Crossing Boundaries: Global Connections and Conversations

On this episode we hosted an amazing group of panelists – Knesset Members, MK Uzi Dayan (Likud Party), MK Ram Ben Barak (Yesh Atid Party) and Strategy Consultant Danny Sherman. We learn why Israel is back for another set of elections, what are the polls showing, is there a predicted change coming and how will the Israeli-Palestinian relationship be affected?

On this episode we discussed the upcoming Palestinian and Israeli Elections. we dove deep into each of the sides, starting with the Palestinian elections. We were joined by Husam Jubran, Kefah Abukhdeir & Nizar Farsakh analysts and activists to discuss the unique timing, the real option of change and the opinion on the street.

On this episode we “travelled” to Iraq with our good friend Inna Rudolf. This war-torn country is not on the top of many travel lists but it’s home to the Mesopotamia region where some of the oldest civilizations existed. Iraq is filled with ancient cities, natural beauty, and a diverse people and cultures.

Guest Speaker: Inna Rudolf is a research fellow at the King’s College London International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation, where she is pursuing her PhD at the War Studies Department, focusing on the evolving relationship between the Iraqi state and the PMF as a state-sanctioned paramilitary umbrella group. 

On this episode, we discussed the much anticipated and highly divisive US Presidential Elections. We were joined by experts in conflict resolution, Tamar Miller and Marcella Morris, to discuss how to talk about divisive issues and how Americans can move forward and work together despite political differences.

Guest speakers: Tamar Miller, Project Lead for the  2019 Goldziher Prize for Journalists and Marcella Morris, Ph.D. Candidate studying conflict and post-conflict institution-building with a particular focus on how transitions are provided for in peace agreements at Emory University.

On this episode, we discuss the recent violence flared up again over a longstanding conflict between the two countries.  We discussed the lengthy history of conflict in the Caucuses and the war over Nagorno-Karabakh, explored why they are fighting again, who is behind the conflict, and what solutions are on the table for resolution.

Guest Speakers: Margarita Tadevosyan & Ulvi Ismayil. Both with extensive experience on Conflict Resolution.

On this episode we discuss the current wave of protests in Israel. Why are individuals disobeying the government led closure and flooding the streets with flags, signs and songs? What are their goals? Who is leading them and why are some Israeli’s arguing to stop them? We’ll be joined by members of the leading parties. Leading groups to note: Crime Minister, Pink Front, Black Flags, Wake Up Israel, Ein Matzav (No Way).

Guest Speakers: Yael Moav & Eyal Shoval

Photojournalists Bosnian, Ziyah Gafic and Serbian, Marko Drobnjakovic talk about their photojournalism work in the Balkans, the multiple narratives of the region, and the role of photography in storytelling.

Guests: Ziyah Gafic is an award-winning photojournalist, videographer, father of two and long distance triathlete who focuses on societies in conflict and Muslim communities across the globe. Marko Drobnjakovic is a documentary photographer based out of Belgrade, Serbia. He covered international breaking news and enterprise events in Europe and the Middle East.

This episode features System Ali, one of a kind Hip-Hop band, composed of nine musicians who have been working together for a decade. System Ali sings in six languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, Yiddish, Amharic and English – the native languages of the nine members of the ensemble.

System Ali was born In Ajami neighborhood in Jaffa as a result of the struggle for housing rights in the city. Since the band has grown to become a diverse and exceptional cultural engine to community building and social change while persistently developing community and educational activities, especially in South Tel Aviv, Jaffa and Bat-Yam.

Guests: Neta Weiner & Samira Saraya from System Ali.

Join us as we discuss how Alliance for Middle East Peace, has successfully advocated for the Israeli-Palestinian peace movement. We will address the struggles and hardships facing the movement and what needs to happen for it to “capture” the majority of the population.

Furthermore, we’ll be discussing how peace movements and organizations formed in the conflicted middle east, how they are hanging on and if they believe that one day they will be able to “capture” the majority of the population? Joining us for the conversation are Avi Meyerstein (ALLMEP Founder and President) and Huda Abuarquob (ALLMEP Regional Director).

This episode explores the waves of various Jewish groups from the Middle East and Northern Africa and how the Black Panther movement in Israel started. 

Guests:  Shai Goren, Tom Mehager, Sapir Sluzker-Amran, and Liel Maghen. Join us on a fascinating discussion on the various waves of Jewish groups from the Middle East and Northern Africa – the challenges they faced (and continue to face), the complexity of acculturation, the push for assimilation, and the current socio-political climate.

This episode launches our series focusing on the Religious and Ethnic Diversity in the Middle East. We are going to set the building blocks that shaped this region. We will also give an overview of the episodes to come – on each, we plan to dive deeper into the stories of these unique communities and what better way than through “Story Telling”. Get ready to meet and connect to the people, their culture, struggles and dreams.

Yuval Ben Ami, a travel writer, tour guide, multidisciplinary artist and one of the best story tellers we know, will be joining us on this fascinating journey.

On this episode we discuss/debate the new Israel-UAE Peace Deal. The agreement marks the third Israel-Arab peace deal since Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948, after Egypt and Jordan. And, inevitably, it raises questions. Will the full promise of this agreement be realized? How will this impact the region? Might other countries follow a similar path? And so much more…

Guests: Ronit Ben Dor (Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Micheline Ishay (Josef Korbel School of International Studies and University of Denver) and Nivine Sandouka (Executive Director of “Our Rights: in Jerusalem").

This episode continues the conversation from the previous episode. TM Garret a reformed white supremacist along with Dr. Todd Allen, joined us to discuss the racial conflict in the United States and what we we can do to work towards reconciliation.

Connect with us as we bring the world to you. Through shared stories and conversations, this podcast aims to continue connecting our world during these challenging times⁠—allowing us to travel from the comfort of our homes. Hosts Aziz Abu Sarah, recognized peace activist and MEJDI Tours co-founder, and Kim Passy-Yoseph, Global Operations Director at MEJDI Tours, share exclusive conversations with leading travel experts, peace-building organizations and civic leaders. Join us as we engage our guest speakers in conversation, discuss difficult questions, model friendship through respectful dialogue and disagreement, and provide an opportunity to encounter new voices and perspectives.