Israeli culture is an exquisite blend of ancient and modern and a country that people from West and East have come to call home. Heavily influenced by Jewish law and custom, Israeli culture has borrowed not only from its rich religious roots, but also from the food, music, and art of the people who have emigrated both from Europe (Ashkenazic Jews) and from North Africa and the Middle East (Sephardic Jews).
This episode explores the many attempts at negotiations, peace plans, and compromise between these two peoples living in a tiny slice of land in the Middle East. It gives an overview of the past 100 years of conflict in the region in order to understand today’s political and demographic landscape. Part of a larger series from Unpacked for Educators. All videos include resources for review, discussion, activities, reflection, further learning of this complex issue.
In our season finale, the podcast hosts explore two songs that - perhaps more than any others - capture the complex and intermingled nature of Israeli society: A military band's hit that, in its afterlife, became an anthem for peace, and a rap tune penned by one of the country's leading novelists.