What Gives? The Jewish Philanthropy Podcast cover image

What Gives? The Jewish Philanthropy Podcast

Dr. Mijal Bitton: Translating Sephardi and Mizrahi Stories in America

Sep 19, 2023
Dr. Mijal Bitton, translator for Sephardi and Mizrahi stories, discusses the trajectory of these communities in the US, misunderstandings within the American Jewish community, experiences of women leaders in orthodox communities, and the unique experiences of Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews. They also explore the limitations of identity politics and the importance of understanding difference within America.
48:40

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Fostering relationships and prioritizing love and care can counteract the dominance of ideology and foster inclusivity in the Jewish community.
  • The Sephardic Jewish community offers insights into maintaining normativity and cultural deviance while fostering a sense of identity.

Deep dives

The Importance of Relationships and Identity Shaping

Dr. Michal Bitton emphasizes the significance of relationships in shaping identities, highlighting the role of love and care in fostering a sense of community. She believes that relationships can counteract the dominance of ideology and the dangers of subverting human connections to ideological commitments. Dr. Bitton suggests that a relational approach to Judaism, grounded in the Jewish tradition's historical focus on relationships, can offer a valuable alternative to the prevalent ideological framework. By prioritizing relationships, she argues, we can cultivate inclusivity and a deeper understanding of diverse Jewish experiences.

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