hmTv at HMTC Podcasts Ep 334: The Israeli Bond with Gal Swisa Cohen and guest Liana Meirom Asif on hmTv
Ep. 334
The Israeli Bond with Gal Swisa Cohen
Guest: Liana Meirom Asif**
In this powerful and eye-opening episode of The Israeli Bond, host Gal Swisa Cohen sits down with educator, community leader, and social innovator Liana Meirom Asif for an intimate conversation about Arab-Jewish identity—what it means, how it was shaped, and why it matters now more than ever.
Liana shares her remarkable family story, beginning in the Jewish communities of Aleppo and Baghdad, where her grandparents lived as part of the Middle East long before the modern State of Israel. Through personal memories, historical context, and deeply moving reflections, she explores the complexity of being an “Arab Jew,” the cultural erasure many Mizrahi families experienced upon arriving in Israel, and the emotional journey of reclaiming pride in heritage.
From her grandfather’s daring escape to Israel at age ten, to her mother’s struggle with cultural shame, to Liana’s own mission to restore dignity, tradition, and nuance to the Jewish story—this episode digs into identity, belonging, resilience, and the hidden chapters of Israeli society.
Liana also discusses her leadership as Head of the Jewish Agency’s New York Delegation, where she worked to introduce American communities to the full tapestry of Israeli diversity, from Ethiopian traditions to Mizrahi culture and beyond.
This episode is heartfelt, insightful, and unforgettable—an essential listen for anyone interested in Jewish history, Middle Eastern identity, and the complex mosaic of modern Israel.
Tune in, learn, and connect with a story that challenges assumptions and celebrates the beauty of heritage.