. Manya Brachear Pashman: No real negotiations took place at the Madrid Conference, rather it opened conversations that unfolded in Moscow, in Washington, and behind closed doors in secret locations around the world. Progress quickened under Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. In addition to a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, reached in 1994, secret talks in Norway between Israel and PLO resulted in the Oslo Accords, a series of agreements signed in 1993 and 1995 that ended the First Intifada after six years of violence, and laid out a five-year timeline for achieving a two-state solution. Extremists tried to derail the process. A Jewish extremist assassinated Rabin in 1995. And a new terror group  launched a series of suicide attacks against Israeli civilians. Formed during the First Intifada, these terrorists became stars of the Second. They called themselves Hamas. AP News Report: [sirens] [in Hebrew] Don't linger, don't linger. Manya Brachear Pashman: On March 27, 2002, Hamas sent a suicide bomber into an Israeli hotel where 250 guests had just been seated for a Passover Seder. He killed 30 people and injured 140 more. The day after the deadliest suicide attack in Israel's history, the Arab League, a coalition of 22 Arab nations in the Middle East and Africa, unveiled what it called the Arab Peace Initiative – a road map offering wide scale normalization of relations with Israel, but with an ultimatum: No expansion of Arab-Israeli relations until the establishment of a Palestinian state within the pre-1967 armistice lines and a so-called right of return for Palestinians who left and their descendants.   As the Second Intifada continued to take civilian lives, the Israeli army soon launched Operation Defensive Shield to secure the West Bank and parts of Gaza. It was a period of high tension, conflict, and distrust. But behind the scenes, Jason and AJC were forging ahead, building bridges, and encountering an openness in Arab capitals that belied the ultimatum.  Jason Isaacson: It has become clear to me in my travels in the region over the decades that more and more people across the Arab world understood the game, and they knew that that this false narrative that Jews are not legitimately there, and that somehow we have to focus all of our energy in the Arab world on combating this evil interloper – it's nonsense. And it's becoming increasingly clear that, in fact, Israel can be a partner of Arab countries. Manya Brachear Pashman: Jason led delegations of Jewish leaders to Arab capitals, oversaw visits by Arab leaders to Israel, and cultivated relationships of strategic and political consequence with governments and civil society leaders across North Africa, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula. In 2009, King Mohammed VI of Morocco bestowed on him the honor of Chevalier of the Order of the Throne of the Kingdom of Morocco. Jason's priority was nurturing one key element missing from Arab-Israeli relations. An element that for decades had been absent in most Middle East peace negotiations: trust.   Jason Isaacson: Nothing is more important than developing trust. Trust and goodwill are, if not synonymous, are so closely linked. Yes, a lot of these discussions that AJC's been engaged in over many years have been all about, not only developing a set of contacts we can turn to when there's a crisis or when we need answers to questions or when we need to pass a message along to a government. But also, develop a sense that we all want the same thing and we trust each other. That if someone is prepared to take certain risks to advance the prospect of peace, which will involve risk, which will involve vulnerability. That a neighbor who might have demonstrated in not-so-distant past animosity and hostility toward Israel can be trusted to take a different course. Manya Brachear Pashman: A number of Israeli diplomats and businesspeople also worked toward that goal. While certain diplomatic channels in the intelligence and security spheres stayed open out of necessity – other diplomats and businesspeople with dual citizenship traveled across the region, quietly breaking down barriers, starting conversations, and building trust.  Jason Isaacson: I would run into people in Arab capitals from time to time, who were fulfilling that function, and traveling with different passports that they had legitimately, because they were from those countries. It was just a handful of people in governments that would necessarily know that they were there. So yes, if that sounds like cloak and dagger, it's kind of a cloak and dagger operation, a way for people to maintain a relationship and build a relationship until the society is ready to accept the reality that it will be in their country's best interest to have that relationship. Manya Brachear Pashman: Privately, behind the scenes, signs emerged that some Arab leaders understood the role that Jews have played in the region's history for millennia and the possibilities that would exist if Muslims and Jews could restore some of the faith and friendship of bygone years.  Jason Isaacson: I remember sitting with King Mohammed the VI of Morocco just weeks after his ascension to the throne, so going back more than a quarter century, and hearing him talk with me and AJC colleagues about the 600,000 subjects that he had in Israel. Of course, these were Jews, Israelis of Moroccan descent, who are in the hundreds of thousands. But the sense that these countries really have a common history. Manya Brachear Pashman: Common history, yes. Common goals, too. And not for nothing, a common enemy. The same extremist forces that have been bent on Israel's destruction have not only disrupted Israeli-Arab peace, they've prevented the Palestinian people from thriving in a state of their own and now threaten the security and stability of the entire region. Jason Isaacson:  We are hopeful that in partnership with those in the Arab world who feel the same way about the need to push back against extremism, including the extremism promoted, promulgated, funded, armed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, that we can have enough of a network of supportive players in the Arab world, in the West. Working with Israel and working with Palestinian partners who are interested in the same future. A real future, a politically free future, where we can actually make some progress. And that's an ongoing effort. This is a point that we made consistently over many years: if you want to help the Palestinian people–and we want to help the Palestinian people–but if you, fill in the blank Arab government official, your country wants to help the Palestinian people, you're not helping them by pretending that Israel doesn't exist.  You're not helping them by isolating Israel, by making Israel a pariah in the minds of your people. You will actually have leverage with Israel, and you'll help the Palestinians when they're sitting at a negotiating table across from the Israelis. If you engage Israel, if you have access to the Israeli officials and they have a stake in your being on their side on certain things and working together on certain common issues. Manya Brachear Pashman: Jason says more and more Arab leaders are realizing, with some frustration, that isolating Israel is a losing proposition for all the parties involved. It has not helped the Palestinian people. It has not kept extremism at bay. And it has not helped their own countries and their own citizens prosper. In fact, the limitations that isolating Israel imposes have caused many countries to lag behind the tiny Jewish state. Jason Isaacson: I think there was just this sense of how far back we have fallen, how much ground we have to make up. We need to break out of the old mindset and try something different. But that before the Abraham Accords, they were saying it in the years leading up to the Abraham Accords, with increasing frustration for the failure of Palestinian leadership to seize opportunities that had been held out to them. But frankly, also contributing, I think, to this was this insistence on isolating themselves from a naturally synergistic relationship with a neighboring state right next door that could contribute to the welfare of their societies. It just didn't make a whole lot of sense, and it denied them the ability to move forward. Manya Brachear Pashman: Jason remembers the first time he heard an Arab official utter the words out loud – expressing a willingness, daresay desire, to partner with Israel. Jason Isaacson: It took a long time, but I could see in 2016, 17, 18, 19, this growing awareness, and finally hearing it actually spoken out loud in one particular conference that I remember going to in 2018 in Bahrain, by a senior official from an Arab country. It took a long time for that lesson to penetrate, but it's absolutely the case. Manya Brachear Pashman: In 2019, Bahrain hosted an economic summit where the Trump administration presented its "Peace to Prosperity" plan, a $50 billion investment proposal to create jobs and improve the lives of Palestinians while also promoting regional peace and security. Palestinians rejected the plan outright and refused to attend. Bahrain invited Israeli media to cover the summit. That September, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, AJC presented its inaugural Architect of Peace Award to the Kingdom of Bahrain's chief diplomat for nearly 20 years. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time, told Jason that it was important to learn the lessons of the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and late Jordanian King Hussein, both of whom signed peace treaties with Israel. He also explained the reason why Bahrain invited Israeli media.  Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa: President Anwar Sadat did it, he broke a huge barrier. He was a man of war, he was the leader of a country that went to war or two with Israel. But then he knew that at the right moment he would want to go straight to Israeli and talk to them. We fulfilled also something that we've always wanted to do, we've discussed it many times: talking to the Israeli public through the Israeli media.  Why not talk to the people? They wake up every day, they have their breakfast watching their own TV channels, they read their own papers, they read their own media, they form their own opinion.    Absolutely nobody should shy away from talking to the media. We are trying to get our point across. In order to convince. How will you do it? There is no language of silence. You'll have to talk and you'll have to remove all those barriers and with that, trust can be built. Manya Brachear Pashman: Jason had spent decades building that trust and the year to come yielded clear results. In May and June 2020, UAE Ambassador to the UN Lana Nusseibeh and UAE Minister of State Dr. Anwar Gargash both participated in AJC webinars to openly discuss cooperation with Israel – a topic once considered taboo.  So when the Abraham Accords were signed a few months later, for Jason and AJC colleagues who had been on this long journey for peace, it was a natural progression. Though no less dramatic.  Sitting with Minister Al Khalifa's successor, Dr. Al Zayani, and the Bahraini ambassador on the evening before the White House ceremony, it was time to drink a toast to a new chapter of history in the region. Jason Isaacson: I don't think that that would have been possible had there not been decades of contacts that had been made by many people. Roving Israeli diplomats and Israeli business people, usually operating, in fact, maybe always operating with passports from other countries, traveling across the region. And frankly, our work and the work of a limited number of other people who were in non-governmental positions. Some journalists, authors, scholars, business people, and we certainly did a great deal of this over decades, would speak with leaders in these countries and influential people who are not government officials. And opening up their minds to the possibility of the advantages that would accrue to their societies by engaging Israel and by better understanding the Jewish people and who we are, what we care about, who we are not.  Because there was, of course, a great deal of decades, I should say, centuries and millennia, of misapprehensions and lies about the Jewish people. So clearing away that baggage was a very important part of the work that we did, and I believe that others did as well. We weren't surprised. We were pleased. We applauded the Trump administration, the President and his team, for making this enormous progress on advancing regional security and peace, prosperity. We are now hoping that we can build on those achievements of 2020 going forward and expanding fully the integration of Israel into its neighborhood. Manya Brachear Pashman: Next episode, we hear how the first Trump administration developed its Middle East policy and take listeners behind the scenes of the high stakes negotiations that yielded the Abraham Accords.  Atara Lakritz is our producer. T.K. Broderick is our sound engineer. Special thanks to Jason Isaacson, Jon Schweitzer, Sean Savage, and the entire AJC team for making this series possible.  You can subscribe to Architects of Peace on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and you can learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace.  The views and opinions of our guests don't necessarily reflect the positions of AJC.  You can reach us at podcasts@ajc.org. If you've enjoyed this episode, please be sure to spread the word, and hop onto Apple Podcasts or Spotify to rate us and write a review to help more listeners find us. ___ Music Credits: Middle East : ID: 279780040; Composer: Eric Sutherland Middle East Violin: ID: 277189507; Composer: Andy Warner Frontiers: ID: 183925100; Publisher: Pond5 Publishing Beta (BMI); Composer: Pete Checkley (BMI) Middle East Tension: ID: 45925627 Arabic Ambient: ID: 186923328; Publisher: Victor Romanov; Composer: Victor Romanov Arabian Strings: ID: 72249988; Publisher: EITAN EPSTEIN; Composer: EITAN EPSTEIN Inspired Middle East: ID: 241884108; Composer: iCENTURY Middle East Dramatic Intense: ID: 23619101; Publisher: GRS Records; Composer: Satria Petir Mystical Middle East: ID: 212471911; Composer: Vicher    

The Rebbe is pleased he learns and farbrengs with Moroccan Jews in Kfar Chabad and encourages him to increase these efforts, especially since he can speak their language. This enables direct influence even on those not yet learned, including women who are the foundation of the home. He blesses him with success and good news in personal matters. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/015/013/5713

Dance scholar Nancy Wozny highlights the life and work of Moroccan and Belgian choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Cherkaoui was honored with the Jacob's Pillow Dance Award in 2022 for his achievements in the worlds of both concert and commercial dance including choreography for Beyoncé and the Broadway production of Jagged Little Pill.

Every month at AKBAR, a small neighborhood LGBTQ+ bar on the east side of Los Angeles, queer artists of all kinds find a place to play in a unique cabaret. Executive Director Travis Wood, Creative Director Ian MacKinnon, and performers Lore Randolph (aka Fleur The Tease) and Ari (aka Odious Ari) celebrate 13 years of Planet Queer — with a nod to the late playwright Robert Patrick (produced by Brian DeShazor). And in NewsWrap: a pair of Indonesian college students caught hugging and kissing in a public restroom is set to receive 80 lashes for same-gender sex, Moroccan feminist and human rights activist Ibtissame Lachgar is under arrest for an anti-Islam post in which she wore a t-shirt that reads “Allah is lesbian,” Kathmandu LGBTQ Pride blends with Nepal's traditional Gai Jatra festival with hundreds of queer celebrants and allies, Arkansas' pediatric trans care ban is the second such law to be upheld by a U.S. federal appeals court, a school district in Virginia is standing by its trans-positive bathroom policy in defiance of the Trump administration's order to abandon it, a Minnesota biracial cisgender lesbian teen fights back after a restaurant employees indecent toilet test, and more international LGBTQ+ news reported this week by Marcos Najera and Lucia Chappelle (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the August 18, 2025 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Estevanico was a translator and guide, and was probably the first person of any race from outside the Americas to enter what’s now Arizona and New Mexico – which happened in 1539. Research: Birzer, Dedra McDonald and J.M.H. Clark. “Esteban Dorantes.” Peoples of the Historical Slave Trade. Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation. https://enslaved.org/fullStory/16-23-92882/ Birzer, Dedra McDonald. "Esteban." Oxford African American Studies Center. May 31, 2013. Oxford University Press. Date of access 30 Jul. 2025, https://oxfordaasc.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195301731.001.0001/acref-9780195301731-e-34375 Chipman, Donald E. and Robert S. Wedd. “How Historical Myths Are Born...... And Why They Seldom Die.” The Southwestern Historical Quarterly , January, 2013. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24388345 Clark, J.M.H. "Esteban the African ‘Estebanico’." Oxford African American Studies Center. May 31, 2017. Oxford University Press. Date of access 30 Jul. 2025, https://oxfordaasc.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195301731.001.0001/acref-9780195301731-e-73900 Docter, Mary. “Enriched by Otherness: The Transformational Journey of Cabeza de Vaca.” Christianity and Literature , Autumn 2008, Vol. 58, No. 1. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44313875 "Estevanico (1500-1539)." Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A148426031/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=41f83344. Accessed 28 July 2025. Flint, Richard. “Dorantes, Esteban de.” New Mexico Office of the State Historian. Via archive.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20110728080635/http://www.newmexicohistory.org/filedetails.php?fileID=464 Gordon, Richard A. “Following Estevanico: The Influential Presence of an African Slave in Sixteenth-century New World Historiography.” Colonial Latin American Review Vol. 15, No. 2, December 2006. Gordon-Reed, Annette. “Estebanico’ s America.” The Atlantic. June 2021. Herrick, Dennis. “Esteban.” University of New Mexico Press. 2018. Project MUSE. https://muse.jhu.edu/book/60233. Ilahiane, Hsain. “Estevan de Dorantes, Estevanico: The First Moroccan and African Explorer of the American Southwest.” Southwest Center. Via YouTube. 2/21/2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLm0BsFDfvk Ilahiane, Hsain. “Estevan De Dorantes, the Moor or the Slave? The other Moroccan explorer of New Spain.” The Journal of North African Studies, 5:3, 1-14, DOI: 10.1080/13629380008718401 Ladd, Edmund J. “Zuni on the Day the Men in Metal Arrived.” From The Coronado Expedition to Tierra Nueva. Shirley Cushing Flint and Richard Flint, eds. University Press of Colorado. 2004. https://muse.jhu.edu/book/3827 Logan, Rayford. “Estevanico, Negro Discoverer of the Southwest: A Critical Reexamination.” Phylon (1940-1956), Vol. 1, No. 4 (4th Qtr., 1940). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/272298 Sando, Joe S. “Pueblo nations: eight centuries of Pueblo Indian history.” Santa Fe, N.M. : Clear Light. 1992. Shields, E. Thomson. "Esteban." Oxford African American Studies Center. December 01, 2006. Oxford University Press. Date of access 30 Jul. 2025, https://oxfordaasc-com.proxy.bostonathenaeum.org/view/10.1093/acref/9780195301731.001.0001/acref-9780195301731-e-17021 Simour, Lhoussain. “(De)slaving history: Mostafa al-Azemmouri, the sixteenth-century Moroccan captive in the tale of conquest.” European Review of History—Revue europe´enne d’histoire, 2013 Vol. 20, No. 3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13507486.2012.745830 Smith, Cassander L. “Beyond the Mediation: Esteban, Cabeza de Vaca's ‘Relación’ , and a Narrative Negotiation.” Early American Literature , 2012, Vol. 47, No. 2. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41705661 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We delve into the need to fill the literary and intellectual gap in Moroccan scholarship, the impacts of notable contemporary Moroccan philosophers and thinkers, and how their ideas engage with local, regional, and global issues like modernity, democracy, and human rights. Dr Mohammed Hashas is an assistant professor at the University of Rome and discusses his new book on contemporary Moroccan thought, which focuses on philosophy, theology, society, and culture. He shares his academic journey and personal experiences that led to the creation of this comprehensive work. 0:00 Introduction 2:26 A Book That Fills a Scholarly Need3:11 The Book as a Critical Intellectual Gratitude4:12 Mohammed First University in Oujda6:08 From Cultural Studies to Political Theory7:09 A Focus on the Middle East and North Africa9:15 Defining Moroccan Thought12:21 Geography & Time of Contemporary Moroccan Thought16:06 The Beginning of the Movement19:02 Thinking From the Edge24:30 Examples of Thinkers and Their Concerns28:04 Influential Thinkers: Al-Jabri and the Critique of Arab Reason30:11 Influential Thinkers: Abdallah Laroui, the Liberal Marxist Historian32:19 Is There an Arab World?33:32 Influential Thinkers: Taha Abdurrahman and Islamic Moral Philosophy37:14 Influential Thinkers: Fatima Mernissi and Islamic Feminism38:17 Influential Thinkers: Abdelkebir Khatibi and Pluralization39:31 Influential Thinkers: Mohammed Aziz Lahbabi and Personalism42:15 Influential Thinkers: Abdessalam Yassine and Non-Violent Change45:17 Influential Thinkers: AbdelFattah Kilito and Bilingualism47:11 Dream Dinner With Moroccan Thinkers48:35 Recommended Reading and Scholars52:20 Contributions of the Rabat School Mohammed Hashas [“ḥaṣḥāṣ” حصحاص] is a scholar of Islam, contemporary Islamic and Moroccan thought, and Islam in Europe. He holds a PhD from Luiss University of Rome, where he teaches, and is the author of "The Idea of European Islam" (Routledge, 2019) and "Intercultural Geopoetics" (Cambridge Scholars, 2017). He has edited or co-edited four volumes, including "Pluralism in Islamic Contexts" (Springer, 2021) and "Islamic Ethics and the Trusteeship Paradigm" (Brill, 2020). Currently a Research Fellow affiliated with Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient (ZMO) in Berlin, he has previously held fellowships in Oxford, Copenhagen, Berlin, Tilburg, Palermo, and Virginia. His work focuses on contemporary Arab-Islamic philosophy and theology, European Islam, and Moroccan thought, and he has edited the first comprehensive volume on Contemporary Moroccan Thought. Connect with Mohammed Hashah

We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "Discover a Unique Merzouga Desert Camp Experience"Azdean sits down with Mr. Said, manager and co-owner of Sahara Sky Luxury Camp, located in the heart of the desert, yet just 23 miles from the town of Erfoud, the local service centre. Said and Azdean sit down to talk about how he founded his camp, how they maintain their own animals and gardens in the desert, their emphasis on organic ingredients in their incredible food, and how the food itself is different from your standard Moroccan fare. When you're ready to go beyond the tagines and couscous, Said and his kitchen have wonderful, original recipes for you to try.All this in addition to a surprising number of activities, located on-site or a short drive away. The desert is about more than just camel rides and dune buggies, although you shouldn't miss out on doing them either! But the Merzouga area has a number of important cultural sites, some dating back hundreds or thousands of years, that connect the area to Berber and North African history, and Said can easily arrange for you a tour. Or you can take part in cooking classes and musical performances at the camp itself, before relaxing under the stars. This is Merzouga, and nothing compares to the show that is put on by the night sky.We previously posted this recording as audio-only, but now have a beautiful video version to share with you. You'll see stunning drone views of the desert, camel rides, 4X4 treks, close-ups on luxury desert tents for meals and sleeping, and the Gnawa music troupe that performs on site.You'll hear peacocks and cats in the background as we chat, and close your eyes to imagine yourself in this beautiful desert paradise. Because of course, you yourself can experience all this too! Contact us at Destination Morocco and learn about our custom-built itineraries and tour packages. We love to profile our partners and attractions in our episodes, which you can then be sure to request as part of your own tour. Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

On the show this time, it’s the Guembri driven Moroccan rock of Bab L’ Bluz. Bab L’ Bluz is at its core a duo: singer/guitarist Yousra Mansour and producer/guitarist Brice Bottin. A shared love for Moroccan Gnawa music led them to learn how to play the Guembri – a kind of 3 stringed bass instrument – and its smaller relative the Awisha. They started a rock band, using those instruments to take the roles respectively of bass and guitar. They released their first album Nayda! in 2020. Their latest is called Swaken and it is available on Real World Records. Recorded May 5, 2025 Ila Mata Imazighen IWAIWA FUNK AmmA Hezalli Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the Guembri driven Moroccan rock of Bab L’ Bluz. Bab L’ Bluz is at its core a duo: singer/guitarist Yousra Mansour and producer/guitarist Brice Bottin. A shared love for Moroccan Gnawa music led them to learn how to play the Guembri – a kind of 3 stringed bass instrument – and its smaller relative the Awisha. They started a rock band, using those instruments to take the roles respectively of bass and guitar. They released their first album Nayda! in 2020. Their latest is called Swaken and it is available on Real World Records. Recorded May 5, 2025 Ila Mata Imazighen IWAIWA FUNK AmmA Hezalli Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy's Nurturing Legacy and the Aura of Old Hollywood So cool to sit down with veteran entertainment advertising executive Mark Trugman to continue our tribute and honor the legacy of Andy Kuehn — a pioneer of the modern movie trailer industry and beloved founder of Kaleidoscope Films. And we're joined once again by our special co-host, Benedict Coulter. Mark shares his journey from graphic design and television promotion into the world of trailers, his first encounters with Andy, and the profound influence Andy's leadership style had on generations of creative talent. Together, they reflect on the culture Andy fostered, the careers he helped launch, and the personal memories that made him unforgettable. What We Discuss How Mark Trugman transitioned from television graphics to running one of the industry's most respected trailer companies. The leadership philosophy Andy Kuehn embodied — nurturing, non-proprietary, and deeply passionate. Inside stories about the unique culture at Kaleidoscope Films during its heyday. The ripple effect of Andy's mentorship on multiple generations of creative leaders in entertainment marketing. Anecdotes that reveal Andy's charisma, generosity, and larger-than-life presence both in and out of the office. Episode Highlights [00:02:00] Mark recalls his first job with Kaleidoscope Films — and a rookie mistake involving a “two-pop” that still makes him laugh. [00:09:00] The first meeting with Andy Kuehn, complete with a calf tan, a parrot, and quick-witted banter. [00:13:00] Life inside a small but mighty Kaleidoscope team — and the rite of passage that was Andy's 5 p.m. wine gatherings. [00:16:00] How Andy's and Steve's management styles gave editors room to create and clients reason to trust. [00:22:00] A vivid description of Andy's Moroccan villa and legendary holiday parties. [00:27:00] The last-minute speech Mark delivered at the Key Art Awards, honoring Andy after his passing. [00:36:00] Reflections on what Mark misses most about Andy and why his presence might have made the industry a kinder place. [00:42:00] The hilarious Academy Awards “seat switch” story that put Andy in Oliver Stone's spot on live television. Featured Quotes “Andy was the most passionate, supportive, enthusiastic person I've ever dealt with — there wasn't an ounce of cynicism in him.” – Mark Trugman “It wasn't about heavy-handed management; it was about giving you the space to create and the encouragement to solve problems your way.” – Mark Trugman “If you love doing something, why stop? It feeds your soul.” – Benedict Coulter “The Beatles are always going to be the Beatles for a reason… Benedict, you're one of those rock stars.” – Mark Trugman Our Sponsors:  24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/   Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com Call to Action: Please leave us a rating and review:  https://apple.co/3QYy80e You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan. Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods!

SummaryIn this week's episode of Startup Junkies, the team welcomes Keiji Tsuchiya, founder of CaminoSake, for a fascinating conversation about bringing Japanese craft sake and its rich culture to new audiences in Northwest Arkansas and beyond.Keiji's journey is anything but ordinary. With roots in Kobe, Japan, and a background spanning venture capital and the foodtech sector, he has a unique vision of supporting small Japanese brewers and local specialty sake shops by expanding their reach into global markets. His story intertwines entrepreneurial grit with a passion for sharing sake's true essence, not just as an alcoholic drink, but as a mindful, enjoyable experience.Listeners get a taste of Keiji's philosophy as he discusses the traditional art of sake, the nuances of hot sake preparation, and innovative food pairings that break cultural boundaries, think Arkansas fried chicken or spicy Moroccan tagine with sake! Keiji's collaborations with local chefs, Brightwater Culinary School, and Arkansas' own Origami Sake brewery highlight his drive to foster community and cross-cultural culinary adventures.Bootstrapping his venture, Keiji offers honest insight into the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship, advocating for enjoying each moment and learning along the way. For food lovers, sake enthusiasts, and aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode delivers inspiration and practical wisdom. Keiji reminds us that every meal and every venture can be a little happier, one mindful sip at a time!Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(05:59) Improving Hot Sake Quality Education(08:44) Keiji's Role in Sake Brewing(11:47) Cross-Cultural Culinary Ventures(14:59) Bootstrapping Challenges and Strategies(16:45) Expanding Japanese Sake Globally(21:39) Closing ThoughtsLinksDaniel KoonceCaleb TalleyStartup JunkieStartup Junkie YouTubeKeiji TsuchiyaCaminoSake

[REBROADCAST from May. 9, 2025] Our April Get Lit book club pick, The Dream Hotel, comes from Moroccan author Laila Lalami and its protagonist is the daughter of Moroccan immigrants to the United States. At Lalami's request, we closed our event with music from Morocco as well. Hear performances from New York-based band Imal Gnawa and conversation with bandleader Atlas Phoenix.

Margo Flanagan, one half of the Two Raw Sisters, is offering up a delicious recipe for slow cooked Moroccan lamb and pumpkin. Serves: 6 Time: 2.5 – 3 hours — 150 mins Ingredients 2 tbsp cooking oil 1 red onion - thinly sliced 1 carrot - diced 4 cloves garlic - crushed and chopped 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger 1 tbsp cumin seeds 1 tbsp smoked paprika 2 tsp ground turmeric 1 stick of cinnamon ½ - 1 tsp chilli flakes 1 cup dried prunes 400g canned tomatoes 2 cups vegetable stock 4 lamb shanks OR 1x 400g can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained 2 cups chopped pumpkin - deseeded and skin left on Herby Lemon Millet 1 cup millet 2 cups water 1 cup herbs - chopped 1 lemon - zest and juice 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ½ cup almonds - roasted and chopped Method Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. In the pot, add the onion and carrot. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add garlic, tomato paste, ginger, cumin seeds, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon stick, chilli flakes and prunes. Cook for another minute or two until fragrant. To the pot, add the canned tomatoes, vegetable stock, lamb shanks or chickpeas and chopped pumpkin. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover with a lid. If you are adding lamb shanks, cook on low heat for 2.5 -3 hours, or until the lamb is tender. Or if you are using chickpeas, cook on low for 30-40 minutes. While the stew is cooking, prepare the millet. Place in a pot with the water. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir through the herbs, lemon zest and juice, olive oil, and chopped almonds. Add a generous scoop of herby lemon millet to each bowl and top with the stew. Any leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Alternatively you can freeze for up to 3 months. Simple Swaps / Additions You can also use a slow cooker for this recipe, follow the same method of frying off the onion, carrot, spices and prunes in a pan, then transfer that to the crockpot along with the rest of the ingredients. Cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 2.5-3 hours. Change the red onion for brown onion or a leek. Use celery or zucchini instead of a carrot. Use 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon instead of 1 stick. Use dried apricots or dates instead of prunes. Use kumara (sweet potato) or potatoes instead of pumpkin. Instead of lamb shanks you could use diced lamb or beef. Change up the millet for any other grain such as couscous, quinoa or brown rice. Use whatever herbs you love / have such as coriander or parsley. Use any other nut or seed instead of almonds such as walnuts, pumpkin seeds or cashews. Low FODMAP - replace the red onion with 3 stalks of celery and leave out the garlic and prunes completely. Check that the vegetable stock you use is low FODMAP, alternatively use 2 cups of water + 1 tbsp miso paste. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2020, Jewish Currents editor-in-chief Arielle Angel and University of Washington professor of Sephardic studies Devin Naar, both descendants of Ladino speakers from Salonica (Thessaloniki) in Greece, had a conversation about what meaningful Sephardic representation might look like in the wake of near-total erasure. In this week's episode, Angel and Naar join community leader and singer of Arab Jewish music Laura Elkeslassy and professor of Hebrew literature and Mizrahi studies Oren Yirmiya to deepen the discussion about Sephardi and Mizrahi reclamation work. What are the practical entry points to this identity today? What is the use of catchall caucuses that bring together Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews from many different countries and linguistic lineages, and does this identity have to homogenize in order to survive? What does it mean to do this work amid the genocide in Gaza? And how do we make sure reclamation work is not only backward-looking, but responsive to the present?Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”Media Mentioned and Further Reading“Are We Post-Sepharadim?,” Arielle Angel in conversation with Devin Naar, Jewish CurrentsYa Ghorbati: Divas in Exile by Laura Elkeslassy, live in concert and the artist's reflections in Ayin on the songs she performsShirei Yedidut, book of Moroccan piyyutim and bakashot Translations of the writings of Hayyim Ben-Kiki by Moshe Behar and Zvi Ben-Dor Benite in Modern Middle Eastern Jewish Thought: Writings on Identity, Politics, and Culture 1893–1958“Before the Law,” Franz Kafka“Going Out on a Limb: Joha,” Jane Mushabac The story about Djohá and the land can be found in Bewitched by Soli­ka and Oth­er Judeo-Span­ish Tales by François Azar.Devin Naar discusses Djohá in his introduction to the Moabet column in Ayin.Transcript forthcoming.

Be transported to a faraway land as we explore one of Alabama's most unique overnight stays: The Flying Carpet Moroccan Treehouse. Melea sits down with Cherisa, who shares how a surprising find at a salvage store sparked the inspiration for this luxurious and immersive experience. Listen to hear how this unexpected gem attracts guests from around the world, transporting people from all walks of life to a place of serenity and relaxation, deep in the woods of North Alabama. Follow North Alabama on Social Media! ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ The Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama Podcast is a part of the ⁠⁠Destination Marketing Podcast Network⁠⁠. It is hosted by Melea Hames and produced by ⁠⁠Brand Revolt⁠⁠. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast Network and to listen to our other shows, please visit ⁠⁠https://thedmpn.com/⁠⁠. If you are interested in becoming a part of the network, please email ⁠⁠adam@thebrandrevolt.com⁠⁠.

He dreamt of invading Ireland with Spanish gold and papal blessing… Instead, he died in a Moroccan ditch, his legs blown off by cannon fire. This is the incredible, tragic, and chaotic story of Thomas Stukeley—Tudor adventurer, mercenary, spy, and the man rumoured to be King Henry VIII's illegitimate son. I'm Claire Ridgway, historian and author, and today we're diving into the Battle of Alcácer Quibir on 4th August 1578—also known as the **Battle of the Three Kings**—where Stukeley died alongside kings and thousands of European soldiers. In this video, I'll explore: - The rumour that Stukeley was Henry VIII's son - Why Stukeley was chosen to lead a crusade into Morocco - The bloody battle that killed three kings and shattered Portugal's future - How one English rogue became a legend (and a tragedy) Want to know more about Stukeley's life as a pirate, papal favourite, and Elizabethan thorn-in-the-side? Watch my full video here: https://youtu.be/Cq11kP14kek Let me know in the comments—had you heard of Thomas Stukeley before? Do you think he could have been Henry VIII's son? #ThomasStukeley #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #OnThisDay #BattleOfThreeKings #SebastianOfPortugal #TudorAdventurers #ClaireRidgway #HistoryTube #DarkHistory #TudorMyths #RoyalBastards #Stukeley

We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: Discover Gnawa: Morocco's Indigenous Music (YouTube)---Gnaoua (also spelled Gnawa) music is known as Morocco's indigenous music, brought to the modern-day country over centuries from nomads across north Africa, and gradually adapted to various regional interpretations.Today's episode was recorded live on location at a Merzouga desert camp and at a Marrakech restaurant, and originally aired on the podcast in early 2024. Now, we have the video version for you as well, which you'll see in the YouTube link above, or on our channel here: @destinationsmorocco.In between performances, Azdean sits down with Mohamed, a musician and member of the Gnaoua performers in Qser el Khamliya, a small village just south of Merzouga. Mohamed started playing when he was eight years old, and gives us some background on the roots of Gnawa music, created by slaves and nomads from Sub-Saharan countries. The music was meant to express the suffering of slaves and their longing for freedom, and evolved into a deep religious expression of the Muslim faith.The contemporary Gnawa festivals in Essaouira and Merzouga stem from the agricultural rhythm of generations of harvests, the point where abundance and peace could be celebrated. Modern-day events typically coincide with Eid al-Adha celebrations that are timed with cycles of the moon, and take place roughly 11 days earlier in each subsequent year.However, Gnaoua music and live performances are easy to find year-round in Morocco, particularly in the south. Our samples in this episode of both desert camps and urban restaurants are good examples of this. We check the schedules and availability in the cities and riads that are part of your tour, to see what we can offer you for this amazing experience!Khemliya, MerzougaEnding Gnawa music recorded live at Safran Marrakech restaurant. Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

US envoy Witkoff arrives in Israel. Canada announces plans to recognize Palestinian state in September. Moroccan air force plans bearing Gaza aid land at Ben Gurion airport.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Unsupervised Learning Razib talks to David van Ofwegen, a philosophy teacher based in Thailand. Razib and Ofwegen first met by chance while he was traveling in the US in 2003. A Dutch national, educated at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands and then the University of Hawaii, specializing in the philosophical underpinnings of Social Darwinism, Ofwegen has been based in Thailand for the last 15 years. Razib and Ofwegen's initial connection was over their shared interest in the turmoil in Europe post-9/11 and the 2002 assassination of the right-wing Dutch politician Pim Fortyun. They discuss what has happened in the Netherlands over the last generation, with both immigrant assimilation into Dutch society, and the assimilation of Dutch society to immigrants. Ofwegen reflects on returning to a homeland where he encounters bartenders who don't speak Dutch, only English, and youth culture where white Dutch affect the accents of Moroccan immigrants. He also observes that in his hometown of the Hague, it is as common to hear Arabic or Turkish on the streets as Dutch. This is in contrast with the countryside outside of the large cities, which remain overwhelmingly white and native-born. Ofwegen also notes that global multiculturalism has had an impact on the practice of some Dutch customs, in particular the traditions surrounding Black Pete (Zwarte Piet), a character in Dutch Christmas celebrations that is wildly offensive to American sensibilities, given the longtime convention of blackface. Ofwegen argues that the Netherlands is becoming less Dutch and more global, homogenizing into a node in the pan-American cultural sphere. They also discuss the contrasts between Thailand and the Netherlands, and what it is like living outside the developed world. Though in nominal terms the GDP per capita of Thailand is about 10% of that of the Netherlands, Ofwegen does not feel that his adopted homeland is particularly underdeveloped or behind the times. Bangkok in particular is fully in the modern world, with all the comforts and technologies we avail ourselves of in the West. Ofwegen also observes that while the poor in the West live in deprived ghettos, in Thailand, the poor are usually rural peasants who own their own property. Nevertheless, he is clearly a guest. Though married to a Thai native and with a child who has Thai citizenship, he is legally an expatriate of the Netherlands. He notes that the same is true of Thailand's large Burmese and Cambodian populations. The Thai have a very clear idea of their nation and its identity, in contrast to the more globalized vision common among Western elites.

In this episode of the Almond Journey Podcast, Julie Adams, vice president of global technical and regulatory affairs at The Almond Board of California (ABC), hosts a few special guests to discuss a recent Moroccan trade mission visit to California. Adams is joined by Jason New, division director of marketing and development at the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and Jason Fearneyhough, executive director of the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA). Adams and guests discuss the recent inbound trade mission, synergies between states all looking to expand trade with the African region, and the importance of these in-person visits. “You have actual independent state departments of agriculture, a regional trade group, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and Businesses coming together is such a wonderful model to get that message across.” - Jason FearneyhoughIn Today's episode:Learn about the inbound Moroccan trade mission to California. Hear from Jason New of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture about the significance of this trade relationship and New Mexico's interest in joining this tour of CaliforniaGain insights from NASDA's Ted Mckinney and WUSATA's Jason Fearneyhough on the importance of cultivating relationships with trade partners and forming public-private partnerships.Discover how this trade mission will impact the future of the almond industry.The Almond Journey Podcast is made possible by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

In this episode of the Z3 Podcast, host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman sits down with Eli Bar-On, founder of MENA2050 and a former senior legal advisor in the Israeli government, and Wydiane Djaidi, a Moroccan lawyer and international development expert, to explore a bold vision for the future of the Middle East and North Africa.Together, they delve into how MENA2050 is bringing together Israelis, Palestinians, Moroccans, Iranians, and others from across the region, not to argue politics, but to collaborate on urgent issues of climate change, gender equality, food security, and mutual understanding. In a region too often associated with conflict, these conversations offer a powerful reminder that there are people across borders who are ready to focus on building, not breaking.This episode sheds light on the quiet efforts happening behind the scenes, projects and relationships that offer real hope for a more stable and connected Middle East. Listen in for a glimpse of what's possible when we shift the conversation from what's broken to what we can create together.About Our SpeakersEli Bar-On is the CEO and Head of the Executive Committee of MENA2050. He served in various senior legal positions in the Israeli government. He was also a professor at the Israel National Defense College, with a focus on matters of national security, strategy, and international relations.Eli has provided expert presentations to high-level delegations throughout the world. He also led strategic international dialogues and lectured at preeminent academic institutions around the world. Upon his retirement as a civil servant, Eli co-founded and was the CEO of a start-up company dealing with wireless optical communication. Eli has a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree and an Executive Master of Business Administration (E.M.B.A.) degree (cum laude) from Tel Aviv University and a Master's degree in Political Science (M.A.) (cum laude) from Haifa University.Wydiane Djaidi is a Moroccan lawyer, an international development professional and a proud member of MENA2050. She was born and raised in Casablanca and is admitted to the Casablanca Bar Association. She holds a Master degree in International Business Law from the University of Brussels (ULB) and a Master degree in International Public Law and Transnational Crimes from the University for Peace (UN Mandated). Wydiane has worked for over 5 years for the United Nations (UN) in Turin (Italy), in Vienna (Austria) and in Rabat (Kingdom of Morocco) on the prevention and countering of terrorism and transnational organized crime. She spent most of her time at the UN working at the headquarters in Vienna supporting governments in the implementation of the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Convention) and have supported in that framework the drafting and elaboration of many UN reports that are currently publicly available. Wydiane recently moved back to Casablanca, working there as a lawyer and international development consultant. She is also deeply passionate about inter-faith dialogue, gender equality, art and culture. Chapters(00:00) Introduction(03:02) The Founding Story of MENA2050(05:49) Regional Collaboration and Its Importance(08:49) Personal Motivations and Backgrounds(11:43) Morocco as a Model for Coexistence(14:55) The Role of Civil Society in Change(17:50) Navigating Differences and Building Trust(23:57) Addressing Urgent Regional Concerns(29:49) Finding Common Ground Amidst Conflict(32:37) Grassroots Movements(37:15) Israel's Role in the MENA Region(40:00) The Impact of October 7(47:27) The Human Cost of Conflict(51:50) Empathy and Shared Pain(01:03:10) Hope and Future Prospects

Moroccans got the best chill!!! Do you make a new hamotzi when you leave the room!?

In July's Almond Byte, international trade developments take center stage. A Moroccan delegation visited California in late June, engaging with almond handlers and ABC staff to discuss export solutions that could open new trade opportunities. Meanwhile, Pakistan has slashed almond import tariffs by 50%, the result of years of collaboration between ABC and other stakeholders to boost almond access and demand. Encouraging news also comes from the EU, where import inspections under the Pre-Export Check (PEC) program have returned to below 1%. Finally, almond exporters to China should take note: facility registration renewals through GACC are now open for eligible firms, and timing is critical.

According to Imam Salima El Musalima, a Sufi Muslim and the Netherlands' first female Imam, the Koran supports Israel as the Jewish homeland. During the interview, she cited the Koran, Surah Al-Isra (Qur'an 17:104) "And We said after Pharaoh to the Children of Israel, 'Dwell in the land, and when the promise of the Hereafter comes to pass, We shall bring you forth in a mixed crowd.'" The literal interpretation gives us a direct command of Allah for the Jews to live in the land. During the interview, Imam Salima El Musalima – a strong admirer of the Lubavitcher Rebbe – said that “traditional Islam is very inclusive.” Up until the 15th century the majority faith in the Middle east was Christian, and that Judaism played a prominent and essential role in Moroccan culture. Islam in Morocco was founded by the Idrasids, who were direct descendants of the prophet Muhammed. This sect of Islam continues today in Morocco, and Sufi Islam is the foundation of the Idrasids. Imam Salima stated that today's radical Islamists in the Shia, Sunni, and Wahhabi sects, originated in Sufiism, but perverted the Koran to justify violence against Jews, Christians, and the West. The Imam describes herself as an avant-garde Islamic artist who uses her art to bring her closer to Allah. She described her struggle to understand the war in Gaza by creating two fictional characters in her mind; a settler she calls Shlomo, and a Hamas supporter named Salim. She plays both their arguments justifying their actions, and in the end, Settler Shlomo's position wins. Alan Skorski Reports 24JULY2025 - PODCAST

Player 1 vs The World's flagship Life Is Strange fan podcast, StrangeCast, has returned with an all-new episode. The Lost Records Journal co-hosts Adnan Riaz and Adam Evalt sit down for 'Side A' of episode 106 and the StrangeCast duo discuss ALL of the latest news and topics around Don't Nod Entertainment, Don't Nod, Deck Nine, Square Enix's Life Is Strange franchise, Don't Nod Montreal's Lost Records: Bloom & Rage and so much more!Of course, the first part of this StrangeCast podcast episode places a major focus on the Life Is Strange Collection, a physical-only retail-exclusive release coming to PlayStation 5 in 2025.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he breaks down today's biggest stories shaping America and the world. Trump Rejects Epstein Obsession, Fires Comey's Daughter President Trump lashes out at MAGA supporters still focused on the Epstein case, calling them “past supporters” duped by a hoax. Meanwhile, the DOJ fires Maurene Comey, James Comey's daughter and a former Epstein-related prosecutor. Bryan notes how bizarre the case has become, especially with Ghislaine Maxwell now appealing to the Supreme Court under Epstein's old plea deal. Trump Uses IRS Data to Locate and Deport Illegal Immigrants The administration is now using IRS records, including ITIN filings, to track down updated addresses for undocumented migrants. Democrats warn of racial profiling and mass arrests, but a court has upheld the program. ICE arrests are climbing toward an annual pace of 330,000, with new policies encouraging self-deportation and long-term detention for those apprehended. Eswatini Accepts U.S. Deportees the World Refuses to Take The African kingdom of Eswatini has agreed to imprison deportees that countries like Cuba, Yemen, and Laos refuse to accept. King Mswati III has taken in five convicted criminals for now. Bryan praises the move as a brilliant deterrent: mess with America and end up in a country you can't find on a map. Riots in Spain as Migrant Violence Sparks Vigilante Justice After a 68-year-old Spaniard was beaten by Moroccan migrants, vigilante attacks erupted in Torre Pacheco. Bryan frames this as part of a larger European backlash against open borders and leftist immigration policies that ignore cultural and national identity. Gaza Stampede Kills 20 as Humanitarian Aid Crisis Deepens Armed militants reportedly triggered a deadly panic at a Gaza aid site. Israeli leaders and military officials blame disorganized aid distribution and lingering Hamas interference. Peace talks remain deadlocked over the group's future role and the governance of Gaza. Mali Junta Uses Helicopters to Steal $117M in Gold from U.S. Miner Mali's ruling junta seized a ton of gold from Barrick's mine after a profit-sharing dispute. The theft underscores growing instability and radicalism in Africa, where Russian meddling and Islamic terror groups are driving waves of migration into Europe. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32

A small farm town in southeast Spain has seen three nights of rioting. After a group of young Moroccans allegedly assaulted an elderly man, far-right protestors descended on Torre Pacheco to "hunt immigrants." Also, the UK is planning to lower its voting age to 16 in time for the next general election. And, the world's oldest marathoner dies in his hometown in India in a hit-and-run incident. Plus, scientists identify the world's newest — and rarest — blood type.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, we've got political corruption, prostitution, and the (poorly-named) rise of the far right. Yes, things are changing here in Spain, and people are mad. Far right groups were causing all kinds of havoc down in Torre Pacheco, Murcia over the weekend, after three Moroccans beat up a Spanish grandfather – allegedly for TikTok content. All in all, it's a bad time to be a Spanish voter. Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/Sign up for a food tour with Devour Tours, in Madrid, Barcelona and more: https://expatmadrid.com/devour/Walks Tours has amazing experiences around Spain and Europe (I did their early morning Prado Museum tour last year and highly recommend it.) Find out more here: https://expatmadrid.com/walks/Finally, for something much more active, check out Bike Tour in Spain. I've done two of their tours and had a great time: https://biketourinspain.com/Enjoy!

We recommend watching the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here:A Food Tasting Tour in the Heart of Marrakech! (YouTube)----Today's live episode takes you on a culinary food tour through the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, in the heart of Marrakech, with Azdean and local guide Mr. Ahmed. Together, they delve into the rich culinary traditions of the area, first with a visit to the olive section, where Ahmed explains the significance and variety of olives used in Moroccan cuisine. Next, they take us to a tasting of traditional Moroccan pastries, including Ghriba, Chebakia, and Fekkas, originally influenced by Jewish traditions. The journey then takes us through the world of dried fruits, highlighting their cultural importance and common uses in special occasions such as weddings and Ramadan. No visit to Morocco can take place without trying Harira soup, probably the staple of staples in every house and restaurant. Azdean and Ahmed visit another food stall to learn about the ingredients in Harira, when and how it's eaten, and why you can eat more of it when it's not during Ramadan! The server then brings over a heaping plate of Msemen (Moroccan pancakes), which can be eaten either sweet or savoury, depending on your preference and the time of day. Often we see Msemen at breakfast, or accompanying a hearty bowl of Harira.Lastly, the tour concludes at a popular food stall, Stall #31 & 50, where you'll learn about the Marrakech specialty dish of Tangia, a slow-roasted and steamed meat dish, baked in a special pot which gives it its name and distinctive flavour. You can request a visit to this stall on your food tour.Throughout the episode, Ahmed shares cultural insights and historical contexts, making it a rich, immersive experience for anyone interested in Moroccan cuisine. This episode gives you a wonderful taste for a typical food tour, the type that Destination Morocco can easily organize and include for you as part of your custom-build itinerary. And we talk about the contrast between a food tour and a cooking class, the pros and cons of each, and let you decide which you prefer to do, if not both!Schedule a free discovery call today at www.destinationsmorocco.com to learn about all the options and possibilities available to you on our tours. We can't wait to show you Morocco. Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.Explore our Private Tours and Small Group Tours!

Rip Offs, painting the town red and Cork man stuck in Moroccan hospital

Chama Mechtaly is the Founder of The Emma Lazarus Institute for Liberty and Tolerance, an action tank bridging media and policy gaps between the Middle-East and the Democratic West. She is a policy advisor, public speaker, artist, entrepreneur and activist working in service of conflict transformation, deradicalization and regional integration in MENA and beyond. Chama's art has been shown across the world, and is the founder of the jewelry brand Moors & Saints.  Jay and Chama discuss Chama's mixed-religion upbringing in Morocco, art as advocacy, how the reception to Chama's art shaped her policy goals for the Mena region, and much more. Episode Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:01 Growing up in a mixed family 3:28 Moroccan cultural diversity 10:31 Interdisciplinary activism toward cultural integration 23:48 Chama's jewelry line, Moors and Saints 26:44 Looking to the gulf for leadership 32:28 Outro and goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

The break-up was rough, but looking around the house, the realization hit me: enough time had passed. The house felt hollow, the memories mere echoes as the walls finally exhaled. It was time for a new beginning. A new dawn that can only commence at the ultimate church of eclectic, spirited commerce: World Market. I started small—replacing our antique China with vivid Moroccan flatware that seemed kissed by the sun, swapping the boring coffee table with a teakwood piece who's carved inlays most assuredly had stories to tell. The sleek, curated house slowly gave way to joyous chaos and vibrant international hues: I bought handwoven baskets from Chile, glass incense holders from Bangkok, a wine decantor shaped like a pineapple that said, "Why am I shaped like a pineapple? Let me counter your inquiry with one of my own: why are you shaped like a human?" One night, while nestled snuggly on the Brazilian velvet sectional under the glow of a copper Turkish lantern, I laughed—genuinely, stupidly, fully—for the first time in months. Healing, it turns out, doesn't always mean moving on; sometimes it means turning your break-up into a credit card-fueld World Market fever dream. This week's episode is brought to you by the stupendously delicious Wonderful Pistachios! Head to: https://WonderfulPistachios.com to learn more! Follow Trixie: @TrixieMattel Follow Katya: @Katya_Zamo To watch the podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/TrixieKatyaYT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To check out our official YouTube Clips Channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/TrixieAndKatyaClipsYT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to follow the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/thebaldandthebeautifulpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you want to support the show, and get all the episodes ad-free go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thebaldandthebeautiful.supercast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/thebaldandthebeautifulpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To check out future Live Podcast Shows, go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://trixieandkatyalive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To order your copy of our book, "Working Girls", go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://workinggirlsbook.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To check out the Trixie Motel in Palm Springs, CA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.trixiemotel.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen Anywhere! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/thebaldandthebeautifulpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Follow Trixie: Official Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.trixiemattel.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@trixie⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/trixiemattel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/trixiemattel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter (X): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/trixiemattel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Follow Katya: Official Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.welovekatya.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@katya_zamo⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/welovekatya/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/katya_zamo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Twitter (X): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/katya_zamo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠    About the Podcast: The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya features a pair of grizzled gay ghouls sitting on chairs, holding microphones, and discussing their fabulous lives in Tinseltown. (featuring occasional forays into movies, television shows, and air-conditioning) The New York Times called them models, moguls, actors, influencers, drag queens, RuPaul's Drag Race contestants, and even humanoids. If one thing can be said about these two preternaturally gorgeous queens' podcast, it's that Trixie and Katya find the sheer, unadulterated beauty of pure insanity. Tune in every week to experience the auditory pleasure that is The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya. #TrixieMattel #KatyaZamo #BaldBeautiful Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Moroccan writer Mohamed Choukri grew up poor and illiterate on the streets of Tangier in the waning years of colonialism. He told the story of his childhood in his autobiographical novel For Bread Alone – El Khubz El Hafi in Arabic, Le Pain Nu in French. Choukri went on to write much more, chronicling life in post-independence Morocco during the “years of lead,” and the marginalized underclass of Tangier: its barflies, prostitutes, petty criminals, day-to-day survivors. We spoke to scholar and translator Jonas El Busty about the unique subversiveness of Choukri's work, and why it still resonates so strongly today. We also talked about the reception of Choukri's work, and the power dynamics embedded in its translation. SHOW NOTESJonas El Busty is a professor of Arabic at Yale University. He has translated Choukri's short story collection Tales of Tangier, as well as the third installment of Choukri's autobiography, Faces, and is the editor, alongside Roger Allen, of the scholarly anthology Reading Mohamed Choukri's Narratives: Hunger in Eden. For Bread Alone was translated by Paul Bowles, in a process that remains contentious to this day. Choukri's writing about some of the famous Western writers – Jean Genet, Tennessee Williams, Paul Bowles – who visited or lived in Tangiers is collected in In Tangier Ursula recently wrote an article in the New York Review of Books on Choukri, Tangier, colonialism and nostalgia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn about growing up in Argentina during the 2001 economic collapse and then traveling the world solo since 2009.  _____________________________ Subscribe to The Maverick Show's Monday Minute Newsletter where I email you 3 short items of value to start each week that you can consume in 60 seconds (all personal recommendations like the latest travel gear I'm using, my favorite destinations, discounts for special events, etc.). Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram ____________________________________ Jimena Serfaty joins Matt and they begin talking about meeting at the Extraordinary Travel Fest in Bangkok, and then discuss recommendations for spending time in Argentina.  Jime talks about her family's immigrant history in getting to Argentina, including her Jewish heritage and her Dad's Moroccan heritage, and describes her family's recent trip to Morocco. She then talks about her experience growing up in Argentina during the economic collapse of 2001, her childhood desire to travel the world, and her first backpacking trip through Europe at age 18.  Jime then takes us on her journey living in New Zealand for a year, seeing the Komodo Dragons in Indonesia, traveling through India, and moving to the UK.  Next, she reflects on spending time in Poland, visiting Auschwitz, and re-connecting with her Polish Jewish heritage.  She also talks about her decision to visit the Killing Fields in Cambodia and shares her reflections on genocide. Finally, Jime talks about visiting China, seeing the Rainbow Mountains and the Avatar Mountains, and taking the TransSiberian railway through Russia.  FULL SHOW NOTES INCLUDING DIRECT LINKS TO EVERYTHING DISCUSSED ARE AVAILABLE HERE.  ____________________________________ See my Top 10 Apps For Digital Nomads See my Top 10 Books For Digital Nomads See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that's not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn  See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ____________________________________ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Please Leave a Rating and Review. It really helps the show and I read each one personally.  You Can Buy Me a Coffee. Espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes! :)

Children's DNA in criminal databases. ASUS routers get an unwanted houseguest. New APT41 malware uses Google Calendar for command-and-control. Interlock ransomware gang deploys new Trojan. Estonia issues arrest warrant for suspect in massive pharmacy breach. The enemy within the endpoint. New England hospitals disrupted by cyberattack. Tim Starks from CyberScoop is discussing ‘Whatever we did was not enough': How Salt Typhoon slipped through the government's blind spots. And Victoria's Secrets are leaked. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. CyberWire Guest Today we have Tim Starks from CyberScoop discussing ‘Whatever we did was not enough': How Salt Typhoon slipped through the government's blind spots. Selected Reading  The US Is Storing Migrant Children's DNA in a Criminal Database (WIRED) GreyNoise Discovers Stealthy Backdoor Campaign Affecting Thousands of ASUS Routers (GreyNoise) Mark Your Calendar: APT41 Innovative Tactics (Google Threat Intelligence Group) Interlock ransomware gang deploys new NodeSnake RAT on universities (BleepingComputer) Estonia issues arrest warrant for Moroccan wanted for major pharmacy data breach (The Record) Israeli company Syngia thwarts North Korean cyberattack (The Jerusalem Post) St. Joseph Hospital owner says company targeted in cybersecurity incident (WMUR) Victoria's Secret Website Taken Offline After Cybersecurity Breach (GB Hackers) Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at cyberwire@n2k.com to request more info. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices